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 Newsletter visit the archives.

Engage with King County

All-Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

King County staff and the six UACs will meet on Jan.13 to discuss the recent budget changes affecting UAC staffing and operations, and how we can develop a new strategy to ensure that you continue to have access to county government and customer service that meets your needs. Please come to the meeting at the King County Library System Administrative Offices, 960 Newport Way NW, in Issaquah, from 7 – 9 p.m. For more information, please contact Lauren Smith, the Executive’s unincorporated areas manager, at 206-263-9606 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.

Open house meetings focus on Metro plans to change some Eastside bus service

Next October, Metro Transit will launch the RapidRide B Line between Bellevue and Redmond. In addition, Metro will adjust or discontinue several existing bus routes to avoid duplication and provide good connections with the B Line and Sound Transit Express bus routes. Learn more online or at two upcoming open house meetings set for 6:30- 8 p.m. on Jan. 25 at Redmond City Hall, 15672 NE 85th St., in Redmond, and Jan. 26 at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE, in Bellevue.

How can we help? Customer Service Guide

Need help with a county issue but not sure who to call? Download the new Customer Service Guide, an easy to read, pocket-sized list of numbers to reach someone for help with the most common county-related issues. Esta guía también está disponible en español.

News

County gets Glacier Northwest site on Maury Island for park, open space

King County has completed the purchase of an old sand and gravel mine site on Maury Island. The site includes 250 acres of open space, including a mile of undeveloped shoreline, and habitat that supports endangered species in Puget Sound. The purchase ends 13 years of efforts to expand the mine, and was paid for through the use of King County Conservation Futures Funds, which by state law can only be used to purchase open space or resource lands. The County will work with the community on any future development of the park and open space land.

Easy and affordable options for Christmas tree recycling

There are lots of options for Christmas tree recycling, and all of them help save room in the landfill for what needs to be there. What’s more, recycled Christmas trees get chipped for landscaping material or as a composting soil amendment.

Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) returns to five-day work schedule

DDES has restored service to a full five-day business week schedule. The DDES Permit Center is now open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

King County’s 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Please join us Jan. 13 at noon at the 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave. in Seattle for this free public event.

Adopt a new pet for the new year

Regional Animal Services of King County encourages everyone to start out the New Year in a positive and loving way by adopting or fostering a pet from the Kent regional shelter. The Kent facility houses many healthy, adoptable pets and also supports foster care for other homeless cats and dogs. To view a list of available pets before visiting the shelter, or to get hours and directions, visit the website.

Special election set for Feb. 8

Register to vote or update your voter registration by Jan. 10 to vote in the Feb. 8 special election. Update your registration if you have moved or changed your name. For more information visit the Elections website.

Seattle projects affect bus service in White Center, Vashon and southeast King County

Construction projects now under way have created temporary reroutes for several King County Metro Transit bus routes that normally travel on First Avenue South through Pioneer Square and the SODO area of Seattle. Also, beginning Feb. 5, those buses – and others – will have new long-term routing.

Watch for many Metro changes coming in February

Metro Transit's winter service change begins on Feb. 5 and includes the routing changes mentioned above, more service on some routes serving the State Route 520 corridor, and a new bus route connecting north King County with South Lake Union and First Hill. Information will be posted on Metro Online later this month, and it will be available in the Trip Planner after Jan. 26 (remember to use a travel date of Feb. 5 or later).

Sound Transit's ‘Regional Transit Map Book’ available now

This 28-page collection of regional and local transit maps, service information, and provider contacts is a convenient starting point for transit trip planning within the Sound Transit service area. The "Regional Transit Map Book" developed by the King County GIS Center is available online or at transit agencies throughout the Puget Sound region.

Remember, the Roads Division is ready to help 24/7

Winter weather often means problems on roads in unincorporated King County. Whether it's flooding, mudslides, downed trees or missing stop signs, you can call the King County Road Services Division around the clock seven days a week for help. Call 206-296-8100 or 1-800-527-6237 (1-800-KC-ROADS) for help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues.

Sign up for King County Flood Alerts and be prepared

Flood season is under way in King County. One tool that can help make sure you and your family will be safe is King County Flood Alerts. This free, automated system allows subscribers to receive customized alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County's six major river systems.

Flood preparedness videos in multiple languages

Having access to information on how to prepare and stay safe can greatly reduce flood-related risks to people and property. The King County Flood Control District, in partnership with the American Red Cross and King County, has produced a flood safety video in the top spoken languages in King County.

Flood-damaged property

Please contact the Department of Assessments or call 206-296-7300 if your property has been damaged or destroyed by floodwaters. Fill out the King County Destroyed Property Form to file a claim.

King County Housing Repair Program

Do you have flood or snow damage to your home? If you are a low- to moderate-income King County homeowner, the King County Housing Repair Program may be able to help. If you qualify, the interest-free loan need not be repaid until you sell your home. Disability modifications are also available. Find out more by calling 206-263-9095, or visit the website.

Flu vaccine

It’s not too late to get your flu vaccine and stay healthy through spring. Health officials recommend most people age 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Learn more about influenza and where to get a vaccine online.

Food worker classes

Food worker permits are required for everyone working in a restaurant in Washington state. Public Health offers food worker permit classes every week throughout the county. See a schedule of times and locations and tips for getting ready for the class on the website.

90 acres donated to the Carnation Marsh Natural Area

Seattle Audubon Society donated approximately 90 acres of land to King County Parks, which will become an addition to King County’s Carnation Marsh Natural Area. This 160-acre natural area, located between Carnation and Fall City, protects one of the largest, least fragmented and highest quality floodplain wetland remaining in King County. It lies along a productive and important stretch of the Snoqualmie River for fish, and also provides habitat to about 130 bird species.

New memorial to Norm Maleng

New artwork on the second floor of the King County Courthouse has been dedicated in remembrance of Norm Maleng, the longtime King County Prosecuting Attorney who so honorably served from 1978 until his death in 2007. The Maleng family and hundreds of people from the public service community attended.

Community news

Four Creeks/May Valley

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Jan. 19, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton

Greater Maple Valley

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council

(This item submitted by the GMVUAC)
A standing-room-only crowd helped the GMVUAC ring in the new year at its January meeting. There were several major topics on a busy agenda including UAC Funding and the Black Diamond Master Planned Developments (MPDs). GMVUAC members described the benefits UACs provide the County including representation of unincorporated area residents, comprehensive reviews of King County codes and policies, and direct interaction with major County departments. A good deal of the meeting was spent discussing concerns related to the proposed MPDs and the impacts they will have on the communities and infrastructure of SE King County.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Feb. 7, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Feb. 3, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting

Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., Woodinville Water District Office, 17238 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd. in Woodinville

Vashon

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meetings

Jan. 17 & Feb. 7, 7 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meetings

Jan. 12 & Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. in Seattle

West Hill Community Council Quarterly meeting

Jan. 18, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW Post 9430, 7421 S 126th St. in Seattle

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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-9606 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.