Quote of the Week
"For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end."
— Michelle Obama, 2018
 Full Council
During a special meeting on Tuesday, Legislative Branch Service Award recognitions resumed after a three-year hiatus. These recognitions are an opportunity to publicly recognize staff for their years of service to King County. This meeting also included a proclamation of the Council’s condemnation of antisemitism. As you may have seen, there was some controversy over the language of the proclamation, but ultimately after advocacy from a variety of groups, the language that was presented on Tuesday was agreed upon by all Councilmembers. Click here to view the proclamation.
The Council also took action in support of placing Executive Constantine’s $1.25 billion plan to improve behavioral health in the region on the April ballot. The plan will now make its way to voters in the April special election. The money from this property tax levy would create five new regional crisis centers, to be placed in east King County, north King County, south King County, and Seattle. Read these articles by The Seattle Times, KOMO News, King 5, and The Center Square to learn more. For more information and a recording of this meeting, click here.
Regional Water Quality Committee
The Regional Water Quality Committee met on Wednesday, at which the Committee received reports from the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee as well as from the Wastewater Treatment Division. The Committee also received a briefing concerning the implications of emerging polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, (a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water) regulatory direction. Lastly, the Committee discussed a motion acknowledging receipt of the report on toxics in King County wastewater effluent. This was in response to a proviso that I had included in the 2019-2020 Biennial Budget in an effort to gain a clearer understanding of the impact that effluent may have on our marine ecosystem, including salmon and orcas. For more information and a recording of this meeting, click here.
 Law, Justice, Health, and Human Services Committee
The Law, Justice, Health, and Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 7th at 9:30 a.m., during which the Committee will receive a briefing on deaths in the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention facilities. The Committee will also discuss and take possible action on an ordinance authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement for public defense services between King County and the City of Seattle, as well as on a motion confirming an executive appointment to the King County public defense advisory board. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
Full Council
The King County Council will meet on Tuesday, February 7th at 1:00 p.m., during which the Council will present a recognition of King County Ombuds Director Amy Calderwood upon her retirement as well as a proclamation of February 2023 as Black History Month in King County. The Council will discuss and take possible action on several of the Executive’s appointments, as well as take possible action on a motion requesting the Executive complete a code study related to expanded multifamily housing types in low- and medium-density urban residential zones. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will meet remotely on Wednesday, February 8th at 9:30 a.m. The Committee will receive a briefing on adjusting the adoption of biennial budgets to odd numbered years from Dwight Dively, Director of Office Performance, Strategy, and Budget. The Committee will also discuss and take possible action on two ordinances which would authorize the Executive to amend an agreement with the Washington state Department of Ecology for loan financing for a wastewater capital project. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
Regional Policy Committee
The Regional Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 8th at 3:00 p.m. The Committee will receive a briefing on the 2021 Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Report as well as discuss and take possible action on a resolution concerning the Committee’s (MIDD) work program for 2023. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
 Eye care product linked to antibiotic-resistant infections
 The Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating antibiotic-resistant infections that may be linked to EzriCare Artificial Tears. These infections have been caused by a bacterium commonly found in water and soil that can infect the eyes, lungs, and blood. Symptoms of an eye infection include pain, swelling, discharge, redness, blurry vision, sensitivity to light and the feeling of a foreign object in the eye. If you experience these symptoms with use of EzriCare Artificial Tears, contact your medical provider. For more information, click here.
COVID resources
What a relief it is that we’re not seeing alarming surges this winter! But, nonetheless, people are still getting ill with COVID strains so please continue to exercise caution throughout each day to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Public Health – Seattle & King County has provided a fact sheet for parents to assess their child’s symptoms, learn risk factors and treatments, and instructions on how to reduce its spread. For the latest RSV research and surveillance, click here.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
In Seattle, the ‘shadow epidemic’ has passed COVID – The Seattle Times
President Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11 – AP News
WHO extends public health emergency over COVID but signals end could come soon – STAT News
Students Lost One-Third of a School Year to Pandemic, Study Finds – The New York Times
Do rapid COVID tests still work? – The Seattle Times
COVID-19 is a leading cause of death among children, but is still rare – NPR
How will life change once the COVID-19 emergency ends? – AP News
Gov. Jay Inslee tests positive again for COVID – The Seattle Times
COVID still ‘simmering’ in the county, while booster uptake remains low – Herald Net
MRI scans reveal disparate impact of poverty and other ‘toxic stress’ on brains of Black children – STAT News
 King County announces funding for eight new affordable housing projects
 Executive Constantine announced $24.67 million in funding to local organizations to generate nearly 1,000 new units of affordable housing in King County. These investments will help to meet the growing demand of housing in the area. Click here to learn more.
Van donation program
Each year, King County Metro Transit retires vans from its vanpool fleet and the Council grants some of those vans to community organizations that serve people in need. The vans can be used only to transport customers with special needs (seniors, low-income, youth or people with disabilities).Understanding that it’s challenging to transport people safely during a pandemic, the Council had amended the Code last year to allow that during the declared COVID-19 emergency, organizations may also use their van to transport goods and supplies to people with special needs. Recently, we made that change permanent to better serve those in our community with such transportation needs. Click here to submit your organization’s application. Contact my Chief of Staff, Adam Cooper by Friday, March 10th for more information. He can be reached at Adam.Cooper@kingcounty.gov or by phone at 206-477-3763
Early Learning Facilities’ General Child Care Facilities Funds Awardees
The Department of Community and Human Services and its Enterprise Community Partners have awarded nine projects with $2,240,962 to create 576 new child care slots throughout King County. Beacon Development, Bellwether, Inspire Kids Early Learning, Muslim American Youth Federation, Real Time Human Services, Tiny Tots Development, LIHI/Childhaven, Redmond Ridge East-Montessori/Brightonview Montessori, and YMCA of Greater Seattle were each notified of their receipt of these funds on Tuesday. Congratulations to these awardees!
 Governor Jay Inslee received the Sylvia Earle Award Medal
On Tuesday, I was glad to be present to celebrate Governor Inslee as he received the Sylvia Earle Award Medal at the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Conservation Honors 2023 event. Recipients of this award medal are those whose leadership reflects and advances the mission of the Seattle Aquarium, which is to inspire conservation of our marine environment. It was certainly an enjoyable evening with colleagues, friends, and new acquaintances. And I’m hoping I do not get another bout of COVID as the Governor tested positive the morning after I and so many others were with him! Hoping he continues to have a mild case.
I joined Fox Business to discuss my proposed legislation on cashless transactions
 I joined Fox Business on Tuesday night to share why I think it’s important to ensure that folks who are unbanked or underbanked are able to access the local economy with cash, and they agreed! Not only is it an issue of access, but also of privacy, because when we use cashless forms of payment the data can be stored, sold, and used. Check out our short conversation here.
New state tax credit gives working Washingtonians yearly cash payments
On Tuesday, Governor Jay Inslee celebrated the launch of the Working Families Tax Credit, a new state tax credit that will give yearly cash payments of as much as $1,200 to nearly 400,000 low-to-moderate income households in Washington state. In King County alone, 96,934 households will be eligible for this new tax credit. Click here for more information and to view eligibility requirements.
Free tax help available at Ballard Library starting February 7th
Tax season is upon us! Beginning on Tuesday, February 7th, free tax preparation help will be available at the Ballard Library. With help from the Seattle Public Library, United Way of King County, and AARP, trained volunteers will be available at the Ballard Library and other local libraries to answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns. Click here for edibility requirements and required documents and click here to view a full list of libraries in the region that are offering tax help.
Voting for King Conservation District Board of Supervisors is open
 King Conservation District, which is not a park of King County government, is holding an election for Seat #3 on its Board of Supervisors. Voting is open now and will end February 14, at 8:00 p.m. KCD will primarily rely on electronic ballots, and voters may return ballots electronically through the online ballot access system. However, physical ballots will still be accepted and must be postmarked by February 14th and sent to King County Elections at 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 200, Renton, WA 98057. Click here for more information and to enter the voter portal.
$1 fare for ORCA LIFT riders starts March 1st
Beginning on March 1st, ORCA LIFT riders will only have to pay $1 for public transportation. These cards are available to low-income households, seniors, and those with disabilities. Click here to learn more and to apply for a reduced fare card.
Free ID cards now available for homeless people in WA
 A Washington State law which was passed in March but recently came into effect as of January 1st will offer a one-time original or renewed state ID card at no cost for those who are living without housing. Those without housing who are seeking an ID can visit the driver’s licensing office with or without an appointment, and documentation showing proof of identity is necessary if the person has never had a Washington State ID. Click here to learn more.
Five Tips to Keep the January Blues at Bay
The January blues hit during the time after the holiday season, when festive wreaths and snow days have gone by, but dreary weather remains. And although King County will start to warm up during February, it’s important to identify feelings of anxiety, sleeping issues, low energy, and sadness during the darker and colder days. Read these five tips from the UW Medicine blog to help keep the January Blues at bay.
Washington parents push back against proposal to lower required school age
A new Washington Senate bill is proposing to lower Washington’s compulsory school age from eight to six. If passed, children as young as six would have to enroll in a public or private school or be homeschooled. However, some parents are pushing back against this proposal, believing that parents know better than the state when it comes to a child’s needs. See this article from Crosscut to learn more.
Six more weeks of winter
Today is Groundhog day, and our furry friend Punxsutawney Phil has determined that there will be six more weeks of winter. Even with this long winter, we are in luck because you can still make delicious dishes with local food ingredients from year-round farmers markets! Click here to check out what’s in season at farmers markets near you.
 Belltown Wine Share
The next Belltown Wine Share will take place tomorrow, February 3rd, at The Ellington Condominiums, located at 2801 1st Avenue. From 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., bring a bottle of wine and a friend, and decompress from the week by chatting with neighbors and meeting new faces.
Bell Street Project design process panel
Join Belltown United on Wednesday, February 8th at 6:30 p.m. for a hybrid discussion with panelists representing the Office of the Waterfront, Seattle Department of Transportation, and its design partners, who will present information on the Bell Street Project. This project aims to provide more accessible and comfortable east-west connections by connecting the waterfront to Belltown. For more information, email info@waterfrontseattle.org.
To attend in person: Antioch University, 2400 3rd Avenue
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86783561749?pwd=NysyWkxDc1VaRmdEaHRTSE5ONW5XUT09
Meeting ID: 867 8356 1749
Passcode: 856459
Sound Transit Open House
Join Sound Transit for an open house at Union Station on Wednesday, February 8th from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Learn about the further studies, results, surveys, and have conversations with staff about the West Seattle and Ballard link extensions. Click here for more information and to access a survey to share your thoughts.
A conversation with Sound Transit
Join Uptown Alliance on Thursday, February 9th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for a conversation with Sound Transit concerning the updated Seattle Center/Uptown light rail station. Learn more about the alternatives that Sound Transit is studying as well as about the two options being considered: either Mercer St or Republican St. Click here to register for the meeting.
King Conservation District Strategic Planning Listening Sessions
To prepare its strategic plan for the next five years, the King Conservation District will host two remote listening sessions on February 11th and February 27th. These sessions will provide a space for you to learn more about conservation priorities and shape the upcoming strategic plan. Click here for more information and to register for one of the two sessions.
"Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts" Film Screening
 In celebration of Black History Month, Path with Art, The Washing State Arts Commission, and The Veterans Training Support Center will host a film screening on Friday, February 17th at 5:30 p.m. The one-hour documentary film, “Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts,” will be screened and the director will be at the event to answer questions. Click here for more details and to RSVP for the event.
Save the date for Ballard Hullabaloo
On Friday, February 24th, and Saturday, February 25th, visit Leif Erikson Hall to shop for items from Ballard shops and boutiques at a discounted price. Enjoy shopping, entertainment, and Ballard-brewed beer in a vibrant atmosphere. Click here for more details.
Virtual event with the University of Washington Department of Political Science
Join UW’s Department of Political Science for an informative discussion on the politics of artificial intelligence on February 27th, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. This lecture will discuss a newly released AI tool, ChatGBT, which has become widely renowned for its human-like responses to users’ prompts, problems, and questions. Though certainly useful, AI must be used responsibly and ethically. This faculty panel will consider ethical and political consequences of development in artificial intelligence. Click here to register.
Save the date: NAMI Walks Washington
On Saturday, June 3rd, join NAMI Walks at Marina Park in Kirkland to show Washington that mental health is for all. Join the community in celebrating progress in mental health awareness, meet mental health champions, and learn more about NAMI. Click here for more information and a link to register for the event. This event is also looking for volunteer members to help the event run smoothly, creating a fun and inspiring experience for all. If interested, contact Kris at keschman@namiwa.org for more information.
Let us know of community events that are coming up for us to include in our enews editions!
 Volunteer at the Seattle/King County Clinic
The Seattle/King County Clinic is looking for volunteers in April to help offer free medical, dental, and vision care for those who are medically underserved. There are many necessary positions that need to be filled, including health professionals, social workers, interpreters, general support, and more! Click here to register.
 $25 Million Grants to Start to Address Racism is a Public Health Crisis
 Following the declaration of racism as a public health crisis in King County, The Gathering Collaborative aims to equitably distribute $25 million in investments to community service providers that support their growth and entrepreneurship in ways that start to repair the deep harms of racism worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and bring healing, social and emotional stability, well-being, and restoration for Black and Indigenous people and their communities so that all People of Color and all communities across King County thrive. For more information, read over the Grant Program Overview and the Invitational Document, and see the application here.
The Gathering Collaborative and King County staff will host three informational sessions for potential applicants. Click here for more information on these sessions.
School Based Health Center Services at Denny International Middle School
Public Health — Seattle & King County is requesting applications from community health service providers that seek an investment from the City of Seattle’s Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy approved by voters in November 2018. A pre-application conference for this RFA will be held on February 13th, and applications are due to later than March 6th. Click here to learn more and to access the online application.
4Culture Arts, Heritage, and Preservation Projects
 4Culture Project grants can help you put your ideas in motion and share them with King County. We award Project grants in three disciplines: arts, heritage, and preservation. Make sure to read the guidelines carefully, as they each have slightly different requirements. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23rd. Click here to learn more and to access the online application.
Community Driven Behavioral Health RFP
This RFP seeks to fund Small Organizations to provide community-driven behavioral health services that support the behavioral health needs within their own communities in King County. Successful applications for the resulting Community Driven Grants will support the development, strengthening and/or implementation of creative, innovative, culturally, and linguistically responsive approaches. Click here to learn more and to access the online application.
 Happy Birthday to Woodland Park Zoo’s grizzly cub sisters
A darling creation by my three-year-old granddaughter Frances Fern of Fern the grizzly cub whose name she shares.
Fern and Juniper, grizzly cubs, became sisters-at-heart and best friends after arriving at the Woodland Park Zoo as orphans who were too young to survive on their own. On Tuesday, two celebrated their first birthday together with ice cakes full of their favorite fruits and veggies: apple, cantaloupe, carrot, honeydew, pear, oranges, romaine, watermelon, yam, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, corn, papaya, and mango. Click here to read about all of their birthday activities.
Helpful and informative links
End of an era: Kohl-Welles announces upcoming retirement from Council – Queen Anne & Magnolia News
Sound it Out: sharing your two cents on cashless businesses – KUOW
The Rise of Fentanyl in King County: Is It a Concern for Seattle University? – The Spectator
Untangling America from gun violence – The Seattle Times
How local youth are taking on school gun violence – KUOW
‘Right to repair’ bill would give consumers access to parts, info needed to fix their electronics – KIRO7
REPORT - Food Insecurity in King County, February 2023 – King County Clerk’s Office
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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