Happy Holidays!
December 2022
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your support and faith in me as I complete my first year of service as your new King County District 3 Councilmember. I am grateful for all that we accomplished together, and for being able to top it off by passing an outstanding $16.2B County budget. The budget will bring investments to communities throughout our County and will make a difference for generations to come.
I am also excited about all we can do together in 2023 to ensure our environment, businesses, and community members who are struggling most with behavioral health issues can thrive, and that our investments guide short- and long-term visions across incorporated and unincorporated neighborhoods. Be on the lookout next year for all the community events, Town Halls and meetings with us across our district.
However, what continues to make the difference in all we do is you and you sharing your priorities for your specific community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for a cup of coffee and a conversation anytime – we would love to hear from you!
In the meantime, I am wishing you and your loved ones the gratitude, peace and joy that the season brings, and the very best in the new year!
In hope & gratitude,
WHAT A YEAR! Here’s Our Top 22 Accomplishments of 2022!
We are excited to share that in this first year on Council we have accomplished transformational victories for all of our District 3 communities and for the entire county!
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS
🌲 Voted to put forward the Conservation Futures Levy on the ballot, which voters overwhelmingly passed, to preserve over 65K acres of our forests, trails, river corridors, farmland, open space and urban greenspace into the future!
🏡 Led conversations and put forward a successful ordinance to strengthen building & energy codes improving air quality and reducing emissions for new housing!
🏞️ Championed an amendment to the Flood Control District budget prioritizing the Snoqualmie River Basin as a priority investment focus for 2023 and 2024!
🚒 Mobilized wildfire response resources & supported a collaborative effort of 60+ agencies to face the Bolt Creek Fire, our district’s biggest fire in 100+ years.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT
💚 Convened Behavioral Health Roundtables with state legislators, tribal leaders, Behavioral Health specialists, KC Sheriff’s Office, police chiefs, and fire chiefs across our District to identify and address gaps and overlaps in services.
🏅 Co-sponsored a new Behavioral Health Recovery Champion Award with CM Dunn, recognizing public health champion Brad Finegood with the first award!
🎨 Sponsored a Behavioral Health & Art Therapy Pilot Program to serve our multi-cultural community in a culturally relevant way for highest potential success.
🏥 Joined Councilmember Zahilay in sponsoring a behavioral health initiative to reinstate 100 lost residential treatment beds since 2018, build 5 crisis care facilities, and augment salary and education of behavioral health care workers.
ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY
🕌 Introduced a Recognition of Eid Holidays for our Muslim community members, as we recognize and celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas Holidays!
👪 Ensured $6.2 million to stop the loss of human services providers, including those providing homelessness, housing, and gender-based violence services.
🗺️ Organized a Town Hall in each of our 12 cities and townships with Mayors, leaders and expert speakers presenting on specific community priorities!
👩🏾⚖️ Co-sponsored abortion access legislation prohibiting county agencies from cooperating with out-of-state prosecutions of providers or patients.
📚 Championed the Bill Ptacek Youth Literacy Fund in Fall City to grow literacy opportunities in the name of a beloved late KCLS Director who loved Fall City!
🗳️ Co-sponsored legislation that moves King County Elections to even years to promote civic engagement and stronger turnout for county elections!
PUBLIC TRANSIT & MOBILITY
🚌 Voted in favor of Free Youth Transit Fare for youth 18 and under in King County, promoting public transit use and reducing financial barriers!
📅 Convened regular roundtables with the Sno-Valley Mayors, the Snoqualmie Tribe & KC Metro to address transit needs and mobility opportunities.
🚐 Promoted mobility by donating 4 vans to local non-profits to support transit for seniors, youth and those living with disabilities for their greater access.
🛤️ Supported eastside connectivity through the EasTrail expansion and the groundbreaking of the final segment of the 44-mile East Lake Sammamish Trail!
HOUSING OPTIONS
🏘️ Approved $166 million to fund affordable housing near transit centers, supportive housing operations, and coordinated crisis response efforts.
💵 Allocated $55,500 in housing grants to six non-profits serving District 3 to help community members with housing needs and services.
💻 Held a virtual Property Assessment, Budget, and Tax Community Town Hall with the King County Assessor & Finance Director that engaged 300 residents and provided key information on property values and the 1% cap on property taxes.
🤝🏽 Engaged community members working on the KC Equitable Development Initiative in recognition of historic inequities and housing displacement.
Cold Weather, Road and Flood Resources
As we head into winter, the weather is getting colder and is increasingly unpredictable with seasonal risks moving from rain and floods into landslides and avalanches risks district wide. Below are some resources to help you stay safe, warm, dry and protected against the cold weather.
Cold Weather Resources:
When there is incoming cold weather, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority activates their Severe Weather Response protocols, and you can stay up to date on those here. Additionally, to stay warm from the cold weather, you can visit any King County Library System location which are open during their regular hours. Check out the cold weather resources below:
Day Centers:
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Congregations for the Homeless – Day Center (Male-identifying) Lincoln Center 515B 116th Ave NE Suite 174 Bellevue, WA 98004, 5AM – 10PM
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Catholic Community Services – New Bethlehem Day Center (Families with Children) 11920 NE 80th St Suite 100, Kirkland, WA 98033, 9AM – 4PM
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The Sophia Way – Sophia’s Place Day Center (Women-identifying) 3032 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue, WA 98004, 8AM - 3PM
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Friends of Youth – 16101 NE 87th ST Suite 110, Redmond, (youth and young adults), 206-236-5437
Emergency Shelters with Drop-in:
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Congregations for the Homeless (515B 116th Ave NE, Bellevue), for adult men, 425-496-4885, closest bus route is the 271
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The Sophia Way, two locations, Helen’s Place (8045 120th Ave NE, Suite 200, Kirkland) and Sophia’s Place (3030 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue), for adult women, 425-896-7385, closest bus routes are the 239 and 250
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New Bethlehem Place (8045 120th Ave NE, Suite 100, Kirkland), for families with children, 425-679-0354
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Friends of Youth (16101 NE 87th ST Suite 110, Redmond) for young adults 18-24 years, 206-236-5437
Warming Sites:
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South Bellevue Community Center (14509 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, WA 98006) 6am – 8pm (M-Th) 6am – 7pm (F) 8am – 5pm (Sat.); Closed: 12/20/22, 12/24/22, 12/26/22, 1/2/2023
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Crossroads Community Center (16000 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98008) 9am – 5pm (M-Th) 9am – 2pm (F); Closed: 12/20/22, 12/26/22, 1/2/23
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North Bellevue Community Center (4063 148th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007) 9am – 8:30pm, (M-Th) 9am – 5:30pm, (F); Call before traveling: 425.452.7681 Closed: 12/20/22, 12/26/22 & 1/2/23
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https://www.redmond.gov/241/Redmond-Community-Center-at-Marymoor-Vil (6505 176th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052) 8am – 8pm, (M-F); Closed: 12/23/22 12/24/22, 12/25/22, 12/26/22, 1/1/23, & 1/2/23
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Redmond Library (15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052) 1pm – 8pm (T/W) 10am – 5pm (Th-Sat, & M); Closed: 12/20/22, 12/24/22 & 12/25/22
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Redmond City Hall (15670 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052) 8am – 5pm (T-Th); Closed: 12/23/22, 12/24/22, 12/25/22, 12/26/22
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Issaquah Senior Center (75 NE Creek Way, Issaquah WA) 8:30am – 4pm (M-Th) 8:30am- 2pm (F) (Seniors only); Call before traveling: 425.837.3339 Closed: 1/2/23
Road Resources:
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the East Puget Sound Lowlands, including all communities in District 3, for moderate to heavy snowfall ranging from 2-8 inches locally beginning this evening and continuing through tonight. Please limit travel time or stay home where possible as travel is expected to be very difficult!
If there is an issue related to roads in Unincorporated King County, please consult King County's Snow & Ice website here.
This page includes the contact information for the Road Service Division's 24/7 help line, where unincorporated King County residents can call if there is an urgent need (e.g. a tree down, road blocked, etc). Residents may also call to place requests for snow plows on particular streets, but unless it is an emergency, the Road Maintenance crews must first prioritize main arterials, emergency access roads, and neighborhood feeder roads, before focusing on other road categories.
- 24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237
- If dealing with an immediate emergency, please call 9-1-1.
- For non-emergencies, you may email maint.roads@kingcounty.gov.
- Please make the necessary preparations to keep you and your loved ones safe during this period of snowy weather.
Flood, Snow and Other Emergency Resources:
- Sign up for ALERT King County, a regional public information and notification service that helps you stay informed about potential floods, hazards and threats that impact your area
- In case of emergency, including medical emergencies, please call 911
- To get in touch with the King County Office of Emergency Management, you can give them a call at 206-296-3830 or visit their website here
- If you would like to help those in need by stocking their food bank or contributing financially so others can stock items for you, please visit the Emergency Feeding Program here
Still Hard at Work in Council!
The Council has been staying busy in our Full Council Meetings and Committees. Some of the initiatives that we have been working on are:
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PNB Recognition: On December 13th, we recognized Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 50th Anniversary season! From its founding in 1972 to the present, Pacific Northwest Ballet has inspired millions of people through the power of dance and movement in the Pacific Northwest
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Iranian Recognition: This month in Council, we recognized the sovereignty and rights of women and girls in Iran, calling for an immediate end to the vicious violence and oppression being reigned upon our Iranian sisters. The current regime is violating the most basic tenets of the Muslim faith, which hold that men and women are equal in God’s eyes and abhors violence against one another.
Council Committee Assignments!
Last week in our Council meeting, we finalized our committee assignments for the new year. I am excited to share that my colleagues have once again elected me as Chair of King County Council's Local Services and Land Use (LSLU) Committee! In addition, they chose me to chair the Regional Transit Committee (RTC), which engages in important transportation initiatives across the county, including in our rural communities. I also have the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair for both the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services (LJHHS) Committee and the King County Flood Control District Board!
It's going to be a busy year, but I'm already looking forward to the work that we can do together through all of these committees! To learn more about these committees, visit our website here!
Snoqualmie Pass Spotlight!
Check out where the spotlight is shining on a Snoqualmie Pass business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity this month! Take a look at what they bring to each of us when you get a chance – and remember to Go Local!
Pass Life Workspace is a coworking and events space, located at Snoqualmie Pass. Opened recently in the renovated historic Firehouse, they offer both a space built for productivity and a place created as a jumping-off point for recreation and community interaction. They celebrate bringing people together by a shared love of human connection outside! Check out their website at Pass Life Workspace and make sure to give them a visit next time you’re in Snoqualmie Pass at 69802 WA-906 Suite 201, Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068.
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Under the leadership of Fire Chief Jay Wiseman, Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue has been instrumental in making sure that the Pass and surrounding areas remain safe all year! They respond to an average of 550 calls for Emergency Medical Aid, Fire and Rescue Services each year, a number that only increases when we deal with severe weather conditions. They work closely with local agencies, including but not limited to Eastside Fire & Rescue, King County Medic One, Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff Department, Kittitas County Sheriff Department, Washington State DOT, and Summit at Snoqualmie Ski Patrol to provide emergency services to our community. Any Questions? Call their station number at 425-434-6333.
Town Spotlight: Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass has a growing community that is ready to get things done! Local community member Josh McBride has been leading efforts to organize the community in this unincorporated town, convening several meetings that have brought together local businesses -- including the Summit at Snoqualmie Pass -- first responders, and other leaders in the area! Just last month, we met with a highly skilled and dedicated team of leaders who convene regularly to ensure that severe weather events and poor driving decisions do not derail any of your winter plans as you drive across the Pass! If you have any questions or would like to get involved in the area, you can send an email to Josh McBride at joshuamcbride@mac.com!
Stay Connected!
Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook account and Twitter page to stay up-to-date on everything we are working on together!
Finally... a reminder that I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and talk. Just reach out to our team member Robby at Robby.paige@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003 and Robby will set us up!
 Sarah Perry
King County Council
District 3
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