 December Newsletter 2025
Reflecting on the Year This
Holiday Season!
 Dear Friend,
As many of us celebrate or get ready to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or other holiday traditions, I want to thank you for another amazing year serving as your District 3 King County Councilmember! It has been a challenging year for all of us and for each of our communities, but I applaud our resilience and resourcefulness, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you.
The historic flood event and severe weather we’ve been experiencing for over a week now has caused extensive damage, but I continue to be inspired by the resilience and compassion that our communities are showing during this time. Thank you to the first responders, city, county, and tribal employees, community leaders, nonprofit workers, and volunteers who have and continue to step up during this disaster to help our neighbors in need.
It’s so important that we look out for each other during these challenging times, ensuring everyone can enjoy this lovely holiday season. That’s why, alongside the annual review of the top accomplishments we’ve achieved together in 2025 and flood resources, I’m sharing ways you can show your gratitude and give back to our community! Please check them out below.
As we recover from this recent flood, please don’t hesitate to reach out by email, sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov, or phone at 206-477-1003 – my team and I are here to help in any way we can. And as we enter a new year with new goals, please consider joining me for a cup of coffee, or an online conversation. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and hear your priorities!
Wishing you all the best,
WHAT A YEAR! Here are our Top 25 Accomplishments for 2025!
 As I wrap up my fourth year on Council, I'm excited to celebrate some of the major accomplishments that we achieved together in 2025 for our District 3 communities, and all of King County, informed by conversations with you in community and thousands of responses to our annual survey!
ROAD & BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE
📜 Authored legislation establishing a Transportation Benefit District to fund road and bridge maintenance projects and address decaying infrastructure for safety
🔁 Advanced progress in federal, tribal, state, county and city engagement for roundabout construction at Tolt Hill on SR 203 in Carnation, including grant conversations with PSRC, WSDOT, and Snoqualmie Indian Tribe
🌉 Invested $7.6 million to replace 100-year-old Ames Lake Trestle Bridge in unincorporated Redmond, ensuring structural capacity for emergency vehicle and large truck use
🗣️ Convened roundtable on safety issue of truck parking along the I-90 corridor toward Snoqualmie Pass, engaging WA Department of Transportation, WA State Patrol, KC Office of Emergency Management, and more
🛣️ Invested $1 million for flooding, erosion, and landslide prevention on Sahalee Way NE between Sammamish and unincorporated Redmond
SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
👮 Successfully restored standard sheriff deputy staffing levels to our unincorporated communities, ensuring strong response times for residents
⛈️ Initiated more effective interagency communication between PSE, Comcast, Xfinity, KC Office of Emergency Management & KC Local Services in weather emergencies
🏞️ Established a new Park Ranger program to patrol parks and trails and support sheriff deputies to ensure resident and car safety at our trailheads
🥕 Secured $550K for seniors, veterans, youth, human services, and parks with an emphasis on food banks, supporting healthy food options district-wide
🧑🚒 Convened wildfire and homeowner insurance roundtable with WA State Insurance Commissioner, KC Fire Marshall, Eastside Fire & Rescue, Fall City Fire, KC Office of Emergency Management, and KC Climate Office about stabilizing insurance coverage through wildfire preparedness
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
🧑🌾 Led 10-year update of Critical Areas Ordinance, protecting waterways, habitat, and forestlands and proposing a Voluntary Stewardship Program, per Snoqualmie Valley farmers’ request
🌄 Sponsored legislation updating the KC Clean Water Healthy Habitat Initiative and 30-Year Forest Plan, ensuring healthier communities, habitats, and forests
💧 Allocated $10 million toward water quality monitoring and salmon habitat restoration, including sites at Issaquah Creek, Cottage Lake, Lake Sammamish, and Snoqualmie River
🌲 Invested $30 million through Conservation Futures program to expand and conserve parks, trails, open spaces, and farmland, including sites at West Tiger Mountain, Rattlesnake Mountain, Fall City Parks District, and Snoqualmie Valley Agricultural Production District
🔋 Championed amendments to 5-year Strategic Climate Action Plan update prioritizing people with disabilities, seniors, and rural communities and investing in green energy technology to lower environmental impact and provide green jobs
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT & AFFORDABILITY
👶 Championed incentives for multi-family housing projects to include daycares and/or social services
🏡 Maximized buildable space for homeowners and homebuilders through Critical Area Ordinance amendment by reducing critical area setbacks while preserving environmental goals
👨👩👧👦 Initiated discussions toward incentivizing builders to include affordable housing units in multi-family properties for long-term affordability through creating a KC multi-family housing tax exemption
🦺 Streamlined permitting process to reduce new permitting timelines by half with KC Permitting Division reaching 98% of goal when only 50% was required by end of 2025
🏗️ Met with Master Builders Association and housing advocates bi-monthly to meet the housing crisis and advance construction of all types for all incomes across the county
TRANSIT & MOBILITY
🚏 Enacted policy adding 900+ weekly Metro bus trips, connecting residents to light rail and adding new routes serving Cottage Lake, Woodinville, Duvall, Issaquah, and Redmond
🚌 Established King County Metro Transit Safety Taskforce to increase confidence in the safety and cleanliness of our transit system and protect our transit operators and staff
🧓 Secured $50,000 in additional funding for Hyde Shuttle, an accessible, door-to-door shuttle service, increasing mobility options for seniors in Redmond and Snoqualmie Valley
🚵 Secured federal, state, and county funding to improve connections between our trails, transit, and roads, including Eastrail, Snoqualmie Valley Trail, and Fall City West Side Trail
📄 Required a Cross Valley Connections report from Executive with recommendations for transit service from the City of Carnation to Redmond light rail
Flood Resources
 Here are some flood resources to support you during this flood event and as we recover from this disaster. There are more to come, and we'll keep you updated!
FLOOD INFORMATION & SANDBAG DISTRIBUTION
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King County Flood Warning App – monitor flood gauges and the flood phase in your area
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King County Flood Warning Center – you can reach the Flood Warning Center at 206-296-8200 or 800-945-9263 to get current river flow data, information about sandbags, and learn about flood phases and flood preparedness. If you’re experiencing a flood emergency, call 911.
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King County Sandbag Distribution – Distribution stations in District 3:
- City of Carnation Public Works, 33100 NE 45th Street Carnation, WA 98014
- Fall City King County Roads Facility, 33719 SE 44th Place Fall City, WA 98024
- North Bend City Public Works, 1155 E North Bend Way, North Bend WA 98045
- Marymoor Park, 6046 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Parking lot G, Redmond, WA 98052
- Skykomish King County Roads Facility, 74212 Old Cascade Highway Skykomish, WA 98288
- City of Snoqualmie, 38190 SE Mill Pond Road Snoqualmie, WA 98065
- City of Issaquah BY REQUEST
EMERGENCY NEWS
ROAD CLOSURES & TRANSIT IMPACTS
POWER OUTAGES
- Safety first! Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.
- Report a power outage
- Check out their outage map
RETURNING TO A FLOODED HOME/BUSINESS
SOLID WASTE & DEBRIS REMOVAL
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The King County Solid Waste Division has implemented free weekend storm debris drop off at three locations through Jan. 11! In response to the catastrophic flooding impacting our region and the burdens faced by King County residents as they work to recover from this disaster, King County Solid Waste will begin accepting flood debris, including yard waste and garbage, free of charge on Saturdays and Sundays from December 20, 2025, through January 11, 2026, at three station locations.
- Free disposal is only for self-haul customers.
- There will be no charge for flood debris brought to the following stations:
- Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station (18800 Orillia Rd. S, Tukwila) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station (2300 N 165th St., Shoreline) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Enumclaw Recycling and Transfer Station (1650 Battersby Ave E, Enumclaw) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Dates of free debris drop off: Dec 20-21, Dec 27-28, Jan 3-4 & Jan 10-11
- If you have questions about where to dispose of flood-related debris, contact Solid Waste Division Customer Service at solidwaste@kingcounty.govor 206-477-4466.
Support our Food Banks, Local Businesses & Farms This
Holiday Season!
 As we work to recover from this historic flood event and throughout this holiday season of gratitude and generosity, it’s so important that we support our food banks, local businesses, and farms!
Our food banks serve our community members in need every day – considering donating or volunteering your time to give back to your community. Our local businesses have experienced damage and lost foot traffic because of this flooding during the busiest time of year for many of them. Support them by visiting and shopping local this holiday season! Our farms, in particular, have been hit hard by this disaster – considering donating to the farmer relief fund or purchasing fruits, vegetables, meats, and other products from them through a Community-Supported Agriculture program.
SUPPORT OUR FOOD BANKS!
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Woodinville Storehouse Food Bank – 17110 140th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
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Hopelink Redmond – 8990 154th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
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Open Kitchen at Redmond United Methodist Church – 16540 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 98052
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Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank – 179 1st Ave SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
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Holy Innocents Catholic Church Food Pantry in Duvall – 26526 NE Cherry Valley Rd, Duvall, WA 98019
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Hopelink Sno-Valley in Carnation – 31957 East Commercial St, Carnation, WA 98014
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Food Pantry at Tolt Congregational Church in Carnation – 4851 Tolt Ave, Carnation, WA 98014
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Fall City Community Food Pantry – 4326 337th Place SE, Fall City, WA 98024
- Preston Food Bank – 31104 SE 86th Street, Issaquah, WA 98027
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Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank – 122 East 3rd St, North Bend, WA 98045
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Skykomish Food Bank – 108 Old Cascade Hwy NE, Skykomish, WA 98288
DISCOVER LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH OUR CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE!
SUPPORT OUR FARMS!
What’s Going on Around Town?
There’s a lot going on across our District this season, and we want you to know all about it, so check out the events below!
Snoqualmie Valley Ornament Treasure Hunt
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Saturday, November 29 – Friday, December 26: Get to know your community and local businesses by participating in the SnoValley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Snoqualmie Valley Ornament Treasure Hunt! Hunt for handmade ornaments at businesses throughout the Valley, then enter your finds to win prizes. What a great, festive way to support our small businesses!
Redmond Lights
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Saturday, December 6 – Monday, January 5, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Visit these beautiful glowing lights and illuminated art exhibits in Downtown Redmond Park and Esterra Park all month long!
Issaquah Yuletide on Front
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Sunday, December 21, 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Celebrate Yuletide and the Winter Solstice in historic downtown Issaquah with an afternoon and evening filled with fun, festive music! Stop by the Issaquah Library and Issaquah Train Depot for musical and dance performances, and bring bells or other instruments to join in the caroling!
The Fabulous Orchids Christmas Party in Carnation
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Sunday, December 21, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Join Remlinger Farms for their Fabulous Orchids Christmas Party in Carnation! This is a free, family-friendly event with live music and amazing food and drinks available.
Duvall New Year's Eve at Depot Park
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Wednesday, December 31, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Celebrate the New Year with family, friends, and neighbors at Depot Park! This early-evening celebration is the perfect way to welcome 2026 together before the midnight countdown with s’mores by the fire, hot chocolate, and festive music!
If you know of any upcoming events that you’d like us to highlight on our social media now, or in next month’s newsletter, please share them at Isabel.Smith@kingcounty.gov.
Stay Connected!
 Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts to stay up to date on everything we are working on together!
Please always feel free to reach out by emailing sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-477-1003. I look forward to connecting!
All the best,
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