Veterans’ and Human Services Levy

Sadikifu Akina-James of King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) described the Veterans and Human Services Levy passed by King County voters in November 2005. The levy generates funds to help veterans, military personnel and their families, and others in need through a variety of housing and supportive services. This levy allocates ~ $13 million per year for six years to provide housing and human services for these two broad groups.  The levy will remain in effect until 2011.

Two citizen oversight boards--one for veterans and one for regional human services--established by the King County Council oversee levy implementation. Cynthia Lefever, appointed by King Councilman Reagan Dunn as the District #9 citizen representative, spoke of her veteran son who was severely wounded in Iraq in 2004. The services provided for traumatic brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder were very important to her son and many other returning veterans. Her son today is on his own, attending college, and participating in recreational sports again.

The overall goals of the levy are to: (1) reduce homelessness and emergency medical costs; (2) reduce criminal justice system involvement; and (3) increase self-sufficiency by means of employment. Both citizens’ oversight boards are responsible for reviewing the expenditure of levy proceeds and for reporting annually to the King County Executive and the King County Council. Prior to 2011 the boards will make recommendations to the Executive and Council on levy renewal or replacement. More information on the levy, services provided, and key contacts can be found here.

Black Diamond Master Planned Developments

At its January monthly meeting, the Area Council voted to oppose two Master Planned Developments (MPDs) proposed by Yarrow Bay in lands recently annexed by the City of Black Diamond. A total of 4,530 single-family and 1,520 multi-family units have been proposed on nearly 700 acres. Over 1,100,000 sq ft of commercial and office space also has been proposed.

The Area Council has officially voiced its concerns in writing to both State and County officials, as well as affected SE King County cities--including the City of Maple Valley, detailing the adverse ramifications that such large developments on the rural/suburban fringe will have on both the major and minor transportation corridors in the greater Maple Valley area.

The Final Environmental Impact Statements (FEISs) for both proposed MPDs--The Villages and Lawson Hills--were released simultaneously on December 11. Many Black Diamond citizens have filed formal appeals of the FEISs. Those appeals will be heard before a Hearing Examiner on Saturday, March 6, 10 AM - 5 PM and continuing on Tuesday, March 8, and Wednesday, March 9, both from 7 - 10 PM. Public Hearings on the MPDs themselves are scheduled for Thursday, March 10, and Friday, March 11, both from 7 - 10 PM and continuing on Saturday, March 12, starting at 10 AM.

The Saturday, March 6, hearing will take place at the Black Diamond Elementary School at 25314 Baker St. Locations for all the aforementioned hearings are listed in the Public Notices sections of local newspapers. Interested citizens are advised to check the City of Black Diamond website for all hearing locations.

Proposed 2009 King County Permit Process Improvements

Last Fall King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) proposed changes to improve and streamline the permit process. The general purpose of this proposed changes is to simplify the permit process, allow as permitted uses some uses that currently require conditional-use permits, and clarify ambiguous provisions in King County Code. The Area Council’s Growth Management Committee, reviewed the proposed changes and provided comments and clarifying questions to DDES.

Harry Reinert of DDES in correspondence dated January 26 provided answers to the Area Council’s questions involving: Pre-Application Community Meetings, Rezones, Permitted Uses, Critical Areas, Temporary Uses, Transfer of Development Rights, and Repealers. In addition, Mr. Reinert provided the updated version of the draft ordinance which includes some of the Area Council’s requested changes. Each of these are under review by the Area Council’s Growth Management Committee.

DDES intends to finalize the proposed changes and forward them to the King County Executive for inclusion in the King County Comprehensive Plan 2010 Update by March 2010. Interested citizens can review the proposed changes at the King County website.

Area Council Website Guidelines

Beverly Tonda, chair of the Website Guidelines Ad Hoc Committee, reported results of the committee’s first meeting. To ensure a continuing informative and secure website, the committee made the following recommendations to the full Area Council:

1) Update Area Council By-Laws to reflect the web site’s operation;

2) Clarify the role and authority of the Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary; and

3) Handle links to outside non-governmental organizations on a case-by-case basis.

The Area Council decided to have the By-Laws Committee meet to address updates required to accommodate the web site’s operation.

Next Meeting

Date/Time -- Monday, March 1, at 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Location -- Sheriff’s Precinct #3 Headquarters, 231^st St & SR-169 (across from Fire Station)

Topics/Speakers --

1. Master Planned Developments: King County DDES Senior Policy Analyst Paul Reitenbach and King County Department of Transportation Traffic Engineer Matthew Nolan.

2. Quarterly Sheriff's Precinct-Level Community Forum: Sheriff’s SE Precinct #3 Commander Major Dave Germani.