Happy Summer!  

I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and getting outside to enjoy our mountains and water.  I spent last weekend with friends hiking in the Cascades.   

This upcoming weekend I will be celebrating my birthday by crabbing and paddleboarding on Puget Sound. We have such a magnificent landscape to enjoy.

Celebrating the 4th of July means enjoying what we love about America– our connection to the land and to each other.  

If you haven’t yet registered to vote or know someone who needs to register, remember, you can register on-line. 

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. 

This week: 

On Friday, June 27, my team and I prepared for the week ahead including funding for critical South King County services including food banks, meal programs, veterans’ assistance, housing assistance, and support for immigrant and refugee families. Stay tuned for more information on these investments next week when they are considered by the Budget Committee on July 9. 

On Monday, June 30, I met with staff regarding the Conservation Futures Fund which is a fund to help communities purchase and preserve open space.  Legislation recommending expenditure of the conservation futures fund will be in the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee (TrEE) which I chair. 

I also met with staff to prepare for my first Regional Water Quality Committee meeting. I am the newest member of the committee which will be providing oversight over the work of Wastewater Treatment Division.    

Finally, I met with CM Mosqueda regarding a constituent proposal to create a ferry route similar to the King County Water Taxi to connect Des Moines, Seattle, and Vashon Island. 

On Tuesday, I attended the Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee (HHH) where we voted on Motion 2025-0173 to support welcoming immigrants and refugees.  I spoke on our duty to continue protecting our residents regardless of where they come from or their immigration status. It is important to me that everyone deserves to live in safety and dignity.

Midday, I met with Executive Shannon Braddock on youth education issues in South King County and countywide. 

In the afternoon, I attended the full Council meeting where we voted to place the renewal of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy on the November ballot. I was proud to be a sponsor of the EMS Levy proposal to support the first responders who serve us all.

The Council also approved Ordinance 2025-0147 which establishes the locally preferred alternative including alignment and stations of the RapidRide K line.  Once developed the RapidRide K line will run from Factoria through Kirkland. 

On Wednesday, I attended my first Regional Water Quality Committee meeting where we discussed the workplan for the sewer rate and the regional wastewater service plan.   

My staff and I worked out of our district office in Kent.  Stay tuned for more information about our district office. 

On Thursday, my staff met with our government relations team regarding federal funding. My staff also attended the Sound Transit Rider Experience and Operations Committee where the 2024 passenger experience survey results and the 2025 fare engagement update were on the agenda for discussion.  

Sincerely, 

De’Sean Quinn  

King County Councilmember, District 5 

Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila 

Submissions are now open for the 19th annual National Film Festival for Talented Youth.  

NFFTY is the largest and most influential film festival for emerging directors and will take place in Seattle next year!  March 26-29, 2026. 

The festival is seeking short films and screenplays from filmmakers who are 24 years old or younger.  

This is a powerful platform to showcase your creativity, connect with industry leaders, and join a global community of young storytellers. 

The early bird deadline to submit is August 15, 2025.  Learn more here and apply!

The King County Department of Public Health and Best Starts for Kids are now accepting applications for the Youth Healing Project. This opportunity is open to young people ages 14 to 24 who want to lead creative projects that support mental health, healthy coping, and youth well-being. 

This initiative is designed to directly fund youth-led ideas, especially those that address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Funding can be used for a wide range of needs, including staffing, stipends, technology, materials, and events. 

Applicants under 18 must have a fiscal sponsor, and young people are encouraged to connect with organizations for support in managing project funds. Adults and organizations cannot apply directly but may assist as fiscal sponsors or mentors. 

Applications are due by Thursday, July 17 at 2 PM. For more details, visit the grant website or contact Phil Thompson at phithompson@kingcounty.gov. 

Habitat for Humanity is offering a free minor home repair program for eligible homeowners in King County.  

Through the Habitat Repair Program, qualified residents can access critical and minor repairs that address health and safety concerns in their homes. 

This program helps ensure that more families can stay safely and comfortably in the communities they call home. 

To learn more or find out if you qualify, visit the program website or call (206)895-1320. 

Seattle Center hosts the 40th Annual Naturalization Ceremony, noon to 1 p.m., Friday, July 4th at the Fisher Pavilion on the Seattle Center campus.  The public is invited to observe. 

The Honorable David G. Estudillo, Chief United States District Court Judge for the Western District of Washington will swear in over 500 candidates as new citizens of the United States of America. 

You can register online, 24 hours a day, at the Washington Secretary of State's website. You will need to register online at least 8 days in advance of the next election.  

To register online, you will need either: 

• A current Washington State driver license, or 

• A current Washington State ID card, or 

• Last 4 digits of Social Security Number 

If you do not have either of these, you can still register by mail or in-person. 

Registrations done by mail need to be received, not postmarked, by the 8-day deadline. 

You can register in-person through election day at the King County Elections Office in Renton. 

919 SW Grady Way, Suite 100 Renton, WA 98057  You can also register to vote in-person at a vote center or at one of our community events.