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King County committee advances two appointees to Immigrant and Refugee Commission
Summary
The Committee of the Whole approved two appointments to the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission and will forward them to the full council; staff said the appointments fill community representation priorities prescribed in county code.
The King County Council Committee of the Whole voted March 25 to advance two nominations to the Immigrant and Refugee Commission, sending the motions to the next regular council meeting with a due‑pass recommendation.
Council staff told the committee that the commission is a 13‑member body established to identify challenges facing immigrants and refugees and to develop strategies to strengthen services. Melissa Bailey of council staff said county code requires specific representation, including members from suburban cities and at least three commissioners with refugee or asylee experience.
Proposed motion 2024‑0416 would confirm the appointment of Serge Hepschener (residing in Council District 7) for a partial term expiring Sept. 30, 2025. In his application he noted involvement with the Turkish community and said he wants to help people from Turkey and other countries feel included in King County. “When I told them this, I actually added, this is time for me to serve for me who spent years in The United States,” Hepschener told the committee.
Proposed motion 2024‑0417 would confirm the appointment of Wahid Biras (also of District 7) to serve as a representative of an immigrant‑led organization, Kabul Washington Bridge, a group listed in the application materials with an annual budget under $250,000. In his remarks, Biras described assisting Afghan refugees who arrived after the U.S. withdrawal and said many new arrivals lack housing and urgent services.
Council liaisons and executive staff said both nominees increase the commission's representation of communities and languages that have grown in King County. Dave Chogrin and Brian Chu told the committee that the nominations would bring “energy and excitement” and add representation of communities that speak Dari, Pashto and Farsi. The committee approved both motions on voice roll calls; the clerk recorded eight ayes, zero noes, with Council Member Zahilay excused from that vote.
The committee will transmit the two appointments to the next regular council meeting for final confirmation. The appointments would raise the commission's membership toward its full 13 seats, staff said.
