Recipient of Best-Run Government Innovation Award helps Fall City community
The Fall City Waste Management System has been honored as the winner of the 2023 Best-Run Government Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship. Congratulations to the Department of Local Services (DLS), Public Health – Seattle & King County (DPH), and all their partners for their commitment to Best-Run Government!
“I was thrilled to learn that the Fall City Septic System project had won an Executive Best-Run Government Climate Award,” says John Taylor, Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Director and former DLS Director. “It’s been a passion project of mine since the start since it not only supports the sustainability of the Fall City business district, but also leads to cleaner water and a cleaner environment. It required working with Public Health, Roads, District 3 Councilmembers, and the Fall City Community Association to make it a reality. When we put our minds together and work as one King County with community, we can solve intractable problems.”
Fall City is an unincorporated rural town in King County with a population of less than 5,000 people and about 40 businesses located within the rural business district. Fall City has been plagued with a wastewater problem for decades – negatively impacting businesses and threatening the health of people and the environment in the Snoqualmie River Valley. With strong community engagement and the highest amount of environmental stewardship, the Fall City Waste Management System team designed an innovative and cost-effective wastewater infrastructure for the Fall City Business District. The project is moving into the construction phase and will proceed through April 2026. The project will deliver measurable clean water and human health benefits.
The project featured strong collaboration between the DLS Director’s Office, Road Services, Environmental Health Services (DPH), the Snoqualmie Tribe, Fall City residents and businesses, Jacobs Engineering, and local community groups including the Fall City Community Association (FCCA), Fall City Metropolitan Parks District, and Fall City Septic Association.
The Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship recognizes workgroups and teams that have made progress in advancing the goals of King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and/or protecting and restoring clean water and health habitat.
“I am so excited to congratulate the King County Department of Local Services on receiving the 2023 Best-Run Government Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship for their Fall City Waste Management System project! This achievement reflects a true community-wide effort, demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability and public health while engaging one of only three legal townships in King County,” said King County Councilmember Sarah Perry. “Through collaboration with many local and county partners – including Fall City community leaders and the Fall City Community Association – along with innovative infrastructure solutions, this project sets a remarkable example of effective governance and environmental stewardship for our region and beyond, ensuring that generations of Fall City residents can live healthy lives in the thriving Snoqualmie Valley.”
“Thank you to the Best-Run Government Awards review committee for selecting this project! The Fall City Waste Management System is a win in so many ways,” says Marissa Aho, Director of King County’s Executive Climate Office. “It’s a win for community priorities, strong community engagement, and clear, measurable clean water and human health benefits. I look forward to following the progress of this project and being a part of it as it achieves its goals and successes for the people and the environment in and around Fall City!”
In 2018, the Executive launched the Best-Run Government Awards – formerly known as the Performance Excellence Awards. The awards recognize individuals and project teams In the Executive branch for their exceptional contributions in innovation, leadership, and continuous improvement at King County. Award winners our honored for efforts that support our True North vision of making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive — and embody our Executive branch values. Our True North is what we’re trying to achieve. Our values are how we strive to do our work. The Best-Run Government Awards recognize both – achievements in results and living our values. Best-Run Government is our commitment to continuously improve the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of how King County operates.
Congratulations again to the Department of Local Services (DLS), Public Health – Seattle & King County (DPH), and all their partners for modeling our True North and values, and helping to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive!
Visit the Best-Run Government Awards page to learn more about the 2023 award winners.
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How to get copies of Washington marriage and birth certificates
King County and its labor unions have engaged trusted vendor Mercer Consulting to conduct a routine eligibility audit to manage regulatory compliance and health insurance costs.
Employees are required to review plan eligibility requirements and provide documentation supporting the eligibility of each dependent or indicate removal for any family member who is not eligible.
For King County employees who need a certified copy of their Washington marriage certificate for dependent verification, the King County Recorder’s Office can provide these for a fee of $3 per copy. This fee is set by state law and cannot be waived.
- Copies can be ordered online at kingcounty.gov/recorder. Use the “Request a Copy” button to get started.
- For those who want to get a copy of their marriage certificate in person, visit the King County Customer Service Center on the second floor of King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St. The Recorder’s Office service windows are in the South Lobby. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays.
- Use the QLess Kiosk in the South Lobby to reserve your place in line, or make an appointment on the QLess website.
- Due to high demand, please use the online ordering option or visit the Recorder’s Office in person rather than calling the Recorder’s Office customer service line.
- The Recorder’s Office can only provide copies of certificates for marriages performed in Washington State. If you were married in another state or country, you will need to contact the appropriate agency in that state or country.
For employees who need to get a copy of a birth certificate for dependent verification, King County Vital Statistics can provide these for $25 per copy, plus fees depending on how you order.
- Online/by mail: Copies can be ordered through the Vital Statistics webpage.
- By phone: Call VitalChek toll free at 1-888-273-4623.
- In person: Visit the King County Customer Service Center on the second floor of King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St. The Vital Statistics service windows are in the East Lobby. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays.
- Use the QLess Kiosk in the East Lobby to reserve your place in line, or make an appointment on the QLess website.
- Vital Statistics can only provide copies of birth certificates from Washington State. If your dependent was born in another state or country, you will need to contact the appropriate agency in that state or country.
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Use Audit ID from Mercer to verify your covered family members’ eligibility by July 29
If you cover a family member on your King County medical, dental, or vision plan, look for your Audit ID and instructions for completing the required dependent eligibility verification process sent from Mercer Consulting by mail and email.
King County and its labor unions have engaged trusted vendor Mercer Consulting to conduct a routine eligibility audit to manage regulatory compliance and health insurance costs.
If you deleted the email from Mercer: If you cover a family member on your employee medical, dental, or vision plan, and you did not receive an email from Mercer, look for the letter sent to your mailing address. If you deleted or reported the Mercer email as phishing, you should still receive future notices from Mercer.
If you can’t find your Audit ID: If you didn’t receive an email or letter from Mercer with your Audit ID, please call Mercer at 866-703-3763.
If you don’t have the documents required for verification: For Washington births and marriages, see information about obtaining official documents here. Outside of Washington, an official certificate of every birth, death, marriage, and divorce should be on file in the state, city, or county where the event occurred. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists contacts for each U.S. state and territory. You can also use VitalChek. For a copy of your tax return, go to the IRS website or call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
If your documents are not in English: Please submit a copy of your original document and Mercer will make every attempt to translate it. If Mercer is unable to translate it, you will be placed in an “incomplete status” and Mercer will notify you that an official English translation is required.
The deadline is July 29, 2024: Use your Audit ID to access the Mercer Secure Website, upload documentation, and complete the verification process for each enrolled family member by July 29, 2024. Failure to do so will result in your unverified family member losing coverage on Sept. 30, 2024.
More information:
- FAQ
- Dependent Eligibility Verification Website Demo
- For employees on the KingCare PPO medical plan, the King County Benefit Access Fee form must be submitted and can be found in the website portal on the left hand menu under the title Helpful Information.
- Overview video: English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese
- Contact Mercer at 866-703-3763
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PeopleSoft outage begins Friday, June 28 at 3 p.m.
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available the weekend of June 28 through June 30.
During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance.
This work will begin on Friday, June 28 at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be completed on Monday, July 1 by 6:30 a.m.
The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available.
We realize that this outage impacts all PeopleSoft users, and we appreciate your understanding and support.
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With COVID-19 on the rise, remember to stay home if sick
King County is currently experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 infections. Please remember to stay home when you’re sick with COVID-19 or any common respiratory illness, including influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We value your work here, but it won’t help anyone if you spread your illness to your co-workers. If you are sick, please follow your agency’s sick leave request and approval protocols and stay home.
When you are sick, stay home and away from other people (including minimizing close contact with those in your home who are not sick) until:
- You don’t have a fever (and you are no longer using medications for fever like Tylenol) for at least 24 hours, AND
- Your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.
When you go back to normal activities, take extra precautions, including wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask and physical distancing for five days when you will be around other people indoors. Wash your hands often and clean regularly.
If you develop a fever or have symptoms that are worse after returning to your normal activities, you should stay home and away from other people again until:
- You don’t have a fever for at least 24 hours, AND
- Your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.
5 ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness:
- Wear a mask in crowded spaces. Put on a mask when you’re elbow-to-elbow with others.
- Improve indoor ventilation by opening windows and doors and using air filtration devices.
- Get tested promptly if you have symptoms and get treatment early.
- Get vaccinated. Stay up to date with flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations.
- Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash.
If you have questions about sick leave, please talk to your supervisor or HR Manager (employee access only). Thank you for helping to stop spread illness. Stay healthy!
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Innovation Section receives award for wildlife excellence
Crossposted from the Plane Talk Newsletter
King County International Airport recently received an award from United States Department of Agriculture’s Washington State office for a project promoting wildlife excellence. Dave Decoteau, deputy director of the airport, accepted the award on KCIA’s behalf at the 2024 Washington Airport Management Association Annual Conference in May.
The airport’s Innovation Section received the award for partnering with USDA to develop the Wildlife Hazard Assessment Tool (WHAT) application.
“It is an application for capturing wildlife observations on our airfield,” said Vanessa Chin, Innovation Section Manager for the airport. “This tool will help provide USDA and our airport with information and trends on wildlife (like birds, bunnies, etc.) to help us better understand our options to deter or migrate wildlife away from airside.”
“The Washington State USDA has been looking for a while to manage wildlife data across all airports in the state,” Chin said. “Ultimately, life safety is our highest concern, casualties may occur if a plane ingests a bird.”
Chin and Laurence Schafer, USDA Wildlife Services WA Airport Coordinator and Staff Wildlife Biologist, developed the vision for a new application. Christopher Lang, USDA Biologist, built the app, which is now in the testing phase, working with Ricky Buchanan, Business Analyst at KCIA, to see how it works at KCIA.
“We’re the test bed for USDA to try out this application, and if it’s a success at our airport, then they’re going to use that model to then share it out to others in the state,” Buchanan explained.
KCIA may be the first urban airport to test such an app, Buchanan said. He said that the USDA has worked with rural areas in Alaska on a similar project.
“They’re really happy to get us involved because we’re a major hub airport in a big city,” Buchanan said.
Pictured: From left, Dave Decoteau, Deputy Director; Ricky Buchanan, Business Analyst and Vanessa Chin, Innovation Section Manager, at King County International Airport.
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Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee,
This month we celebrate Pride and the fight for equality and equal rights for LGBTQIA+ people, along with the many accomplishments and contributions they have made in our communities here in King County and around the world. It is also a time to reflect on the adversities that LGBTQIA+ people have faced throughout history and their courage in the ongoing struggle against injustice.
As you may know, Pride began as a protest against discrimination and police violence, in the form of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City in 1969. The first Pride March took place the following year in New York City, and now Pride marches are held each year in communities across the globe.
The LGBTQIA+ community has made much progress since that day in 1969, but Pride reminds us that the fight continues today. LGBTQIA+ people continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives, and these experiences are amplified for LGBTQIA+ people of color who are also deeply impacted by racism and White supremacy.
The prejudices that LGBTQIA+ people continue to battle today remind us why we must remain steadfast in our work to achieve our True North – to make King County a truly welcoming and inclusive community where every person can thrive.
This Sunday hundreds of our King County colleagues, family, and friends will march in the Seattle Pride Parade in support of LGBTQIA+ rights, and you are invited to join the celebration. King County’s staging area is on Fourth Avenue between Seneca Street and Spring Street from 11:15-11:45 a.m. The King County contingent will get moving at 12:10 p.m., and it takes about two hours to get to the end of the parade route.
We have many more barriers to break down to become the place we truly want to be. Pride Month is a time of celebration and a reminder that the fight for equality and equal rights continues today.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine (he/him/his)
King County Executive
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300,000 Metro riders fuel region’s recovery
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Our region reached a major milestone when more than 300,000 people rode King County Metro. Achieving the highest one-day total in four years is proof that transit is the engine of our economic recovery. We’re going to more places and we’re traveling together.
The 303,000 people who took Metro on May 15, 2024, represents an increase of 22% from just a year ago and 156% from 2020. And this fall, your transit options will grow, too. Metro is adding more bus service, including in the evenings and on weekends. We’re providing connections to four new Sound Transit light rail stations. We’ll also unveil the RapidRide G Line, linking Madison Valley with downtown Seattle.
More riders and an expanding network bring us closer to what each of us wants our region to offer: easy, congestion-free, and environmentally friendly ways to get around. Read more.
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Metro explores hydrogen fuel cell buses to reduce emissions
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro will explore adding up to four hydrogen fuel cell buses as early as 2026 as part of a pilot project. These zero-emission buses provide extended range, run on hydrogen and emit only water vapor. Seeing how hydrogen fuel cell buses perform will inform if Metro uses them to complement its battery-electric and trolley buses.
Metro is a global transit leader on sustainability and is moving toward a 100% zero-emission fleet. The hydrogen fuel cell bus pilot project has the potential to benefit riders, reduce local air pollution and help tackle global climate change. Read more.
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Humans of Road Services: Meet Lydia Reynolds-Jones
Crossposted from King County Local
Fairness and fearlessness. For decades, Lydia Reynolds-Jones has leaned on these two pillars to guide her, both professionally and personally.
Lydia began working for the Road Services Division more than 30 years ago as a roadway design engineer. The traits that keep her engaged, energized, fulfilled, and never bored are continuous learning and problem solving. Over the years, she has led and managed various units and programs. She has served as the Road Services Division Strategic Business Operations Section Manager since 2021. Read more.
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