Your Weekly Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am pleased to report that this week, the Committee of the Whole passed an important piece of transit safety legislation that I sponsored in partnership with Councilmember Balducci and at the request of the leadership of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587.

Our legislation, which we introduced following the tragic killing of Metro bus operator and dedicated public servant Shawn Yim, would support the creation of a countywide task force on transit safety. The murder of Shawn Yim, who was fatally stabbed while driving his route in December, was a terrible and costly reminder of the devastating consequences of our region's public safety crisis. My hope is that this task force will be a much needed step in the right direction toward restoring safety for all who ride public transit. You can read more about our proposal here. 

Now that it's passed committee, this legislation is scheduled to be considered at next week's meeting of the King County Council on Tuesday, March 4, at 1:30 PM. You can find information on how to watch the meeting or provide public comment at the King County Council webpage.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Dunn swears in former NFL star Mkristo Bruce as new Fire Commissioner

Councilmember Reagan Dunn swears in former NFL player and Renton native Mkristo E. Bruce to the King County Fire Protection District No. 47 Board of Commissioners.

This week, the King County Council unanimously appointed former NFL player Mkristo E. Bruce to fill a vacant seat on the King County Fire District #47 Board of Commissioners. I was thrilled to have the honor of swearing in Mkristo as our newest Fire Commissioner! Our community is extremely thankful for his willingness to serve in this important role following the resignation of two King County Fire District #47 commissioners last December.

You're invited to a DCHS Community Resource Access Fair on Monday, March 24, at Tahoma High School

Are you interested in learning more about the resources and services available in your community? Join the King County Department of Community and Human Services at Tahoma High School in Maple Valley for a Community Resource Access Fair.

DCHS Community Resource Access Fair
Monday, March 24, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 PM  

Tahoma High School
23499 SE Tahoma Way, Maple Valley, WA 98038  

Connect with local organizations and services funded through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, and enjoy an evening of food, refreshments, and community connections.  

Questions? Contact DCHS' Resource Access Team here. 

Spring and Summer road closures planned in unincorporated Enumclaw and Auburn

The King County Road Services Division is planning significant road construction closures planned for the upcoming spring and summer in unincorporated King County near Enumclaw and Auburn. These full 24/7 road closures will affect all through traffic, including emergency response vehicles and school buses:

• Boise X Bridge Replacement: Up to six-month closure starting in Summer 2025 while the current bridge is removed, and a new bridge is built. All traffic will use a posted detour during the closure.
• SE 472nd Street Culvert Replacement: Eight-week road closure to replace a failing and rusted metal pipe culvert and improve fish passage. Could begin as early as late June 2025. All traffic will use alternate routes during the closure.
• SE 384th Street Culvert Replacement: Eight-week road closure to replace a concrete culvert that is causing flooding on private property. Could begin as early as late July 2025. All traffic will follow a posted detour during the closure.

View this overview map of all planned significant road closure projects in unincorporated King County this year.

4Culture Project Grants

4Culture Project grants can help you put your ideas in motion and share them with King County. Project grants are available in three disciplines: arts, heritage, and preservation:

Art Projects: Create and share your art with our King County communities! This grant offers up to $15,000 to bring your art project of any discipline to life.

Heritage Projects: Through Heritage Projects 4Culture support the people and organizations making history relevant and provocative through exhibits, publications, oral histories, and more.

Preservation Special Projects: The people and organizations preserving our historic places take on all kinds of challenges, from advocacy to long-term stewardship planning. Preservation Special Projects grants pave the way to a built environment that is valued and protected.

Applications are due March 12. Apply now or learn more at the 4Culture Project Grants website.

Best Starts for Kids Childcare Wage Boost Pilot

Childcare facilities in King County can apply now to be a part of the Best Starts for Kids Childcare Wage Boost Pilot. This wage boost will allocate approximately $5 million annually to provide a wage boost to selected child care workers, working with children ages birth to twelve in King County. This will contribute to a study to understand the impact of the wage boost on employee retention, continuity of care, and worker well-being.

Applications are due March 7. Apply now or learn more at the Best Starts Wage Boost Pilot website.

Vets Engaged RFP

The Vets Engaged program strives to reduce veterans' feelings of isolation by providing socialization opportunities for them and their families, to help address the inequities they may face while creatively building community.

Applications are due 2 PM on February 28 for a projected award start date of May 1, 2025 or 2 PM on May 30 for projected award start date of August 1, 2025.

Apply now or learn more at the Vets Engaged website.

In the News

• KOMO News: King County leaders, transit union work to form safety task force after Metro bus violence