September 11, 2020

Dear Friends,

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend!

Can you believe that we are already in September?

This month is full of budget work. We have just completed our fourth CARES budget to help meet many needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming up on September 22nd, the new proposed two-year budget for King County will be introduced to the Council from the Executive. Finalizing a two-year budget while our economy continues to feel the impacts of COVID-19 will certainly be a difficult challenge. A number of revenue sources have been hit hard during this time, and there will need to be some reductions made. King County continues to provide so many vital services to the residents of this region (you can view the complete list here), and this budget process will be extremely important.

I will be highlighting budget items of concern/importance in future email newsletters that I think you might like to know about and be fully informed. There will also be opportunities for public comment and public hearings throughout the budget process, and I will let you know when dates are finalized. We plan to have the budget approved and finalized by the end of November.

Over the next two months, the King County Department of Local Services will be holding 2020 Community Service Area Town Halls virtually! If you would like to meet with Department of Local Services officials, ask questions about projects or services, and hear more about what is happening in your community, these meetings are for you. Here are the details for the meetings taking place in District 3:

• October 1: Bear Creek/Sammamish
• October 26: Snoqualmie Valley/NE King County

Each meeting will run from 7 pm - 9 pm. Zoom links for the meetings will be shared by the Department of Local Services as the events get closer.

In addition in this newsletter, you will find information including an upcoming regional trail closure, details on another proposed King County charter amendment that will appear on the November ballot, information on COVID-19 testing at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, an update from the King County Department of Local Services, and so much more!

Stay Healthy!

Kathy Lambert

In this Issue:

      1. East Lake Sammamish Trail segment closure: September 14 – 25
      2. Hello4Culture
      3. Update from the Department of Local Services
      4. COVID-19 testing at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital
      5. Update on Charter review

1. East Lake Sammamish Trail segment closure: September
14 – 25

A portion of the East Lake Sammamish Trail, South Sammamish B segment, will be closed from Monday, September 14th through Friday, September 25th so that King County Parks can install a new drain pipe along the trail to improve stormwater management.

Approximately 400 yards of trail will be closed, and the trail will reopen as soon as the work is complete. The closure is .8 miles north of SE 33rd Street. Notice signs have been placed on the trail at intersections near the closure location, indicating the two intersections that are the last exists before the closure. Due to the nature of the draining work, there will not be a detour around the closure.

2. Hello4Culture

4Culture, the cultural funding agency for King County, is hosting monthly Zoom meetings every third Friday at 12:00pm to share information and resources as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. 4Culture staff will be on hand to answer your questions.

The next meeting on Friday, September 18th will feature museums in King County and their experiences since being allowed to reopen.

You can register and watch the recordings of previous meetings by clicking here.

3. Update from the Department of Local Services

“2021 CSA [Community Service Area] Grants are just around the corner

Information about, and applications for, the 2021 Community Service Area Grants program will be posted to the King County Local Services website (see under the Grants tab) this month. A total of $90,000 will be available to fund projects in unincorporated areas.

[These grants support projects that achieve at least one of the following goals:

• Promote the engagement of unincorporated area residents in community or civic activities
• Educate local residents about issues impacting them
• Implement a community enhancement project
• Meet King County’s equity and social justice goals of increasing fairness and opportunity for all people, particularly for people of color, low-income communities, and people with limited English proficiency.

Last year, successful applicants included funding for chairs to use a senior center, support for a community festival, support for a youth leadership summit, and much more.]

This year's grant application deadline is 5 pm on Nov. 16.

Road Services seeks community input to inform Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan


Photos show the Before, During, and After of a finished curb ramp improvement project at NE Novelty Hill Road and 238th Place NE.

Road Services seeks to make sidewalks, curb ramps, and street crossings on unincorporated King County roads accessible for all users. Road Services is currently preparing an Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan that will identify and plan accessibility improvements to pedestrian facilities on unincorporated King County roads.

An important part of this plan is hearing from members of the community who have mobility challenges, such as people who use wheelchairs, to learn about existing physical barriers and community priorities for improvement. Road Services invites people who travel on unincorporated King County roads to provide input regarding their accessibility needs through a short survey.

Road Services will use the survey results to help prioritize improvements to its existing pedestrian facilities. Note that the resulting ADA Transition Plan will cover only pedestrian facilities on unincorporated King County roads — it will not include those on highways, city streets, or trails, which are maintained by other agencies.

Free online trainings on noxious weeds

If you’re interested in getting some in-depth knowledge about noxious weeds and invasive plants, check out these webinars by the King County Noxious Weed Control Program. You can join from the comfort of your home, office, or mobile device. The half-day sessions are designed for vegetation management professionals and restoration crews, but anyone looking to expand their knowledge of weeds is welcome to attend!

For more details on presentation topics and to register for your free ticket, follow the links below.

King County Noxious Weed Control Webinar - Morning Session
September 23, 8 am – 12 pm: Details and registration

King County Noxious Weed Control Webinar - Afternoon Session
September 30, 12:30 – 4 pm: Details and registration”

4. COVID-19 testing at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital

Did you know that the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital has a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site that is open weekdays from 10am-2pm? You do not need to make an appointment, as you can register from your car once you arrive.

Learn more about this great resource here.

5. Update on Charter review

As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, the upcoming November ballot will have SEVEN charter amendments for a public vote to approve or reject them. Charter amendments are changes to the county charter, which is like the county constitution. These changes are proposed every ten years after a review by the Charter Review Commission, or after a vote by the King County Council.

With so many amendments on the ballot, it is important for you to have accurate information on each amendment so that you can help educate your friends and neighbors early.

We will inform you about each amendment over the next several newsletters leading up to the election. You can read our previous edition here.

The second proposed charter amendment appearing on the ballot this November would grant the King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) subpoena powers (or power to compel action) to augment its investigations. The Office of Law Enforcement Oversight provides independent investigations into the work of the King County Sheriff’s Office. This charter amendment would allow OLEO to subpoena documents, witnesses, and other evidence. If approved by voters, the amendment may affect the working conditions of the King County Sheriff’s Office union employees, which means it would be subject to collective bargaining. To learn more about the ordinance proposing this amendment that was considered by the King County Council, click here.

If you would like to read about the other amendments ahead of the upcoming newsletters, click here. But we will get to each of them!

Conclusion

As has been the case these previous months, it is vital that we all continue to wash our hands often, wear masks when out in public, social distance, and follow other public health guidance so that we can limit the spread of COVID-19 in our region. I know it has not been easy, and I want to thank each of you for the sacrifices and choices you have made to keep yourself, your friends, and our community healthy.

Last month, I was near Mt. Si at sunset and just had to take the photo above. We are so lucky to live in a community that helps one another and is so beautiful and scenic.