State and local officials announce new recommendations to reduce risk of spread of COVID-19

Note: The following is a news release from Public Health – Seattle & King County:

State and local health officials announced new guidance to King County residents aimed at reducing their risk of exposure to COVID-19. While all residents can take steps now, people with underlying health conditions are urged to pay special attention to recommendations to avoid large gatherings of people. Public Health – Seattle & King County also announced on Wednesday ten additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County residents, including one death. This brings the total of confirmed cases to 31, including nine deaths.

Dr. Jeff Duchin with Public Health - Seattle & King County speaks to reporters during a press conference on the latest news involving COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, on March 4, 2020 in Seattle, Wash.
Dr. Jeffrey Duchin with Public Health – Seattle & King County speaks to reporters during a press conference on the latest news involving COVID-19, known commonly as the coronavirus.
Continue reading State and local officials announce new recommendations to reduce risk of spread of COVID-19

King County 2020 Community Service Area grants awarded

King County announced 45 volunteer-led community events and projects that will be expanded in unincorporated communities with grants of up to $5,000 each.

Learn more about our Community Service Grants on the Local Services website.

The community groups successfully competed for a total of $92,500 in grants, which range between $500 and $4,750 each. Community organizations are required to match at least one quarter of the total project costs. The projects must be accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

Grants were awarded to community organizations throughout King County’s Community Service Areas. This year’s successful applications include:

  • Snoqualmie Valley Community Network—support for a youth leadership summit.
  • Skyway Solutions—support for a community festival.
  • Federal Way Senior Center—funds to buy 100 chairs for use at the center.
Continue reading King County 2020 Community Service Area grants awarded

Cleaning up: King County Conservation Corps update

Before and after photos of some of the graffiti removal work the King County Conservation Corps did along 16th and 15th Ave SW near SW Roxbury Street in White Center thus far in 2020. The Corps has expanded some of its services in White Center and begun work in Skyway. As the program ends this April, planning is underway to address future resourcing.

The King County Conservation Corps is a partnership between King County’s Solid Waste Division, Department of Local Services, and Millionair Club Charity. Under the agreement, five-person crews provide services on weekdays in the urban unincorporated areas.

Watch Conservation Corps crews clean up graffiti and trash in White Center.
Continue reading Cleaning up: King County Conservation Corps update

FarmKingCounty.org offers resources for farming businesses

Running a farm business is complex. Thorough business planning may help you access financing to start your farm or diversify your farm as you grow your business. Many types of financing for farms (from grants to traditional bank loans) will have different requirements such as what they will cover, amount available, deadlines, or interest rates. Your business may need employees. Labor laws dictate what is allowable — from hiring family members who are children, to paying employees by the amount harvested — and what recordkeeping is required. And like any business, farms are required to pay taxes. However, farms are also eligible for tax benefits and exemptions.

Continue reading FarmKingCounty.org offers resources for farming businesses

Roads crews able to reopen NE Ames Lake Road following slide

 

Triggered by heavy rain and saturated soil, the ground under NE Ames Lake Road gave way, forcing its closure. Crews were able to remove enough debris from a nearby creek to put it back on course, which allowed them to make emergency repairs and reopen the road.
The ground under NE Ames Lake Road that gave way during this month’s heavy rains.

Road Services crews were busy over the long Presidents’ Day weekend this month.

One of its major accomplishments was reopening NE Ames Lake Road at State Route 202. The road closed nearly three weeks ago when sections of land under the road gave way due to slide damage in the valley directly below the road. Continue reading Roads crews able to reopen NE Ames Lake Road following slide

Adult Beverage Ordinance sets rules for businesses

Pictured is a stock photograph of a someone pouring red wine into a glass at a tasting room.

King County’s Adult Beverage Ordinance 19030 went into effect on Jan. 3, 2020.

This ordinance updates development regulations related to all adult beverage businesses—including wineries, breweries, distilleries, and remote tasting rooms—in unincorporated King County.

This ordinance will help King County prepare for and support the future evolution of the adult beverage industry in the region. It better implements and complies with the policies of King County’s Comprehensive Plan, Growth Management Act, and countywide planning policies. Continue reading Adult Beverage Ordinance sets rules for businesses

Roads lends hand during Skykomish snow emergency

King County Roads crews helped plow a school parking lot in snow-covered Skykomish so crews could deliver a generator to a local K-12 school building.
King County Roads crews helped plow a school parking lot in snow-covered Skykomish so crews could deliver a generator to a local K-12 school building.
After King County Roads cleared a school parking lot, crews were able to deliver this generator to a school building in snow-covered Skykomish.
After King County Roads cleared a school parking lot, crews were able to deliver this generator to a school building in snow-covered Skykomish.
Using graders, King County Roads crews plowed the upper and lower Baring Fire station parking lots so the fire station could operate as an emergency shelter during the days-long power outage in Skykomish.
Pictured is downed tree over a power line in snow-covered Skykomish.
Pictured is downed tree over a power line in snow-covered Skykomish.
Here’s a picture of the King County Roads shop in snow-covered Skykomish. Despite the snow, crews were able to assist the community.

This month’s wintry weather hit the Skykomish area especially hard.

Dozens of downed trees caught in power lines closed roads and knocked out electricity throughout Skykomish and Baring, making it hazardous to even plow the roads.

Despite that, our Road Services Division crews were able to help the community as they waited for the green light to begin making side roads accessible: Continue reading Roads lends hand during Skykomish snow emergency

Local Services’ 19: Top Accomplishments of 2019

What a first year!

Our goals were clear: create a department and begin delivering improved government services to the diverse residents and businesses of unincorporated King County.

We took that and ran with it, retooling how the county listens to residents, works collaboratively with them, and acts in their communities.

Here are 19 accomplishments we racked up in 2019: Continue reading Local Services’ 19: Top Accomplishments of 2019

Brater named ‘County Engineer of the Year’

Road Services Director Rick Brater holds his "County Road Engineer of the Year" plaque.
Road Services Director Rick Brater with his “County Engineer of the Year” plaque.

Road Services Division Director Rick Brater has been named the Washington State County Road Administration Board’s “County Engineer of the Year.”

He received the award at the Board’s Summer Conference in June.

Nominated by King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, Brater was recognized as a strong manager and leader who is responsible for a regional transportation system of 1,500 miles of roads and 182 bridges, and a staff of 400 people, including six maintenance divisions.

Brater, whom the Metropolitan King County Council appointed Director of Local Services’ Road Services Division in March and who has been with King County more than 17 years, was recognized in several areas: Continue reading Brater named ‘County Engineer of the Year’

Mark Rowe is the new Deputy Director for King County Local Services Permitting Division

 

 

Pictured in his Snoqualmie office is Permitting Division Deputy Director Mark Rowe
Permitting Division Deputy Director Mark Rowe

Recently, King County Local Services Permitting Division welcomed Mark Rowe as its new Deputy Director.

It’s somewhat of a homecoming for Rowe, who had two prior stints with the county. He first spent six years as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist for Public Health-Seattle & King County before joining AT&T Broadband, where he managed the teams that established high-speed data and voice networks in the state. In 2003, he rejoined Public Health as Program Manager for Emergency Preparedness, then as Food Protection and Water Recreation Facilities Section Manager.

Most recently, Rowe served in senior leadership roles with Amazon.com Corporate. First as a global Food Safety Senior Manager for Amazon Fresh, Prime Now and Treasure Truck, then as a Senior Food Safety Manager for Retail and Operations Integration. Continue reading Mark Rowe is the new Deputy Director for King County Local Services Permitting Division