The city councils from Covington, Maple Valley and Black Diamond met last week at their eighth annual joint council meeting May 27.
After an update from King County Councilman Reagan Dunn, the city mangers for Covington and Maple Valley and Mayor Carol Benson from Black Diamond gave an update about current and future projects.
For Covington, Regan Bolli presented a summary of the current and potential future projects within the city. That list included Covington Town Center, a park to be known as SoCo (south Covington) Park, and the possibility for a movie theater.
David Johnston, city manager for Maple Valley, told those in attendance about the capital projects the city is currently doing, including the improvements to Witte Road. He also mentioned a park bond the council is considering running in an upcoming election, as well as the interlocal agreement between the city and Tahoma School District that is in the works.
Benson said Black Diamond has a number of road projects in progress. One is the reconstruction of Roberts Drive, funded partially through a State Transportation Improvement Board grant. That project is combined with one that will allow pedestrian access across Rock Creek.
After a report from the three parks and recreation directors and update on the interlocal agreements between the cities, an update on human services was given.
Victoria Throm, Covington’s human services analyst, along with Cheryl Hanson, executive director for the Black Diamond Community Center and
Mark Pursley, executive director for the Greater Maple Valley Community Center joined the discussion and each gave an overview of their city’s efforts in human services.
Hanson explained that transportation services for seniors and veterans in the area are lacking tremendously.
“When we talk about transportation, it isn’t a big fancy bus, it’s something that can go and get those people,” Hanson said.
She also added there is a service gap for people with mental health concerns.
Hanson said bringing a representative from King County Mental Health Services to circulate through the three cities a couple times a month would be a valuable service for the communities.
The next regular scheduled council meetings for the three cities are 7 p.m. on June 9 for Covington, 7 p.m. on June 8 for Maple Valley, and 7 p.m. on June 18 for Black Diamond.
Reporter Rebecca Gourley can be reached at 425-432-1209 ext. 5052, via email at rgourley@maplevalleyreporter.com, or on Twitter @rebeccalgourley.
