E-mail news from Larry Phillips, Metropolitan King County Council
District Four Hosts Puget Sound Town Hall
 With Puget Sound in the background, State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles and I talk to citizens at the Town Hall meeting. |
The King County Council’s Town Hall series came to District Four’s
Olympic Sculpture Park, where the stunning view served as a perfect backdrop
for the discussion about cleaning up Puget Sound.
Our next Town Hall is on the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan
Monday, June 25
6:00 pm - Public Reception
6:30-8:30 pm - Program
Shoreline Conference Center
Shoreline Room
18560 1st Ave NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
Advocating Alternatives for Acquiring Eastside BNSF Right of Way
I am advocating against transferring Boeing Field to the Port of Seattle in favor of concentrating on developing other alternatives for acquiring the Eastside BNSF rail right of way.
Read my Seattle Times guest column.
Council Updates Emergency Preparedness Plan
In the wake of the storms that devastated communities throughout the region last winter, the Metropolitan King County Council approved a plan outlining ways King County can better prepare for future emergencies. Read more.
 The Sound Transit Board celebrates with CEO Joni Earl after signing the ST2 resolution in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. |
Sound Transit Adopts ST2 Plan
The Sound Transit Board unanimously adopted a $10.8 billion Sound Transit 2 (ST2) Plan that proposes 50 new miles of light rail as well as improvements to commuter rail facilities and express bus services. The plan now heads to voters in November as part of the Roads & Transit ballot measure. Read more.
Council Takes Action to Improve Children’s Access to Health Care
The Metropolitan King County Council adopted the Children’s Health Initiative, an effort to increase the number of children with health insurance and health care in underserved communities throughout King County. Read more.
Council Appoints Maleng’s Chief of Staff as Acting Prosecutor
In response to the passing of highly respected, long time King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, the King County Council appointed Maleng’s Chief of Staff Dan Satterberg as acting King County Prosecutor. Read more.
First Beacon Hill Light Rail Tunnel Completed
 I congratulate Beacon Hill construction manager Dick Sage on the completion of the first Beacon Hill light rail tunnel. |
The 21-foot diameter tunnel boring machine drilling through Beacon Hill to build the Central Link light rail system broke through on May 8th. This milestone marks the completion of the first of two twin light rail tunnels through Beacon Hill. Read more.
Legislation Seeks to Increase Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses
I sponsored legislation calling for a study on ways to increase the number of small businesses contracting with King County. King County Executive Ron Sims will study ways to increase participation of small contractors in county construction projects. Read more.
Sewer Rates to Remain Stable in 2008
King County’s prudent fiscal management allowed the King County Council to adopt a 2008 sewer rate that will remain steady at the 2007 level. Read more.
Carnation Farm to Become Camp for Ill Children
 I congratulate Tim Rose at a Carnation Farm celebration announcing Camp Korey. |
Costco Executive Tim Rose announced that he has purchased Carnation Farm and, in concert with the Paul Newman Foundation, will turn it into a charity camp for children facing life-threatening illnesses. The camp will be called Camp Korey at Carnation Farm in honor of his son, Korey Rose, who died of cancer in 2004.
Learn more about Camp Korey at Carnation Farm
Council Approves First Transit Now Service Partnership
The Metropolitan King County Council approved a partnership agreement between Metro Transit and Children’s Hospital to increase transit service to the regional health facility. Funding for Metro’s share of the partnership comes from the voter-approved transit increase, Transit Now. Read more.
Stadium Parking Lot to Become New Homes
The King County Council approved sale of a portion of the former King Dome parking lot. The lot will be developed into a mix of affordable and market rate housing and commercial space, creating a vibrant new urban neighborhood adjacent to Pioneer Square and accessible by bus, heavy rail, and light rail. Read more.
Council Passes Animal Cruelty Reforms
In response to tragic incidents of animal cruelty and concerns about the care and treatment of animals in King County Animal Shelters, the Metropolitan King County Council adopted three comprehensive measures addressing animal control, cruelty and care in King County. Read more.
Bond Refinance to Save $40 Million
The Metropolitan
King County Council took advantage of the county’s strong bond rating
by approving the refinancing of up to $440 million in sewer revenue bonds,
a move that could save ratepayers up to $40 million over the life of the
bonds.
Read
more.
For more information about my work in King County, visit my website www.metrokc.gov/phillips
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If you have any questions or comments, please email me, larry.phillips@metrokc.gov.