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In last month’s newsletter I provided an update on matters relating to the county’s interest in potentially purchasing Hope Church in Everett to convert to a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. In late April, the Memorandum of Understanding that that county had with Hope Church expired, and the church is now pursuing other potential private buyers, and the county is no longer looking into a potential purchase of Hope Church. However, recognizing that there is a need for more services and resources for people experiencing homelessness, the county has offered a one-time $4M grant to the City of Everett to purchase a new shelter to replace the site currently located at the UCC site, which is in downtown Everett. At this time, we have not heard an update from City Administration on if they plan to accept the grant.
As part of the county’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation, the county recently announced $8M towards five capital projects that increase behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment capacity. Increasing behavioral health services across the county was one of the top priorities identified by the public during the robust outreach process.
Of the five projects funded, I was pleased to see that Evergreen Recovery Center’s new Evergreen Manor Family Center project was awarded. I met with staff from Evergreen Recovery Center last year to hear more about their transformational programs and know that this center will make a huge difference to families afflicted with behavioral health issues. This project will provide housing and behavioral health treatment for opioid-dependent pregnant and parenting women and their children with a co-located childcare center and a neonatal unit.
More on this program and the other funded projects can be found here.
Please join me on June 1 at 12:30 on the Snohomish County Campus to raise the Progress Flag and kick off Pride Month in Snohomish County. This year will be the 3rd annual event and I am proud of my efforts to bring forth this celebration. The event will feature speakers from the county and LGBTQIA+ community and will highlight the Pride Month events happening across the county. I hope you are able to join, and please feel free to share the event with your networks.
All are welcome!
The Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees will be welcoming a new member in January of 2024.
A role on the Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees allows individuals to help set the annual budget, library policies, and organizational direction for the library district. They plan to bring a candidate on board to support the Library District in achieving the vision that everyone in our community is connected to their library. Applications are being accepted now through June 12.
I attended the Americas Competitiveness Exchange through my role with the Puget Sound Regional Council and was able to meet a number of senior-level government and business leaders from across the world to showcase our region’s diverse range of projects and public-private partnership opportunities. It was inspiring to hear innovation stories from countries all over the world and share more about the good work going on right here in Snohomish County. For more info on ACE, please click here.
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Obligatory selfie at the ACE Event |
Sustainable and environmentally-friendly air travel may be closer than we had thought. I attended a ZeroAvia event recently at Paine Field to see the unveiling of a the first practical zero-emission aviation powertrain. ZeroAvia partnered with Alaska Airlines to work on developing this model and it was great to see it in person. Governor Jay Inslee, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Executive Dave Somers, Ben Minicucci (CEO of Alaska Airlines), Val Miftakhov (CEO of ZeroAvia), and Diana Birkett Rakow of Alaska Airlines shared remarks at the event and we could all feel the excitement of this historic endeavor.
This technology is much quieter when compared to regular engines and it’s exciting to think of uses for this new technology. We were also joined by local high school students working on apprentice programs to be trained in this innovative technology. Paine Field brings in over 60 billion dollars in revenue; aerospace and the aerospace workforce are an important part of the county family.
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L-R: Executive Somers, Congresswoman DelBene, Governor Inslee, Ben Minicucci, Val Miftakhov, and Diana Birkett |
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With Paine Field Director Joshua Marcy and Executive Director "A" Boungjaktha |
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EASC Coffee Chat on Affordable Housing
In late April I joined Mary Jane Brell Vujovic from Snohomish County Human Services and Chris Collier from HASCO for an Economic Alliance of Snohomish County Coffee Chat to discuss the state of housing affordability and opportunities here in Snohomish County. Providing pathways for increased housing affordability and affordable housing in our county has been a prime focus of mine since I was sworn into office and I have worked hard on measures that address this issue. The full discussion can be found here and many thanks to EASC for hosting these informative events.
American Institute of Architect Climate Summit Panelist
In my role as Chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) I participated as a panelist for the American Institute of Architects 2023 Climate Summit, “Decarbonization for Health Equity & Community Resilience” Air Quality & Positive Health Outcomes panel. During this presentation I shared more about the PSCAA 2030 Strategic Plan and the work that we are doing to improve air quality for all. I provided tools for planning and design to consider mitigation for harmful air quality and shared a new clearing house website for all information related to electric vehicles. The tool is intended to help planners and decisionmakers find the resources they need to prepare for the coming wave of electric vehicles. It includes installing EV chargers (particularly in overburdened communities), model policy to add electrification in updated comprehensive plans or codes, finding the latest funding opportunities, links to local policy rules and regulations and the benefits of electric vehicles.
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Recovery Cafe Coaching Panel
I was proud to be included in the Recovery Coaching Panel Q&A event hosted by the Everett Recovery Café which included a panel discussion with peer recovery coaches. I praised the work of the café to provide “aggressive hospitality” to offer an open hand that goes beyond treatment and focuses on community and recovery. The panel discussion included details on how they set smart goals to reach milestones, how they deal with setbacks and the infinite pathways to recovery. It was an uplifting event that taught me the importance of walking with people in recovery and I am so proud to have supported this organization with a $100,000 grant from my council ARPA allocation.
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With other panelists at the Recovery Cafe Q&A |
Zero Waste Washington PreCycle Innovation Challenge
I was honored to have been asked to return as a judge for the Zero Waste Washington PreCycle Event which is a competition for startup companies to pitch their business product, service, or ideas that address waste prevention, reduction, or creative reuse in Washington State. The event drew a number of entries that had a wide range of creative ideas including a shampoo bar, solar panels repurposed into living roofs, and craft supplies from donated clothes! To look through the winners and runners up, please click here.
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Each year the Snohomish and Island County Labor Council hosts a Worker’s Memorial Day Observance to remember workers who were lost in the last year to workplace violence, accidents, or illness. The event is at the Workers Memorial Statue at the Mission Building Courtyard near the corner of Wetmore and Pacific Avenue. It was a meaningful ceremony and heartbreaking to hear the number of workers lost just in this last year, including Everett Officer Dan Rocha who was killed in the line of duty. Thank you to all who were able to attend, and my condolences to the friends, family, and work families who lost a loved one this last year.
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With Don Schwab, Brian Sullivan, Cassie Franklin, Strom Peterson, Sam Low, Dave Somers, and Nate Nehring at the event. |
The Partnership to End Homelessness Racial Equity Advisory Board (REAB) is currently recruiting for Board Members who identify as part of the Latinx or API community in Snohomish County.
The Partnership to End Homelessness (PEH) Board oversees the funding, policies, and practices in the Snohomish County homelessness housing and services system. The Racial Equity Advisory Board was created to help the PEH build sustainable equity strategies to improve homelessness housing and services in Snohomish County. The REAB will be accepting applications through Wednesday, May 31st, 2023. For additional information and application please visit: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/5808/PEH-Racial-Equity
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