 News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.
Dear Friends:
Today’s update includes news about our December Good Eggs breakfast meeting with Washington State Chief Economist Dave Reich, the South King County Leadership Event, a meeting with Coach Townsend, District 7 Doors Open Grant Awards, Seattle hotel occupancy rates for October and November, updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance, how to report property damage from the windstorm, a look back at an important Flood Control District Project, and more.
Washington Trivia
This comedy and action hero actor was raised in Lake Stevens, placed 5th in the Washington state high school wrestling championship his senior year, and was discovered while he was waiting tables at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Maui when he was 19. Who is he?
(Answer is at the bottom.)
December “Good Eggs” Breakfast Meeting
In government, too many speakers often focus on spending more, spending faster, and spending again, so it was informative and interesting at the Good Eggs breakfast this morning to focus on revenues! Washington State Chief Economist Dave Reich joined us for a conversation about revenue forecasts and economic growth in the State of Washington. Dave let us know that Washington’s gas tax revenue is declining due in large part to the increase of electric and hybrid cars. Thank you, Dr. Reich!
South King County Leadership Event
“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Those words of John Kennedy inspired a young Auburn girl to run for office (Attorney General 1993 to 2005, Governor 2005 to 2013), and last night Gov Chris Gregoire highlighted my annual meeting with ASB presidents from Auburn and Federal Way. One of South King County’s greatest assets is the incredible people who volunteer their time, energy, and resources to be leaders in own community. Gov Chris Gregoire spoke to current and FUTURE leaders about the value of giving back to the community. Thank you Gov. Gregoire!
 Top left: With Gov. Gregoire and Auburn City Councilmember Hanan Amer
Top right: With Auburn SD Superintendent Alan Spicciati and student leaders from the Auburn School District
Bottom left: Gov. Gregoire speaking to student leaders
Bottom right: With Federal Way SD Superintendent Dani Pfieffer and student leaders from the Federal Way School District.
District 7 Doors Open Grant Awards
4Culture has announced the first round of Doors Open funding, which will provide more than $165 million to 700+ King County cultural organizations over the next three years. This funding—made up of $150 million in Doors Open funds and $15 million of Lodging Tax funds—is the first infusion of capital into the cultural sector following the passage of Doors Open, a 0.1 percent sales tax that began accruing in April of this year. Here are some of the projects in District 7 that received funding:
- City of Auburn
- Federal Way Harmony Kings
- Arts Foundation of Federal Way
- Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory
- Laughter League
- Jet Cities Chorus
- Washington Chamber Ensemble
- Federal Way Chorale
- Green River College Foundation
- Historical Society of Federal Way
- Soos Creek Botanical Garden and Heritage Center
- Culture Generation
- Federal Way Youth Symphony Orchestra
- Federal Way Symphony Orchestra
- Centerstage Theatre Arts Conservatory
- Auburn Performing Arts Center
- City of Federal Way
- Auburn Symphony Orchestra
- Pacific Ballroom Dance
- Arts Impact
- White River Valley Museum
- Pacific Bonsai Museum
- Pacific Islander Community Association of WA
A Visit with Coach Townsend
With the Fall sports season over and the Winter season starting up, I was happy to be able to meet with Coach Townsend to discuss high school sports, specifically those that he coaches at Thomas Jefferson High School. We talked about the success of the TJHS Lady’s bowling team, who are undefeated, as well as the upcoming baseball season. Thank you for your time, Coach!
Positive Hotel Occupancy Rates for October and November
October was the first month following our destination’s busy summer tourism season – and a strong one for Seattle’s downtown hotels – with better hotel performance in all four metrics than we saw in October of last year. The number of rooms sold last month only fell short of pre-pandemic levels by 852 rooms, about 28 rooms each day.
Downtown hotels’ occupancy rate was shy of October 2019 by 5.4%, but with 6% more rooms to fill due to increased inventory. Group business was a particular highlight, with groups generating more room nights in October than in any other month over the past 10 years. All of last month’s metrics are signs of continued progress and something to celebrate during the shoulder season.
You can read more here:
October and Thanksgiving hotel performance data from Visit Seattle
Was Your Property Damaged Because of the Windstorm?
Report Damage
King County Emergency Management wants to know if the November 17-25 windstorm caused you any damage (this could include damage from the bomb cyclone, straight-line winds, flooding, mudslides, and/or landslides). This information may help Washington request state and/or federal government disaster assistance.
If your primary residence or your business was damaged by the weather, we’d like to hear from you. Here is the link to report your damages.
Property Tax Relief
If your property (private and business) has been damaged in this storm, you may qualify for property tax relief. For more information on how to apply, go to Destroyed property relief – King County, Washington. Read more.
Updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance
 As required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), King County is reviewing and updating the policies and regulations used to protect public health and safety by limiting development in hazard areas, including steep slopes and flood zones, and to protect environmentally critical areas, including wetlands and streams. Regulations in King County Code that protect critical areas are often referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and are required by the GMA to include the latest best available science (BAS).
On December 5, 2024, the King County Executive transmitted to the King County Council the proposed updates to BAS and the CAO as Proposed Ordinance 2024-0408 and the County Council must adopt CAO updates no later than December 2025.
Changes to the CAO proposed by the Executive to meet state requirements, as well as supporting materials, can be found at kingcounty.gov/CompPlan. The Council will review the proposed changes in 2025. Input on the proposed changes can be submitted to CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov
Non-Profit Corner
South King County Non-Profit Organizations
Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Senior Center | FUSION Décor Boutique | Kent Lions | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Orion Works | Rotary Club of Federal Way | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Soroptimist International of Federal Way | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance
King County Flood Control District – Protecting Our Infrastructure
In 2022, the King County Flood Control District recently completed its Cedar River Trail 5B Repair project. The Cedar River Trail 5B (CRT5B) Revetment at River Mile 9.8 plays a vital role in protecting essential infrastructure, including:
- Maple Valley Highway (SR 169): A major transportation corridor.
- Cedar River Trail: A cherished recreational asset used year-round by walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
- Regional Fiber Optic Trunk Line and Natural Gas Pipelines: Critical utilities that sustain communication and energy needs.
Flood damage to the CRT5B Revetment had the potential to expand if left unaddressed, threatening these resources and causing loss of public property. You can read more about this valuable infrastructure project here: Reducing Flood Risk: A Look Back at Completed Flood Mitigation Projects - King County Flood Control District
Local Services Contact Information
 Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn | Federal Way | Kent | All of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated
To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.
Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember
 Washington Trivia Answer:
Chris Pratt was born on June 21, 1979, in Virginia, MN. His family moved to Lake Stevens, WA when he was 7. Chris attended Lake Stevens High School, where he placed fifth in the Washington State high school wrestling championship his senior year, as well as competed in shot put for the track team. Chris dropped out of community college halfway through his first semester and after working a few jobs, ended up homeless in Maui, sleeping in a van and a tent on the beach.
When he was 19 and waiting tables at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Chris was discovered by actress Rae Dawn Chong, who cast him in her directorial debut. This led to more acting roles, and in 2009, Chris was cast as a temporary character, Andy Dwyer, in Parks and Recreation. However, because producers liked Chris so much, they asked him to become a series regular. This proved to be his breakthrough role. Since then, Chris has acted in a variety of films including Moneyball, Zero Dark Thirty, The Lego Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, and many more.
His first marriage to fellow Washingtonian and actress, Anna Faris, ended in 2018. Married since 2019 to Katherine Schwarzenegger, Chris is the father of 4 children. Although he now lives in Los Angeles, Chris has not forgotten his Washington roots and has been a supporter of local organizations. In 2016, he donated $500,000 in memory of his father to a teen center in his hometown of Lake Stevens and has supported the Edmonds Food Bank and Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.
Photo Source: IMDB; photo by John Russo
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