Quote of the Week
"Life has got all those twists and turns. You've got to hold on tight and off you go."
– Nicole Kidman, 2015
 Regional Policy Committee
Proposed ordinance 2023-0095, which would place the renewal of the Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy on the August primary ballot, currently awaits action in the Regional Policy Committee. This past Monday, the RPC deliberated over the amended version of the ordinance but chose to recess until today at 4:00 p.m. See here for information on joining the Zoom meeting.
Last week, the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee voted with my support to increase the levy rate from $0.10 to $0.12. But a levy proposition requires a dual referral, meaning the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee and the Regional Policy Committee must deliberate on the ordinance prior to the full Council’s taking action on it to place it on the ballot. The process makes for a time-sensitive and often complicated dance as measures are amended in one committee or the other, but the intention is to include more elected officials in the process for greater representation. The RPC includes members of the Seattle City Council and Sound Cities Association, which is comprised of several elected city officials from around the county.
After the Regional Policy Committee’s action today, the Council will pick up the legislation for final passage this coming Tuesday at our Council meeting. If the RPC rejects the version with the rate at $0.12, then the Council can still pass the version at $0.12, although it would take six votes instead of the usual five. Alternatively, the Council could accept the originally proposed $.10 rate.
 Law, Justice, Health, and Human Services Committee
At next Tuesday’s LJHHS meeting at 9:30 a.m., the Committee will likely take action on a motion requesting the Executive evaluate programs to reduce the average daily population in King County adult secure detention facilities and provide funding recommendations. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
Full Council
At next Tuesday’s Council meeting at 1:30 p.m., the Council will likely take action on the proposed ordinance to renew the VSHSL. The Council will also take action on several executive appointments as well as on a motion to transfer retired vanpool vans to non-profit organizations. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
Regional Water Quality Committee
At next Wednesday’s RWQC meeting at 3:00 p.m., the Committee will conduct its review of its 2023 Work Plan. It will also receive briefings on federal funding opportunities and proposed ordinances. Lastly, the Committee will review reports from both the Wastewater Treatment Division and the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
 Economic, social, and health data in King County
Public Health — Seattle & King County continues to monitor changes in key economic, social, and other health indicators. The economic, social, and health impacts data project helps inform strategies and policies to minimize those harms and maximize outcomes for all residents of King County. Below are some highlights, but you can view the whole dashboard here.
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
Reduced barriers to medications needed to help King County decrease growing number of overdose deaths – State of Reform
Fentanyl death toll continues to surge in King County – KUOW
Vending Machines Dispense Critical Tools for Preventing Overdose – Public Health Insider
FACT FOCUS: COVID vaccines are not in the food supply – AP News
Department of Health sunsets COVID-19 exposure app WA Notify – My Northwest
Kids’ Declining Mental Health Is the ‘Crisis of Our Time,’ Surgeon General Says – Education Week
Health researchers find sweeps may contribute to death, illnesses among some homeless people – Real Change News
US cigarette smoking rate falls to historic low, but e-cigarette use keeps climbing – CNN
One-third of US teen girls seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021: CDC – ABC News
Public Health Addresses Racism as A Health Crisis by Connecting Black Community With Providers/Solutions – The Seattle Medium
Public Health Offers Advice to Help with Lapse in Apple Health Coverage –South Seattle Emerald
Food Insecurity Remains High: How to Help and Get Food Assistance – Public Health Insider
 Link light rail service disrupted through Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel
If you travel through the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, please prepare for additional travel time to reach your destination. Because of damage caused by street-level construction at the Westlake station last Tuesday when a construction crew attempting to remove a clock at street level broke through the roof of the tunnel. Upon examination, the damage showed that it was more significant than originally thought, requiring the emergency service disruption for the safety of passengers. This service disruption will last for two weeks.
What to expect:
During this period, passengers traveling southbound will need to transfer at Capitol Hill station to another train to continue their trips, while passengers traveling northbound will need to transfer at Stadium station. Trains will run in each direction through the tunnel every 32 minutes. Trains between Northgate and Capitol Hill stations and between Stadium and Angle Lake stations will run every 15 minutes.
Because trains will be single tracking through the tunnel, the northbound platforms at Westlake, University Street, Pioneer Square, and International District stations are closed. Only the southbound platforms at those stations will be open for trains traveling in either direction.
During this time, passengers should pay extra attention while they travel so they don’t get on the train going in the wrong direction and don’t stay on the train when they need to transfer.
Sound Transit personnel will be at affected stations tomorrow, Saturday, to assist passengers. As the situation evolves, Sound Transit will be working to provide the most service possible given constraints.
To ensure that you arrive at your destination on time, please plan accordingly. Information about alternative routes that passengers may want to consider is available on the Sound Transit website.
Briefing on opioid use in King County now available
In last week’s Board of Health meeting, we received a very informative briefing from staff in Public Health – Seattle and King County as well as the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division on opioid use in King County. They presented data about use, as well as outlined the steps that King County has taken to support individuals struggling with substance use disorder and provide harm reduction resources. For more information, you can review the full report here.
Settlement with Juul in youth e-cigarette lawsuit
King County has reached a settlement in its lawsuit against the e-cigarette company Juul Labs, Inc. concerning youth vaping. The settlement includes provisions for youth programs aiming to prevent tobacco and vapor product use. Resources from the settlement will also be allocated toward changing policies, systems, and environments to deter tobacco use. For more information on the settlement, click here.
West Point Power Quality Improvement Project Update
 The significant Power Quality Improvement Project at West Point Treatment Plant is making quick progress to improve power supply reliability through work to bring over 88,000 of batteries to the plant. This battery system will improve the quality of the power feeding through the plant, making it better able to withstand power supply blips that can cause significant machinery malfunction. Read more here.
Invitation to participate in international survey on King County Metro’s bus service!
 King County is joining in with 16 other transit agencies around the world and would like your feedback, especially in your thoughts about the bus service Metro provides and your plans for using transit as pandemic restrictions lift. Take the survey here by April 30.
Community survey for public input on budget cuts
King County has launched a community survey asking for public input on prioritizing services funded by the County’s General Fund. The Fund is expected to face $100 million in budget cuts because of our state’s broken tax system which has not been updated in 20 years. As King County is considering a fall budget which would include these cuts, the community survey is designed to gather data on which discretionary programs are most important to those who live and work in King County. Click here to learn more. If you would like to add your input in the survey, you can take it here. Your input will be very helpful to the County Executive and to the Council.
Executive Constantine and Mayor Harrell announce new Health Through Housing building operators
 On Monday, Executive Constantine and Mayor Harrell announced that the Chief Seattle Club and the Lavender Rights Project will jointly operate the latest Health Through Housing building in Capitol Hill. It is expected to welcome residents this fall and will provide 35 units of permanent supportive housing. This was funded through a joint intention between King County and Seattle to reinvest unexpended jail funds into upstream community-based health and housing programs for communities that are disproportionately affected by the legal system and incarceration. This facility will service queer, transgender, two-spirit, Black, Indigenous, people of color. Click here to read the full story.
New Customer Service Center is Now Open!
 Starting this past Thursday, April 20th, King County residents are now able to access in-person services in various county agencies including but not limited to property tax payments, taxpayer assistance and exemptions, vital records such as death and birth certificates, and much more. These in-person services have been highly requested by our residents since these services were suspended during the pandemic. These services will now be in one place, in a one stop shop fashion to further improve the customer’s experience with King County services.
One of the new features at the CSC (Customer Service Center) is the ability for residents to get in line virtually for many services via a platform called QLess. King County agencies using QLess will have links on their web pages where users can make an appointment for their in-person visit. Also, appointments are able to be made at kiosks within the CSC or by downloading the QLess smartphone app available in app stores. Language diversity is another feature that was improved in this new center as well. Over a dozen languages are available to users for making an appointment and translators will be available for assistance at no cost for those going to their in-person visit.
The new service hub at King Street Center, located at 201 S. Jackson Street, is easily accessible by transit, with several bus routes and a Link Light Rail station nearby. See the list below for some transportation options.
- King County Metro
- Sound Transit
- Seattle Streetcar
These services are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, though some agency hours may vary. For more information please visit the King County Customer Service Center page. To read the press release at length, click here.
@KCMetroAlerts twitter retiring, updates will be available on @KingCountyMetro
On Monday, King County Metro retired its automated account @kcmetroalerts, one of the less frequently used customer service tools. King County Metro will continue to post on @KingCountyMetro, our general news Twitter account. The same information will still be available through other trip planning tools. Read more about this change here.
Participatory Budgeting in Urban Unincorporated King County
 Participatory budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee members design and carry out the participatory budgeting process, which will be focused on building the community’s strength and addressing priorities which community members have voiced. To learn more about participatory budgeting and get to know your community’s steering committee, click here.
Exercise caution in cold bodies of water this weekend
With warm weather predicted this weekend, King County officials are asking that you remain cautious of our region’s dangerously cold lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound. Many of these bodies of water have temperatures in the upper 40’s and low 50’s, which makes cold-water shock a real issue for all swimmers. While you enjoy the sunshine this weekend, please be safe and mindful. For more information from King County, click here.
Snoqualmie Valley Agriculture Task Force invites public comment on upcoming Strategic Plan
The Snoqualmie Valley Agriculture Task Force is seeking comments on its draft Agricultural Land Resource Strategic Plan from May 4th through June 5th. The vision of this plan is to elevate the land resource needs for infrastructure, policy, and regulatory improvements for commercial farmers in the SVAPD and King County so that farmers in the APD, policy makers and service providers can understand the agricultural needs based on facts, implement the solutions, and gain the results needed in the next 25 years. Learn more and take the input survey here.
Pet of the Week
Lowa is one-year-old Siberian Husky who is a gentle and loving dog who likes to take things slow. Lowa is very independent and likes to do his own thing. He is a shy dog, so he is looking for a family who will understand that he might need time to warm up. Click here to meet him, and to see tons of other animals looking for their forever homes!
 Eid Mubarak
 Last Friday, April 21st marked the end of Ramadan and the beginning of a three-day celebration for our King County Muslim Community. After a month of fasting, Eid is a time to feast and celebrate with family and loved ones. Hoping our Muslim community had a joyous, peaceful, and blessed Eid!
Southern Resident Orca Buffer Bill Clears Washington Legislature
Senate Bill 5371, a bill which requires vessels to stay 1,000 yards from endangered orcas, has passed through the State House and Senate. The success of the bill through the legislature demonstrates our state’s dedication to the survival of these beloved animals. Now, the bill awaits signing by Governor Inslee. To learn more about SB 5371, click here.
Legislative Update
The Legislature adjourned Sine Die this past Sunday evening. In the final hours, the Legislature attempted to pass a bill, relating to the Blake decision (SB 5536), which would have made intentional possession of a prohibited substance a gross misdemeanor, but it failed on the House floor, 43-55. As a result, the current state law criminalizing possession of a controlled substance will expire July 1, 2023. At that point, state law will not prohibit possession of a controlled substance. As a result, it is likely the Legislature will re-convene before the end of June, assuming an agreement on Blake can be reached. For more information on this bill, see the Seattle Times piece here. In the meantime, my Council colleague Reagan Dunn introduced legislation, Proposed Ordinance 2023-0178, to make it a misdemeanor to use drugs in public places. Read more about the proposed legislation in this article from The Seattle Times.
Two bills that would have provided local governments with revenue options also did not manage to cross the finish line, though they were closer than any time before. SB 5770 would have replaced the 1% property tax cap with a cap tied to inflation and population growth not to exceed 3%, for both state and local property taxes; while HB 1628 had a local option REET component. Unfortunately, neither bill ended up being brought to the floor for a vote in the final hours of the final hours of the final days.
The capital, transportation, and operating budgets were also passed. Here are links to the budget and related information if you are interested in reading through them: Operating, Capital, Transportation.
If you are interested in further details, Crosscut recently posted a summary you can find here.
GROW: A regional community gardening leader
 Seattle’s P-Patch program began in Spring of 1970 when Darlyn Rundberg asked for a portion of the Picardo family’s farmland to be turned into a community garden for low-income neighbors to grow fruits and vegetables. This year, the P-Patch community gardening program is celebrating its 50th anniversary, allowing community gardeners to grow food, flowers, and herbs on 15 acres of land across the city of Seattle. Read more about the history and impact of the P-Patch program here. As we celebrate the contributions of the P-Patch program to the Seattle community, we also must recognize one of its earliest sponsors. GROW was originally formed in 1975 as “Friends of the P-Patch,” sponsoring decades of community gardens. The non-profit has not only aided community gardening projects by providing microgrants but also by expanding outside the city of Seattle to support gardens with limited resources. Click here to read more about GROW’s work in Seattle and beyond.
 Seattle/King County Clinic
 The Seattle/King County Clinic is returning to Seattle Center this weekend, April 27th – 30th. After years of unmet need, about 3,000 patients are expected to attend to seek free medical, dental, and vision care from across the state. Patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. All are welcome regardless of income, insurance, housing or immigration status, and interpreters will be available. Learn more here.
Save the date! Tour Harbor Island Studios on May 31st
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Harbor Island Studios is one of King County’s first major public investments to bring the film industry back to our region. This film studio is a major step forward in strengthening the creative economy and supporting jobs for those vital in the creation of films and music. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 31st as the studio will be open to tour for the public. If you or someone who loves the arts is interested in attending keep your eye out for more details on how to RSVP by following the King County Creative Facebook page. Click here to learn more. |
Agricultural Drainage Tour - Remlinger Farms
 On May 13th, join the King Conservation District at Remlinger Farm to learn all about agricultural drainage and fish passage projects on rural lands. Attendees will tour the projects completed on the farm and discuss the benefits of these restoration projects for both land managers and wildlife. For more information and to register for free, click here.
 Adopt-A-Road
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The King County Adopt-A-Road program will resume regular cleanup events on June 2nd. Organize your cleanup group and volunteer in this successful litter control program. Click here to learn more. |
Three million trees by 2025
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In King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan, we set a goal to plan, protect, and prepare a total of three million trees in our region by 2025. As of January 2023, we have surpassed one million trees! These efforts are working to increase carbon storage to help slow climate change, better human health benefits, increase quality of salmon habitats, improve water quality, and create equitable access to forests and green space. To learn more about the ongoing project, click here. For more information about how you can help, click here. |
 Compass Housing Alliance
The Compass Housing Alliance offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person who it serves. The Alliance is seeking to fill several positions which aim to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. Positions include Housing Case Manager, Executive Assistant, Counselor, Maintenance Technician, Program Coordinator, and many more. Click here to review these open positions and apply.
Downtown Emergency Service Center
DESC is the region’s largest multi-service agency serving adults who are experiencing homelessness. DESC is seeking to fill several positions to use creative, assertive, and holistic approaches to best work with their clientele, including the positions of Facilities Coordinator, Residential Counselor, Administrative Support Specialist, Substance Use Disorder Professional, and many more. Click here to review these open positions and apply.
 Seattle Kraken’s Wednesday night win
 Even though Wednesday night’s game was in Denver, the energy around the Seattle Center last night was palpable as the Kraken clinched an unlikely Game Five win in their playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, the defending Stanley Cup winner. The fans in Seattle have been showing their support, as some of the home crowds lately have been the loudest they’ve seen since the Kraken moved in. Last night’s game was nothing short of inspirational. The Kraken’s next game is set for tonight at 7 p.m. right here in Seattle! Read more about Wednesday’s game here.
Helpful and informative links
In Jails and Prisons, the White House Sees a Chance to Curtail Opioid Overdoses – The New York Times
More sanctions for deadly fentanyl if bill becomes law – AP News
Washington becomes 10th state to ban assault weapons sales – AXIOS
Cosmetic to critical: Blue states help trans health coverage – The Seattle Times
Seattle Black Maternal Health Week 2023 Restores Black Autonomy and Joy – South Seattle Emerald
It’s Time to Take Seriously the Connection Between Domestic Violence and Gun Violence – Health Affairs
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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