April 2008
In this newsletter:
• Comprehensive Plan public hearings
• Charter Review public hearings
• Citizen Councilor Network
• Federal transportation funding
• Board of Ethics position
• Youth sports grant applications
• Colon cancer screening
• Emergency preparedness tip of the month
Dear District 3 residents,
I would like to remind you about two important opportunities this month to make your voice heard on King County issues. You are invited to get involved and share your opinions, which will assist the King County Council with some important policy decisions this year.
Comprehensive Plan public hearings
The King County Executive transmitted his proposed Comprehensive Plan update to the County Council on Feb. 29. For details, go to www.kingcounty.gov/council/comprehensive_plan.aspx.
This once-every-four-years update of the Comp Plan will be reviewed during the next few months by the Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee. The proposal with any amendments will go to the Council in early August, with approval of the final update expected by early October. I hope you will join me at one or two remaining public hearings in the community:
Wednesday, April 9
Duvall Church
15510 First Ave., Duvall
Tuesday, April 22,
Northwood Middle School
17007 SE 184th St., Renton
Each hearing begins with an open house at 6:00 p.m., with the public meeting scheduled to run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Charter Review public hearings
After more than a year of work, the 21-member Charter Review Commission is wrapping up its review of our county’s constitution, which is required once every 10 years. More information is available at www.kingcounty.gov/exec/charter.aspx.
I hope you will join me at a public hearing before the Commission, which is traveling to District 3 this month to hear testimony from residents. Residents of unincorporated King County especially are invited to comment about the proposals affecting delivery of local government services, including the addition of a statement to the Preamble, and providing for an official to coordinate services to unincorporated areas.
Monday, April 14
6:30 p.m.
Preston Community Center
8625 310th Ave. SE, Preston
Additional public hearings this month will collect comments about the commission’s proposals around the county:
• April 8 at the Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle
• April 10 at the Shoreline Conference Center
• April 15 at the RiverRock Grill in Renton
All meetings are at 6:30 p.m. The Commission will send final recommendations to the Council at the end of May, and the Council will take additional public comment and deliberate this summer on what amendments to put before voters in the November General Election.
Citizen Councilor Network
The Citizen Councilor Network was created on Sept. 7, 2007, with the unanimous adoption of Initiative 24 by the King County Council. Since then, nearly 700 people have registered to participate in councilor-hosted small group meetings across the county to contribute their opinions on important regional issues. The first issue, selected by the King County Auditor, is Transportation – Public Priorities, Choices, and Funding. But before the first meetings can occur anywhere, the countywide network requires a minimum of 1,000 people to be registered. You can register online at http://countywidecommunityforums.org/ or by phone at 206-296-1633, or toll-free at 800-369-2584.
Federal transportation funding
After meeting with Senator Patty Murray and other members of Washington’s Congressional delegation in February, I am working with other Councilmembers to propose transportation projects for funding under the federal economic stimulus package. These projects provide critical employment to our building trades’ workforce as well as support for the economic activity of the region. Among the recommended projects are several in Northeast King County:
• Northeast Novelty Hill Road, $5 million to improve 4,000 feet of roadway and construct 800 feel of new roadway, including expansion of Union Hill Road to four lanes with bike lanes and sidewalks and replacing a narrow bridge over Evans Creek.
• Short Span Bridges, $3.44 million to four aging short-span bridges that currently are ineligible for other federal funding.
• Sunday Creek Bridge, $1.44 million for replacing a rotting log stringer bridge on North Fork Road north of North Bend providing sole access to logging and recreation areas.
We hope this funding will assist us in these needs.
Board of Ethics position
King County residents with an interest in law and ethics are invited to apply for an open position on the five-member King County Board of Ethics. The position will serve a three-year term, providing guidance on whether an action or interest is allowable under the King County Code of Ethics. The board oversees financial disclosure requirements for public officials and interprets ethics codes. Criteria for candidates include integrity and professional training and experience that ensure the ability to deal with complex and sensitive ethics issues. The board meets on the third Monday of each month, and volunteer board members commit two to four hours a month to the business of the board. To apply, send a letter of interest and resume by April 18 to board.ethics@kingcounty.gov, or contact Executive Director Catherine Clemens at (206) 296-1586. More information about the board is available at www.kingcounty.gov/ethics.
Youth sports grant applications
Community and youth organizations interested in developing or renovating neighborhood youth sports facilities can qualify for matching grants of up to $75,000 from King County. The Youth Sports Facility Grants Program is accepting applications from qualified groups that partner with a public agency, such as a school district or city parks department, to develop or renovate sports facilities. Past grants have been awarded for athletic fields, skate parks, playgrounds, sport courts and rowing facilities, among others. Grant requests range from $5,000 to $75,000. Applications are due June 20, 2008. More information is available at www.metrokc.gov/parks/ysfg/.
Colon cancer screening
Seattle & King County Department of Public Health recently launched an awareness campaign for colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women in King County. Colon cancer is preventable with screening for growths, or polyps, that can be removed before they develop into cancer. The Colon Health Program provides free screening to low-income uninsured or underinsured residents of King County by calling the Community Health Access Program at 1-800-756-5437. Most health insurance policies and Medicare also cover the cost of colon health screenings. More information is available at www.metrokc.gov/health/colon/.
Emergency preparedness tip of the month
This month’s tip is a note of congratulations to Rowland Brasch of Carnation, the founder of the SnoValley Crime Watch. This Yahoo Group web-based information sharing effort was developed in response to crime issues last year in the Ames Lake area, but since has expanded throughout the Upper and Lower Snoqualmie Valley. This grassroots effort helps keep neighbors informed about suspicious activity, scams, safety issues and especially emergency incidents such as road closures during flooding or construction. I applaud this volunteer effort.
Let’s hope spring really arrives soon!
Sincerely,
Kathy Lambert
District 3
(206) 296-1003