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
Join your neighbors, meet your County representatives at a town hall and open house
The 2016 Unincorporated
Community Service Area
(CSA) town hall and open houses in unincorporated King County kicked off in April with a crowd of 60 people at the Fall City meeting. The open houses bring together the local County Councilmember and representatives from the Executive’s Office, Sheriff Department, and numerous other County departments to meet with residents and discuss issues affecting their community. All meetings, except Vashon, will run from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, including locations, please visit the
website.
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Bear Creek/Sammamish on May 2
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Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River on May 4
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Southeast King County on May 23
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North Highline/White Center on May 24
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Vashon/Maury Island on May 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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West Hill/Skyway on May 31
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Fairwood on June 1
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Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain on June 7
Flood Reduction Grant Opportunity
The King County Flood Control District has announced the availability of $3.3 million in grant funding for projects that reduce the impact of flooding in King County. Eligible applicants include homeowner associations, non-profit organizations or associations, schools, special purpose districts, tribes, cities and towns within King County and King County agencies. Individuals who need funding for a local flooding issue are encouraged to work with an eligible group to apply for a grant. The application deadline is May 27. For more information, visit the
website.
Learn more about King County’s White River public-safety project
The community is invited to a May 3
open house
at the City Gymnasium, 305 Milwaukee Blvd S., in Pacific, at 6:30 p.m. to learn more about the
Countyline Levee Setback Project on the White River, including flood protection goals and environmental benefits, schedule, final design, construction information, and what to expect in changes to river conditions.
What is Farm King County?
Farm King County, an online toolbox to help our region’s farm economy grow connects local farmers to services, information, and technical resources that make it easier to farm and grow farm businesses in King County. Whether you are just starting out in farming or a seasoned producer looking to diversify your business through the creation of a value-added enterprise,
Farm King County
is here to assist you with all your farm business questions.
Community Conversations: Best Starts for Kids
Voters approved the
Best Starts for Kids
ballot measure last November and County Executive Dow Constantine will send an implementation plan to the King County Council on June 1. Share your thoughts on the plan at a
community meeting, scheduled for April 27 in Kent; May 3 in North Seattle; May 4 in South Seattle; May 9 in Maple Valley and May 16 in Federal Way. Subscribe to the
Best Starts for Kids blog
for more information on next steps and events.
News
Partners work to save Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon
King County Executive Dow Constantine, representatives of the
Kokanee Work Group
and students on a science field trip helped release dozens of inch-long
kokanee fry
into Issaquah Creek on Earth Day.
One Million Trees partnership will combat climate change, help neighborhoods
Join us in planting
one million trees
throughout King County by 2020. Part of
King County’s Earth Month activities, the
launch event
took place as part of a Parks’ volunteer habitat restoration work party.
Sign up for updates
by May 13 for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a concert at Marymoor Park.
Good Food Champion: Eat healthy, support local
Everyone can help to build a stronger food system by working to become better “food champions.” Be aware of what you’re consuming, where it is grown or produced, and whether others also have the opportunity to eat healthy, local food. Through wise food purchasing and consumption we can keep our farms productive, our food businesses thriving, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, healthy food. Here are
10 ways to become a local food champion.
River safety
Rivers are inherently dangerous places to recreate and can be especially dangerous at this time of the year. As the mountain snowpack melt, the water can be high, swift and cold, making staying in control and hypothermia real risks. Logs and rocks, both visible and hidden, pose navigation hazards. Rivers are dynamic systems that change constantly. River users are encouraged to take safety precautions, including wearing a life jacket, when recreating in rivers. Visit the
website
for more tips to stay safe.
April Pools Day: Promoting equity, promoting activity
Did you know that where you live and how much money you have might affect your chances of drowning? Visit the
website
to find out what we're doing to level the playing field.
Tolt Pipeline Trail
Sixty new identification and trail rules signs have been installed on King County’s Tolt Pipeline Trail. The oldest
regional trail, opening in 1972, the route runs 16 miles from Norway Hill in Bothell to the City of Seattle’s Tolt Watershed east of Duvall. Go check it out!
King County Parks Play Area Rehabilitation Program update
The Five Mile Lake Park playground reopened on April 20 with all new play equipment and rubber tile safety surfacing. The playground at Ravensdale Park is now closed through June for construction. These renovations are part of the King County Parks levy funded
Play Area Rehabilitation Program. Follow the
Parks Plog
for construction updates.
King County Parks construction update
The basketball and tennis courts are closed for renovation at Five Mile Lake Park. The upgrades, including new asphalt and sports equipment are expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend. Work also started this week on improvements to the Cottage Lake Park pool. Part of the parking lot will be fenced off for construction equipment. The work is expected to be completed by June 1, weather permitting. Follow the
Parks Plog
for construction updates.
What’s your plan? Alaskan Way Viaduct closing April 29 for two weeks
The
Alaskan Way Viaduct closure along State Route 99
is scheduled to begin Friday, April 29, and regional traffic delays are expected for about two weeks. King County has worked with partners to create a list of ways to help you figure out how to get around during the closure. Check out some available options and
make a plan.
24/7 Road Helpline
Call us for help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County, such as potholes, downed stop signs, signals that are out or trees over the roadway – 24/7, 365 days a year at 206-296-8100 or 1-800-527-6237. For non-urgent road issues,
email roads maintenance. And don't forget to sign up for
Road Alerts, visit the
My commute page
and follow us on
Twitter.
First half of 2016 property taxes due May 2
Since April 30 is a Saturday, taxpayers who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through their mortgage lender, have until Monday, May 2 to pay the first half of their 2016 property taxes. King County offers a secure and efficient online payment system, among other options, for paying property taxes. Visit the
website
for more information.
Presidential Primary
The May 24 Presidential Primary is right around the corner! Any voter who wants to participate must declare a party on the return envelope by checking a box for either Democrat or Republican, signing the declaration, and then voting for a candidate within that same party on the ballot. The party declaration on the envelope must match the vote on the ballot for your vote to count. For more information on the 2016 Presidential Primary, please visit the
Secretary of State's website.
A license is a life saver - please license your pet!
Pet licensing representatives from Regional Animal Services will be visiting neighborhoods in unincorporated King County on weekends this spring, letting residents know about the requirements and benefits of
pet licensing. Not only does a license provide you peace of mind, but licensing your pet helps fund the life-saving work at RASKC.
May is Volcano Awareness Month
Are you ready for an eruption? Volcanoes often give just a few days' warning before erupting. While no volcanoes in Washington currently show indications of immediate reawakening, it's important to know what to do when one in your area erupts. Find preparedness information on the
volcano hazard information page
and register for the
USGS Volcano Notification Service.
Community Service Area news
Bear Creek/Sammamish Area
Music in the Park
Are you ready for summer? Plan on attending this year's
Music in the Park
concert series, sponsored by the
Upper Bear Creek Community Council. Concerts take place at Cottage Lake Park, 18831 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd. in Woodinville, on Thursday evenings, starting July 7.
Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting
April 28, 7-9 p.m. at the Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd NE, in Woodinville. For more information about the community council, visit the
Upper Bear Creek Community Council website
or the the
Upper Bear Creek Facebook page.
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area
Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
April 25 & May 23, 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 12819 160th Ave. SE, in Renton. For more information, visit the
website.
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings
May 18, 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
Cedar River log jam hazard near Cedar Grove Road bridge
Logs have accumulated
at the entrance of a new side channel on the right bank in the Rainbow Bend reach
just downstream from the Cedar Grove Road Bridge, at approximately River Mile 11. The Cedar River channel itself is open at this time, but the side channel is impassable. Visit the website for information about all known
boating hazards.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
May 2 & June 6, 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.
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King County Comprehensive Plan update
The GMVUAC testified at the King County Council’s Committee of the Whole public hearing in Ravensdale on April 6. Major points included: concerns with marijuana operations and facilities sited in rural area residential neighborhoods; the need for a transportation concurrency enforcement mechanism; and support for the Executive’s proposed elimination of the Reserve Silica Demonstration Project.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area
Fall City Community Association meeting
May 13, 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.
Raging River Quarry public meeting
The operators of the Raging River Quarry in Fall City host a
community meeting on a proposed quarry expansion, May 4 at 5 p.m. at the Preston Community Center. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the community meeting and may also be submitted by
email
or regular mail. For more information, email
Fred White, Site Development Specialist at King County’s Department of Permitting and Environmental Review, or call 206-477-0363.
Southeast King County Area
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
April 27 & May 25, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. 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
2016 Vashon-Maury Island Community Service Area Plan Update
Vashon-Maury Island is the first of King County’s seven CSAs to develop a CSA Plan under the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review’s renewed long-range planning program. Approximately 40 islanders attended a March 17 kick-off event to discuss and comment on the island’s needs and long-term goals related to housing, open space, and transportation, among other topics. King County staff and a 15-member Community Advisory Group of local volunteers are meeting regularly to identify key objectives and actions for the 20-year plan. All meetings are open to the public and other opportunities to give feedback are being scheduled for May, June and July. For more information, visit the
website, email
Bradley Clark, Subarea Planner, or call 206-477-2449.
CSA Vashon Days
May 16, 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 206-351-8071, for more information.
West King County Area
Alajawan’s Hands Community Family Reunion
April 29, 6:01 p.m., at the Grocery Outlet Bargain Store, 11656 68th Avenue S. in Skyway. Open to the public. Music and food and raffle prizes. An annual event hosted by the Alajawan’s Hands Foundation to commemorate Alajawan Brown, who died April 29, 2010 at the age of 12.
White Center drainage work reminder
From April 25 through June 30, crews will replace the drainage system on
SW 104th Street
between 14th Avenue SW and 17th Avenue SW in White Center. Expect delays and lane restrictions with periodic road closures.
West Hill Now!
Renton Schools District recently kicked off a new initiative called West Hill Now! to work to dramatically increase student achievement at the three West Hill/Skyway schools. Staff from the schools have been meeting to discuss plans and ideas that could be implemented at their individual school to strengthen instruction and improve student achievement. Visit the
website
to learn more about the initiative.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
May 5, 7 - 9 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District Training Center, 1243 SW 112th Street in Seattle. This all-volunteer community group hosts a monthly meeting to discuss local issues, including land use, public safety and human services issues. Open to the public. Check the
North Highline UAC website
for details, or email
Barbara Dobkin.
West Hill Business Association meeting
May 17, 9 a.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S 126th St., in Seattle. For more information contact Chuck Vitiritti at 206-818-9478.
West Hill Community Association Board meeting
May 11, 7-9 p.m. at the Skyway Fire District 20, 12417 76th Ave. So. in Seattle. This all-volunteer, community group, hosts a monthly meeting to discuss local issues, including land use, public safety and human services issues. Open to the public. Check the
West Hill Community Association website
or
Facebook
for details. For more information contact
Bill Bowden
or
Sonja Bowden.
If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact
Alan Painter
or call 206-477-4521.
