Showing posts with label king county council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label king county council. Show all posts

Dembowski issues statement on state Supreme Court decision on protecting King County’s rural lands

Friday, September 20, 2024

Rod Dembowski, King County Council
District 1
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, chair of the Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee, shared the following statement Thursday after the state Supreme Court issued a ruling in King County v. Friends of Sammamish Valley, a case centered on the use of rural lands in King County:

“Today, our Washington State Supreme Court issued an important decision relating to protecting King County's rural lands. 
"A few years ago, in a 5 to 4 vote, the County Council modified land use protections for these lands.
"I and three of my colleagues opposed the legislation because we felt it eroded longstanding protections for farmlands and rural communities in the county. 
"Today's Supreme Court decision makes clear that these changes were ill-advised.

“I've been disappointed that the County has litigated against advocates for our rural area, farmlands and the environmental community, and I hope that this decision gives us an opportunity to hit the reset button and return to the strong tradition in King County of protecting these special places.”

Rod Dembowski represents King County District 1 on the County Council. District 1 includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, and North Seattle



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Dembowski thanks Mary’s Place, welcomes Lake City Partners to reopen Northshore shelter with $675k in funding from King County budget

Friday, August 23, 2024

County Councilmember Rod Dembowski
Photo by Claudia Meadows

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski hosted representatives from the City of Kenmore and other partners to announce and welcome a new senior women’s shelter in what was formerly the Mary’s Place Northshore shelter in Kenmore.

Tom French mayor of Lake Forest Park with Rod Dembowski with gift from St. Mary’s Place recognizing his support over the years. Many attended from neighboring cities and North Shore Senior Center. Photo by Pat Deagen

The new senior women’s shelter, which will be operated by Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness, is possible thanks to $675,000 in funding secured by Dembowski in King County’s spring supplemental budget.

Mary’s Place CEO Dominique Alex
Photo by Claudia Meadows

Mary’s Place, which serves families experiencing homelessness, previously operated its Northshore shelter in the same location, a former King County Sheriff’s Office precinct building, but recently changed its model away from congregate shelter and decided to close their Kenmore location.

“Operating out of the county’s mothballed Kenmore precinct office, Mary’s Place has been a tremendous partner over the last seven years, welcoming over 500 families and nearly 1,000 children in our Northshore community and helping 191 families secure stable housing,” said Councilmember Rod Dembowski. 
“Unfortunately their move left virtually no emergency shelter space in North King County, so I went to work with City of Kenmore officials and Lake City Partners – which already successfully runs the Oaks shelter in Shoreline – to see if a new shelter could be opened in the Kenmore location. 
"We then worked to identify $675,000 in the county’s budget to fund this project and I was thrilled to host today’s announcement event.”

Lake City Partners immediately responded to the inquiry with a plan to re-open the facility as a senior women’s shelter to provide a safe place for women over the age of 60 currently experiencing homelessness. 

The goal is to provide the seniors services to facilitate their transition into permanent, shared housing in a period of under a year. To do so, the shelter will leverage Lake City Partner’s existing programs and relationships with local service providers to connect senior women with needed services, promote co-habitation skills, and help them transition into permanent housing.

William Towey, Executive Director of Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness
Photo by Claudia Meadows

“Lake City Partners are thrilled to be opening a Senior Women's Shelter program in Kenmore,” said William Towey, Executive Director of Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness. 
“One of our fastest growing subgroups of unsheltered clients are very low-income seniors. This new shelter program will provide a much-needed increase in capacity to our North King County homelessness response -- one that serves senior women, a particularly vulnerable subset of our unsheltered clients.”

The new shelter is anticipated to open by the end of 2024 and will have space for up to 35 senior women at a time.

Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig
Photo by Claudia Meadows

"After seven years of partnership with Mary's Place, we are excited to welcome Lake City Partners to the old police precinct,” said Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig. “They have worked in Kenmore before, and will ensure that the building continues to be used to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness."

At Wednesday’s announcement, Councilmember Dembowski hosted City of Kenmore officials, Mary’s Place CEO Dominique Alex, King County Council Budget Chair Girmay Zahilay, elected officials from throughout North King County, representatives from Lake City Partners and the North Urban Human Services Alliance, and King County’s Department of Community and Human Services Director Kelly Rider to thank Mary’s Place for its years of operating the shelter and to welcome Lake City Partners. Photo by Claudia Meadows


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King County Council approves $178 million supplemental budget, with funding to address housing, gun violence, traffic patrols, more

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

The King County Council on July 16, 2024 approved a $178 million supplemental budget, with funding for housing assistance, increased traffic patrols, addressing gun violence, food security, transportation and more.

Sponsored by Council Budget Chair Girmay Zahilay, it marks the third supplemental budget of the current budget cycle, with the council expected to take up a new full budget for 2025 this fall.

“My goals as Budget Chair are to ensure King County delivers the best possible services while abiding by smart budgeting principles that allow us to navigate a general fund shortfall and economic uncertainty,” Zahilay said. 
“I think our Council struck the right balance with this supplemental budget. We won’t be spending beyond our means, but we will also be supporting critical services and infrastructure projects that benefit residents of King County.
"We will be investing in public safety, housing, workforce development, and critical resources for our neighbors in need. I am grateful for the thoughtful proposals that initially came from Executive Constantine and his team, and for my colleagues and staff on the Council for their work in uplifting every corner of our region in this budget.”

Key council initiatives in the budget include:
  • Providing rental assistance to people on the verge of eviction
  • Housing for unhoused neighbors in East King County, North King County, and beyond
  • Supporting apprenticeship programs in Auburn and Federal Way
  • Increasing traffic patrols in rural King County
  • Addressing gun violence around the region
  • Investing in resources for survivors of sexual assault
  • Food security for seniors

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski commented:
“I want to thank Chair Zahilay for leading a transparent and collaborative supplemental budget process that focused on key priorities, making important investments while protecting our county’s fiscal health. 
"I’m thrilled that working together, we were able to secure funding to open a new senior women’s shelter in Kenmore and fund a study to re-connect the Interurban Trail at the King-Snohomish line.”

The budget also funds several other key initiatives, including:
  • $14 million for Metro Transit to test hydrogen fuel cell buses as a component of its zero-emission conversion
  • $12 million to the Climate Office for grant-funded work, including solar and heat pump programs and regional climate preparedness coordination
  • $73 million to implement the first year of the Doors Open Program
  • $5 million in funding from the state for transitional and long-term housing support for unsheltered, recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers
The full budget staff report and other documents can be found here.


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Councilmember Dembowski honored for his support in establishing the North King County Regional Crisis Response team

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

County Councilmember Rod Dembowski was presented with a plaque recognizing his support of the North King County Regional Crisis Team. From left: Bristol Ellington, Shoreline City Manager; Rod; Brook Buettner, RCR Executive Director; Kelly Park, Shoreline Police Chief.

County Councilmember Rod Dembowski spent a few hours in the field Tuesday night responding to calls with our North King County Regional Crisis Response team, seeing first hand how they work alongside law enforcement to bring a team approach of care and compassion to those in need.

RCR Social worker Emily, with Rod, and Shoreline Officer

"Huge gratitude to Emily and her Crisis Responder teammates, and our King County deputies for all that they do. 

"I was surprised and deeply touched to receive recognition for my early support in establishing the program. It’s one of things I’m most proud to have been involved with."

Shoreline Office Dallon with K9 Koda and Rod

"Koda was also on duty at the Shoreline precinct. He’s a good dog!"



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County Council approves new leadership, committee assignments for 2024

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

King County Councilmember
Rod Dembowski, Council District 1
The King County Council on Tuesday approved its reorganization motion, which sets out Council leadership and committee assignments for the year. 

Councilmember Dave Upthegrove will remain chair of the Council in 2024, while Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Girmay Zahilay will serve as vice chairs.

As part of the reorganization, the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee was split up into two committees – Law and Justice, and Health and Human Services.

Full committee assignments are listed below by member, including two new members – Teresa Mosqueda and Jorge L. Barón – who were sworn in on Tuesday as well:

Rod Dembowski, District 1 - Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, North Seattle, Kenmore, Bothell, Kirkland. 
  • Chair of Transportation, Economy and Environment; 
  • Vice Chair of Budget and Fiscal Management; 
  • member of Law and Justice, 
  • Committee of the Whole

  • Girmay Zahilay, District 2: Chair of Budget and Fiscal Management; Vice Chair of Full Council, Local Services and Land Use, Employment and Administration; member of Health and Human Services, Regional Policy and Committee of the Whole
  • Sarah Perry, District 3: Chair of Local Services and Land Use; Vice Chair of Health and Human Services; member of Budget and Fiscal Management and Committee of the Whole
  • Jorge L. Barón, District 4: Chair of Law and Justice; Vice Chair of Committee of the Whole; member of Budget and Fiscal Management, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Economy and Environment, Regional Transit
  • Dave Upthegrove, District 5: Chair of Full Council, Employment and Administration; Vice Chair of Government Accountability and Oversight; member of Committee of the Whole, Regional Transit, Regional Water Quality
  • Claudia Balducci, District 6: Chair of Committee of the Whole, Regional Water Quality; Vice Chair of Law and Justice; member of Budget and Fiscal Management, Transportation, Economy and Environment, Government Accountability and Oversight, Regional Policy
  • Pete von Reichbauer, District 7: Chair of Government Accountability and Oversight, Regional Policy; member of Committee of the Whole, Transportation, Economy and Environment, Employment and Administration
  • Teresa Mosqueda, District 8: Chair of Health and Human Services, Regional Transit; Vice Chair of Transportation, Economy and Environment; member of Budget and Fiscal Management, Committee of the Whole, Local Services and Land Use, Employment and Administration
  • Reagan Dunn, District 9: Vice Chair of Full Council; member of Law and Justice, Local Services and Land Use, Committee of the Whole, Government Accountability and Oversight, Regional Water Quality
More information about committees here.


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Neighbors celebrate installation of portable toilet at Aurora Village Transit Center

Monday, December 18, 2023

Echo Lake neighbors and members of the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association applaud the installation of an accessible, portable toilet at the Aurora Village Transit Center. Pat Deagen, project leader, is center with this arm raised. Photo by Claudia Meadows

Metro Transit oversaw the installation of an accessible, portable toilet at Aurora Village Transit Center, located on N 200th across from Echo Lake Park, on Monday December 11, 2023.

Travelers move through the center 24 hours a day. Many of these travelers transfer to and from Community Transit buses and others travel to Edmonds, or to Bothell Way and Lake Forest Park. Some have 20 minute layovers between buses. When the Lynnwood Link transit centers open in Mountlake Terrace and 185th, there will be even more riders.

Prior to Monday, there were no rest room facilities at the transit center. The nearby Portland Loo in Echo Lake Park was overwhelmed, requiring constant volunteer supervision and support from Shoreline city staff.

Just about everyone believes that restrooms in busy public places are a good idea, but it is not so easy to make them safe, clean and accessible.

With the assistance of County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association and project leader Pat Deagan called the issues with the transit center to the attention of a Metro spokesperson.

The residential neighborhood had asked for change from their transit station neighbor. With funding and support from Councilmember Dembowski, Metro repainted the station, improved regular cleaning, and is enforcing healthy riding rules on the bus and at the bus shelters with a security force on duty 24 hours.    

King County Metro has now made transit safer and healthier for riders and neighbors of the Aurora Village Transit Center. 

To accomplish this, Metro listened to and cooperated with the City of Shoreline, Echo Lake Neighborhood Association, and The Community Stakeholders of Aurora Village Transit Center, which is headed by volunteer Patrick Deagen. 

Thank you to all of the people at King County Metro for providing this necessary and important transit service.

--Claudia Meadows and Pat Deagen



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King County Council approves $782 million Doors Open levy for access to science, heritage, and the arts in King County

Sunday, December 17, 2023

On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, the King County Council unanimously passed a new levy that will provide nearly $800 million in projected funding for access to science, heritage and the arts in King County over the next seven years.

The Doors Open science, heritage and arts levy will fund equitable access, support programming in public schools, and increase tourism and revenue, and feed the workforce pipeline to the arts and culture sector through a 0.1% sales tax.

Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, the measure’s prime sponsor, said
“The Council’s overwhelming support speaks to the legislation’s countywide benefits and resounding focus on equity. 
"It will live up to its name by ensuring that new start-up organizations will receive opportunities for essential funding to open their doors, and that more than 500 arts, science, and heritage organizations will have the resources they need to keep their doors open.

“Beyond that, these organizations can now expand their partnerships and programs in underserved communities where they will reach youth, seniors, homeless populations, victims of trauma, memory care patients, public school students, and so many more, while opening new doors for our youth to inspire them for their future. 
 
Co-sponsored by Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Sarah Perry, the Doors Open program is part of a decade-plus long effort to provide stability and growth for the cultural sector, and it arrives at a critical moment following the dramatic economic impacts the pandemic had on the arts and culture community.

Through an average annual cost of $40 per family, the levy will help the arts and culture community not only rebound from pandemic cuts and closures – particularly in marginalized or otherwise disadvantaged communities – but flourish to new levels with more funding than has ever been spent through public programs in King County.

By comparison, 4Culture, the designated funding agency for Doors Open, had expenditures of roughly $16 million in 2021. The measure builds on similar successful initiatives adopted locally in Tacoma and nationally in Denver, CO.

A full 15% of Doors Open expenditures will go to public school students, where art and music programs are being cut to balance budgets. 

Annually, that’s at least $12 million to support partnerships, field trips, before- and after-school programs, transportation and admission costs, internships, free or discounted ticket programs and more.

Funding through the program will be dedicated to geographic equity, supporting the communities most hurt and isolated by the pandemic and its ongoing impacts, while also seeding new funding to grow additional cultural centers across King County.

Businesses rely on arts and culture organizations to drive tourism and revenue. The arts and culture sector accounts for 10.8% of the state’s gross domestic product, roughly $72.8 billion. Doors Open spending will provide a direct return on investment for the local economy.


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County council honors Marty Hartman upon her retirement from Mary's Place

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Marty Hartman and Rod Dembowski holding the proclamation

Rod Dembowski, with the rest of the King County Council, recognized Marty Hartman, Executive Director of Mary’s Place, for her inspirational leadership that has improved the lives and welfare of 1000s of King County residents.

Rod commented, "A dear friend and an incredible change-maker, I was so proud to lead today’s recognition of @MarysPlaceWA’s Marty Hartman, on her 24 years of building a place for women, children and families needing shelter. She’s a saint."

Mary's Place originally had small locations scattered around Shoreline. They were able to consolidate services with their move into the new Amazon corporate headquarters building. Under Marty's leadership, Mary's Place has an extraordinary history of providing shelter and services to thousands of homeless women and children throughout King county. 


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King county council recognizes Dan Evans for outstanding service to the State of Washington

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

King County Councilmembers and Executive Constantine honored former WA Governor and U.S. Senator Dan Evans, alongside his wife, Nancy, at a ceremony at the King County Courthouse.

On the day after his 98th birthday, the King County Council recognized former Senator and Governor Dan Evans for his many years of outstanding service to the State of Washington, both at home and in the other Washington.

"Today we live in an era of division at all levels of government, but when Dan served, he was a master of reaching across the aisle, working with two Democratic senators when he was governor and with a Democratic governor when he was a senator.

“Dan was also a groundbreaking legislator when it came to the environment,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who co-sponsored the Recognition. 

“In the early 1970s, when most politicians weren’t focused on the environment, Dan made Washington state a frontrunner in environmental protection. 

"From establishing the first, state-level ecology department in the United States and co-founding the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, to helping pass the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act and the 1988 Washington Park Wilderness Act when he was a United States Senator, Dan built an environmental ethos that still runs through our state today. 

"Dan took risks for the issues he believed in, even when they weren’t popular, and our state is eternally grateful he did.”

Dan Evans with Councilmember Rod Dembowski
Dan Evans has made a lifetime of public service. 

After serving in the Navy during the Korean War, Dan was elected to the Washington State legislature, where he was a state representative until running for governor in 1964. 

Dan served as Washington State Governor for three terms, from 1965 to 1977, and went on to serve as a U.S. Senator representing Washington state until 1988. 

Outside of his political career, Dan was active in education, presiding as President of the Evergreen State College, and serving 12 years as a regent at the University of Washington, which named its School of Public Affairs after him.

“There’s not been much of consequence that Dan Evans didn’t work on during his time in public office and in other work,” said co-sponsor of the Recognition Jeanne Kohl-Welles. 
“To me, he is a legend, a hero. A one of a kind who I can’t imagine being replaced. I was privileged to get to know him as a new legislator, in particular in sharing a love for and high priority for ensuring access to affordable, equitable, quality higher education.”


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King County Council honors American Idol winner

Thursday, July 20, 2023

King county councilmember with Iam Tongl

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the King County Council, recognized WILLIAM “IAM” GUY TONGI, of Federal Way in South King County for winning Season 21 of American Idol and for being a positive example of perseverance through adversity.

Tongi is the first Washington state resident and the first Hawaiian-born person to win the competition, a win that also coincided with Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage month.

Though born in Kahuku, Hawaii, Tongi and his family moved to Federal Way in 2019, where he graduated from Decatur High School.

Tongi and his family were in attendance for the recognition.


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King County Council approves sending renewal of Veterans, Seniors and Human Services levy to voters in August

Saturday, May 6, 2023


The King County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to send to voters a proposal to renew the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services levy for another six years. The current levy is set to expire at the end of 2023.

After the passage of the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy renewal proposal by the King County Council, Executive Dow Constantine issued the following statement:

"I want to thank the King County Council for endorsing this critical renewal today and look forward to voters having their say in August. 
"Through this levy, we can continue to meet veterans’ basic needs, build connections among seniors, and support housing affordability, healthy living, and financial stability across communities.”

The proposal would start out at the same levy rate of $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024, and would be projected to generate approximately $564.7 million during the six-year period. 

At that rate, the levy would cost an estimated $83.75 in property tax in 2024 to the owner of a median-valued home in King County (based on 2022 median value of $694,000).

With Tuesday’s approval by Council, the proposal will now be placed on the August ballot for King County voters.


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County councilmember in Washington D.C. to meet with legislators

Thursday, April 27, 2023

County Executive Dow Constantine, Senator Patty Murray, Councilmember Rod Dembowski
in Washington D.C.

County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, who represents District 1 on the King county council, is in Washington D.C. along with County Executive Dow Constantine to meet with Washington congressional representatives to discuss King county issues.

Rod said, "An honor to congratulate Senator Murray on 10,000 votes cast on behalf of Washingtonians. We are so fortunate to have her in the US Senate working for us."

Sen. Murray was recently named Senate pro tem, which places her fourth in line for the presidency, after the President, the Vice President, and the Speaker of the House.

Dembowski represents most of the cities in north King county.

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County Council pledges solidarity with women, girls, others protesting for freedom in Iran

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Councilmember Rod Dembowski (2nd from right) with Iranian women
Photo courtesy King County Council
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously recognized and proclaimed solidarity with protesters – particularly women and girls – in Iran who have taken to the streets following the September death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
 
“I am proud to stand with our local Iranian-American community and allies who support the unprecedented movement underway in Iran to support the fundamental human rights of the Iranian people — especially Iranian women and girls,” said Councilmember Rod Dembowski, who sponsored the recognition. 
“Our unanimous Council recognition honors the courageous leadership of the women and girls, and all citizens of Iran as they seek to have their fundamental human rights recognized and protected. We endorse their movement and it’s clarion call: Women, Life, Freedom.” 
 
Amini was in custody of Iran’s Guidance Patrol, its religious morality police, after she allegedly violated the country’s dress code for women by wearing a hijab improperly in public in Tehran. Reports suggested that, contrary to official state accounts, she died after a severe beating by police. Following her death, protests erupted in more than 80 cities, towns and villages across Iran, led largely by women and girls.
 
“My deepest appreciation to the King County Council and Councilmember Rod Dembowski for this resolution,” said Representative-Elect Darya Farivar. 
“I’m extremely proud to be the first Iranian American woman elected to the state legislature, overall, our first Middle Eastern woman, and I do not take this lightly. Come January I plan to introduce a similar resolution in the House, will fight for our community to have an institutionalized voice, and for our experiences to be counted.”


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King County Council 2023 reorganization

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

King County Council
King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove was on Tuesday selected by his peers to become the new Chair of the Council as members approved their annual reorganization for leadership roles.
“My priority will be to support and strengthen our democratic institutions and demonstrate that democracy can work,” Upthegrove said. “Our guiding value will be respect. This means respect for one another, for our exceptional staff, and for the people we serve.”
Upthegrove, 51, has represented South King County (District 5) on the King County Council since 2014. Upthegrove takes over from Councilmember Claudia Balducci, who held the position for the past three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the reorganization motion, Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Reagan Dunn were selected as Vice Chairs for Council.

Rod Dembowski, who represents Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, northeast Seattle, and parts of Bothell and Kirkland is chair of the Transportation committee and vice chair of Budget and Fiscal Management. 

Other committee leadership assignments include:
  • Committee of the Whole: Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Chair; Claudia Balducci, Vice Chair
  • Budget and Fiscal Management: Joe McDermott, Chair; Rod Dembowski, Vice Chair
  • Law, Justice, Health and Human Services: Girmay Zahilay, Chair; Sarah Perry, Vice Chair
  • Transportation, Economy and Environment: Rod Dembowski, Chair; Pete von Reichbauer, Vice Chair
  • Local Services and Land Use: Sarah Perry, Chair; Girmay Zahilay, Vice Chair
  • Government Accountability and Oversight: Pete von Reichbauer, Chair; Joe McDermott, Vice Chair
  • Employment and Administration: Dave Upthegrove, Chair; Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Vice Chair
  • Regional Policy Committee: Pete von Reichbauer, Chair
  • Regional Transportation Committee: Sarah Perry, Chair
  • Regional Water Quality Committee: Claudia Balducci, Chair
New leadership positions are effective January 1.


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King County Council budget clears committee and goes to full council Tuesday

Friday, November 11, 2022

The King County Council’s budget proposal on Thursday cleared its last hurdle before final approval when the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee approved the $16.4 billion proposal. 

Council’s budget commits millions more in funding to help human services providers hit hard by inflation, improve public safety on Metro transit, and invest in equitable pandemic recovery.

“Earlier this year, the Council committed to deliver a budget that helps the region recover and thrive by addressing the underlying inequities laid bare by this pandemic. That is what we’ve done today,” said Councilmember Joe McDermott, who has led the budget process as Chair of the budget committee. 

“Along with other key investments, the addition of the $35 million Equitable Recovery Initiative addressing the core challenges exacerbated by the pandemic – affordable housing, economic recovery, behavioral health needs and homelessness support – transforms the County budget into what we promised.”


Building on the strong initial proposal put forth by Executive Dow Constantine in September, councilmembers worked to ensure the budget added key funding for pandemic recovery, public safety, and human services. Some of council’s added provisions include:$35 million Equitable Recovery Initiative, including funding for supportive housing, homelessness support and behavioral health and economic recovery.

  • $6.2 million to safeguard against inflation increases for human services providers, including those providing homelessness, housing and gender-based violence services.
  • $3.6 million for Metro to serve riders now, improve rider experience, clean transit centers, enhance community safety and expand neighborhood engagement.
  • $950k funding for youth programs in detention centers: provide behavioral health, skill-building and safety-enhancing services and staffing for juveniles in detention, including a gang intervention specialist, community-led programming, group and individual therapy sessions, staff trainings and other behavioral health services.
  • $1.8 million in Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) programs including sexual assault and domestic violence services, art mental health therapy, Naloxone distribution, and RADAR.
  • $24.7 million in new capital investments, including the Little Saigon Community Center, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation Canoe House, Muslim American Youth Foundation Community Center, Children’s Home Society of Washington Resource Center, Fall City Community Center, Hanwoori Garden in Federal Way, and more.
  • $200k proviso to ensure progress on legal system backlog from COVID-19.

The budget proposal will now face a final vote at a meeting of the full county council at 1pm Tuesday, November 15, 2022.



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Shoreline Chamber of Commerce in person luncheon November 9 with King County Councilperson Rod Dembowski

Monday, October 31, 2022

King County Councilmember
Rod Dembowski
Shoreline Chamber of Commerce November IN PERSON Luncheon features King County Councilperson Rod Dembowski on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 11:30am - 1:00pm

The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce will be meeting in-person at Vault 177 (next to Spin Alley) 1430 NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline, WA 98177

Speaker: Rod Dembowski

Following a twelve year legal career at Foster Pepper, Rod was elected to the King County Council in 2013.

As Chair of the Mobility and Environment Committee, Rod led efforts to improve and expand service at Metro, clean up waterways, and protect open space. 

Rod has focused efforts to reduce disparities in health outcomes, fight cancer, and improve women’s health as past Board of Health Chair. In the fight against COVID-19, Rod’s focused his work on supporting those who have suffered the health and economic impacts of the virus, as well as expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Rod has passed several major initiatives including the Youth Action Plan, a nation-leading family leave program, ballot access laws, juvenile justice reforms, and a major veterans housing program. 

He has never missed a vote. In 2018 he was named Public Official of the Year by the Municipal League of King County.

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County Councilmembers Dembowski, Kohl-Welles to host virtual town hall October 11, 2022

Monday, October 3, 2022

Join King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski and Jeanne Kohl-Welles on Tuesday, October 11 from 6:30pm to 8pm for a virtual town hall focusing on King County’s 2023-2024 Biennial Budget. 

They will be joined by Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget to take an in-depth look at the Executive’s proposed biennial budget and take questions from the audience.

WHEN: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/2ghsHqBas

Virtual town hall, streaming on councilmember Dembowski's official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CouncilmemberRodDembowski

Or on councilmember Kohl-Wells' Facebook page

Submit questions here: https://forms.gle/Ae7FPz7Q9x3VyrV79

During the event, questions may also be submitted in the comment section of the stream.

Live captions will be enabled. For other questions, including about accessibility accommodations, please call 206-477-1001.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/townhall

Councilmember Dembowski represents the north end cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, NE Seattle, north Kirkland, Bothell in King county. Councilmember Kohl-Wells represents NE Seattle down to Belltown.



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County Council approves requirement for electric vehicle charging in new development

Sunday, August 28, 2022

When new development happens in unincorporated King County, much of it will now need to include charging stations for electric vehicles, a nod toward a future shifting away from fossil fuels and toward electric power.

The King County Council recently approved legislation adding requirements for much of new development in unincorporated King County to include charging stations and dedicated parking for electric vehicles. 

The legislation pushes toward one of the key goals of the Council’s Strategic Climate Action Plan.

Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles sponsored the legislation along with Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Rod Dembowski. 

“As electric vehicles become more common, affordable, and in-demand, this legislation will ensure that eco-friendly infrastructure exists in King County and that individuals are supported as they transition to more sustainable alternatives.”

Specifically, the legislation would require that new or substantially remodeled apartment buildings make 10% of parking spaces capable of charging electric vehicles (meaning they include all needed equipment to connect and charge) and 25% of spaces EV-ready (meaning the infrastructure is in place to install a charger at some future time).

"The pace of transportation electrification is growing exponentially,” said King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski. “This legislation is essential to build the infrastructure King County needs to lead the nation in decarbonizing our transportation network. As we are now seeing, our planet can't wait."

With a countywide target of having all light-duty vehicles sold by 2035 be electric, charging infrastructure is critical to making EVs accessible to more drivers.



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King County Council approves $5 million in funding for youth mental health

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The King County Council on Tuesday approved a proposal to allocate $5 million in Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) funds to help and support young people with mental and behavioral health conditions.

The measure was sponsored by King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Girmay Zahilay, and Reagan Dunn.

“It’s clear to any parent across this country and here in King County that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an existing youth mental health crisis,” Dembowski said. 

“Many of the necessary steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 disproportionately harmed our young people. We’ve seen drastic increases in suicides, attempted suicides, and mental-health related ER visits. I am proud that the Council acted and look forward to expeditiously getting these funds into the community to help our young people.”

The funding will be split into two main areas, both putting priority on youth services: $2 million will go to behavioral health providers with prioritization of school-based services, mental health first aid for youth, and suicide prevention for youth. 

The remaining $3 million will fund behavioral health providers, prioritizing children and youth behavioral health services providers, by using levy funds to adjust the amounts of their existing contracts to account for increased costs such as the effects of inflation.

According to the CDC during the first year of the pandemic, mental health-related emergency department visits among adolescents aged 12–17 years increased 31%. In addition, suicide attempts increased with both genders of youth aged 12-17, with an over 50% increase in girls attempting suicide.

The King County MIDD is a countywide 0.1% sales tax generating nearly $70 million annually, specifically for programs and services for people living with or at risk of mental and behavioral health conditions.

“Investing in mental health, especially for young people, is absolutely crucial,” Kohl-Welles said. 



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County Council approves creation of permanent gun, ammo return program

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Photo courtesy KCSO
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to create a permanent voluntary safe firearm and ammunition return program within the King County Sheriff's Office. 

The measure was sponsored by King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Joe McDermott, Girmay Zahilay, Sarah Perry and Claudia Balducci.

“I am committed to doing everything I can to reduce gun violence in King County,” Dembowski said. 
“Reducing the number of guns in circulation will reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths caused by guns. And we know from past experience that people welcome the opportunity to turn unwanted guns over to a responsible party for disposal. 
"This program will make that resource available to residents countywide, and I’m hopeful that we can stand it up as soon as possible.”

The program will enable any person to take an unwanted firearm, or ammunition, to any precinct office or storefront operated by the King County Sheriff’s office, including in the 10 contract cities (including Shoreline and Kenmore) where it provides police services. The legislation also asks the Sheriff to explore partnerships with cities in the county to further expand access and reduce barriers for residents wishing to turn over firearms or ammunition.

The U.S. has seen more than 356 mass shootings in 2022, including the horrific events in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas in May.

"Our communities in King County, like communities around the country, have experienced a painful spike in gun violence since the start of the pandemic,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. 
“We know that it will take a comprehensive, public health response to address this urgent crisis. Offering residents a safe, consistent option for returning unwanted firearms and ammunition is an important part of that public health approach."

According to the most recent data available, the number of overall shooting victims in King County was up 70%, and the number of shooting fatalities was up 54% over the 4-year average from 2017 through 2020. In Washington state, 75% of all gun deaths are suicides, according to the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

King County has a record of implementing successful programs and policies to increase gun safety, including requiring the destruction of forfeited firearms, encouraging safe firearm storage and enforcement of Extreme Risk Protection Orders. 

Past voluntary firearm and ammunition return programs, including a gun buyback program coordinated by King County and the City of Seattle in 2013, have proven to be effective in removing firearms from homes and communities. At the 2013 event, 716 firearms were safely surrendered to law enforcement.

The legislation requests the executive to assess the feasibility of a permanent program, so that an individual may peaceably deliver and abandon any unwanted firearm or ammunition to any King County Sheriff's Office location.

“Households with guns are more likely to experience gun violence, which can include heightened risk for suicide and domestic violence in homes,” Balducci said. 
"Providing a means to dispose guns that people don’t want or need, is one way to reduce the dangers of firearms in homes. I’m happy to co-sponsor and vote for this bill."

By county code, the items collected are melted down.




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