Join us for a Sea Level Rise in the Puget Sound Lunch and Learn, October 18
Employees are welcome to join us for a presentation on the current understanding of Sea Level Rise in the Puget Sound. Come hear Dr. Ian Miller, Coastal Hazard Specialist from Washington SeaGrant, discuss sea level rise and how it may present itself in the Puget Sound. Wednesday, October 18 from noon to 1:00 p.m. King Street Center, 201 South Jackson Street, 8th Floor Conference Room All King County employees welcome, but space is limited. Please sign up here. For more information, please contact Shaun O’Neil at Shaun.O’neil@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4432.
Disability Awareness Month – a history of Metro’s Accessible Transit Services
Crossposted from Bytes and Boxes Today an industry leader in public transit, Metro has been shaped by citizen involvement since its establishment by the voters of King County 60 years ago. One significant area of Metro leadership and citizen engagement has been the development of accessible transit services for people with disabilities. The Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (“Metro”) was formed in 1958 with a public mandate to improve local water quality. Over time, Metro expanded to other civic projects and services. The Forward Thrust bond campaign, headed by community activist James Ellis,… Read More
Success at work!
This article is featured courtesy of Karla Lynch, Employment and Community Access Program Manager, with Department of Community and Human Services When we think about our careers, and how we landed in our present jobs, we recognize that each path is unique. The same is true for persons with developmental disabilities (DD). In the early days of the supported employment movement, most people who experienced a developmental disability worked in sheltered workshops – segregated settings in which persons with DD worked together, typically performing a variety of manual tasks. As we’ve learned more about how to… Read More
Employee Giving Campaign: Message from John Wilson and Matias Valenzuela
Dear King County Employee, As King County employees, we are fortunate to work and live in one of the most dynamic and diverse areas in the nation, with a robust economy, world-class universities, stunning landscapes, and a strong sense of community. Not everybody, however, has equitable access to opportunity, and we as County employees play a key role in changing this and creating a better region for all. It is in the spirit of community that we invite you to participate in the King County Employee Giving Program’s 2017 Annual Giving Drive…. Read More
Bond rating boost, refinancing saves $41.2 million for King County sewer utility ratepayers
Strong credit ratings and favorable conditions in the financial market continue to benefit ratepayers served by King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division. On Monday, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division refinanced $175.6 million in Limited Term General Obligation (LTGO) Refunding Bonds. The refinancing will save ratepayers $41.2 million over the next 17 years. King County’s wastewater utility partially funds its capital improvement program by selling sewer revenue and LTGO bonds. Solid credit ratings help the County secure a lower interest rate on the bonds it sells to fund its major capital improvement program. The money borrowed… Read More
Celebrating Disability Awareness Month
This October King County is celebrating Disability Awareness Month and taking the opportunity to recognize the many contributions of people with disabilities to our workforce and our communities. King County provides many programs and services – such as easier access to public transit, greater access to parks, facilities and trails, housing assistance and improvement programs, and Accessible Voting Centers – to help people with disabilities bring their unique contributions to our communities and live fulfilling and rewarding lives. King County Executive Dow Constantine and the Metropolitan King County Council proclaimed the month of October as Disability… Read More
Metro Transit celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we at King County recognize the important presence of Hispanic and LatinX Americans and the contributions they have made to the United States and King County, and celebrate their heritage and culture. National Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Dia de la Raza is October 12. Before Washington was a state, people of Hispanic origin were coming to the region to work on… Read More
Resources to help you cope with traumatic events
The horrific mass shooting that took place Sunday night in Las Vegas has deeply affected all of us. This senseless, heartbreaking event may evoke feelings of fear and anxiety, or bring back thoughts associated with other tragedies that have happened closer to home. King County Making Life Easier is providing several resources to help you and your family cope with your emotional reactions to this tragedy. If you need immediate support, or specific resources, please call the King County Making Life Easier program at 1-888-874-7290. The following links are curated articles provided… Read More
New cat café opening soon to feature felines from RASKC
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) will be providing adoptable cats for Neko, a new cat café in Capitol Hill, opening in October. RASKC already works with Seattle’s first cat cafe, Seattle Meowtropolitan, to provide adoptable cats for customers to interact with. “Working with Meowtropolitan has been a really cool experience,” said Nickie Ford, RASKC animal services coordinator. “We got started with them about a year and a half ago, I believe, and we found the cats, they really just thrive in that colony environment.” Slated to open in mid-October, customers at Neko can expect to find 12-15 cats looking… Read More
Changes ahead for Metro and DOT
Crossposted from Inside Transportation by Harold S. Taniguchi Director, King County Dept. of Transportation Executive Constantine announced this week that he is working with the County Council to make a big change: In early 2019, Metro Transit will become a stand-alone County department, no longer part of the Department of Transportation. This change makes sense. Public transportation is a top priority for the Executive and our region. Population and job growth mean that Metro must provide more and better travel options for all who live and work here—and Metro has a long-range plan for doing just… Read More
Employee News 