Received Sept. 8, 2009 at 4:38 p.m.
Contact: Bob Ferguson 206-296-1001/Reagan Dunn 206-296-1009
September 8, 2009
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
State Attorney General to testify on proposed legislation
reforming King County public records process
Committee of the Whole discussing plan that incorporates recommendations of Attorney General’s model rules for public records response and retention
The Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole will hear tomorrow from Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna on a proposed County ordinance to increase transparency and openness in government while reducing the possibility of costly lawsuits.
Wednesday, September 9
Meeting start time – 9:30 a.m.
Attorney General McKenna’s presentation – 11:00 a.m.
Council chambers
10th floor, King County Courthouse
Third and James Streets
Following Attorney General McKenna’s presentation, the committee will discuss the proposed ordinance, which is co-sponsored by Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson and Councilmember Reagan Dunn.
The proposed legislation reflects the work of a joint Council and Executive branch staff work group and incorporates into County code many of the Attorney General’s suggested model rules for public records response and retention.
The Committee of the Whole considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council and is the only standing committee on which all nine members serve.
Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at
http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/legistarweb and type in “2009-0351”
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Contact: Bob Ferguson 206-296-1001
bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
September 8, 2009
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Work on alerting public to potential flooding from federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam to be presented to Council committee
Committee of the Whole also to be briefed by Director of Elections on possible relocation of County elections facility
The Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole will hear tomorrow about the County’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the potential for widespread flooding in the Green River Valley. The Committee will also be briefed on the possible relocation of the County’s Elections Office should it become necessary for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release water from the federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam to avoid overloading the storm-damaged structure.
The briefing will be held:
Wednesday, September 9
9:30 a.m.
Council chambers
10th floor, King County Courthouse
Third and James Streets
Councilmembers will hear from Carolyn Duncan, Director of Communications for the King County Executive, and Sherril Huff, Director of King County Elections.
The cities in the Green River Valley, King County, federal agencies, the Red Cross, business organizations and social service providers are involved in an extensive outreach effort to inform residents and businesses of the potential crisis. Governments and organizations are working with agricultural interests in the unincorporated areas and vulnerable populations in the Green River Valley. Letters warning of the increased risk of a major flood and 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.
The Army Corps discovered sinkholes and rapid seepage of water from an earthen abutment next to Howard Hanson Dam after last January’s record rain. A temporary fix to control seepage is underway but dam storage capacity is expected to be limited until the repair is tested next spring. A long-term fix could take three to five years to develop and construct.
The Committee of the Whole considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council and is the only standing committee on which all nine members serve.
All Council meetings held in chambers are carried live on King County TV
on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22.
