Sims appoints commission to begin King County Charter Review- King County

March 15, 2007

Sims appoints commission to begin King County Charter Review

King County Executive Ron Sims formally appointed 21 commission members in March to review the charter, which serves as the constitution for King County government. The charter provides the basic long-term structure reflecting core values such as accountability, checks and balances, and promoting an effective, efficient and responsive government.

The commission kicked off its work in an informal gathering on February 27, 2007.

During their term, the commission is expected to review the charter and make recommendations on any changes or improvements. The commission will recommend charter amendments and revisions to the County Council and recommendations approved by the council will be put on the ballot for voter approval. The charter commission will convene over the next 15 months and dissolve after the general election in November 2008.

The commission, with members representing each council district includes:

Mike Lowry, of Renton, Former Governor – Co-chair	Lois North, of Seattle, former King County Councilmember – Co-chair
Kirstin Haugen, of Bothell, Account Executive, Mercury, L.L.C	Dan Gandara, of Seattle, Attorney, Vandeberg Johnson & Gandara
Darcy Goodman, of Seattle, former King County District Court Judge	Juan Bocanegra, of Seattle, Community Activist, NW Empowerment Institute
John Groen, of Redmond, Attorney, Groen Stephens & Klinge LLP	Terry Lavender, of Woodinville, Citizen Activist, King County Conservation Futures
Mike Wilkins, of Seattle, former King County Deputy Assistant County Executive	Bryan Glynn, of Seattle, Legal Counsel for Cascade Land Conservancy
Gregg Hirakawa, of Seattle, City of Seattle, Director of Communications	Tara Jo Heinecke, of Des Moines, outgoing chair, 33rd District Democrats

Doreen Cato, of Bellevue, Executive Director, First Place	Sarah Rindlaub, of Mercer Island, Washington Policy Center Board Member
James Williams, of Federal Way, Attorney, Perkins Coie	Trisha Bennett, of Federal Way, Vice President of Government Affairs, Bennett Forest Industries
Allan W. Munro, of Seattle, Attorney	Gary Long, of Seattle, Suburban Cities Association
Jim English, of Vashon, UAC member	Sharon Maeda, of Seattle, King County Governance Commission
John Jensen, of Newcastle, Past President, Newcastle Chamber of Commerc

The King County Charter states, "At least every ten years after the adoption of this charter, the County Executive shall appoint a citizen commission of not less than fifteen members whose mandate shall be to review the charter and present, or cause to be presented, to the county council a written report recommending those amendments, if any, which should be made to the charter. This citizen commission shall be composed of at least one representative from each of the county council districts."

This is the fifth time the commission has convened since the charter was adopted in 1969.

The next Charter Review Commission meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2007, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Seattle Municipal Tower (700 Fifth Avenue, Seattle), on the 40th floor. Meetings are open to the public.

For more information about the commission, please go to the Web site, at www.metrokc.gov/exec/charter. You can also call Mark Yango, Charter Coordinator, at 206-296-4628, or e-mail charter.review@metrokc.gov.