Unincorporated Area Community News
Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at www.kingcounty.gov/UnincorporatedAreaNews. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community eNewsletter visit the archives.
Engage with King County
Public meetings set on proposed open space charter amendment
Learn about the proposed open space amendment to King County's charter at upcoming public meetings: June 11, 6 p.m., Seattle Public Library, University Branch; June 15, 7 p.m., Redmond Regional Library; June 18, 7 p.m., Maple Valley Library. The proposed amendment would provide additional protection to more than 156,000 acres of public land with high ecological value. No new land would be purchased under the proposed open space amendment and the rules only apply to land currently owned in fee or easement by King County.
Free Civil Rights drop-in information session
The King County Office of Civil Rights will host a free community drop-in information session at the Algona-Pacific Library on Friday, June 12, 3 to 5 p.m. to help people learn more about their rights and responsibilities under anti-discrimination laws. A Civil Rights Specialist will provide practical advice, such as how to recognize discrimination, where and how to report it, and how to prevent discrimination from occurring.
Seeking Emergency Coordination Center volunteers
The King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is actively recruiting participants for the King County Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) Support Team. This non-profit team of community volunteers trains for and assists OEM in its response to emergencies and disasters. The Summer ECC Support Team Training Academy begins Aug. 5 and meets weekly through the end of the month. For more information and to register, please visit the Web site or call 206-296-3830.
Share your thoughts on Rural Economic Strategies
In response to changing economic needs, King County is continuing to solicit public and rural Unincorporated Area Council input to update its Rural Economic Strategies. In late June, a draft of the updated strategies, based upon rural input, will be forwarded to the Unincorporated Area Councils for review and comment. For more information, contact Julia Larson, Rural Economic Strategies Coordinator at julia.larson@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-1062.
DDES Web site is looking for feedback
The King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) has attached a brief customer survey to its Web site. The department is looking for feedback to ensure that its Web site is organized in a way that is as efficient and customer friendly as possible. Please view the Web site and take a few minutes to fill out the attached survey.
News
King County has a new Executive
The King County Council voted May 18 to keep interim King County Executive Kurt Triplett on the job for another six months. Triplett, who was chief of staff to former Executive Ron Sims for five years, was chosen from a panel of regional leaders. Voters will choose the next executive in the November election.
King County Veterans Program announces new service sites
In an effort to expand access to services, the King County Veterans Program is announcing a pilot project to serve veterans and their families in several new locations around the county beginning in June. Staff will be available once a week at locations in Federal Way, Auburn, Maple Valley and Shoreline. Three additional locations will be open once a month in Enumclaw, Lake City and Bothell. For more information on satellite office hours and locations, call 206-296-7656 or visit the Web site.
Wastemobile offering more services in South King County
The Wastemobile is operated by King County and provides a service where county residents can drop off hazardous household waste items free of charge. The Wastemobile service will be at the Auburn SuperMall starting July 17 every first and third full weekend of the month, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1101 SuperMall Way at the northwest corner of the mall.
Looking for reusable products?
The Wastemobile will provide free products to the public such as oil-based paint, stain and primer, plus wood care and cleaning products. These products are subject to availability, and residents will need sign a release form prior to receiving materials.
King County illegal dumping hotline
King County relies on the public to help identify and report illegal dumpsites so that they can be addressed quickly. These sites can attract rats and other vermin, are dangerous to children, can pollute land, water and wells, and, if they're not cleaned up quickly, can invite more illegal dumping. Report illegal dumping using the online form, or by calling the 24-hour Illegal Dumping Hotline at 206-296-SITE (296-7483), toll-free at 1-866-431-7483, TTY Relay: 711.
Confirm your voter registration
The fall election cycle is well under way. Make sure your August primary ballot reaches you by confirming your registration information with "Your Voter Guide" online.
DDES extends permit fee amnesty program
King County DDES is extending the Permit Fee Amnesty program through June 30, 2009. The program helps property owners with illegal construction or clearing and grading activity bring their project into compliance while paying only standard permit fees (double fees are authorized for building, clearing or grading without permits). To be eligible for this temporary program, the unpermitted activity must have occurred prior to Oct. 1, 2008, and a complete permit application must be filed with DDES by June 30.
Ordinance extends approval period for permits and land use actions at DDES
An ordinance extending the active time frames for permits and approvals for land use actions was approved by the King County Council on May 11 and went into effect on May 24. The ordinance allows additional time for applicants to obtain final approval of preliminary plats and short plats, and authorizes an additional extension for building permits and a one-year extension for conditional use permits and reasonable use, variance and alteration exception approvals.
Hazard trees relocated on Snoqualmie River
Several large trees that fell across the middle fork Snoqualmie River were relocated in early June to improve river safety. Staff with King County’s Water and Land Resources Division, worked with the King County Sheriff’s Office, to complete the tree relocation June 4. A logging helicopter relocated the trees out of the main flow of the river to alongside the river bank. Rivers across King County remain extremely dangerous, with swift currents and cold water temperatures.
Water safety
Almost half the drownings in King County rivers and lakes in 2008 occurred last year in May and June. During these late spring and early summer months, the melting snow pack creates extremely cold, swift waters. Even the best swimmers wearing lifejackets can be injured or die in such rapid, cold water. For information on water safety, visit the Public Health - Seattle & King County Web site.
King County Parks yurt and tent camping
Make yurt and campsite reservations now for your summer "staycation" by calling 206-205-5434.
Chinook Bend Natural Area closure
Chinook Bend Natural Area will be closed from June 23 to Aug. 15 for a levee removal project. For more information, contact King County Parks at 206-296-4232.
Concerts at King County's Marymoor Park
Check out this summer's rockin' line-up. Purchase your tickets at the Marymoor Park office Monday — Friday from 9 a.m. — 4 p.m. and the service fee goes directly to support King County Parks.
City of North Bend celebrates 100 years
Come help celebrate the City of North Bend's Centennial during the Downtown Block Party on June 27. The Downtown Block Party is intended to promote downtown North Bend, its small town character, and its businesses while preserving the past, celebrating the present and embracing the future.
Town of Skykomish Centennial
Events will take place throughout the year in the northeast town of Skykomish.
Warm weather jump starts road paving
Early summer-like weather is allowing the King County Road Services Division to get a head start on its annual road paving program. Work begins the first part of June in unincorporated areas east of Kent and will spread across other parts of the county including many roads on Vashon-Maury Island.
Watch for road and bridge closures
The King County Road Services Division will be repairing roads and bridges throughout unincorporated areas this summer that will result in road closures and detours. Major closures starting in June include Southeast 416th Street near Enumclaw, 212th Avenue Northeast between Woodinville and Duvall, and two locations northwest of Covington. Sign up for Road Alerts to keep on top of it all.
Historic road corridors up for 'landmark' recognition
Nine heritage road corridors in unincorporated King County have been identified as having unique historic and scenic qualities deserving special recognition. This spring, the King County Road Services Division is nominating eight of those corridors to become community landmarks — an honorary designation bestowed on special places in our community.
Do you know the signs of a methamphetamine lab in your neighborhood?
Public Health partners with law enforcement when an illegal drug lab is found, ensuring that they are cleaned up properly to reduce the risk of fire and accidental poisoning.
Alternative to incarceration
King County has several community corrections programs as alternatives to incarceration that strive to use evidence-based practices promoting pro-social behaviors and lifestyles. Our alternatives and services are available to persons charged with an offense who are incarcerated or who are facing incarceration.
Fair Housing online newsletter
The King County Office of Civil Rights partners with other local fair housing agencies to publish a quarterly online fair housing newsletter of particular interest to rental property owners and managers.
New online color aerial photos added to King County iMap
The King County GIS Center has added 2007 color aerial photos to iMap, the county's free online Web mapping application.
Find a new pet
Meet adoptable cats and dogs on June 13 at the West Seattle Morgan Junction from noon to 4 p.m. Event details and locations are posted on the King County Animal Care and Control Web site. Plenty of cats and dogs are waiting for their forever home at the King County animal shelters. For hours and directions, and information about a recently opened cat building at the Kent Shelter, visit the Web site or call 206-296-PETS.
Community news
Four Creeks/May Valley
May Creek Bridge open house June 11
The King County Road Services Division will host a drop-in open house on Thursday, June 11 to discuss plans to replace the May Creek Bridge next summer. The bridge, which has decaying timber supports, is located on Southeast May Valley Road just east of State Route 900 (Southeast Renton-Issaquah Road).
North Highline
White Center Heights Park, Phase II
The southern portion of White Center Heights Park will be closed from June to August for construction of a pedestrian bridge. This project reflects community input given during the Phase I Ultimate Park Makeover Project in 2007.
West Hill
Skyway Park Picnic Shelter and Plaza Dedication and Grand Opening
Join King County Parks and University of Washington on June 11 at 3 p.m. to celebrate the completion of a new picnic shelter and plaza area, which was a partnership project with the UW School of Landscape Architecture's Design-Build course. Skyway Park is located at S 120th Pl in Seattle.
Vashon
Vashon ferry meeting June 15
King County Marine Division staff will be at the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting on Monday, June 15 to introduce the division's outreach plans related to the transition of the passenger-only ferry operations from the Washington State Department of Transportation to the King County Ferry District.
Restoration and carbon sequestration at Island Center Forest
King County is hosting two open houses June 10 and 17 to discuss a climate change project proposed for county land adjacent the Vashon transfer station. The meetings, scheduled for 7 p.m., at the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust building at 10014 SW Bank Rd., will provide participants with information. The project involves testing the use of various compost mixes to capture and store carbon, rebuild the depleted soils, and aid the eventual restoration of the land as a functional part of Island Center Forest.
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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-7146 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.