Megan Dunn's eNewsletter
Snohomish County Council
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201
8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building
Phone: 425-388-3494
E-Mail: Megan.Dunn@snoco.org
Paula Rhyne, Legislative Aide
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Hello Friend:
As the old saying goes, “April showers brings May Flowers,” but this year it sure seems like April forgot to pass that baton, so I hope this newsletter finds you well and dry. I am excited to share a number of event updates with you including plans to kick off Pride Month in Snohomish County on June 1, important policy updates, and opportunities for engagement and resources. As we move into summer, there are several events that are starting up again that I’m excited to see and attend. A reminder that we are not quite out of the pandemic yet, so please be cautious and conscientious about COVID and keeping yourself and others safe.
I recently had to put together a new Facebook page which wiped all of my followers, so if you would like to follow me on Facebook, please click this link to like and follow.
As always, my office is committed to being responsive and helpful. If you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at Megan.Dunn@snoco.org. You can also call my office at 425-388-3494.
Last summer I was honored to have championed efforts to raise the Progress Flag at the county campus for the first time in county history. Because of COVID, we had a small flag raising ceremony with remarks from folks in the community. I am proud that I was able to facilitate this event to show that people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are welcome in Snohomish County. This year, plans are underway for a bigger and more fabulous event.
This year we will kick off Pride Month in Snohomish County on Wednesday, June 1. Based on the leadership and input from community members, we plan to raise the Progress Flag at noon with a short ceremony, and then to follow will be a resource and informational fair and entertainment until 4p. So far, we have commitments from local LGBTQIA+ community groups, mobile STI testing through Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Snohomish County Legal Services, SnoCo Indivisible, League of Women Voters Snohomish County, and are working to line up entertainment including the fabulous Gina Touché and Rococo Macaroon, Britney Barber from Everett Improv, and couple of food trucks Ryan’s Rez-ipes and El Mariachi Birria y Tacos. It should be a great celebration!
Here is a link to the Facebook event page and below is the event flyer if you would also like to pass it around or post it. Please share both with your networks to help get the word out.
Here are some other Pride events hosted across the county to support:
Happy Pride Month!
Our County Charter requires that each year, council hosts one evening meeting in each district. These meetings are a great way to connect with the community and be more accessible to people across the county. The District 2 night meeting is coming up on Monday, June 6 at 6p. I chose to host this meeting at The Village on Casino Road to highlight the great work that is done at that complex. The space is a co-location for culturally responsive and community-based organizations who are focused on social justice and anti-racist practices. In addition to the home offices for a number of amazing organizations including Madres de Casino Road, Child Strive, Connect Casino Road, and Casa Latina, there are also meeting rooms that are available for the public to rent.
Please join us on Monday, June 6, at 6p in the Community Room at The Village on Casino Road (14 East Casino Road, Everett, WA 98208) for the Council Admin Meeting. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
The Office of Recovery & Resilience (ORR) is launching a countywide engagement effort to guide investment strategies for the county’s $160 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. The effort will include one in-person recovery event in each County Council District and will have three parts:
- Resource tables where attendees can connect directly with Snohomish County and community-based services and resources.
- Voting session where attendees can vote for their top three recovery investment priorities
- A deep-dive recovery discussion on the top-voted issues.
Child care or kids activities as well as dinner will be provided on-site at no cost to attendees. These events are free and open to the public. Attendees do not need to stay for the entire event to participate.
I hope you’re available to join the District 2 Event:
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Date & Time: Wednesday, June 15; doors open at 6 p.m., event ends at 7:30 p.m.
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Location: Public Meeting Room 1 & Plaza, Snohomish County Campus, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Hearing directly from people in our community about ways that the pandemic has impacted them, and then centering their stories and perspectives into our county’s recovery will put the county’s best foot forward as we recover from a tumultuous past two years. The County has one chance to spend our ARPA dollars and I’m proud of the work being done to allocate funding as equitably as possible.
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I recently facilitated the discussion at the United Way of Snohomish County’s “Getting to the CORE: Housing” virtual event. The keynote speaker was Chris Collier from the Housing Authority of Snohomish County, and Mary Wysocki and Alan Pickard from the North Counties’ Community Collaborative shared their insights on the housing situation in our county and how we can take action. With median home prices rising to $682,000 in 2021, up from $314,903 in 2000, homeownership is unobtainable for so many people. In order to afford a median valued home, a household would need an income of $157,000, however, median income household in our county is $93,000. This leaves too many households struggling to afford to live and thrive. To listen to the full talk, please click here.
To address housing affordability in Snohomish County, I championed efforts to secure dedicated local dollars for affordable or income-based housing and behavioral healthcare in our county. The 1/10th of 1% tax was enacted at the beginning of April, and the county's HART Committee has recently reconvened to finalize the business plan for getting these dollars out into the community. As a member of the HART committee, I will continue to advocate for housing that is safe and affordable for everyone in Snohomish County.
Council recently passed changes to increase ‘missing middle’ housing to increase density in some areas without impacting the character of the neighborhood. The missing middle ordinance allows for increasing building heights and has incentives for retaining existing structures but still allowing infill in our urban areas. This approach will bring some relief to our housing crisis and the need for additional housing in areas that already have services and can take on new growth.
The Snohomish County Emergency Rental Assistance Program temporarily reopened to accept new applications on April 11, 2022. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program has limited funds and assistance cannot be guaranteed. Given the limited resources available, Snohomish County will temporarily accept new applications through 211. For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit: Emergency Rental Assistance | Snohomish County Coronavirus Response (arcgis.com)
Here are some additional resources that are available to support you and your community:
- Utility Assistance: Energy Assistance | Snohomish County, WA - Official Website (snohomishcountywa.gov)
- Food Assistance: Our Food Bank Members | snoco-coalition (snohomishcountyfoodbankcoalition.org)
- Child Care: Families - Child Care Aware WA
If you have questions or ideas on supports for our communitywide recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of Recovery & Resilience at snohomishcounty.recovers@snoco.org.
Across the local, state, and federal levels, pandemic relief resources remain available to help you and your organization stay afloat during this uncertain time.
The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Small Business Flex Fund offers loans of up to $150,000 for state small businesses and nonprofits. The funds can be used flexibly, for things like rent, payroll, marketing, building improvements, etc. The state and federal government offer several other initiatives to support businesses, you can find a full list here: https://commercegrants.com/covid-19-resources/.
Here are some additional resources that are available to support your business:
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Access to Capital: Small Business Administration (sba.gov)
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Finding & Training Talent: WorkSourceWA
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Growing Your Business: Advising, Mentorship, & Research: Business Advising in Snohomish County (economicalliancesc.org)
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Information & Best Practices: Economic Alliance Snohomish County (economicalliancesc.org)
The Snohomish Health District has recently created a video that helps employers understand what to do if they receive notice of a positive COVID-19 case from an employee. You can watch that video here: https://www.snohd.org/609/COVID-Info-for-Employers/.
If you have questions or ideas on supports for business and worker recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of Recovery & Resilience at snohomishcounty.recovers@snoco.org.
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Each year Worker’s Memorial Day is recognized in late April in remembrance of those who lost their life as a result of workplace violence, accidents, or illnesses. In 2022, six workers across Snohomish County lost their lives. I attended the memorial service hosted by the Snohomish and Island County Labor Council at the Worker’s Memorial on campus and was moved by the ceremony honoring the work and sacrifice of so many. Safety in the workplace, in both the mental and physical sense, is something that all workers should be able to experience. I’m glad we have such a strong union presence in our county and state that ensure that our laborers are honored through adequate pay and safe working conditions. Here is a link to the Resolution 22-021 passed by the County Council recognizing April 28, 2022 as Workers’ Memorial Day in Snohomish County, which was read by Executive Somers and I at the event.
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The nationwide infant formula shortage has caused stress for many families. The Department of Health has compiled resources to assist families trying to find nutritionally appropriate food for their babies. You can also contact the Snohomish Health District’s Child Care Health outreach program at 425-252-5415 or by email at childcarehealth@snohd.org for questions or guidance.
The Port of Everett, in partnership with the City of Mukilteo, invite the public to help define the vision and guiding principles for future development at the Mukilteo waterfront. Community members, regional users and visitors of the Mukilteo waterfront are encouraged to take a look at the waterfront planning effort now underway, and take part in a survey to share what they would like to see at the waterfront. The survey is open until May 26.
The goal of this effort is to set the stage for informed development planning that supports a unified vision for the waterfront moving forward. Learn more at www.portofeverett.com/mukilteo.
Applications for the 2022 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are now being accepted. SFMNP provides eligible low-income seniors with vouchers worth at minimum $40 to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets or farm stands, subject to availability. To learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements and how to submit an application, please visit: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/1002/Nutrition-Programs. Applications are being reviewed and vouchers will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program which allows tens of millions of American households to reduce internet service costs by up to $30/month (or $75/month on Tribal lands). See how to enroll here.
The streets of downtown Everett will be bouncing on July 9 and 10 for the Everett 3 on 3 basketball tournament, presented by Boeing. Teams of all ages and abilities are encouraged to sign up for this fun filled event. In addition to the games, there will be contests, entertainment, food trucks, and merchandise vendors. Check out their website for more info and to sign your team up for what’s sure to be a slam dunk event.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. It’s important to me to keep you updated on my work at the County and updates from my district. If you are in need of any assistance or if there is any county information that I can help to provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at Megan.Dunn@snoco.org, or with my aide at Paula.Rhyne@snoco.org. You can call our office as well at 425-388-3494 to leave a message and we’ll return your call.
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