On Wednesday, July 14, workers and local dignitaries joined together to celebrate the “topping out” of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s new consolidated rental car facility. When the new structure opens in spring of 2012, it will house all rental car related operations for the airport.

The ceremony, which by most accounts dates back to ancient Europe, marks the completion of the building’s basic structure. After the mandatory speeches, the dignitaries and labor representatives each signed the large steel beam that acted as a back drop for the day’s ceremony.

Bedecked with a banner representing the Iron Workers Local 86, an American flag on one end and an evergreen tree on the other, the beam was lifted by one of the large tower cranes and “flown” around the job site before being maneuvered into place on top of the structure.

With the final piece of structural steel in place, the construction project is around the half way point with a lot of work remaining in order to meet the scheduled opening date in early 2012.

Speakers at the event included Dave Soike, the Deputy Managing Director of Sea-Tac Airport, Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton, SeaTac Mayor Terry Anderson, rental car industry spokeswoman Lorie Tallarico, King County Labor Council AFL-CIO board member Lee Newgent, and Jack Beaudoin, Vice President and General Manager for Turner Construction.

All of the speakers emphasized the degree of cooperation and coordination required across multiple agencies, including the Port of Seattle, City of SeaTac, and the construction company and labor unions, for the project to move ahead and be successful despite roadblocks along the way.

The project was paused in December 2008 when economic conditions deteriorated. Construction resumed in July 2009 after the Port approved the sale of $317 million in revenue bonds to help fund the $419 million project. Almost the entire cost of the project will be paid back by fees paid by rental customers.

In the meantime, over 3,000 family-wage jobs will be generated over the life of the project and the City of SeaTac will collect nearly $2 million in tax revenue.

Much was made of the focus on minimizing the environmental impact. Turner Construction General Manager Jack Beaudoin stated that 95% of the materials used in constructing the facility were recycled, and that nearly 99% of construction waste leaving the site is being recycled. Beaudoin also declared the structure will be “salmon safe” with 85% of the car wash water reclaimed, filtered and reused. LEED certification is also being pursued for the facility

Once the new rental car facility opens, it will bring together operations that today are located at the airport and scattered across several off-site locations. In the process it will increase the number of companies providing cars from the five available at the airport today to a total of eleven. It will also free up more than 3,200 parking spaces in the main terminal garage.

Photographer Michael Brunk attended today’s ceremony and assembled the following slideshow. Click on the images to advance.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

April 28, 2010

Mayor Jim Haggerton

Dear Tukwila Residents and Businesses:

The City of Tukwila is embarking on a process to improve our financial stability. Over the next few months we will explore a variety of actions to better balance our budget for the long term. Because these actions could involve significant changes to the services we provide to residents and businesses, I would like to briefly give you some background information and explain how you can stay informed as we work through the process.

BACKGROUND
Cities in Washington have been challenged in recent years by statutory limitations on property tax revenue during a period when the cost of providing services has continued to grow. For some time, the robust growth of the overall economy and significant new development in Tukwila provided the ability to cope with these revenue and expense problems. However, Tukwila’s finances have been hurt in recent years by implementation of the State’s “streamlined sales tax” system and by unanticipated expenditures related to problems at the Howard Hanson Dam. With this difficult financial backdrop, the economic crisis of the past few years has seriously affected the City’s ability to continue operating as we have in the past. An extended period of declining sales tax revenue and a dramatic slow‐down in new construction (with resulting stagnated property tax revenue) require that the City take action.

The chart below illustrates the City’s recent revenue/expenditure history (2000‐2009) and forecasts revenues and expenses through 2015 based on current service and staffing levels. As illustrated, revenues and expenditures were relatively equal through 2004. From 2005 through 2007, revenues exceeded expenditures each year, allowing the fund balance (our “bank account”) to grow over this period. However, in 2008 revenues declined while expenditures continued to increase, requiring that the City draw from its fund balance. The gap between revenues and expenses is expected to widen under current and anticipated conditions requiring continued and growing “withdrawals” from fund balance.

Temporary expenditure reductions for 2009 and 2010, a new utility tax on city‐run utilities, significant (and unsustainable) cutbacks in capital expenditures and a new solid waste utility tax have provided some relief. However, even after these measures are considered, forecasts show that the City will deplete its budget reserves (“fund balance”) in 2013 or 2014 if it remains on the current course. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

NEXT STEPS
The City Council and I have begun an intensive process to review a wide range of possible measures for closing the budget gap and setting the City on a more sustainable financial path. This will require evaluating ways to increase revenues and decrease expenses. These measures will have real impacts on the cost and type of services we provide to residents and businesses and on the employees who provide those services.

Over the next few months, the City Council will evaluate these potential measures to close the budget gap. If you would like to stay informed as the City Council explores these options, please visit the “City Budget Challenges” page on our city website (www.ci.tukwila.wa.us) and sign up for automatic notifications.

These are challenging times but I know we will find a way to a more stable future for our city.

Sincerely,
Jim Haggerton
Mayor

The Tukwila School District has been hailed as the “most diverse in the nation,” and students at the city’s Foster High School are using that as part of an attempt to lure President Obama to speak at their commencement this spring.

Advance placement students produced a video highlighting the 68 diverse different countries where members of the student body were born, and are hoping that the Prez (or his peeps) sees it and decides that “Yes he can” come to Tukwila and speak.

In addition to the video below, students also submitted essays answering the President’s challenge to show him why they should be a model for others and how they’re preparing more students for college and careers.

According to the school’s Youtube channel:

Advanced Video Students from Foster High School created a 2-minute video demonstrating the rich culture that exists in their school and community.

Music was sung by our very own students here at Foster High School. E.P.I.C

Here’s the video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYUdtqQftQ

The county relocated all operations to this temporary location where Elections operations have been located in the past. King County Elections will remain at this new location until the previous Renton Elections building is deemed to be safe from future flooding or an alternative long-term location is found.

Sherril Huff, Director of Elections, noted that “Our move to Tukwila went very well and the new location accommodates all of our operations. We’re getting settled in and will be completely ready for the November General Election.”

All e-mail and phone numbers for Election services and staff remain the same, as does the mailing address. The Earlington Business Center building (formerly Elections’ headquarters) at 919 SW Grady Way in Renton will still offer a ballot drop box location, however the accessible voting center has been relocated to the Tukwila location.

For more information on the Nov. 3rd General Election, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx.

The City of Tukwila will be holding a public Open House on Thursday, Sept. 3rd for a presentation on the Tukwila Urban Access Improvement Project and the forthcoming formation of a Local Improvement District.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Tukwila Urban Access Improvement Project Local Improvement District Open House

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 5pm to 8pm

WHERE: Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave South, Meeting Room B

INFO: A Local Improvement District (LID) is being considered by the City Council as part of the funding package for this $23 million project. The Open House gives residents the opportunity to learn more about the project and the future LID before the Council vote in September.

Please contact Cyndy Knighton for special arrangements at (206) 431-2450 or e-mail cknighton@ci.tukwila.wa.us.

The King County Council announced Wednesday (Aug. 25th) that it is mulling over some pretty-serious sounding emergency preparations for a “worst-case scenario” if the Howard Hanson Dam floods and threatens cities below it (including Tukwila) with a flood level projected to be “as high as 10 feet.”

Legislation is being sought for the County Executive to have the ability to declare a state of emergency before the actual event occurs, and a vote will occur next Monday (Aug. 31st). Councilmembers were briefed on preparations now taking place to alert and protect the public, and provide for the continuity of County services, should heavy rains make it necessary for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release water to avoid overloading Hanson dam, which is leaking.

“The likelihood of significant flooding in the Green River Valley is sobering,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, chair of the Committee of the Whole. “Of the many challenges facing King County, preparations to safeguard citizens and property in the event of a potentially catastrophic flood must move to the top of our priority list.”

“Potential flooding in the Green River Valley is a reality for which we must prepare now,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “As chair of the King County Flood Control District Executive Committee, we are proactively securing levees, raising public awareness and monitoring emergency preparedness. At the same time we are asking citizens to prepare, King County is leading by example by preparing its own facilities for the possibility of catastrophic flooding.”

Assistant County Executive Pam Bissonnette briefed members on plans to shift the operations of major County facilities that lie in the heart of the historic flood plain, including the potential need to relocate animals from the Animal Shelter, inmates from the Maleng Regional Justice Center, and move the County’s Elections headquarters to prevent any disruption to the November general election. She presented projected high water marks for several of those facilities:

• Aukeen District Court—up to a foot
• Animal Care and Control Shelter in Kent—up to 3 feet
• Maleng Regional Justice Center—up to 4 feet
• Black River Building—up to 7 feet
• Earlington Center (King County Elections)—up to 10 feet

“Many homes and businesses in South King County may be devastated by flooding from the Green River,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, who represents three cities in the Green River Valley and is chair of the King County Flood Control District. “The economic impact has major implications: expert economists have advised that a shutdown of economic activity in King County’s floodplains would cost the region millions. That’s why it is critical the County communicate with residents and businesses in the Green River Valley about flood preparation, particularly by low-income households and vulnerable populations.”

“The Snoqualmie Valley has experienced record flooding several times in recent years, so we can share our experience as we deal with this threat in the Green River Valley,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents the Snoqualmie Valley. “Residents can respond by preparing themselves for sheltering at home or evacuation. Some items people forget to have on hand are at least a week’s worth of medications, copies of legal documents, and a 72-hour survival kit.”

“We must provide citizens and businesses with certainty and stability both for their daily lives and for the health of our already threatened economy,” said Councilmember Jane Hague. “We can’t afford any other option. We must act now.”

Bissonnette said King County is working across jurisdictions to ensure that a region that has become the major freight distribution center for the Pacific Northwest will continue to operate in the event of flooding. She said the County is working with the cities within the Green River Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Washington State Emergency Management and Puget Sound Energy on a strategy to ensure the safety of the business corridor.

“The valley is home to the region’s food distribution center and is the manufacturing hub of the Pacific Northwest,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “Given our current economic crisis we can ill afford to lose the $46 million a day in economic activity that is generated in the valley. It’s vital we take all the needed steps to prevent this from happening.”

“This is a regional issue – the impact of flood waters will reach far beyond the Green River Valley,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “The beginning of flood season is a little over a month away. King County is encouraging everyone to act now in order to maximize preparedness efforts.”

Bissonnette told the committee that it may take $10 million to $35 million to lease replacement facilities; relocate shelter animals, jail inmates, and other County services; and protect buildings from damage. She said FEMA has estimated the property damage to the thousands of homes and businesses in the flood plain at $2 billion to $3 billion.

The Council urged the County Executive to press the federal government, which built and operates the Howard Hanson Dam, to act quickly to make the repairs needed to strengthen the dam and to swiftly reimburse the costs incurred due to the flood preparations.

“I have spoken with Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, Congressman Smith and other members of our state’s Congressional delegation in the past few days about the Green River flood threat and know that they share a sense of urgency and commitment to action on this potential crisis,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine. “It is critical that we coordinate the tools needed to immediately enact short-term flood control measures that will protect lives and property.”

“The construction of the dam by the federal government in 1962 allowed the extensive commercial development of the Kent Valley,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “We need the federal government to step up in not only acting to protect public safety and property, but to put a permanent fix in place immediately.”

Extensive outreach is underway to inform residents and businesses of the potential crisis, according to Carolyn Duncan, Communications Director for the County Executive. She said groups are already working with agricultural interests and underserved populations in the Green River Valley, and that letters with informational brochures have been mailed to 165,000 addresses in the flood plain along with 15,000 distributed to jurisdictions, businesses, and non-profit organizations. She said the County is reaching out to businesses and working with companies on flood plans, ranging from supply issues to transportation for employees impacted by floods.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discovered sinkholes and rapid seepage of water through an earthen abutment next to the Howard Hanson Dam after last January’s record rain. A temporary fix to inject grout into the earthen material to control seepage is underway but dam storage capacity will be limited until the repair can be tested next spring. Bissonnette said a long-term fix could take three to five years and hundreds of millions of dollars.

In order to proactively prepare for the threat of flooding, the Committee of the Whole today sent legislation to the full Council that would allow the County Executive to waive procurement rules in connection with a declaration of emergency specific to the Howard Hanson Dam. The legislation will come before the Council this Monday, August 31.

The County is hosting a series of public meetings on the Howard Hanson flood threat, the first of which is on Wednesday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m. at Green River Community College. For more information go to: www.kingcounty.gov/safety/FloodPlan/Events.aspx.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact King County at 206-296-8001 or wlrfloodc@kingcounty.gov.

by Mark Neuman

We spoke recently with Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive.

Ross, a Medina Democrat, managed a political miracle, if you will, seven years ago.

The 48th District (Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland) had not sent a Democrat to the House in over 100 years. Ross got himself elected.

“That was back when it wasn’t fashionable to be a Democrat on the east side. It was hard work. I raised and spent about a quarter of a million dollars. I knocked on eight thousand doors. I worked pretty hard.”

Was there a particular selling point?

“Sure. I’m competent. And I care about public education, the paramount duty of the state legislature.”

We asked Ross about one of his opponents for King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. In a recent direct mail piece Susan said she, if elected, would establish a transportation czar.

“Susan seems to be confused about the powers the King County Executive actually has.

“For her to come in and say she is going to have a czar that takes over the functions of the cities and the state is a fundamental misreading of what the King County Executive is actually allowed to do.

“The job of Executive is a complicated one with a lot of moving parts and a $5 billion budget.

“Unless we coordinate our transportation with our land use we are making the problem worse.”

Ross recently received the endorsement of the Seattle Times.

“Of course it makes you feel good that they (the Times) share your belief that you are competent to do the job.

“Next to the Seattle Times endorsement, I am most proud of the endorsement of the Eastside Business Alliance. This is a group of various chambers of commerce who know their business doesn’t succeed if they don’t have quality education for their kids, or if they don’t have roads.

“Our economy and quality of life depends on us making the wisest use of limited transportation dollars. We are one county, one region, and we should act like it.

“The solution to improving the business climate isn’t always to cut taxes. Making the system fairer and easier to comply with could have much more impact. More service, less overhead. Simplifying and regionalizing how King County does business with its businesses is one way the county can potentially save businesses thousands and thousands of dollars.

“We can simplify the permitting process for builders and contractors. Instead of making a business owner waste time traveling throughout the county to revisit city permitting offices, King County can provide a regional office where businesses can manage their permits at one location.

“Many cities in King County are already doing this and there’s no reason we can’t provide such a service countywide.”

“I propose that King County provides a simple web service for businesses to apply for licenses and calculate and pay business taxes. One tax return, one tax bill.”

Regarding recent budget cuts Ross said “I think we probably need more prosecutors. It’s not a place I would have cut. I also wouldn’t have cut into the public defenders.

“There are normal times and there are special times. This is a special time, because of the unprecedented downturn in the economy.”

Ross said he expects voters of North Highline to approve annexation on August 18.

He supports annexation because with it “There will be somebody to answer residents’ phone calls.”

We’d like to offer a “may the best person win” welcome to Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive, our latest Advertiser.

We recently met up with him at a local farmers market for a get-to-know-you chat.

“I’m an agent for change,” said Ross, who is in his fourth term in the Washington State House of Representatives, and worked at Microsoft for 17 years.

“I have the skills to make things happen.”

We asked Ross to talk about former Executive Ron Sims, namely the thing Sims did best while in office, and that which he did not do so well.

“You’d have to include the council in on my answer,” Ross responded. “They really work together. I’d say that they put us on the map environmentally in a positive way.

“But over the years the executive and council showed a lack of attention to financial reality.”

We asked what experience not commonly known about him would suggest he is ready to run the state’s largest county.

“Not many people know this, but I spend time now and again helping Habitat for Humanity,” he said, referring to the group that helps build houses for those who otherwise might not be able to afford one.

“I like to frame. If I can swing a big hammer, I’m happy.”

A hint of the style of a Hunter Administration?

“No,” Ross said with a laugh. “It’s just how I build homes for those who need them!”

Primary Election day is August 18th. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election in November.

For more information on the Ross Hunter campaign go to: www.RossHunter.com.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story like this for your Business, along with an Ad on every page seen by over 15,000 interested Local Readers per month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Monday afternoon (4/27), the King County Council held a special session on the swine flu with public health experts, who reassured councilmembers that despite heightened monitoring, the swine flu that recently originated in Mexico has not yet spread to the area.

No cases of swine flu have yet to be reported in Tukwila, let alone King County or the entire state of Washington, according to Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. He said the 40 cases confirmed in the U.S. have been mild, with no serious illnesses or deaths.

“At Public Health we are actively preparing with our partners for the real possibility of swine flu here in our region,” said Dr. Fleming. “Whether or not swine flu arrives in King County, now is the time to get prepared. The more we are all prepared at home, the better we’ll be able to respond and recover.”

He said Public Health has asked local health care providers to notify them of suspected swine flu cases and has made arrangements with the state Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the submittal of suspect lab specimens.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, Disease Control Officer for Communicable Disease at Public Health – Seattle & King County, said the CDC has asked to receive all suspect lab specimens to ensure that cases that may appear as seasonal flu are not in fact the new strain of swine flu. He also said local providers are being advised on how to screen patients who present flu-like symptoms and that Public Health will investigate any cases of severe unexplained respiratory illness. Dr. Duchin said Public Health is recommending that the public not seek health care that they would not otherwise seek.

“Today I was pleased to hear that King County is as prepared as any jurisdiction in the event of a pandemic flu,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, chair of the King County Board of Health. “However, I am concerned that given the cuts proposed in the state budget and impending cuts to the County budget, our health department will have reduced capacity to respond to emergencies in the future.”

“The Council’s work in recent years calling for a pandemic flu response plan and stockpiling of Tamiflu means we are mobilized and ready to respond if swine flu strikes King County,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, sponsor of legislation to create a Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan for King County.

Dr. Fleming said the framework already laid out by the King County Council for the County’s comprehensive planning for pandemic flu will provide effective guidance and that the current response will provide useful lessons for updating the plan. The Council in 2007 adopted the Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan that recognizes:

• the County’s role in regional public health and emergency management response.
• the County’s duty as both a regional service provider and a local service provider for continued provision of police and paramedics, bus service, wastewater treatment and other public services in the event of a pandemic flu, and
• the County’s duty as a large employer to ensure that its own workplaces help prevent the spread of pandemic flu.

At Sea-Tac Airport, there’s no unusual alert or extra screenings of passengers yet, according to Port of Seattle spokesman Perry Cooper.

However, the airport does have a quarantine zone at the south satellite that has room for several hundred people. Apparently it’s only been used once before during a screening for avian flu.

Alaska Airlines flies daily to and from Mexico, and the next plane from Mexico City is due to arrive Wednesday.

More information about emergency health preparedness can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu.aspx.

For more information on Swine Flu, visit this website.

Here’s a “Swine Flu” map that shows that the nearest cases were up in Vancouver, B.C. and involved two men who had recently traveled to Mexico:

In King County, Countywide Community Forums are a network of small group meetings where people throughout the county can discuss current issues and provide feedback to King County officials.

Two to four times a year, registered Citizen Councilors meet in homes, libraries and other locations to learn more about an issue that matters to them, discuss it with the group and complete a detailed survey on their views.

The next round of forums will be held in February on the topic:

“Citizen Priorities for County Government:
Budget and Strategic Options.”

For more information on Countywide Community Forums, please go to this website.

Where and when are the forums?
Forums are organized by fellow Citizen Councilors at homes, workplace or libraries 2-4 times a year during a one-month participation window set by the Auditor. When notified of an upcoming round of forums, you will be able to select the time and place that works best for you on the Countywide Community Forums‘ website:

www.CommunityForums.org

If you prefer, the Volunteer Coordinators will help you choose the most convenient forum over the phone; just call (206) 296-1633 and they’ll set you up.

Here some more info from their website:

Do you want to get more involved?
If you would like to be more involved in Countywide Community Forums, you can volunteer to be a Community Forums Host/Convener. Conveners find a convenient meeting place and conduct a forum session. You can host your own meeting or become a guest at someone else’s meeting. “Please register as an official, volunteer, Citizen Councilor, or contact us to let us know that you are interested.

There are also opportunities to get involved as an outreach volunteer. Outreach volunteers help spread the word about the community forums to their community or organization. In particular, we are looking for outreach volunteers in South King County.

Contact us by email or by calling (206) 296-1633.

What to expect at a forum?
At each forum meeting, 4-12 participants:

• Watch a short video and/or review a brief written summary of the key facts and different perspectives on the issue under discussion.
• Take two minutes each to state their views on the topic, uninterrupted by other members of the group.
• Participate in an open group discussion.
• Complete an “Opinionnaire®”: a confidential survey tool that asks specific questions about the current topic and the forums process.

To attend this meeting, you must click here to Sign up/Sign in!