Public Health's Food Safety Rating System Expanding
Seattle and King County’s existing food safety rating system will expand to additional permitted food businesses following action by the King County Board of Health. Starting in 2025, bakeries, mobile food vendors (such as food trucks and stands), meat and fish vendors, and catering operations will be publicly rated using the familiar green “smiley face” rating system. The food rating system gives community members peace of mind when eating at one of the many amazing food establishments across our county. Expanding this system to mobile vendors helps protect our community's health while also giving folks the confidence they need to patronize these small businesses helping to support our local economy. This is a win-win because it doesn't create extra work for vendors; they were already being evaluated but just weren't displaying their ratings. Now, they can showcase their scores with the placard. Additionally, we know more needs to be done and will be done to set up entrepreneurs getting started on their mobile food vendor journeys for success such as the cost, which I hope to address in the upcoming months. We look forward to continuing to get feedback from stakeholders to ensure food sellers are in compliance and permitting isn't a barrier to entering the marketplace.
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Meat Cutters License Update
 Part of Public Health’s food safety responsibilities includes issuing Meat Cutter licenses to meat cutters, including union-represented ones such as our friends at United Food and Commercial Workers 3000. Anyone who cuts fresh beef, veal, lamb, and/or pork within a King County meat establishment is required to obtain an annual occupational Meat Cutter license, which requires applicants to study and pass a Meat Cutter exam. This applies to large and small meat cutters, which public health realized needed to be tailored to recognize differences in size and approach!
The Meat Cutter exam checks for basic skills of meat cutting, handling, care, and knowledge of sanitation and code requirements, and Public Health provides study guides. To meet the needs of smaller shops, Public Health has begun offering two types of exams instead of just one. One exam is for those employed at a supermarket with 40 or more employees, and a second is for those at shops with fewer than 40 employees, which includes Halal meat markets and Kosher meat markets.
Public Health is reaching out to all meat markets to explain the new licensing procedure. Meat handlers will have until March 31, 2025 to schedule and obtain their meat cutters license. Please visit kingcounty.gov/meat-cutter to learn more about the process and view study materials for the exams.
King County Celebrates Esther Lucero, Executive Director of the Seattle Indian Health Board
The full King County Council recognized Esther Lucero, the President and CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB), as 2024 King County Recovery Champion. Since she became the CEO, she has led efforts to address inequities and health disparities in the Native community, especially those with substance use disorder. Through this work, SIHB has been an innovator in how they provide treatment for both the Native community and the larger King County community. SIHB developed one of the first low barrier treatment clinics with buprenorphine in the County and incorporated Native traditions and healing opportunities for those struggling with opioid use. Thanks to Councilmember Dunn for bringing this proclamation forward!
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UW Men’s Rowing Team Recognition
The full King County Council honored the University of Washington's men's rowing team with a proclamation recognizing their 20th national title, won on June 2, 2024, against Harvard and California. This victory marks 101 years since their first title, highlighting the team's rich history, including their gold medal win at the 1936 Olympics, as depicted in The Boys in the Boat. Thanks to Councilmember Von Reichbauer for bringing this proclamation forward!
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District 8 Days! Another Visit to Vashon
 Click on the image above to see and hear more about our visit to Vashon.
Team Teresa had a busy trip to Vashon Island in the last two weeks to see and hear more about all of the amazing things the Islanders from District 8 are doing in the community.
- We toured Vashon Household's latest project, Island Center Homes, where they are adding 40 affordable single-occupancy suites to the community that help enable teachers, trades people, business owners, artists, seniors, and others to remain in their own community.
- Next up was the Vashon Senior Center, where we mingled with seniors and staff during their lunch. We observed members of Vashon Fire and Rescue provide free vital check-ups, one of the many services offered there, and heard about Vashon Health Care District's latest work.
- We visited with Vashon Youth and Family Services to learn about their commitment to fostering a thriving community of emotionally healthy and resilient children, youth, adults, and families (and to model their latest t-shirts).
- Since I sponsored the legislation transferring the land of Mukai Farms processing plant to Friends of Mukai, I was thrilled to be able to follow that up the next day with the celebration of The Friends of Mukai’s official acquisition of the Fruit Barreling Plant parcel. I was excited to hear about how VIGA and Friends of Mukai have partnered to remaster the historical landmark into a Local Food Hub.
I’m thrilled to build on the incredible efforts of the Vashon Community and all the hard work you've put in over the years to make this possible. I thank my predecessor, Councilmember McDermott, in helping to make this long-awaited transfer of property possible.
Celebrating 10 years of Communities of Opportunity!
On September 19th, I was elated to attend Communities of Opportunity's 10th Anniversary Celebration. Communities of Opportunity is a network of residents, decision-makers, and funders committed to achieving health, equity, and racial justice for all communities, dedicated to eliminating disparities and transforming health and well-being. Since its inception in 2014 as a partnership between King County and the Seattle Foundation, the initiative has expanded to over 150 organizations, harnessing community expertise and leadership to shape policies that promote equity. I was elated to be among so many selfless and inspiring community leaders.
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Top picture: photo with Working Washington ED Danielle Alvarado, CM Mosqueda, COO Interim Director Elsa Batres-Boni, White Center Community Development Association ED Aaron Garcia.
Bottom picture: photo with Pastor Lina Thompson of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, former ED of White Center CDA Sili Savusa and the 2023 D8 King County Distinguished Service recipient
Site Champions Visit ICHS 9.23
 Last Monday, Team Teresa had the pleasure of joining International Community Health Services (ICHS) to celebrate their progress towards creating the Ron Chew Healthy Aging and Wellness Center, located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood at Beacon Pacific Village at the foot of the Pacific Medical Center
This state-of-the-art senior care facility, named in honor of legendary community leader Ron Chew, will expand ICHS’ successful PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Center, which empowers seniors to stay active, stay connected, and stay rooted in their own homes and communities.
At this new center, seniors will find comprehensive, affordable, culturally-competent wraparound services that will help them age in place, with independence and dignity. We are proud that King County was able to provide financial support for this innovative center and are excited that it will quadruple the number of number of vulnerable older adults served when it opens in late 2025.
Islanders, Mark Your Calendars!
Thank you to the Vashon Island community for all your engagement on the draft King County Comprehensive Plan update throughout this year. We appreciate the interest in continuing the discussions regarding the draft plan and possible amendments. The request from the Vashon-Maury Community Council comes at a perfect time to clarify information, share how we are adjusting language based community engagement, and receive additional feedback. Please register to join us for a virtual meeting on Tuesday, October 8th from noon to 1:30 pm. As always, if folks cannot attend at that time, comments are welcomed anytime at Teresa.Mosqueda@kingcounty.gov.
It has been wonderful to receive feedback from the Vashon-Maury Community Council members throughout the course of this year, including direct suggestions from the VMCC Housing Subcommittee along with many other organizations and individuals over the last few months. We look forward to sharing how some of the amendment ideas have evolved, additional strategies we are considering, and to further receiving feedback prior to the completion of the Comprehensive Plan.
Click on the image to register
The Moment We've All Been Waiting For!
Overlook Walk will be open to the public at 4:30pm on Friday, October 4, 2024. You’re invited to come celebrate this opening with food, music, entertainment, arts & crafts, 360-degree views, fire pits, and more!
Overlook Walk serves as the first-ever, direct connection between Pike Place Market and the waterfront! But it’s not just a bridge – come sit on the cascading Salish Steps and take-in the views of the sea and walk along the native plantings on Bluff Walk, where the kids can also climb, slide, and play. Click on the image for more information.
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The King County Citizens’ Election Oversight Committee (CEOC) is currently inviting interested applicants to fill three openings. The CEOC is a 16-member committee of volunteers who have interest or expertise in elections. They produce an annual report to the King County Council on their observations, findings, and recommendations on election-related matters. Currently, the CEOC has the following open positions:
- One representative who has experience in technology. The term of this position is for the remainder of a three-year term, to expire July 2027. The Council may appoint the successful candidate to complete the current term as well as serve for an additional term of three years.
- One representative from the Vietnamese-speaking community. The term of this position is for the remainder of a three-year term, to expire December 2026. The Council may appoint the successful candidate to complete the current term as well as serve for an additional term of three years.
- One representative from a nonpartisan organization in King County that promotes equality and the advancement of Black or African Americans, such as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. The term of this position ends in September 2025. The Council may appoint the successful candidate to complete the current term as well as serve for an additional term of three years.
Applications for these positions are due by October 11, 2024.
VIGA Harvest Party October 12th on Vashon
Click on the flyer for more event information
The Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) began in the 1980s with a desire to create on-island jobs in farming. What started as a small Farmer’s Market near the Post Office has grown into a multi-faceted organization that supports the full spectrum of island agriculture. Join them for a fun afternoon of harvest festival fun and celebrating 25 years of VIGA and raising funds for 25 more! Activities for all ages.
Septic Rebates Available
Many people throughout District 8 have inquired about support with navigating their septic system upgrades needed. Good news – technical assistance and navigation support is available to see if you qualify! Use this Septic System and Side Sewer Rebate Eligibility Map to find out and click on the flyer below for more information.
Click the flyer above for more information.
Crisis Care Centers Community Survey
King County will open a network of 5 "crisis care centers" where people can go for help 24/7 for a wide range of mental health and/or drug and alcohol crises. We need your help making them the best they can be! Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey by clicking on the image above.
What is a "crisis care center”: A crisis care center is a place where people can go 24-hours a day/7-days a week (24/7) to get help with mental health and issues about drug and alcohol use. People can walk-in to the clinic at any time without an appointment.
Where will they be located? There will be a crisis care centers in 4 places in King County: North, South, East, and West. There will also be 1 dedicated center for youth.
Who can go to a crisis care center? Anyone who feels like they are having a mental health or drug and alcohol crisis can go to any crisis care center for help regardless of location, insurance, age, race, sex, gender identity, or immigration status.
When will this happen? The first center is expected to open by 2026 and all five centers will open by 2030.
Again, please take 5 minutes to complete this survey here.
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Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
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