The state Growth Management Act encourages cities to annex areas that have become densely populated so counties can focus on big picture issues.

County Council places Finn Hill, Kingsgate and North Juanita annexation vote on November ballot

Residents to decide whether to become part of city of Kirkland

Consistent with County policy calling for the annexation of urban unincorporated areas, the Metropolitan King County Council today placed a measure on the November general election ballot giving residents of the unincorporated communities of Finn Hill, Kingsgate and North Juanita the choice of annexation into the city of Kirkland.

“I have always believed in the rights of citizens to make decisions about their form of local government,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, who represents the area. “We will now watch eagerly to see what the voters decide.”

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This was 1 of 2 annexation proposals the King County Council put on the November ballot.

County Council places Panther Lake annexation vote on November ballot
Residents to decide whether to become part of city of Kent

Consistent with County policy calling for the annexation of urban unincorporated areas, the Metropolitan King County Council today placed a measure on the November general election ballot giving residents of the unincorporated community of Panther Lake the choice of annexation into the city of Kent.

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Sound Transit is unlikely to make major changes to the design of a Sounder commuter rail extension through Tacoma’s Dome District despite opposition from area businesses and residents.

That message came through clearly this morning at Freighthouse Square at a meeting about Sound Transit’s plans for the commuter rail segment from the Tacoma Dome to South M Street.

The agency plan relies largely on earthen berms to elevate the track as it rises to cross Pacific Avenue and climb a hill along South Tacoma Way. Opponents say the berm will divide the business district and prefer a “post and beam” support structure that would leave open space beneath the tracks.

“The City of Tacoma is letting Sound Transit come through and do it the way they want it, rather than the way that’s best for the City of Tacoma,” said Dan Fear, who lives in the First Creek neighborhood.

Sound Transit officials listened to those concerns and answered questions about the design today. But they say the berm design makes engineering and economic sense for a project that already is behind schedule and over budget.

And while members of the agency’s board of directors wouldn’t rule out small changes, they said they’re unlikely to order a full redesign.

“Will it be a whole different structural arrangement? I doubt that,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, a Sound Transit board member.

The design is just the latest controversy over the commuter rail segment, part of a larger extension of Sounder service to South Tacoma and Lakewood. The exact route from the Tacoma Dome to M Street prompted debate. So did the agency’s original plans to cross Pacific at street level.

Sound Transit ultimately decided to elevate the tracks over Pacific to address safety and aesthetic concerns. But that redesign came at a cost. The Tacoma-to-Lakewood project’s budget ballooned from $76 million to $151 million, and the agency is still at least $22 million short on money for the segment.

Agency officials say the “post and beam” alternative would cost another $4 million and would further delay the project, originally scheduled to be finished in 2001. Moving ahead with the current design – which relies mostly on berms but includes some post-and-beam support – would open commuter rail service to Lakewood in 2012.

Opponents fear focusing on the short-term budget and time constraints may have long-term consequences for the Dome District. Resident Jori Adkins said the berm will use land beside the track that otherwise could be used for future retail development.

“This can’t happen if we `berm out,’” Adkins said.

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County Council appoints Lynn Gering as King County Assessor

Action follows wishes of the family of Interim Assessor Rich Medved

Lynn Gering, the Chief Appraiser in the King County Assessor’s Office for the past 11 years, was unanimously appointed today by the Metropolitan King County Council and sworn in to serve as King County Assessor until the results of the November general election are certified.

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Manke has 30 days to appeal the fine - or pay it.

According to the state Department of Ecology, this isn't the first time that Manke has been in trouble with DOE. DOE says the fine is just its way of trying to get Manke's attention.

Manke Lumber has a history of compliance problems. Ecology inspections in 2005 and 2007 led to a $16,000 penalty and administrative order. Prior to that, the same facility was fined in 2002. Other Manke facilities elsewhere in the region have also been fined for stormwater permit problems.

Here's the full news release:

Manke Lumber in Tacoma fined for permit violations

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is penalizing Manke Lumber’s Tacoma mill $69,000 for ongoing stormwater management problems and failure to implement corrective actions outlined in a 2007 Ecology order. Along with the penalty, Ecology is issuing a new order directing Manke Lumber to fix problems without delay.

=> Read more!

Well, the County Council will select someone to fill in for the next few months, anyway. I'll update this post as news comes in. Council members probably are discussing it at this very moment.

NEWS ADVISORY

The Metropolitan King County Council is scheduled to act today on the appointment of a King County Assessor to serve until the results of the November election are certified. The Council is set to act at its morning session starting at 11:00 a.m. today.

The appointment will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former Assessor Scott Noble on June 18.

This is the lawsuit in which a bunch of school districts are claiming that the state is not performing its "paramount duty" to fully fund basic education. It's what one staffer called "the really big, giant lawsuit."

It is the 3rd round in a series of similar lawsuits. So far, the Legislature seems to have won the opening rounds. Well, sorta. The Supremes have said the Legislature gets to define exactly what "basic" education is, but once it has that definition, it must fully fund it.

It's a lot easier to follow the rules if you get to set the rules, too.

Aug. 31 is the start date for this round of court action. Trial is expected to last 3 weeks.

Got this news release today from Network for Excellence in Washington Schools:

The public school finance lawsuit brought against the state by a coalition of school districts, statewide and local civic organizations, and education associations goes to trial on Aug. 31 in King County Superior Court. We are lining up advance one-on-one interviews/briefings for political and/or education reporters with Mike Blair, president of the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), either by telephone the week of August 10 or in person between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the offices of Foster Pepper law firm at 1111 3rd Ave., Suite 3400, in downtown Seattle. Let me know if you’d like to arrange an interview.

Here is a link to the plaintiff's friends' page (NEWS).

Needless to say, whatever happens at the Superior Court level is bound to be appealed by the losing side all the way to the state Supreme Court. So, we're nowhere near a final resolution. Not sure there is a final resolution here.

It will be a three-week trial.