by Devin Chicras
While the COVID-19 pandemic may have prompted us at the all-volunteer nonprofit West Hill Community Association to host our first-ever virtual Community Quarterly Meeting, it has also inspired an outpouring of support and togetherness (even while maintaining social distancing!).
We heard important, timely updates from:
- King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay’s office (aide Chandler Gayton)
- King County Sheriff’s Office West Hill Community Crime Prevention Officer Deputy Ryan Sprecher
- King County Department of Local Services Director John Taylor
- King County Fire District #20 Fire Chief Eric Hicks
- Renton School District Executive Director of Community Relations Randy Matheson
- Skyway Water and Sewer General Manager Cynthia Lamothe
- King County DLS Economic Development Manager Hugo Garcia
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay’s office (represented by Chandler Gayton, Legislative Staff)
Key Takeaways:
- CM Zahilay’s primary focus for our area right now is amending the proposed Skyway-West Hill Subarea Plan
- This subarea plan will determine guiding principles and actionable items for this area for the next 20 years
- “Phase 1” is expected to be adopted by King County Council in June 2020, and “Phase 2” by June 30, 2021, following public engagement and outreach (currently awaiting King County Executive Dow Constantine’s feedback first)
- “Phase 2” would build on and revise the current proposed plan based on an equity impact analysis and would “broaden [the plan] beyond a land-use focus to cover topics prioritized by the community”
- The full subarea plan would then be completed in 2022
- Seven action items, including an affordable housing motion and incentivizing small-scale commercial development, will be completed before 2022
- Progress on Just Cause Eviction legislation has slowed in the council due to the current pandemic
- Continuing to work on solutions to gun violence in the South End
- Working on support for youth caught up in the system or experiencing homelessness
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay via email or call 206-477-1002. Chandler Gayton is the Legislative Staff member focused on Skyway and the unincorporated West Hill area.
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King County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ryan Sprecher, West Hill Community Crime Prevention Officer
Key Takeaways:
- Property crime and domestic violence calls have been on the rise
- Recent notable arrests:
- Caught a man yesterday with 41 pieces of stolen mail and possession of a stolen vehicle
- A man was caught on camera with a stolen vehicle in Bryn Mawr, leading to an arrest
- In cooperation with code enforcement and the King County Prosecutor’s Office, KCSO made an arrest at a “problem house” that has been plaguing neighbors for two decades near 57th Ave S & Martin Luther King Jr Way S
- Attempting to get speed trailer placed near Green Tree Apartments due to resident complaints
- King County Parks has limited use of parks like Skyway Park for “essential travel” only, KCSO will educate violators, not punish
- Deputy James “Jimmy” Mitchell will be back from military leave in mid-May to resume his position as West Hill Community Crime Prevention Officer
- Deputy Sprecher will then step into a new role as a School Resource Officer for our five Renton School District schools in West Hill (Albert Talley Sr. High School, Dimmitt Middle School, Lakeridge Elementary School, Campbell Hill Elementary School, and Bryn Mawr Elementary School)
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach KCSO Deputy Ryan Sprecher via email.
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King County Department of Local Services Director John Taylor
Key Takeaways:
- John was joined by DLS Community Service Areas Community Liaison Bong Sto. Domingo
- Since the pandemic started, some outreach staff has been redeployed to communities with isolation and quarantine facilities
- Bong was working with DLS External Relations Manager David Daw doing outreach
- Hugo Garcia, DLS Economic Development Program Manager, has been involved in outreach helping to mitigate impacts of those facilities on businesses
- While the numbers of COVID-related deaths have slowed, the situation is still serious
- We need effective testing, enough kits, and sufficient staff to perform the contact tracing needed to help contain the virus
- King County and the DLS did a lot of community outreach around the Skyway-West Hill Subarea Plan leading up to its submission to the King County Council at the end of last year
- DLS is currently looking into CM Zahilay’s proposed amendments and will deliver their feedback to the council Wednesday, April 22
- The amendments would require another round of outreach, which would require resources – resources are limited during and following this pandemic
- Council is also limited on how they can move forward due to public meeting rules, and current restrictions
- DLS wants to do what the community needs but will need to find ways to work within the limited means that will be available
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach King County Department of Local Services Director John Taylor via email or call 206-477-4602.
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King County Fire District #20 Fire Chief Eric Hicks
Key Takeaways:
- Public Health Seattle-King County has a COVID-19 dashboard with the latest statistics
- As of April 21, 2020, our zip code (98178) currently shows that eighty-two neighbors have tested positive for the virus, and four have sadly died
- Another source of information they are monitoring is the National Volunteer Fire Council’s COVID-19 Information and Resources for Emergency Responders
- All staff is currently in good health
- Two firefighters were placed in a 14-day quarantine following an off-duty exposure, but did not contract the virus and have returned to work
- KCFD20 has a big role in regional response, they are holding most of emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) stockpile for the county, handling inventory and ordering
- Ordering is difficult as FEMA often intercepts at border for their own stockpile
- Currently have 10-15 day emergency stockpile of PPE if needed (haven’t had to dip into it yet)
- Some staff have been filling new roles during the pandemic, such as KCFD20 Public Information Officer Eric Autry who has been working with Public Health Seattle-King County
- If you call 9-1-1 for a medical response, you will be screened during the call and the information will be shared with the dispatcher
- You will be asked questions such as whether you have a temperature, a cough, or have been exposed to others with the virus – they no longer are asking about recent travel
- Unless there is an immediate danger like CPR is needed or the house is on fire, KCFD20 is following the “Scout Model” when responding to calls
- One firefighter will come to your door to ask questions (a second screening) and will wear PPE such as a mask, gloves, eye protection, and possibly a protective gown if needed
- KCFD20 offices will be closed to public through the month of May
- Saving up excess levy funds to replace fire engine from 2004
- It is advisable to replace engines within fifteen years
- Proactively made adjustments in budget to prepare for a potential 20% reduction
- Funding priorities are ensuring safety of personnel and securing more PPE
- Will make a decision as to whether or not to hold the annual West Hill Safety Fair by end of May
- Reminder to continue social distancing, wear PPE, and wash your hands frequently
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach King County Fire District #20 Fire Chief Eric Hicks via email or call 206-772-3029.
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Renton School District Community Relations Executive Director Randy Matheson
Key Takeaways:
- Schools across the state are closed for the rest of the school year by order of Governor Jay Inslee
- While buildings are closed, learning continues at home
- Teachers add new in-home learning content online every Friday
- Teachers and staff are collaborating virtually, and teachers are doing outreach to parents and students via virtual meeting, email, and by phone to help remove barriers to learning at home
- With state guidance, still figuring out how best to handle attendance, grading, and preparing the class of 2020 for graduation
- Free breakfast and lunch are provided Monday through Friday at almost all schools and some apartment complexes like Creston Point
- RSD partner Communities in Schools of Renton-Tukwila has created a Basic Needs Emergency Fund to help families get support for needs like rent payments, utility bills, and food costs. Donations are needed.
- Eighty-four families have been supported since March 19th
- Childcare is available at schools in a limited capacity for children of first responders and healthcare workers
- School fields are still open for walking or running as long as everyone maintains six feet of distance
- Any groups congregating on school property will be dispersed
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach Renton School District Community Relations Executive Director Randy Matheson via email or call 425-204-2345.
CONNECT ONLINE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Skyway Water & Sewer District General Manager Cynthia Lamothe
Key Takeaways:
- District staff are considered essential personnel, keeping water flowing in and sewage flowing out
- Shifts have been staggered for staff safety
- Staff is healthy and there have been no illnesses
- Skyway Park Pump Station Consolidation project is considered essential work, and will continue
- The expected completion date is December 15, 2020
- Access to park may be limited at times, but this will be kept to a minimum
- District is unable to waive charges (under WA state law), but they have (temporarily) suspended water shutoffs for nonpayment and also have suspended charging penalties and late fees
- Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) may be able to help you with your bills
- Apply online at WashingtonConnection.org and then call the Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 to complete the required interview, or call 877-501-2233 to complete the whole application process
- Skyway Water and Sewer District and the Renton Salvation Army are working together to provide utility bill payment assistance to all qualifying Skyway customers. The Salvation Army will administer the program and screen all applicants for eligibility. If you are in need of help in paying your water or sewer bill, please give us a call at 206-772-7343
- More resources are available on the website FAQ page
- District is also considering offering a grace period for customers to get caught up on bills, depending on how pandemic unfolds
- Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) may be able to help you with your bills
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach Skyway Water & Sewer District General Manager Cynthia Lamothe via email or call 206-772-7343.
CONNECT ONLINE: Website | Twitter
King County DLS Economic Development Program Manager Hugo Garcia
Key Takeaways:
- A webpage for economic development & small business assistance in unincorporated King County will be regularly updated with new resources
- Every Friday, there will be a new webinar with Q&A available to join
- This Friday, April 24th, is “Resources for Small Businesses in a changing environment” – register here
- Past webinars are available to to watch on the webpage or on YouTube
- Future webinars will cover topics such as how businesses will need to adapt as restrictions imposed during the pandemic are eventually lifted
- Hugo is available to chat if small business owners have any questions
- Keep shopping local – buy gift cards, order takeout, support small businesses
✉️ CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach King County DLS Economic Development Program Manager Hugo Garcia via email or call 206-305-4326.
CONNECT ONLINE: Website
Local COVID-19 Resources
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