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

Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meeting

Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meetings provide an ongoing forum for area residents and King County Solid Waste Division staff to discuss conditions and activities at the landfill. The next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 7-9 p.m. at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah. For more information, call 206-296-4490, TTY Relay: 711 or visit the website.

King County flood survey

King County is surveying residents to help improve river management actions on County rivers. If you are interested in recreation, flooding and safety on major County rivers, please take the online survey.

News

Unincorporated area public engagement framework process

The County is meeting with the six Unincorporated Area Councils in October to solicit input as part of the unincorporated area public engagement framework process. This process will create community service areas to provide opportunities for public engagement by all residents of the County’s unincorporated areas. More information on public engagement and input into the development of this process will be provided in the November unincorporated area newsletter. For additional information, contact Julia Larson at julia.larson@kingcounty.gov.

2012 King County Comprehensive Plan

The 2012 King County Comprehensive Plan draft document is out for public review. The document can be accessed on the Department of Development and Environmental Services website. Project manager Paul Reitenbach will discuss the draft with the Upper Bear Creek UAC in October and with the other five UAC's in November. For more information, email paul.reitenbach@kingcounty.gov.

Reform of funding for rural roads urged as County proposes new maintenance priorities

Executive Dow Constantine recently highlighted inequities in funding for maintenance of the 1,600-mile County road system, and urged reform at the state level. “Two-hundred fifty-thousand residents of unincorporated King County are paying for a roads system used by about two million. It’s a system that hasn’t been revisited in the last 25 years, and it no longer works,” he said, in proposing new priorities that triage funds for road maintenance. Major arterials would be maintained at current and even higher levels. Roads that are used far less would receive less care.

Solid waste disposal fee increase set for 2012

King County’s solid waste disposal fees are going up effective Jan. 1, 2012. The new fees were approved for 2012 only and are for garbage only. The average residential customer who puts out one container of garbage per week for curbside collection is likely to see an increase of about 82 cents per month in their garbage bill. For more information, call 206-296-4466, TTY Relay: 711 or visit the website.

Take Winter by Storm

Are you ready for a “double dip” La Niña? Don’t get caught unprepared! Join King County and its partners around Puget Sound to “Take Winter by Storm.” Get tips on preparing for winter’s cold, wet and windy weather by visiting the website. If you live along one of King County’s many rivers, sign up for flood alerts.

Stormy weather ahead, sign up for alerts

Fall and winter storms often disrupt travel with delayed traffic and closed roads. Stay in the know by signing up for King County Road Alerts and Metro Transit Alerts. And don’t forget to check conditions before you travel.

Getting around during viaduct construction

King County, the City of Seattle, WSDOT, Metro, Sound Transit and the Port of Seattle are urging people to help reduce congestion on and around the Alaskan Way Viaduct by leaving your car at home during the Oct. 21-31 closure. Fewer vehicles on the roadways help everyone travel more quickly and smoothly. For more information about getting around during the nine-day closure and the ongoing viaduct construction, please visit the website.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month – know the warning signs

One in five Washington women has been injured by domestic violence sometime in her lifetime. Every day, three women in America are killed by their current or former partner. Do you know the warning signs of domestic violence? To learn more, including how to help a victim or how to get help for yourself, visit the website.

Flu vaccine

Get a free flu vaccine and keep yourself and your family healthy this winter! Join us for a free flu vaccine clinic on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Tukwila Community Center. Flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu. For more information, visit the website.

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 downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The Fair Housing Basics workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1-3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials, in print and CD format. For details and directions, visit the website. Space is limited and advance registration is required – call 206-296-7592.

Property tax payments due

If you pay your property taxes yourself, rather than through your mortgage lender, your payment for the second half of 2011 is due to the County Treasury office no later than Oct. 31. Payments made or postmarked after this date are subject to additional charges. Payments can be made by mail, in person at the Treasury office, 500 Fourth Ave., 6th Floor, Seattle, at a King County Community Service Centers or online (additional fees apply to e-check and credit card transactions).

Haunted fun at the King County Aquatic Center

Join in the fun Halloween happenings at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on Friday, Oct. 28. There will be two swims starting at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., canoe rides, a costume contest and much more! For more information and photos from last year’s event, visit the Parks Plog.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Come find your canine companion at the King County Pet Adoption Center in Kent! We also have lots of cuddly cats available. Through Oct. 31, adoption fees for cats are just $30, and $75 for kittens. See all of our available pets online or call us at 206-296-PETS (7387).

Community news

Four Creeks

Four Creeks UAC member election

The Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council will hold its member election at the Nov. 16 UAC meeting. For more information, visit website.

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Oct. 19, 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)
GMVUAC members, along with many members of the public, testified at the Growth Management Planning Council’s Sept. 21 meeting on the suitability of placement of schools in the rural area that primarily serve adjacent urban development. It was decided a task force would be created to provide recommendations by February 2012. The GMVUAC remains concerned urban-serving schools sited in the rural area put pressure on rural infrastructure, such as roads, and serve as an epicenter for further development.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

Nov. 7 & Dec. 5, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, SE 231st & Hwy 169 in Maple Valley

North Highline

North Highline Unincorportated Area Council meeting

Nov. 3, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

Upper Bear Creek Community Council general meeting

Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. at Woodinville Water District Office, 17238 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd. in Woodinville.

Vashon

Hunting on Island Center Forest

King County Parks has authorized a pilot project for a special recreation activity at Island Center Forest on Vashon Island to allow the discharge of certain firearms for the purpose of deer hunting for a 17-day period from Oct. 15-31. The forest will be closed to all other uses during this time for safety purposes. More information can be found on the online.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council general meeting

Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board meeting

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

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

Oct. 12, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. in Seattle

West Hill Community Council Quarterly meeting

Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW Post 9430, 7421 S 126th St. 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.