Changes to recycling and confidential shredding services
Crossposted from the DES Express
The supplier for confidential records destruction is now Iron Mountain. King County’s contract with Key Works/SeaDruNar for confidential document shredding has expired. The locked bins provided by Key Works/SeaDruNar were removed as part of the contract closure, and new secure bins from a new contractor were placed in various locations in county buildings. Read more.
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Quick guide for parents and caretakers: What vaccines your child needs
As you prep for school or childcare, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) makes it easy to know which vaccines are required for kids. These simple charts from Washington DOH’s School and Child Care Immunizations webpage walk you through what’s needed at each age: Required Immunizations for School-aged Children and Required Immunizations for Childcare.
The following blog has resources for you to check if your child is already up to date on their vaccines and more. Learn more.
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Celebrating excellence: Honoring Metro’s Operator of the Year Tamieko Cook
Crossposted from Metro Matters
At King County Metro, celebrating excellence in public service is one of our proudest traditions. This year, Metro proudly recognizes Tamieko Cook as our Operator of the Year.
Cook was celebrated today at a ceremony at Metro’s South Base attended by King County leaders and colleagues from across the agency.
General Manager Michelle Allison told those gathered: “Tamieko Cook is in a class of her own. You’ve earned this recognition not just for what you do, but for how you do it—with heart, integrity and a deep commitment to the people of King County.”
“Tamieko represents the very best of Metro and the very best of public service,” County Executive Girmay Zahilay said. “For 30 years, she has connected people to the places and opportunities that matter in their lives, while treating every rider with dignity and respect. Her commitment to serving others is a family tradition, and we are proud to recognize the impact she has made in King County.” Read more.
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Executive Zahilay statement on Transportation Benefit District legislation
Recently, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay released the following statement after his administration transmitted new legislation that will allow the county to assume the duties and functions of the King County Transportation District (KCTD). This change is being proposed in partnership with members of the King County Council, which plays a key role in allocating and approving funding:
“Maintaining safe, reliable roads and bridges and a connected regional transit system are essential to King County’s future. As part of my commitment to build a better government, my administration has examined tangible ways to make government more efficient and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.
“Assuming the KCTD will allow our Roads division to continue delivering critical road safety, maintenance, and preservation projects across the nearly 1,500 miles of roads and 200 bridges in unincorporated areas. These upgrades support mobility, economic development, and emergency response across our region. Read more.
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Employees, test your knowledge with the King County Ethics Quiz
Crossposted from the DES Express
How well do you know the King County Code of Ethics? The Ethics Program has launched a free, self-paced Ethics Quiz that employees can take anytime to test their knowledge and learn more about the county’s ethics standards.
The quiz is designed to increase awareness of the Code of Ethics, the Ethics Program, and the resources available to employees. It also helps reinforce key ethics concepts, challenges your knowledge through real-world questions, and gives the Ethics Program valuable feedback about employee perspectives on ethics in King County.
Ethics education is an important part of maintaining public trust. By understanding the Code of Ethics and how it applies to your work, you help ensure fair, accountable, and ethical service to the people of King County.
Take the quiz whenever it’s convenient and see how much you know! Participation is voluntary, and the quiz will not collect data like your name or email address. You must be logged in to access the link.
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Airport teams up to help Department of Local Services
Crossposted from the DES Express
King County is all about collaboration to solve problems. King County International Airport (KCIA) teamed up with Fleet Services to help the Road Services Division of the Department of Local Services.
Roads recently needed help with about eight miles of painted markings. KCIA has a Stripe Hog machine, made by Hog Technologies, that can be used for a variety of maintenance activities including rubber removal, pavement marking removal and cleaning. The Stripe Hog uses high pressure water (up to 40,000PSI) to either clean or remove painted markings. Jonathan Moseley, Utility Worker II, and Kyle Renner, Equipment Operator, two airport employees who are certified by Hog Technologies to operate the machine, operated it on county roads instead of the airport for a few weekend days in July.
“In total, we cleaned approximately eight miles of painted markings,” said Colin Douglas, Maintenance Manager. “We also had assistance from Department of Executive Services’ Fleet division who help support some troubleshooting Road calls.”
Pictured: Employees from the Department of Local Services’ Roads Division and the Department of Executive Services’ King County International Airport teamed up on a county road project last month.
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King County’s Metro Flex to launch in Auburn and Federal Way, bringing on-demand transit to more of South King County
King County Metro will launch two new Metro Flex pilots serving Auburn and Federal Way on Aug. 31. The pilots expand on-demand transit in South King County as part of a broader set of transit improvements made possible through the South Link Connections project.
Metro Flex allows riders to book on-demand trips within designated service areas, providing connections between neighborhoods, transit hubs, jobs and other destinations. Riders can book trips through the Metro Flex app or by phone, with rides provided in Metro-operated minivans. The Auburn and Federal Way pilots will run for two years.
“Expanding Metro Flex into Auburn and Federal Way adds an important new transit option and helps reshape how people move through their daily lives in two of our fastest-growing communities,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. Read more.
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Reminder: Tickets at Work provides multiple discounts, including Wild Waves
Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Federal Way is closing permanently on Nov. 1, and employees are reminded a discount exists to take advantage of one last ride.
Through Tickets at Work, employees can search for Wild Waves to see a discounted ticket option starting at $49.95 per guest, ages 4+, now through Nov 1.
Visit ticketsatwork.com and register with promo code KingCounty to begin accessing discounts.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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Clogged, not forgotten: The hidden reality when you flush wipes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
It’s two in the morning when Brian White’s phone rings.
A fellow operator at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle is calling with bad news: The Hidden Lake Pump Station in Shoreline is rapidly losing capacity. If the problem continues, it could lead to a sewer overflow.
Within minutes, White, an offsite wastewater operator for West Section, is out of bed and behind the wheel, heading into the darkness to protect public health and Puget Sound. Read more.
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Planning ahead: Make back-to-school vaccination appointments now
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
School’s about more than math quizzes and book reports. It’s where kids go to play, grow, and build community. But where kids thrive, so do germs. Enter vaccinations! Vaccinations are the body’s practice test for diseases like measles and whooping cough. That way, if the real thing shows up, kids’ immune systems know exactly what to do.
Vaccinations required for school and child care
Children entering school, child care, or other early learning programs are required to get certain vaccinations before they can start. Check the full list of requirements in multiple languages to make sure your child is up to date. Read more.
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