Executive’s modular housing announcement generates interest
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced plans for three pilots of modular construction in a news release that was distributed Aug. 22. Several outlets picked up the story:
King County will try modular housing to shelter homeless KUOW, Aug. 21
King County orders modular units for shelters and housing, Curbed Seattle, Aug. 21
Despite hurdles, King County moves ahead with $12M in modular housing for homeless, The Seattle Times, Aug. 23
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Kudos! to DPER for process improvements
In the last 12 months, about 60 percent of Department of Permitting and Environmental Review’s single-family building permits have been approved in less than six weeks, a marked acceleration from the preceding 12 months in which 35 percent of the same permits were approved in less than six weeks.
Additionally, card payments was launched at DPER during June 2017. Today, 45 percent of payments received for permits are made with Visa credit cards.
Kudos, DPER!
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AngaLee Alexander and her path to financial wellness
Crossposted from Balanced You
You may think financial coaching isn’t relevant to you. You think, “I don’t need any financial help.” Like many, once you really stop and look at your personal finances, there are many ways to improve.
AngaLee Alexander, a King County Business and Finance Officer, is a Health Hero. Like many of us, Alexander thought she had a handle on her finances until she decided to learn more about King County’s My Secure Advantage program.
My Secure Advantage (MSA) is a free benefit available to all County employees that provides tools and personal coaching to help you achieve your financial goals. “I didn’t really think I needed any help with my finances. However, I kept seeing the MSA information pop up and decided to talk to someone and see what they have to say,” said Alexander.
The road to financial wellness is just a phone call away. MSA provides 90 days of free, confidential telephone-based coaching. Money Coaches are unbiased, financial experts who can provided guidance and other resources to employees and their spouses or partners.
After initially signing up for the program, Alexander had some doubts until she met her MSA Money Coach, Derek. “I thought we were doing a good job saving for things like retirement, but Derek gave us homework to do and exercises that helped us identify additional ways to save,” Alexander stated. “We learned how small changes can make a big difference!”
One of those changes included swapping out the daily $4 lattes at the coffee shop for a coffee machine at home. “I didn’t think my husband would budge on his daily coffee habit. But once Derek helped us see how much money we could save by brewing our own cup of java in the mornings, he gave in!” Alexander laughs.
After several sessions with Money Coach Derek, Alexander is pleased with how she and her husband are more conscious about their financial wellness. “I think the MSA program is a wonderful thing for King County to offer employees. I plan on checking in with Derek again soon!”
Want to learn more about My Secure Advantage? Contact a Money Coach by calling 1-888-874-7290 or learn more online.
Do you have a Health Hero story to share? Call us at 206-263-9626 or email BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov.
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King County Water Taxi sets single-day record
Crossposted from Captain’s Blog
By Brent Champaco, King County DOT
Event organizers for Sub Pop Record’s 30th anniversary celebration on Alki Beach praised King County Water Taxi’s flexibility for helping thousands of concert-goers enjoy the biggest one-day event in West Seattle’s history without having to fight traffic congestion.
spf30.subpop.com
King County Water Taxi set a single-day ridership record during Sub Pop Records’ 30th anniversary celebration on Alki Beach, working with event organizers to provide additional service for the biggest one-day event in West Seattle’s history.
It is the latest milestone for King County’s water taxi service, which set a monthly ridership record on its West Seattle route in July.
“Thousands of people enjoyed a scenic trip to Alki Beach for a major celebration without having to fight traffic or search for parking,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our successful collaboration with Sub Pop Records reflects our commitment to being nimble and responsive so we can deliver outstanding customer service.”
The water taxi staff worked with event organizers to add a second vessel to the West Seattle route for the peak hours of the festival. Sub Pop encouraged attendees to take King County’s water taxi and free shuttle to Alki Beach, reducing traffic congestion in the surrounding neighborhoods.
“It would have been impossible to bring that many people to our festival without the help of the King County Water Taxi,” said Sub Pop CEO Megan Jasper. “They understood our needs and created a flexible and efficient plan for our region’s music fans. Many of these folks rode the Water Taxi for the first time, and we’ve heard from many of them how enjoyable their commute was.”
“Music is one of those treasured experiences that brings people together,” Jasper added. “The Water Taxi is a local treasure. We are so grateful for the partnership and the experience they provided.”
More than 7,600 passengers sailed on King County’s water taxis on Aug. 11. Between 9 and 11:30 p.m., the MV Doc Maynard and the MV Sally Fox – which can carry 278 passenger each – carried more than 2,000 passengers from West Seattle to Pier 52.
The previous single-day ridership record was set in 2014 when 4,592 passengers sailed to and from the the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade.
King County Water Taxi offers free daily shuttle service from its dock in West Seattle to the Admiral District and another to Alki Beach. It also offers service from downtown Seattle to Vashon Island.
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Social Media Spotlight: King County Metro on Twitter
@kcmetrobus shared Metro Matters Youth mural returns to Rainier Beach, and it’s a great story!
It’s great to see this mural back in #RainierBeach! Thanks to the Transit Justice Youth Corps @rainierbeach @SenSaldana @KCCouncil Larry Gossett @kcexec http://bit.ly/2MzCRoB
Follow King County Metro on Twitter today.
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Featured Job: Travel & Expense Fiscal Specialist III
Closing: 09/10/2018 11:59 p.m.
Salary: $22.99 – $29.28 Hourly
Location: Chinook Building, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Department: Executive Services – Finance & Business Operations Division
Job Number: 2018-LW08542
The Procurement and Payables Section of the Finance and Business Operations Division is looking for a Travel and Expense Specialist who will work as a Fiscal Specialist III in Accounts Payable. FBOD is looking for a detailed-oriented candidate who has expertise in expense report or employee reimbursement processing, is a team player, can work independently, and enjoys finding solutions. This position is responsible for providing great customer support to internal employees who request or approve reimbursements or payments. The work hours for this position begin between 6 and 7 a.m.
First-round phone interviews will be held the week of Sept. 17.
For more information, contact HR Analyst Liz Wilson at Liz.Wilson@KingCounty.gov.
Learn more about this position or all available jobs.
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Employee Giving Program first ambassador training Tuesday at Chinook
Build your resume AND make a difference? Yes, you can have it all.
The first training is next Tuesday, Sept. 4 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Chinook Building!
Join our rock star Ambassador team and celebrate 30 years of Giving Together!
Ambassadors are the most important element of our Employee Giving Program team. You will be the key to making sure that every King County employee has a quality opportunity to support a cause they care about through the program. Literally bringing transformative moments of meaning to your colleagues.
You get to:
- Meet new people,
- Advocate for your favorite cause, and
- Build rock star skills.
Average commitment:
- 4-6 hours of training and prep
- 1-2 hours per week during Annual Giving Drive
- Done at work-site in your current position
Get your supervisor’s approval and then sign-up for training!
Read more about the ambassador program.
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Pet of the Week: Roomba
Shared from King County Adoptable Animals
Roomba is a 1 year-old, female, black Pit Bull / Labrador mix (#A558570). Her personality color is RED, meaning she is a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality! She’s cautious in new situations, but once you gain her trust she will show you what a spunky and fun dog she can be! This sweet girl is hoping to find an understanding family who can work with her on her confidence building, and will probably do best in a home without young children. Once she warms up, Roomba is full of energy and loves to play. She will do best with lots of exercise and something to keep her mind busy. She is also a very smart dog and already knows several commands. Roomba seems to do well with other large, energetic dogs, and would do best with a slow introduction when meeting any other dogs in her new home. Roomba is spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Her $100 adoption fee also includes a certificate for a free veterinary exam and an opt-in 30 days of free pet insurance through Trupanion. See more of Roomba on Instagram!
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Superior Court CASA Program needs volunteers
Open House Sept. 5.
If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that will have an impact on a child’s life, the King County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is calling your name.
CASA volunteers are the independent voice that judges and others depend on to represent the best interest of children under 12. Currently, we have more than 600 children who need someone to speak for them in court.
“I have been a CASA for 11-plus years; it is the most meaningful, life-changing, soul-nurturing work I have ever done,” said Biz Alpaugh, a current CASA volunteer.
For more information call the CASA Program at 206-477-4245, visit the website or attend an Open House on Sept. 5, Oct. 3 or Nov. 7 at 1401 E. Jefferson, Suite 500 from 10 a.m. to noon.
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King County Water Taxi extended sailings for tonight’s Seahawks game
The King County Water Taxi offers additional nights of extended evening service on its West Seattle route for Mariners, Sounders and Seahawks home games during their spring and summer schedule. Aside from normal extended service on Friday and Saturday nights, there will be extended evening sailings today, Aug. 30, for the Seahawks preseason game.
Learn more at www.kingcountywatertaxi.gov, and view the extended evening sailings schedule here.
Employee News 