Update on Bridge Repair; This Week in the Budget; Sound Transit Invitation to Apply for Community Advisory Group for West Seattle/Ballard Line; SDOT Enforcing 72 Hour Parking Law; 10/21: Join a Virtual Open House About the Future of the Junction’s Parking Lots; Vaccination Verification Required At Many Businesses Starting October 25; Vaccination Mandate Deadline for City Employees; King County Districting Town Hall; Adopt-A-Drain

Home » Update on Bridge Repair; This Week in the Budget; Sound Transit Invitation to Apply for Community Advisory Group for West Seattle/Ballard Line; SDOT Enforcing 72 Hour Parking Law; 10/21: Join a Virtual Open House About the Future of the Junction’s Parking Lots; Vaccination Verification Required At Many Businesses Starting October 25; Vaccination Mandate Deadline for City Employees; King County Districting Town Hall; Adopt-A-Drain
Councilmember Herbold
October 20, 2021January 6, 2023By Joseph Peha

West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Update on Bridge Repair

The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force met on Thursday, October 14th and heard schedule and design updates for the mid-2022 completion of the bridge repair. The 90% design threshold has been met and we are on target to meet the all-important 100% design threshold in early November. Pre-construction work is happening right now, even if you can’t see it.  New work platforms are being designed and constructed off-site.  Utilities are being relocated within the bridge girder to make space for new post-tensioning work.

West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Update on Bridge Repair

The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force met on Thursday, October 14th and heard schedule and design updates for the mid-2022 completion of the bridge repair. The 90% design threshold has been met and we are on target to meet the all-important 100% design threshold in early November. Pre-construction work is happening right now, even if you can’t see it.  New work platforms are being designed and constructed off-site.  Utilities are being relocated within the bridge girder to make space for new post-tensioning work.

In November, construction of the repair is scheduled to begin, after conclusion of the Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC) negotiations, and approval from WSDOT and FWHA. Work  platforms are scheduled for installation in December, along with crack injections:

Here’s a visual that displays (in green) the schedule for the different elements of the West Seattle Bridge repair work (utility relocation, work platform installation, post-tensioning, epoxy injections, and carbon fiber wrap).

The schedule for rehabilitation work on the lower (Spokane Street) bridge is listed below in purple:


This Week in the Budget

Last week the Council met as the Select Budget Committee. On Tuesday, the committee had the first of three public hearings. On Wednesday, we began the first of three days of morning and afternoon sessions to hear “Issue Identification” presentations on select departments. Council Central Staff identified potential issues in their presentations and staff memos as a starting point for Councilmember discussions. The presentations and memos are linked below.

Wednesday October 13th

Thursday October 14

Friday, October 15

On Monday October 18th, Councilmembers had a noon deadline to submit potential amendments to the Mayor’s Proposed 2022 budget. This week staff is working to develop amendments that will be presented in the Select Budget Committee from October 26th to 28th.

The budget meeting schedule is available at the Select Budget Committee webpage. You can download the budget calendar here.

Budget Committee meetings have public comment for 30 minutes at the beginning of the morning session.   You can sign up to speak at the link.

Sound Transit Invitation to Apply for Community Advisory Group for West Seattle/Ballard Line

Sound Transit is seeking applications for serve on a Community Advisory Group (CAG). Sound Transit’s announcement is below, including contact information.  Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27.

“Sound Transit is looking for people along the West Seattle and Ballard corridor who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences to serve on a community advisory group (CAG). The CAGs will provide an additional forum for community members to help inform the Sound Transit Board’s confirmation or modification of the preferred alternative for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project.

The CAGs will work collaboratively to highlight issues and tradeoffs to the community for the Sound Transit Board to consider as the agency works to deliver a project on time and within scope. Feedback from the advisory groups will be taken together with all the input gathered from the public comment period when Sound Transit releases the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project, and shared with the Sound Transit Board before it confirms or modifies the preferred alternative early next year. In addition to participating on a CAG, community members will be able to engage in a variety of ways during the public comment period including at public meetings, by phone, mail, email and online.

 The CAGs will include a balance of neighborhood and community interests and reflect the diversity throughout the corridor, including income level, race, age, physical and cognitive abilities, and lived experience. Each advisory group will be comprised of 10-15 community members, and organized by geographic area.

Sound Transit is seeking people who:

  • Live, work and/or volunteer along the project corridor.
  • Are a part of or have deep understanding of one or more of the communities along the corridor.
  • Have knowledge and/or interest in public transportation, mobility and how transportation affects the lives of people in the region.

Sound Transit asks that members be prepared to:

  • Act as a community ambassador, willing to share information with community members and bring forth community values, concerns, and ideas.
  • Consider the community as a whole and go beyond personal interests.
  • Participate collaboratively with group members whose views may be different from their own.
  • Attend approximately six-monthly meetings from fall 2021 through early 2022, participating fully in the process.

Interest forms will be accepted through 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 27. Fill out an interest form at https://wsblink.participate.online/#cag. For assistance, contact the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project team at wsblink@soundtransit.org or 206-903-7229.”

SDOT Enforcing 72 Hour Parking Law

SDOT announced that they would begin to issue warnings to enforce the 72-hour parking law starting on October 15. SDOT reports that their initial focus will be on ” unoccupied hazardous vehicles that may have been abandoned over the past 19 months.”

In September, SDOT began managing parking enforcement, when parking enforcement officers were transferred from SPD.  Enforcement of the 72-hour parking law was suspended in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SDOT’s announcement says:

“While the initial focus is on abandoned vehicles, all vehicle owners should get back in the habit of regularly moving vehicles to avoid a possible warning and citation. People should also check their block regularly for temporary parking restriction signs, which can be placed with a minimum of 24-hours notice for things like emergency utility work, cleaning, or special events.

Parking enforcement at SDOT will not impound a vehicle with someone living in it unless it poses a specific risk to public health such as inadequate sanitation causing a direct risk of illness or injury, inadequate protection leaving the occupants exposed to the weather, or other environmental, fire, health and safety hazards.”

SDOT’s announcement also notes:

“Starting soon, people will be able to report abandoned vehicles that have been parked on the street for more than 72 hours using the Find It, Fix It app. Because enforcement was paused for so long, the City expects that it will take longer than usual to respond to requests to clear abandoned vehicles currently on the streets.”

In March of this year the Mayor issued a press release about COVID 19 restrictions that noted “As more businesses are reopening, SDOT is developing a plan to reinstate the 72-hour parking ordinance that will be back in effect starting April 1, 2021.”

One challenge in resuming enforcement is the Long decision by the State Supreme Court in August, which ruled that auctioning a vehicle that served as a residence conflicted with the state Homestead Act.

I’ve asked SDOT about procedures; the Court’s decision suggests business practices will need to account for this decision because licensed tow operators are required by law to conduct forced sales of unredeemed vehicles.

10/21: Join a Virtual Open House About the Future of the Junction’s Parking Lots

What could be the vision for the future use of the West Seattle Junction’s four paid parking lots?  Find out and provide input and insight during the Virtual Open House on Thursday, 10/21 at 6:30pm on Zoom.

See initial architectural drawings from Ankrom Moisan (the same firm that designed the new Husky Deli building).  Hear from Community Roots Housing, a local leader in affordable housing.  Learn about the vision to build and sustain small businesses via the Small Business Incubator program.

Oct 21, 2021 06:30 PM, join the Virtual Open House here.  Learn more here.

Meeting ID: 824 6786 0906
Passcode: 467445

Vaccination Verification Required At Many Businesses Starting Monday

Beginning October 25, people ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter certain indoor and outdoor events and establishments in King County.

This requirement will help to protect customers and workers, protect our health care system (read a statement of support from the healthcare community), and prevent business closures as the Delta variant continues to spread in King County. You can read this Public Health Insider blog post for more information, and view the Local Health Order.

What can I use as proof of vaccination?

  • CDC COVID-19 vaccine record card or photo of vaccine card
  • Printed certificate or QR code (available at the end of September) from com
  • Other official immunization record from within or outside the U.S., including from your health care provider. A photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.

NOTE: Documentation of medical or religious exemptions not accepted.

What if I don’t have my vaccination card?  If you lost your CDC vaccination card, try these options to find your vaccination record:

  • Sign up for MyIR at MyIR.net. Look up your vaccination record, then print or take a screenshot. If your records don’t show up, call 833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357).
  • Ask your provider. If you received your vaccine at your health care provider, the provider’s office should be able to give you a copy of your record.
  • Ask at the vaccination site. Go back to the site where you were vaccinated and ask a clinic supervisor if they can look up your record and create a new card.

For questions about your immunization record, email: waiisrecords@doh.wa.gov.

What if I’m not Covid vaccinated yet?  Luckily, COVID-19 vaccine is always free, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Everyone ages 12 and older can get a vaccine. Ages 12-17 can get Pfizer ONLY, while ages 18+ can get Pfizer, Moderna or J&J. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth

No appointment is needed; most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. Enter your zip code in Washington’s Vaccine Locator tool or check Public Health’s Getting Vaccinated page to find a vaccination site near you.  Or use this map to find vaccine locations in District 1:


Vaccination Mandate Deadline for City Employees

On August 9 Mayor Durkan announced that City of Seattle employees must be fully vaccinated by October 18, consistent with the Governor’s order regarding state employees. In late September, the City announced an agreement with city unions  (except for the Police Officer’s Guild) regarding vaccination requirements for City employees.

I have been in regular contact with the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department regarding potential impacts. A very large majority of employees of both departments are fully vaccinated.  Unfortunately, 176 first responders are ineligible to to work.  Some of the 520 employees citywide have been told that they are eligible for alternative assignments for work that does not put them in touch with other employees or the public.  That arrangement is unlikely to be available for most first responders.

Both SPD and SFD have engaged in contingency planning in the event of staffing problems.

SPD is prepared to move to “Stage 3” operations, where every sworn member of the department shall be in their class A/B uniform for the duration of their shift. Those members who are in non-patrol units shall be prepared to immediately report to one of the five precincts for 911 call response.

Fire was prepared to move into an operational level below standard staffing levels beginning the morning of the 19th, while, for example, moving uniformed members in administrative positions back into Operations to respond to emergencies; mandatory overtime will be used in some cases.   No fire stations will be closed; all 33 fire stations will be staffed with at least one response unit.

10/21 King County Districting Town Hall

The King County Districting Committee is responsible for redrawing King County Council Districts using 2020 Census data. By law, district boundaries must be realigned every 10 years to reflect changes in population distribution.

The Committee has scheduled four town hall meetings via Zoom for the following dates. Each town hall will include interpreters in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language. The meetings will livestream on Facebook via King County TV. Community members may request additional languages by emailing districting@kingcounty.gov. This information is posted on the Committee’s website.

  • Sunday, October 17th at 2pm
  • Tuesday, October 19th at 2pm
  • Wednesday, October 20th at 2pm
  • Thursday, October 21st at 7pm

To join any of the October town hall meetings you can join online here, or by telephone: 253-215-8782

  • Meeting ID: 817 8751 3404
  • Passcode: 760489

Adopt-A-Drain

Seattle, through, Seattle Public Utilities, and along with six other cities around the Puget Sound are launching “Adopt-A-Drain.” Adopt-a-Drain asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution and help prevent localized flooding.

This Adopt-A-Drain model was launched five years ago by the Watershed Partners of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. That program currently has more than 8800 participants who have adopted 16,000 drains and collected 350,000 pounds of debris.

If you’re interested in adopting your neighborhood stormwater drain you can learn more here.rbold.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image001.png” alt=”” width=”896″ height=”438″ />

In November, construction of the repair is scheduled to begin, after conclusion of the Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC) negotiations, and approval from WSDOT and FWHA. Work  platforms are scheduled for installation in December, along with crack injections:

Here’s a visual that displays (in green) the schedule for the different elements of the West Seattle Bridge repair work (utility relocation, work platform installation, post-tensioning, epoxy injections, and carbon fiber wrap).

The schedule for rehabilitation work on the lower (Spokane Street) bridge is listed below in purple:

This Week in the Budget

Last week the Council met as the Select Budget Committee. On Tuesday, the committee had the first of three public hearings. On Wednesday, we began the first of three days of morning and afternoon sessions to hear “Issue Identification” presentations on select departments. Council Central Staff identified potential issues in their presentations and staff memos as a starting point for Councilmember discussions. The presentations and memos are linked below.

Wednesday October 13th

Thursday October 14

Friday, October 15

On Monday October 18th, Councilmembers had a noon deadline to submit potential amendments to the Mayor’s Proposed 2022 budget. This week staff is working to develop amendments that will be presented in the Select Budget Committee from October 26th to 28th.

The budget meeting schedule is available at the Select Budget Committee webpage. You can download the budget calendar here.

Budget Committee meetings have public comment for 30 minutes at the beginning of the morning session.   You can sign up to speak at the link.

Sound Transit Invitation to Apply for Community Advisory Group for West Seattle/Ballard Line

Sound Transit is seeking applications for serve on a Community Advisory Group (CAG). Sound Transit’s announcement is below, including contact information.  Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27.

“Sound Transit is looking for people along the West Seattle and Ballard corridor who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences to serve on a community advisory group (CAG). The CAGs will provide an additional forum for community members to help inform the Sound Transit Board’s confirmation or modification of the preferred alternative for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project.

The CAGs will work collaboratively to highlight issues and tradeoffs to the community for the Sound Transit Board to consider as the agency works to deliver a project on time and within scope. Feedback from the advisory groups will be taken together with all the input gathered from the public comment period when Sound Transit releases the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project, and shared with the Sound Transit Board before it confirms or modifies the preferred alternative early next year. In addition to participating on a CAG, community members will be able to engage in a variety of ways during the public comment period including at public meetings, by phone, mail, email and online.

 The CAGs will include a balance of neighborhood and community interests and reflect the diversity throughout the corridor, including income level, race, age, physical and cognitive abilities, and lived experience. Each advisory group will be comprised of 10-15 community members, and organized by geographic area.

Sound Transit is seeking people who:

  • Live, work and/or volunteer along the project corridor.
  • Are a part of or have deep understanding of one or more of the communities along the corridor.
  • Have knowledge and/or interest in public transportation, mobility and how transportation affects the lives of people in the region.

Sound Transit asks that members be prepared to:

  • Act as a community ambassador, willing to share information with community members and bring forth community values, concerns, and ideas.
  • Consider the community as a whole and go beyond personal interests.
  • Participate collaboratively with group members whose views may be different from their own.
  • Attend approximately six-monthly meetings from fall 2021 through early 2022, participating fully in the process.

Interest forms will be accepted through 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 27. Fill out an interest form at https://wsblink.participate.online/#cag. For assistance, contact the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project team at wsblink@soundtransit.org or 206-903-7229.”

SDOT Enforcing 72 Hour Parking Law

SDOT announced that they would begin to issue warnings to enforce the 72-hour parking law starting on October 15. SDOT reports that their initial focus will be on ” unoccupied hazardous vehicles that may have been abandoned over the past 19 months.”

In September, SDOT began managing parking enforcement, when parking enforcement officers were transferred from SPD.  Enforcement of the 72-hour parking law was suspended in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SDOT’s announcement says:

“While the initial focus is on abandoned vehicles, all vehicle owners should get back in the habit of regularly moving vehicles to avoid a possible warning and citation. People should also check their block regularly for temporary parking restriction signs, which can be placed with a minimum of 24-hours notice for things like emergency utility work, cleaning, or special events.

Parking enforcement at SDOT will not impound a vehicle with someone living in it unless it poses a specific risk to public health such as inadequate sanitation causing a direct risk of illness or injury, inadequate protection leaving the occupants exposed to the weather, or other environmental, fire, health and safety hazards.”

SDOT’s announcement also notes:

“Starting soon, people will be able to report abandoned vehicles that have been parked on the street for more than 72 hours using the Find It, Fix It app. Because enforcement was paused for so long, the City expects that it will take longer than usual to respond to requests to clear abandoned vehicles currently on the streets.”

In March of this year the Mayor issued a press release about COVID 19 restrictions that noted “As more businesses are reopening, SDOT is developing a plan to reinstate the 72-hour parking ordinance that will be back in effect starting April 1, 2021.”

One challenge in resuming enforcement is the Long decision by the State Supreme Court in August, which ruled that auctioning a vehicle that served as a residence conflicted with the state Homestead Act.

I’ve asked SDOT about procedures; the Court’s decision suggests business practices will need to account for this decision because licensed tow operators are required by law to conduct forced sales of unredeemed vehicles.

10/21: Join a Virtual Open House About the Future of the Junction’s Parking Lots

What could be the vision for the future use of the West Seattle Junction’s four paid parking lots?  Find out and provide input and insight during the Virtual Open House on Thursday, 10/21 at 6:30pm on Zoom.

See initial architectural drawings from Ankrom Moisan (the same firm that designed the new Husky Deli building).  Hear from Community Roots Housing, a local leader in affordable housing.  Learn about the vision to build and sustain small businesses via the Small Business Incubator program.

Oct 21, 2021 06:30 PM, join the Virtual Open House here.  Learn more here.

Meeting ID: 824 6786 0906
Passcode: 467445

Vaccination Verification Required At Many Businesses Starting Monday

Beginning October 25, people ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter certain indoor and outdoor events and establishments in King County.

This requirement will help to protect customers and workers, protect our health care system (read a statement of support from the healthcare community), and prevent business closures as the Delta variant continues to spread in King County. You can read this Public Health Insider blog post for more information, and view the Local Health Order.

What can I use as proof of vaccination?

  • CDC COVID-19 vaccine record card or photo of vaccine card
  • Printed certificate or QR code (available at the end of September) from com
  • Other official immunization record from within or outside the U.S., including from your health care provider. A photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.

NOTE: Documentation of medical or religious exemptions not accepted.

What if I don’t have my vaccination card?  If you lost your CDC vaccination card, try these options to find your vaccination record:

  • Sign up for MyIR at MyIR.net. Look up your vaccination record, then print or take a screenshot. If your records don’t show up, call 833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357).
  • Ask your provider. If you received your vaccine at your health care provider, the provider’s office should be able to give you a copy of your record.
  • Ask at the vaccination site. Go back to the site where you were vaccinated and ask a clinic supervisor if they can look up your record and create a new card.

For questions about your immunization record, email: waiisrecords@doh.wa.gov.

What if I’m not Covid vaccinated yet?  Luckily, COVID-19 vaccine is always free, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Everyone ages 12 and older can get a vaccine. Ages 12-17 can get Pfizer ONLY, while ages 18+ can get Pfizer, Moderna or J&J. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth

No appointment is needed; most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. Enter your zip code in Washington’s Vaccine Locator tool or check Public Health’s Getting Vaccinated page to find a vaccination site near you.  Or use this map to find vaccine locations in District 1:

Vaccination Mandate Deadline for City Employees

On August 9 Mayor Durkan announced that City of Seattle employees must be fully vaccinated by October 18, consistent with the Governor’s order regarding state employees. In late September, the City announced an agreement with city unions  (except for the Police Officer’s Guild) regarding vaccination requirements for City employees.

I have been in regular contact with the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department regarding potential impacts. A very large majority of employees of both departments are fully vaccinated.  Unfortunately, 176 first responders are ineligible to to work.  Some of the 520 employees citywide have been told that they are eligible for alternative assignments for work that does not put them in touch with other employees or the public.  That arrangement is unlikely to be available for most first responders.

Both SPD and SFD have engaged in contingency planning in the event of staffing problems.

SPD is prepared to move to “Stage 3” operations, where every sworn member of the department shall be in their class A/B uniform for the duration of their shift. Those members who are in non-patrol units shall be prepared to immediately report to one of the five precincts for 911 call response.

Fire was prepared to move into an operational level below standard staffing levels beginning the morning of the 19th, while, for example, moving uniformed members in administrative positions back into Operations to respond to emergencies; mandatory overtime will be used in some cases.   No fire stations will be closed; all 33 fire stations will be staffed with at least one response unit.

10/21 King County Districting Town Hall

The King County Districting Committee is responsible for redrawing King County Council Districts using 2020 Census data. By law, district boundaries must be realigned every 10 years to reflect changes in population distribution.

The Committee has scheduled four town hall meetings via Zoom for the following dates. Each town hall will include interpreters in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language. The meetings will livestream on Facebook via King County TV. Community members may request additional languages by emailing districting@kingcounty.gov. This information is posted on the Committee’s website.

  • Sunday, October 17th at 2pm
  • Tuesday, October 19th at 2pm
  • Wednesday, October 20th at 2pm
  • Thursday, October 21st at 7pm

To join any of the October town hall meetings you can join online here, or by telephone: 253-215-8782

  • Meeting ID: 817 8751 3404
  • Passcode: 760489

Adopt-A-Drain

Seattle, through, Seattle Public Utilities, and along with six other cities around the Puget Sound are launching “Adopt-A-Drain.” Adopt-a-Drain asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution and help prevent localized flooding.

This Adopt-A-Drain model was launched five years ago by the Watershed Partners of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. That program currently has more than 8800 participants who have adopted 16,000 drains and collected 350,000 pounds of debris.

If you’re interested in adopting your neighborhood stormwater drain you can learn more here.