March 2011

In this newsletter:
• Time to vote! King Conservation District Board of Supervisors election online voting now to March 15
• Technology agreement aims to save money and improve County efficiency
• New Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) training coming to District 3 this month
• Snoqualmie Valley Trail closed in Carnation for safety upgrades
• Youth Sports Facilities Grants now available
• Novelty Hill Road Project starting this spring

Dear District 3 friend,

As we transition into spring, the King County Council is working on some interesting issues, and I have several updates to share with you.

As always, King County Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on King County TV, Cable Channel 22, or by online streaming video at www.kingcounty.gov/council where you can also stay informed and get agendas and minutes. New economic forecast numbers will be announced this week, including some interesting information about trends.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with family, friends and neighbors.

Best wishes,

Kathy Lambert

Time to vote! King Conservation District Board of Supervisors election online voting now to March 15

Remember to vote in the King Conservation District’s election for the Board of Supervisors. For the first time, the King Conservation District has elected to provide a two-step on-line voting process as an alternative to in-person balloting. Voting began on February 15 and ends at 9 p.m. on March 15. More information on the election and the candidates is available at www.kingcd.org/new_ele.htm.

Technology agreement aims to save money and improve County efficiency

As chair of the King County Council’s Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, I am advocating for technology solutions that will improve efficiency and customer service while saving money. Last month, the committee made history by conducting its meeting both inside and outside Council Chambers through the use of Microsoft Live Meeting. The committee used the video conferencing technology to unveil the new Enterprise Agreement between King County and Microsoft to consolidate the County’s licensing agreements into a more efficient single, unified system and provide cloud computing services to county employees. Read more at www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2011/February/KL_microsoftagreement

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) training coming to District 3 this month

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for King County residents is coming to Issaquah, Sammamish, Carnation and Duvall beginning mid-March. CERT training is comprised of about 20 hours of classroom education and hands-on practice in topics including disaster preparedness, emergency management, fire safety/suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster communication, disaster psychology, and all-hazards identification and awareness. Read more and register at www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare/news/2011/February/10CERTTraining

Snoqualmie Valley Trail closed in Carnation for safety upgrades

Replacing the aging approaches to the Tolt River bridge on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail will improve public safety by increasing the currently restricted pedestrian capacity on the bridge and by allowing access to this stretch of trail by utility and emergency vehicles. The work will require a short stretch of the trail in Carnation to be closed from Feb. 21 through mid-November. Read more at www.kingcounty.gov/environment/dnrp/newsroom/newsreleases/2011/
february/0207SVT-closure

Youth Sports Facilities Grants now available

King County Parks’ Youth Sports Facilities Grant (YSFG) program is now accepting applications. A Letter of Intent is due May 4, and full applications are due June 17, 2011. YSFG provides matching grants of up to $75,000 to local jurisdictions, school districts, and non-governmental organizations that provide youth sports opportunities. All documents, including a template for the Letter of Intent can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/partners/ysfg

Novelty Hill Road Project starting this spring

King County is beginning a two-year project to make improvements east of Redmond on Northeast Novelty Hill Road, 195th/196th Avenue Northeast, and Northeast Union Hill Road. Work could begin in late March or early April. Get updates at http://your.kingcounty.gov/kcdot/roads/cip/ProjectDetail.aspx?CIPID=100992