1200 King County  
Courthouse  
516 Third Avenue  
Seattle, WA 98104  
King County  
Meeting Minutes  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Councilmembers: Sarah Perry, Chair;  
Jorge Barón, Vice Chair of Policy Development and Review;  
Reagan Dunn, Vice Chair of Regional Coordination;  
Claudia Balducci, Rod Dembowski, Steffanie Fain,  
Rhonda Lewis, Teresa Mosqueda, Pete von Reichbauer  
1:30 PM  
Tuesday, January 27, 2026  
Hybrid Meeting  
REVISED AGENDA - ADDED ITEM 29  
Hybrid Meetings: Attend King County Council meetings in person in  
Council Chambers (Room 1001), 516 3rd Avenue in Seattle, or through  
remote access. Details on how to attend and/or provide comment remotely  
are listed below.  
HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The Council values community  
input and looks forward to hearing from you. Testimony must be limited to  
items listed on the agenda for council action, unless it's the fourth  
Tuesday of the month, when the Council will hear general comment on  
matters relating to county government. You are not required to sign up in  
advance.  
There are three ways to provide public testimony:  
1. In person: You may attend the meeting in person in Council Chambers.  
2. By email: You may testify by submitting a COMMENT email. If your  
testimony is submitted before 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Council  
meeting, your email testimony will be distributed to the Councilmembers  
and appropriate staff prior to the meeting. Please submit your testimony  
by emailing clerk@kingcounty.gov.  
3. Remote attendance on the Zoom Webinar: You may provide oral public  
testimony at the meeting by connecting to the meeting via phone or  
computer using the ZOOM application at https://zoom.us/, and entering  
the Webinar ID below.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
CONNECTING TO THE WEBINAR  
Webinar ID: 873 0459 1515  
If you do not have access to the ZOOM application, you can connect to the  
meeting by calling 1 253 215 8782 and using the Webinar ID. Connecting in  
this manner, however, may impact your ability to be unmuted to speak.  
You have the right to language access services at no cost to you. To  
request these services, please contact our Equity and Social Justice  
Coordinator, Tera Chea at (206) 477 9259 or Tera.Chea2@kingcounty.gov,  
three (3) days prior to the meeting.  
If you do not wish to be called upon for public comment during the  
meeting, please help us manage the callers and use one of the options  
below (Live Streaming or King County TV Channel 22).  
HOW TO LISTEN TO THE MEETING: There are several ways to listen to the  
meeting if you don't wish to provide public testimony:  
1. Stream online via this link: https://kingcounty.gov/kctv, or input the  
link web address into your web browser.  
2. Watch King County TV on Comcast Channel 22 and 322(HD), and  
Astound Broadband Channels 22 and 711 (HD).  
3. Listen to the meeting by telephone – See “Connecting to the Webinar”  
above.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
1.  
2.  
Call to Order  
The meeting was called to order at 1:32 p.m.  
Roll Call  
9 - Balducci, Barón, Dembowski, Dunn, Fain, Lewis, Mosqueda, Perry and  
von Reichbauer  
Present:  
3.  
4.  
Flag Salute and Pledge of Allegiance  
Councilmember Dunn led the flag salute and Pledge of Allegiance.  
Approval of Minutes of January 20, 2026  
Councilmember Barón moved to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2026,  
meeting as presented. Seeing no objection, the Chair so ordered.  
5.  
6.  
Additions to the Council Agenda  
Item 29 was added to the agenda.  
Special Items  
Proclamation of January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in  
King County  
Councilmember Mosqueda, Councilmember Lewis, and Councilmember Dunn made  
remarks and presented the proclamation to Emi Koyoma. Emi Koyoma made  
remarks and thanked the Council.  
Recognition of Undersheriff Jesse Anderson upon his retirement  
Chair Perry made remarks and presented the Recognition of Undersheriff Jesse  
Anderson upon his retirement. Undersheriff Jesse Anderson made remarks and  
thanked the Council.  
7.  
Public Comment  
Public Comments were heard during the Public Hearing.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinances from Standing  
Committees and Regional Committees, and of Ordinances  
related to Collective Bargaining  
There will be one public hearing on Items 6-20 & 28  
The following people spoke:  
Mark Rosenberger  
Robin Buxton  
Alex Tsimmerman  
Yvette Dinish  
Anthony Hemstad  
Marybelle Garcia  
Consent Items 8-9  
8.  
Proposed Substitute Ordinance No. 2025-0238.2  
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the execution of a license agreement to support the operation of the  
department of public health.  
Sponsors:  
Dembowski  
The enacted number is 20031.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
9.  
Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-0285  
AN ORDINANCE approving and adopting the updated 2025-2030 King County Regional Hazard  
Mitigation Plan, as approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  
Sponsors:  
Zahilay  
The enacted number is 20032.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
Passed On The Consent Agenda  
A motion was made by Councilmember Barón that the Consent Agenda be  
passed. The motion carried by the following vote:  
9 - Balducci, Barón, Dembowski, Dunn, Fain, Lewis, Mosqueda, Perry, and  
von Reichbauer  
Yes:  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
Motions, from Standing Committees and Regional  
Committees and Motions related to Collective Bargaining,  
for Council Action  
Consent Items 10-19  
10.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0281  
A MOTION confirming the executive's appointment of Kazia Mermel, who resides in council district  
two, to the King County waterworks grant ranking committee, as the metropolitan water pollution  
abatement advisory committee, city of Seattle representative.  
Sponsors:  
Zahilay  
The enacted number is 16937.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
11.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0282  
A MOTION confirming the executive's appointment of Kyle Wong, who resides in council district one,  
to the King County waterworks grant ranking committee, as the metropolitan water pollution abatement  
advisory committee, participant sewer district representative.  
Sponsors:  
Dembowski  
The enacted number is 16938.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
12.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0317  
A MOTION confirming the executive's appointment of Clare Semambo, who resides in council district  
nine, to the King County solid waste advisory committee, as a citizen representative.  
Sponsors:  
Dunn  
The enacted number is 16939.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
13.  
Proposed Substitute Motion No. 2025-0318.2  
A MOTION confirming the executive's appointment of Cynthia Dampier, who resides in council district  
five, to the King County solid waste advisory committee, as a citizen representative.  
Sponsors:  
von Reichbauer  
The enacted number is 16940.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
14.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0319  
A MOTION confirming the executive's appointment of Tyler Morgan, who resides in council district one,  
to the King County solid waste advisory committee, as an agriculture representative.  
Sponsors:  
Dembowski  
The enacted number is 16941.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
15.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0341  
A MOTION confirming the King County board of health's appointment of Karen Hartfield to serve as an  
alternate member representing public health, health care facilities, and providers for a three-year term  
to expire on December 31, 2028.  
Sponsors:  
Mosqueda  
The enacted number is 16942.  
Vice Chair Barón made a motion to suspend the rules on Items 15, 18, and 19, in  
order to take action. Seeing no objection, the Chair so ordered.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
16.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0346  
A MOTION relating to the King County Metro Transit Strategic Plan for Public Transportation  
2021-2031 and King County Metro Transit Service Guidelines and accepting the King County Metro  
Transit 2025 System Evaluation.  
Sponsors:  
Barón  
The enacted number is 16943.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
17.  
Proposed Substitute Motion No. 2025-0370.2  
A MOTION related to council adoption of the King County Auditor's Office Work Program 2026-27.  
Sponsors:  
von Reichbauer  
The enacted number is 16946.  
Chair Perry announced that Item 17 was removed from the Consent Agenda for  
purposes of an amendment.  
Ben Thompson, Deputy County Auditor, King County Auditor's Office, briefed the  
Council and answered questions.  
Councilmember Balducci moved Amendment 1. The motion carried.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. A motion was made by Councilmember  
von Reichbauer that this Motion be Passed as Amended. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
9 - Balducci, Barón, Dembowski, Dunn, Fain, Lewis, Mosqueda, Perry, and  
von Reichbauer  
Yes:  
18.  
Proposed Motion No. 2026-0012  
A MOTION making an appointment to fill a judicial vacancy in the West division, West electoral district,  
judge position number one of the King County district court.  
Sponsors:  
Barón  
The enacted number is 16944.  
Vice Chair Barón made a motion to suspend the rules on Items 15, 18, and 19, in  
order to take action. Seeing no objection, the Chair so ordered.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
19.  
Proposed Motion No. 2026-0013  
A MOTION making an appointment to fill a judicial vacancy in the West division, West electoral district,  
judge position number four of the King County district court.  
Sponsors:  
Barón  
The enacted number is 16945.  
Vice Chair Barón made a motion to suspend the rules on Items 15, 18, and 19, in  
order to take action. Seeing no objection, the Chair so ordered.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. This matter passed on the Consent  
Agenda.  
Passed On The Consent Agenda  
A motion was made by Councilmember Barón that the Consent Agenda be  
passed. The motion carried by the following vote:  
9 - Balducci, Barón, Dembowski, Dunn, Fain, Lewis, Mosqueda, Perry, and  
von Reichbauer  
Yes:  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
First Reading of and Action on Motions Without Referral to  
Committee  
20.  
Proposed Motion No. 2026-0018  
A MOTION related to current federal immigration enforcement practices and directing the clerk of the  
council to send a copy of this motion to the members of Washington's congressional delegation  
representing King County.  
Sponsors:  
Mosqueda, Dembowski and Balducci  
The enacted number is 16947.  
Vice Chair Barón made a motion to suspend the rules to take action without referral  
to committee pursuant to K.C.C. 1.24.085. Seeing no objection, the Chair so  
ordered.  
Melissa Bailey, Council Staff, briefed the Council and answered questions.  
Councilmember Balducci requested a 5 minute recess. Seeing no objection, the  
Chair recessed the meeting at 2:43 p.m.  
The Chair reconvened the meeting at 2:48 p.m.  
Councilmember Mosqueda moved Striking Amendment S1. The motion carried.  
Councilmember Mosqueda moved Title Amendment T1. The motion carried.  
A Public Hearing was held and closed. A motion was made by Councilmember  
Mosqueda that this Motion be Passed as Amended. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
9 - Balducci, Barón, Dembowski, Dunn, Fain, Lewis, Mosqueda, Perry, and  
von Reichbauer  
Yes:  
First Reading and Referral of Ordinances  
21.  
Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-0015  
AN ORDINANCE revising the corporate boundary of the city of Enumclaw to include the  
unincorporated portion of McHugh Avenue right-of-way as provided for in RCW 35A.21.210.  
Sponsors:  
Dunn  
This matter had its first reading and was referred to the Local Services and  
Land Use Committee.  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
First Reading and Referral of Motions  
22.  
Proposed Motion No. 2026-0017  
A MOTION stating the council's support for continued entheogen-related research for alternative  
treatment modalities, structured medical models, and full decriminalization of entheogen-related  
activities and requesting that the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of any adult engaging in certain  
entheogen-related activities be among King County's lowest criminal enforcement priorities.  
Sponsors:  
Mosqueda  
This matter had its first reading and was referred to the Health, Housing, and  
Human Services Committee.  
23.  
Proposed Motion No. 2026-0011  
A MOTION confirming the appointment of Stephen Heard as director of the King County department of  
information technology.  
Sponsors:  
Barón  
This matter had its first reading and was referred to the Committee of the  
Whole.  
Reintroductions of Ordinances  
24.  
Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-0277  
AN ORDINANCE related to the contracting opportunities program and small contractor and supplier  
certification and criteria for participation; allowing for automatically qualifying firms certified by the  
Washington state Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises; allowing for removing  
minimum business-related training requirements to maintain certification; and amending Ordinance  
13983, Section 4, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.97.050.  
Sponsors:  
Mosqueda  
This matter was Reintroduced  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
Reintroductions of Motions  
25.  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0252  
A MOTION acknowledging receipt of the summary letter and completion of the online annual report  
requirement for the Crisis Care Centers Levy, in accordance with Ordinance 19572, Section 7.C.9, and  
Attachment A to Ordinance 19783, Section VIII.A.  
Sponsors:  
This matter was Reintroduced  
Proposed Motion No. 2025-0340  
Mosqueda  
26.  
A MOTION confirming the executive's appointment of Laura Zaichkin, who resides in council district  
eight, to the Harborview Medical Center board of trustees, as the district eight representative.  
Sponsors:  
Mosqueda  
This matter was Reintroduced  
27.  
Reports on Special and Outside Committees  
Metropolitan King County Council  
Meeting Minutes  
January 27, 2026  
Other Business  
Proclamation Presented in the Community  
28.  
29.  
Proclamation of February 17, 2026, as Lunar New Year in King County  
Chair Perry announced that the Proclamation of February 17, 2026, as Lunar New  
Year in King County has been officially acknowledged and presented in the  
community.  
Recognition of LaTonya Horace, Ze'lla Adams, and Nature Carter-Gooding  
for their leadership in fighting commercial sexual exploitation.  
Chair Perry announced that the Recognition of LaTonya Horace, Ze'lla Adams, and  
Nature Carter-Gooding for their leadership in fighting commercial sexual exploitation  
has been officially acknowledged and presented in the community.  
Adjournment  
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.