 ICYMI: $9M to save Coal Creek
 Late last month, we announced that $9,247,500 in King County Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) funds have been awarded to the City of Bellevue to acquire and conserve 18 acres of land adjacent to the Coal Creek Natural Area near Cougar Mountain. CFT funds help preserve forests, shorelines, farms, greenways, and trails so we can protect our environment and future generations can enjoy our region’s natural beauty.
The effort to preserve the Swanson property adjacent to Coal Creek was spearheaded by community advocates who recognized its unique value. Not only would this acquisition preserve important wildlife habitat but would connect some of the most popular trail systems in our region and create safer access for hikers to reach trailheads.
In addition, the property was the former home of the late Milt Swanson, one of the last coal miners in the area, and features the last coal miner dwelling and one of the last barns in South Bellevue, making it an important part of our region’s history. I look forward to the continued partnership to complete the acquisition that will benefit current residents and generations to come.
It’s hot out there, stay fire aware
 Temperatures this week have soared and, on the heels of one of the driest Julys on record, our region is at high risk of fires. On Tuesday, the King County Fire Chiefs and King County Fire Marshals issued a Stage 2 Complete Burn Ban for all of King County. The ban prohibits all outdoor fires, including recreational campfires, pellet fire pits, cooking fires, and ceremonial fires. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
Do your part to prevent a potential disaster by abiding by the burn ban and help us keep King County safe.
 On Tuesday, the King County Council approved $1.3 million in funding for KidsQuest Children’s Museum and Lake Washington Institute of Technology, making vital investments in services and supports for children and families in our community. I was proud to lead the effort to secure this funding so we can provide immediate, concrete support for organizations serving the Eastside.
KidsQuest will receive $300,000 to fund initial upgrades to the museum’s HVAC system, so that it can handle increasingly hotter days and continue providing adequate ventilation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An additional $1 million will go to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) to rebuild its Early Learning Center following the severe disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The childcare services support LWTech students with children – 100% of whom are low-income women and 32% who are people of color (of the parents who reported the information). This service is essential as childcare in the Kirkland area remains inaccessible due to costs often exceeding $24,000 per year. A student can enroll their child for only $1,400/month due to the annual subsidies provided by LWTech.
With this money, we will provide essential cooling and ventilation improvements for a treasured children’s museum, and build new childcare facilities to enable low-income students to strive for new educational opportunities at Washington state’s only public institute of technology.
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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