White Center Now: The blog about White Center

From the weekly preview sent around by the King County Council – see what’s in the works for next week, after the jump: Read the rest of this entry »

Announced late today by the King County Council:

With King County’s general fund facing a $140 million deficit over the next two years and public safety services in jeopardy, the Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously approved a financial and performance audit of the Sheriff’s Office called for by Councilmember Larry Phillips. The audit will be conducted by the King County Auditor’s Office with scoping and preliminary work to be completed in 2010, and the full audit due in 2011.

“The Great Recession has reduced funding for criminal justice programs at a time when families can least afford to pay more taxes to make up the difference, so we must seek every efficiency possible in the Sheriff’s Office to reduce costs and maintain vital public safety services,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “Through an audit of Metro, we were able to find enough savings to offset transit cuts for two years. We don’t anticipate similar monetary results through this audit, but every efficiency counts.”

The audit will review regional and local law enforcement services in comparison to the state mandated levels of regional and local law enforcement services and any applicable benchmarks.

“Auditing the Sheriff’s Office is a proactive step towards creating a more efficient King County government,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “A similar performance audit of Metro last year allowed us to prevent cuts in service. Hopefully we can do the same thing here, so we can maximize the amount of service for each taxpayer dollar. In this economic climate our constituents expect us to keep all options on the table when it comes to saving money.”

“Our top funding priority has been to preserve our public safety system, but we need to make sure we are doing it in the most efficient way possible,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, chair of the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, which directs the work of the Auditor’s Office. “Sheriff Rahr has done an admirable job of keeping our citizens safe, but now with declining resources, that task becomes even more challenging. Our criminal justice system – including the sheriff, courts and jails – now is 76 percent of the general fund. Our Auditor has the expertise to advise us about how to stretch every dollar to its capacity, so this is a good time to apply that capability to the Sheriff’s Office.”

The Executive previously proposed sending to voters the option to offset criminal justice cuts by raising $47 million in 2011 through a two-tenths of one percent local option sales tax. This proposal did not garner the six Council votes needed to make the August ballot, but Councilmembers have not ruled out sending a criminal justice revenue proposal to voters in November after more work has been done to lower county costs.

Criminal justice officials have warned that the roughly 10- to 15-percent reductions that will be needed to close the $60 million general fund gap for 2011 could lead to the elimination of about 80 Sheriff’s Office positions—in addition to the 96 positions cut in the last three years—and would reduce basic law enforcement services.

We get this in e-mail every week – but it’s not worth anything unless we share. So from hereon out – at least for as long as White Center remains an unincorporated area! (though county legislation also tends to affect those in cities, too) – we’ll bring you “This Week at the County Council,” as e-mailed on Fridays, for the week starting the following Monday. Click ahead to read the latest edition – take note of the parks item on Tuesday: Read the rest of this entry »

Just sent by the county via Twitter – a link to the new edition of Unincorporated Area News. Not much about North Highline but some general notes of interest from around the county.

Not only is it Disaster Preparedness Month, we’ve also just been reminded – by news of the Northern Mexico earthquake – that we’re in quake country and need to do everything we can to be prepared to get through something big. There’s news from the King County DDES today about one way the county’s trying to help – here’s the announcement:

King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) is helping citizens in unincorporated King County to prepare for an earthquake emergency with free home earthquake retrofit permits on homes that meet specific criteria.

DDES Customer information Bulletin #50, Obtaining A Voluntary Home Earthquake Retrofit Permit, is available online here and outlines criteria for securing a free retrofit permit from DDES. In general, the homes must:

o be of wood-frame construction;
o have a light-weight roof;
o not be irregularly shaped;
o have a reinforced concrete foundation;
o not exceed two stories in height; and
o be on a relatively level lot.

Free earthquake retrofit permits at DDES can usually be issued over the counter if a complete application has been submitted. (Homes that do not meet these criteria can still secure an earthquake retrofit permit, however the process involves more review time and permit review fees are charged.)

“I hope more people will take advantage of this important program,” said DDES Director John Starbard. “Our region dealt with the impacts of the Nisqually earthquake in 2001 and, although that event was not of the same magnitude as more recent international earthquake disasters, modern building codes minimized the physical and economic damage of the 2001 quake for the benefit of the entire region.”

Still a few notes to take care of from last Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting. First – King County Sheriff’s Captain Carl Cole’s briefing on area crime, including a recap of the busted-up burglary that drew regional media to the area (including helicopters) last Tuesday.

The biggest point from Captain Cole: “The crime rate in White Center the last few years has gone down dramatically.” This point has been made before, but hearing it again had new meaning for some of the people most closely involved in the issue of potential northern North Highline annexation, as claims of WC crime woes have come up at recent public hearings. One success cited by the captain – “The gang unit has saturated the area on Friday and Saturday nights.” For March overall, he said, most of the crime in the unincorporated area was gang-related, but it was an “excellent month” overall.

Also, he noted that White Center storefront Deputy Jeff Hancock is back on patrol for a few months because of some staffing challenges – including the annexation that took effect the day of the NHUAC meeting: “As of today, seven deputies are now Burien police officers,” he noted. He says KCSO is reorganizing its precincts this summer to deal with challenges; when that takes effect July 1st, he says, Deputy Hancock (and the two other KCSO storefront officers who also have been moved temporarily to patrol) will be back to his regular role.

Now, on to the recap of the Tuesday burglary arrests – we’ll do our best to transcribe the story as the captain told it, quite energetically at that: Read the rest of this entry »

Just announced by King County DOT, it’s time for weed work in areas including the unincorporated county areas. If you do NOT want them spraying herbicide near your property, read on to see what to do: Read the rest of this entry »

A news release this afternoon from the King County Council:

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jan Drago today introduced the staff that will assist her in meeting constituent needs in Council District 8. The five-member staff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from both public and private sector positions throughout the region.

“With such depth and diversity in their backgrounds and experience with big issues like transportation, budgeting, and the environment, I am confident that the team will serve the citizens of District 8 and the entire county very well,” said Drago. “I consider myself quite lucky to have found an amazing team ready to take on this one-year tour of duty with me on the Council.”

· Marsha Holbrook will serve as Drago’s Chief of Staff. Holbrook brings 30 years of experience in the government sector to Drago’s team, with expertise in local government relations, marketing and logistics. Holbrook is responsible for overall office operations and coordination, as well as focusing on disaster preparedness, public health, youth violence prevention, and regional policy issues.

· Jodie Vice is Drago’s Policy Director. Vice was a member of Drago’s Seattle City Council staff, serving as her lead staffer on regional and local transportation policy. Vice will direct analysis of issues related to transportation, including the Ferry District, the budget and fiscal management, and environmental issues.

· Linda Robson is Drago’s Communications Director. Robson has over a decade of experience in public sector communications work in the region, including positions with Sound Transit, the Regional Transportation Commission, and as an aide to former Seattle City Councilmember Jim Compton. Robson will be responsible for media relations, writing and event planning, and concentrate on regional water and utilities issues.

· Mike Heavey will be Drago’s Community Relations Director. Heavey’s interest in government and politics began at the age of 13 while serving as a page for the Washington State Legislature. His most recent position was as the Eastside field organizer for Dow Constantine’s King County Executive campaign. Heavey will assist Drago with planning and coordinating community events and citizen relations, as well as analysis of law, criminal justice and public safety issues.

· Holly Krejci is Drago’s Executive Assistant and will be responsible for the daily operation of the office and constituent service . Krejci has over a decade of customer service, event planning, and administrative support experience, and is an active member of the Georgetown community in District 8.

Drago was unanimously appointed by the Council last month to fill the vacancy created in District 8 when Dow Constantine was sworn in as County Executive. She is Chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee and the King County Ferry District.

From a comment on our earlier report about last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting – NHUAC president Greg Duff says new County Councilmember Jan Drago has accepted the invitation to be at the next NHUAC meeting, 7 pm March 4, North Highline Fire District HQ. (Also to be attended, as we mentioned earlier, by Kenny Pittman, who’s the current point person for Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn on the proposal for the north section of North Highline to vote on Seattle annexation this November.)

An announcement from the King County Assessor’s Office:

The King County Assessor’s Office invites you to its first Open House!

Please join King County Assessor Lloyd Hara at the King County Administration Building, 7th floor conference room, on Thursday, January 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The open house provides a great opportunity for citizens to meet their County Assessor and his staff in an informal setting. Cake and coffee will be served. Please rsvp your attendance to Edna Shim, Special Assistant for Community Relations at edna.shim@kingcounty.gov by Monday, January 25th.

Who:
King County Assessor Lloyd Hara

What:
Inaugural Open House hosted by the King County Assessor’s Office

When:
Thursday, January 28, 2010
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Where:
King County Assessor’s Office & Conference Room
King County Administration Building, 7th Floor
500 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-2304

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RSVP BY MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH !

This just in from County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office:

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Burien Mayor Joan McGilton today announced an agreement for King County to transfer ownership of Puget Sound Park to the city of Burien.

“We were able to resolve this in a way that sets the right tone for this new era in King County government,” said Mayor McGilton. “I thank the County Executive for his leadership to reach a fair agreement on the parks transfer.”

“A deal’s a deal, and it was the city’s understanding of the annexation process that it would receive six parks from the County, including Puget Sound Park,” said Executive Constantine. “After detailed discussions, I agree that transfer of the park to the city is the right thing to do and should occur as part of that larger annexation.”

Voters in the southern portion of the North Highline Potential Annexation Area (PAA) approved their annexation by the city of Burien in August 2009. City Council action to implement the annexation was held up after the previous County administration entered into negotiations to sell part of Puget Sound Park to a third party.

Before taking office in November, then-Councilmember Constantine asked the previous Executive to slow down the proposed sale, in order to have more time to talk with the city about the proposal. Deputy County Executive Fred Jarrett appeared before the City Council on December 7 to hear the city’s position.

The proposed interlocal agreement must be approved by both the Burien City Council and the Metropolitan King County Council.

The City Council is expected to set the effective date for the annexation of the North Highline PAA at its next meeting on January 11.

More as we get it. ADDED 6:34 PM: We asked Frank Abe in the County Executive’s office what this means to the previous proposal for part of the park site. His reply: “We’ve let the King County Library System know of the new Executive’s agreement to transfer the park to the city. The city could pursue that option if it chooses to do so, within the restrictions of state law that governs the transfer of parks such as this.”

On the surface, this is one of those mandatory public notices- but it’s about one of the most important services the county provides – so if you have something to say about the 911 Center, check out this notice from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive January 9, 2010, to examine all aspects of the King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

Verification by the team that the King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center meets the Commissions state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement communications professional excellence.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to call in and offer comments. The public may call and speak with Assessors at 206-205-7518, on Monday, January 11th between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the King County Sheriff’s Office. The local contact person is Accreditation Manager Tom Nesko, 206-205-4097.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the King County Sheriff’s Communications Center’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation should write to: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2201.

If you need to take care of county business, today’s the day, since most county offices/facilities are closed tomorrow. Christmas Eve also is a “reduced weekday service” day for Metro, and other changes are coming up over the next two weeks – all detailed here.

ORIGINAL REPORT: We’re covering this as-it-happens on partner site West Seattle Blog – the King County Council is into the sixth hour of considering the last item on its agenda for the year – to appoint a successor for County Executive Dow Constantine. They deadlocked 4-4 in defeating the first motion to appoint the 34th District Democrats’ choice, State Sen. Joe McDermott; and again deadlocked in defeating the second motion, to appoint Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago. Most of the time’s been taken up in “recess” – closed-door huddles in the wings of the council chambers. Follow the ongoing coverage here; we’ll update WCN if/when there’s finally a decision. UPDATE: In the end – no decision – councilmembers declared themselves hopelessly deadlocked and will try again in the new year.

That’s an official King County photo from this afternoon’s swearing-in ceremony in downtown Seattle, as Dow Constantine – who until this afternoon represented White Center (and the rest of District 8) on the King County Council — became King County Executive. We have two reports on partner site West Seattle Blog with lots of photos and video, since we were there to cover the event – see the as-it-happened report (including video of the first five minutes of his speech) here, and a late-night followup — including the list of applicants who want his former place on the council – here.

He’s currently the County Councilmember representing District 8 – White Center, West Seattle, Vashon and other areas – so when Dow Constantine is sworn in as King County Executive in 2 1/2 weeks, how will his successor be chosen? A proposed process was unveiled this afternoon – here’s the county announcement:

With Tuesday’s election of Council Chair Dow Constantine as King County Executive, the Metropolitan King County Council may consider legislation Monday establishing a process for evaluating candidates for appointment to succeed him in representing Council District 8.

“It is important that the Council act quickly to ensure representation for constituents in District 8,” said Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson. “Timely appointment will also allow the new councilmember to transition into the position, hire staff, and hit the ground running in the new year.”

A proposed motion introduced today would create a 10-member panel of community leaders and elected officials who live or work in Council District 8, and who represent the geographic, economic and ethnic diversity of the district that encompasses West Seattle, North Highline, Vashon/Maury Islands, Burien, Normandy Park, SoDo, the International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, East Beacon Hill, and portions of the cities of SeaTac and Tukwila.

As currently drafted, the proposed legislation calls for applicants for the position to submit application material to the Clerk of the Council by Monday, November 16.

The selection committee is proposed to meet no later than November 25 to interview qualified applicants and recommend two to five candidates for consideration by the Council, but not state any preferences among the recommended candidates.

The King County Council has final authority for making the appointment. Under the proposal, the Council’s Committee of the Whole would interview recommended candidates on Monday, November 30, with final Council action on an appointment no later than December 14. The appointee would serve in office until certification of the next general election in November 2010.

The proposed process is similar to that adopted earlier this year to fill vacancies in the offices of County Executive and County Assessor. Under the old partisan form of government, the political party of the official vacating office would submit nominees for an appointed successor, but voters last year amended the King County Charter to make most countywide offices non-partisan.

The proposed legislation establishes criteria to be used by the selection committee in evaluating the qualifications of eligible candidates, including:

· Knowledge of the functions of King County government;
· Knowledge of the issues and challenges facing King County government;
· Knowledge of the issues affecting the constituents of Council District 8;
· A demonstrated ability to develop a responsible budget;
· A demonstrated ability to respond to public concerns;
· Demonstrated leadership skills; and
· A commitment to the immediate business of King County that would make it unlikely that the individual would run for any elective office while serving as appointed councilmember.

Council Chair Constantine is scheduled to be sworn into office as King County Executive as soon as the results of the general election are certified on November 24.

Complete election results over at partner site West Seattle Blog – but one item of special note, this area’s King County Councilmember has just been elected the new King County Executive. The video clips at the top and bottom of this item together constitute Dow Constantine‘s entire victory speech at Tuesday night’s party at the Edgewater. His opponent Susan Hutchison hasn’t conceded, but Constantine’s lead can be said to be fairly insurmountable.

Another vote tally will be made public Wednesday afternoon.

Two notes re: King County government – First, Monday is the next “furlough day,” so most offices will be closed. More details here about what’s open and what’s not. Second, Wednesday is when King County Elections plans to mail ballots for the November 3rd election – so voting will start as soon as the end of the week. Election info is online now.

The King County Council‘s budget committee has just begun its first public meeting specifically to talk about next year’s budget, and one of those who will testify is Sheriff Sue Rahr. According to her spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart, her talking points will include a contention that County Executive Kurt Triplett‘s budget proposal is not as rosy for her department as it sounds – she says it will cut patrol power in areas like White Center and Boulevard Park by as much as 75 percent. You can watch the testimony live right now through the Council’s online player. (Along with Rahr, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg and other criminal-justice leaders are presenting.) UPDATE: “The budget, as presented, is not what it seems. It does not shield public safety,” Sheriff Rahr has told the council in opening remarks that she described as “short and sweet.” She says the budget, for example, overcompensates for the Burien annexation of south North Highline and would leave her with one deputy per shift in White Center. ADDED 1:12 PM: Sgt. Urquhart has provided the full text of Sheriff Rahr’s remarks to the committee:

The budget, as presented, isn’t what it seems.

It does not “prioritize” public safety.

It does not “shield criminal justice”.

It does not only cut “criminal justice by 1%”.

The Sheriff’s Office unincorporated budget alone will be cut by almost 6%.

A $3.5 million dollar cut is attributed to the Burien annexation. The appropriate reduction due to workload for the annexed area is only seven deputies. However this budget proposes cutting an additional 27 deputies due to the annexation.

From which unincorporated neighborhoods should those additional 27 deputies be cut?

After the seven deputies are cut from the new annexation area, there will only be 38 left to serve all of White Center, Skyway, South Park, Boulevard Park, and Vashon Island. From that small pool I should cut 27 deputies, a 75% cut in police protection to the highest crime neighborhoods in King County? That’s would leave enough to maintain one deputy per shift to cover all of White Center and Boulevard Park, one deputy in Skyway, no deputies on Vashon island, and no storefront deputies.

If that’s not acceptable, which neighborhood in north and east King County should pay for this annexation with a reduction in their police service?

For the record, we were already forced to cut 86 positions in the last year and half, most of those deputy positions. This will put us up to 113 cuts in less than two years.

Enough about the cuts…let’s talk about what appear to be adds to my budget.

The budget proposal transfers 34 civilian security screeners from the Facilities Management Division to the Sheriff’s Office, along with $2.1 million to pay for them.

This transfer includes no money for supervision of these 34 screeners. They will be supervised by the two court security sergeants who already supervise 30 marshals and court deputies. This proposed budget would have the same two sergeants supervising 64 people in thirteen different locations. These are employees who provide a critical service for the safety of everyone entering a courthouse in King County.

In addition, this budget provides no monies to train the screeners, insufficient overtime funds, and over $100,000 in negative contras.

This $2.1 million “increase” to our budget masks the real cuts to public safety and makes it appear that the Sheriff’s Office isn’t being cut as much as it really is.

Bottom line, I will not take the screeners into the Sheriff’s Office and accept responsibility for a service that cannot be operated safely.

In summary, this budget cuts the Sheriff’s Office for unincorporated King County by $4.1 million, or nearly 6%. This is unsafe and it’s unacceptable, especially in light of several recent surveys that show overwhelmingly that public safety is the number one priority for the citizens of King County.”

A news release we received from the county this morning – important information regarding keeping construction sites from becoming a problem during the rainy season – if you’re involved with construction, read on: Read the rest of this entry »