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

Comment on the future of farming

The King County Agriculture Commission has set a Sept. 23 meeting at Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main St., from 7-9 p.m., to share with farmers and the broader community what they have found to be the highest priority challenges facing the county’s farmers. The meeting is also a great opportunity for the public to provide their input. To read the FARMS report, visit the website.

Have a voice in King County's human services planning

King County has several citizen advisory boards that are recruiting now to fill vacancies on boards that discuss mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, veterans’ needs, women's issues, aging, developmental disabilities and regional human services. Each plays a vital role in the development of programs, policies, services, funding and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit the website or e-mail sherry.hamilton@kingcounty.gov.

Volunteer with King County Parks

Join thousands of volunteers at the United Way of King County’s annual Day of Caring, Sept. 24. Volunteer events will take place at parks throughout the county. Contact the King County Parks volunteer program to sign up.

Training Opportunity: Public Records Act Compliance

To facilitate open and transparent governance, Unincorporated Area Councils (UAC) must comply with the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act. Not sure what this means for your UAC? King County will provide training and information at your request. Please contact Lauren Smith, Unincorporated Area Relations Manager, at 206-263-9606.

News

Burn ban in effect for King County

A countywide Phase 1 burn ban is in effect through Sept. 30.

Fire safety tips for rural homeowners

For homeowners near forests, here are some tips about fire prevention, fire-safe landscaping techniques, and how to plan out your safe response to a fire.

Back-to-school safety on county roads

The King County Road Services Division stresses safety on local roads as students head back to school this month. The Road Division recently completed traffic safety projects in seven local school districts to help keep children safe as they walk or bike to school.

Immunization program

Fall is a great time to make sure you and your children are up-to-date on routine immunizations. Learn more about immunizations and keep your children and family safe from preventable diseases like whooping cough, measles and more.

Watch for state road project near Fall City

Please allow extra time if you plan to take State Route 202 over Tokul Creek between Fall City and Snoqualmie in September. Washington State Department of Transportation crews are closing one lane for an emergency repair project under the bridge. Expect traffic delays.

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

The King County Aquatic Center opens Sept. 7 following a month of scheduled maintenance, including draining the pools and repairing bulkheads, liners and plumbing, improving the locker rooms and painting.

Healthy trees, lower taxes

WSU Forest Stewardship classes help small woodland owners maintain healthy forests and reduce property taxes. Classes run Tuesday evenings from Sept. 21 to Nov. 16 at the Preston Community Center and cost $175 per family or ownership. The classes are co-sponsored by WRIA 7 Salmon Forum and King County.

Free-range farm adventures on Vashon Island and the Snoqualmie Valley

The annual harvest celebration farm tours in King County will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 25 in the Snoqualmie Valley and Sept. 26 on Vashon. Farm tours provide fun for the whole family, a chance to learn more about where our food comes from and how our farmers help steward the land and natural resources.

Free fair housing workshop

The King County Office of Civil Rights and other fair housing agencies are hosting a "Fair Housing Jeopardy" workshop on Sept. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Maynard Room on the second floor of the King County Administration Building, 500 4th Ave., Seattle. Advance registration is required: call 206-296-7592. For details and directions, visit the website.

Adopt a pet

Meet adoptable cats and dogs at the “Super Pet Adopt-a-thon: Dog Daze and Feline Fantasies” adoption event on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Kent Station mall from noon to 5 p.m. Meet adoptable pets, watch pet competitions and obedience sports, contests, costumes and the Kent Station Pet Parade. Plenty of cats and dogs are also waiting for their forever home at the King County Animal Shelter in Kent. For more information, visit the website or call 206-296-PETS.

Regional Animal Services pet licensing information posted online

A new Regional Animal Services model took effect earlier this year in 27 contracting cities and unincorporated King County for animal sheltering and field services. If you live in the service area, there is an amnesty period until Oct. 1 to license your pet without penalty. After Oct. 1, a no-tolerance pet license fine goes into effect for unlicensed pets. Learn more by visiting the pet licensing information website.

Pay property taxes quickly and easily online by Nov. 1

For those taxpayers who pay their property taxes themselves rather than through a mortgage lender, please remember that your second-half 2010 tax payment is due or must be postmarked to the County’s Treasury office on or prior to Nov. 1 to avoid interest and penalty charges. Because the last day of October falls on a Sunday this year, the deadline for payment has been extended to Monday, Nov. 1. Residents who do not want to mail a check or visit a Community Service Center have the option to pay online quickly and conveniently from their own computer.

Incentives for green construction

DDES, in partnership with the King County Solid Waste Division and the Master Builders Association, encourages prospective permit customers to consider green construction techniques before designing a new home. DDES offers permit processing incentives for certified green building projects and has a display with free literature in its Renton Permit Center.

DDES inspectors protecting waterways during the rainy season

Monitoring erosion and sediment control measures or preventing muddy, silty runoff from leaving construction sites and leaching into streams and other waterways is a major responsibility for DDES building and land use inspectors during the rainy months in unincorporated King County. For more information, visit the website or contact Chris Ricketts at 206-296-6750.

Tobacco Prevention Program

Public Health – Seattle & King County and its partners are working to prevent kids from starting tobacco use, help tobacco users quit for good, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and reach communities where tobacco use is the highest. The latest report shows that 11 percent of adults still smoke in King County. Although this is one of the lowest smoking rates in Washington, there’s still more work to be done. For more information, visit the website.

Community news

Four Creeks/May Valley

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Sept. 15, 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 GMVUAC has been actively involved for nearly a year in the proposed Master Planned Developments (MPDs) in Black Diamond through public hearing testimony, written statements, and support to nearby rural area citizens. On Aug. 24 the Black Diamond City Council approved the MPD applications with conditions. The GMVUAC still has concerns about these developments. For more information, please visit the GMVUAC website.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

Sept. 13 and Oct. 4, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

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

Upper Bear Creek

Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting

Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., Woodinville Water District Office, 17238 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd. in Woodinville

Vashon

Dockton Historical Interpretive Trail

The Friends of Dockton Park and the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association are hosting the grand opening of the Dockton Historical Interpretive Trail on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. A collaborative project funded in part by King County Parks’ Community Partnerships and Grants Program and 4Culture, the interpretive trail celebrates the community’s maritime heritage and the Croatian and Scandinavian immigrants that played a key role in Dockton’s history.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting

Sept. 20, 7 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

Sept. 8, 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 206-263-7146 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.