December 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

Open space conservation public meetings

Join us at an upcoming meeting to learn more about potential future open space conservation work. Meetings will be held on Nov. 29 at the Carnation Library, 4804 Tolt Avenue in Carnation; Dec. 7 at the Douglass-Truth Library, 2300 E. Yesler Way in Seattle; and Dec. 12 at the Fairwood Library, 17009 – 140th Ave SE in Renton. All meetings run from 6-7:15 p.m., and will include a presentation about open space conservation, followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion about potential strategies for protecting lands with high conservation value. For more information visit the website, email Ingrid Lundin or call 206-477-4578.

Black Diamond Area Stewardship Planning and public meeting

King County Parks is developing a stewardship plan for three open spaces in the Black Diamond area, including Black Diamond Open Space, Ravensdale Retreat Natural Area and Henry’s Ridge Open Space. The focus of the plan will be forest health and include some recommendations for public use. A public meeting will be held on Nov. 30, from 6-8:30 p.m., in the Commons at Tahoma Junior High School, 25600 SE Summit Landsburg Rd. in Ravensdale. For more information about the stewardship planning process, upcoming meetings and a link to sign up for updates, visit the project website.

More Trails, Less Traffic

Ever experience congestion and parking problems at trailheads when you go hiking at parks like Cougar Mountain or Mount Si? King County Parks is gathering input as part of a project to look at new ways to provide access to and reduce the use of personal vehicles at some of the most popular trailheads along the I-90 corridor. Take the survey  by Dec. 3, and be entered in drawing for a backcountry backpack! For more information on this project, visit the Plog.

Volunteer with King County Parks

In 2015, volunteers contributed more than 70,000 hours of service in King County’s parks and trails. These dedicated volunteers play an important role in stewarding King County Parks’ 28,000 acres of open space. Check out the latest volunteer newsletter for a schedule of upcoming volunteer events. You can sign-up to receive this volunteer newsletter by entering your email address on the subscriber page.

News

King County's 2017-18 budget approved by Council

The Metropolitan King County Council approved the 2017– 2018 biennial budget on Nov. 14. The budget, as approved by the Council, preserves the Air Support and Marine units in the Sheriff’s office and increases the number of deputies who will be serving unincorporated King County. The budget also creates a new program for recreational activities in unincorporated King County as well as increases investments in Metro Transit, human and homeless services, and other important programs. New resources are also available to support several parks in unincorporated King County.

Green to Cedar Rivers Trail Development Moving Ahead

Connecting the Cedar River and Green River in south King County, the full, 11-mile trail is set to be developed as a paved, shared-use regional trail to accommodate a variety of users. While the project experienced delays over the past year, King County Parks is moving forward with this important trail project and is currently selecting a design team for the north segment of the trail. Parks anticipates the design process to start at the beginning of 2017. Sign up for project updates!

Improving water quality by studying Issaquah Creek bacteria sources

King County stormwater engineers and scientists in bright orange vests and official vehicles will be working in the public right of way to collect water samples to find and identify sources of bacteria pollution in the Issaquah Creek watershed. Mapping staff will be in the area through 2017 and the sampling work by water quality field staff will be timed for rainy days when runoff can be collected. Learn more by reading the news release. Call 206-477-4811, if you see drainage or water quality problems like manure or pet waste.

Got giant pools of standing water?

The Neighborhood Drainage Assistance Program helps with flooding and drainage problems affecting private property in unincorporated King County. For help, call the Stormwater Section’s Drainage and Water Quality Complaint line at 206-477-4811 or report a problem online.

Hazardous waste

Clear out your clutter before the holidays and take your hazardous waste to one of our disposal facilities. Not sure what you can take?

Family Access Membership Program

Pacific Science Center aims to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Now, families that are on any form of Government assistance can purchase a specially priced Family Access Membership. For $19 a year, you and your family can take part in all the rich experiences that Pacific Science Center has to offer including free admission to permanent exhibits, free Member preview days, discounts on popular programs such as Camps for Curious Minds and free IMAX documentary movie tickets.

LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil returns to Marymoor Park

LUZIA  is a poetic and acrobatic ode to the rich and vibrant culture of Mexico. Like in a waking dream, LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul. Opens March 30, under the Big Top, at King County’s Marymoor Park. Tickets are on sale via the event website.

Seeking Volunteer Campground Host at Tolt-MacDonald Park

King County Parks is seeking applications for a Volunteer Campground Host at Tolt-MacDonald Park and Campground in Carnation for the 2017 season starting March 1 through Oct. 31. Campground host must reside in the campground and use their own RV. The site will be provided and includes electrical, water and sewer services. To learn more about the duties and to apply, contact the Parks District Maintenance Coordinator for the park, Mark Thiery at 206-296-2758.

Inside Transportation blog

Get the big picture on our work to advance mobility for the region, including in the unincorporated areas. Subscribe now to Inside Transportation, the new blog for the King County Department of Transportation.

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)

Public Health has received a lot of calls and questions about AFM, which is an unusual syndrome that has caused paralysis and other symptoms in people of different ages. It can be a serious illness, though thankfully it’s uncommon. Public Health’s Health Officer, Dr. Jeff Duchin, has provided information about what you should know about AFM and why healthcare providers do not believe that vaccines are the cause of AFM.

Public Health investigates rare bacterial infection associated with raw seafood

After a King County woman was diagnosed with a rare and sometimes fatal bacterial infection called Vibrio vulnificus, public health officials are investigating the possibility that the bacteria came from tilapia fish purchased locally. Public Health cautions anyone who has come into contact with raw fish to seek medical care if they develop symptoms of infection. Read the press release to learn more.

Syphilis on the rise

Essential public health work includes preventing the spread of new and more familiar communicable diseases. One disease that is well known to the human family is syphilis, which is on the rise here in King County. Learn more about this dangerous infection at the Public Health Insider.

Community Service Area news

Bear Creek/Sammamish Area

Northeast Woodinville Duvall Road

Traffic signal improvement work has started along Northeast Woodinville Duvall Road between 171st Place Northeast and West Snoqualmie Valley Road Northeast and is expected to finish March 3. Crews are installing signal controller cabinets, fiber optic connections, data collection stations and cameras to help reduce travel times, and provide traveler information to the public. During this construction, there may be temporary one-lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., so motorists should expect delays.

Upper Bear Creek Community Council

For more information about the community council, visit the Upper Bear Creek Community Council website or the the Upper Bear Creek Facebook page.

CSA Day

Dec. 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd. NE in Woodinville. Marissa Alegria, CSA program representative, will be available to meet with the community. Please contact Marissa Alegria, for more information.

Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings

Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for the latest information.

Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage

Nov. 28, 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.

Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

Dec. 5, 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. Guest Speaker, Dwight Dively, King County Executive’s Office Director of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, will discuss the recently approved 2017-2018 King County Budget.

Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area

Tolt-MacDonald Park barn painting update

Damaged siding on the barn at Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation is being removed and replaced and structural elements damaged by water have been repaired. Window repair and replacement, trim and painting will continue through November. The roof replacement of the barn is planned for 2017. The barn will remain closed during repairs and is expected to reopen next summer.

Flood risk reduction meeting for the South Fork Snoqualmie River

The King County Flood District is hosting a public meeting on Dec. 1, from 6-8:30  p.m. at Sallal Grange Hall, 12912 432 Ave SE in North Bend, to discuss strategies and projects being considered to reduce flood risk on the South Fork Snoqualmie River. Please come provide your thoughts and feedback on appropriate actions and strategies.

Concerned about Tolt River flooding?

The King County Flood Control District is hosting a public meeting on Dec. 12, from 6:30-8:45 p.m. in the Tolt Middle School Commons Room, 3740 Tolt Avenue in Carnation, to discuss current flood and erosion conditions along the Tolt River and proposed solutions to reduce risks and restore habitat. Please attend this important meeting and share your questions and feedback. For more information, please visit the project website.

Fall City Community Association meeting

Dec. 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

Green Valley/Lake Holm Association

Nov. 30 & Jan. 25, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. Agenda items include committee updates on transportation, environmental, and safety issues. Open to the public. For more information, or to subscribe to our mailing list, email the Green Valley/Lake Holm Association. Follow us on Twitter.

Vashon/Maury Island Area

Vashon-Maury Island Community Service Area Planning continues

Development of the 20-year Vashon-Maury Island Community Service Area Plan is underway. For more information, visit the website, email Bradley Clarkor call 206-477-2449.

Vashon Social Services Network

Dec. 6, 9 - 11 a.m. at J.G. Commons, 17300 96th Place Southwest, on Vashon. Monthly meeting of human and social services providers on Vashon-Maury Island. Open to the public. For more information, visit the website.

CSA Vashon Days

Dec. 6, 1 - 6 p.m. at the Vashon Community Service Center, 10011 SW Bank Rd. on Vashon. Come meet your Community Service Areas representative, Bong Sto. Domingo. He'll open the community center to provide information and resources to residents of the island. To make an appointment email Bong Sto. Domingo, or call 206-351-8071.

West King County Area

Alajawan's Table Thanksgiving Dinner

Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.- at the Renton Secondary Learning Center, 7800 S 132nd St. in Seattle. Turkey dinner for West Hill community! Open to the public. For more information, visit the website or contact Ayanna Brown at 425-208-6236 or 425-213-0127.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Dec. 1, 7 - 9 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District Training Center, 1243 SW 112th Street in Seattle. Monthly meeting of North Highline's volunteer community council. The council provides leadership in promoting, resolving and discussing community needs. For more information, check the North Highline UAC website or contact Liz Giba.

Skyway Solutions board meeting

Dec. 6, 5:30 - 8 p.m. at 13470 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, in Seattle. A community based organization whose mission is to promote community-building, equitable development and neighborhood revitalization. Monthly board meeting of the board. Open to the public. For more information, vist the Skyway Solutions website or contact Michael Majeed.

White Center Shelter Planning

King County continues to work with the White Center community on planning for a homeless shelter to assist people in the area who are currently sleeping outside.  A workgroup, including representatives from the White Center Community Development Association, White Center Chamber of Commerce, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council and others are continuing to meet. Updates will be posted on the website.

West Hill Community Association Board meeting

Dec. 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 Sonja Bowden.

West Hill Business Association meeting

Dec. 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.