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

Executive Constantine issues local Proclamation of Emergency

Monday, June 1, 2020

Protesters block traffic on the freeway, Saturday
Photo by T J Guillory


King county executive Dow Constantine:


People in King County and across the country are demonstrating against racism, hate, and violence against Black people and people of color in the United States. These demonstrations were sparked by the killing in Minnesota of George Floyd, who died with a white police officer's knee pressed to his neck.

King County values and respects the peaceful expression of political views, and supports all people in exercising their First Amendment rights. To assist in responding to the violence and theft associated with some of the local protests, King County Executive Dow Constantine has issued a King County Proclamation of Emergency.

The proclamation allows King County departments flexibility with contracting needs and obligations necessary to make emergency repairs and address other impacts associated with the civil emergency. Most importantly for the residents and businesses served by the county, the proclamation expedites the process of obtaining resources, if needed.

The King County Office of Emergency Management activated the King County Emergency Operations Center on May 30 for a significant civil emergency caused by violence and theft during the time of public demonstrations in various communities of King County, including the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, and Tukwila. 

Bicycle cops stand by during the peaceful part of the protest Saturday
Photo by T J Guillory

The peaceful demonstrations by many have been accompanied by property damage and destruction by others; they have created hazardous conditions for persons assembled for peaceful protests; pose a risk to public property and facilities; and, further threaten public safety, property destruction, injury, and safe travel.

In related but separate developments, 116 Washington National Guard members have been deployed to help the City of Bellevue this evening. In addition, Gov. Jay Inslee today activated up to 200 more members of the Washington National Guard at King County’s request to help Bellevue and potentially other jurisdictions respond to looting, protect against property damage, and manage crowds and traffic throughout the county if necessary.

Peaceful protestors crowd the entrance ramp Saturday
Photo by T J Guillory
 

Guard personnel will be unarmed and work under the direction of local leadership. With this request, the Governor has activated 600 or more National Guard personnel to assist in a peacekeeping response in Seattle and King County, according to a news release from the Governor’s office.

King County departments will continue to monitor the situation and respond as needed to ensure public safety. Meanwhile, residents are reminded to abide by curfews issued by the cities, and to maintain social distancing practices to minimize the spread of COVID-19.




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First half of property tax for King county due June 1

Saturday, May 30, 2020

For those who pay their own property tax to King county, rather than paying through a mortgage, June 1 is the due date for the first half of your 2020 property taxes.

The normal due date is April 30, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the due date was extended to June 1.

Visit kingcounty.gov/PropertyTax or call 206-263-2890 for info and payment options.



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Executive Constantine announces plans to re-open limited King county business activity in COVID-19 recovery

King county executive
Dow Constantine

Working with community, business, and government partners, including the County Council and Board of Health leadership, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that the county is prepared to move forward with an application to allow limited or modified openings for several business sectors and personal activities.

King County has not yet met key criteria to enter Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan, and case counts are still unstable, so will move forward with a modified approach, including partial re-opening of the following businesses and activities

Recreation and fitness
  • Only allowed outdoor with 5 -- not including the instructor -- or fewer people outside of household
Gatherings
  • Only allowed outdoor of 5 or fewer people outside the household
Additional construction
  • As outlined in Phase 2 guidance
Manufacturing operations
  • As outlined in Phase 2 guidance
Real estate
  • 25 percent of building occupancy
  • Indoor services limited to 30 minutes
In-store Retail
  • 15 percent of building occupancy
  • Indoor services limited to 30 minutes
Personal Services (including Cosmetologists, Hair stylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Master Estheticians, Manicurists, Nail Salon Workers, Electrologists, Permanent Makeup Artists, Tattoo Artists, Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools)
  • 25 percent of building occupancy
Professional services
  • 25 percent of building occupancy
  • Indoor services limited to 30 minutes for customers
Photography
  • As outlined in Phase 2 guidance
Pet grooming
  • 25 percent of building occupancy
Restaurants
  • No indoor dining allowed
  • Outdoor dining is permitted but seating at 50 percent of existing outdoor capacity.

King County will continue monitoring progress over the course of two weeks, and if metrics are more stable and meeting the state’s criteria, more businesses and activities will reopen in accordance with Phase 2.

“Thanks to the people of King County, whose united efforts have flattened the curve and saved thousands lives, we are ready to continue safely, carefully reopening our economy,” said Executive Constantine. 
“Our continued vigilance against the virus can help make this a one-way journey from lock-down back to prosperity, and I’m excited that folks will soon be able to support our local businesses by doing simple things like dining at an outdoor restaurant, getting a haircut, or shopping for a summer outfit.

5-30-2020 Added list of Personal Services

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Executive Constantine announces supplemental budget for COVID response, small businesses, homeless youth, arts and tourism

Saturday, April 25, 2020

County Executive Dow Constantine

King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted an emergency spending package Thursday to the King County Council that would continue the County’s critical COVID-19 response efforts, including leasing isolation sites and providing alternatives to shelters. 

The appropriation request also supports small businesses and advances future lodging revenues for tourism and arts. 

“We must do all we can to help our small businesses and arts and cultural organizations emerge from this crisis alive and well, ready to put thousands of people back to work and unite us through the recovery. 
"Similarly, we need to help jump-start our hard-hit visitor industry, which supports thousands more jobs and is a vital part of our regional economy," said Executive Constantine.
"By wisely leveraging lodging tax revenues we can accomplish these goals, and preserve some of what makes this region so special. 
"I am also proposing to include funds for homeless youth, bolstering our work to help vulnerable teens reach adulthood healthy and ready to live full, productive lives.”

Rod Dembowski, King County Councilmember representing Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and other parts of north King county, said,

"This proposal is an investment in bringing business and jobs back to our region. It does so by supporting the industries and organizations that make the greater Seattle area one of the most popular destinations — and places to live — in the world. 
"We can’t afford to lose what makes our region so special, and this step is part of ensuring that we won’t.'

Details of what is included in the supplemental budget HERE



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Executive Constantine proposes Harborview bond measure for November ballot

Friday, April 17, 2020

Harborview Adult Clinic
Photo courtesy UW Medicine


King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted legislation to the King County Council Thursday that would place a capital improvement bond measure before King County voters on the November 2020 General Election ballot.

The measure seeks voter approval of $1.74 billion in general obligation bond funding over 20 years for health and safety improvements at King County’s Harborview Medical Center, including: increasing critical health care capacity; updating and expanding infection control capability; and expanding capacity for behavioral health services.

“This is our generational obligation - to ensure our region continues to be the best place in the country to receive emergency medical care. There are a lot of competing needs – this is one where we are compelled to step up. It is a priority we must not postpone and cannot ignore,” said Executive Constantine.

Harborview is a 413-licensed bed hospital owned by King County and operated by University of Washington Medicine. Harborview Medical Center is home to a range of critical medical and behavioral health services.

The medical center combines state-of-the-art emergency medical services with general medicine and specialty clinics including centers of excellence in burn, neurosciences, ophthalmology, infectious disease, rehab therapy.

One of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, and the only Level 1 Trauma Center serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Washington, Harborview employs about 5,400 people.

In 2018:

  • 16,716 patients were admitted 
  • 57,516 visited the Emergency Department
  • 262,132 were seen on an outpatient basis


Although the proposal does not seek to increase the number of state licensed hospital beds for Harborview, it enables much more efficient use of those beds by creating more single occupancy rooms. It also ensures greater flexibility for Harborview to surge in the event of a disaster, mass casualty event, or pandemic.

Because of facility configuration and capacity constraints, every day an estimated 50 of the 413 licensed beds are unusable due to infection control protocols. 

This means that patients awaiting an acute care bed are kept in expensive ICU beds or surgical recovery rooms, which can impact length of stay for patients.

It also means that vital surge capacity – the ability to house more patients in the event of an emergency like COVID-19 – is severely limited.

With more single occupancy rooms and larger Emergency Department, Harborview would be better able to serve patients, particularly during a disaster or pandemic.

Trauma patients from Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and most of the north Sound area are taken to Harborview.



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King County to offer hotel rooms to healthcare workers impacted by COVID-19

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Hotel 116 in Bellevue

In partnership with the state’s health care unions, King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci announced that the County reserved a block of rooms at Hotel 116 in Bellevue for healthcare workers who need a place to stay if they are concerned about COVID-19 exposure.

King County is partnering with Washington State Nurses Association, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, and UFCW 21 to inform their members about this resource.

“Healthcare workers on the front lines of our crisis response shouldn't have to put their families and loved ones at risk for doing their jobs. 
"I am gratified to have the opportunity to work with healthcare unions to offer housing for caregivers during this public health emergency, so they can remain safe and care for our community,” said Executive Constantine.



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King county moving 400 shelter occupants into hotels

Friday, April 3, 2020

King County continues to reduce shelter concentrations by moving nearly 400 people to hotels

In a continuing effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus and prevent the transmission of illness through the homeless shelter population, King County has negotiated with three local hotels to serve as temporary shelter locations for people experiencing homelessness.

This is another in a series of actions King County is taking to “de-intensify” the concentration of people in shelters. This action also will allow locations to stay open 24/7, and meals will be provided. Onsite services and oversight will be provided by the shelter operators.

These are not isolation and quarantine facilities. The people who are moving are presumed to be well.

The transition to the hotel sites will happen early next week:
  • The Sophia Way is moving 100 people from a shelter site in Bellevue to a hotel in Bellevue, at 625 116th Ave NE.
  • Catholic Community Services is moving 90 people from shelter sites in Kent, Federal Way and Renton to a SeaTac hotel, at 2900 S 192nd St.
  • Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is moving 200 people from its Seattle shelters to a hotel in Renton, at 1 South Grady Way.

King County is finalizing agreements with the three hotels. The hotels will not be open to other guests during this time.



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Inside the Shoreline Assessment and Recovery Center

Thursday, April 2, 2020

The side are aluminum, the roof is fabric - which was undamaged in the
hail storm - and the interior walls are insulated fabric


By Cynthia Sheridan
Photos by Steven H. Robinson except as noted

County Executive Dow Constantine held a media preview of the newly constructed Shoreline Assessment and Recovery Center on Tuesday, April 1, giving a huge shout-out to the City of Shoreline for providing the soccer field site at 1st Ave NE and 190th St.

King County is grateful to the city and people of Shoreline for their tremendous support.

King county executive Dow Constantine speaks to reporters.
He started the session by asking the media to distance themselves.


Constantine also praised Kaiser Permanente, which has donated 100 nurses who volunteered to help staff the recovery center. And gratefully he thanked the Conservation Corp for completing the building construction with lightning speed.

The center will address three issues: 
  1. the need for social distancing, 
  2. overload in King County hospital facilities and 
  3. a place that can accommodate surges, or large groups that need assistance.

Tile floors, glass doors, and insulating fabric on the walls
of the patient care spaces. Beds are set up and the foot lockers
are for the personal possessions of each patient.

The Assessment tent will evaluate medical conditions and whether patients can return to the community or should move to hospital care. The center of the tent will be used for this evaluation, which includes opiate use and mental health issues.

People clearly needing hospitalization will not come to Shoreline but will go directly to hospitals.

Exam rooms in the middle of the tent will allow for some
privacy for the initial assessment


The Recovery tent will meet the needs of those needing quarantine and/or medical assistance, including behavioral health and opioid treatment. 

Initially both operations will be in one tent; as the need arises, there will be two separate tents.

Toilets and showers are in trailers outside the tents and
will be maintained by a private contractor.


The toilets and showers are in trailers outside the tents and will be maintained, cleaned, and sanitized by the vendors. 

Exterior security will be maintained by contracted law enforcement and there will be security inside the tents as well. 

Coming to the center is voluntary; leaving is by decision of health staff. 

King County Health and Human Services will oversee these important issues and will provide the doctors.

Each room has the bare minimum needed


Constantine also thanked Alaska Airlines for donating digital media players to be used for patients’ enjoyment; Amazon, for helping with procurements, and Woodinville Distillery which has pitched in with their recent production of hand sanitizers.

This is not a walk-up facility. Placement will come from E.R.s, shelters, and community services. 

There will be no ‘rounding up’ of people as some homeless advocates feared. The purpose of the center is to isolate and assist in the recovery of people needing help.

There were Porta Potties and handwashing stations on site
for a few days - but they were for the construction workers.


Local social service providers will maintain contact with their clients when they are brought to the recovery center and will be involved with any ongoing care for individuals.

Food will be provided by FareStart, an organization that hires and trains homeless people for food service jobs. They will deliver the food in individual sacks and leave it between the two tents for the staff to pick up. FareStart is serving all the county facilities.
FareStart says: "We're working closely with government, community and foodservice partners to scale up to more than 15,000 emergency meals a day to support shelters, quarantine and isolation centers, and other communities in need during the COVID-19 crisis. And we are doing all this while maintaining the highest measures of safety, cleanliness and social distancing in our kitchens."

Behavioral issues will be assessed and ongoing behavioral counseling and stabilization along with medication will be provided by the patient’s current service provider and if no known provider is involved referrals will be made.

Microsoft is working to develop software to track the COVID-19 epidemic and to provide better data concerning hospital usage.

King County will continue to develop additional sites throughout the county to provide more localized assistance to individuals being assessed allowing them to stay in their local area without the need for extensive transportation to receive help.

North Seattle units on N 128th
Photo courtesy King County


The North Seattle site on N 128th is limited but the units are small apartments with private bathrooms, dorm sized refrigerators and microwaves.

The interior of the units in North Seattle and Interbay
Photo courtesy King County

They are continuing to work with local municipalities to develop more options for a potential surge in cases that overwhelms local hospitals.

Interbay site when the pods were being brought in.
Photo courtesy King County


There is a site at Interbay with apartment pods like the ones in North Seattle.

Metro Transit will provide, run, and sanitize buses to transport people to and from the facility. They can transport up to 20 people at a time. They will be particularly important if there is an outbreak in a facility such as a nursing home where a large number of people will need to be assessed at the same time.



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King County Regional Donations Connector

Saturday, March 21, 2020


New online marketplace connects donors with people and organizations in need during COVID-19 outbreak

The King County Regional Donations Connector is now available online to link up individuals, businesses, non-profits, and others who have resources with those who need them during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Donations Connector will help make sure services, supplies, and funding reach health care providers, first responders, and social service entities working on the front lines.

The website serves three major functions:
  1. A system that allows donations and offers of assistance to be used in the response effort.
  2. An online "marketplace" where offering organizations can be matched to those in need.
  3. An easily searchable list of ways the public can get help.

Donating businesses, agencies, and individuals are invited to share what they have to contribute (such as funding, medical supplies, masks, counseling, or other goods and services) and link up with organizations involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Who is the Donations Connector for?
  • Private and public entities with items or services to donate
  • Community and faith-based organizations
  • The general public

What types of donations are requested?
  • Funding
  • Food (both perishable and non-perishable)
  • Medical supplies
  • Sanitary supplies
  • Facility space
  • Services such as counseling (legal, mental health, etc.), labor, janitorial, catering, event planning, and more

People who want to volunteer their time should contact local volunteer groups or register through the United Way of King County.

The Connector is also intended for donations of goods in bulk quantities - smaller donations should go through existing community donation channels. Once donor and recipient are connected, they will need to independently arrange for pickup and delivery as needed.

For more information about the Donations Connector, email donations@kingcounty.gov. For updates about the pandemic and response, see the King County webpage.



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Councilmember Rod Dembowski: New recommendations to reduce risk of spread of COVID-19

Thursday, March 5, 2020


News from King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski
March 2020


Dear Community:

On Wednesday, Public Health – Seattle and King County announced new recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. These are detailed below.

Sadly, they also confirmed 10 new cases and one additional death in King County. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 31 — tragically including a total of nine deaths. Another eight cases, including one death, have been confirmed in Snohomish County, bringing the state totals to 10 deaths and 39 confirmed cases.

This is a critical moment in the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in King County and these measures can potentially impact the spread of the disease. King County understands these actions will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people in our community. Public Health is making these recommendations in consultation with CDC based on the best information we have currently to protect the public’s health.

This outbreak has hit my district hard. Kirkland is the epicenter of the outbreak, the first school closure was in Bothell, and the first occupied quarantine site was established in Shoreline. As a past chair of the Board of Health, I want to emphasize the expertise that our department has, its capability, and my confidence in King County’s approach to responding to this emergency in a science-driven way that respects all communities in King County. No one will be asked to bear an unfair burden, but we are asking everyone to step up and support our collective effort in the spirit of One King County.

As of today, they are now recommending, but not requiring, the following steps:
  • People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there will be close contact with others. People at higher risk include:
    • People 60 and older
    • People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
    • People who have weakened immune systems
    • People who are pregnant
  • Workplaces should enact measures that allow people who can work from home to do so. Taking these measures can help reduce the number of workers who come into contact with COVID-19 and help minimize absenteeism due to illness.
  • If you can feasibly avoid bringing large groups of people together, consider postponing events and gatherings.
  • Public Health is not recommending closing schools at this time unless there has been a confirmed case in the school. Public Health – Seattle and King County also respects an individual school’s decisions about closures or postponement of activities as each school knows the needs of their community best.
  • All people should not go out when they are sick.
  • Avoid visiting hospitals, long-term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible. If you need to go, limit your time there and keep six feet away from patients.

In addition to the aforementioned new recommendations, public health officials are continuing to stress the same key messages:
  • If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you’re a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977.
  • The call center will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM PT.
  • For general concerns and questions about COVID-19, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.
When to seek medical evaluation and advice:
  • If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your healthcare provider. Do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
  • If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
There are other ways members of the public can help:
  • Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first. Stay home when sick.
  • Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.

As your councilmember, I hope to help you and your family stay informed. During an outbreak, there is a lot of uncertainty and information is changing frequently. This means I will continue to check-in via email, but I hope you will also take a moment to subscribe to Public Health’s email alerts. You can also frequent their blog at www.publichealthinsider.com. And you can join the effort to protect our community by sharing this information with family and friends on social media.

We all need to do our part to respond to this public health emergency. I ask that as King County mobilizes its response, that we come together to support our science-based, best practices as recommended by our public health professionals. Please also join me in thanking and supporting our first responders and front-line workers, including Firefighters/EMTs, police officers, nurses, health care workers, custodians, detention guards, and others who are bravely carrying out critical public service functions during this time.

If you have questions, please contact our hotline at 206-477-3977 (8am - 7pm).

Sincerely,

Rod

Rod Dembowski, Councilmember
King County Council, District 1
206.477.1001
rod.dembowski@kingcounty.gov



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King County activates Emergency Operations Center for COVID-19 response

Monday, March 2, 2020

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Sunday that he has activated the King County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the COVID-19 cases in King County to coordinate the work of cities across the region.

“This response is a collaborative effort between the federal, state and local governments,” said Executive Constantine. “The Emergency Operations Center will provide regional coordination in support of County and local operations for King County residents.”

The EOC will also coordinate with the Health and Medical Area Command under King County Public Health to ensure coordination at all levels of county government.

King County Metro has also established an Incident Management Team to develop policy recommendations, operational strategies, and protocols for sustaining Metro operations in all contingencies.

King County’s Department of Community and Human Services and Public Health are working with the County’s Facilities Management Division, which oversees all County properties, to explore options for people who are homeless who may need to rest and recover from any possible COVID-19 infections away from others in shelter locations.



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After 35 years Medical Examiner's Office identifies man who died in a Seattle park

Sunday, February 23, 2020

By Hilary N. Karasz 
Public Health Insider

After 35 years of wondering, a family finally has answers to what happened to their loved one who had been missing for more than three decades. And the King County Medical Examiner’s Office is finally able to officially identify an unidentified person who died in a Seattle park in 1985.

King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO) Dr. Kathy Taylor told the Public Health Insider how all the pieces came together:

In October 1984 the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO) investigated the death of a young adult male who was found in a local park. The man had no identification. The KCMEO used all methods available at the time in an attempt to identify the man, including obtaining a full set of fingerprints.

The fingerprints were regularly run through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) in the years following his death. His profile and a sketch were posted on publicly accessible websites including the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and the Doe Network. Unfortunately, despite ongoing attempts, no positive leads were made to link the dead man to any missing person.

Meanwhile, a woman living out of state began to investigate what happened to her uncle, who had been missing since the early 1980s. As part of her search, she read a decedent’s profile on NamUs and the Doe Network and noted strong similarities to what she knew of her missing uncle. In the fall of 2019 she contacted Dr. Kathy Taylor at the KCMEO to see if Dr. Taylor could help.

No DNA was available so a different approach was needed

Often, people are conclusively identified by matching DNA from a living relative to the person who has died. Unfortunately, in this case, the unidentified young man had been buried 35 years ago and there were no samples available for DNA comparison. Dr. Taylor took another approach.

She asked the family if they had kept any letters sent to them by their missing loved one. Thankfully, the man’s sister had kept a letter he sent to the family in 1981. The family provided the letter to Dr. Taylor, who in turn submitted it to the King County Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) latent print unit with the hopes of obtaining a latent fingerprint match.

Latent fingerprints are created when the oils and sweat from a person’s fingertips touch a surface. They are only usually visible by applying special powders, chemicals, or lights.

The highly skilled latent print examiners at King County’s AFIS unit worked to lift two faint latent prints off of the letter provided by the family. A team of AFIS experts compared the lifted prints to the print card of the dead man taken when his autopsy was conducted at the KCMEO back in 1985.

Miraculously, one print matched and provided a positive identification of the dead man after 35 years.

“The family is very grateful to finally know what happened to their missing loved one and to have the opportunity to formally grieve their loss,” said Dr. Taylor. “Mr. Mark L. Ashland was 30 years old when he died, and now, the family finally has answers as to what happened to him.”



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Shoreline resident Joe Cunningham appointed to King County Board for Developmental Disabilities

Sunday, February 9, 2020

L-R: Jim Ott, new board colleague Steven Andrews, Cunningham, and Holly Woo. 


Shoreline resident Joe Cunningham was confirmed February 5, 2020 by the King County Community Health and Housing Committee for a position on King County Board for Developmental Disabilities


Thank you Chair Kathy Lambert, Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Joe McDermott, and Girmay Zahilay for confirming my nomination and Councilmembers Rod Dembowski and Claudia Balducci for sponsoring my appointment motion.  
I look forward to serving.

The Board for Developmental Disabilities is a 15-member citizen advisory board that provides oversight of community services for children with developmental delays, adults with developmental disabilities, and their families.

The board develops plans for developmental disability services, advises on funding priorities, and advocates for increases in funding and improvements in services. Board members include family advocates, self-advocates, professionals and interested citizens.



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Assessor John Wilson to be sworn in Tuesday at the Senior Center

Saturday, January 4, 2020

King County Assessor John Wilson
will be sworn in at the Senior Center on Tuesday

King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Jim Rogers will administer the oath of office to John Wilson as he starts his second term as King County Assessor.

The public swearing-in ceremony will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave NE #1 at 10:30am.

After the ceremony, both officials will make brief remarks.

Wilson will focus on the expansion of the state's property tax reduction program for seniors and disabled veterans.

An informal reception will follow with light refreshments.



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King county and Seattle join to create Regional Homelessness Authority

Monday, December 23, 2019

County Exec Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Durkan
shake hands after signing an Interlocal Agreement on
Homelessness
Photo courtesy King county


King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan have signed a ground breaking Interlocal Agreement approved by the Metropolitan King County Council, Regional Policy Committee, and the Seattle City Council creating a new King County Regional Homelessness Authority to oversee a coordinated and unified response to homelessness.

“We have created a new regional authority that will repair the fractured system of governance that currently exists, improve the coordination of both services and funding countywide, center people with lived experience in our deliberations, and give us our first real opportunity to reduce the unacceptable disproportionality of homelessness among communities of color,” said Executive Constantine.

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King County was created 167 years ago

1888 map of King County in the
Washington state archives


167 years ago, the Oregon Territorial Legislature approved the creation of King County, on December 22, 1852.

Why Oregon? Because Congress didn't establish the Washington Territory until March 1853.

King county predates Washington Territory and Washington State (1889).




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County to establish Renters' Commission

Saturday, November 16, 2019

King County renters will soon have a stronger voice with elected leaders and county departments. The King County Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance to establish a King County Renters’ Commission.

“As inequality grows in this region, it is the Council’s responsibility to ensure that renters’ rights are protected, and their voices are elevated,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, who was the prime sponsor of the ordinance. 
“The King County Renters’ Commission gives renters the vehicle to strengthen their role in unifying their voices to create and advocate for policies that will benefit renters, especially those in the unincorporated areas of King County.”

The ordinance will set up a seven-member Renters’ Commission that would advise the council and the executive on issues and policies impacting renters in unincorporated King County. 

Councilmembers Larry Gossett and Jeanne Kohl-Welles sponsored the measure as part of a suite of legislation to bolster tenant protections and improve access to affordable housing, primarily in unincorporated areas of King County.

With nearly half of all households in King County renting their homes, rental issues are top of mind for many of the county’s 2 million residents. Additionally, 72% of African American households are renters, compared to 38% of white households, and renter households have significantly lower median household income than homeowners in King County.

“This commission will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to our policy making decisions regarding tenants’ rights and regulations that impact renters,” Kohl-Welles said. “As we move forward as a government and representative body of the people of this County, it is imperative that we continue to bring new voices to the table – especially those voices that have traditionally been left out of the process.”

The seven appointed members will represent a variety of backgrounds and perspectives including historically underrepresented groups.

The county Renters’ Commission will monitor enforcement of existing laws, look for opportunities to strengthen and improve those laws or advise creation of new ones. The group will also develop an annual report that includes recommendations on improving affordability with a focus on unincorporated parts of the county.

A committee is still considering other actions that would clarify county code on when and how landlords can evict tenants.



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King County Executive Dow Constantine visits Shoreline Rotary

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

County Executive Dow Constantine poses with
Shoreline Deputy Mayor Doris McConnell at the
May Shoreline Rotary meeting

King County Executive Dow Constantine is on the road discussing the region’s most pressing issues and hearing top community questions and concerns. His most recent stop was the Shoreline Rotary Club.

Constantine kicked off the May 15 meeting noting “King County is creating a welcoming community where all people have the opportunity to thrive.”

He acknowledged the rapid change the region has experienced – recently reaching 2.25 million people – and going from being a mostly unknown part of the country to a world leader in technology and political and social change.

“It’s a moment of change – both positive and negative,” he said. “A lot of what we seek to do is anticipate the change that is coming and try to guide it, so it reinforces our shared values.”

King County is the 13th largest county in the nation (larger than 15 U.S. states). Represented by 15,000 employees, King County government provides regional services such as transit, wastewater, elections, public health and the criminal justice system.

King County owns Harborview Medical Center and King County International Airport (a.k.a. Boeing Field). The County also provides contracted services to smaller cities – like the police department, court services and animal welfare. Constantine touted the County’s animal welfare work, noting it has reduced euthanasia rates to less than 5% down from 40%.

Constantine explained he has spent the last decade changing the way government services are provided and creating a “Best Run Government.”

This included creating a financially sound government – the County has once again earned AAA bond ratings which is saving hundreds of thousands of dollars each year – and developing a culture of continuous improvement and employee empowerment, all focused on “how can we do better?”. This work fits into three key focus areas: the human infrastructure, natural infrastructure, and physical infrastructure.

Helping the people of King County

Constantine noted the region’s economic prosperity has meant people are being left behind.

“It is our responsibility to ensure the people who built this place can continue to participate and those who have historically been left behind are not being further left behind,” said Constantine.

This means ensuring everyone has health insurance, expanding workforce development and creating new opportunities for our own employees, Constantine noted.

He acknowledged homelessness as being one of our biggest challenges. The County is building capacity in shelters, treatment, long-term housing and job connectedness. He cited the opening of the new 24-hour shelter, the overnight shelter at Harborview and modular units in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood. Constantine also noted the investment in affordable housing and services for those who are suffering from addiction.

“We have built a system where you can get treatment-on-demand now,” said Constantine. “And we are funding outreach to go out and identify those people who are addicted and getting them help they need.”

This work has also been extended to those who are incarcerated. They will now receive medication-assisted treatment while in jail and when they leave.

Natural Resources

Constantine put forward a land conservation initiative to preserve 65,000 acres of wilderness and open space in King County. The renewed King County Parks Levy will include acquiring missing land and trail segments and building out current spaces, along with important maintenance of these properties. The Parks Levy will be on the August 2019 ballot.

He noted that King County’s Climate Action Plan is one of the best in the country, having been recognized by industry leader and founder of Earth Day Denis Hayes. Constantine talked about how the County has changed the way we build buildings and is finding ways to capture renewable energy such as that coming off the King County sewage plant and landfill. These things, he said, help us reach the County goal of being carbon neutral.

King County continues work to protect Orca and is removing culverts that have blocked salmon passage in local waterways. The most recent County two-year budget allocates about $13 million to open 150 miles of salmon bearing habitat.

Physical Infrastructure

Constantine provided a quick update on transportation, specifically Metro Transit and Sound Transit.

Metro Transit is now its own department. It has continued to increase service since the recession – with nearly 500,000 riders per day. It was named the Best Large Transit System in North America by the American Public Transportation agency.

King County Metro is working with Sound Transit as the light rail is deployed. The light rail will be coming to Northgate in a few years and then Shoreline and Lynnwood will follow.

Top of Mind in Shoreline

During the open Q/A, the following questions were addressed.

We have a lot of people that are in dire need of help. How do we give them a sense of rootedness and belonging once they get the treatment they need?

We need to ensure human connectedness – to family, friends, institutions and community. People need that. One of the challenges with this changing economy is people are being displaced from places where they have had roots. With the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy, for example, we are helping people stay in the same neighborhood where they have lived.

This work connects veterans and those older than 55 to services such as affordable housing, job training, employment, behavioral health treatment, and more. Having a job is important. We are looking to unite area employers with potential employees and ensure residents receive the training and support they need to fulfill open jobs. This requires the public and private sector working together.

Are you planning to run for Governor?

This depends on several factors, what happens with Jay’s presidential run, among other things. I have a five-year-old at home and aging parents so there are reasons why being King County Executive could be better. The work we are doing here in King County could have benefit and application beyond King County. I’m certainly not dismissing it and I’m doing the things to prepare for this should the opportunity present itself.

Can you comment on the recent update that ICE flights will move from Boeing Field to Yakima airport?

At Boeing Field, you have something called fixed-based operators. One of them called Modern Aviation had a contract with Swift Air that works with Homeland Security. They were bringing immigrants and refugees in to be detained or taking them out to be deported. We have no way to monitor this activity. It was brought to our attention that some 34,000 people were processed in shackles through our publicly owned airport. This is not consistent with the values of this County.

Modern Aviation chose to stop serving Swift Air. Now, the federal government has decided to go to Yakima. Their local officials are now managing this challenge. I am pleased that the businesses at Boeing Field decided to act in a way that is consistent with the values of the people in the region they are serving.

In Closing

“It’s a real privilege to be the Executive of this County.” I am excited every day to be able to create the kind of change that our people want.”


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Community invited to celebrate legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thursday, January 3, 2019

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Community invited to celebrate legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Best-selling author Ijeoma Oluo is celebration's keynote speaker.

Thursday, January 10, 2019, Noon – 1pm at The Sanctuary, 811 5th Ave, Seattle.

The public is welcomed to join King County and its employees in celebrating the life of civil rights pioneer Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The theme of this year's celebration is a reminder that truth and love continue to be powerful tools toward building Dr. King's "Beloved Kingdom."

Seattle's historic Sanctuary on 5th Avenue will be the backdrop for the celebration. This free event recognizes the achievements of America's foremost leader for Civil Rights and commemorates Dr. King's vision of an America offering opportunity for all.

New York Times best-selling author and Seattle native Ijeoma Oluo will present the celebration's keynote address. Her writing, which focuses on issues of race and identity, feminism, social and mental health, and social justice have been featured in The Washington Post, NBC News, Elle Magazine, TIME, and The Stranger.

The event will also feature a performance by Sharon Nyree Williams, who shares her stories through the spoken word.

The Sanctuary is accessible. Sign language interpretation will be provided. Other reasonable accommodations will be provided upon advance request. For more information, or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact Calli Knight at 206-477-9627.

Learn more about our County's namesake and King County's MLK Celebration HERE


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King County calling for photos, artwork or essays on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

He is America’s foremost human rights leader, a man whose image King County is proud to have as its logo.

As King County prepares for its annual celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., county officials are inviting the public to become part of the event by putting into words or pictures the ideas and ideals for America and the world that King gave his life for.

The county is looking for the public’s interpretation, in either a photo, a work of art, or an essay, of the theme for the 2019 celebration:

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.”------Martin Luther King, Jr. 


“I encourage all who are interested, especially young people, to submit their creative reflections on Dr. King’s principles and teachings and what they mean for Martin Luther King County in 2019,” said County Executive Dow Constantine. “Whether through music, poetry, painting or creative writing, this is a great opportunity to honor and celebrate Dr. King’s enduring legacy.”

“This is an opportunity for the public to be part of our annual celebration and honor our County’s namesake vision of just, equitable communities,” said King County Council Chair Joe McDermott.

Please submit your work via email at esj@kingcounty.gov, or send them to:

King County Office of Equity and Social Justice
401 5th Ave. Suite 800
Seattle, WA 98104

Submissions must be received by Monday, December 31, 2018

A selection of the submissions will be on display at locations throughout King County and available for viewing and reading by the public at the annual King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration on January 10, 2019. A selection of the submissions will also be available on the celebration website.

For more information, contact Al Sanders at 206-477-1016 or al.sanders@kingcounty.gov

Learn more about the 2019 King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration HERE


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