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

Learn about agricultural drainage assistance at any of 3 King County workshops in March

Staff from the County’s agriculture program and the King Conservation District will show participants how to get free, coordinated services from King County and the King Conservation District so that maintenance projects can be done in an efficient, cost-effective manner. Experts will show farmers best management practices for maintaining ditches, obtaining permits and getting reimbursed for required work. Workshops run from 7-9 p.m., and are scheduled for March 19 at the Preston Community Center, 8625 310th Ave. SE, in Preston; March 20 at 21 Acres, 13701 NE 171st St., in Woodinville; and March 22 at Enumclaw High School, 226 Semanski St. S, in Enumclaw. For more information visit the website.

King County Council’s Transportation, Economy & Environment Committee (TREE) schedules 3 evening meetings on proposed 2012 Comprehensive Plan Update

Each meeting will be preceded by an open house from 6-6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Information presented includes a brief overview of the proposed legislation, followed by public testimony. Meetings are set for March 22 at Chief Kanim Middle School Commons, 32627 S.E. Redmond Fall City Rd., Fall City; April 12 at the Y at the Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133rd Avenue N.E. in Woodinville; and on April 25 at Tahoma Junior High Commons, 25600 Summit Landsburg Rd., in Ravensdale.

Written testimony on the proposed 2012 Comprehensive Plan can be submitted by mail it to King County Council, Attn: Kendall Moore, 516 3rd Ave. 12th Floor, Seattle, WA 98104; faxed to Kendall Moore at 206-296-0198; or online.

News

King County restores recycling services at two rural solid waste facilities

King County has restored recycling service at its Enumclaw and Cedar Falls solid waste facilities, two rural areas of the County where residential sign-up for curbside garbage and recycling collection has lagged.

Pertussis outbreak on Vashon Island

Since December 2011, there have been 14 confirmed cases of pertussis (“whooping cough”) on Vashon-Maury Island, 15 percent of all cases county-wide. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes a severe cough and can cause death, particularly among young children. Only one person with pertussis on Vashon was up-to-date on their pertussis vaccine.

BGT ribbon cutting

Join us March 13 where the trail intersects with Northeast 165th Street. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin shortly after 4 p.m. Learn more about the construction project and the newly redeveloped segment on the website.

Aquatic Center hosts NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center hosts the top collegiate swimmers and divers from schools across the country, March 22-24. Get your tickets now!

Registration deadlines approaching for April Special Election

Unincorporated area voters in Issaquah School District No. 411, Renton School District No. 403, and the South King County Fire and Rescue District will have the opportunity to vote on important local ballot measures in the April Special Election. Be sure to register or update your registration. Registration deadlines are: March 19 for mail-in and online voter registrations and transfers and April 9 for in-person registrations for first-time Washington voters.

Free fair housing workshop and seminar

The King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies are hosting two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle on April 25. The Fair Housing Basics Workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print and CD format. Advance registration is required. To register, call 206-296-7592. For details and directions, visit the website.

Pay property taxes quickly and easily online

For taxpayers who pay their property taxes themselves rather than through a mortgage lender, note that your first-half 2012 tax payment is due and must be postmarked to the County Treasury office by April 30. Payments paid or postmarked after this date are subject to late charges. Residents who do not want to mail a check or visit a Community Service Center can pay online quickly and conveniently from the comfort of their own home. For more information on property tax payment options, visit the website.

County begins annual roadside weed control

The King County Road Services Division will begin its roadside weed control program in unincorporated areas beginning April 9. Certified technicians will perform controlled herbicide spraying in selected areas to reduce safety hazards and control noxious weeds. To learn more about the program or to obtain an “owner will maintain” sign, visit the Road Services Division’s roadside weed control website.

King County Housing Repair Program

Low- to moderate-income King County homeowners with flood or snow damage to their homes might be eligible for help from the King County Housing Repair Program. Interest-free loans are available to qualified applicants. These loans need not be repaid until the home is sold. Disability modifications are also available. Find out more by calling 206-263-9095, or visit the website.

Free resources for disaster planning

January’s winter storm impacted numerous roadways and left many residents in King County without power for days. How prepared were you for this weather event? Would you be able to survive weeks of even greater disruptions following a major earthquake? A three-day kit of emergency supplies is minimal for weathering most storms, but for larger disasters, you really need to be self-sufficient for two or more weeks. Take advantage of free resources to help you prepare. Visit the King County Office of Emergency Management website for planning guides and information.

Gun safety

Safely storing and managing firearms is critically important. In 2009, nearly 25,100 households in King County reported storing loaded and unlocked firearms. Be part of the solution: Learn about locks and safe storage at Lok-It-Up.

Love ‘em? License ‘em!

Cat and dog owners who live in King County are required to license their pet. Your annual license fee helps promote animal adoptions, teach responsible pet ownership, investigate animal cruelty, enforce local regulations and provide safe shelter to abandoned, surrendered, or lost pets. You can purchase a license online, at the King County Pet Adoption Center, at more than 100 retail locations or at any King County Community Service Center.

School chemicals database

The database puts critical health and safety information for educators in one place. To help teachers with planning, the list includes common chemicals and experiments; hazards and environmental risks and information on safe storage and disposal.

Community news

Four Creeks

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

March 21, 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)
The Greater Maple Valley Area Council (GMVAC) and Upper Bear Creek Community Council submitted a joint letter to the King County Council voicing concerns with the proposed ordinance for expanding Pacific Raceways' industrial footprint in the rural area. The GMVAC also voted to submit a letter of comment to the King County School Siting Task Force regarding the suitability of placing schools in the rural area that primarily serve adjacent urban development. The GMVAC believes that siting urban-serving schools in the rural area puts pressure on rural infrastructure, such as roads, and adds to development pressure.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

April 2, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, SE 231st & Hwy 169 in Maple Valley

North Highline

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

April 5, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

Upper Bear Creek Community Council general meeting

March 27, 7:30 p.m. at Woodinville Water District Office, 17238 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd. in Woodinville.

Vashon

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council general meeting

March 19, 7 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board meeting

April 2, 6:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

April 11, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. 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.