Councilmembers Kammin, Mitchell and Magers Take Oath of Office
The Newcastle City Council welcomed three new faces at the first meeting of the year! Newcastle Municipal Court Judge Wayne Stewart administered the Oath of Office for Councilmembers Tamra Kammin, Tom Magers and Dave Mitchell. Click the video above to see the swearing-in ceremony.
The Newcastle City Council
will hold an election for mayor and deputy mayor, hear a presentation about a proposed park for the historic Baima House and get an update on the solid waste management contract renewal process at the Jan. 16 meeting.
The Newcastle Police Beat features selected crime reports from across the city.
The Police Beat is released in this email newsletter, published a few days before every City Council meeting. Don't miss an issue and sign up to receive it at http://bit.ly/NewcastleNewsletter.
This Newcastle Police Beat covers the Dec. 24-Jan. 9 timeframe.
The Newcastle City Council did not elect a new mayor or deputy mayor during the Jan. 2 regular meeting. The council was unable to come to a majority vote for a new mayor after three voting attempts.
The City Council will attempt to vote again at the next meeting on Jan. 16.
Geotechnical Work in the Coal Creek Parkway Area Begins in January
King County is planning to upgrade a regional sewer line that serves Bellevue and Newcastle. Starting Jan. 4, King County began drilling test holes in the Coal Creek Parkway area north of city limits to help determine soil conditions along the recommended alignment for the new sewer line.
Between mid-January and late February, work will occur at locations along Coal Creek Parkway. It will take two to four days for crews to drill in each location. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and could include travel lane, bicycle lane and sidewalk closures. Expect equipment in the roadway north of city limits and some additional noise from the drill rig. Get the latest updates about this King County project at www.kingcounty.gov/CoalCreekSewer.
Community Activities Commission Welcomes Youth Representative
The Newcastle Community Activities Commission welcomed Newport High School freshman Jennifer Heng as the group's youth representative. Jennifer serves as a non-voting member of the commission, bringing a youth perspective to the volunteer board that advises the Newcastle City Council on everything from community events to parks and trails.
Jennifer comes to the CAC as a representative of the Newcastle Youth Community Engagement (NYCE) group. The board is a joint effort between the City of Newcastle and the Newcastle Library (with program support form the Coal Creek Family YMCA) to develop leadership skills, highlight youth ideas and opinions, and enhance the Newcastle community. The next NYCE meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Newcastle City Hall. Local middle and high school students are encouraged to join!
Some Newcastle residents will receive ballots for the Feb. 13 Special Election later this month. Those living in the Issaquah and Bellevue school districts will be asked to cast votes concerning district levies. A reminder that you can turn in your ballot without a stamp at the Newcastle City Hall drop box. The drop box will open for 24 hours a day starting on Jan. 25 and close at 8 p.m. on Feb. 13.
Chamber Accepting Nominations for Diamond Awards
Save the date for the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Diamond Awards! The annual gala honoring Newcastle community members is March 29 at The Golf Club at Newcastle. Know someone who is worthy of recognition? Fill out a nomination form at www.newcastle-chamber.org (or pick up a physical one at the Newcastle Library). The chamber will recognize winners in six categories, plus a special Mayor's Award.
(Photo by Romeo Sanidad / Newcastle Chamber of Commerce)
County Invites Public to Comment on Future of Recycling, Disposal and More
King County Solid Waste Division wants to hear your ideas about how the county should get rid of garbage in the future. Should the county continue filling the landfill until there's no more room, construct a waste-to-energy facility, transport the waste out of King County - or do something else? King County is asking citizens to fill out the survey and comment at www.kingcounty.gov/solid-waste-comp-plan.
City Staff Helps Judge Newcastle Elementary Geography Bee
City Manager Rob Wyman and Community Activities Coordinator Wendy Kirchner were pleased to accept an invite to help judge the Newcastle Elementary Geography Bee on Jan. 8. Congrats to the the big winner Carter and all of the participants!
