White Center Now: The blog about White Center

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The second in-person meeting post-pandemic for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council happened tonight at the North Highline Fire Station. NHUAC had to wait for the station’s renovations to be complete before it had a meeting place again.

NHUAC president Liz Giba facilitated.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: First up, she introduced Precinct 4 KCSO commander Major Koby Hamill and Capt. Chris Przygocki, brand-new at the precinct as of October after being promoted within KCSO. This was his third community-council event, Hamill said. They asked about questions/concerns – including the recent departure of Sgt. Glen Brannon from the storefront deputy possession. Hamill said that like most police agencies, KCSO is dealing with an officer shortage. “Unfortunately … we’re at about 67 percent staffing in the KCSO Southwest Precinct … same number as the other unincorporated precincts … 72 vacancies and 60 to 70 deputies in training … So we have another 60 to 70 bodies, but (because of training) they’re not deployable bodies.” But he just filled the Greenbridge housing deputy position “that’s been vacant for years.” That deputy can help out when needed. He thinks the storefront position “will be vacant a little while longer” because they had some fill-ins who didn’t work out. They have a few potential internal candidates, and will broaden recruiting if that doesn’t work out. “It takes a certain deputy to be a storefront deputy … I’m not going to give you just anybody off the shelf.” Most of the time, he said in response to a question, WC has two deputies on patrol. Burien deputies back them up when needed, Hamill said, and vice versa. He said he has a commitment that in early January they’ll get this precinct back up to 70 percent. They apportion staffing via a periodic “draft,” he explained. … The new storefront deputy isn’t likely to be a local resident, he said, because most live someplace cheaper – “even White Center is expensive,” he noted.

Attendees asked about recent incidents. Re: the car-wash shooting, and the quick arrest thanks to security video, the Captain said he was taken into custody and they recovered the gun, but he apparently was having a mental-health issue and believed the victim was someone he was not. They found the suspect in a play area at an apartment complex nearby. The victim survived. … Re: the recent pedestrian fatality, a man hit the pedestrian and didn’t know it until he “felt a thump.” He wasn’t impaired, said the captain, and reported it immediately to 911. There were no particular circumstances that the KCSO duo was aware of regarding why it happened. … They didn’t have additional info about the recent attack on a Metro driver; Maj. Hamill said those are so common that some drivers don’t even report it (in police talk, “don’t want to be a victim”).

He also talked about what a different world this is and why store staff don’t want to engage with someone committing a crime – “you don’t know who you’re dealing with any more,” they might be dealing with someone who’s armed and/or dangerous. … Maj. Hamill also touched briefly on the booking restrictions that result in misdemeanor suspects not being booked into jail. “There’s a lot behind the scenes that you don’t know about,” he said. He also said there’s a push to increase penalties. But overall shoplifting, for example, isn’t a big problem except at Roxbury Safeway. They do help empower businesses to grant officers the right to trespass people – they’ve been dropping off forms that need to be filed out, Przygocki said. … “How are we ever going to get back to civility?” agonized one woman. Just because they don’t jail/charge anyone immediately doesn’t mean they won’t ever refer the case for charges. But “there’s only so many people they can prosecute, so first-time offenders” – in some cases – “might get off.” In talking about the spread of crime into many areas, Hamill mentioned he lives “in rural Pierce County” and his block has been rocked by multiple-victim shootings. … City and county officers can cooperate, he noted, and can make arrests and search for suspects on both sides of the city-limit line. … WC has gentrified, too, it was observed by both an attendee and Hamill – it used to be a lot rowdier, among other qualities.

Other topics that came up included the noise of modified mufflers … The Halloweentown block party on 16th went smoothly; KCSO sent a couple extra deputies … Three extra deputies are working tonight on a “special project” for KCSO, Hamill said … Another attendee asked if mom-n-pop shops get priority over corporate-owned stores in terms of responses. “No, it all depends on when the call comes out,” said Hamill, or if it’s a Priority X (major) call, for example. … Maj. Hamill said unincorporated King County does not have high-tech innovations like Flock cameras that can track suspects long distance – yet … An attendee who lives near White Center Heights Park said he wants to see speed bumps to slow the reckless drivers near his house – reply: ask King County Road Services (which reports to Local Services, whose director was in earshot) … What’s the biggest thing happening in the area that we all should be concerned about? asked another attendee. “No one theme,” said Maj. Hamill. “Just general awareness.” The commander then veered into an endorsement of home security cameras. “Be vigilant. And (when you need to), call us. That’s what we’re here for. Don’t ever hesitate to call us.” Call 911 and they’ll transfer you if it’s not an emergency, he added. … NHUAC’s Giba asked about the Tim’s Tavern music issue, which she said was supposed to be handed over to KCSO, but Hamill said it hadn’t come to his attention, yet, and noted that noise complaints are a low priority. … What about budget cuts? Personnel cuts in KCSO were focused on civilian positions as far as he knows, said Maj, Hamill.

DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL SERVICES: Road issues were addressed first – a sidewalk problem is blamed on tree roots and they’re trying to figure out how to do that “without killing trees” … The traffic-calming feature in front of Victory Church in Top Hat is being evaluated after complaints it’s dangerous … Bumpy spot on outside lane of eastbound 107th by Taco Bell – it’s been determined it needs some work and it will be taken care of … Bumpy spot at 4th/116th is “actually in Burien” so that city’s appropriate department has been notified … Permanent puddle at 4th/108th: It’s been evaluated and appears to be a water-main leak, so Seattle Public Utilities has been notified (one attendee said they already knew about it) … Those were all previously surfaced issues; some new ones came up too, including a ditch problem at 3rd/110th, 15th/98th damage, 16th/107th has a sidewalk problem with a “cutout” … These will all be looked at, the Local Services team promised. … Another attendee brought up a traffic problem on their street, 17th SW “right off 16th, 100th to 104th” … NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin noted that big tractor-trailers are parking in that area and causing a hazard too. The rechannelization of 16th could complicate matters, it was observed. … David Daw from Local Services said he’d try to get a Roads rep to come to the next NHUAC meeting to hear/talk about some of these situations firsthand.

What about the kiosk situation? asked NHUAC’s Pat Price. After a recent survey, they’re working on design, the county reps replied. Nothing to show yet. But otherwise it’s all dependent on budget; $100,000 was requested in King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s budget proposal … Price asked about road dumping; notify the county, was the reply.

Then Daw mentioned that it has been determined Tim’s Tavern “can’t operate the way they’re operating now” with outdoor music and an “unpermitted structure.” They should have received a letter notifying them to stop, but “they do have the ability to appeal to the King County Hearing Examiner,” he said. If an appeal fails, then they face a penalty every time they get caught violating the rules. “The current use is not allowed” – an outdoor venue – repeated Daw. Who’s dealing with it right now? The hearing examiner will hear it soon, Daw added. … There was also some discussion of the recent block party, which was advertised as “until 2 am” though permitted (for the street closure) for midnight – the 2 am was just a reference to the establishments’ hours, it was clarified.

So what about the 16th SW project? “Moving forward as designed,” said Daw, with the bicycle lanes. Is White Center Food Bank OK with it? Yes, they’re gaining spaces, replied Daw … What about the King County Comprehensive Plan, with a final hearing coming up November 19th? asked the same attendee. It’s been discussed before, said Dobkin.

Daw also had a reminder for business owners: Unincorporated King County’s minimum wage will be $20.29 starting on January 1st. He also mentioned community grants are open for applications until mid-December, and that participatory budgeting voting wrapped up, and the winners will be announced on November 11th – next Monday. “White Center turned out!” he said, with more than 2,500 votes cast.

LIQUOR/CANNABIS BOARD REP: They have pulled some stings recently, sending in an underage person to try to make purchases. No big headlines from that. But if you have a particular concern with a retailer, contact the board (look for agent Eric Thomas, whose turf is from south of Roxbury to SeaTac). Any word on the Unicorn Bar? No liquor-license application yet, Thomas said. … Any update on the ex-KFC building or the ex-Chase Bank? No one had any intel.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: 4:30 pm next Tuesday (November 12), there’s a pet-painting party at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) … Also at the library, the White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar happens November 15-16 … The White Center Kiwanis Club‘s nut sales are under way again, $25 per box …

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC usually meets first Thursdays, 7 pm, now in-person at NH Fire Station (1243 SW 112th). (They’ll be taking January off, said Giba.)

Just in from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

You are Invited to Experience

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard

At the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) Meeting!

When: Thursday, November 7. 2024, at 7 pm

Where: North Highline Fire Station in White Center at 1243 SW 112th Street
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

Please join NHUAC’s second in person meeting since 2020! The meeting will take place in the newly remodeled North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center.

Last month’s meeting introduced Leon Richardson, the new Director of King County’s Department of Local Services (DLS). DLS is responsible for providing essential services such as permitting, zoning, code enforcement and road services to North Highline and the other unincorporated areas of King County.

Mr. Richardson said that he would get back to us about several items that were brought up in October. Unfortunately, he has a scheduling conflict with NHUAC’s November7th meeting. However, David Daw, External Relations Director for DLS, will stand in for Leon Richardson. We look forward to hearing from him.

White Center Now: The blog about White Center » Archive » In-person discussion with new Local Services director @ North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s October meeting

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has also been making some changes in the people who work with Precinct 4, which includes our area. Our last Storefront Deputy, Glen Brannon, was not at October’s meeting because he is no longer assigned to North Highline. This month we will be joined by Captain Chris Przygocki. We’re looking forward to meeting him and learning when we will have a Storefront Deputy and how North Highline will be protected until then.

Do you have questions or something you want to share – perhaps an idea for a future meeting? Come, share and bring a friend!

Knowledge is power. Learn, share and help make our community a better place.

November 7, 2024 at 7 pm

Bring a Neighbor!

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

For the first time since pre-COVID, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) met in-person last week for their monthly meeting. This meetup of neighbors was made possible because planned renovations have been completed at North Highline Fire District HQ, which had been the NHUAC group’s long-time meeting venue. 

The meeting was facilitated by NHUAC vice president Barbara Dobkin (at center, below), because president Liz Giba wasn’t able to attend. Dobkin was joined by board members Pat Price, Christine Waldman, Brigitte Vaughn and Amelia Cullinan.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation and Q&A with Leon Richardson, who was recently appointed as the Director of King County’s Department of Local Services. Richardson (at left, in the photo below) was joined at the meeting by fellow county staff Jesse Reynolds (Economic Development Program Manager, at center below) and Bong Santo Domingo (Community Liaison, at right below):

Sto. Domingo has been a fixture at NHUAC meetings and White Center gatherings in the past, and talked about the ongoing importance of civic engagement:

Reynolds encouraged attendees to participate in the team’s “What should downtown White Center look like?” online survey, which is open until the end of October. The survey is part of the White Center Fire Impact Zone (WCFIZ) Community Vision effort, kicked off largely in response to the various 2021 fires in downtown White Center. The goal of the beautification project is to “celebrate diversity and enhance public spaces to create a vibrant, attractive and welcoming area for residents, local businesses, and visitors that reflects White Center’s distinct character.” Reynolds said the results of the survey will help inform county leaders and community designers as options are explored for downtown White Center. 

Richardson, who has held leadership roles for King County since 2019, was appointed to the Local Services director position in July 2024 by King County Executive Dow Constantine. He said that he lives in Federal Way and has been staying busy traveling throughout the county, “from Fall City to Vashon and everywhere else,” meeting with community members and “showing up” to support citizens. Local Services began in 2019 with a mission of providing new and better ways to serve unincorporated King County (which includes North Highline), and the department became responsible for essential services such as zoning, permitting, code enforcement and road services.

Richardson added that earlier that day he had spent time in White Center talking with business leaders such as the owners of Tim’s Tavern (more on Tim’s below), as well as various community members and stakeholders.

Dobkin and the NHUAC board had submitted some questions to Richardson in advance, and Dobkin went through them as Richardson provided summary responses (and said he’d follow-up with the group with more details later), and attendees also asked additional questions throughout:

• Q: Does Local Services advise regarding zoning and codes?
  • A: Yes, Richardson said you can reach out us (206-477-3800 or AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov), and if we don’t know, we’ll try to figure out the answer.  Our goal is to be partners with the community, we are here to help, and can work with you to get the answer.
• Q: How do you work with permitting?
  • A: The director of the permitting division reports to Richardson (who said he also receives a lot of direct calls about permitting). 
• Q: We are very concerned about Tim’s Tavern (the volume of the outdoor music), which has been an ongoing source of frustration since they opened in White Center in April 2023. (editor’s note: see WCN coverage from NHUAC’s June meeting which was attended by county’s permitting director Jim Chan and external-affairs director David Daw). Our viewpoint is that the volume and hours of the music have not changed, and it is our understanding is that Tim’s is now working on a non-conforming permit. We know that our deputies are busy and we don’t want to bother them with noise complaints, but we also don’t want to have to move because of this. It’s negatively impacting our quality of life.  Staff from Tim’s Tavern don’t seem interested in truly fixing the issue. 
  • A. Richardson said he does not know all of the answers or the latest information, but he committed to look into it very closely with his staff, and to get back to the NHUAC group in November with a timeline for getting answers and next-steps for working toward a resolution. He apologized for any misinformation shared by prior staff, and said “we will strive to do better; hearing all of this from you is helpful to me as the ‘new guy.'”  He added that he met with staff at Tim’s Tavern earlier in the day to discuss some of the things he’s heard, and he said that Tim’s acknowledges that they had previously said they’d make some changes that haven’t been done yet, because they’re waiting to see what’s happening with permitting to see if they can keep their music and business going before they make large infrastructure investments.  He said that typical processes are always followed unless a situation “represents a life safety or environmental impact” (upon saying that, several meeting attendees were quick to say that the situation certainly qualifies as a major disruption to life in the neighborhood). 
  • Meeting attendee Erick Thomas, a state liquor inspector, said that he had some familiarity with Tim’s Tavern, and location’s prior business Drunky Two Shoes (WCN coverage here), which also had live music. Thomas said that Tim’s holds essentially the same type of license, but with a different business model — having a band in the outside service area 5-6 nights per week, rather than a couple of nights per month at Drunky Two Shoes. Thomas said their 2024 license was just renewed, and next year will be up for renewal in September 2025 (someone can contest that, no later than 90 days prior for renewal). The state Department of Revenue will typically list the old business as well as the new business.  (one meeting attendee noted that the online parcel viewer still says Drunkys).
  • Attendee: My impression is that the people who run Tim’s don’t want to engage with us, and want to wait things out. At what point would a more forceful legal action be taken?  A: Richardson said his understanding is that Tim’s has been cited twice for noise complaints, they went to court and prevailed in each case (that’s what he has been told, anyway, he said he would take a closer look). He said Tim’s is going through the county’s code enforcement process right now, which involves two aspects: use of the facility, and the structure(s) itself.
  • Dobkin mentioned a potentially related situation with two bars in Covington that had similar issues (over the noise limit with indoor music), but mitigation steps were taken and they aren’t doing it anymore. She added that “I’ve never in 20 years called in a noise complaint. It’s not that we don’t like music. We don’t want to shut them down, we just want them to do the right thing.”
  • Jesse Reynolds (from King Co) said it’s his understanding that Tim’s is currently working on the non-conforming permit, which is based on the structures built by the prior owner (Drunkys), and that per standard process. this is a private hearing.
  • Richardson stressed that it will take him some time to get up to speed on the issue, and he said “in November we will follow-up with information for you.”
• Q: What can we do about dogs barking in the neighborhood in the middle of the night?  A: Richardson said this falls in same realm as noise complaints.   It’s not for Local Services, it’s for the King County Sheriff’s Office. We do partner with that office, though, and if you let us know the issue then we will work with them.
• Q: What about the quality of roads? Several attendees gave example of trouble spots (rough road 107^th on the south side by Taco Bell side, a large divot 116^th crossing 4^th Ave northbound, standing water on 4^th Ave SW just south of 108^th on the east side).   A: Richardson and his staff wrote down notes and said they’d look into it. 
• Q: Is there any way you could help get air conditioning in Greenbridge where the Boys and Girls Club meets? Answer from Sto Domingo: They are their own entity, which reports to the national Boys and Girls Club group, we encouraged them to apply for an “Alan Painter grant” but to my knowledge they haven’t yet.  That’s the best way for them to proceed.
• Q: Dobkin said “there’s a loophole” that has allowed properties in the community to be divided into 2500 sq ft lots, as people leave or pass away, which is “destroying the neighborhood” because many large areas are being paved and developed, with no trees or greenspaces. She said that Jim Chan had previously said he’d look into it.  A: Richardson said he appreciates the feedback and that his team will look into it.  
• Q: Dobkin said “we’re losing walkability in our neighborhood” with a lack of sidewalks, people driving way too fast, etc. Another attendee noted that they’ve repeatedly asked for roundabouts at 17^th Ave SW and 100^th St as well as speed bumps on other streets, but have not had much luck, and said that the county had done some traffic studies indicating that there hasn’t been an increase in traffic “but I can tell you there is.” Other attendees noted that they fear that traffic mitigations in some areas are simply diverting speeders to adjacent streets without really fixing the issue.  Someone commented that “we need actual roundabouts; not like the fake one in front of Arbor Heights Elementary.”  A:  Richardson said some funds had been received from the state for road projects, and that they’d continue to work on things — he and his team made note of the items brought up by attendees. 
  Another attendee said that from a traffic perspective in White Center, “I feel like my head is on a swivel” because “people know that there’s very little enforcement in White Center, so it’s a free for all – I call it ’16^th Ave Raceway.'”  Another attendee said he works as a mailman and has seen traffic issues and speeding first-hand, and that it’s a frequent topic of concern in the postal workers’ meetings at the Westwood post office. 
• Q: Dobkin asked about the new Rapid Ride “H line,” noting that officials had said it would make White Center a better transit hub, but because one of the main stops is next to the now-closed Bartell Drugs store, “it’s dangerous, it’s an open drug market, it’s not safe for anyone to use.” A: Jesse Reynolds confirmed that there have definitely been complaints, that there was a tent city but it’s gone now, and the alley has been an issue (they have a service doing litter pickup).  He put in a plug for the team’s “What should downtown White Center look like?” online survey (open until Oct. 31st) and said his group will also have a booth at the White Center Artwalk on Oct 17th.  Richardson noted that, in general, having police officers available to speak at meetings like NHUAC is beneficial for discussions like this, and he’d do his best to help with that (no officers were able to attend for this night’s meeting). 
• Q: Dobkin asked about graffiti issues. A: Richardson said that his team had been talking to local businesses earlier that day, and that the consensus seems to be that if a business has a mural painted on it then there’s much less likely to be graffiti painted on top of it, but acknowledged that not every business has the resources to commission their own mural (and many businesses don’t own the building in which they operate). An attendee asked about the feasibility of an ordinance saying that any graffiti needs to be removed within a specific amount of time; but some businesses said it would be very burdensome. Alan Painter grants and community needs grants could help, and one attendee mentioned the 4Culture arts organization as a possible source for artists. Some of the graffiti is suspected to be gang-related, claiming territory, which brings unique problems. 
• One attendee said there have been numerous complaints about the new traffic revision on 1st Ave SW south of 108th St., near the church and Axe Kickers, saying that although the changes were meant to help traffic, “it has caused so many near-accidents and constant horn-honking; they should erase and put it back the way it was.”  Richardson’s team made note of the issue. 
• An attendee said that their neighbors are facing a serious challenge in which an elderly person had lived there but recently moved into assisted living, someone else moved in to help, but there has been “questionable activity going on 24/7 for over a year,” and they’ve talked to the county sheriff’s office about it, but don’t have a resolution, although there was recently a very serious issue in which authorities were called to the scene. What can be done as people in our neighborhood are aging and need to leave, and their properties are taken over by others?  Richardson said his team would look into it, and said there is an existing program (he thought it may be associated with the county prosecutor’s office) that he will try to look up and share information about.  Another attendee noted that similar issues happen when houses become completely unoccupied, and overrun with pets and (in some cases) squatters.  Because there are only 5-6 code enforcement officers for all of unincorporated King County, dealing with these issues can often take a while. 
• There was a question from attendees about the status of the “floating islands” which were installed in 2013 in Hicklin Lake (formerly known locally as Hicks Lake) with the intent of helping water quality. County staff said that although the county “went all in” with volunteers on the floating islands, “sadly the water quality hasn’t improved” enough, so they’ll be taking the islands out, but that WALPA (WA State Lake Protection Association) does want to communicate with the community about what’s next. Ideas include a pathway around lake, and other means of improving water quality and keeping the lake clean. 

Richardson noted that he would do his best to continue ramping up quickly on the job, and answering community concerns, but noted that he had some upcoming time off because he also serves in the Army Reserves, and needed to fly back to Washington DC for a commitment. 

Darlene Sellers from King County Parks shared details about events at the White Center Teen Program (open at the “Log Cabin” at Steve Cox Memorial Park every day Tuesday-Saturday. She said they had a successful free soccer tournament recently for 72 kids, a glow-in-the-dark volleyball tournament coming up, and will soon be able to host cooking classes again because they were approved for needed facility renovations. Their big upcoming event is the “Halloween Bash” on Saturday Oct 26th, which will be a free event with separate haunted houses for younger kids and older kids, and White Center Food Bank donations happening.  She said there are more than 100 teens volunteering for various events, across 40 different programs, with great engagement. 

Scott Davis from the Kiwanis Club of White Center also promoted the club’s annual pancake breakfast and silent auction, which will be Saturday Oct. 12th from 8 am-noon at White Center Eagles (10452 15th SW).  Ticket details here, $10/person and free for kids under 5. 

NHUAC meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month, and plans to continue meeting in-person at the North Highline Fire Station in White Center (1243 SW 112th St.)

For the first time since pre-pandemic, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will hold an in-person meeting this Thursday (October 3). It’s not that NHUAC didn’t want to get back to face-to-face meetings sooner, but they lacked a venue, since the North Highline Fire District HQ was undergoing renovations. Finally the building’s available again and NHUAC hopes to see you Thursday – here’s the announcement we received:

You are Invited to Experience

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard

At the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) Meeting!

When: Thursday, October 3. 2024, at 7 pm

Where: North Highline Fire Station in White Center at 1243 SW 112th Street
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

Please join us for NHUAC’s first in person meeting since 2020! It’s been a long time since we met in person, but it’s finally here. The meeting will take place in the newly remodeled North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center.

This long-awaited opportunity to reconnect with our neighbors and make new friends will include a presentation by Leon Richardson, the recently appointed Director of King County’s Department of Local Services.

In 2019, the Department of Local Services began with the goal of developing “new and better ways to serve” unincorporated King County. It became responsible for providing essential services such as permitting, zoning, code enforcement and road services to North Highline and the other unincorporated areas of King County. We look forward to meeting Director Richardson and learning how he thinks his department can support the North Highline community.

See you Thursday at 7 pm!

Knowledge is power. Learn, share and help make our community a better place.

October 3, 2024 at 7 pm

Bring a Neighbor!

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

Neighbors and special guests met online last Thursday for the June meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC).  The event was facilitated by NHUAC president Liz Giba and vice president Barbara Dobkin, and was the group’s last meeting before summer break.

COUNCILMEMBER VISIT: First on the agenda was an opening session with new King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who provided an update about her first 5 months serving on the council. Mosqueda serves as chair of three committees: King County Board of Health, Health and Human Services, and Regional Transit.  She was joined on the call by her deputy chief of staff, Chris Lampkin.

Mosqueda noted that she particularly likes to “geek out” on health-related topics, as it relates to one of her stated goals of “improving social determinants of health so a kiddo born anywhere in the county has the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy.” She touted the work that her committees has been doing, and successes such as Crisis Care Center funding.

She also talked about the White Center HUB (which recently broke ground), upcoming public safety forums, District 8 Days, the Highline Activities Gala, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Mosqueda said the #1 issue she’s heard from small business owners in District 8 is workforce housing, which her team has made a major focus. She also talked about her team’s work on the 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan, and the ongoing map amendments, as well as investments in trees and greenspaces (of particular interest in White Center, she said, due to a high number of “heat islands” because of so many paved spaces). She said her team plans to create a “2-pager” summary of the plan, to distribute to constituents.

Mosqueda also discussed questions raised by meeting attendees including noise complaints regarding Tim’s Tavern (see details below), neglected buildings such as the vacated ex-Bartell Drugs store, properties on 16th Ave SW impacted by arson, and the distribution of heat pumps as part of the Energize King County program.

SEWER AND SEPTIC: Next on the agenda was a presentation about On-site Sewage/Septic Systems (OSS) from Public Health’s assistant division director Meagan Jackson and program manager Lara Brezina. OSS helps ensure that the more than 85,000 sewage/septic systems in Seattle are safe, including in urban areas such as North Highline, where raw sewage can have significant effects on health and safety.

They noted that their program in King County is responsible for permitting, making sure that systems are in good working order and making sure they work for as long as possible.  Brezina said they are in the process of revising codes this year (info here, with adoption occurring in January 2025), and are in the process of getting input from the community, as well as aligning with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

Jackson said there are three key purposes and outcomes:

1. Advance equity in OSS infrastructure (certify newly trained experts)
2. Remove unnecessary barriers and costs
3. Integration with regional policies.

They also talked about the Equitable Wastewater Futures Program, designed to provide options for dealing with systems that are past their intended life span.

NOISE CONCERNS AND TIM’S TAVERN:

Also discussed at the meeting were ongoing concerns about noise from outdoor live music at Tim’s Tavern in White Center (see our coverage of this topic from last month’s NHUAC meeting). Councilmember Mosqueda commented on it before she had to leave the meeting, saying that she loves the fact that Tim’s came to White Center (she is an ex-officio board member of the 4Culture arts organization), but that her team has also heard the concerns from neighbors about loud music, particularly at night, and agrees that the rules need to be consistently enforced.

Later in the meeting, the county’s permitting director Jim Chan and external-affairs director David Daw provided some updates. Tim’s co-owner Mason Reed was also in attendance at the meeting, and spoke in response to the concerns from officials and from residents.

Several attendees noted that in recent months, the live outdoor music at Tim’s is ending promptly at 10 pm or earlier (Reed confirmed that his team began enforcing this more strictly, about two months ago).  Attendees generally agreed that this is an improvement from the past when the music would often go later into the night, but neighbors were adamant that more needs to be done to address the music volume, especially when it’s outdoors. Several neighbors shared their stories and experiences with regard to challenges they’ve faced with the music volume and the disruptions it has caused, as well as concerns with how their past complaints have been responded to by Tim’s staff.

Chan (permitting director) reiterated that “property owners have due process,” and that “we want to be sure that all voluntary options are explored” before things are escalated any further. He said that his office was waiting for a “fee waiver” payment from Tim’s to be made before they can hold a meeting with Tim’s and take the next step in code enforcements.  Reed (from Tim’s) confirmed that he was in the process of making the payment, and that the process of setting up the meeting with the county should proceed next week.

Reed emphasized that “it was never our intention to come in and disrupt the neighborhood” and that his team is working hard on options to mitigate noise concerns, and working with county officials. He said that all of the noise complaints are sent to him directly, and that the concerns “weigh heavily on me” and he takes them very seriously.  Tim’s had previously operated in Greenwood but was shut down during the pandemic, then reopened in spring of 2023 in White Center in the former Drunky Two Shoes location (WCN coverage here), which also had live music.  Reed said he wants Tim’s to be a community hub and a good neighbor — “I moved my entire life to White Center; I believe in it.”

SHERIFF’S OFFICE UPDATE: White Center’s Storefront Deputy, Detective Glen Brannon, provided his monthly update (he also spoke during the discussion about music at Tim’s, saying that it was the very first issue that he started working on when he joined 18 months ago, and that he’s hoping for resolution).  He noted that he’s been in training recently. He commended NHUAC for their monthly meetings, saying “I’m honored every time I do this; you do a great job bringing guests in.”

He said that he expects to see a typical uptick of activity in the summer, and has already noticed (for example) more graffiti activity, particularly on 16th Ave SW.  He said that his office has had great cooperation with school districts and the parks department.

One attendee asked about the frequency of car thefts — Brannon noted that they seem to have leveled off, and he added that as of last week, changes went into effect for Washington’s police pursuit laws, which will permit officers to engage more frequently in car pursuits. He said that KCSO hasn’t released their new policy yet, but it will happen soon, and he expects that the number of thefts will drop off.  When asked about carjackings, Brannon said those are different because if there’s violence involved, then officers have always been able to pursue.

Brannon also responded to attendee questions and comments including another multi-agency drug bust in Burien, encampments, and troublesome properties.

COUNTY PARKS: Darlene Sellers from King County Parks shared details about events at the White Center Teen Program (Log Cabin), as well as free summer lunch programs for kids between July 1 and August 16 at Steve Cox and Dick Thurnau Memorial Parks.

NHUAC will resume its monthly meetings this fall (perhaps in-person, according to council leaders).

You’re invited to plug into community discussion and information Thursday at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s online meeting:

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
us02web.zoom.us/j/87019592786?pwd=a0puSEpGTmFrZnpiTUgvZHg2OTduUT09

Meeting ID: 870 1959 2786
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join by Zoom? Please call: 253.205.0468

Meeting ID: 870 1959 2786
Passcode: 87497528

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On Thursday, June 6th at 7 pm you are invited to join NHUAC’s last meeting before our summer break. It is sure to be an information-packed discussion about important issues in and opportunities for the North Highline community.

Our new King County Councilmember, Teresa Mosqueda, will update us after her first 5 months on the council. She chairs three important committees: (1) King County Board of Health, (2) Health and Human Services Committee and (3) Regional Transit Committee. We’ll ask her about the ways life, health, and safety in North Highline can be improved by her work and her goal of improving “…social determinants of health so a kiddo born anywhere in the county has the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy.” Have any suggestions? Join us and add your voice to this important conversation.

We will also be joined by Jim Chan, King County’s Division Director for Permitting, and David Daw, External Relations Manager. We hope they will be able to report progress in gaining compliance from Tim’s Tavern with the county’s noise ordinance and zoning, which prohibits outside music venues in White Center. White Center’s Storefront Deputy, Detective Glen Brannon, will also be invited to participate in the conversation.

In urban areas such as North Highline, raw sewage can quickly impact neighbors. Keeping On-site Sewage/Septic Systems (OSS) safe and working well is vital to keeping all of us healthy. Public Health’s Meagan Jackson, OSS Interim Assistant Division Director, Environmental Health Division, and Lara Brezina, Interim Program Manager, OSS Operation and Maintenance, will update us on OSS.

Last, but certainly not least, Detective Brannon will share what the Sheriff’s Office has been doing to help make a safe North Highline.

Knowledge Is Power.

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, June 6 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Discussion of fun freebies from the King County Library System opened this month’s online North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba.

FREE MUSEUM/ZOO/ETC. LIBRARY: Children’s librarian Destinee Sutton was the first guest. She showed everyone how the library offers more than just books – start with the “books and more” tab on the KCLS website, and you’ll even find access to free museum, zoo, and park passes! Just use your library card. MOHAI, the Seattle and Bellevue Art Museums, the Museum of Flight, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, MoPOP, the Washington Railway Museum in Tacoma, the Rhododendron Botanical Garden in Federal Way, and many more. Tickets open daily at 2 pm for a day two weeks in the future, Sutton said. “Some of them go really really fast – by 2:05 they are gone,” she warned, so you want to be ready to start trying right at 2 pm. Most have rules such as one free pass per venue per person per 90 days. State-park Discovery Passes also can be obtained. Frequently asked questions include, what about student cards? You can use those to reserve passes too – go to kcls.org/students to find out about that.

LOCAL SERVICES: Permitting director Jim Chan and external-affairs director David Daw were the next guests. Giba asked about the ongoing noise concerns with live music at Tim’s Tavern in downtown White Center. Chan says Tim’s was cited for code violations and they’ve been working with the establishment, including “giving them options on how to address the violations” which include noise and operating late. They need to either “remove those violations or legally pursue a permit” for them, and Tim’s is finalizing a plan, Chan said. He said that the county looks at violations first in terms of whether they’re risks to life safety or doing environmental harm – but if neither is involved, the code “allows due process,” giving the business time to pursue fixing it. “So we have not taken any steps to stop (what they’re doing),” Chan said. Giba said outdoor live performances would not be eligible for a permit, according to a letter fro a county official, “so basically the sheriff needs to go there and issue tickets?” Chan said he’s not aware of what other actions KCSO could take, but he said that there are many venues in the county that pursue that nonpermitted use anyway – wedding venues, concert venues, etc. Tim’s could explore temporary permits, Chan said. Giba said it sounds like Tim’s has options but residents do not. Chan said “we know there’s impacts” but businesses are given the chance to “mitigate for them.” Those permits are good for up to 60 days a year, though permits can be granted for shorter periods of time: “We can limit them, depending on the impact.” So where is Tim’s in applying for a permit? “Ready for the pre-application process,” Daw said, any day now. “They’re looking at moving forward in making improvements to the property … related to the sound level of the music.” They’ve been promising mitigation for a year,” NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin pointed out. Daw said they did install noise-muffling curtains. And the county is confident that further mandatory modifications could resolve the issue. “We are sympathetic to the noise, you are not alone,” Chan said. They try to work voluntarily with the property owner, which is what’s happening now – as opposed to “if both sides lawyer up, this could drag on for a very long time, with no mitigation.”

Then they moved on to other topics. One attendee wondered how to find out about special events coming up in White Center in general. Chan said they’re creating a calendar but in the meantime, if you email him, he can send the list of what they know of. The Permitting division is involved with private-property events; a special-use permit from another team would be involved in, say, a street festival.

NHUAC’s Pat Price asked about some beautification measures, like kiosks, that had been discussed for downtown WC. The county reps said they’d check on it.

They also asked about the microhousing demonstration project that was going to be allowed in WC; nobody pursued a permit, Chan said, so nothing’s happening. Dobkin recapped the potential proposal that one developer had suggested, 60 microstudios with shared kitchens/baths, and there was an “overlay” in which that could have happened on any purchased property. The allowance for this is expected to expire, unfulfilled, with the new comp plan, Chan added. Giba said the originally considered property was around 17th/106th.

Later in the meeting, the guests announced that a new economic development director has been hired, Jesse Reynolds, who has worked for the county in other roles. No permanent director for Local Services yet (following John Taylor’s promotion to head the Department of Natural Resources and Parks).

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Det. Glen Brannon, guest at most NHUAC meetings, joined in. He too was asked about the Tim’s issue; “it’s been noticeably quieter [lately] – I haven’t been getting any complaints recently,” he replied. He said the operators have told him they’re ending their events at 10 pm, among other changes. … KCSO is working with Sea Mar to “toughen up” the parking lot at 15th/Roxbury that’s been a draw for troubling activities; that will include fixing the lighting. … There’ve been property cleanups at the ex-Bartell Drugs building with the help of the West Seattle-based volunteer group A Cleaner Alki … Det. Brennon said they’re also looking at a cleanup for the ex-Roxbury Auto Parts store (still for sale) site. He said he’s trying to find somebody to haul away trash when cleanups are done. Daw will look into it. … He was also asked about semitrucks parked on the street. They (and other vehicles parked on the street) have to be moved at least once every 24 hours.

WHITE CENTER KIWANIS: The Kiwanis’s annual community steak dinner is coming up May 17 (portabella mushroom if you want a vegetarian option) at the White Center Eagles, with a silent auction, raising money to help “the kids in North Highline.”

NEXT MEETING: First Thursday in June – that’ll be June 6 – online, 7 pm, last meeting before NHUAC goes on summer hiatus.

You’re invited to this Thursday’s online meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, which sent this preview and info of how to attend:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting
When? Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
us02web.zoom.us/j/81553270155?pwd=MzdQVkxncFZXRG90ZjFTbG1LenYwZz09

Meeting ID: 841 0456 1060
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join by Zoom? Please call: 253.205.0468
Meeting ID:841 0456 1060
Passcode: 318533579
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please join NHUAC at our meeting on Thursday, May 2nd at 7 pm. Through its “All Are Welcome!” community meetings, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council aims to add opportunity to our community’s equation: The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Have you visited White Center’s beautiful library lately? If you are a frequent library user, you know that libraries do far more than just loan out books. Join us in welcoming White Center librarian Destinee Sutton to learn about some of the benefits you may be missing. (Hint: Been to the zoo lately? How about the Seattle Art Museum?) By meeting’s end, we think you will want to do yourself and yours a favor by visiting this great community resource behind Mt. View Elementary on the 1400 block of SW 107th.

Destinee will be followed by Jim Chan, King County’s Division Director for Permitting. In addition to issuing permits for land use and construction, the Department of Permitting’s responsibilities include Code Enforcement. Noise issues are bound to increase as the weather improves and you open your windows. Join us and learn what progress is being made to resolve these issues.

Last but not least, we will be joined by Detective Glen Brannon. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your concerns and learn what the King County Sheriff’s Office has been doing in our area.

Knowledge Is Power.
Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.
Thursday, May 2 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

Neighbors, leaders, and guests met last Thursday to discuss issues of youth involvement, neighborhood safety, and cleanups at the April meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC).  The event was held online and was facilitated by NHUAC president Liz Giba and vice president Barbara Dobkin.

Meeting highlights:

“ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE” PROGRAM AT EVERGREEN AND INNOVATION: First on the agenda was a presentation about the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), which has been the cornerstone of a new set of trainings and programs this year at Evergreen High School and Innovation Heights Academy (formerly New Start High School), sponsored by Highline Public Schools. AVP describes its school-based programs as promoting “social emotional learning and community building in schools” to “reduce fighting, violence, and bullying.”

At the beginning of the school year last fall, about 300 Evergreen 9th-grade students and 100 staff members participated, and the following week at Innovation about 90 students and 20 staff participated. The program involves facilitator-led sessions, small-group discussions and games, and for most students and staff it’s their first interaction with their school colleagues before the school year begins. Some aspects of the program have carried throughout the school year, with additional classes and recurring discussion groups.

Roger Kluck, director of the area AVP chapter Projects for a Civil Society, said the project was originally started in the mid-1970s by a group of people in Greenhaven prison (New York), with a focus on addressing trauma and violence, based on the concept that “hurt people hurt people.” The program was successful and grew quickly, and is now offered in more than 50 countries in prisons, schools, churches, businesses, and shelters.

“Trauma alienates you,” Kluck said, citing the well-known Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study which found that one-third of school kids have experienced some sort of significant trauma (abandonment, abuse, parent in prison) that has an impact on their education. Kluck added that after COVID lockdowns, there was a lot of delay in kids’ social-emotional development, and his group is “working with schools to build back community building and connection.” He said the training usually starts with teachers (“a lonely business,” Kluck said), especially new teachers, followed by a 2- to 3-day workshop for students at the beginning of the school year.

Kluck said the benefit is that students build relationships and self-esteem and “go into the school year knowing people, which heads off bullying and cliques, and reduces the chance of alienation.”

Also in attendance on Thursday night was Bertram (Bert) Calcote, a long-time facilitator for AVP and the Recovery Navigator Program, who shared his own experience of getting involved with AVP and meeting Kluck at the WA state reformatory prison in Monroe.

Calcote noted that he was originally a skeptic — “I said, ‘this crap doesn’t work,’ but I went back and participated and got comfortable and realized how wrong I was.” He said that on a personal note, the program taught him how to be aware of the trauma, to rebuild relationships he had broken and to “stop playing the victim.” Calcote said his passion is talking to young people, especially young men, and showing them how to more effectively communicate and listen.

The group is also having a community meeting on April 23^rd at 5:30 pm at the Burien Library, focused on bringing people together and reducing violence. Details here: projectsforacivilsociety.org/meeting-notice

Kluck said they’re always looking for helpers, and it only takes 4 weekends of training to become a facilitator. “We’re a ‘Johnny Appleseed group, we don’t want to do it all, we spread it and let it go where it goes.” Anyone interested should contact NHUAC chair Liz Giba via email at liz_giba@comcast.net.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS (INCLUDING WHITE CENTER): 

Next up was a presentation (see the slides here) by Erik Bell from A Cleaner Alki, who has been spearheading cleanup events throughout the peninsula for the past decade, including a massive recent cleanup event in White Center in late March involving about 100 volunteers and yielding 2.5 tons of trash (yes, really).

Bell described that gathering as the first event in a new All-Hands Neighborhood Cleanup Series in cooperation with
Seattle Public Utilities’ Adopt a Street program. He noted that he and the city considered the event to be a huge success (especially because the plans and promotions came together in only two weeks), but that he also viewed it as “just the start for an area that could use a lot of help on both sides of Roxbury.” Much of the event’s cleanup activity involved the area at/near the former Bartell Drugs building (currently listed for lease) and the surrounding blocks, and Bell noted that the Rozella Building area has been a recent focus for the group as well.

Bell said that his personal involvement with neighborhood cleanups began in 2010, when he started meeting his brother on Alki Beach for Saturday morning walks, and they began cleaning up garbage that they found along the way. In the years that have followed, more volunteers have become involved, and the group began working more formally with agencies such as SDOT and Seattle Parks. Bell said it’s been gratifying to engage with the community to make a difference, and to help “create a new culture” with partner agencies who benefit greatly from the extra volunteer effort.

Bell said his group held over 500 cleanup events in 2023, and cleared 50,000+ pounds of trash and other dangerous materials out of the local environment. He characterized the group’s efforts as generally falling within three categories:

• Trash cleanups: Generally 2 hours in length and with specific trash-pickup goals in mind.
• “Spruced” cleanups: Clearing sidewalks, overgrowth and line-of-sight issues (and then collecting trash that becomes visible).
• “Block Drop” cleanups: Involves leaving buckets and “trash grabbers” in targeted areas for a day, and inviting the community to use the supplies to clean on their own time. It began as a Girl Scout project (involving Bell’s daughter).

The effort of scouting for new cleanup opportunities has identified a number of “hot spots” that Bell said deserve focused cleanup work that would improve the neighborhood and “restore a sense of safety and care in the community.”

Bell said that for cleanups in unincorporated King County, one of the main problems his group has faced is the lack of a program for reporting the collected piles of trash and getting it all picked up at the conclusion of the event. For the recent White Center cleanup, for example, his group had to haul all of the bags of trash (again, 2.5 tons of it) north of Roxbury street and into Seattle city limits, where the Adopt-a-Street crews could then pick it up that same afternoon.

Several attendees of the meeting on Thursday night, including NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin, shared ideas with Bell for contact people and resources to potentially help bridge those gaps. One of those people mentioned, Bong Sto. Domingo (who works for King County), then joined the Zoom meeting and helped make some additional suggestions and connections. Bell expressed his gratitude for the information, noting that this is the type of cooperation that is crucial for making programs like this work in a sustainable way.

Bell emphasized that his group is always looking for new volunteers, who can connect with his group via their website or Facebook page.

UPDATE FROM KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Detective Glen Brannon was also in attendance at the meeting to answer questions and provide updates about community concerns.  Some discussion points:

• White Center cleanup: Regarding Bell’s recent cleanup efforts, Det. Brannon said “the timing was incredible” because he had recently talked to some constituents (including Dr. Perez at Sea Mar health center) about the Bartell’s property and the excess trash, and then “miraculously it disappeared!” Brannon and Giba said that they had expected attendance from Bartell’s staff at the Thursday meeting, but that it didn’t happen. He noted that there needs to be agreement from the property owner in order to (for example) pursue prosecution for people committing crimes on the property. Brannon mentioned other community-supported events to clean up areas (such as an encampment cleanup on March 13^th).  “A lot of our chronic areas are getting cleaned up now, and it’s because of the community getting together, saying ‘I know somebody who can help,’ so everybody should pat themselves on the back for that” but he added that there is always work to do.
• Drug Bust: Attendees discussed the late-February drug bust by the Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team (WCN coverage here).  Brannon said “we are blessed in Precinct 4 to have group of detectives able to work at the cartel distribution level — one of top groups making busts.” He added that the sheriff’s office works with lots of groups to help support the effort, he “can’t talk too much about it, but it’s a great group” and the recent bust yielded impressive results:
  • 71,000 M-30 Fentanyl Pills
  • 31 pounds of Methamphetamine
  • 2.76 pounds Fentanyl powder
  • 1.12 pounds of Heroin
  • $7047 cash seized
  • 1 car seized
  • 2 individuals were booked into the Federal Detention Center (FDC) pending federal charges.
• Gun Incidents: Attendees talked about recent events such as the late-February bullets at Patrick’s Bakery and Café, and the early-March shooting near Evergreen.
• Encampments: Brannon asked the group for input and observations regarding issues with public camping, noting that his office is always working to get affected people access to services, and they’ve seen increased participation (one particular encampment dropped from 30 people down to 6, recently).
• Neighborhood Cooperation:
  • Brannon said his team was recently able to go to a property and recovered a stolen car and stolen motorcyles based on tip from someone, and he encouraged neighbors to report what they see. Neighbors happy with cleanup, found a car, was towed away.  Det. Brannon said Dep. Steve Johnson initiated cleanup.
  • Neighbor Leo said that he noticed that a person named “Jessica” (familiar to Brannon) and her family seem to be back in the area — they had been associated with issues such as prowling and street theft in the past. Brannon said he would be surprised if that was the case because she had been “doing really well — had found a job” but that he would follow up.
  • Attendee Roslyn Hyde (who owns property in White Center) mentioned to Brannon that she has a friend with a yoga studio on 152^nd in Burien, and there was a recent incident in which a dead person was found, possibly related to people congregating and camping in the area. Brannon confirmed that he is working closely with Burien’s crime reduction unit on similar issues, because “Burien has a reputation for being a good place to be homeless” and there are “political hot-potato” discussions happening. He mentioned another example of a strip mall owner who is dealing with and encampment. Hyde also noted that her property in White Center was hit with graffiti on an old garage, and Brannon said he will follow up.
  • Other neighbors asked about occurrences in their areas (such as street racing on 1st Avenue, gunfire incidents, etc) and Brannon gave responses when possible.
• Information Sharing: Brannon said that he continues to work with community contacts in area schools and boys and girls clubs, especially with summer coming up and more youth out and about. He also talked with meeting attendees about ideas for sharing information via electronic and physical message boards and kiosks, to keep the community informed.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Det. Brannon noted that Saturday, April 27th, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and that Steve Cox Memorial Park is one of the participating sites — dropoffs are encouraged from 10am-2pm. (editor’s note: the SPD Southwest Precinct at 2300 SW Webster in West Seattle is also a participating site)

Brannon also said that the next Coffee With a Cop event will be Wednesday, April 17^th, at 10 am at Starbucks in White Center, and that there is an upcoming job fair June 1^st from 1:30-6pm.

Darlene Sellers from King County Parks shared details about events at the White Center Teen Program (Log Cabin):

• JobLaunch – Pathways to Healthcare for ages 16-24 on Wednesday, April 17 from 3:30-5 pm (Online event with viewing parties at the Log Cabin in WC & the Skyway Library.)
• Annual PNTH Job Fair (30 employers) and Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, June 5 at Steve Cox Memorial Park.

Sellers also shared a recap of Cultural Connection Night, held March 22nd at the Log Cabin: posted online here.

Meeting attendee Roslyn Hyde (who owns property in White Center) invited everyone to a free networking event on Thursday, May 9^th from 7:45 am-9:15 am, focused on entrepreneurs and local business owners. Event details here.

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC meets most months on the first Thursday, online at 7 pm, so the next meeting will be May 2.

Announced by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
us02web.zoom.us/j/81553270155?pwd=MzdQVkxncFZXRG90ZjFTbG1LenYwZz09

Meeting ID: 815 5327 0155
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join by Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 815 5327 0155
Passcode: 476621393

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You are invited! Please join NHUAC on Thursday, April 4th at 7 pm via Zoom. Join us and learn about what is happening in the White Center (North Highline) community. This month’s meeting will begin with Sandy Hunt, who will share the latest information about the Alternatives to Violence Project that the Highline School District is sponsoring at Evergreen High. Learn about new ways to get involved, including an in-person forum later in the month.

Sandy will be followed by Erik Bell of A Cleaner Alki. A Cleaner Alki is a volunteer organization focused on reducing waste and blight with weekly cleanup and sprucing activities. Erik will share the background and news about A Cleaner Alki, including a project in White Center. Thanks to Erik and A Cleaner Alki!

We’ll also be joined by Detective Glen Brannon. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about what the King County Sheriff’s Office has been dealing with in our area and share your concerns.

Knowledge Is Power. Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, April 4 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Though neither was an official agenda item, two longtime issues were addressed during Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, held online and facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba – an encampment in the “White Center Bog” area, and noise concerns from outdoor music at Tim’s Tavern.

Here’s how the meeting unfolded:

HIGHLINE FOREST: Sandy Hunt and Andrea O’Ferrall from Defenders of Highline Forest spoke to NHUAC first. “Mature trees are really important to us,” Hunt began, explaining the group’s purpose – explained on their website kctreeequity.org. It began in defense of North Sea-Tac Park, facing the port’s development plans for it and trees that would be removed as a result. “With Highline as the geographical effort, we’ve worked on expanding our efforts … and what we want to do,” in areas including Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila, north Boulevard Park, Normandy Park, and Burien. “We are a small but mighty crew,” able to accept donations, talking to neighbors about potential tree loss. The port’s new land-stewardship plan doesn’t “eliminate the destruction of trees that’s in the works,” Hunt warned, so they are keeping up the pressure and encouraging people “to fight for the trees in their neighborhood.” O’Ferrall says that as they canvass neighborhoods, “people are shocked because they don’t know what’s going on.” Life expectancy is lower in the airport-adjacent communities, and removing trees isn’t going to help that. In Q&A, one person said they’d talked to a county official who said that tree maintenance is costly. Giba observed that the county Housing Authority seems to have “taken out a lot of trees.” NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin noted that aircraft noise has increased in White Center, and that’s one way the port affects residents this far north. She also pointed out that developers have “clear-cut” various properties in recent years.

JOHN TAYLOR: This King County official, a frequent NHUAC guest, came to this meeting wearing a different hat. Until a month ago, he led the Department of Local Services – and now he’s in charge of the much-larger Department of Natural Resources and Parks, pending County Council confirmation. He didn’t have “major updates” but noted that Local Services has again launched the participatory-budgeting process. The “community needs list”-related engagement is on hold because this is the “short” budget year – one year – rather than a biennial budget. For DNRP, after a few weeks on the job, he said, he’s still learning the basics – otherwise: He noted a “problematic” encampment in the White Center Bog that was being removed. “That’s a stormwater facility … the biggest reason (not to allow an encampment) is water-quality issues.” (Later in the meeting, the topic came up again, with more details.)

On the topic of trees, he said the funding crisis limiting street trees is a real thing – they need to be watered until they’re well-established, for example. He also addressed the “clear-cutting” to which Dobkin had referred – it’s not a violation of code, he explained, because the county code wasn’t written to differentiate between rural and urban sensibilities. But a study is in the works, to be delivered later this year “that will hopefully have some code changes recommended to deal with trees … in the rural context and the urban context.” The county has a goal of planting 3 million trees and already has planted 1 million, he added. “It’s very much on our minds at King County.”

In Q&A, Giba asked if Taylor was “surprised” by the new job. “I wasn’t surprised, because I applied for it … when (predecessor) Christie True stepped down,” he replied. Dealing with the balance of natural and built environments is a passion of his, he added. The department includes wastewater, trash, parks – “some of the parks I’m proudest of are in White Center” – and much more. “It’s about 2,000 people, $3.5 billion budget – quite a bit bigger than the Department of Local Services.” And, he said, it’s well-resourced because much of its funding comes from sources other than property taxes. Hunt asked about the ivy choking trees all over the county and wondered if there’s been a study. “I’m not an arborist,” said Taylor, but: “I’m aware … that it’s not good for our forests, that it’s invasive, but it’s not classified as a noxious weed.” But there’s no plan to deal with it? Hunt asked. Bottom line – no. Later, someone else brought up having heard previously of a volunteer group taking action against ivy.

Another attendee asked whether the county had a way of tracking “informal stormwater management” like roadside ditches. Taylor said that sort of thing is probably in the county’s inventory, provided it’s not on private property. The attendee said he was indeed wondering about something on his own property; Taylor speculated that would have been built at the same time as his house, and he could consider himself lucky to have that in place to deal with the runoff. Other questions had more to do with Taylor’s past job than current one; Giba wondered if a section of 102nd would ever get a sidewalk. Taylor was noncommittal but did say that the county had devoted more to pedestrian needs recently than before, particularly in White Center and Skyway. (The new director of King County Roads is Tricia Davis; Taylor suggested inviting her to a future NHUAC meeting.)

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Det. Glen Brannon elaborated on what Taylor had mentioned: “We no longer have a homeless encampment on 13th – took care of that today.” That operation was three months in the making, he added. For a long time the camp had been somewhat “under control,” until he went on vacation for a while, and then it got “out of control,” with a realization that it was a threat to water quality, so that’s why the decision was made to remove it. About 10 campers were left; none have yet accepted shelter, he said, so they might be moving to other parts of the area. “My goal is to get these people off the streets,” he insisted. Meantime, he had stats that Giba had previously suggested. In a three-year analysis, he said, major crimes are down from 2020-2021, while less serious crimes are “holding steady.” “On average, we’re doing better on the violent crimes” – down about 30 percent – and not so bad on the less-violent crimes. Giba wondered why; Brannon didn’t have a clear explanation. “What else is new?” Giba asked. Brannon said that besides the encampment clearance, the alleyway off 16th/17th is a focus, and they need property owners’ help.”Little Caesar’s has been an epicenter of stuff going on,” he said, adding that he intends to talk to the business’s ownership/management.

The recurring topic of noise concerns from live music at Tim’s Tavern then was brought up. Basically, nothing new, said Brannon, but he intended to work nights and check out the situation. Was code enforcement involved? Maybe, Brannon speculated. It was subsequently noted that Tim’s had been served with a code-enforcement letter more than a month ago; Brannon explained that usually that starts a process in which the recipient has time to come into compliance. Then a surprise: Co-proprietor Matt from Tim’s Tavern turned up online, offering to answer questions. “We’re just doing what we’ve always done,” he said. “The shows vary in volume because the bands vary in style.” Regarding the early-February code enforcement letter, he said the county sent it to their property management company, and it wasn’t routed to them until February 6th, close to the response deadline, and they’ve been “playing phone tag with the county guy” ever since. “We’re willing to meet with him and see what compliance issues we have, if any.” Until they hear back, “we’re kind of in this limbo area.” Matt said they’ve been working on finding sound-muffling curtains, as discussed at a NHUAC meeting last year, and just got them but they need some alterations and hanging, which should take about two weeks. Then, he said, they’ll be hung on the west side and in front, in hopes that’ll control some of the sound from “bouncing off the buildings.” Brannon offered to stop by the venue Friday and talk with them in person. They also invited anyone from the community with concerns to come meet with them. Co-proprietor Mason said “it’s definitely not our intent to offput anyone with our audio.” Giba then said that county code does not allow outdoor music; the Tim’s duo said they weren’t aware of a rule like that.

Returning to other KCSO topics, one attendee wondered about the regional uptick in carjackings. Brannon said yes, it’s a thing, but he doesn’t have “scientific proof” of why – he speculates it might have to do with “incarceration rates.” He noted that there were two that day alone in Seattle (in the Skyway area). He also noted the State Legislature’s passage of a bill lifting some restrictions on police pursuits – right now they’re allowed in armed carjackings but now that will apply to auto thefts or other types of crime too. Another question was from someone who thought they heard gunshots the other night. Does it help to report them? Do they get followed up on? Brannon said yes, and in fact KCSO now has a Gun Violence Reduction Unit (as does Seattle PD, for that matter). He said that increased gang activity likely plays into it. Regarding reporting, “yes, please report it,” he stressed. He said they do analyze the casings they find – and can cross-reference them between incidents around the region. “It helps us solve these crimes, helps us find out who these people are … The vast amount of these shootings are being done by a very small number of people … maybe 20 in King County.”

Price said there are ongoing issues in the White Center Library parking lot. A Library Guild volunteer recently got fuel stolen from a vehicle while there. What could the library do? Cameras? Signs? Brannon said KCLS has not participated in some of the programs KCSO has suggested, such as trespassing people who cause trouble, and that’s been limiting what deputies can do.

FULL TILT LOSS: Before adjourning, Giba offered a tribute to the late Justin Cline of Full Tilt Ice Cream, remembering him as a “real community advocate (who) really cared about the White Center community” and a “great guy.”

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC meets first Thursday, 7 pm, online, most months, so the next meeting will be April 4.

The next meeting of the community council for White Center and vicinity is just a few days away – online – and here’s what’s planned:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:

us02web.zoom.us/j/83514652969?pwd=UDlJSlJ3MnF3UzBkaHIzNHRPQXc2UT09

Meeting ID: 835 1465 2969
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 835 1465 2969
Passcode: 258392147

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You are invited! Please join NHUAC on Thursday, March 7th at 7 pm via Zoom. NHUAC aims to keep you in touch with the people who are doing things and making decisions that affect the White Center/North Highline community. This month’s meeting will begin with Sandy Hunt and Andrea O’Ferrall. They will share information and answer questions about Defenders of Highline Forest. Never heard of Highline Forest? Join us and learn!

Andrea and Sandy will be followed by John Taylor, director of King County’s Department of Local Services from its beginning in 2018 until last month. Local Services’ responsibilities include managing land use, issuing permits, enforcing code, and maintaining roads. The county’s news release about John’s transition to the Natural Resources and Parks department describes him as a “proven leader to reinforce King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and manage one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country.” We look forward to hearing what John sees in the future for our community and its interactions with these two important connections to our local government.

We have a lot to ask Detective Glen Brannon about from gunfire that hit Patrick’s Café and Bakery to a major drug bust that included 71,000 M-30 Fentanyl pills, 31 pounds of Methamphetamine and 1.12 pounds of heroin. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your concerns and thanks with Detective Brannon.

Knowledge Is Power.

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Moments ago, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council wrapped up its first meeting of 2024, facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba.

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: For the third consecutive meeting, NHUAC had guests from KCLS. This time, trustee Verna Seal, who just joined the KCLS board last year, was first up. (She spent more than a decade and a half on the Tukwila City Council, until 2021.) “I love libraries .. so when this opportunity came up, I saw it as a way to give back,” she said, explaining that the board deals with policy, not operations. She’s one of just two people on the board who are from South King County. She invited questions; Giba asked, “How much money is the board in control of and how is it determined how much goes to each area?” Seal didn’t have specifics but said the system’s budget is $100 million-plus. They get a proposed budget and then review it, ask questions, etc., before eventually voting to approve a final budget (she noted you can see it online). Regional manager Mary Sue Houser added that the board meets at 5 pm on the last Wednesday of each month and anyone can attend online or in person (in Issaquah).

NHUAC’s Pat Price, who’s on the White Center Library Guild, said they’d love to see the board out here. Houser said that once the schedule and locations are finalized – maybe not until the new executive director Heidi Daniel is on board (she starts March 11) – they’ll make sure everyone knows.

Houser talked about programming for kids – including 10:30 am Thursday story times – and a LEGO Block Party at 3 pm February 16. (Check the library website for event listings.) Tax season just started – only 10 returns done so far but Houser said they’ve already found $15,000 in refunds for patrons.

Seal said that while she’s just one board member and can’t directly order changes – like “more hours, everybody wants more hours” – she can advocate, and ensure that issues are discussed. You can contact her and the rest of the board by email (find the address here).

ANNOUNCEMENTS: NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin announced that King County Parks has volunteer opportunities – including work this Saturday at Dick Thurnau Park and other upcoming events at Glendale Forest and North Shorewood Park, all 9 am-noon work parties. (Find out more about the events, and how to volunteer, by going here.)

KING COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT: Tom Campbell, code-enforcement officer with the county Department of Local Services’ Permitting Division, was invited to talk about a couple White Center-area cases. First one, a residential property on 19th SW, where an “inoperable vehicle filled with garbage … had been there for a long time.” The occupants had “bagged the garbage and moved it to their driveway,” he said, but they decided what more they could do via the abatement process. They found the owner, he said, and “she agreed to remove the garbage within one week.” They gave her vouchers so she could take it to the transfer station. As for the inoperable vehicle, the owners plan to have it taken to a scrapyard and will move a vehicle that still works into its place on a gravel pad. “So that should get it cleaned up,” he said, noting that the trash had become an issue for neighbors because it was attracting rats. He explained that they have authority to do “abatement” on this kind of situation and to place a lien on the property to recover costs – but that requires court action, and can “take a fairly lengthy period of time,” so they tried instead to locate the owner first, and were successful via an online search. If she doesn’t keep her commitment, then they can pursue court action, Campbell explained.

He said NHUAC also had asked about the outdoor music from Tim’s Tavern, a frequent topic at meetings last year, with nearby residents hearing it inside their homes. “An outdoor performance center is not allowed in (this kind of) business zone,” he said, so they’ve pursued a code violation there, and also the fact the outdoor seating was constructed without a building permit. “There may also be an occupant load issue,” he said. “We do have an active enforcement case there,” just opened last week, and they’ll be following up. Today they sent a violation letter to Tim’s, he said, and the only way to resolve it is to “stop the activity, stop the use as an outdoor performance center.” If they don’t comply, but appeal it, there’ll be a hearing, and if the violation stands, there would be a compounding daily fine for however long the violation continues. Beyond that, Campbell said, eventually the county could seek “injunctive relief.”

Campbell was also asked about the stripped vehicles and trash at 2831 SW Roxbury, the former Roxbury Auto Parts (which has a sale pending, according to its online listing); he promised to look into it.

With situations like 19th SW, he was asked, what can be done about repeat violations? Campbell said they’re working with the King County Council to review policies that tend to drag these things out. He said people should be aware that code enforcement is funded by the county General Fund and that’s facing a budget crunch, so money woes may affect this kind of work. “We’ve had a position taken away, so we’re down some staff in code enforcement … one of the things we’re going to have to prioritize is the types of violations” that they pursue. Some smaller-level problems may not get immediate action, he warned – they may have to prioritize even more than they do now. They already have a large backlog of ‘very substantive code violations,” he said, that they’re working on.

The 19th SW situation might not have been prioritized if not for everything from the rats to the various people who contacted Permitting about it, Campbell said, including the County Executive’s Office.

Dobkin asked if other downtown White Center businesses also are supposed to not be allowed to have outdoor music; Campbell said he’s not certain about the boundaries of the “community business” district but anyone within it is prohibited from that use. Dobkin said there are rumors that other venues are planning it, with encouragement; Campbell said he’ll look into that too. Dobkin said, “I’m not trying to close a business …. but when it interferes with our life, that’s when it’s a problem.” The King County Sheriff’s Office had been dealing with the Tim’s situation previously, and storefront Det. Glen Brannon said he had lots of background to share with the Permitting Division.

Campbell then was told the Blu Grouse on 17th SW also is a concern, with outdoor music during good weather. Campbell said he’ll check into it, including whether the venue is in the district where this use would be banned.

How can businesses be educated that this is not an allowed use? King County’s Bong Santo Domingo, who’s also with Local Services, was asked, since he’s working with a new alliance involving local businesses. Campbell suggested that assembling and distributing a flyer with what’s not allowed and what is allowed in the business district might be a good idea.

Discussion then turned to concerns that special-event music also was running too loud and too long; longtime residents said they had never had a problem before the past year or so.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Then it was Det. Brannon’s turn. He elaborated on the ex-Roxbury Auto Parts building situation. He said the building was sold a year ago but it fell through (a plumbing company was going to move there); now another sale is pending, as we mentioned above, and he says his understanding that it’s going to be “some kind of car wash facility.” The owner doesn’t have the resources to tow the abandoned car(s) but they have been working to keep squatters out. Regarding the ex-Bartell Drugs building, which is owned by a California woman, it’s up for sale, he said, and it’s been burglarized and vandalized, so they’re trying to get it fenced. The “encampment on 13th” is still an issue, he said, and it’s being reviewed by King County higher-ups, though right now he says it’s only home to two full-time residents, with others coming and going. It might take two months “to get through all the bureaucracy it has to go through,” he cautioned. He talked about other sites he’s tracking, including one behind Little Caesar’s.

Brannon was asked about the much-reported regional enforcement inspections by Liquor Control Board agents and other law enforcers, which drew outcry because several venues were LGBTQ+. White Center’s Lumber Yard Bar was among them. Brannon wasn’t aware of the situation and the usual LCB rep wasn’t present. It was noted that reports also said Roxbury Lanes and Southgate Roller Rink had been visited as well. The regional reports mentioned Seattle Police and LCB involvement; why not KCSO? Brannon said LCB “has its own authority” and doesn’t require other law-enforcement approval or involvement, but he’ll look into it.

He received compliments for the department’s huge drug bust in Burien, and was asked about the most-recent freeway shooting; he said that largely was a State Patrol investigation, but said in general it’s related to gang activity – “young kids shooting each other.”

COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER’S ASSISTANT: Chris Lampkin from new King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s office introduced himself and invited everyone to let their office know about issues of concern.

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC usually meets the first Thursday of the month, 7 pm, online – watch nhuac.org for updates.

When a new month begins on Thursday, a new year begins for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. Here’s the announcement of what’s planned for its first 2024 meeting:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
us02web.zoom.us/j/83052224933?pwd=OWk1ZkNsRmF4NkJiWWlVWXJIY0g5UT09

Meeting ID: 830 5222 4933
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom?
Please call: 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 830 5222 4933
Passcode: 665861784

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You are invited to join NHUAC’s first meeting of 2024 at 7 pm on Thursday, February 1st. NHUAC aims to keep you abreast of changes and in touch with the people who are making decisions that affect North Highline.

Last October, the King County Council appointed Verna Seal as one of seven Trustees of the King County Library System (KCLS). Trustee Seal is a former Tukwila City Council Member who retired after 16 years of service. She will join us on Thursday to discuss KCLS along with Mary Sue Houser, Olympic Regional Manager.

We will also be joined by Tom Campbell, who became Code Enforcement Manager for the Department of Local Services about one year ago. He will discuss the progress being made on some problem properties in our community and answer your questions.

Last, but certainly not least, Detective Glen Brannon, will make his first presentation of the year at Thursday’s NHUAC meeting.

This is your opportunity to share your concerns and thanks with Detective Glen Brannon, Code Enforcement Manager Tom Campbell, and Trustee Verna Seal. Don’t miss it!

Knowledge Is Power.

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, February 1 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The last North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting of 2023 was held online Thursday night (December 7). Here’s what happened:

LIBRARY UPDATES: Mary Sue Houser, a divisional manager for King County Library System – overseeing six branches including White Center, Greenbridge, and Boulevard Park – was the first guest. She reminded everyone that KCLS is now “fine-free” – if you have an overdue item, just take it in! (They will charge if you lose something, though.) Some hours have expanded, too (as reported here). She recapped the Freedom to Read celebration that was discussed at the last meeting, and mentioned the Welcoming Centers, “a place for people who are new to the country … anyone who has just gotten here and needs help.” Language-speakers are available to offer resources and answer questions. These are at six libraries (none in North Highline). NHUAC’s Liz Giba asked if a Welcoming Center could be added at WC Library; Houser said she’ll be sure it’s “on the radar.”

FIRE CHIEFS: After more than 31 years of service, Chief Mike Marrs is leaving. He’s been District 2 chief since 1999. He thanked everyone for their support, particularly the renewals of the Medic One levy every six years. He talked about how previously one in five people woule survive a heart attack in Seattle/King County – even at that, better than other cities, but a goal was set for three in five to survive, and that goal’s been met and surpassed. Ongoing training and policies help. 85 percent of calls are medical, a lot of them are heart attacks, and so, many lives are being saved, He also expressed gratitude for voters approving the Benefit Charge. It’s not based on property value but rather on the size of structure that needs to be protected, Marrs explained. And since it’s a fee, for example, the Housing Authority has to pay it too, rather than getting an exemption. “I think we’ve put that money to good use.” He noted that his role running Fire District 2 expanded to include North Highline around 2010, part-time as a stopgap measure, and “we just slowly migrated to where we came together.” After years of sharing personnel and equipment, and increasing efficiencies and cost savings, they originally realized it was time to “fully integrate” everything. In 2019, it all melded into a four-station fire department. They’ve been able to purchase new fire engines, a new aid car, and “with the funding we’re saving in other areas,” next year they’ll be able to return a full-time aid car to Station 18 in White Center. He also said he’s proud of “the workforce we have right now.” He said his “one litmus test” for hiring has been “who do I want to show up at my house at 2 o’clock in the morning when my house is on fire?” Marrs said he feels his legacy includes those people – who go out on calls 12,000 times a year.

In Q/A/comments, the chief was thanked for his advocacy for the North Highline fireworks ban. He didn’t have any stats about its effectiveness, though.

New Chief Jason Gay then introduced himself – 49 years old, father of two (20-year-old Marine and 16-year-old high school sophomore). He is a Marine Corps veteran, focusing on avionics, and went into aerospace after getting out, got a mechanical engineering degree, staying in that industry for a long time. Then he moved on to firefighting – “best choice I ever made” – and Marrs hired him in 2005. He went to school again for a Fire Administration degree and has been working his way up, becoming a lieutenant, then captain, for 10 years, then acting battalion chief for 6 years, and eventually went into the logistics office. More studies ensued; he pursued an online masters in Public Administration, and in October he became Fire Chief.

Chief Gay says his vision for the department is: financially responsible, well-funded, deep ties with service community, values its employees – helping them via education, professional development – he wants the department to be known for leadership and stewardship, among other things, Marrs, he said, has shown “you can be conservative and provide a fantastic service to the vommunity.” He “wants to be a good steward of tax dollars for the community.” He also noted the health risks firefighters face – like cancer risk – and wants to protect them as best he can. “There’s a lot of work we can do in continuing to ratchet our service to the community.” Stations 18 and 19 are undergoing remodeling to serve a diverse workforce – he notes that about 9 percent of the workforce is women, including two “line firefighters.” He said the department’s staff is relatively new – less than five years firefighting for almost half of them.

NHUAC’s Pat Price wondered about a timeline for the Station 18 remodel (that’s where NHUAC long met in person) being complete. Chief Gay said crews will be mobilizing right after Christmas and the 18 and 19 remodels should be complete by early May. “At that point we’ll have a wonderful meeting room to go back to,” he said.

NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin wondered how the increased density affects the department. “Obviously our call volume is rising,” said Gay. They’re mapping things now and the upcoming added aid car at Station 18 will be part of addressing that. What about higher buildings? They have a ladder truck, which can get them up to seven stories, he noted. They also were asked about alternative responses, which have been explored by multiple jurisdictions around the region.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: White Center Storefront Detective Glen Brannon began by saying “things are looking good in our neck of the woods.” He was asked about the disappearance of the Burien encampment in a triangle along Ambaum Boulevard; they had to disperse because of Burien’s camping ban, and many are now at a church in Burien that has an official camping/shelter program. Some have probably headed into White Center, Brannon believes. He mentioned working with The More We Love group, which has a contract with Burien to address encampments. He also mentioned that they’re working with Community Passageways and so they’ve got a lot of new resources to work with people on the street.

An attendee who recorded video of illegal dumping asked if Brannon had any interest. Send him the video, Det. Brannon said. (glen.brannon@kingcounty.gov) He also asked about mail thieves. To charge somebody with mail theft, they have to have at least seven pieces of mail from different people, Brannon said.

He was asked about a crash in White Center, on 16th SW near Saar’s, the previous evening. It was a pedestrian hit by a driver; not life-threatening injuries.

A Block Watch captain gave props to Det. Brannon for handling some things his neighbors in Top Hat were worried about.

Det. Brannon said he wants to hear from Block Watches – and from people interested in starting one.

Then a WC resident said he’s concerned about dangerous driving and wondered about speed enforcement. Det. Brannon offered to come hang out in his neighborhood (a cut-through section of 17th) and try to be a deterrent/enforcer.

What about the former Bartell building, and trash/graffiti problems? He said he’ll look into that, and also noted that a new tenant is being actively sought.

Regarding the ongoing outdoor-music-venue noise concerns, Det. Brannon said he got the monitoring equipment he talked about at the last NHUAC meeting and has already tested it. He promised that enforcement is planned. “We’re done letting these guys get away with that.” He explained how the equipment records readings and times.

Also briefly discussed – the ongoing search for businesses to move into the storefronts that suffered fire damage. A variety of other issues came up too. Regarding gunfire heard from neighborhoods, Det. Brannon said that factors include a “gang war starting up,” and that they know who’s doing it – people driving around shooting into the air – “we just have to catch them.” He said someone high-ranking in a gang was killed recently, with a funeral coming up in less than a week, and a lot of retaliatory gunfire seems to be happening.

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC will skip January and be back the first Thursday in February.

This Thursday, take a little time out of your schedule to dive into what’s happening in your community. You don’t even have to leave your home – the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets online at 7 pm Thursday – here’s the preview:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 820 0154 8577
Passcode: NHUAC2023 (Case Sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 820 0154 8577
Passcode: 332771534

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You are invited to join NHUAC’s last meeting of 2023 at 7 pm on Thursday, December 7th. 2023 has been a year of transition in our community. One of NHUAC’s goals is to keep you abreast of changes and in touch with the people who are making decisions that affect North Highline.

Due to our unincorporated status, the King County Council serves as our local government. King County Councilmember Joe McDermott will be replaced after more than a decade. We met Councilmember Elect Teresa Mosqueda and shared pertinent data about North Highline with her at NHUAC’s October meeting. NHUAC will continue to provide opportunities for discussions with her as she moves forward as our representative on the King County Council.

Last month, we learned that the King County Library System’s Executive Director, Lisa Rosenblum, was retiring. She has been a positive force in improving our relationship with KCLS by improving service and saving the Boulevard Park Branch. In October, Verna Seal of Tukwila was appointed as Trustee by the King County Council. To talk about the future of KCLS, Trustee Seal will join us on Thursday along with Mary Sue Houser, Olympic Regional Manager.

The North Highline Fire District is vital to everyone that lives, works or visits North Highline. In 2019, after extensive contract negotiations, the NHFD contractually consolidated with Burien’s King County Fire District #2. The consolidation allowed the districts to improve cost sharing, increase efficiencies and firefighter training and share KCFD#2’s Fire Chief. The consolidation has been an undeniable success under Chief Mike Marrs’ leadership. After 34 years of service, Chief Marrs is retiring. Join NHUAC on December 7 to thank Chief Marrs and welcome his successor, Chief Jason Gay.

After serving as White Center’s Storefront Deputy since 2015, Deputy Bill Kennamer retired from the King County Sheriff’s Office in April after 25 years of service. His successor, Detective Glen Brannon, will make his final presentation of the year at Thursday’s NHUAC meeting.

Knowledge Is Power

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, December 7 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The King County Library System was the star of the show at November’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, held online Thursday night – not just because its departing executive director was there, but also because of a spirited presentation by two KCLS employees dedicated to your “Freedom to Read.”

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: Lisa Rosenblum – KCLS’s soon-to-retire leader – was a special guest. She was asked which accomplishments gave her the most pride. “For the staff to understand that we work for the taxpayers and we need to be accountable for their dollars,” she began. “Every department under my watched has been changed,” with stricter financial rules, more technology, adding peer navigators and a social worker, among other things. She also said that “managing a very large library system during COVID” was a big accomplishment too. “None of the staff got sick from community spread in our libraries.” She also is proud of making KCLS “fines-free” – not a big hit on revenue, despite what you might think. “The persons most affected by fines are the least able to pay them,” she said they’d learned. (They do charge people eventually for unreturned books.) They’re the second-largest digital lender in the country, fourth-largest in the world, so that library users have choice. “Most people want choice now in their libraries, so we budget for choice” – and they’ve won three budgeting awards, she added. This year KCLS also was a nominee – the only one in Washington State – for a major national award.

NHUAC’s Liz Giba asked some specifics about Rosenblum’s workstyle. How does she work with the board? They’re a governing board and her bosses, who delegate the job of running the system to her. “I work with them to see … what are their big vision items … They tell me what they’re interested in, and I try to present to them some of the exciting programs and services we offer.” In turn, they tell her what the community’s interested in.

Who do you talk to if you have concerns? Email the board – find the address here – Rosenblum said. As for who’s succeeding her, “I’m not involved in replacing me,” but the board is hard at work on it, she said. Though her original announcement was for a November 30th retirement, she’s now staying on until mid-December.

Accompanying her was regional manager Mary Sue Houser. She’s relatively new in that job.

Rosenblum was asked about the KCLS role in matching people to resources – and explained those go far beyond books. She spoke of noticing early on how people came into the libraries to stay warm and dry. Their staff wasn’t necessarily trained to provide social services. So now they have peer navigators as well as community partnerships, such as visiting nurses and resource fairs. “It has a lot of really positive ripple effects,” Houser said. The system has four navigators, who are based at various libraries – the nearest one is based at the Burien Library. “It travels a lot by word of mouth,” explained Houser.

Rosenblum also talked about “welcome centers,” which offer resource assistance in various languages. “Most people feel that a library is a safe space, a comfortable space,” and feel good about visiting them to get help like that.

Later in the meeting, NHUAC’s Pat Price, active with the White Center Library Guild, asked if the board would return to its pre-pandemic tradition of meeting at some library locations. They have resumed that, she was reassured, and KCLS will provide the schedule of its occasional on-location meetings, Houser said.

CELEBRATE FREEDOM TO READ: Brenna Shanks and Melissa Mather, also from KCLS, came to talk about this initiative. The library system came up with a definition of “intellectual freedom.”

They point out that First Amendment rights aren’t just about “the person speaking,” they’re also about “the person listening.” And you get to decide your information needs. The library doesn’t share your information needs with anybody. “Looking at access as a right, as a freedom,” in other words.

How serious is the censorship movement in our state? an attendee asked. Not as “dire” as elsewhere, they replied, while detailing some “interesting developments.” They’re trying to track such things as “passive banning behavior” – hiding books or removing books, for example. They hope to use such things as opportunities to talk, which isn’t what’s happening with major national movements, they said. They also showed the definition of libraries as “limited public forum”:

Rosenblum – who said she stayed to listen “because I love this presentation” – noted there was a protester outside a KCLS board meeting the other day. “And we allow that,” in the spirit of the initiative. Shanks explained that this “freedom” doesn’t mean protecting a material, but instead protecting your right to see it:

They also work to ensure the libraries are for everyone:

And that means those interested in controversial material, too:

“If someone has asked for an item, we don’t ask why they want it, we don’t ask whether they’re for or against it,” but they’ll do their best to get it, Shanks said. They also discussed the criteria for where materials are placed in their collections. “This is what you’ll see in a lot of these book bans – ‘we don’t want this in the teen area,'” etc., said Shanks.

This can be “nuanced,” she said. “It’s a living conversation all the way around.” That includes “inclusive vs. exclusive.”

They noted that there can be conflicting opinions – they’ve even had a call for banning the Bible because of its anti-LGBTQ passages, for example. Overall, they warned, book bans are on the rise:

So what can you do?

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: White Center’s Storefront Det. Glen Brannon said “it’s been another good month.” More categories of crime are down than up:

Regarding the uptick in kidnappings, he said that’s not necessarily the kind “you see in the movies” – it’s “any time somebody’s forced to go someplace they don’t want to go.” Commercial burglaries, vandalism, and auto theft are up – re: vandalism, he said it’s because more graffiti vandalism is being reported, and he took credit for some of that.

He discussed how White Center is dealing with the new state drug laws – diversion through LEAD is.a big part of them. The jail’s not taking misdemeanor bookings, so they can arrest and file charges “but as part of the process at the time, I do a warm handoff to a diversion expert” – such as a social worker “who starts working with them to start getting better.” If a person pursues the services, they might not get charged. Det. Brannon says that’s in keeping with law enforcers’ real roles as “peace officers.”

NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin asked about a “drive-by shooting on 21st last weekend.” Det. Brannon said it involved a house with a person who had some criminal background but had been “doing good” until recently. He didn’t have any specifics otherwise – there were no “victims” since neighbors called in to report hearing shots but nobody at the house called to report anything personally. An attendee was concerned about a vacant lot “behind Little Caesar’s” where people seemed to be camping. Det. Brannon talked about how when you move people along, they just move a bit further. Another neighborhood concern brought an explanation that they can’t just arrest people for trespassing any more – “I have to do a lot more growling and a lot less arresting.” Is there a way to use ambient tactics to discourage people from lingering? Yes, but it’s not so easy – and “the question is, where are they going to move to next?”

Asked if KCSO was seeing an increase in 3D-printed “ghost guns,” the detective said no, guns are more often coming from thefts and burglaries. Also, “we are seeing a lot of modified firearms.”

On gangs, he said, they’re not really fighting over White Center right now – “moving through” but not battling for turf.

On another topic, the recurring issue of loud music from Tim’s Tavern and other venues came up. “This is really a disturbance of our lives here,” said Dobkin, asking what neighbors could do “if the sheriffs can’t manage this issue.” Brannon said there are specific ways in which they are required to measure noise, and they didn’t have the equipment, but just got approval to buy it. He also said that when last he visited Tim’s two weeks ago they were installing insulation, but that may not have worked. So he’s warning them that he’ll be using new equipment and will if necessary “start writing tickets.” He says he’s hoping to procure the equipment within a month. (A discussion of zoning and codes ensued.) But, he warned, he asked the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office who will then handle the cases – and he says he was told “they’re both in murder trials right now.”

An attendee complained about vandalized cars being “dropped” on 1st SW in Top Hat. Det. Brannon said there’s someone in the area ‘trying to make a living flipping cars.” He’ll check on the current situation.

NEXT MEETING: First Thursday at 7 pm most months – watch for confirmation when that gets closer.

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
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Meeting ID: 823 9563 4169
Passcode: NHUAC2023 (Case Sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 823 9563 4169
Passcode: 696893428

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It’s November and time to exercise the right and responsibility to support our democracy by voting. Last month’s Candidate Forum featured candidates Sofia Aragon and Teresa Mosqueda, who are competing to represent our area on the King County Council. If you couldn’t attend, you can read the White Center Now post here.

This month’s meeting will focus on other important ways we support our democracy – reading and libraries. Our guests will include King County Library System’s (KCLS) Executive Director, Lisa Rosenblum; Mary Sue Houser, Olympic Regional Manager; Brenna Shanks, a Selection Librarian for the Teen Collection; and Melissa Mather, a Public Services Librarian from the Skyway branch.

Before Director Rosenblum joined KCLS in January of 2018, its relationship with our area had been quite tumultuous. She has been a positive leader for KCLS. When she visited NHUAC about three months in, the long-waited renovation of the Boulevard Park branch was settled. It reopened in May of 2019. A true success for our community, democracy, and Lisa Rosenblum!

KCLS understands that the freedom to read is fundamental to any democracy and protected by our First Amendment right. Last month, KCLS started a year-long campaign to create awareness and encourage conversations on the topic. Brenna Shanks and Melissa Mather will share Celebrate the Freedom to Read with us and Mary Sue Houser will answer questions specific to our library region.

Last, but surely not least – White Center’s Storefront Deputy Glen Brannon will update us!

Knowledge Is Power

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, November 2 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

–

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council returned from summer hiatus with an online meeting illuminating issues from crime to the King County Council District 8 election.

The meeting facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba started with announcements, including a political forum.

HIGHLINE SCHOOL BOARD RACES: Sandy Hunt dropped in to make sure everyone knows the League of Women Voters is presenting a Highline School Board forum tomorrow (Tuesday, October 10th) – here’s the info:

It’s happening in person. Hunt said that this is one of the “most important School Board (elections) we’ve had in a long time,” so you’re urged to go find out more about the candidates.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: KCSO Storefront Detective Glen Brannon and Community Resource Officer Nate Hammock – who also can be found at the Steve Cox Memorial Park office – appeared. Brannon said crime trends are “having a rough year” – up consistently from last year – “that kind of reflects coming out of COVID.” Lower-priority crime is trending “closer to normal” – He wanted to clarify “what you can expect from us and what you’ll see as time goes on,” including “the co-responders program.” Precinct 4 has funded six positions – mental health professionals paired up with deputies – to “really start doing more outreach” as most of the crime in WC is “survival crime – people shoplifting … to live.” He said throwing those people in jail “doesn’t work” so they are working with people to ‘get them out of the circumstances forcing them to do those crimes.” Two teams are out at work at the moment and a third time is riding with the Fire Department, while KCSO is hiring another team. Co-respondr cars work 7 days a week, starting at 8 am, contacting people early, with another one reaching out close to bedtime, and the third team filling in gaps. “I am a big fan of this.” He goes out with the teams when he can and develops relationships with people on the street. He said the ability to put people in jail “has not changed … for most property and misdemeanor crimes we still do not have the ability to take people to jail.” But they have LEAD. He jokes “they took away my stick but I’m going to hit you with the biggest carrot I can” – and that’s LEAD. That leads to referrals to counselors rather than prosecutors IF the suspect enrolls in services within 30 days and starts working on “getting their life better.” If they do, then they drop the potential charges.

Regarding KCSO staffing, “we are still down number-wise but for the first time in three years we are below the 100 mark” – fewer than 100 vacancies – less than half what it was a year ago. “We’re getting good people … and I’m very excited about it.” Within 2 to 6 months that should start reflecting in numbers of units on the street. “King County is a great place to work,” he said.

Does that mean the WC area might get another position? It’s staffed with two deputies but has funding for three, the detective said, adding that Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall sat down with command staff and looked at where calls were the highest and that shifted more staffing to Precinct 4 (Burien etc.). What about diversity? That’s going pretty well, Det. Brannon said, noting that he’s working with “a young deputy” who speaks five languages.

An attendee asked about an “open-air drug market” near his neighborhood, near the 16th/107th mini-mart. “We do have a vibrant transient/homeless population in WC and we have for a long long time,” the detective acknowledged, saying it’s a situation they’ve long been working on, and that he never drives by that area without stopping to talk to anyone he sees. The co-responders are part of that.

Regarding the music-noise situation plaguing some neighborhoods west of downtown WC, Det. Brannon said a stage redesign and noise-deadening curtains are still supposedly in the work, and he is buying a decibel meter to help with enforcement. He says four bars are playing outdoor music; two are wrapping up for the season, and he’s working with the other two. But he said if they have to “get to the ticket-writing stage … we’re going to break some ground” because prosecutors say they’ve never pursued those kind of charges before. The tickets start at $125 and can scale up quickly, he added.

(WCN photo: Memorial for bus-shooting victim)

Major Mark Konoske was asked about the fatal shooting on a bus near 15th/Roxbury. “There was a variety of evidence available that we’re following up on … I’m optimistic we’ll end up catching some people … there are leads we’re following up on.”

Regarding burglaries in the area, He stressed the importance of reporting anything out of the ordinary – “call us and we’ll send a car out.” NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin said that phoning things in can be frustrated – there was an obvious abandoned-likely-stolen car in her neighborhood and was told that it had to be there for three weeks before anything could be done (even though she saw suspicious activity around it) – finally it was taken, likely re-stolen, she said. Det. Brannon said whoever she spoke with misspoke, because vehicles on the street in unincorporated King County are supposed to be moved every 24 hours. Call it directly to his attention if they’re not getting traction some other way, he said.

CANDIDATE FORUM: Sofia Aragon and Teresa Mosaueda, finalists for the King County Council District 8 seat that Joe McDermott is leaving, were the guests. NHUAC’s Giba made it clear that the organization does not make endorsements but does work to inform citizens, and that was the reason for the forum. The candidates were given up to three minutes to answer questions. Mosqueda lives in North Delridge and Aragon lives in Shorewood. Each first received a chancr to introduce herself.

ARAGON: She is Burien’s current mayor. Her education involves two bachelor’s degrees and a law degree. Her experience includes the mayoral service and the challenges Burien has been dealing with – homelessness, drug use, housing, public health. She has lived all over the county including unincorporated areas so “I have an appreciation of the reliance on the county” by areas such as North Highline. She’s running because regional leaders “can do better.” Her goal to be “to focus on common-sense solutions.” She is an “immigrant child from the Philippines who grew up in South Seattle” and was inspired by her mom to become a nurse. As a mayor, she’s been taking action to combat the surge in drug-related deaths.

MOSQUEDA: She is chair of the Finance and Housing Committee on the Seattle City Council. Her experience has been in health and workers’ issues. She has worked to ensure the LEAD and Co-LEAD programs got investments, and programs similar to what was discussed earlier in the NHUAC meeting. She said she has worked to increase the Health One team in the Seattle Fire Department. “I have been on the forefront of helping to increase investments in our dual dispatch system,” and she said she looks at every investment “through the health lens,” which is why she wants to move to the King County Council. She has a Masters in public administration, and an undergraduate degree, and is a third-generation Mexican-American hoping to be the first Latinx to serve on the King County Council.

How much time did you spend in North Highline in the year before filing?

MOSQUEDA: She said her family spends some time in White Center, including the library, and looks forward to learning more about the area and its concerns.

ARAGON: She says the area has a “very lovely business district … that’s been hit hard” and she has dined there. She has also gotten prescriptions filled at area drugstores. She says she’s in the area “several times a week.”

Giba showed some stats showing that the area faces many health and economic and educational challenges.

She also showed stats comparing the area with Burien and West Seattle.

“The inequity continues throughout the entire 34th [Legislative] District.” So, she asked, if they agree that segregation is a problem on those many counts.

MOSQUEDA: She said she wishes people would see this data and “take to the streets” … absolutely we have a problem where economic (and other) segregation exists today,” as evidenced by that data. She said redlining maps of the past can be overlaid and you can see where those problems persist today. “Segregation persists in our community and it’s limiting where people can call home” She said shes worked in Seattle to look at public policy through that sort of lens, including an ordinance “recognizing racism as a public health crisis.” What she’d like to do on King County Council:

-create more affordable housing
-direct investments into food-security programs
-direct investments into climate justice

“This is a crisis,” she declared, and “exactly why I want to go to the county.”

ARAGON: She agreed it’s a problem and said that in Burien they look at whether certain populations “are isolated” and try to bring them together. Latinx is the largest population, she said, “and we have create a number of cultural events to really celebrate that heritage” as well as looking at services including being sure people can access them in Spanish language. That includes recruiting Spanish-speaking police officers, she said. “in the county we could do a better job,” maybe creating an economic-development office, she said. Looking at how North Highline “can maintain its uniqueness” while finding a way it can “grow and thrive,” too, she said. She also said that COVID put inequities in the spotlight along with “what are the things we’re doing and not doing to exacerbate these disparities,” such as providing services in Seattle but expecting people to make it there from around the county to access them.

Giba asked about 1,300 tax-exempt units with more than 1,700 bedrooms – as of 2018 – in North Highline. Many are occupied by children. Services rely on local taxes but tax-exempt properties aren’t contributing, she noted

She said the area needs better policies, not just programs, to deal with struggling schools serving those children. Giba named three local schools that are “over the tipping point.”

NHUAC’s Amelia C asked a question about economic and racial diversity.

ARAGON: Yes, they’re important, “it’s the changing nature of our world” and we need to embrace it. Regarding housing, she said mixed-use is a good model and policies encouraging those are good, as well as Habitat of Humanity-type housing models, and housing that serves 50% AMI, as well as supportive housing for the chronically homeless. Mary’s Place will be expanding in the Shorewood area of Burien, too. “All of that needs investment by governmental entities.”

MOSQUEDA: Yes, economic and ethnic diversity – and “all forms” of diversity – are an important goal. Gender, age, more. “We need to be welcoming and creating policies that welcome everything,” including recognizing that King County is about half POC and a fourth immigrant. Making sure that everyone has a place to call home is vital. Income diversity, too. LGBTQIA representation, to more. She also noted that the “upside-down nature of our tax code” is to blame for some of the problems Giba had spotlighted to open the question. She also noted she’s “led on gun violence strategies.” She says many issues are “intersectdional’ and will require “an intersectional approach.”

Amelia also asked what each would do to ensur tax-exempt housing was equitably distributed throughout the county, not just concentrated in North Highline.

MOSQUEDA: We should not be relying on property tax to fund public schools – “that’s just doubling down on the segregationist approach.” Washington’s tax system is the most regressive in the nation, and working to right that is vital.

ARAGON: Lobbying for the nurses association, she had advocated for a more equitable tax structure. She agreed that the current tax code is “highly problematic.” She said that there should be a way to see whether an area in need of more investment “can be first in line.” There’s a lot of strategies to focus on pepole already in crisis but kids need to be given tools to stay “out of that path.”

If elected, will you sponsor King County to use fact-based opportunity analysis?

ARAGON: She embraces data-driven decisionmaking. “The solutions also need to be community-based,” she said.

MOSQUEDA: “Fact-based policy is my jam!” she exclaimed. She believes in decisions “rooted n proven strategies.” She gave a few examples of ‘fact-based policies I’ve invested in over the years. One is investing in the youngest children. She also talked about how rent increases just after the pandemic found Mary’s Place seeing a dramatic increase in families showing up in need of housing – and voting to increase affordable housing is something on which she has focused.

NHUAC’s Dobkin asked the next questions, showing a map of zoning changes from the King County Subarea Plan. It’s changed from R-6, six units per acre, to R-18. The neighborhood is primarily single-family homes but intended to change, with inclusionary zoning. What is the candidates’ understanding of IZ?

MOSQUEDA: Seattle has done a lot of work on that, she said. It’s a “both/and” approach for building more housing to serve both people who are here and people who are coming here because it’s a great place to be. She said including greenspace is vital. New buildings need to reflect the neighborhood – some neighborhoods even have old pre-existing apartment buileings that blend in, or if not, “can be re-created … so that more people can live in our region.” She says that not creating more housing is ‘an environmental-justice issue” because then people have to live further out, commute farther to jobs, or live in housing that paves over green spaces.

Dobkin followed up that IZ is usually used to “integrate lower-income people into higher-income neighborhoods … so how does IZ in a lower-income neighborhood work”? Mosqueda said that it’s a matter of diverse “price points,” and ownership opportunities as well as rentals. She said it’s important that IZ not displace existing low/moderate-income residents.

Where else has IZ been built in King County? Dobkin pressed. Mosqueda mentioned Yesler Terrace.

ARAGON: She said it’s not just a matter of integrating with “high income” but also with “market rate.” Overall, she thnks it’s a “great concept” but some details need to be worked out, such as “what percentage” of units need to be affordable? Should there be affordable housing countywide? It’s important to place it strategically around the region. She said Burien has a history similar to North Highline – “we always felt as if things were being done to us.” She said it’s a plus that she’s used to dealing with that. She also understands the importance of having a discussion with a community before coming up with a plan like this. Infrastructure is important too.

Dobkin went on to talk about what she called “destructive” construction that’s led to a “tremendous amount” of tree-cutting without infrastructure to support increased density – no sidewalks, “rural” streetlighting, etc. “We don’t have enough parks (or) greenspace.” Though the county assured residents it wouldn’t happen overnight, people are already buying up property. So, what steps woud the candidates take to support current and future improvements to facilitate the density increase?

ARAGON: She reiterated that her experience with Burien’s unique challenges mean she’s suited for working on issues like that.

MOSQUEDA: She said it’s important to recognize that policies can be felt by communities like this as just piling on to burdens they already bear, situations in which they historically have not been heard, have not been at the table. To “right that wrong,” communities need to be brought to the planning “table.” Specific discussions about trees, sidewalks, etc. are vital, and she understands that previously, it seemed like “development going rogue.” She said there’s a county effort to do an inventory of greenspace. She agrees that streetlighting is a key component of community safety. Seattle City Light needs to show that area the same urgency for responsiveness and investment, and she can bring her experience of having worked on a committee overseeing it. She also talked about regulating short-time rentals.

The floor was opened to community member questions, but there were none. So Giba asked another question: Since KCSO deputies can’t book suspects into jail for crimes like theft and vandalism, what do you think of that and what steps will you take to improve public safety?

ARAGON: The talk of “defunding police” a few years ago was harmful. The system has racism and bias, but that can be improved. What she heard in the question is that current laws aren’t being enforced “and that IS problematic … (so) we need to address the officer shortage.”

MOSQUEDA: Much of what KCSO discussed earlier in the meeting is needed, along with hiring additional officers, which she has supported in Seattle. But “fewer people … are coming to that profession” so it’s important to help free up officers from responses that don’t require armed law enforcement. She wants to ‘double down” on programs like LEAD and Co-LEAD, and Community Passageways, “to come and help people instead of arresting them.” But “we also know that our jail is at capacity … and understaffed” and has bad health conditions, so King County Executive Dow Constantine is “trying to close down that jail and find safer places for people to go.”

NEXT MEETING: (corrected) November 2nd. (That’ll be five days before voting ends in the general election, on November 7th.)

This Thursday’s the big night – with two weeks to go until voting begins, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will talk with the candidates for King County Council District 8, the seat that Joe McDermott is leaving:

You Are Invited

Candidates Forum
Presented by: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Thursday October 5, 2023 @ 7 PM

MEET

King County Council District 8 Candidates
Teresa Mosqueda & Sofia Aragon

Join Zoom Meeting
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All Are Welcome – Bring Your Questions – Get the Facts
Be Informed Be Involved Be Counted

VOTE