Make Your Voice Heard in the 2024 Primary Election!
July 2024
Dear Friend,
We are less than 1 week away from Election Day for the August 2024 Primary! Our King County Elections team is anticipating 40% turnout for this election. Returns so far have been slightly behind projections, but, as always, that can and does change the closer we get to Tuesday, August 6th!
Ballot drop boxes are open now! Check out this link to find the drop box nearest you at your local City Hall, library, or other locations. Or return your postage-free ballot in your mailbox to make sure it is counted. If you aren't yet registered to vote, need to update your registration, need a replacement ballot, or need to use an accessible voting device, you can do so at satellite vote centers, on August 3rd, August 5th, and August 6th (Election Day).
Also, King County Elections has an easy way to track your ballot! The ballot alert program allows voters to sign up through Elections’ online ballot tracker to get text or email notifications about when your ballot is mailed, when it’s received, and when the ballot can be counted. Sign up for the King County Ballot Tracker Here! Remember, Election Day is Tuesday, August 6th, and ballots must be in by 8 PM. Make sure your voice is heard!
All the best,
Council Briefings & Actions!
Council has been working hard this month – here’s the work that matters most to D3:
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At the July Full Council meeting, we passed a $178 million 2024 supplemental budget, funding critical infrastructure and human services support services. Though funds are limited, this budget invests in areas of highest community need, including public safety, parks, housing, permitting, and the environment. I’m pleased to see the much-needed investment in our Permitting Division which will reduce permit wait times and keep costs down. We are also making critical investments for our farmers, beginning with a deep dive to study what is needed to support this critical industry. Finally, I am grateful to my colleagues for supporting me in my ask of $1 million, which I secured for Acres of Diamonds — a non-profit providing transitional housing for moms and kids experiencing homelessness — to purchase a long-term facility.
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At the July Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee meeting, we received a briefing from Barb Oliver, Executive Director of Sound Foundations NW, and former Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw on ways we can direct funding to get more folks off the streets and into housing. Sound Foundations is a non-profit builder of tiny homes as alternatives to tents and encampments, and the presentation highlighted a plan that will help us 'get to functional zero,' helping our neighbors get off the streets and into homes.
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At our July Committee of the Whole meeting, we unanimously approved Safe System approach legislation, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries due to traffic accidents through better infrastructure. In response to increasing numbers of traffic deaths and injuries, the U.S. Department of Transportation has set the goal of eliminating fatal and serious injuries for road users by implementing the Safe System approach. The approach focuses on safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, safe road users, and post-crash care to make roadways safe for all users.
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
Inclusionary Housing Panel!
At our July 17th Local Services and Land Use (LSLU) Committee meeting, I hosted an Inclusionary Housing Policy panel that focused on what King County and local jurisdictions are planning for housing that’s accessible to people at all income levels! If you missed it, you can watch the panel here! I want to give a very special thank you to all our panelists, who joined us to share their insight and expertise:
- Adam Weinstein, Director of Planning & Building, City of Kirkland
- Morgan Brown, President, Whole Water
- Carol Helland, Director of Planning, City of Redmond
- Lindsay Masters, Executive Director, ARCH - A Regional Coalition for Housing
- Barbara Rodgers, VP of Forward Planning, Connor Homes - Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) member
- Patience Malaba, Executive Director, Housing Development Consortium
Our LSLU committee is continuing our work on the once-in-a-decade update to the Comprehensive Plan, a major piece of legislation that shapes all aspects of unincorporated county growth and development, including where homes, offices, and stores can be built, how roads impact surrounding areas, how to protect agricultural lands and forests, how to maintain access to clean water, air, and a healthy environment, and much more!
Out in the Community!
 We joined the United Communities of Laos Summer Festival at Lake Sammamish State Park, where we also had the opportunity to connect with the Hmong Association of Washington (Left) and SM Diversity (Right)!
(Left): Our team member Osman visited the brand-new Connections 24/7 Behavioral Health Care Facility in Kirkland, which will serve community members across our region; (Right): Celebrated the Ananda Mela Festival in Redmond!
 (Left): Visited the Issaquah Farmer's Market hosted by the City of Issaquah; (Right): Celebrated the North Bend Downtown Block Party with the North Bend Downtown Foundation!
Celebrating Independence Day!
 We kicked off the month by celebrating the 4th of July, a day where we recognize our Independence and the freedom that we have as Americans! This precious, fierce, fragile experiment in Democracy that began 248 years ago today is worth celebrating, upholding, and defending! Our team was able to enjoy the celebrations in Carnation for their 4th of July Parade, where we ran into so many community members. We hope everyone had a great day and are looking forward to the celebrations that August has in store for us!
On the Issues!
Informed by both our survey data and community conversations, our priority areas this year include Community Health & Safety, Environmental Preservation & Farm Protection, and Small Businesses & Creative Economy. We are hard at work convening meetings with organizations and are looking forward to the positive change we can create together!
On the Topic of Community Health & Safety
National Night Out: National Night Out is an annual event, all across the nation, that encourages police-community partnerships. Held on Tuesday, August 6th, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring neighbors and law enforcement together for one purpose: making our neighborhoods safer. All across our District, law enforcement officers will be connecting with community members and sharing crime prevention tips. Events are as small as a potluck while others are large, organized events in local parks! Below is a snapshot of events taking place in District 3:
On the Topic of the Environmental Preservation & Farm Protection
King County Flood Control District Funding: The King County Flood Control District, for which I serve as Vice Chair, recently approved over $11.5 Million for vital habitat restoration initiatives! This funding will be allocated to various watersheds through the Cooperative Watershed Management (CWM) Grants program, aiming to recover endangered salmon species and restore vital watershed ecosystems. Key highlights of the funding include:
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Snoqualmie Watershed Forum (WRIA 7): Nearly $2.3 million allocated, supporting 18 projects among 12 organizations, including Sound Salmon Solutions, the Tulalip Tribes, and the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.
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WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council: Over $4.5 million allocated, supporting 23 projects among 16 organizations, including the Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, Trout Unlimited, the City of Bothell, the City of Woodinville, King County, and the Seattle Aquarium.
On the Topic of Small Businesses & Creative Economy
Doors Open Shareout: On December 5, 2023, the King County Council unanimously passed Doors Open legislation to increase funding to the County’s arts, heritage, science, and historic preservation non-profit organizations! Sustained Support and Doors Open Facilities grants for organizations will be opening up soon, so join 4Culture on Tuesday, August 6th at 12:00 PM on Zoom for a Summer Doors Open Shareout to go over programs, including Building for Equity and School Access Programs, and ask any questions of the team! Register for this meeting here!
District 3 Town Halls
Upcoming Town Hall: Carnation (August 29th)
We are excited to host an in-person KC D3 Carnation Town Hall on Thursday, August 29th at 6:30 PM at Miller's in Carnation (4597 Tolt Ave, Carnation, WA 98014)! Join us to learn and share as we get to know each other and how we can work together to ensure that Carnation has the best communities possible for all! We will be joined by Carnation Mayor Jim Ribail and KC Department Experts, so make sure you sign-up here or at the button below!
KC D3 Fall City Town Hall Recap
It was delightful to hear from our Fall City residents at the Fall City Library. Our guest speakers joined us to talk about community safety, road infrastructure and maintenance, and environmental preservation in Fall City and across D3. You can watch a recap of the Town Hall here!
Summer Food Support for Families
For many families in our community, school meals are an essential way that they keep their children fed. Summer break can be a challenging time financially, which is why the SUN Bucks program is available. This program offers each eligible child $120 in food benefits, aimed at supporting nutritious, affordable meals during the summer months. For more information and to apply, visit this website or click the button below.
Visit a Farmers Market this Summer!
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! This month, we've had the opportunity to visit with Novelty Hill Farm, REBEL44, and Marzolf Meats' new USDA-inspected facility! This summer, many of our local farms will be at a market near you, so make sure to check them out:
District 3 Construction Updates
Construction zones are popping up all over unincorporated King County this summer! Below are some projects that are currently active or will be active soon:
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NE Tolt Hill Road Bridge: Lane restrictions for slide repair work under Tolt Hill Bridge with single lane restrictions managed by a temporary traffic signal (May 30 through Aug. 30). More info: kingcounty.gov/NEToltHillRoad
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Ames Lake Trestle Bridge: Ames Lake Bridge Replacement Project for a newer, wider bridge (June 24 through early March 2025). More info: kingcounty.gov/AmesLakeBridge
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244th Ave NE: In July, the county will replace a damaged retaining wall located below the north side of 244th Avenue NE near Redmond Fall City Road/SR 202 (6-week full road closure). More info: kingcounty.gov/244thAveNE
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Duvall-Slough Bridge: In mid-July, the worn-out concrete on the bridge on NE Woodinville Duvall Road will be replaced and rebuilt (6-week closure). More info: kingcounty.gov/WDRoadBridge
For the latest updates and detailed information on closures and detours, visit this site!
Need to report an emergency or the road or have a question? Call the KC Local Services 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 or email maint.roads@kingcounty.gov.
VSHSL Summit!
Mark your calendars for August 22nd from 9 AM - 4 PM! The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) will be hosting the 2024 VSHSL Summit for all VSHSL community partners and the broader human service provider community. Join for an interactive summit that will include engaging presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities for networking and connection. The Summit will be in person at the Seattle Airport Marriott (3201 South 176th Street, Seattle, WA, 98188).
The VSHSL Summit aims to foster a sense of purpose, community, and growth throughout our VSHSL community by strengthening connections between providers and creating shared awareness amongst community partners. Questions? Please email VSHSL@kingcounty.gov.
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!
Snoqualmie Spotlight!
This month the spotlight is shining on a Snoqualmie business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity! We hope you have a chance to visit these fantastic community contributors – and remember to Go Local!
Snoqualmie Ice Cream is a family-owned company that makes both super-premium and all-natural craft ice cream! They use simple ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, including grass-fed milk and cream, eggs and berries, and make their ice cream in small batches with more cream and less air to make the most premium ice cream. It's so heartwarming to see Snoqualmie Ice Cream back in action after they faced a devastating fire earlier this year. Visit their website here or stop by their new temporary shop at 8125 Falls Ave SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Questions? Call them at 360-668-2912 or send them an email at info@snoqualmieicecream.com.
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The Snoqualmie Valley YMCA is a small but close-knit branch established in 2012 to meet the needs of the active, outdoorsy and fast-growing community! Over 30% of the population they serve is under the age of 18, so they focus heavily on programs for children, teens and families. In fact, they have the largest 'Kids University after school enrichment programming' in the entire YMCA of Greater Seattle Association! They are proud to count 42% of area residents as members and play a vital role in helping our neighbors come together to achieve their goals! Visit their website here or visit them at 35018 SE Ridge St., Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Questions? Call them at 425-256-3115 or send them a note here.
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The City of Snoqualmie has been hard at work this summer! With increased traffic and public safety concerns related to wildlife crossings, this month the Snoqualmie and North Bend City Councils approved code to reduce speed limits on SR 202 between Mile Post 27.95 and Mile Post 29.60 from 50 MPH to 40 MPH. They are also currently seeking members to join their Arts Commission, a hands-on volunteer opportunity. If you’re looking for an active way to serve your community and have a flair for the arts and art for all ages, this is the commission for you! Make sure to stop by Snoqualmie City Hall at 38624 SE River St, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 or visit their website. For any questions, send an email to info@snoqualmiewa.gov, or give them a call at 425-888-1555.
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!
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Saturday, August 3rd, 1:30 - 9:30 PM: family activities, delicious food, traditional mechanical bull, bounce house, traditional square dance, and more!
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Tuesday, August 6th, 13th, and 20th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: series of three free, family-friendly concerts in a beautiful outdoor setting!
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Friday, August 9th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM: music and dancing, tacos and more from Las Garnachas food truck, tasty treats from Cafecito Mexican Bakery, piñatas, vibrant art, and more!
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Friday, August 9th to Sunday, August 11th: grand parade, 5K fun run, live music, chili cookoff, family activities, food trucks, hoop shoot contest, vendors, and more!
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Friday, August 16th, 5:00 - 9:00 PM: Sammamish Symphony, Ian Ayers Band, Sway Band, Photo booth, Jubilee sponsors booths, yard games, food trucks, ice cream truck, and more!
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Friday, August 16th to Saturday, August 17th: Historic Snoqualmie music crawl, pancake breakfast, vendors, railroad show, grand parade, train rides, live music, and more!
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Saturday, August 17th, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: local farmers, free activities and live music, food vendors and more!
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Saturday, August 24th, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: food vendors, performances, vendors, fashion, art and children's activities, and more!
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Saturday, August 31st, 12:00 - 5:00 PM: food trucks, main stage performances, vendors, arts and crafts activities, games, 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.
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 Osman at osman.salahuddin@kingcounty.gov or at 206-507-9860 and he will set us up!
All the best,
 Sarah Perry
King County Council
District 3
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