The Area Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 1. Major topics discussed were: (1) Community Needs; (2) Countywide Planning Policies Update; and (3) Cedar Hills Regional Landfill.
Public Comment
Lisa Floyd of the King County Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS)/Behavioral Health & Recovery Division spoke about mental and behavioral health services, etc. that are available, see: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/mental-health-substance-abuse/midd.aspx.
Tahoma School District (TSD) Update
TSD Board member, Val Paganelli, provided the update. Hybrid in-person learning along with a continued 100% remote learning model (based on family choice) is in place for all K-5 students in the district; middle school expected to follow in March and high school in April. A capital project budget review recently was conducted and priorities established with upcoming an Demographer Report and Housing Committee recommendations pending. Five-year strategic goals and targets work is proceeding through the spring.
The Area Council asked many questions and Val agreed to get back to it regarding summer learning, graduation waiver updates, and transitional supports for students.
Community Needs List
The King County Department of Local Services (DLS) is gathering a list of Community Needs and Priorities by Community Service Area (CSA)—the Area Council is within the Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River CSA. King County is asking for a community-identified list of service, program, and capital improvement projects for possible future implementation authorized by the King County Council. See: https://publicinput.com/UKCcommunityneedslist.
Danielle de Clercq, Deputy Director of the King County Department of Local Services (DLS), joined the meeting and discussed what has been requested. Ms. de Clercq stated King County would welcome ideas from both individuals and groups like the Area Council. DLS will look at all requests and try to respond to each. She also discussed the King County Council’s budget cycle and how such needs lists would fit into same.
The Area Council discussed some ideas to submit, but also encourages individuals to submit their own.
Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) Update
The CPPs currently are undergoing an Update lead by the King County Executive’s Office in conjunction with the King County Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC): https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/executive/performance-strategy-budget/regional-planning/Growth-Management/GMPC.aspx. The GMPC is comprised of the King County Executive, Councilmembers, Cities, and Special Districts (Water, Port, andSchools).
The CPPs serve as the guiding principles and policies for all Comprehensive Planning for King County and its Cities. The CPPs tie in to work the Area Council previously has done on KCCP Updates, PSRC’s VISION 2050, and city Comprehensive Plans. The specific areas addressed in the CPPs are: Environment, Development Patterns, Housing, Economy, Transportation, and Public Facilities & Services.
The Area Council is leading a joint effort of seven Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils/Associations (UACs/UAAs) to prepare/submit Comments to King County. An initial set of joint comments were submitted to King County on January 11.
On February 24 King County released an 80-pg Matrix of proposed Policy changes, which the team currently is reviewing. Joint Comments will be prepared and submitted to King County by a March 10 deadline. To help meet that deadline the Area Council has scheduled a Special Meeting for March 8 at 7 PM.
The CPP Update Public Review Draft will be released in April/May—our joint team will review it and then prepare/submit detailed comments to King County. The GMPC approval of the Update will be by June 30 with city approvals by September 30. The GMPC will submit its final Update to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) by December 31.
For further information please see: http://gmvuac.org/countywide-planning-policies/.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill (CHRLF)
Following last Fall’s Area Council submittal of detailed comments (see: http://gmvuac.org/cedar-hills-regional-landfill/) on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the CHRLF’s Site Development Plan the Maple Valley City Council requested a presentation on the future of the CHRLF. The Area Council made a presentation to the Maple Valley City Council at its Monday, February 8, meeting. The presentation is posted on the Area Council website’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill page: http://gmvuac.org/cedar-hills-regional-landfill/.
The Area Council discussed possible presentations to other King County cities and assigned planning for such to its Environment Committee (http://gmvuac.org/environment).
The CHRLF Site Development Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is expected to be released soon. The Area Council will conduct a thorough review and prepare/submit Comments to the Solid Waste Division of King County’s Department of Natural Resources & Parks.
Upcoming Area Council Meetings
The next Area Council regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, April 5, which will be another “virtual” meeting via Zoom—access information will be posted on the Area Council’s website www.gmvuac.org.
All regular monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, from 7 – 9:30 PM. Meeting announcements are published in the Voice of the Valley, the Area Council’s website (www.gmvuac.org) and local NextDoor platforms. You can also find us on Facebook. All are welcome with each meeting beginning with an open Public Comment period. [When State restrictions are lifted, the Area Council will again meet face-to-face with members of the Public invited to attend and continue to invite Guest Speakers on topics of key local and regional interest. Meetings will be held at the Maple Valley Fire Station—SE corner of SE 231st St & SR-169 intersection directly across from the Police Precinct.]
Area Council Membership
Your Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally recognized advisory body to King County on behalf of all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District. The Area Council’s Vision Statement is:
“Our community’s Rural Character will be supported by facilitating strong local ties and communication between the public, organizations, and government; promoting locally owned businesses and supporting quality education; protecting the environment, and maintaining landowners’ rights and responsibilities; promoting controlled and well-planned growth with appropriate infrastructure; ensuring proper representation for rural interests and needs; and supporting the health and safety and the privacy of our vibrant community.”
The twelve-seat Area Council currently has three open seats. If you have an interest in joining please send an e-mail to: info@gmvuac.org or attend a monthly meeting and express your interest.
Citizens who are not members of the Area Council or do not live within the Tahoma School District still are eligible to join and serve on any of the Area Council’s three major subject-matter Committees: Environment, Growth Management, or Transportation, as well as the Ad Hoc Economic Committee, Public Relations Committee, and Train Show Committee. The Area Council welcomes your participation. For information on each of these committees please see the Area Council’s web site: www.gmvuac.org and use the drop-down menu under Committees. Thank you.
