City Sustainability Film Series moves to ‘Mobility’
March 20, 2012
The film “Mobility” anchors the next Sustainability Film Series event.
The free event is from 6-9 p.m. April 18 at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way N.W. Call the municipal Office of Sustainability at 837-3400 to learn more.
Earlier films in the series focused on plastics pollution, land-use and sustainable food.
Officials consider plastic bag ban for Issaquah
February 14, 2012
Officials intend to use Seattle ordinance as model
Canvas bags could turn into a more common sight in Issaquah checkout lanes soon.
The city is poised to join Bellingham, Edmonds, Mukilteo and Seattle to ban plastic bags at local retailers — to limit garbage headed for the King County landfill and reduce pollution in Puget Sound.
Though a decision on a plastic bag ban is months distant, the Council Utilities, Technology & Environment Committee plans to start collecting input from businesses owners and residents Feb. 16.
“To me, the beauty of it is, you get to your end objective, which is getting rid of plastic bags, and you’re not putting an undue, negative impact on the businesses in your community,” said Councilman Mark Mullet, a local merchant and the committee chairman.
City announces employee layoffs amid reorganization
February 7, 2012
Officials announced cuts to the city workforce — including six layoffs — Feb. 1, as City Hall launches a broad reorganization.
Overall, leaders reduced staff through layoffs, a severance program and vacancies. The total includes five positions eliminated through voluntary separations and two vacant positions.
Because limited funding is available for capital projects, officials did not need as many employees for engineering and inspection functions. In November, officials announced plans to start employee layoffs in February.
The city also plans to add three positions for a beefed-up economic development effort. The plan is for Keith Niven, the longtime Major Development Review Team manager, to serve as economic development director and hire economic development managers.
