October 2008 Meeting Summary

Community and Health Services

by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary

The Greater Maple Valley Area Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 6, with 10 members present, 3 members absent (3 with proxies), and 3 positions open (please see Announcement to fill openings elsewhere in today’s Voice). The following items were addressed:

1) Cedar Hills Landfill Solid Waste Handling Permit Renewal;

2) Community and Health Services;

3) Development Fee Amnesty Program; and

4) Eleventh Annual Maple Valley Operating Model Train Show. Your Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to the King County Council. It represents all rural, unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District.

Cedar Hills Landfill Solid Waste Handling Permit Renewal

Yolanda Pon of Public Health--Seattle & King County discussed the reissuance of the solid waste handling facility permit (Full-Site Permit) for the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. The last such permit was issued in August 2003. If and when the permit is reissued both Public Health and the Washington Department of Ecology will monitor the landfill to ensure permit obligations are fulfilled. Public Health determined the permit reissuance application complete as of August 31. That began a 90-day review period. Written public comments on the permit application currently are being solicited by Public Health until Monday, October 27.  Information concerning both the landfill and the permit application can be found at: www.kingcounty.gov/health/CedarHills. Ms. Pon can be reached at (206) 263-8459.

Community and Health Services

Jackie MacLean, Director of King County’s Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS), provided a detailed review of current programs and funding. DSHS helps the County’s neediest residents maintain healthier independent lives to help strengthen our communities.

DSHS has four divisions:

1) Community Services;

2) Developmental Disabilities;

3) Mental Health, Chemical Abuse & Dependency Services; and

4) the Office of the Public Defender.

Ms. MacLean described the wide range of DSHS services with special focus in four main areas:

1) prevention and early intervention;

2) ending homelessness;

3) criminal justice; and

4) job training.

Ms. MacLean detailed the ~$350 million DSHS budget. There are multiple sources of both public and private funding. Sources include: State and Federal (70%), set asides--primarily for the Office of Public Defender (19%), and dedicated property taxes (11%). The vast majority (85%) of DSHS’s funds are contracted to non-profit community agencies. Click here for DSHS’s Annual Reports, which include its services and budget.

On October 6, the King County Council approved the release of $50 million to help break the cycle of mental illness and chemical dependency. This 1/10th of 1% sales tax (i.e., a penny on a $10 purchase) for mental health and chemical dependency was authorized in 2005 by the Washington Legislature to help protect the public, save lives, and keep people out of jails and emergency rooms through intervention and treatment. The Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan (MIDD) is a countywide effort that will shift the focus from incarcerating the mentally ill or chemically dependent to providing treatment. The intent is to hold offenders accountable for their actions, reduce the motivation for common crimes such as car and ID theft, and restore the lives of those afflicted by these disabling conditions.

Approximately 65,000 people in King County have a severe mental illness. Another ~44,000 are chemically dependent. Ms. MacLean described how the funding released by the King County Council will provide preventive services, expand treatment, and enhance rehabilitation programs for people suffering from mental illness and chemical dependency. In addition, the funding will help support mental health courts, police training, housing, and a crisis diversion center.

In the greater Maple Valley area, Ms. MacLean highlighted a few of the many DSHS services provided in 2007. A total of 832 persons (38% were children) were served in the public health system at 17 outpatient agencies. Chemical dependency treatment was provided to 131 persons (25% children). Thirty-five infants and toddlers received services for their developmental and health needs. Individual employment services were provided to 21 residents to assist placement in community-based jobs, on-the-job training, and follow-up. The Office of Public Defender served 753 persons (18% children) accused of felonies, misdemeanors, and chemical dependency. Homeless prevention outreach and housing programs (including housing repair services) served 114 residents. Services to homebound elderly were provided to 54 persons. Domestic violence victim services were provided to 57 persons.

Development Fee Amnesty Program

Holly Sawin and Joelyn Higgins of Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) announced a Fee Amnesty Program for illegal unpermitted development. Property owners in unincorporated King County who built, cleared or graded without required permits can bring their property into compliance and avoid the usual penalty fees (up to double). For the next six months (October 1, 2008 thru April 1, 2009) property owners can go through the permit review process at DDES and pay only the standard permit fees. To be eligible the unpermitted activity must have occurred prior to October 1. It was emphasized that unpermitted development can cause problems during the pending sale of a home. For additional information please contact Paula Adams, DDES Public Information & Records Officer, at (206) 296-6682 or visit their website.