August 25, 2023
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Though long revered by Indigenous communities in our region, orcas’ relationships with humans have been fraught over the last 50 years. Between 1962 and 1976 about 270 orcas were captured from our waters. Of those, at least 12 died during capture and more than 50 were displayed in captivity. When the first one, Namu, was brought to the waterfront for viewing, his captor was given a key to the city. Of those, the last living captive orca, Totikae, also known as Lolita, died earlier this week at the Miami Seaquarium. She had been in captivity for over 50 years.
This raiding decimated the gene pool for many surviving, wild Southern Resident orcas whose prey have been the diminishing stock of Chinook salmon, also known as King salmon. As I’ve shared before, I secured funding for a study and report on the impact of toxins in our wastewater effluent on the chinook and orcas after people around the world watched Tahlequah carry her dead calf through the Salish Sea for up to 17 days five years ago. Despite this recent history, there is still hope. Two L-Pod calves have been born this year. And researchers are cautiously optimistic and hopeful with these new babies. And the exceptional salmon runs at the Ballard Locks and fishing on the shores of Lake Washington this summer indicate that this could be one of the best returns in years.
Earlier this week at the Regional Water Quality Committee meeting, a hearing was held on a motion on which I collaborated with Councilmember Claudia Balducci that builds on the findings of the report and requests that the Wastewater Treatment Division advance efforts around source control, in other words making sure that “PFAs, aka forever chemicals” don’t end up in our wastewater to begin with. There was a productive conversation on the proposal, and it will be heard again with likely action taken at RWQC's next meeting on September 6th.
Effectively addressing source control is much bigger than just us. So-called “forever chemicals” are everywhere, and it will take effort at all levels to minimize their impact. I am hopeful - even McDonald’s and Burger King have committed to removing PFAS from their packaging by the end of 2025.
But out of respect for the beautiful creatures we live beside, we need to do our part at the County level to advance source control efforts, protect our waterways, and honor the beautiful ecosystem around us.
There is much to look forward to in this week’s enews. Here’s a peek at what’s included:
As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.
All the best and I hope you are staying safe.
Quote of the Week
"I'm not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn't open for me. I'm going to create my own door and walk through that."
— Ava DuVernay
 The King County Council held several committee meetings this week, taking action on important measures to improve our region. Here are some highlights:
- At Tuesday’s meeting, the Local Services and Land Use Committee took action on ordinances to approve the Lake Meridian Water District Water Comprehensive Plan and to declare a fifteen-month interim zoning ordinance regulating residentially zoned land in the rural town of Fall City.
- During Tuesday’s meeting, the Full Council took action on ordinances determining the King County Fire Protection District No. 24 and the Shoreline Park and Recreation District to be inactive under state law, as well as on an ordinance relating to the King County office of public complaints. Last week, the council passed the tenth and final supplemental budget related to the federal funding the County received to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, appropriating $29.7 million for operating expenditures and $8.4 million for capital expenditures.
- I negotiated the inclusion of $900,000 to help address the criminal case backlog in Superior Court. I also helped secure $1 million for Seattle International Film Festival, enabling their purchase of the historic Cinerama Theater. Additionally, I secured $50,000 to support the installation vending machine that will dispense naloxone and fentanyl test strips and stocking the vending machine for one year. Locally, I secured $15,000 from the Get Active Stay Active grants for the National Nordic Museum to support the Viking Fun Run.
- While Covid has not gone away, the flow of federal dollars is nearing an end. It remains to be seen what will happen when some of the programs started with these funds come to an end. The County is also facing a substantial shortfall in its budget beyond 2024. Compounded together, the impacts likely will be felt deeply across our communities. Read below for a summary of all the county’s Covid budgets.
- At Wednesday’s meeting, the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee’s agenda focused on four pieces of technical, non-controversial legislation being heard and passed out of committee, all unanimously. The docket included a motion to allow for flexibility in annual county budgeting. Due to the changes to election years for county officials, 2025 will need to be an annual budget, after which the county will go back to biennial budgeting cycles.
- During Wednesday’s Regional Water Quality Committee meeting, the committee took up several important matters, including a motion asking the wastewater treatment division (WTD) to research and identify methodologies to forecast long-term capital improvement costs and a briefing relating to WTD's long-term financial forecasting. RWQC also discussed the motion that CM Balducci and I introduced around contaminants of emerging concern and directed WTD on next steps (more information about this proposal is at the top of this enews). They also heard an update on federal advocacy relation to long-term wastewater needs.
- During Thursday’sspecialremotemeeting,the Law, Justice, Health, and Human Services Committee covered two important briefings, with the first focusing on the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Task Force and Labor Exploited Children briefing by CSEC Task Force Coordinator Kelly Mangiaracina and the Council's Equity and Social Justice Director Dae Shogren, about which I will discuss further in next week’s enews. The second briefing was on the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) Annual Report, presented by OLEO Director Tamer Abouzeid. The Seattle Times provided coverage of this report yesterday, too.
If you missed any of these meetings, you can watch a video recording by choosing the meeting on this page.
 As next week is the fifth week of the month, no scheduled council or committee meetings will take place.
 COVID
For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard.
Overdose data
For up-to-date data on drug and alcohol-induced overdoses in King County, see the Overdose Data Dashboards.
Overdose Awareness Day
August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day. This year’s theme is “Recognizing Those People Who Go Unseen.” We recognize those whose lives have been altered by overdose, the family and friends who grieve the loss of a loved one, and health care and support workers who work as lifesavers for so many. As we commemorate Overdose Awareness Day, we say in communion, “We see you.” King County offers resources for people struggling with action and supporters of those with addiction. Learn more here.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
FDA approves RSV vaccine for moms-to-be to guard their newborns – AP News
Many long-covid symptoms linger even after two years, new study shows – The Washington Post
Health Officials Warn of New, Highly-Mutated Covid Strain – Bloomberg
Planned Overdose Recovery Center Will be Run by DESC, Located on Third Avenue – PubliCola
Fentanyl Test Strips No Longer A Debate – The Seattle Medium
3 deaths suspected in the Pacific Northwest’s record-breaking heat wave – AP News
Some things are too toxic to throw in the trash. Here’s how to safely dispose of them – The Seattle Times
Washington's wildfire season is in full swing – KING 5
Smoke, unhealthy air blanket half of WA as wildfires dot the map – The Seattle Times
Seattle’s nights are hotter than ever. Climate change means more to come – The Seattle Times
Washington’s ‘smoke season’ is back. Here’s how to stay safe. – Crosscut
 King County’s Revive & Thrive Recovery Plan
The county’s Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) federal funding allocation was $437 million, to be expended by December 31, 2024. The council now has appropriated all of the CLFR revenue to support more than 100 programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We recently received a briefing on the King County Revive & Thrive Recovery Plan. This document summarizes in detail the use of federal funding King County received in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last of which was allocated in the Covid 10 budget summarized above. These Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) monies were allocated to fund the public health response, promote community resiliency, assist businesses and organizations countywide during the shutdown, support jobs and housing programs, ensure economic recovery, and prop up county operations in response to the pandemic. You can read the full summarizing document here.
Recreational fires banned in King County
 Effective immediately, Seattle & King County Fire Marshals in coordination with local jurisdictions have issued a STAGE 2 BURN BAN on all outdoor recreational fires throughout King County. Learn more here.
Twenty-two counties, including King County, file lawsuit against State of Washington for refusal to provide behavioral health treatment under state law.
A new lawsuit, filed by a coalition of 22 counties against the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, calls to the state to hold itself accountable to fulfill its obligation to treat patients with behavioral health conditions. This suit follows the department’s decision to stop providing initial evaluation and subsequent treatment for patients in need of behavioral health support when exiting the criminal legal system. Learn more in this article from The Seattle Times.
King County’s new public website
 King County’s new public website is now live. The updated website provides a user-centered experience with information that is easier to find, navigate, and understand. The site features a modern design and simplified organization that reflects current best practices. Check out the website’s new look here.
King County awards two major grants as part of $3 million local priority hire program with cities and other public entities to boost construction jobs
This week, the Executive announced that the City of SeaTac and Highline School District would be the first recipients of funding from the priority hire grant program. This initiative aims to award a total of $3 million to support local jurisdictions in establishing their own priority hire programs as well as increase retention rates and broaden access to apprenticeships and family-wage jobs for women and people of color. These programs, guided by the Priority Hire framework to ensure that workers are hired from economically distressed areas in King County, establish a workforce and economic development strategy that provides training and family-wage employment opportunities in the construction industry. Funding for this new grant program comes from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funds extended to King County as part of the federal ARPA. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and the process will close when all the funds have been awarded. For more information, applicants should visit the Priority Hire Grant Program webpage.
Save the Date: King County Developmental Disabilities and Delays Annual Legislative Forum
Save the date for Thursday, December 7th for the annual King County Developmental Disabilities and Delays Legislative Forum, which will take place at the DoubleTree Suites, located at 16500 Southcenter Pkwy. The forum will discuss King County’s developmental disabilities legislative priorities for the year, which include:
- Increase funding for services that are linguistically accessible and culturally relevant.
- Fund the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Employment
and Day Rate Study recommendations.
- Improve access and eliminate barriers to quality supports and services for families
with young children with delays and disabilities.
- Fund services for students leaving high school.
- Invest in the Housing Trust Fund and other revenue sources to support community-based housing solutions.
- Invest in intellectual and developmental disabilities behavioral health supports.
Learn more about the forum here.
Save the Date for the Behavioral Health Legislative Forum
 King County will hold annual Behavioral Health Legislative Forum will be held in person once again on Monday, November 20th from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. The forum will include:
- Remarks from King County Executive Dow Constantine.
- King County’s proposed behavioral health legislative priorities for 2024
- Stories from people in recovery.
- Opportunities to connect with legislators and county councilmembers before the program.
- Perspectives and priorities of legislators and county councilmembers
Learn more about the event here.
 Gun violence continues to plague our region
 Gun violence is continuing to ravage our communities. Early Sunday, a mass shooting at a hookah lounge on Rainier Avenue left three people dead and six wounded (read the South Seattle Emerald coverage of this here). This follows a spate of shootings this summer, which includes the violent murder of Seattle rideshare driver Amare Geda, that have left the community reeling, and my heart breaks for the families of the victims. Today, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the SE Network will be holding a Community Healing Space in the Rainier Beach Safeway Parking Lot. My council colleague, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, shared his feelings this week on the issue and I couldn’t put it better myself. Check out his thread here.
Last Saturday’s event at Ballard Corners Park
 Last Saturday, Groundswell NW and Friends of Ballard Corners Park hosted a rededication celebration full of summer festivities at Ballard Corners Park. I was pleased to have been recognized at the event for my contributions to the park, having secured funding through the state capital budget for its creation and recently with county funding of $1,500 to replace the interpretive panels in the corner store. During the event, Dave Folweiler of Friends of Ballard Corners Park and Dave Boyd of Groundswell NW provided remarks on the history of the park, which opened in 2009, and the community joined in a family parade, pup parade, and brief remarks were given from neighbors who helped make the event possible. This park is very special to me, and I am quite thankful to have been recognized. Watch a video of the rededication here.
Meaningful donations for Seattle waterfront
Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott, the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, and Expedia Group have pledged $45 million to create a walking and biking path on the east side of Alaskan Way. This greenway will replace old trolley tracks and connect the Olympic Sculpture Park to the new Waterfront Park. Learn more in this article from The Seattle Times.
Biden-Harris Administration Launches the SAVE Plan
The Biden-Harris administration has just launched the SAVE Plan for student loan forgiveness, which calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size, rather than their loan balance, and forgives remaining balances after a certain number of years. The administration estimates that over 20 million borrowers could benefit from the SAVE plan. Learn more here.
Deadline extended for Best Starts for Kids Summit: Growing Roots, Reaching New Heights
 You now have until tonight at 11:59 p.m. to submit a proposal to present at the Best Starts for Kids Summit: Growing Roots, Reaching New Heights, a peer-to-peer learning and networking conference that will be held from Tuesday, October 24th to Friday, October 27th. Any organization, group, or person that does work to support babies, children, and young people are eligible to present at the Summit. Summit proposals can be a simple description of the presentation you will prepare. The Best Starts for Kids Summit: Growing Roots. Learn more and submit your proposal here.
 Belltown Portal Porch grand opening
 In 2021, I met with representatives from Belltown United, the organization spearheading this development, and presented them with a “big check” for $25,000 from King County’s Youth and Amateur Sports Grants. From left to right, I am pictured with Holly Decker, David Levinson, Steve Horvath, Steve Hall, René Flores and Zander Batchelder.
The Belltown Portal Porch was originally the south entrance to the Battery Street Tunnel, which connected to the old Alaskan Way Viaduct. However, when the Battery Street Tunnel became too expensive to rehabilitate, it was turned into a solid slope of dirt and gravel. Now, the Belltown community has helped inform the decision to make the land where the south entrance to the tunnel was located into an approximately 1,800 square foot public space where community members can come together and enjoy the view of Elliott Bay. I am pleased to have secured $25,000 from King County’s Youth and Amateur Sports Grants for Belltown United for work on this project.
 Join the community today, August 25th from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., to learn about the history of the Portal and Battery Street Tunnel, and celebrate the grand opening of the Portal Porch (Battery St. and 1st Ave) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and ice cream social event. I’ll be there!
Celebrate Freedom Weekend
 This weekend, from Saturday, August 26th to Monday, August 28th, join the Northwest African American Museum for events and activations to commemorate the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Events are free to the public and will include film screenings, an opportunity and resource fair, a community panel, and more. Click here to learn more and see a full schedule of the weekend’s events.
Ballard Bites & Brews
Join the Ballard Food Bank on Sunday, August 27th for Ballard Bites & Brews. This celebration recognizes the breweries of Ballard and delicious flavors from Seattle’s top restaurants and chefs. Bring a friend to this 21+ festival and raise a glass, try delicious food, and enjoy live music.
Proceeds from this neighborhood festival support the mission of Ballard Food Bank, bringing food and hope to neighbors “because there can be enough for everyone.” Learn more here.
The WIZ in the park
 On Sunday, August 27th at 7:30 p.m., enjoy a screening of The WIZ at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater. Click here to learn more.
Latin@s en Negocios
 Join El Centro de la Raza for an online training course in business, starting on Monday, August 28th at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested, contact ljocampo@elcentrodelaraza.org to register. Learn more here.
Hike throughout the Greenway National Heritage Area
 On Saturday, September 9th, come out for a day of guided hikes at the Greenway National Heritage Area. Four different options of hike locations will be available, including Discovery Park (Seattle), Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley (North Bend area), Teneriffe Falls (North Bend area), and Thorp Lake via Thorp Creek (Roslyn area). Choose your adventure and join in a day of community-building, learning, and time in nature. Register before September 7th here.
MEXAM Northwest Festival
 Get ready to celebrate the MEXAM Northwest Festival, which will present a full month of celebrations for the entire community in celebration of contemporary Mexican and Mexican American culture. Daily events throughout our region will showcase the richness of Hispanic culture in Washington and are perfect for the whole family. Click here to learn more and view the schedule of daily events.
If you know of any events that you would like to see highlighted in my enews, feel free to share them at lilli.deleon@kingcounty.gov.
 Aerial rescue success on the Pacific Crest Trail
On Wednesday, August 2nd, the King County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a call from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office. They had received an alert from a Garmin inReach device – a personal satellite transmitter/receiver – about an injured hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail near Mt. Adams.
Pilot Deputy Josh Sweeney, Co-Pilot Tony Mullinax, Safety Officer Sergeant Eric Gagnon, Rescue Specialists Deputy Travis Brunner and Sergeant Tim Lewis, and King County Medic Rosenblum responded immediately. Guardian 2 was on its way to the hikers’ location within two hours, and they captured some fantastic views along the way.
The Air Support Unit (ASU) team swiftly located the hiker, who had been making their way from Southern California toward Canada before getting injured. They were transported to the Yakima Airport where AMR was waiting to transport the patient, whose injuries were more severe than originally thought.
This mission saved hours of work for volunteers and helped get a community member to care more quickly than if it’d been a ground rescue. Thank you and well done to this amazing team.
Helpful and informative links
King County explores downtown revamp options, like moving jail to Sodo – The Seattle Times
Homelessness surges by 11% nationwide largely due to cost of living, evictions, report says – ABC News
Workers for San Juan County are getting a 32-hour work week – The Seattle Times
This Washington county is moving to a 32-hour work week – KUOW
Seattle weather forecast: Rain returns, chance of smoke ahead – 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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