September 2016

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.

Learn what King County is working on in your community The Community Service Areas (CSA) website includes descriptions of King County projects underway or planned for 2016 and 2017, in the seven unincorporated CSAs. Each work plan details the projects being planned and identifies the County staff contact for the project.

Engage with King County

The future of surface water management, services and fees

Learn more about what King County is doing to protect water quality through pollution prevention programs and what future needs are in the face of the county’s rapid growth and development. Representatives from King County’s Stormwater Management Program will offer remarks and answer questions about stormwater services and fees at the Greater Maple Valley Area Council Meeting on Sept. 12; Four Creeks Unincorporated Area meeting on Sept. 21; Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting on Sept. 27; and the Green Valley/Lake Homes Association meeting on Oct. 26.

Community Services Area (CSA) grant application period opens soon

The 2017 funding application opportunity for community organizations in unincorporated King County will begin in September. Once again, $60,000 will be available to organizations throughout unincorporated King County to support local community building initiatives. Local organizations will have a couple of months to identify potential projects and apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support local initiatives through King County’s CSA Program. Information listing past awardees and the criteria used for this year’s funding is available on the website. Check back after Labor Day for the 2017 application.

New Facebook page for King County Transportation

Whether it’s your rural roads, the Water Taxi to Vashon, or bus service throughout the county, stay in touch via Facebook with what’s new at the King County Department of Transportation for the unincorporated areas.

News

King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan

King County has produced a draft of our first strategic plan for Equity and Social Justice. The draft plan is a blueprint for change that will guide our policies and decision-making, design and delivery of services, and workplace practices in order to advance equity and social justice within County government and in partnership with communities in our region.

Onsite sewage fee proposal withdrawn

A proposal for an Onsite Sewage System Operations and Maintenance Program and fee was withdrawn from Board of Health consideration in June. Public Health - Seattle & King County is currently identifying strategies for continuing core services within existing resources. For more information about onsite service system maintenance, please visit the website.

September is National Preparedness Month

Join others across the nation in preparing for seasonal emergencies and catastrophic disasters that could strike our region. It starts with having a family communication plan, basic survival supplies on hand to last several days, and knowing neighbors you can rely on to help out during a crisis. Don’t wait. Get ready now. Find tips and checklists on the website.

Wastemobile is coming to Covington

Wondering what to do with your fluorescent light bulbs, oil-based paint and old pesticides? You can bring these and many other types of hazardous waste to the Wastemobile Sept. 9-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fred Meyer, 16735 SE 272nd St. in Covington.

King County’s ‘Repair Time’

The King County EcoConsumer public outreach program has launched repair groups and events in King County, where people can bring small household items and clothing. Our experienced all-purpose fixers and sewing fixers will work on them, and can help you learn repair too.

Are you registered to vote?

It’s easy! Visit King County Elections’ website by Oct. 10 to register for the November General Election. Voting materials are now available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese – visit the website to change your language preference.

New 24/7 Road Helpline

The King County Road Services 24/7 Road Helpline number has changed from 206-296-8100 to 206-477-8100. The change is due to a phone system upgrade that’s more cost effective and modern. The 1-800-KC-Roads or 1-800-527-6237 will not change.

Top Biking Trails

The Sammamish River Trail and Snoqualmie Valley Trail ranked first and third in Seattle Magazine's "Top Biking Trails," in the dedicated pathways category.

Forest stewardship planning class

This eight-week-long forestry class will help you get the most out of your land. As part of this class we will “coach” you in the writing of your own simple forestry plan that may qualify you for property tax reductions or conservation cost-share grants.

Community Service Area news

Bear Creek/Sammamish Area

Upper Bear Creek Community Council

Sept. 27, 7-9 p.m. at the Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd NE, in Woodinville. Representatives from King County’s Stormwater Management Program will offer remarks and answer questions about stormwater services and fees. 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

Fantastic Fly-In

On Saturday, Aug. 27 spectators will gather at the Tiger Mountain Landing Zone near the Chirico Trailhead (Poo Poo Point) along Issaquah Hobart Road to witness the spectacle of costumed paragliders taking to the skies. Food trucks will be on site along with a beer garden. Visit the website for more information.

Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage

Aug.22 & Sept. 26, 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
Sept. 21, 7 - 9 p.m., at Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78, 20720 SE May Valley Rd. in Issaquah. Representatives from King County’s Stormwater Management Program will offer remarks and answer questions about stormwater services and fees. Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for the latest information.

Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

Sept. 12 & Oct. 3, 7 - 9:30 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley. The September meeting will feature two guest speakers: Christine Jensen, King County Council Staff Principal Legislative Analyst, who will discuss King County Council’s review and changes to the King County Comprehensive Plan update; and John Taylor, Assistant Director of the Water & Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks, who will discuss surface water management fees. Check the Greater Maple Valley UAC website for details.

These items submitted by the GMVUAC.

Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area

King County Parks Play Area Rehabilitation Program update

The playground at Tolt-MacDonald Park is closed for rehabilitation and is expected to reopen at the end of September. These renovations are part of the King County Parks levy funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program. Follow the Parks Plog for construction updates.

Tolt-MacDonald Barn Painting

Repairs and replacement of damaged siding and re-painting of the Tolt Barn are planned for mid-September through mid-November. The repairs will begin following the Beat the Blerch event.

Raging River Quarry public comment

The Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) is conducting a periodic review of the Cherry Valley Pit at Raging River Quarry in Issaquah. DPER invites comments from the public on the ability of this site to meet grading permit conditions and operate the pit in an environmentally responsible manner. Comments must be received by 4 p.m., on Sept. 12, at DPER, Resource Products Section, ATTN: Fred White, 35030 SE Douglas St., Suite 210, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. For more information on this proposed project, email Fred White, Site Development Specialist or call 206-477-0363.

Fall City Community Association meeting

Sept. 9, 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.

Southeast King County Area

Berrydale overcrossing temporarily closed for repairs

From Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m. to Friday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m., the Berrydale Overcrossing near Auburn and Black Diamond will close for bridge repairs. The Berrydale Overcrossing is located on Kent Black Diamond Road Southeast, about a half mile south of State Route 18.

Green Valley/Lake Holm Association

Aug. 31 & Sept. 28, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. Agenda items for the August meeting include planning for the fall community meeting and committee updates on transportation, environmental, and safety issues. Open to the public. The September meeting will include representatives from King County’s Stormwater Management Program will offer remarks and answer questions about stormwater services and fees. 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

Speed limit reduction planned for section of Vashon Highway Southweste

After receiving public comments about unsafe speeding on Vashon Highway Southwest and requests to reduce the area’s speed limit, the County conducted a speed limit evaluation. The County concluded that a speed limit reduction is justified from 50 to 45 mph between Burma Road Southwest and 1,300 feet north of Southwest 156th Street.

CSA Vashon Days

Sept. 6, 1 - 6 p.m. at the Vashon Community Service Center, 10011 SW Bank Rd. on Vashon. Bong Sto. Domingo, CSA staff, will be at the center to assist islanders with resources and information. Please email Bong Sto. Domingo or call 206-351-8071, for more information.

West King County Area

Cine en el Parque celebrates diversity at one of King County’s most beloved parks

Families had a blast at King County’s second-annual Cine en el Parque, Spanish-language outdoor movie night, at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center on Aug. 6. King County screened the box office hit and animated Mexican film, “Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos” onto a 40-foot-tall inflatable movie screen that turned the park into a spectacular outdoor cinema under the stars.

Fairwood is Turning 50!

You’re invited to join the fun! King County Parks and Councilmember Reagan Dunn have teamed up to host a free day-long festival on Aug. 27 at Petrovitsky Park in honor of the community of Fairwood’s 50th anniversary. We have a long list of activities and events that the whole family will love. Check out our blog for more information.

Big Finn Hill Playground

The playground is expected to close for construction for two months, beginning the week of Sept. 12. Follow the Parks Plog for construction updates. These projects are funded in part by the voter-approved 2014-2019 King County Parks, Trail and Open Space Replacement Levy. Thank you for your support!

Fairwood Greens Homeowners Association concert

The last Concert in the Park of the season is set for Sunday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. at Allen Park on 145th Avenue Southeast in Fairwood.

Part of Green River Road temporarily closed for repairs

A 500 foot section of Green River Road is closed for repairs south of 94th Place South. Work is scheduled to finish by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29.

Alajawan Brown Foundation’s annual Backpack and School Supplies Give-away

Aug. 27, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. at the King County Fire District 20 Training Center, 12424 76th Ave S, in Seattle. Backpacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies lasts. Children must be present to receive a backpack. Open to the public. For more information, visit the website.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Sept. 1, 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.

Skyway Solutions

Sept. 6, 5:30 - 8 p.m. at 13470 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, in Seattle. Skyway Solutions holds it monthly board meeting on the first Tuesday of each month.

West Hill Community Association Board meeting

Sept. 14, 7-9 p.m. at the Skyway Fire District 20, 12417 76th Ave. So. in Seattle. Monthly board meeting of residents in West Hill, often features guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. Open to the public. Check the West Hill Community Association website or Facebook for details. For more information contact Bill Bowden or Sonja Bowden.

West Hill Business Association meeting

Sept. 20, 9 a.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S 126th St., in Seattle. A monthly meeting of the business community of West Hill. Open to the public. For more information contact Cynthia Lamothe.

White Center Chamber of Commerce meetng

Sept. 13, 6 - 8:30 p.m., Sky’s Barbershop, 9650 16th Ave. SW, in Seattle. The White Center Chamber of Commerce promotes businesses and community organizations in White Center. Open to the public. For more information email Bobby Beeman or call 206-444-0844.