August 2, 2011

In this newsletter:
1. Business owners needed for job sector survey
2. Redmond Ridge e-policing
3. Sammamish will host new East Precinct Command Center
4. Proposed $20 vehicle license fee vote on August 15
5. New community forum survey focuses on getting your opinions about county government
6. Community meeting on replacement of Factoria Transfer Station

Dear District 3 friend,

Thank you for your interest in staying informed about activities and issues in King County. As you can see, many things are happening in our county. Hope you are having a fun and restful summer! Finally, we see some sunshine!

Best wishes,

Kathy Lambert

1. Business owners needed for job sector survey

Business owners, please participate in the Seattle Chamber of Commerce second annual Job Sector Survey, which will provide decision-makers with data-rich and comprehensive examples of the challenges and opportunities facing regional employers of all types and sizes. Last year, the survey captured responses from nearly 1,200 businesses in 15 unique business types. Please share the survey with business owners throughout King County so that we can learn from more of them how best to help these businesses grow and reinvigorate our economy. Responses will be collected until August 10. Find the survey at http://www.seattlechamber.com/Advocacy/Issues/IssueDetail/Job-Sector-Survey.

2. Redmond Ridge e-policing

The E-Policing initiative at Redmond Ridge is an exciting new use of technology to create clear two-way communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens they serve. The initiative involves a direct e-mail link, online reporting of non-emergency crimes, crime mapping, and public safety video tips. A community meeting with more information is being planned for September. Please share this website with your friends and neighbors and help spread the word so other residents will have a chance to get involved: http://redmondridgewatch.com. Also, see how Redmond Ridge residents are taking their neighborhood watch online in a new video about the E-Policing initiative: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSvmgQtFIQ.

3. Sammamish will host new East Precinct Command Center

In July, the County Council approved a lease agreement with the City of Sammamish to house the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) new East Precinct Command Center. Public safety will operate out of this new facility on the Eastside this fall as a result of the Council’s unanimous approval of this major step in the reorganization of KCSO, which included a focus on increasing operational efficiencies and reducing costs. Part of the reorganization includes the realignment of two precincts in Northeast and Southeast King County into a single precinct. The efficiencies captured by this new precinct arrangement benefit both the residents of unincorporated areas and the contract cities with increased presence of law enforcement. Read more at: www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2011/July/KL_eastprecinct.

4. Proposed $20 vehicle license fee vote on August 15

We have received lots of comments on the King County Executive’s proposed $20 vehicle license fee increase. Thank you for your feedback. In addition to emails, letters and phone calls, more than 50 people spent two hours testifying before the County Council at our July 25th meeting about this proposed $20 charge on vehicle licenses for each of the next two years which would temporarily lessen transit reductions. That hearing was the culmination of a process that involved three additional public hearings and testimony from more than 300 people. On Monday, August 15, we will discuss and take final action on this proposed “Congestion Reduction Charge.” More information is available at www.kingcounty.gov/council/issues/Transit_Service.

5. New community forum survey focuses on your opinions about county government

This is an important time to receive citizen feedback about how best to expand community participation and strengthen the communication link between residents in unincorporated areas and county government. That is why Countywide Community Forums (CCF), an independent program in partnership with the King County Auditor's Office, is providing forums and an online survey to hear what you think about the county's new model for public engagement. Starting August 19 and continuing through September 9, you can attend an in-person forum or go online to share your opinions at www.CommunityForums.org. Your comments are so important and helpful!

6. Community meeting on replacement of Factoria Transfer Station

The King County Solid Waste Division will have a community meeting in Bellevue on Wednesday, August 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. to update citizens on progress with replacement of the Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station. Division staff will give a presentation starting at 6:30 p.m., with an open house before and after the presentation to allow for one-on-one discussions with participants. The meeting will be at the East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 SE 32nd St., Bellevue, WA 98005, just ½ mile west of the station. More information about the project can be found on the project web site: http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/facilities/factoria-replacement-project.