Quote of the Week
"A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman."
– Melinda Gates, 2003
 Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee
At its Tuesday meeting, the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee was briefed on the Re+ plan as well as on our greenhouse gas inventory. The committee also took action on a motion to accept the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration 2023 Work Plan and Budget. Click here for a recording of this meeting, its materials, and agenda.
Full Council
This week, the King County Council met on Tuesday at its newly scheduled time of 1:30 p.m. for the first time. If you plan to attend upcoming Council meetings, please make note of this important change. During the meeting, the Council issued a proclamation of this week, March 20th – 26th, as National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week in King County. The Council also took action on several of the Executive’s appointments, and deferred action until next Tuesday’s meeting on an ordinance authorizing the Executive to execute an interlocal agreement with the South Correctional Entity for jail services. Click here for a recording of this meeting, its materials, and agenda.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
At its Wednesday meeting, the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee was briefed on proposed ordinance 2023-0095 related to the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy ballot measure, as well as on an overview of the County Debt Refinance. The Committee also took action on two ordinances authorizing the execution of a sublease to support the operation of the Metro transit department. Click here for a recording of this meeting, its materials, and agenda.
Government Accountability and Oversight Committee
At this morning’s meeting, the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee was briefed by Superior Court Presiding Judge Oishi and Judge O’Donnell on the courthouse and perimeter security issues, including City Hall Park, as well as on the Auditor’s Report on the County’s Equity and Social Justice Program. View the Auditor’s Report here. Click here for a recording of this meeting, its materials, and agenda.
 Local Services and Land Use Committee
The Local Services and Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 28th at 9:30 a.m. For more information on this meeting and its agenda, click here.
Full Council
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 The King County Council will meet on Tuesday, March 28th at 1:30 p.m. at which the major issue will be the proposed ordinance discussed above on the County’s entering into an agreement to have some detainees transferred to a jail (SCORE) in South King County because of severe staff shortages in our downtown King County Jail. Councilmember Rod Dembowski and I visited the SCORE jail yesterday and are working on amendments with Councilmember Zahilay. For more information on this meeting and its agenda, click here.
 Frozen organic strawberries and frozen tropical fruit blends linked to cases of Hepatitis A
 A recall of frozen organic strawberries and frozen organic tropical fruit blend has been placed, has these frozen fruits have linked to at least five cases of Hepatitis A in Washington residents (two in King County). The recalled products were sold here at Costco, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe’s. Consumers are advised to throw away these products or return them to where they were purchased. Learn more here.
Telehealth for sexual and reproductive health
 The Washington State Department of Health has launched a new webpage and tool to find telehealth sexual and reproductive health care services in Washington. Learn more here.
Free rapid COVID-19 self-tests are still available
If you feel sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important to get tested right away, even if you're vaccinated. Now is a good time to stock up on free at-home rapid tests, while supplies are still available and covered by insurance.
You can still request tests from:
- Washington State Department of Health: www.sayyescovidhometest.org. Be mindful that this program will end on May 11th.
- Insurance providers are required to cover the cost of eight at-home tests per covered member per month, through May 11th.
COVID-19
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.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
Recovery leaders announce 3rd Annual King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders – The Facts Northwest 2 hospitalized in WA state from hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries, says CDC – KIRO7
New health board members picked for Tri-Cities WA area – The Tri City Herald
Covid changed parents’ views on schools – The Washington Post
Long-covid symptoms are less common now than earlier in the pandemic – The Washington Post
Bill Gates: ‘I Worry We’re Making the Same Mistakes Again’– The New York Times
Department of Health Offers Telehealth Clinic Options – The South Seattle Emerald
WA hospitals warn that services could be affected as their financial picture worsens – The News Tribune
 Major truck traffic in Magnolia and Discovery Park for West Point’s Power Quality building construction
 King County’s Power Quality Improvement Project is planned to increase power reliability and resiliency as our region experiences more frequent severe storms due to climate change. The project is building a battery-powered back-up energy system that will reduce power disruptions at West Point that can result in the emergency bypass of wastewater into Puget Sound.
On March 30th and April 6th from 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., construction for this project will take place. Construction vehicles will travel through Magnolia on Gilman Avenue West, from West Emerson Place to 28th Place West, and West Government Way, from 28th Place West to 36th Avenue West. Expect increased vehicle traffic and increased vehicle noise, and approximately 80 trucks per day.
Your patience and understanding are appreciated during this time of necessary safety improvements for our region! For more information, visit the project webpage here.
Help Metro make decisions on bus route pathway and service changes to the Madison Street Area
 On Monday, King County Metro launched the Madison Street Area - Bus Service Change Project to explore changes and improvements to bus routes in the Madison Street area. These changes will support Metro’s new RapidRide G Line, which will bring more frequent and reliable bus service between Madison Valley and Downtown Seattle. To help Metro make decisions on bus route pathway and service changes, take Metro’s survey and share your thoughts. For more information, and in addition to a project website, Metro will also host pop-up and open-house events to answers questions and capture feedback in-person.
King County Metro celebrates launch of RapidRide H Line
 Last week, community leaders gathered to celebrate the launch of the RapidRide H Line. As Metro’s seventh RapidRide line, 6,000 daily transit users of the current Route 120 will be met with an upgrade in speed, reliability, and customer experience from downtown Seattle to Burien. Click here to learn more!
Today’s Sound Transit Board Meeting
 Today, the Sound Transit Board met from 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Union Station. The Board considered the Sound Transit System Expansion Committee’s recommendation regarding the preferred alternative for the Ballard Link Extension. The meeting was recorded and will be uploaded to the WebEx Livestream Archive here. Please visit Sound Transit’s website for more information about the further studies, to view past workshop and open house materials, or to request a briefing or meeting.
New artworks at Skyway Park
 King County Parks partnered with the One Roof Foundation and Seattle Kraken to commission public artwork from Seattle-based artist T.R. Miles at Skyway Park. Miles is known for “Sunshine,” the mural of park scenes at Rainier Avenue and 54th Street in South Seattle. Miles created four art panels for the park’s multisport court, which were designed using his signature “broken glass” style. The art panels were unveiled to the public last week and depicts people from the community interworked among the iconography of the Seattle Kraken. Click here to see more.
King County and Ballmer Group invest $2.4 million to fund expansion of mental health enhancements throughout school-based health centers
 Young people in the United States are facing unprecedented metrics of mental health issues. To address this status, King County is expanding mental health enhancements in school-based health centers with an investment of more than $2.4 million. The centers will provide a range of services, including primary care, well-child exams, and mental health counseling. Click here to learn more.
Checking in with Leesa Manion
 In celebration of Women’s History Month, King County TV sat down with the first woman and the first person of color elected as King County Prosecutor. Click here to watch. My Council colleagues Claudia Balducci and Sarah Perry and I were also interviewed by KCTV which will be broadcast in upcoming days.
Pet of the Week
 Cuddles is a 7-month-old Border Collie / German Shepherd who is full of energy and loves to play. He is looking for a family that will be consistent with him and socialize him so that he can have the best companionship with people and other animal. Click here to meet him, and to see tons of other animals looking for their forever homes!
 95th annual Blessing of the Fleet
 I’m pictured here with Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, Rick Steves, and my husband Alexander Welles.
It was an honor to speak at the 95th Annual Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, hosted by Ballard First Lutheran Church-Seattle. This was my 25th year of speaking at the event as either state senator or councilmember! Thus, this was indeed a special moment for me as it was my last time to officially speak at the event, with my retirement from the Council to come at the end of this year. It was wonderful to be with Pastor Erik Wilson Weiberg and Pastor Elise Scott, and so many other familiar faces again!
King County deputy shot while serving eviction notice in Ballard
On Monday morning, a King County Sheriff’s Office deputy was shot while serving an eviction notice in Ballard. During the encounter, shots were fired, and the person being served, who was later identified as Eucy, retreated into the apartment but was later found dead. Later reports identified the cause of death as suicide. The deputy is now receiving critical care for significant injuries at Harborview Medical Center. See this articlefrom The Seattle Times for more information. From every angle, this situation is a tragedy. We wish him a swift and full recovery and express our gratitude for the risks officers take in the line of duty. I’m also holding the loved ones of Eucy and the Ballard community in my heart this week.
Women-owned businesses in Ballard
In celebration and honor of Women’s History Month, the Ballard Alliance has created a webpage to highlight woman-owned businesses and organizations in Ballard. Click here to view the list.
Ramadan Mubarak
 Ramadan Kareem to all of our Muslim friends and neighbors! Across the globe, this holy month is a time for reflection, discipline, and spiritual growth. May this month bring you an abundance of blessings as you celebrate with loved ones.
Free android smartphones
Several Seattle Public Library Branches (Central, Rainier Beach, and Capitol Hill) are holding free phone events. Assurance Wireless will be on site to register interested individuals that meet eligibility criteria for phone plans that will include unlimited data, text, and minutes. You may qualify if you receive SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, Veterans pension or Survivors pension, or Section 8 benefits, and individuals might also qualify based on income.
The free phone and service enrollment events will be as follows:
Tuesday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Central Library
Tuesday, April 4th from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Rainier Beach Branch
Thursday, April 6th from 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Capitol Hill Branch
Tuesday, April 11th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Central Library
Learn more details here.
 Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
 Visit the Armory at Seattle Center this Saturday, March 25th at 2:00 p.m. for a performance by the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. The musicians will present a glimpse of various families of instruments, featuring violin, viola, cello, piano, bassoon and clarinet. Click here for more information.
King County’s Conference on Substance Use Disorders
 Public Health – Seattle & King County will co-host King County’s 3rd Annual Conference on Substance Use Disorders in person on May 11th, along with the King County Recovery Coalition, the King County Council, and the King County Department of Community and Human Services. This event will allow the community to come together to better understand how to meet people where they are at on their journey to recovery.
The event is free to the public and will take place at Bellevue College. Although you are encouraged to attend and participate safely in person, the conference will be conducted in a hybrid manner. Click here to reserve your spot!
 Paid internship with King County Parks & Recreation
 The King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps strives to support the career interests of a new generation of environmental leaders who represent the diversity of King County’s communities. Applications for the 2023 YCC program are now open through April 16th for students entering grades 10-12. Interns work with King County Parks & Recreation staff at multiple Parks locations in King County to better understand the breadth and depth of environmental justice, ecological restoration, and parks and recreation management practices. This is of special interest to me as my amendment adopted on the parks levy ordinance a few years created the program. Click here to learn more and apply.
Education Specialist - Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization Section
The Education Specialist performs Childhood Vaccine Program site visits with enrolled clinics in King County utilizing pre-designed assessment methodologies designed by Washington State Department of Health and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The specialist will evaluate clinic data to determine whether current program policies and procedures regarding vaccine ordering, reporting, inventory management, and vaccine dose documentation are effectively carried out by the practice. This position evaluates provider compliance with federal and state requirements in a supportive, educational and precise manner, bringing the contract terms to bear in problem situations where provider access to state-supplied vaccines may be at risk. Click here to learn more about the position and apply before March 29th.
 Volunteer this Spring with King County Parks!
 Explore a connection to and engagement with the health of our gorgeous regional parks. Join King County parks this spring in helping our parks thrive! Visit this website to learn more about our community events.
 Best Starts for Kids Increasing Blood Lead Testing for Children
 The Best Starts for Kids Increasing Blood Lead Testing for Children in King County Request for Proposals is now open! This program aims to prevent childhood lead poisoning, identify and reduce exposures to environmental toxics, and equitably improve health outcomes, especially for communities of color. The RFP will fund up to two applicants to improve blood lead testing rates among focus communities. Focus communities include, but are not limited to, Medicaid-eligible children and their families, immigrant and refugee families with young children, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color families with young children. Click herefor full funding details and a link to the application, and apply before Monday, May 8th at 1:00 p.m.
If you have any other questions, please contact Phillip Thompson at CPRES-BSK@kingcounty.gov.
 Remembering Francisca Garcia: A Pillar of the South End Latino Community
 Francisca Garcia is likely best known as the woman who made the annual Día de los Muertos ofrenda at El Centro de La Raza, but her ties to the Latino community in Seattle go further and deeper than that. And it is impossible to tell a single story about Francisca without including her family and community – she was a passionate and invested leader. And although the unfortunate news of her passing in July was a deep loss in the South Seattle Latino community, her memory and accomplishments continue to endure. Click here to learn more about Francesca and her meaningful contributions to both family and community.
Helpful and informative links
The Downtown Jail Is Overflowing – The Stranger
Responding to Feedback, Skepticism, Homelessness Agency Proposes Modest Changes to Ambitious Five-Year Plan – PubliCola
A fiscally responsible way to tackle WA’s affordable housing crisis – The Seattle Times
Your taxes fund King County mental health, addiction programs: Here’s where the dollars go – The Seattle Times
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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