January 2016

Calendar Jan. 4 Greater Maple Valley UAC meeting Jan. 7 North Highline UAC meeting Jan. 8 Fall City Community Association meeting Jan. 12 CSA Days – Upper Bear Creek Jan. 13 West Hill Community Association meeting Jan. 18 CSA Days – Vashon Jan. 19 West Hill Business Association meeting West Hill Community Association Quarterly meeting Jan. 20 Four Creeks UAC meeting Jan. 25 Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage Jan. 27 Green Valley/Lake Holm Association meeting

Welcome to Community News! You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at the UA News website. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.

Engage with King County

Vote to name King County’s new environmental research vessel
After receiving and evaluating 93 entries submitted by King County residents in a contest launched last month, the top three names advanced to the voting round: SoundGuardian, SeaKing and Cascadia. Vote for your top choice through Dec. 24. The selected name will be announced on Jan. 4 and the person whose entry was chosen will receive a plaque recognizing their contribution, as well as a tour of the new boat when it officially begins service next summer.

Comments sought on King County Comprehensive Plan
The King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) is the guiding policy document for all land use and development regulations in unincorporated King County, and for regional services throughout the county, including transit, sewers, parks, trails and open space. Every four years the County conducts a complete review of the plan. King County released the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Public Review Draft on Nov. 6 and is encouraging public comments through January 6.  Five community meetings across unincorporated King County were held.  Public comments will be carefully reviewed and an Executive Recommended 2016 Plan will be transmitted to the County Council on March 1.

News

Important victory in long struggle to clean up eyesore and health hazard in Skyway
Bringing an end to an eyesore and health hazard in Skyway for more than 30 years, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced cleanup can soon begin at the concrete recycling facility that has come to be known as “Mount Anderson.” He has also directed staff to draft more efficient, common-sense rules to strengthen the County’s code enforcement in the unincorporated areas. For more information, read the news release and watch the Executive’s news conference.

 

Property and business owners encouraged to submit storm damage reports
Flooding, wind, and landslides from last week's storm have impacted residents and businesses across King County. Those that suffered property damage or other losses in the storm may be eligible for assistance to get their property back in order. The webpage, is now open to receive damage reports for individuals and businesses in King County. In addition, a hotline, 1-800-523-5044, is available for individuals and businesses to record a damage report Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, read the news release.

Stay informed during emergencies
Felt a little in the dark during our recent storm events? While we can’t control your power sources, King County Emergency Management does offer two ways you can stay informed. Sign-up for regional alerts and read the Emergency News blog.

Elections
Be prepared for the February 2016 election. If you haven’t registered yet you can do so online at King County Elections, in person at the Elections office in Renton, or at the voter registration annex in downtown Seattle.

Purchase a living holiday tree to support local salmon
King County Parks is partnering with Swansons Trees for Salmon program to support healthy salmon habitats in King County. Purchasing a living tree is environmentally friendly, cost effective and only requires a bit of extra effort. Look for the label “You Can Donate This Tree” while shopping for your holiday tree. Return your tree by Jan.18, and Swansons will donate it to King County Parks to be planted in a restoration site.

Help Orphaned Pets Everywhere during the Season of HOPE
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) finds new homes for about 2,000 pets every year. You can help in this vital mission to Help Orphaned Pets Everywhere this holiday season by donating to RASKC during the Season of HOPE. Your contribution makes it possible for RASKC to provide for pets while they wait for their forever home. Visit the website to learn how you can help.

Forestry class for landowners
Learn from WSU Extension how to care for your forested property, find out how to qualify for property tax reductions, and get an assessment of your property from a professional forester. Online classes begin on Jan. 26. Classes on Vashon start on March 2.

New Taylor Mountain Forest parking lot now open!
The Taylor Mountain Forest trailhead project is nearing completion, and the parking lot is open for public use. Upgrades included an additional parking lot and expanded equestrian trailer parking, as well as an informational kiosk, toilet and trail and habitat restoration. Funding for this project was provided in part by the King County Parks, Trails, and Open Space Replacement Levy and a Non-highway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities grant.

Five Mile Lake park playground
Construction continues at Five Mile Lake Park playground. Due to the especially sandy soil and high groundwater table, the playground is taking longer to finish than anticipated. The new estimated date for reopening this playground is late February to early March. The playground is being replaced as part of the King County Parks levy funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program.

Follow King County Parks of Facebook and Twitter
It’s already been a wild fall, and winter’s not even here yet. This El Nino weather pattern has brought in many storms, and crews have been working tirelessly to clean up fallen trees and flooded parks. We want all of our park users to be safe while using our parks and trails during these blustery months. Follow King County Parks on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on conditions and other happenings.

New dashboard will help us track our progress and improve
King County has a new online tool to help us track and report on our performance. The King County Performance website uses an interactive dashboard to showcase our progress towards Executive Constantine’s four top priorities – Best-run government, Equity and Social Justice, Climate Change, and Regional Mobility. You can use this tool to get a snapshot of how we are doing in a range of areas or to dig deeper into the data for more detailed information.

Community Service Area news

Bear Creek/Sammamish Area

CSA Days
Jan. 12, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  at the Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd. NE in Woodinville. Marissa Alegria, CSA Staff will be available to meet with the community. Please contact Marissa Alegria, for more information.

Cottage Lake Park playground
The equipment installation at Cottage Lake Park playground is nearing completion. The next steps are to install the rubber safety surfacing tile, which requires a week of fairly dry, above freezing temperatures, and then assembling the remaining equipment. The playground will be reopened following a safety inspection. If the weather cooperates, it should be open by early to mid-January. The playground is being replaced as part of the King County Parks levy funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program.

Upper Bear Creek Community Council
For more information visit the Upper Bear Creek Community Council website.

Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area

Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Jan. 25, 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 12819 160th Ave. SE, in Renton. No meeting in December. For more information, visit the website.

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Jan. 20, 7 - 9 p.m., at Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78 at 20720 SE May Valley Rd. in Issaquah. Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for the latest information.

Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Jan. 4 & Feb. 1, 7 - 9:30 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley. Check the Greater Maple Valley UAC website for details.

This item submitted by the GMVUAC.

King County Comprehensive Plan update
The area council submitted growth management and transportation related comments on the public review draft in the following areas: (1) Concerns regarding rural area as receiving sites for Transfer of Development Rights; (2) Concerns re demonstration projects and siting urban-serving facilities in the rural area; (3) Support for public participation in future Cedar Hills sub-area planning; and (4) Concerns regarding funding to address rural road usage. In early January, the area council will submit economic and environment related comments. Specific comments available on the GMVUAC website.

Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area

Fall City Community Association meeting
Jan. 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Fall City Fire Station, 4301 334th Place Southeast in Fall City. Monthly board meeting, open to the public. For more information visit the Fall City Community Association website or contact Ashley Glennon. Learn about the Fall City Community Unity Partnership.

Snoqualmie Watershed poster
The Snoqualmie Watershed Forum has released its 2015 poster, featuring the winning entry from last summer’s photography contest, “Focus on the Snoqualmie.” Danny Raphael of North Bend submitted the winning photo showing a dramatic Mt. Si at sunset. The poster is available for display in libraries, businesses, schools and community locations. For a free copy, email Polly Freeman.

Southeast King County Area

Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
Jan. 27, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. There will be no meeting in December. All residents living within the boundaries of our Community Service Area are welcome to attend and participate in discussions regarding safety resources, mutual concerns, and ideas for enhancing our communities. For more information, or to subscribe to our mailing list, email the Green Valley/Lake Holm Association. Visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Vashon/Maury Island Area

CSA Vashon Days
Jan. 18, 1 - 7 p.m. at the Vashon Community Service Center, 10011 SW Bank Rd. on Vashon. Bong Sto. Domingo, CSA staff, will be available to discuss issues, provide resources and technical assistance, with community members and organizations. Please email Bong Sto. Domingo or call 206-774-4522, for more information.

West King County Area

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Jan. 7, 7 - 9 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District Training Center, 1243 SW 112th Street in Seattle. Monthly meeting of the all volunteer community council. Open to the public. Check the North Highline UAC website for details, or email Barbara Dobkin.

Skyway Solutions 2016 plans and events
For more information, visit the website. 

West Hill Community Association meeting
Jan. 13, 7-9 p.m. at the Skyway Fire District 20, 12424 76th Ave. So. in Seattle. Monthly board meeting of the all-volunteer association. Open to the public. Check the West Hill Community Association website or Facebook for details, or email Sonja Bowden.

West Hill Business Association
Jan. 19, 9-11 a.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 So. 126th St. in Seattle. Monthly meeting of business and community members. Open to the public. For more information, contact Chuck Vitiritti at 206-772-9982.

West Hill Community Association Quarterly public meeting
Jan. 19, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S 126th St., in Seattle. Quarterly community meeting updating residents on items of interest. Check the West Hill Community Association website or Facebook for details, or email Sonja Bowden.

If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter or call 206-477-4521.