Quote of the Week
“Know what sparks the light in you, then use that light to illuminate the world.”
—Oprah Winfrey
 As this week was the fifth week of the month, no official meetings of the Council or its committees were held other than the August update to the July Economic and Revenue Forecast. As a member of the Forecast Council, I attended July’s and today’s meetings.
King County Forecast Council
 At today’s special meeting, the Forecast Council took action to approve its sole agenda item, which concerned the 2024 economic forecast for King County. The council (comprised of Executive Dow Constantine, Councilmember Joe McDermott and me, and Budget Director Dwight Dively) was presented with a report on the King County Economic and Revenue Forecast from Dave Reich from the Office of Economic and Financial Analysis, which showed that sales taxes are predicted to continue to grow at a slow rate, little changes in inflation, and more revenue for new levies. You can view the full August forecast here or review the briefing outline here.
King County’s Office of Economic and Financial Analysis has prepared a memorandum on King County’s revenue in August of 2023, which includes property taxes through July and sales taxes through June. You can read the memo here.
If you missed the meeting, a recording and additional materials will be made available here.
 Full Council
Next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., Councilmember Reagan Dunn and I will present a proclamation of September 2023 as National Recovery Month in King County and a recognition of Recovery Café and its Executive Director David Coffey as the 2023 King County Recovery Champions. The council will also take action in confirming appointments and on ordinances relating to easements for public right of way purposes; the grant funding allocation for projects funded through the 2020-2025 parks, recreation, trails, and open space levy grant program; and authorizing the Executive to enter into an agreement with the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator to transfer county-owned assets located in King County. Lastly, the council will take possible action on an ordinance related to the 2023 King County real property asset management plan report. Additional materials will be available here prior to the meeting.
Regional Water Quality Committee
Next Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., the committee will receive reports from both the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee and the Wastewater Treatment Division. The committee will also discuss and take possible action on my legislation, co-sponsored with Councilmember Balducci, concerning contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater effluent and directing next steps to limit their impact. Lastly, the committee will receive a progress update on forecasting long-term costs of the Wastewater Treatment Division’s capital improvement needs as well as conduct the monthly review of the 2023 Work Plan. Additional materials will be available here prior to the meeting.
 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.
Suicide Prevention Week of Action
Suicide Prevention Week of Action is September 10th – 16th. You can learn how to start a conversation, provide support, and make a difference for a loved one. Find a participating group or organization near you here.
Childhood Vaccinations Toolkit
Public Health - Seattle & King County's Childhood Vaccinations Toolkit for child care and early learning providers in Washington State is now available on PHSKC’s Infant Child and Adolescent Immunizations webpage in the following languages:
Making safe choices for back to school
School supplies can impact the health and safety of students in the classroom, so it’s important to be aware of common supplies which may have chemicals that can trigger asthma and other allergies. Learn more here.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
Washington will receive $23 million to combat the fentanyl crisis and improve mental health – KIRO 7
Fentanyl gets into WA in ‘any manner you can think of’ – The Seattle Times
Opioid Antidote Narcan Will Cost $45 at Major US Drugstore Chains This Fall – Bloomberg
White House plan to cut drug prices could lower costs for over 100K WA seniors – KUOW
From needles to pipes. Seattle outreach adapts to morphing drug crisis – KUOW
This latest covid variant could be the best yet at evading immunity – The Washington Post
How many in WA have gotten a COVID booster in past year – The Seattle Times
Experts Advocate For Continuing Mask-Wearing In Healthcare Facilities – Forbes
More Washington kids get the measles vaccine, thanks to a rule change – KUOW
U.S. health officials lay out plans to cope with respiratory virus season – STAT News
Are kids in danger when wildfire smoke hits, even on 'moderate' days? – KUOW
Seattle forecast: Rain returns as temps cool – The Seattle Times
Student Demands for Mental Health Services Are Being Met With New Investments – South Seattle Emerald
 Public Health appoints experienced leader as next Chief King County Medical Examiner
Public Health -- Seattle & King County has appointed Dr. J. Matthew Lacy to serve as the next Chief Medical Examiner for King County. Dr Lacy will lead the King County Medical Examiner's Office, which is responsible for the medical investigation of sudden, violent, unexpected, and suspicious deaths that occur in King County. An extremely qualified appointee to the position, Dr. Lacy most recently served as Chief Medical Examiner for Snohomish County and previously served as Associate Medical Examiner in Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties. He will begin with King County this fall. Click here to learn more.
Ernest Kandilige appointed permanent Metro Deputy General Manager
 Since the beginning of the year, Ernest Kandilige has served as interim Metro Deputy General Manager. Last week, he was appointed permanently to the position and will continue to work diligently to support Metro operations in Vehicle Maintenance, Bus Operations, Transit Facilities, Safety and Security, Marine and Rail. Learn more about the appointment and Ernest’s role here. Congratulations, Ernest!
Big Backyard Fun Finder tool
 King County Parks’ new Big Backyard Fun Finder tool is an exciting and easy way to locate and learn more about the parks, trails, pools, forests, playgrounds, ballfields, and more that make up King County Parks. You can search by city, recreation activity, or amenities. Find your next adventure here.
King County and King Conservation District launch 2024 refresh of the Local Food Initiative and Regional Food System Program
In 2014, Executive Dow Constantine launched the Local Food Initiative to expand the local food economy, benefit county food businesses and farms, and improve access to affordable food in low-income communities. Now, King County is launching a refresh of the initiative and King Conservation District’s complementary Regional Food System Program. The initiative will help to provide a guide for equitable investments, developments, and strategies. Learn more here.
Parks Mid-Levy update
In August 2019, more than 70% of King County voters approved a 6-year, $810 million property tax levy to fund the maintenance and development of local and regional parks, trails, and natural areas. The levy also established four grant programs that aim to make parks, recreation, trails, and open space more accessible. Learn more about some of the projects funded by the levy's grant programs to-date here.
King County Metro will update its transit schedules September 2nd to improve trip reliability for riders.
To better match transit service with bus and workforce availability, King County Metro will suspend 20 peak-only commuter routes and reduce service on 12 routes beginning September 2nd. I am saddened over suspension of Rte 29 which I frequently have used to get to my office and the Council Chamber at the King County Courthouse.
 The above 20 routes will be fully suspended. Each of these routes have alternatives, most available at the same bus stops or stops nearby. For a detailed list of rider alternatives, visit Metro’s Service Change page.
 These 12 routes will be reduced to operate less frequently. Some high-ridership routes such as Routes 7 and 36 will continue to have very frequent service, with wait times of just a few more minutes. Lower-ridership routes will shift service to every 30 to 60 minutes during some time periods. For a detailed list of rider alternatives, visit Metro’s Service Change page.
With upcoming changes, Metro recommends riders arrive at their bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled departure time of their trip. Riders can use Text for Departures by texting their stop number to 62550 to get next departure times. It’s free and easy to sign up for email or text alerts about King County Metro service.
Best Starts for Kids’ Capital Program awardees
Best Starts for Kids’ Capital Program provides contracts for building repairs, renovations and new construction or expansion to improve access to high quality programs and services for low-income children, young people, and families. The program prioritizes facilities that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, rural areas and/or low-income areas with lack of access to similar facilities and focuses on equitable community-driven development to ensure projects are aligned with and serve communities’ needs. Through this RFP, $4.7M was made available to the community, awarding $4,656,561 to 13 projects in this round of funding.
Congratulations to Africatown Community Land Trust, Children’s Therapy Center, City of Tukwila Parks & Rec, East African Community Services, El Centro de la Raza, Encompass NW, Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle, Muslim American Youth Foundation Early Learning Center, Primm Child Care, Southeast Youth & Family Services, The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens, Vashon Youth and Family Services, and YouthCare Orion Center for being selected for funding.
 King Conservation District 2022 Annual Report
 In 2022, the King Conservation District, which is not a part of the King County government, planted almost 80,000 native plants into our communities, trained over 500 new natural resource stewards, and invested $1.9 million in grant funding into our communities. The organization also completed the largest agricultural drainage project to date, partnered with cities to distribute trees to bolster the urban canopy, and improved salmon habitat in streams and lakes across the county. All of these accomplishments and more are highlighted in the 2022 King Conservation District annual report, which can be viewed here.
Best Starts for Kids Health Survey now open
 Calling all parents and caregivers with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or elementary schoolers: Help Best Starts for Kids make sure all voices are represented in the BSK Health Survey. Best Starts for Kids believes that learning about your experiences will help inform its decisions and meet needs for families across King County. Learn more and take the survey here.
Furniture available from Green Standards
Green Standards, a sustainable project management firm, is currently working with a client near the Seattle area who is changing out all their office furniture. Green Standards is looking to donate this furniture to non-profits and schools in the surrounding area and keep it out of our landfills.
If you or an organization you know is interested, click any of the links below to see Green Standards’ available inventories and submit a request. Requests for each project are being accepted until varying dates, so be sure to check the date for each project and get your request(s) in soon. You may request as much as you would like – please try to request at least 10 items, as it is difficult for drivers to deliver less. Lastly, get comfortable because curbside drop-off is free!
Inventory #1: 11268-JM-01
Inventory #2: 11499-JM-01
Last week’s Belltown Portal Porch opening
 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, which was celebrated on Friday during the ribbon cutting ceremony and ice cream social event. This is a huge milestone for the beautification and connection of the Belltown community, and I am quite pleased to have secured $25,000 from King County’s Youth and Amateur Sports Grants for Belltown United for work on this project.
 Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is an exceptional national organization with local hubs that directly serve girls in District 4 and throughout King County. I was pleased to meet recently with its Executive Director Andrea Gomes Morrison to learn about the organization’s research-based programs that teach critical life skills. Volunteer coaches meet with small groups to strengthen confidence, inspire, and make a difference through interactive lessons and physical activity. Serving over 700 girls annually in the Puget Sound, the organization helps girls to realize their potential and overcome the limitations set in place by gender limitations at a critical point in their lives when self-confidence and physical activity reach a low. If you are interested in learning more about Girls on the Run or how you can get involved, visit its website here.
 A visit to the West Point Treatment Plant
 This week my wonderful staff took a tour of the West Point Treatment Plant. I unfortunately was not able This week my wonderful staff took a tour of the West Point Treatment Plant. I unfortunately was not able to join them, but I have visited the facility in years past. This treatment plant is in my district, but it treats wastewater from homes and businesses in Seattle, Shoreline, north Lake Washington, north King County, and parts of south Snohomish County.
My staff had the opportunity to take a closer look at the progress of some of the projects going on including the PQI battery building. The PQI battery building’s goal is to eliminate the emergency bypasses of wastewater that are caused by power disruptions. Power disruptions to the plant are not ideal as they can overwhelm the plant, especially with the rainy weather coming soon. Additionally, the WTD staff gave an exceptional presentation on the future of the plants in terms of projects, addressing affordability and sustainability.
 Video Arcade and Pinball Games in the Park
 Today until 8:00 p.m., Occidental Square will host interested gamers as dozens of arcade games roll into the park every Thursday until September 28th. Enjoy free pinball and video games from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. every week, with tournament play from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Learn more here.
Panel on homelessness and mental health with Congressman Adam Smith
 Today at 6:00 p.m., join Congressman Adam Smith, local elected officials, and service providers at the IBEW Local 46’s offices for a moderated panel discussion focused on homelessness and mental health. The panel will discuss these issues, how they are interconnected, and the actions that must be taken to address them in King County and across the country. Learn more and register for the event here.
Waterfront Block Party
 Join Friends of Waterfront Seattle and waterfront neighbors in a celebration all along the Seattle downtown waterfront at the third annual Waterfront Block Party tomorrow from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. The event will have multiple hot spots along the shoreline from the Olympic Sculpture Park to Pier 62, to Pioneer Square and will feature live music, dance, parades, food trucks, family-friendly crafts, and more. Learn more about the free event here.
International Doggy Day Pop-Up
 This Saturday at the South Lake Union Saturday Market, a dog-centric pop-up celebration inside Denny Park will take place in celebration of International Dog Day. Check out excellent dog products and services, and bring your pup too! Learn more here.
Bloodworks NW: Blood Drive in Sunset Hill
September is leukemia and lymphoma awareness month. Make a difference for blood cancer patients who need blood and platelet transfusions during their treatments, and donate blood on September 7th or 8th at the Sunset Hill Community Club. If you donate blood in September, you can enter to win a trip to Las Vegas for two with airfare, hotel stay, and tickets to see Katy Perry’s Las Vegas Residency Show. Sign up to donate here and fill out the form to enter to win the Las Vegas trip here.
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.
 Tiny house villagers get internet in Seattle
 You’ve likely seen the communities of tiny house villages nearby that provide interim housing for many of our unhoused community members. In exciting news, King County and the Seattle Public Library donated Wi-Fi hotspots to villages in Seattle and Tukwila. Raven Village, a tiny house community in Ballard funded by the City of Seattle, opened this month with private rooms, a shared kitchen, onsite laundry, and Wi-Fi for villagers to access the internet. The internet can be difficult to access for many unhoused people, which also limits access to job applications, schooling, and everyday searches and necessities. Learn more in this article from KUOW.
Helpful and informative links
California Statewide Study of Homelessness May Have Nationwide Implications – National Alliance to End Homelessness
In shadow of Rainier Beach shooting, group works to reclaim ‘healing space’ (with my colleague, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay) – The Seattle Times
Nonprofit hailed for deterring violence, aiding families hopes for permanent Burien home – The Seattle Times
'All we want is revenge': How social media fuels gun violence among teens – NPR
3rd giant troll installation unveiled in Pacific Northwest – KING 5
Multiyear canoe journey highlights the value of Indigenous knowhow to fight climate change – KUOW
South Seattle Violence Intervention Group Relaunches Friday Meetings After Mass Shooting – The Stranger
King County homelessness authority interim CEO wants to focus on basics: Q&A – 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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