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 April 18, 2025
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King County is celebrating Earth Week this week. It is a great time to reflect on what we have done right to protect clean air, clean water, forests and watersheds. It is also a great time to plan for the future.
As a Tukwila City Councilmember, I served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Committee for the King County Land Conservation Initiative to protect the last 65,000 acres of open space in King County – including natural areas, farmlands, forestlands, river land, urban green space and trail corridor connections. I was pleased to work with my friend and former King County Councilmember Larry Phillips. You can see our report here.
This year, the King County Climate office will be updating the Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The King County SCAP is considered one of the most ambitious plans in the nation.
Why do I think this is important? I believe that our natural heritage is our responsibility for this generation and the next. How we show our commitment is through our work. Our environment should be protected, and our land conserved.
The Council, including yours truly, will be reviewing the proposed updates to the SCAP this summer. For more information on SCAP and to register to receive a copy of the 2025 proposal – click here.
The King County Climate Office has offered a list of ways for you to get involved with helping our planet. Click here for details. I plan to join the Normandy Park Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday April 26 at Marvista Park. The event is 10 am to noon – come join us!
The goal of the D5 e-news is to share information about council business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
If you have something to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
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On Monday, I met with staff from the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) regarding proposed updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). The Critical Areas Ordinance is an ordinance that regulates development in watersheds. The Local Services and Land Use Committee is considering this proposal over the next five months.
My staff and I joined Sound Transit South County subarea group regarding upcoming issues affecting South King County.
I also met with CM Mosqueda as well as with Finance Director Ken Guy regarding improvements in equitable labor contracting legislation which will be before Budget Committee on April 30.
The Committee of the Whole received a briefing on federal funding changes and
an update from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.
Click on the image to see CM Quinn’s comments on responding to homelessness.
On Tuesday, councilmembers met at Committee of the Whole and asked questions about anticipated federal funding cuts and impacts to providers of local services like Friends of Youth. We also received an update from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). I asked about how KCRHA is working with partner jurisdictions to resolve homelessness and address encampments.
My staff represented me at the 4Culture Governance and Nominating Committee in the afternoon.
The Tuesday Council meeting and Wednesday Budget Committee meetings were cancelled following the sudden death of WA State Senator Bill Ramos, husband of my colleague Councilmember Sara Perry.
Senator Ramos was a leader on transit and transportation issues, a member of the Latino caucus and originally a forester by training. He represented the 5th Legislative District and lived in Issaquah with his wife and two children. We are deeply saddened at his passing and our loss of a valued public servant.
CM Quinn speaks with middle school students at Glacier Middle School. He is joined here
by D5 Team staff Jazmin Pairazaman and Saeed Mahamood. Thank you Glacier!
On Thursday, I spent the morning at Glacier Middle School where I spoke with 60 middle school students about my work as a King County Councilmember. I invited the students to help me address a significant challenge facing King County – how to get the county and 39 cities to work together collaboratively to help people who are homeless.
I then attended the Sound Transit Board meeting where the Board considered updates to major contracts involving projects to develop LINK light rail to West Seattle and Ballard.
Sincerely,
De’Sean Quinn
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila
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King County held a special election on April 22 which included a countywide vote on the Automated Fingerprint System (AFIS) Levy as well as five smaller local elections. To see initial election results, you can click here.
Did you know you can watch King County election ballot counting LIVE? Click here to see ballots being sorted, envelopes opened, and signatures verified by election workers in real time.
If you have questions about election results or other election related issues, please contact King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE.
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Help make a difference in King County!
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King County is launching the Human and Civil Rights Commission, a dedicated group working to advance equity and protect residents from discrimination.
This is your chance to contribute to meaningful change. Applications are open until June 3rd, and stipends are available for commission members.
📌 Learn more and apply: bit.ly/KCHCRC
¡Ayude a hacer una diferencia en el condado de King! El Condado está lanzando la Comisión de Derechos Humanos y Civiles, un grupo dedicado a promover la equidad y proteger a los residentes de la discriminación. Esta es tu oportunidad de contribuir a un cambio significativo. Las solicitudes están abiertas hasta el 30 de mayo y hay estipendios disponibles para los miembros de la comisión.
📌 Obtenga más información y solicite en bit.ly/KCHCRC
For more information, you may also contact Evelyn Chow, Staff Liaison, Office of Equity and Racial and Social Justice. Email: HCRC@kingcounty.gov
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Protect floodplains for future generations
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Spring and summer are great times for home projects, but if you live in a floodplain, permits are required before you make repairs, build, excavate, grade, or fill on your property. Floodplains are critical natural areas surrounding lakes, rivers, streams, and Puget Sound. Permits help ensure smart, safe building practices that protect people and property now and in the future.
Learn more about floodplain permits and how they help our communities stay safe. Explore floodplain maps
Easy ways to keep our water clean and reduce flood risks
Taking care of the land around our rivers, lakes, and streams helps reduce flood risks and improves water quality. Healthy floodplains slow runoff, store floodwater, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Here are a few simple actions you can take:
- Never dump waste in storm drains.
- Properly dispose of litter and pet waste.
- Sweep sidewalks, driveways, and gutters to keep pollutants out of waterways.
Learn more about the benefits of natural floodplains and water conservation.
Read more
Safely dispose of hazardous waste
Got old batteries, paint, pesticides, or motor oil? The Wastemobile offers a free and convenient way to dispose of household hazardous waste throughout the year. If you can’t make it to a Wastemobile event, visit one of King County’s permanent hazardous waste disposal sites.
Find a Wastemobile event near you
Make the switch to safer cleaning products
Ditch harsh chemicals and switch to safer, eco-friendly cleaning alternatives! Common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice make great substitutes for store-bought cleaners. Reducing harmful chemicals in your home helps protect your health and the environment.
Check out DIY cleaning recipes and tips for choosing safer products.
Learn more
Spring into natural gardening
These natural and chemical-free tips will help you maintain a thriving garden and help keep King County’s waterways and ecosystems safer and healthier.
- Upgrade your soil health: Mixing compost in with your existing soil is an easy way to support healthy plant growth.
- Weed by hand to avoid harmful herbicides: Ditch the chemicals and consider using tools like long-handled weed pullers for easier weed removal.
- Choose natural pest control methods: When dealing with pests, opt for organic pesticides if necessary and consider natural pest control methods like introducing beneficial insects.
For more information about volunteering or receiving free health care, contact the Seattle King County Clinic at 206 684-7200 or SKCClinic@seattlecenter.org. Or click here.
King County Council District 5 – a great place on this beautiful earth!
Thank you for reading our 12th edition of our e-news. Please feel free to contact us and share information you have about your city or neighborhood at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
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De'Sean Quinn (he/him/his)
King County Councilmember, District 5
(206) 477-1005 Send me an email
www.kingcounty.gov/quinn |
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