As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, Council has been working to review an ordinance and proposed amendments regarding buffer zones around streams and wetlands as part of the Critical Areas Regulation update. At our January 15 Public Hearing, we heard several hours of testimony from residents sharing concerns that a proposed amendment would strip back enhanced protections on the buffer zones proposed by staff in the underlying Ordinance.  

Due to the need for additional input from area experts and staff, council decided to return the ordinance and amendment to committee for further discussion. A panel of local experts has been invited to join the March 18 Planning and Community Development Committee so that we can use this time for council discussion. After this discussion, the ordinance will likely be scheduled for a public hearing where comments and testimony from the public will be prioritized. You are always welcome to contact councilmembers anytime by calling our main line (425-388-3494) or by emailing full council at contact.council@snoco.org.  

In the Fall of 2023 I initiated an Ordinance that allows for county fleet vehicles which are at the end of their useful life to be donated to local non-profits for their benefit and I’m excited to share that the first round of vehicles is ready to pass along for better use. The past policy was to auction off a retired vehicle at their depreciated market rate, but instead the county will now be able to donate some of these vehicles to qualifying non-profits which will provide a far greater benefit to the community. Pending approval at the February 26 General Legislative Session meeting, the first round of vehicles (a 2007 Chevy Malibu and two 2017 Ford Fusions) will be donated to area non-profits including the Washington West African Center, the Holman Recovery Center, and the North Counties’ Family Services center. 

I often hear from local non-profit providers that they are in need of vehicles to help transport clients or goods around the county, and I’m so glad that this program will help meet that need.  

For more about the program and to keep an eye out for vehicles that come available, please visit: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/6408/Surplus-Vehicles-for-Donation.  

The deadline for obtaining your REAL ID for air travel is fast approaching – May 7, 2025. After this date you will need a REAL ID or another approved form of identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit your local DMV to apply for REAL ID. There are other acceptable forms of identification that can be used as well, including a valid passport, which can be applied for at the Snohomish County Treasurer’s Office.

Here are some links with more information: 

• Washington DOL REAL ID Website: https://realidwa.com/  

• Department of Homeland Security Site: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id  

• WA DOL Locations: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdoffices/  

The recent snow events and cold snap activated a number of different departments at the county to respond. Our Public Works department maintains more than 1,600 miles of road in unincorporated Snohomish County and has pre-determined priority routes based on several factors including traffic and access to emergency services. During the snow event, Snohomish County Road Maintenance crews were hard at work plowing roads. As a snapshot, over two days of 24/7 response, crews in dozens of trucks traveled and treated about 16,000 miles total, which is the equivalent of about ¾ of the way around the earth! 

Here are some county websites with helpful information and maps if there’s another winter weather event: 

• The Snohomish County Snow and Ice Response page, which includes links to road closure information as well as the map showing recent snow and ice removal. 

• The Cold Weather Shelter Page with information on daytime warming and overnight cold weather shelters in Snohomish County. Please consider volunteering if you can.  

Thank you to all the crews and volunteers who helped us get through this difficult weather event. 

An event in Mukilteo that I would like to highlight is the “You Are Not Alone” event at Rosehill Community Center on March 1 to build hope, resilience, and skills to navigate crisis and bring awareness to the difficult topic of suicide. The event is from 10-2p, is intended for all ages, and is free to attend. There will be trainings on recognizing warning signs, resources for getting support, food, swag, and music on site too. Many thanks to all who are working to bring awareness and support to this important issue. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988 and a trained and caring counselor will be there for you. 

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.