2021 King County Council News

2021 News

December 14, 2021
City Hall Park land swap agreement approved by Council, awaits Seattle Council approval
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation to turn over City Hall Park to the County in exchange for several County-owned properties within Seattle.

December 10, 2021
Council approves unique public-private partnership to construct key Eastrail/520 Trail Corridor connector in Bellevue
Today the King County Council authorized an agreement between King County and the nonprofit community-based organization Eastrail Partners for the funding, design, and construction of a 400-footlong trail connection between the 520 Trail Corridor and Eastrail in Bellevue.

December 7, 2021
Cancelled Homeless Population Count Spurs Dunn to Ask for Reconsideration
King County Council Vice Chairman Reagan Dunn issued a letter calling on the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) to re-instate the 2022 Point in Time Count.

December 7, 2021
Massive Health Through Housing Measure Approved by King County Council
The King County Council has passed an implementation plan for King County’s Health through Housing program, which aims to house up to 1,600 people experiencing chronic homelessness. 

December 7, 2021
Groundbreaking Metro Transit Updates Passed by King County Council
The King County Council has passed a groundbreaking series of key policy changes that will influence the next 10 years of public transit investments across King County.

November 23, 2021
Council chooses Chris Villasenor to fill Newcastle City Council vacancy
The King County Council on Monday appointed Chris Villasenor to fill a vacant seat on the Newcastle City Council by a unanimous vote.

November 23, 2021
$672 million supplemental budget, funding climate projects, gun violence reduction and key service restorations approved by King County Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $672 million supplemental budget.

November 16, 2021
Councilmembers award nine community members with Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service
The King County Council on Tuesday completed its sixth year of awarding the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service to members of the community who responded to Dr. King's question: ”What are you doing for others?”

November 16, 2021
Human Trafficking Prevention Effort Passed by King County Council
Legislation reaffirming King County Council’s commitment to combatting human trafficking passed unanimously Tuesday.

November 9, 2021
King County Council approves review of home occupation regulations in light of the rise of remote work
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn’s motion asking for a review and update of home occupation regulations in King County was approved Tuesday by a unanimous vote of the King County Council.

October 19, 2021
Council approves legislation to turn City Hall Park over to County
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation that would seek options for King County to acquire City Hall Park from the City of Seattle and explore future plans and uses of the park, which is adjacent to the King County Courthouse, the seat of county government.

September 16, 2021
Kohl-Welles, Dunn bring legislation to spotlight human trafficking in King County, statewide
King County Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced legislation re-affirming the Council’s commitment to education about and the combatting of human trafficking.

September 14, 2021
Dunn, Kohl-Welles lead King County Council in recognition of National Recovery Month
King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn and Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles were joined by their fellow councilmembers Tuesday in recognizing September as Behavioral Health Recovery Month in King County.

July 27, 2021
Council approves more than $389 million for courts backlog, community supports, rental assistance, and more in latest round of emergency COVID funding
The King County Council on Tuesday approved its latest round of emergency COVID-19 funding, a supplemental budget totaling more than $389 million.

July 27, 2021
New Law Enforcement Oversight Director Appointed for King County
The King County Council has appointed Tamer Abouzeid, an attorney, mediator, community organizer and policy professional, to serve as the new director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.

July 13, 2021
Council approves requirement for electric vehicle charging in new development
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation adding requirements for much of new development in unincorporated King County to include charging stations and dedicated parking for electric vehicles. The legislation pushes toward one of the key goals of the Council’s Strategic Climate Action Plan.

June 29, 2021
Kohl-Welles to transfer ‘retired’ vans to organizations serving District Four
King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles has designated four local organizations that will receive retired Metro Transit Vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to people with disabilities, low-income individuals, seniors, and young people.

June 29, 2021
‘Just cause,’ other transformative tenant protections approved by Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a transformative tenant protections package headlined by capped move-in fees and new ‘just cause’ eviction criteria.

June 28, 2021
Two finalists identified for King County law enforcement oversight job
The King County Council announced this week that is has narrowed its search for a new director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) down to two finalists.

June 1, 2021
Facial Recognition Technology Ban Passed by King County Council
A groundbreaking proposal to ban government use of facial recognition software has been passed by the King County Council. It was approved Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 9-0. King County, home to 2.3 million people in and around Seattle, becomes the first county and one of the largest jurisdictions in the United States to pass such a ban.

June 1, 2021
King County Council Unanimously Approves Reagan Dunn’s Motion to Include Substance Use Disorder Supports in the Best Starts for Kids Levy
Today the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously passed Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn’s motion that directs the King County Executive to address substance use and mental health supports more specifically in the Best Starts for Kids (BSK) levy implementation plan.

May 25, 2021
Record $631 million emergency COVID budget approved by Council
A seventh round of emergency funding in response to COVID-19, this time totaling more than $631 million, was approved Tuesday by the King County Council by a vote of 8-1.

May 19, 2021
Dembowski issues statement on retirement of Public Health Director Patty Hayes
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the retirement of Public Health Seattle – King County Directory Patty Hayes.

April 27, 2021
King County fireworks ban approved by full council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation that will ban fireworks in unincorporated King County starting in 2022.

April 20, 2021
Council sends Best Starts for Kids levy renewal to voters with unanimous approval
The King County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to send the Best Starts for Kids levy to voters, who will ultimately decide on renewing the levy for another six years. It will appear on the August 3 primary ballot.

March 16, 2021
Transformative tenant protections proposed for King County
A transformative tenant protections package has been officially introduced by two King County Councilmembers. The measure, headlined by capped move-in fees and new ‘just cause’ eviction criteria, was officially put forward today by Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Girmay Zahilay.

March 9, 2021
$4-per-hour pandemic hazard pay for grocery workers approved by King County Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a proposal that adds a $4-per-hour hazard pay for employees at large grocery stores in unincorporated King County.

March 9, 2021
New law will protect virtual addiction recovery privacy
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation that makes it illegal in King County to hack into virtual addiction recovery and mental health meetings.

March 9, 2021
Climate action toolkit to empower cities and towns to act on climate is approved by King County Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a Climate Action Toolkit to empower King County cities and towns to take immediate local action on climate change.

March 2, 2021
King County Council Recognizes One Year of COVID-19
King County Vice Chair Reagan Dunn on Tuesday delivered an official recognition of the one-year anniversary of King County’s State of Emergency due to COVID-19.

February 12, 2021
King County councilmembers propose hazard pay for frontline grocery workers
Members of the King County Council introduced legislation Thursday that would require a $4 per hour hazard pay for employees at large grocery stores in unincorporated King County.

February 9, 2021
Councilmembers condemn preferential vaccine offerings by some area hospitals, request state prohibit such practices in legislation
In the wake of reports that three King County hospitals had offered special access to COVID-19 vaccines to donors and board members, the King County Council passed legislation Tuesday condemning the activity and requesting state lawmakers to prohibit such practices in the future.

January 12, 2021
King County appoints four members to 2021 districting committee
The King County Council on Tuesday appointed the first four of five members to the 2021 King County Districting Committee.

January 5, 2021
Balducci re-elected Chair as council embarks on busy new year
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously re-elected Claudia Balducci as Chair, and Joe McDermott and Reagan Dunn as Vice Chairs.