February 2018

Dear Friends,

It’s a new year and so busy at the Council with many big issues on the horizon.

I was sworn in to a new term in January and look forward to continuing to represent you.

IMPORTANT - ACTION NEEDED

King County has issued a draft plan for public review and comment that provides direction for how the County and cities will provide services to prevent, recycle, and dispose waste in ways that help protect human health and the environment.

The draft plan and a draft Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the potential environmental impacts of options in the draft plan, are available for review: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/about/planning/comp-plan.aspx

Two ways to give feedback:

1. Complete a short on-line survey. Your comments will inform policy makers.
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/about/planning/comp-plan.aspx

2. Send an email - send comments on the draft plan and the draft EIS to SWD.CompPlan@kingcounty.gov

Taxes are on everyone’s mind with the Legislature in session, so I’ve included a chart from the King County Assessor to show where your property taxes go after they’re paid. King County is the “administrator” for many taxing districts. While the checks we write or the checks or transfers from our mortgage company say King County, an average of 17% of your taxes go to King County, as you can see. I’ve also included a link to a new site on the Assessor’s website that shows how to see what your property taxes will be. It’s new and very informative. It’s called LocalScape.

I’ve also included a great video from King County’s Office of Emergency Management. Please watch it and sign up for emergency alerts. We can never be too prepared.

It’s always a pleasure to represent you and all of District 3.

Kathy Lambert

In this Issue:

      1. Citizen input needed: King County’s Solid Waste Management Plan
      2. Are you prepared for an emergency?
      3. Wildlife resistant garbage containers
      4. Association of King County Historical Organizations annual meeting
      5. Tolt-MacDonald Park barn rehabilitation update
      6. Where do your property taxes go?
      7. February is flu month
      8. New recycling rules for King County Solid Waste facilities

1. Community invited to provide input on King County’s comprehensive solid waste management plan

In January, King County issued a draft plan for public review and comment that provides direction for how the County and cities will provide services to prevent, recycle, and dispose waste in ways that help protect human health and the environment. The draft plan, together with a draft Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the potential environmental impacts of options in the draft plan, is available for review on the website.

This is a long-term decision and I hope we will bring technology that is being used in Europe to modernize our process and create energy and reclaim minerals from our garbage rather than continuing to landfill.

2. Are you prepared for an emergency?

Sign up to be notified: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/emergency-management/alert-king-county.aspx

3. Wildlife resistant garbage containers

Many of you have inquired about how to get these containers. Here is information, by city/area on what is available.

Issaquah (contracts with Recology for collection services). Customer have the option of receiving regular carts or “wildlife resistant” versions. The charge is $1.59 surcharge (per cart/per month) for each wildlife resistant cart.

More information about bear carts can be found on Recology’s website:

https://www.recology.com/recology-cleanscapes/issaquah/your-three-carts/
https://www.recology.com/recology-cleanscapes/issaquah/wildlife-resistant-carts/

Carnation does not offer bear resistant carts per their collection contract with Recology.

Unincorporated areas (north of I-90) served by Waste Management. Customers are charged the regular collection rate for 35, 64 and 96 gallon carts plus $2.62/pick up ($11.35/mo) for the service of manually getting out of the truck to unlock the carts. This service could also be charged on recycle or yard waste carts if requested by the customer. The service would be applied to each cart serviced.

Snoqualmie (under contract with Waste Management) offers a wildlife resistant cart fee for garbage and yard waste carts at $3.40 per month in addition to their regular service rate.

Duvall (under contract with Waste Management) does not have a wildlife resistant cart fee but Waste Management is allowed to default to WUTC (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission) tariff charges (same as Unincorporated Areas above) for the service.

Redmond (under contract with Waste Management) does not currently offer wildlife resistant cart service.

Unincorporated areas served by Republic Services (Fall City, outside Issaquah and Snoqualmie city limits). Republic Services does not currently include a rate in their WUTC tariff for bear resistant carts. They plan to include it in a tariff revision they will file with the WUTC in the first quarter of 2018.

North Bend (under contract with Republic Services) offers a wildlife resistant cart at $5.00/month service fee and $5.00/month cart rental fee in addition to their regular service rate.

Sammamish (under contract with Republic Services) offers a wildlife resistant cart at $5.00/month service fee and $5.00/month cart rental fee in addition to their regular service rate.

4. Association of King County Historical Organizations annual meeting

I was privileged to attend the Annual Meeting of the Association of King County Historical Organizations on January 30. We have so many wonderful organizations that are preserving our history and culture for future generations. Congratulations to all for their great work.

5. Tolt-MacDonald Park barn rehabilitation update

The rehabilitation is underway. The work includes removing old wooden roof shingles, and installing new sheathing and underlayment in preparation for new composite roof tiles installation. The barn will be closed for the duration of repairs and is expected to reopen for public use in spring 2018

6. Where do your property taxes go?

You can now determine what the taxes are for your property and the percentages of where your tax dollars go by going to: http://localscape.property/#kingcountyassessor/m and entering your address. This will show you the percentage of taxes going to each government entity and the percentage of the total that is voter approved. Here is a random example from Issaquah:

7. February is flu month

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the peak month for flu activity is February: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm It is not too late to get a flu shot. Check with your local hospital, clinic or doctor’s office to get information on flu shots.

8. New recycling rules for King County Solid Waste facilities

Beginning Jan. 2, cardboard, scrap metal, yard waste and clean wood will be required to be recycled at King County Solid Waste Division facilities. Customers will be asked to place those recyclable materials in designated recycling bins or areas.

The new rule applies to residents and businesses that haul their own garbage, recyclable and compostable materials to King County transfer stations and drop boxes. Self-haul customers use the public lanes at the transfer stations.

There will be no change in garbage disposal fees as a result of this recycling requirement. And customers could save money by keeping cardboard, scrap metal, clean wood and yard waste separate from their garbage. Paper, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, jugs and tubs, and textiles can also be recycled at no cost.

While there is a fee for recycling yard waste and clean wood (unpainted, untreated lumber, pallets and crates), that fee is 52 percent lower than the garbage disposal fee.

Learn more about recycling at kingcounty.gov/recycling-transfer.

Next Month: more exciting news on the proposed local government changes!

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. I hope everyone enjoys the day.