[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6788584,"mediaKeyId","5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b","parentId",5677940,"title","White River Buddhist Temple urges removal from RapidRide I Line condemnation list, council seeks more notice","audioSeconds",1296,"startMs",328080,"endMs",1624280,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b&start=328&end=1624","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b/thumbnail_328080.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6788584/King-County/Washington/White-River-Buddhist-Temple-urges-removal-from-RapidRide-I-Line-condemnation-list-council-seeks-more-notice","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788584-17e82ad19e685a4dcee8ffe4b022e734/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969395&Signature=WFQL47yU~EXo6R4d4k7qcC54NUpKBb1afVcvCYqL4D36jk5K-rj-VRkmXDiS0iZMhzl3s0J0peX6pfTsFmGJiEo0pmxKVie~Glei8H~5eKXPMzEYP1KdmdBfNIF-~5VT48WC6FSujcs2f8rOtCVJI-KdHr9YF8JL4mSQzUWaBaubodBGTVy4g1seLlwLm83tEiUjsebKavAbf-WBlXm4KQZvCxFYsvhxUlGvekhZ3TLxYT8Ab6n5uAJbhOMl~M8SKcyiD2eNQzoNi~rjuZ4JOEQjqGFvzi07fYbOBzNKL8lssMhtITWeQRiX-QF6GchqgRKY8VsErvglxnVe-2adLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","King County, WA","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","White River Buddhist Temple leaders and multiple community members told the King County Council Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee on Aug. 19 that a proposed ordinance authorizing acquisition of up to 25 property interests for the RapidRide I Line has caused avoidable alarm.

Chair DeShawn Quinn opened the meeting by noting Ordinance 20250218 was on the agenda for public comment only and that there would be no staff briefing or vote that day. Mary Bergen, council staff, said the council’s practice is to provide certified notice after committee action but that the executive branch (Metro) had informed property owners the ordinance was transmitted to the council. Mark Ellerbrook, Capital Division Director for King County Metro, reported Metro mailed notices in July about pursuing acquisitions and the condemnation option but could not confirm whether recipients opened the mail.

Temple speakers told the committee they had not received timely, specific notice of the hearing and that placement on a condemnation list harms trust and negotiation. “Consideration of condemnation is a serious escalation,” Charlene Grinold, president of the White River Buddhist Temple, said, and asked the committee to remove the temple from the list because negotiations are ongoing and the temple’s status as a multigenerational Japanese American institution makes the prospect especially sensitive. Kelsey Asato, who sits on the temple’s board of trustees, said being placed on a list of “imminent domain properties leaves a sour taste” and requested removal from the ordinance’s attachments.

Other witnesses who spoke in person and by phone urged formal confirmation that affected owners receive notice; Councilmembers pressed for notice by certified letter or a confirmation call or email. Councilmember Rob Dembowski asked whether the chair could seek permission to invoke advance noticing prior to committee action; Mary Bergen said council rules allow such an approach if the Council chair agrees.

Chair Quinn said he would prepare an amendment for the next meeting to remove properties from the list that have already been acquired since transmittal and to explore adding additional public-notice steps. The committee did not take a vote on Ordinance 20250218 and held further action until members can consider chair-led amendments and additional outreach.

The committee’s discussion repeatedly distinguished three separate steps: (1) Metro’s outreach to property interests about negotiation and a condemnation path, (2) the council clerk’s legal notice that typically occurs after committee action, and (3) whether the chair should request early or confirmatory notice to ensure property owners can attend committee public comment. Metro staff said they had been engaged in negotiations with many owners and reported productive conversations with several property owners but acknowledged the concern about how notice was perceived.

Next steps: Chair Quinn said he will speak with the Council chair about invoking additional notice before committee action, will prepare a striking amendment to remove properties acquired since transmittal, and will hold the ordinance until the September special meeting so members can consider amendments and confirm appropriate outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee 8-19-25","oneSentenceSummary","White River Buddhist Temple leaders and community members asked the King County Council committee to remove the temple from a list of properties that could be subject to condemnation for the RapidRide I Line, saying lack of specific hearing notice and the institution’s history make condemnation especially sensitive.","taxTitle","King County, Washington","taxId",2541,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6788573,"Metro reports ridership gains and hiring progress; officials highlight reliability and workforce challenges",104,8278709,8383189,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b&start=8278&end=8383","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b/thumbnail_8278709.jpg","/articles/6788573/King-County/Washington/Metro-reports-ridership-gains-and-hiring-progress-officials-highlight-reliability-and-workforce-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788573-30b463fac0afb5dfe3660ba2a61b9ff6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969395&Signature=L-qz9stUbosf6q54twZMcduGfHtuYgmX9ujSL78ruCXtayUIjZiKGLlA8eq2eEYcpzObl37O1ue8gFapT0~Vg4dMcQc~cPQlH920t10bYD3-D7pPKsHRG-NPJCUkAQoOxVqZlIgSeaLCyg-gl6UPx55FGKIPXY0~uuGv9KRS5-Mc6e2q5CuU6ku~3cJP4QBcXxtvZTXLRz-sACw8d7Gu~A8yywz54q-x2SRMQW015AIVFLGc42ZvvYWbtzu2YrAKJXqtvJ4i21KPBHZOqArJtiRr0RBv9wsCaakJMouB2RWjdwfNA0GUvzDAHjccabwQAcJW5ugaOOVXtCCjEP2d-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","King County Metro told the Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee on Aug. 19 that ridership is increasing and that workforce improvements are underway, even as reliability pressures continue.

Metro leadership said the system saw an 8% increase in ridership from July 2024 to July 2025 and that summer travel and construction can complicate reliability. The agency reported net additions of 50 full-time equivalents (FTEs) over the last four months and said it remains about 370 FTEs short of the staffing level needed to restore pre-COVID service. Metro described training changes that improved CDL pass rates by about 15% and is focusing on additional coach practice time and CDL instruction to keep graduation rates rising.

Metro also acknowledged operational pressures: overtime remains about 30% (the agency’s target is 17%), and regional construction (for example, Revive I‑5 and other projects) increases traffic-related service interruptions. Metro said it is reviewing scheduling, leave management and training capacity to reduce overtime and improve retention.

On reduced fares and coordination, Metro reported participation in a regional Fair Forum involving ORCA partner agencies; members plan additional meetings in September and a summary policy guidance report by October.

Councilmembers thanked Metro for its engagement with communities affected by the RapidRide I Line negotiations and encouraged continued problem-solving with property owners; they said site visits and direct engagement help produce workable alternatives to condemnation.

Next steps: Metro will continue reporting on ridership and workforce metrics to the committee, will follow up on the Regional Fair Forum’s recommendations for reduced fares and ORCA improvements, and will coordinate with council staff on RapidRide I Line property discussions.","King County Metro briefed the committee on rising ridership and staffing gains — an 8% year-over-year increase reported for July and net addition of 50 FTEs in four months — while noting remaining FTE shortfalls and high overtime. Metro and councilmembers agreed on continued coordination to improve reliability and service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6788579,"Council members and advocates press for measurable goals, aviation changes and funding detail in 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan",1502,4544240,6047089,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b&start=4544&end=6047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677940-00404d2dc542aa28250f07a0da3f670b/thumbnail_4544240.jpg","/articles/6788579/King-County/Washington/Council-members-and-advocates-press-for-measurable-goals-aviation-changes-and-funding-detail-in-2025-Strategic-Climate-Action-Plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788579-609bb8572ccb25ae5b1569d44ee374b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969395&Signature=E7ptNHKy3I-~iG65~MrIl6QrFi4Q8YcWvxAgU1TiLRn3CgBkdOcUCvGuG71O3BVH0HWuN8GIA3IF-Eb2CTF~RA33zJDro6bxiXlzZd9fQdsam6kOejqLRaTJ6XAUs8WbWtcwhhGV8Whcg5AhFZMJaYIs8Aya1WnATkxL1zDMRvlkg3rJSJQAAcOLFKMov7ywNSntWgL6VkWr~WKY3DNOPn~6IthoiyqHgEkOOyFuaH7i5oftmRtiSP0VXy6Iwyg16peOk8i6wqd8dBRpfRSOlco8Lq5m7d9T~RddAWveWFXtNmqcyaryGuA7Y7I1Xx1JFsREoLtQjpb69ak1yGw09w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public testimony and council discussion on Aug. 19 focused heavily on the 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan’s (SCAP) treatment of aviation emissions, tree canopy goals, measurement and funding.

Jake Tracy, council staff, briefed the committee on SCAP’s structure: a five-year plan with 25 focus areas, 177 proposed actions and 64 performance measures. Tracy told members that 126 of the 177 actions will need new or additional funding and that executive staff expect to identify rough funding figures within a year of adoption. He also said the plan’s wedge graph projects about a 35% countywide emissions reduction by 2030 under the assumed mix of local, state and federal actions — short of the county’s Comprehensive Plan targets.

Speakers from environmental and community groups repeatedly urged stronger, measurable commitments. Maria Batiola of the Aviation Community Health, Environment and Climate Advocates Coalition emphasized aviation’s local health impacts and urged a joint community–scientific–technical task force on aviation mitigation. Multiple volunteer members of the Joint Aircraft Emissions Technical and Community Task Force told the committee they believed the SCAP omitted task-force recommendations or elevated sustainable aviation fuels in ways the task force did not endorse. \"It is disingenuous ... to ask community volunteers to work so hard on something that is then ignored,\" Laura Gibbons of 350 Seattle said.

Council staff walked members through highlighted actions that will be the subject of proposed amendments. Notable items discussed included:

- Aviation (Action GHG23): The SCAP would support sustainable aviation fuel and zero-emission aviation technology, advocate for Cascadia rail and expanded Amtrak service, and seek to phase out leaded aviation fuel at King County International Airport (KCIA) by 2030. Staff noted the plan includes mitigation funding measures (for indoor air quality retrofits and tree canopy where FAA rules allow) and acknowledged that sustainable aviation fuel was not a Task Force recommendation.

- Residential point-of-sale program (Action GHG26): The plan describes a disclosure requirement and a possible performance-standard program that could require efficiency upgrades at the time of sale; staff said the county has limited authority (primarily in unincorporated areas) and that code changes and more code-enforcement resources would be needed for a mandatory program.

- Transit funding and MetroConnects (Action GHG15): Staff said MetroConnects’ long-range plan estimates an $18 billion capital gap and about $724 million per year in service costs; the SCAP action would develop a funding strategy and explore a regional ballot measure, but councilmembers discussed whether language should be softened to \"explore\" rather than commit.

- Tree canopy and measurable goals: Multiple commenters pressed for a measurable tree canopy target (for example, a 40% urban canopy goal was cited by a public speaker) and for a community-led toolkit and work plan to measure and track canopy gains.

Council members repeatedly emphasized accountability and measurement. Councilmember Balducci and others said, \"If you can't measure it, you can't achieve it,\" and urged that outcome measures (for example, greenhouse gas reductions, heat-related emergency visits, and particulate-matter exposure indicators) be included and tracked publicly. Chair Quinn said he will direct staff to prepare a striking amendment and asked colleagues to submit amendment requests by Aug. 22; the committee will hold the item for a September special meeting.

Staff also noted interactions with other planning efforts: SCAP will draw on functional plans such as the 30-year Forest Plan and Flood Management Plan, but is intended to highlight actions for the next five years. Executive staff told the committee they plan to identify which SCAP actions require code updates and expect an implementation work plan within six months of adoption.

Next steps: The committee held the SCAP in committee, requested a striking amendment and additional reporting (including funding and a code-work plan), and scheduled continued consideration at the September special meeting.","Public commenters and council staff debated the 2025 SCAP’s treatment of aviation emissions, tree canopy goals, point-of-sale energy measures and funding. Staff said 177 actions and 64 performance measures are proposed, 126 of which need new funding; the committee held the SCAP and requested striking amendments and additional reporting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

White River Buddhist Temple urges removal from RapidRide I Line condemnation list, council seeks more notice

Metro reports ridership gains and hiring progress; officials highlight reliability and workforce challenges

Council members and advocates press for measurable goals, aviation changes and funding detail in 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan