Free carpool permit parking now available at 15 park and rides
Starting November 1, King County Metro will offer reserved permit parking for carpoolers at nine additional park-and-rides, including Green Lake, Aurora Village, Shoreline, Kenmore, Bear Creek, Bothell, Kingsgate, Wilburton, Renton Metropolitan Place and Tukwila. Permits are already available at Redmond, Issaquah Highlands, South Kirkland, South Renton, Northgate and Eastgate. Spaces are reserved for permit-holders on weekdays until 8:30 a.m. You can apply now for a free monthly permit at all 15 locations through Republic Parking Northwest. Groups of two or more carpoolers who travel together to a participating park & ride can apply. Basic… Read More
Historic labor agreement delivers on our employee-focused priorities
King County and the Coalition of Unions have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year Master Labor Agreement (MLA) that will, once ratified, help the County advance towards its goal to be a workplace where every employee has the tools, knowledge and support to innovate, achieve their career goals and deliver equitable, high quality service to our customers. “The MLA delivers on many of the objectives of my Investing in You, Best Run Government and Equity and Social Justice priorities,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in announcing the tentative MLA. “It standardizes many work processes, large and small;… Read More
Yesler Bridge Rehabilitation Project: Update, complete and open
On Tuesday, October 10, the Yesler Bridge Rehabilitation Project was completed and opened to traffic. Thank you for your patience and cooperation through this process. Check out the Yesler Bridge project video, featuring the historical preservation of the bridge and a general project update. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project further, please contact YeslerBridge@seattle.gov or 206-684-8684. To learn more about the project, visit the project website.
Wheel Options — your trip, your way!
Leave the car at home during October and reap the benefits of sharing or saving rides to work. Complete and track at least six days of Wheel Options—that’s vanpooling, biking, walking, skateboarding, carpooling, taking transit, tele-commuting, compressing your work schedule or a combination of all modes—and you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win some great prizes—including a $1,500 grand prize, $500 second prize and a host of $50 retail gift cards. Already with Wheel Options? Log-in. So join us in Crafting Your Commute! Questions? Contact Employee Transportation Manager Hossein Barahimi at Hossein.Barahimi@Kingcounty.gov or by phone at (206)477-5853…. Read More
Supporting Disability Awareness Month through Annual Giving Drive
Each year King County employees help hundreds of nonprofit organizations do vital work in our community and around the world by donating to the Annual Giving Drive, and this year’s Giving Drive is now underway. The start of this year’s Giving Drive coincides with Disability Awareness Month, which King County celebrates each October. The following are four participating nonprofits whose work helps people with disabilities in our community (click and scroll down for details): The Arc of King County (9233) – Serving individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities through case management, peer support, leadership… Read More
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
Employee News 