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Summer is flying by and we hope you all have been doing well, catching up on Vitamin D and getting a chance to enjoy friends and family. This #TeresaTuesday newsletter is chocked-full of Council updates, announcements, and a summary of some places we've been across District 8 in the last two weeks. A reminder that King County Council will be on recess from August 4th through the 15th so you won’t see another edition of Teresa Tuesday in your in box until August 26th.
Board of Health - protecting the public from food borne illness
 This past Board of Health meeting, I convened an informational panel on protecting the public from food borne illness by way of ensuring workers have their labor right’s respected in their workplaces, know they can take a day off when they are ill, and how we can help ensure that by following up if there are known and proven labor violations in food establishments. One of the best ways we can increase the public’s confidence in the food they are eating in our restaurants and other food establishments is ensuring that our workforce has strong workplace standards and protections. We know from our sister counties of Santa Clara and San Diego that there are effective and innovative ways to both protect workers and support local businesses have a fair playing field.
During our Board of Health meeting, it was powerful to hear from Matt Koay, a worker at a local restaurant, Professor Liz Ford of Seattle University School of Law and Jeremiah Miller, the Legal Director of the Fair Work Center. Matt shared his experience as a worker who had to deal with a labor violation in his place of employment when he and his co-workers were actively discouraged from using their legally protected sick time. Even though he knew he wasn’t well enough to be serving food and wanted to go home, his employer told him he’d get a “demerit” if he went home. That’s not good for the worker, and it certainty isn’t good for the safety of the food being served. If the people who are cooking and serving our food aren’t healthy or aren’t able to focus on the safety of job at hand, we all suffer.
In the upcoming months, I’ll be looking at ways we can better coordinate with those entities who enforce labor standards so that if we have a proven and known case that puts worker’s health or protections at risk, that Public Health has the tools to revisit these workplaces and do an immediate inspection to ensure that the food is being served in accordance to all public health standards, that food establishments have the legally required labor standards posted and known, so we can all eat out with full confidence the food establishment is safe. Again, check out the panel and the rest of the Board of Health meeting here: King County Board of Health 7-17-25
Board of Health – Protecting the Health of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in WA.
 In our July Board of Health meeting, the members also received a briefing on the Health Needs of Asylum Seekers and Refugees. With the Congressional “Big Betrayal of a Bill” becoming law, it will have serious impacts on our immigrant and refugee communities’ ability to access healthcare insurance. This paired with the constant uncertainty of unlawful immigration enforcement actions carried out by I.C.E it’s more important than ever that we take action at the state and local level to protect the health and well being of all of our neighbors regardless of their immigration status. When people feel as though they cannot get care because it puts them at risk, preventable conditions are made worse and make puts our public health in harms’ way. We won’t stand back and let that happen. By October, the Board of Health will be coming back and considering a resolution to reinstate our commitment to protecting health care access for all residents in our county and partnering with the State Legislature to secure additional funding for Public Health and healthcare investments for our most vulnerable community members. More to come!
Honoring Captain Dan Krehbiel – a Water Taxi Hero
 Taxi! As in what he used what to stop a runaway ship preventing it from hitting Seattle’s Waterfront? That’s right, Captain Dan Krehbiel used his water taxi, the Doc Maynard, to safely divert a 300ft runaway cargo barge from doing serious damage to the waterfront that was just completed in Seattle. Council took time to honor him on his retirement after 16 years not just for that daring feat of heroism but for helping to stand up the entire water taxi from the beginning. It’s such a critical feature for many across District 8 and it wouldn’t be what it is today without Captain Dan Krehbiel. Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for all you've done.
Strawberry Festival - Congratulations to Vashon’s news unofficial Mayor TK Rose
 Top left to bottom right: Councilmember Mosqueda and State Representative Brianna Thomas (34th LD) with the Local Services Team at Strawberry Festival, fun camp activities by Camp Sealth, some up close Birding led by the Vashon Bird Alliance, and the Seattle Indian Health Board.
The annual Vashon Island Strawberry Festival took place from July 18th from July 20th. This year my whole family came with me to the island. We explored all the festival had to offer – from bouncy houses, to birdwatching booths and camp activities. We also celebrated the ground-breaking of the Seattle Indian Health Board Thunderbird location with health services coming online in early next year. What an incredible festival with local artists and musicians throughout the days. Thank you to the community for welcoming us and the broader county residents who came over from the mainland. We will continue to work on improved and more frequent bus or shuttle option from the north end ferry terminal for next year’s festivities!
An important part of every Strawberry Festival is the election of the unofficial mayor of Vashon. The winner is selected by who can raise the most for their cause. I join with many others in offering my heartfelt congratulations to TK Rose. TK is 8 years old and has been dancing at the Vashon Center for the Arts Blue Heron Education Center for 4 years. He is the one most likely to get the dance party started as he has seen firsthand how wonderful the program is and how it helps students in all aspects of life. He wanted to give all kids the chance to dance by raising money for the Blue Heron Scholarship Fund. He scheduled meetings with the Director of Dance, Vadne White and Vashon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Nichole Banducci to begin the process of running for Vashon’s Unofficial Mayor. He spent Saturdays campaigning around Vashon and speaking to business owners to raise money for scholarships. He raised over $11,300 dollars. He’s got big moves and an even bigger heart. Congrats TK and the Blue Heron Education Center. Congrats, Mr. Mayor!
 Councilmember Mosqueda and TK Rose
2025 Q2 King County Shots Fired Report
 I've been following the news that in Q2 of 2025 the number of shots fired incidents was the lowest since Q2 of 2021 across King County. This decline is something to celebrate and matches the national trend of declining gun violence. This is due, in part, to intentional funding of community needs that give young people positive opportunities and things to do especially in places like North Highline. In the face of federal cuts to programs that keep our kids off the streets, we must redouble our efforts here locally to keep our communities safe and healthy to ensure we maintain this positive momentum
The number you need to know for a behavioral health emergency – 988
 Photo Credit: Karen Ducey of the Seattle Times
The Seattle Times recently had a great write up of how the County is working to reshape how people get care while dealing with a behavioral health crisis. A big part what our voter approved Crisis Care Center levy does is providing for mobile crisis care responders who can meet people in our community who are in desperate need of care but might not be best suited for an ER visit or an interaction with law enforcement. 988 is the number people can call if they find themselves needing help or have a loved one or just someone in the community needing care while in a behavioral health crisis.
Boat Launch Update - Dockton Marina Project Begins August 1 - Boat Ramp Access Through Aug 10 - Alternate Launch Sites Available
 After hearing from constituents on Vashon-Maury about the boat launch closure I met with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks to learn more and figure out what we can do to minimize the impact on islanders. The great news is that the closure is being pushed to August 11th allowing two more weekends of access.
Phase 2 of the Dockton Marina Improvement Project is set to begin August 1- September 30, 2025. This project will enhance long-term safety and usability of the marina through key upgrades:
- Replacing the breakwater
- Replacing all finger piers
- Upgrading the boat ramp dock
- Replacing the floating dock at Dockton Moorage
Construction Timeline & Access Impacts
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August 1: Moorage closes
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August 1–10: Boat ramp remains open
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August 11–September 30: Full dock closure, including the boat ramp and floating dock
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Playground and picnic areas will remain open and accessible throughout the project
- Parking may be limited due to construction activity
Why This Timing?
This work must be completed during a specific in-water construction window (August 1–September 30) required by federal and state permits to protect local endangered species. This includes surf smelt, a small forage fish that serves as an essential food source for Puget Sound orcas.
While the schedule overlaps with peak boating season, delaying the work would push construction into the same time next year and increase the risk of unexpected closures due to further deterioration of the marina structures.
Alternate Boat Launch Locations
While Dockton Marina access is limited, you can use the following nearby boat launches:
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Jensen Point Park8900 SW Harbor Drive, Burton, WA
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North End Boat Ramp(non-motorized only) 10824 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon
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Point Defiance Marina & Boathouse5912 N Waterfront Dr, Tacoma, WA
Questions?
Visit the Dockton Park and Marina page for updates.
Contact parksinfo@kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-4527.
$31 million in King County Parks Levy Grant Funding Announced
Thank you to Executive Braddock for her package of $31 million in grants to key institutions like pools and programs that make our “Big Back Yard” here in King County accessible to youth and all residents. A big part of this package is modernizing our community pools which play an important part in providing the spaces our folks need to learn to swim helping to prevent drownings in our many bodies of water across the region, including updating the 50-year-old HVAC system in our own D8 Evergreen Pool. Awards also include sports programs for youth, river and habitat conservation, investments in new parks facilities across the county, and more.
The grants package will come to Council for approval in September, and you can follow the Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee discussion through the committee page.
If you are curious about what the parks levy is, check out this video that features some of the great work happening because of it including in White Center. https://youtu.be/tMn4G3Xq6_o
Beaches on east side of Vashon Island and in South King County closed for shellfish harvesting because of unsafe levels of paralytic poison
 Photo Credit: Karen Ducy of the Seattle times 2023
Paralytic shellfish poison has been detected at unsafe levels from Alki Beach south to Dash Point State Park, as well as along all of the beaches on the eastern shores of Vashon-Maury Island, including Quartermaster Harbor. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed these areas to recreational shellfish harvesting. People should always check the DOH shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish.
Symptoms of PSP usually begin 30-60 minutes after eating the contaminated shellfish but may take several hours. Symptoms are generally mild, and begin with numbness or tingling of the face, arms, and legs. This is followed by headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of muscle coordination. Sometimes a floating sensation occurs. In cases of severe poisoning, muscle paralysis and respiratory failure occur, and in these cases, death may occur in 2 to 25 hours.
If symptoms are mild, call your health care provider or Washington Poison Center (800-222-1222), and Public Health (206-296-4774). If symptoms are severe, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room immediately.
Cecil Moses Rubber Tire Revetment Removal
King County’s Duwamish River basin is full of tires. They’re on cars, used as boat and dock bumpers, and embedded in the shoreline as bulkheads. Sometimes, they’re simply dumped into the river or abandoned on surrounding public and private lands. Unfortunately, car tires contain a chemical called 6PPD. It’s used to preserve rubber in car tires, so they don’t break down as quickly. This chemical is present in all tires and some other rubber products, like footwear, synthetic turf, and playground surfaces. 6PPD creates a different, harmful chemical called 6PPD-Q when it reacts with air and sunlight.
6PPD-Q is present in tire dust on streets and parking lots. When it rains, stormwater washes over paved surfaces and carries it into our streams and rivers. Unfortunately, 6PPD-Q is extremely toxic to aquatic organisms, so salmon using urban creeks and streams are at a higher risk for potential 6PPD-Q exposure, with deadly consequences. Tires contain several chemicals, all of which can harm humans and cause environmental and public health concerns. This has been the case in the Duwamish for decades.
Thankfully, our Department of Natural Resources & Parks will be conducting a tire revetment removal at the Cecil Moses Park Boundary on the left bank of the Duwamish River! This will increase the connectivity of this backwater area during a wider range of tides, and possibly expand the backwater area, which would have positive impacts to juvenile salmon rearing within this reach of the Duwamish River. This project will be underway in Quarter 3 of 2028 and be completed in 2031.
4Culure 2025 Building for Equity: Facilities
Congratulations to the community serving organizations who received the 4Culture Building for Equity Facilities grants. A special shout out to those in district 8:
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Khmer Community of Seattle King County – Khmer Community & Cultural Space
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Not an Alternative Inc. - Mobile Museum and Media Lab
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Pan African Center for Empowerment – The Union Lab
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The Vera Project, Vera Georgetown – Youth Music, Art and Community Center
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We Are Comunidad – Building La Plazita: Where Culture, Climate and Community Meet
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White Center Community Development Association, White Center Building “Hope, Unity, and Belonging” - WC HUB
Helping local families receive Low-Cost Early Care and Education
As you may be aware, the federal government has announced a policy change related to several federal funding streams, including Head Start, that could impact the ability for undocumented families to access educational programs for young children.
However, families — regardless of their immigration status--continue to have access to the following free to low-cost childcare and early learning programs offered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
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Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) helps eligible families pay for childcare from birth up to the age of 12. When a family qualifies for childcare subsidy benefits and chooses an eligible provider, the state pays a portion of the cost of childcare.
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If you have questions or need help applying? Support is available by phone in multiple languages. Call 844-626-8687 or visit the Child Care Subsidy webpage.
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Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) offers free high-quality preschool to support child development and learning is offered to children ages 3 and 4. ECEAP offers preschool services, nutritious meals and snacks, health and dental screenings, and family support.
Our values have not changed; DCYF will continue to support the growth of healthy, resilient children in Washington state, regardless of immigration status. I encourage you to access these programs or share them with families in need.
On Ramp for Small Business
 Seattle University is running a boot camp for folks who want to start their own businesses but don’t know where to start. Financial assistance is available. If you are interested, scan the QR code and get connected.
King County Primary Election is August 5th
 Click above to see a video about reistering to vote
To register, you will need either:
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A current Washington State driver license, or
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A current Washington State ID card, or
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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 needs to be received, not postmarked, by the 8-day deadline.
Water Works Grant Program
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Monday, August 4, from 4:30–6 pm on Zoom | Register
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Thursday, August 21, from 12–1:30 pm on Zoom | Register
Check out more than 20 local artists showcasing their work as part of the “Wildest Dreams” exhibit at Nino Studio & Gallery in Pioneer Square, running through July 31. The exhibit at Nino Gallery features artists who identify as first, second or third-generation immigrants. “Wildest Dreams” honors the history, experiences and culture of their families and ancestors who came before them, said Seattle-based artist Rya Wu, the curator.
The show is an extension of a larger art exhibition series by Wu called Have You Eaten, which began in January 2023 as a way for members of the Asian diaspora to explore themes of identity and the meaning of home. Most of the artists whose works are in “Wildest Dreams” are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, though Wu expanded the lineup to include artists beyond those communities after seeing viewers from different backgrounds relate to the messages of previous shows.
There will be a free closing reception on July 31, 6-8 pm, featuring a small makers market, live performances, and more.
 Thank you for signing up for the #TeresaTuesday Newsletter. We will send you regular updates every other week. If you’d like to reach out or have an issue we can help with, please reach out anytime.
Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
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