October 20, 2023
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
There’s a new ballot drop box in District 4! I had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon with King County Elections Director Julie Wise on Monday a newly established ballot drop box in Crown Hill, located at the corner of Mary Ave NW and NW 83rd near the southeast corner of the Safeway parking lot off 15th NW and NW 83rd. This new drop box is a very exciting location for King County Elections, as the Safeway has signed on to host two new permanent drop box locations for voters and as it will help alleviate the enormous demand on the Ballard drop box which for years has had the highest rate of ballots dropped off in the entire county.
This drop box and the others around King County are now officially open and will accept ballots 24 hours per day, until Election Day on Tuesday, November 7th at 8:00 p.m.
Ballots are headed to your mailbox this week and all voters should have them in hand by Monday, October 23rd. If you do not receive a ballot by Monday, please call 206-296-VOTE (8683) and the King County Elections team can help resolve the issue.
Remember that two King County Council general elections are on the ballot — one for District 4 (my seat) and the other for District 8 (Councilmember Joe McDermott’s) — as we did not run for re-election. So be sure to have a say in your local representation! Also, keep an eye out for your local voters’ pamphlet, which is where you will find information on most candidates and ballot measures. The pamphlet also features helpful information on who is eligible to vote, how to get additional assistance, and everything voters need to know to confidently cast their ballot.
King County Elections is projecting 45% turnout for this election, which is similar to past years odd-year elections. Voters who need in-person assistance can visit the Renton Elections HQ through Election Day. For those who miss the online registration deadline or simply need other assistance in the final days of the election, KCE will be opening five additional Vote Centers in Bellevue, Federal Way, Kenmore, Kent, and Seattle, as well as a Student Engagement Hub on the University of Washington campus.
Once you return your ballot either through the mail with no stamp required or to a nearby drop box, be sure to sign up for ballot alerts. With ballot alerts, you can receive text or email alerts so that you know where your ballot is at every step of the process.
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
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
- Marianne Williamson (Author and Activist)
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At Tuesday’s Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee meeting, the committee received a briefing by Metro’s general manager and a security briefing and took action on a few executive appointments. The committee also took action on motions acknowledging receipt of the Economic Development and Small Business Assistance Strategies Report, a biosolids thermal drying phase 2 report, and motions relating to climate change funding and support for the Re+ Strategic Plan
- During Tuesday’s full Council meeting, I was joined by my council colleague Pete von Reichbauer in presenting a recognition of former Senator and Governor Daniel J. Evans for his outstanding public service to the state of Washington on his 98th Learn more about this special recognition in articles from KIRO 7 and The Seattle Times. The council also took action on several executive reappointments, as well as on motions acknowledging receipt of the Civil Protection Order proviso report and the first of two reports on the strategic planning process for the future of secure juvenile detention in King County.
- At Tuesday’s Employment and Administration Committee meeting, the committee received briefings on the Culture Change consultant report and the Continuity of Operations Plan, as well as updates from our Human Resources Director and Chief of Staff. The committee also took action on an appointment to the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee.
- During Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, which I chair, the committee received an executive COVID briefing and the King County Library System annual briefing. The committee also took action on an appointment to the Department of Executive Services Director position as well as on a motion acknowledging receipt of a letter certifying the county's inquest website has been improved.
- On Wednesday’ Regional Transportation Committee meeting, the committee received briefings on RapidRide K and R Progress and on the implementation of Zero Youth Fare and engagement on reduced fare programs.
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During yesterday’s Board of Health meeting, the board received a strategic planning update. The board also took action on resolutions identifying the King County Board of Health's selected nonelected member candidates both for reappointment and to begin serving in 2024. In addition, Public Health’s Director Khan recommended people get their Covid updated vaccines as well as their flu shots and for those eligible get the RSV vaccine.
If you missed the meetings, recordings and additional materials will be made available here.
Local Services and Land Use Committee
During next Tuesday’s 9:30 a.m. meeting, the committee will receive a briefing from the Department of Community and Human Services. The committee will also take possible action on motions approving the 2024 budget and work plan for both the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners and the ARCH, a regional coalition for housing. Meeting materials will be made available prior to the meeting here.
Full Council
During next Tuesday’s 1:30 p.m. meeting, the council will present a proclamation of October 22 to 28, 2023, as Pro Bono Week in King County. The council will also take possible action on an ordinance approving and adopting the Memorandum of Agreement negotiated by and between King County and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117, representing employees in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Also on the agenda is a motion requesting the wastewater treatment division develop and maintain a long-term financial and sewer rate forecast, as well as an ordinance concurring with the recommendation of the hearing examiner to approve the application for public benefit rating system assessed valuation for open space, submitted by GROW, Inc. Meeting materials will be made available prior to the meeting here.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
During next Wednesday’s 9:30 a.m. meeting, the committee will take possible action on an ordinance authorizing the execution of an amendment to an existing lease to support the operations of the department of executive services. Meeting materials will be made available prior to the meeting here.
 COVID
For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard.
The Washington State Department of Health recently unveiled a new design and web location for its COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, which displays the number of COVID-19 vaccines given and the percentage of people vaccinated.
The new 2023-2024 COVID vaccines have been approved, and some pharmacies have them available. Check vaccines.gov to find appointments or check with your provider.
Since June, COVID-19 cases have been on an upward climb in King County and according to the CDC, COVID-19 viruses change and make it harder for our bodies to fight off new versions, or variants, even if you’ve had COVID-19 or been vaccinated previously. If you or someone in your household exhibits COVID-19 related symptoms, please take care of yourself and family and stay home. The CDC recommends employees should be out of the workplace for at least 5 days from the onset of symptoms. For more information from CDC, click here.
Overdose data
For up-to-date data on drug and alcohol-induced overdoses in King County, see the Overdose Data Dashboards.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
Seattle homicides set record, but King County has big plans and lots of funding to prevent gun violence – KUOW
Serotonin levels are depleted in long Covid patients, study says, pointing to a potential cause for ‘brain fog’ – STAT News
Pandemic sets back children’s vaccination progress – Northwest Asian Weekly
Bike riding in middle school may boost mental health, study finds – NPR
Breast cancer is deadlier for Black women. A study of mammograms could help close the gap – AP News
How stress weathers our bodies, from the inside out – The Washington Post
 Filipino American Heritage Month
 October is Filipino American Heritage Month! This is a special time to recognize the amazing contributions of Filipino Americans to our society’s professions, food, culture, music, and much more. Learn more about the history of the month and how you can celebrate here.
Get involved: Crisis Care Centers Initiative
 The Crisis Care Centers planning team continues to expand community engagement opportunities with regular monthly community engagement meetings scheduled and a series of focus groups having been planned during October. The information gathered from the Crisis Care Centers Initiative feedback will enable the Executive to transmit a proposed Implementation Plan to Council by the end of the year.
Gift Cards for Guns
 This Saturday, October 21st from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., join King County and the King County Sheriff’s at Shoreline Community College for the second Gift Cards for Guns event. This drive-through event is dedicated to reducing the number of firearms in circulation and enhancing public safety, invites community members to exchange firearms for Visa/Mastercard gift cards.
King County’s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention
 This week, Executive Constantine announced the creation of a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which plans to ensure coordination and collaboration on reducing gun violence. The new office will work directly with the community, secure resources, and implement nationally recognized strategies for intervention. The office will also launch a training academy to support the well-being of community-based workers on the frontlines and will operate under Public Health – Seattle & King County. It will oversee existing programs, such as the county's Community Violence Intervention.
King County and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. launch sewer heat recovery at new South Lake Union campus
 It was announced Wednesday that King County and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will partner on a groundbreaking project to draw heat from a large, underground sewer pipe to heat a huge campus in South Lake Union. One of the first in the nation, this project aims to save energy by using sewer heat recovery technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
King County wins eight national video awards
 Congratulations to King County’s amazing video journalists, Eric Keto and Ken Christensen, who won a total of eight NATOA Government Programming Awards. The awards honor excellence in broadcast, cable, and multimedia programming produced by local government agencies. Keto and Christensen’s projects were selected from more than 950 entries submitted by local governments from across the country. Congratulations, Ken and Eric!
Celebrating the first year of the Free Youth Transit Pass at Metro
 Thanks to a year of the Youth Transit Pass, youth 18 & under have been able to ride for free by using a Youth ORCA card, showing a student ID, or just getting on board on transit systems across the region. With a broad effort to encourage youth to ride public transportation, King County Metro estimates that more than 7 million rides were taken by youth under age 19 on Metro buses since the Free Youth Transit Pass launched September 1, 2022 and through August 31, 2023.
 Crisis Care Centers Initiative Requests for Information
King County released two Requests for Information (RFIs) on Friday, September 29 to solicit information to help inform the Crisis Care Centers planning process, including future siting and procurement processes. One RFI is for King County local jurisdictions to solicit information to help inform the Crisis Care Centers siting process, and the second RFI is for behavioral health agencies and other potential partners to solicit information from potential Crisis Care Center operators. Both RFIs are for informational purposes only, and responses will not be a commitment to action.
 Happy 50th Anniversary to the Ballard NW Senior Center
 I loved being at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Ballard NW Senior Center earlier this week and having the opportunity to present the recognition, signed by all King County Councilmembers, to the Center’s phenomenal director, Carlye Teel.
 Seattle Whimsy Walk
Celebrate art, nature and public parks in the Ballard neighborhood.
When: Saturday, October 22nd
Where: Ballard Public Library, 5614 22nd Ave NW
More information: https://www.whimsywalks.org/?fbclid=IwAR1nsBtwe4d1nOX0K6kQg2WWTu_1yCZcBx9aKbAOUIr8UQu5TDZ5Icvo8o0
Covering race and racism: A view from the newsroom
 In this fireside chat, journalists Akilah Johnson and Amber Payne will be joined by health equity expert and former NYC health commissioner Mary Bassett. They will take your questions about the opportunities and challenges of reporting on race and health equity and communicating with the public.
When: Tuesday, October 24th at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Online
More information:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/event/covering-race-and-racism-a-view-from-the-newsroom/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Go%20to%20event%20page&utm_campaign=2023.10.24-Race
2023 Indigent Remains Ceremony
 This ceremony is open to any member of the public who wishes to pay their respects.
When: Wednesday, October 25th at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Renton.
More information: https://publichealthinsider.com/2023/09/25/lives-lost-but-not-forgotten-2023-indigent-remains-ceremony/
Additional upcoming events:
Seattle Arbor Day
 Join the community for Arbor Day in celebrating our urban forest by planting large trees in Jefferson Park
When: Saturday, October 28th
Where: Jefferson Park in Beacon Hill
More information: Learn more and register: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=RR7meOtrCUCPmTWdi1T0G2Fp7VtS_zJOo1QKh32uTXdUNjdJVzJRUUozUERDVDlITThOWkROVTZNTC4u
Event reminders:
West Seattle Link Extension Station Planning Forum (Alki Masonic Center) – Wednesday, October 25th at 5:30 p.m.
Best Starts Capital Program In-Person Open House – Thursday, October 26th at 5:00 p.m.
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.
 Auburn Scout and volunteers help to build accessible fire lookout
 Fifteen-year-old Auburn Life Scout Darren Baptiste and a group of volunteers just recently finished building the first accessible, operational fire lookout in Washington. Baptiste, a prospective Eagle Scout, worked to create an accessible ramp at Sun Top Lookout in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest off Highway 410. The completed project will allow hikers with mobility issues to access the station and take in the gorgeous view. Learn more in this article from The Seattle Times.
Helpful and informative links
A deep dive into Seattle's busy, beloved Ballard Locks – The Seattle Times
Get on board with Rapid Ride bus line coming to Eastlake – The Seattle Times
Report: Veterans, Seniors, Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Implementation Plan 2024-2029 – King County Clerk’s Office
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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