Welcome our New Legislative Aide!
April 2024
Dear Friend,
Please give a warm welcome to our new Legislative Aide from wonderful Carnation, Nicole Ballard! Nicole will be supporting our District 3 Team's key office operations, managing schedules and communications. She will also serve as the first point of contact for our residents! Learn more about Nicole and the rest of our team here.
Nicole grew up right in the heart of D3 and graduated from Western Washington University with degrees in Political Science and Sociology. She has experience in running voter registration drives, facilitating lobby days, and creating non-partisan events to increase civic participation. Nicole was briefly a preschool teacher before transitioning to her most recent role as the WA State Scheduler for U.S. Senator Patty Murray. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, photography, crafts, and being outside!
So excited for her to be part of our team! As always, if you’d like to meet or talk about anything, please reach out by email, sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov, or phone at 206-477-1003, and we’ll find some time to connect!
All the best,
Council Briefings & Actions!
Council has been working hard this month – here’s the work that matters most to D3:
If you are interested in joining us for a meeting to make a comment or just listen in, click on any of the following links: Full Council Meeting; Budget and Fiscal Management; Committee of the Whole; Government Accountability and Oversight; Employment and Administration; Health and Human Services; Labor Policy; Law and Justice; Local Services and Land Use; Transportation, Economy, and Environment; Regional Policy; Regional Transit; Regional Water Quality
Out in the Community!
 (Left): Joined Governor Jay Inslee and Rep. Tina Orwall's Bill Signing of HB 2088, which extends the protections for our first responders and increases the ability to have a strong response for our mobile crisis response teams; (Right): Visited North Bend to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Tennant Trailhead Park with many local partners.
(Left): Celebrated the Grand Opening of a Health through Housing building in Redmond; (Right): Lovely to have seen so many incredible community leaders and partners in Snoqualmie as we celebrated the opening of the Centennial Fields Park All-Inclusive Playground.
April Recognitions and Holidays!
 April was full of festivities, holidays, and proclamations! Council proclaimed this month as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in King County, recognizing the urgent need to address sexual assault and acknowledging the traumatic impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. We wrapped up March with a celebration of Easter, one of the holiest days for over 2 billion Christians worldwide. April marked the end of Ramadan as Muslims around the world celebrated Eid, a sacred time for our community members. Our Jewish neighbors also celebrated Passover across King County and around the world, recognizing eight-days of celebration. April also included Earth Day, World Book Day, and World Autism Awareness Day. Finally, we had the chance to proclaim May 11, 2024 as Seattle Opera Day in King County, with the Seattle Opera enriching our local communities for 60 incredible years. We look forward to what May has in store for us!
On the Issues!
This year, our D3 team has highlighted four priority areas: Environment & Farm Protection; Behavioral Health, Housing & Homelessness; Community Health & Safety; and Creative & Economic Development. We are hard at work convening weekly meetings with organizations and are looking forward to all the positive change we can create together!
On the Topic of the Environment & Farm Protection
Fall City Floodplain Restoration Project: On April 24th, we celebrated the Fall City Floodplain Restoration Project with Executive Dow Constantine, County staff, members of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and the Tulalip Tribes, and regional partners. This is the largest floodplain restoration project in King County’s history, and an exemplary collaboration between Tribes, KC Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) staff, the Fish, Farm, Flood Committee, the Fall City community, and farmers.
This project reaffirms our collective commitment to meeting our Climate Action Plan priorities in King County, and it is important that we steward our land effectively, strengthening flood protections and food production while furthering initiatives and ensuring that our salmon populations thrive in the Snoqualmie Watershed. Everyone should be proud of their part in this project, no matter how big or small, as the impact will be felt for generations to come!
On the Topic of Behavioral Health, Housing & Homelessness
Crisis Care Center Initiative: After voters approved the Crisis Care Centers levy last year, the county embarked on an implementation plan process. KC Executive Dow Constantine transmitted the detailed implementation plan on December 29, 2023. The plan, now under Council review, focuses on building crisis care centers, restoring behavioral health facilities, and reinforcing the behavioral health workforce. Public engagement is ongoing, with monthly community updates. For more details, visit this website. If you have any questions, please e-mail CCCLevy@kingcounty.gov.
On the Topic of Community Health & Safety
County-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP): KC Emergency Management was recently notified that they received a $350,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to develop a County-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)! This is incredible news for our communities, especially in D3 that has so much open land and forests. The increase in wildfires across the Pacific Northwest has heightened awareness that King County communities, especially our most vulnerable neighbors, need to be better prepared for wildfire. You can check out King County's current Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy here. Thank you to KC Emergency Management for all the work they do in supporting our neighbors in times of emergency.
On the Topic of Creative & Economic Development
Creative Districts: Since July of 2023, we’ve been convening monthly meetings with a representative from each city and township in our district to learn more about the ArtsWA Creative District program and to help provide a foundation of knowledge and resources for each of these communities to pursue Creative District certification. With the passage of Doors Open, we are excited about the opportunities that will become available to our cities, especially as they pursue Creative District certification.
D3 Snoqualmie Town Hall Recap!
It was delightful to hear from our Snoqualmie residents at the Snoqualmie Library. Our wonderful guest speakers joined us to talk about behavioral health initiatives, creative economies, environmental preservation, and community safety in Snoqualmie and across our region. You can watch a recap of the Town Hall here!
Additionally, our hearts are with our beloved Chickadee Bakeshop / Snoqualmie Pie Company, Snoqualmie Ice Cream, and Littlest Wishes Photography as the businesses were recently engulfed in flames. No one was hurt, but the entire building is a loss, and the businesses are in for a long recovery. Support efforts are underway through the GoFundMe link, or through their PO Boxes below. A fundraiser is also being planned by Beth and Kevin Burrows at North Bend Theatre on Tuesday, May 7th at 6:30 PM. In the meantime, thank you for whatever you can do!
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Chickadee Market LLC: PO Box 74, Snoqualmie, WA 98065
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Snoqualmie Holdings (ice cream): PO Box 297, Snoqualmie, WA 98065
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Littlest Wishes Photography: coming soon
Have Your Voice Heard on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan!
It is an important year for our Local Services and Land Use (LSLU) Committee as I have the honor of leading this year’s Comprehensive Plan update. The Comprehensive Plan is updated once-a-decade and provides an opportunity to reshape how we plan for a healthy future for all. Learn more here!
We want to hear from YOU! The Council has been hosting meetings in community, and we have one more in May before our final vote in June:
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Thursday, May 16th, 6:30 PM - Skyway: more details to come soon!
Please take an opportunity to learn more about the comprehensive planning process on our website or by watching this video. You can also email questions to the King County Council at CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov.
Farm Visits Across District 3!
This year, one of our main priorities has been to visit farms across our District to learn about their work and hear any farming and agricultural related challenges, concerns, and opportunities for support that we can work on together! We've met with over a dozen farms already this year, so we wanted to spend time highlighting D3's incredible farms! Check out some of our previous farm highlights at the links below:
King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders
Join Seattle & King County Public Health, KC Recovery Coalition, KC Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), KC Council and Councilmember Reagan Dunn, and many others on Thursday, June 6th from 9 AM - 3 PM at Highline College (2400 S 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198) for King County's 4th Annual Conference on Substance Use. This year's theme is 'Embracing a Vision for Hope,' as we unite to highlight pathways and opportunities for individuals along their journey of recovery! Learn more below and don't forget to register!
Grant Opportunities this Quarter!
Do you know of an impactful organization that's looking for funding? Our District 3 Team has resources for you! Every month we share a Grants Newsletter that highlights upcoming grant opportunities over the next few months, and there are several grant opportunities that are available now! Investing in our local non-profits and supporting innovative ideas through funding is critical to ensure that each of our communities can thrive, now and into the future!
Featured Grant Opportunities:
VSHSL Navigate Homeless Veterans to Housing Funding Opportunity
The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Navigate Homeless Veterans to Housing with up to $1.8 million in funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). Funded organizations will provide supportive services to help veterans obtain and maintain their housing. The deadline to apply is May 6th by 2 PM. For more information, contact Kip Swanson, Veteran Initiatives Team, at 206-263-8209 or kip.swanson@kingcounty.gov. For more information, visit this website.
VSHSL Request for Proposal (RFP) for Veteran Provider Training Supports
The Veteran Provider Training Supports RFP from VSHSL focuses on funding entities to provide trainings and cultural competency to the veteran-serving community on key issues that affect veterans, military servicemembers, and their families. Proposals are due by June 4th by 2 PM. If you have questions, contact Evan Brennan, RFP Lead, and ebrennan@kingcounty.gov. For more information, visit this website.
Duvall Spotlight!
Check out where the spotlight is shining on a Duvall business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity this month! We hope you have a chance to visit these fantastic community contributors – and remember to Go Local!
Flavour Bistro is a hidden gem located right in the heart of Duvall. Led by Executive Chef Clive Gomez and Owner Shelly Hack, they believe in the power of exceptional food to transport you to paradise. Their chefs meticulously craft each dish, infusing it with the vibrant colors, bold flavors, and rich traditions of the Caribbean. Visit their website here or stop by the restaurant at 15715 Main Street Suite 101, Duvall, WA 98019. Questions? Call them at 425-318-6095 or send them an email at
info@flavourbistro.com.
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Wilderness Awareness School is a non-profit leader in outdoor education, with a mission to help children and adults cultivate healthy relationships with nature, community, and self. They have programs for adults and children, including engaging educational opportunities for children to explore the world around them and build skills to last them a lifetime! Questions? Visit their website here, call them at 425-788-1301, or email them at registrar@wildernessawareness.org. You can also send mail inquiries to their address: PO Box 219, PMB 137, Duvall, WA 98019.
City Spotlight: Duvall
The City of Duvall has many opportunities to get engaged. To learn about Duvall's 2024 Comprehensive Plan, residents are invited to an exclusive Open House event on Wednesday, May 1st, from 6 - 8 PM at the Duvall Visitor & Community Center (15619 Main Street NE). Additionally, the city is seeking residents to join their Library Board to contribute their skills and ideas to shape the future of the library! Finally, the city launched a Plank Public Art Project to seek visual/wood artists to share their art on 10 streetlight poles in the city. Questions? Call 425-788-1185 or send an email to Rita.Moreno@DuvallWa.Gov. For further inquiries, visit City Hall at 15535 Main Street NE, Duvall, WA 98019.
About Town!
With so much going on across our District 3 cities and towns, we want to ensure that you know about any upcoming major events, parades, festivals, and activities. Below is a short list of some upcoming events!
District 3 Farmers Markets (more to be added soon)
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Saturday, May 4th, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: family activities, info booths, artisan vendors, special speakers, garden tours, and more!
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Sunday, May 5th, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM: live music, food, Latino arts and crafts market, vaccines, resources, and more!
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Saturday, May 11th, 12:00 - 4:00 PM: ribbon cutting for the Pride Ribbon at city hall, performers, vendor booths, food trucks, and more!
If you know of any upcoming events that you’d like us to highlight in next month’s newsletter, please share them at osman.salahuddin@kingcounty.gov.
Thank You to our District 3 Interns!
We want to give a special thank you to our two District 3 Interns, Josie Jackson and Kimberly Quiocho, who have been instrumental members of our team for the past several months. Although their internships in our office are over, you will definitely find them staying engaged and serving their communities! We're so excited for what the future has in store for Josie and Kimberly!
Stay Connected!
Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook account, Instagram account, and X (Twitter) page to stay up-to-date on everything we are working on together!
Finally... a reminder that I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and talk. Just reach out to our team member Robby at Robby.paige@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003 and Robby will set us up!
All the best,
 Sarah Perry
King County Council
District 3
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