Ideas for re-naming two neighborhood districts (now called “East Terrace” and “North Terrace”) in Mountlake Terrace are being sought.  The effort follows up on a Planning Commission suggestion to consider more unique or place-based names for these two neighborhoods. 

The city’s other neighborhood districts—Gateway, Town Center, Melody Hill Village, and Lake Ballinger—already have unique names. 

To get input, the City is asking for people to fill out an informal survey or send in their ideas.  The survey is online at:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/MLTNeighborhoods.  For a copy of the questionnaire, or to otherwise send in ideas, anyone may email Neighborhoods@ci.mlt.wa.us or call 425.744.6266. 

The survey lists some name options that reflect earlier ideas from the community.  These include “Cedar Way” and “Lyon Creek Neighborhood” for the neighborhood now known as East Terrace and “Meadow Heights” and “Woodlark” for the neighborhood now known as North Terrace. 

The Planning Commission will consider the naming ideas and make a recommendation later this year.  A final decision on any name changes is up to the City Council in December.  Meanwhile, neighborhood input is encouraged.

The Evergreen Elementary School building, vacant since June 2009, will be demolished soon by the Edmonds School District.  A neighborhood meeting about this is being held August 19 by the District at the Terrace Park Elementary Commons, 5409 228th Street SW, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Built in 1969, the school was originally on a larger site and not adjacent to an interstate highway.  Construction of I-5 took away a large part of the original site.  (The interstate freeway use also may have impacted air quality in the immediate vicinity.)  About 200 students attended the school when the District decided that, for financial reasons, it needed to close the facility. 

After the District decided to vacate the public school, the Planning Commission (a 7-member citizen body) recommended re-zoning the property to a “Freeway/Tourist” zoning district.  The City Council accepted the recommendation and, after a public hearing, adopted the re-zone.  “Freeway/Tourist” zoning is the same classification as the adjacent Gateway Place area. The City Council also indicated that if the area is redeveloped in the future for commercial use, Gateway Avenue West should be extended into the site, in combination with closing the west end of 237th Street SW to reduce traffic through the neighborhood.

If sufficient student levels in the future allow the Edmonds School District to open a public school in the neighborhood, the City will work with the District to find another site not so close to the freeway.

In the meantime, the District plans to demolish the existing school and, at a future time, consider a long-term lease of the site to allow commercial development, consistent with the adopted zoning.  Also, the Planning Commission will be working in September on revising the Freeway/Tourist Zoning Code and adding new design standards.  Public input is welcome.  The tentative meeting schedule for revising the Freeway/Tourist Zoning Code is:

• September 13, 2010 Planning Commission Work Session
• September 27, 2010 Planning Commission Public Hearing and Recommendation 
• October 14, 2010 City Council Work/Study Session
• October 18, 2010 City Council Public Hearing and Recommendation 

For any questions or to confirm the meeting dates above, e-mail llavoie@ci.mlt.wa.us or call 425.744.6266.

Below are questions and answers regarding a possible re-designation of some properties to allow commercial use near 220th and I-5 (within the Melody Hill Neighborhood). The proposed re-designation, if adopted, would amend the Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map to allow properties within the area to be used for commercial purposes, while also allowing existing residential uses (and other previously approved uses) to continue. It would not require any properties to be bought, sold or changed from their existing legal uses.

Questions & Answers:

Which properties are proposed to allow commercial use in the future?
The properties are comprised of the block bordered by 220th Street SW on the north, I-5 on the east, 222nd Street SW on the south, and 64th Street on the west.  See Map.

Who proposed that a redesignation of this area be considered?
The Planning Commission, a citizen advisory board, proposed that the re-designation be considered during the 2010 Comprehensive Plan amendment process.

Why did the Planning Commission propose this idea?
The Planning Commission tries to plan for the long-term, 10-20 years. Planning ahead provides people with more certainty about the future. This particular area is near a major I-5 freeway interchange and a busy arterial (220th Street SW) that carries nearly 40,000 vehicles a day. All other property along this street, between I-5 and Highway 99, is zoned commercial. Given its location, the area appears suited to commercial use sometime in the future.

Has the Planning Commission made a decision on whether to recommend the re-designation?
No, the Planning Commission has only made a decision to consider recommending re-designation during the 2010 Comprehensive Plan amendment process.

When will it be decided and who will decide?
Whether the Planning Commission’s preliminary proposal will be adopted during the 2010 Comprehensive Plan process is a decision of the City Council. Numerous steps need to take place first.
(See “What is the process for deciding?” below.) The City Council will consider the facts and make a decision in December 2010.

What is the process for deciding?
Key steps in the decision process include the following:

• Gathering of information about the area
• Analysis under the State Environmental Policy Act
• Public notices, newspaper announcement, and signage about the proposal
• Planning Commission work session on October 25 to study the proposal
• City Council Work sessions on November 10 and December 2 to study the proposal
• Public hearing by the Planning Commission November 8 to consider whether to recommend the re-designation, after considering information about it
• Public hearing by the City Council on December 6 to consider the information, including the Planning Commission’s recommendation, and to decide whether or not to adopt a re-designation of the area

Where and at what time will the public hearings and meetings shown in the above schedule be held?
All public hearings and meetings by the Planning Commission and City Council, which are listed above will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Mountlake Terrace Interim City Hall Council Chambers, 6100 219th Street SW, second floor. (Note: an emergency situation could cause a date to change; any change would be posted.)

What would happen to my property if the area is re-designated to a commercial zone?
If the area is re-designated, it would allow properties within the area to be used for commercial purposes, while also allowing existing residential uses (and other previously approved uses) to continue. It would not require any properties to be bought, sold, or changed from their existing legal uses.

If the area is re-designated, would the City (or anyone else) take my property?
The City has absolutely no plans to take the property or to develop it for commercial use. Any decision about whether to sell, develop, or change the property is strictly up to the property owner. Property owners have the right, if they choose, to sell the property at fair market value; they may also choose to not sell it and to continue using the property the way it is now.

Is anyone proposing actual development of this area?
We know of no current proposals for developing this area. Of course, over the years, various people have been interested in the idea of developing some sites to other uses, but no one has made any actual proposals or plans for development of this area. The only reason the Planning Commission or City Council would consider re-designation now is to have time to plan for the area’s future before any proposals do come in at some later time. (Note: If at some point, new development is allowed in this area, it would first have to meet community standards for parking, traffic, open space, and design.)

How can I comment on this re-designation idea?
Anyone can comment on this idea for re-designation (or “re-zoning”) the area by speaking at a public hearing on one of the two dates above (November 8 or December 6) or by sending a letter to the Planning Commission or City Council in care of the Community and Economic Development Department Director, 6100 219th Street SW, Suite 200, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. Any letters will be provided to the Planning Commission and City Council as part of the public process.

How can I get more information on this proposal or the process for making a decision about it?
You may call Edith Duttlinger, Senior Planner, at 425.744.6279, Paula Schwartz, Associate Planner, at 425.744.6280, or Shane Hope, Community and Economic Development Director, at 425.744.6281, if you have questions. Check the city’s website www.cityofmlt.com for information about the 2010 Comprehensive Plan amendment process. You are welcome to attend any of the meetings listed above. Property owners and residents will also be mailed at least two public notices, one for each public hearing.

Also, see the “How does the Comprehensive Plan get amended?” in the City’s “What’s the Story” webpage.

Background
A Comprehensive Plan adopted under the Growth Management Act (GMA) is a 20-year plan, with some shorter-term actions, that broadly covers the community’s livability, economics, environment, housing, land use, transportation, capital facilities, and utilities.  It sets the stage for many city activities and choices.  Under state law, the city must implement and be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.  State agencies must follow it too. 

The Comprehensive Plan, with few exceptions, may be amended no more than once per year.  The development code—including the zoning code, both text and map—may be amended any time, so long as the amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Amendment ideas may be initially suggested or requested by anyone.  However, any amendment to be considered through the full amendment process must either be submitted as an application or the Planning Commission or City Council must decide to move it forward from the docket.  The first approach is called the “application method.”  The second approach is called the “sponsorship method.”  More detail follows.

Application Method for Amendments
The application method is the most direct way to initiate consideration of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan or development regulations.  Anyone may make an application to amend the Comprehensive Plan or the development code (either text or map) and thereby immediately cause the amendment process to begin—and to ensure two public hearings on the application.

What is needed to apply?
To make an application, an interested party must complete an application and submit it with the
necessary fee.  The application fee for a Comprehensive Plan or zoning amendment, as of summer 2010, is $3,960.

Why have an application fee?
The purpose of an application fee is to help cover the costs of taking the application through the full public process.  An application fee is a type of user fee; it is based on the typical amount of staff time and other expenses needed to take the application through the full amendment process, including public hearings.  (See “Amendment Process” below for more information about the steps needed to process an application.) 

What can the application cover?
For property-specific proposals, the application may apply to a single property or a group of properties, for example, an entire block.  (The fee of $3,960 covers all properties that are part of the group.  However, a single application would not be adequate to cover the analysis of multiple properties in different locations and with different zoning classifications; in that situation, multiple applications would be needed, each with its own fee payment.)

For proposals that are not property-specific, such as a proposal to allow banner signs to be hung in any location without a permit, a single application fee of $3,960 applies.  However, if the applicant wanted to make additional proposals on unrelated topics, each proposal would need a separate application.

When can applications be made?
Applications for a current year Comprehensive Plan amendment are subject to a published deadline, usually late spring of each year.  If the application is made after the deadline, it will be considered in the following cycle.  Applications for a code amendment may be made anytime and are not subject to an application period.  

Must every application be moved into the full amendment process?
Yes, all complete applications submitted to the City must be considered through the full amendment process unless the applicant withdraws an application.

When must an application be acted upon?
Applications for a Comprehensive Plan amendment must be acted upon—approved or denied—during the next amendment cycle following their submittal. Note: Applications for a code amendment are not subject to a specific timeframe for action but must be considered in as timely and reasonable manner as possible; in Mountlake Terrace, this would typically mean three to four months.  (The timeframe could be a little longer, depending on the proposal’s complexity and other factors.)  If the proposed code amendment would first require a Comprehensive Plan amendment, the applicant would be advised of the process for this. (Code amendments must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.)

What is the benefit of an application?
A complete application has at least two major benefits:

1. Guarantees the applicant that the proposal will be heard by both the Planning Commission and the City Council and that a decision will be made about it in a timely manner;
2. Provides a user fee that helps the public (city) pay for the actual cost of considering and processing the proposal.

Sponsorship Method for Amendments
Ideas for amending the Comprehensive Plan or development code may be considered through another method: sponsorship.  The sponsorship method begins with the docket.

What is “the docket”?
A docket, for plan and code amendment purposes, is simply a list of items waiting to be considered.  In common practice, each city has two parts to its docket:  

• Comprehensive Plan Docket
• Development Code Docket (or “Code Docket”).

How does something get put on the docket?
Anyone may suggest amendment ideas.  In fact, state law requires that any interested person, including citizens and staff, be allowed to suggest plan and code amendments and that city codes reflect a process for doing so.  Suggested items become part of the docket—but that does not mean they must be considered further.

Here are three examples of how amendment suggestions may come to the Planning Commission or City Council.

Example 1:  A property owner appears before the City Council and asks the Council to consider amending the Comprehensive Plan Map (which triggers a Zoning Map amendment) to change his/her property to a different classification, such as from Single-Household Residential to Multiple-Household Residential.

Example 2:  A Planning Commissioner, during a Planning Commission meeting, requests that a certain area be considered for re-designation from one classification to another, such as from Town Center Small Mixed Use to Medium Mixed Use. 

Example 3:  A department director briefs the Council of the need to update a part of the Comprehensive Plan to be eligible for state transportation funding.

When an amendment suggestion, such as one of the examples above, has been made, it is considered to be on the docket. 

When is the docket reviewed?
The Comprehensive Plan docket is reviewed at least once a year, prior to beginning the amendment consideration process.  (The Code docket may be reviewed at other times—for example, when the Planning Commission discusses its annual work program or the City Council reviews its goals or budget options.)

Must every docket item be moved into the full amendment process?
No, docket items are not required to be moved into the full amendment consideration process.  The Planning Commission and City Council each has discretion to move docket items forward or not. 

What happens to docket items?
Although the docket must be reviewed at least annually, no particular action on the docket items is required.  The Commission or Council may choose to not do anything further with a docket item by: (a) simply taking no action to sponsor it as amendment proposal; (b) not reaching agreement to sponsor it as an amendment proposal; or (c) rejecting the request.  Alternatively, the Commission or Council may decide to sponsor the idea as an amendment proposal, particularly if it would have a public benefit.  This action means the proposal will go through the amendment process and be considered—but does not necessarily mean it will be adopted.

Who keeps the docket?
Under MTMC 18.05.580, the Principal Planner keeps the docket.  (The Principal Planner is defined as the person assigned by the Community and Economic Development Director.) 

Are there criteria for putting an idea on the docket?
Since the docket is simply a list of ideas, neither state law nor Mountlake Terrace’s municipal code provides criteria for adding an item to the docket.  However, the docket usually works best for things that provide a public benefit or address changing circumstances—and that are not primarily for the advantage of an individual.  These are factors that a Planning Commissioner or City Councilmember should consider before placing something on the docket.

What does the Growth Management Act say about docketing?
The Growth Management Act, in RCW 36.70A.470, requires local governments to have a docketing process and describes certain aspects of what it must be.   (See “How does something get put on the docket?” above.) The statute also says that a development project cannot be denied because the decision-maker thinks the existing plan or code does not adequately address the project.  However, the perceived inadequacy or deficiency may be placed on the docket so that a code or plan amendment to address it may be considered at another time. 

What is the benefit of the docket?
The docket has four main benefits:

1. Creates a list of ideas that can be reviewed periodically;
2. Helps ensure the Comprehensive Plan and development code are kept up-to-date and meet overall goals;
3. Allows people to make suggestions outside of the regular application process;
4. Provides a way for the Planning Commission and City Council to address policy issues and community needs over time.

What does it mean to sponsor an amendment proposal?
The Planning Commission or City Council (by majority vote or consensus) may “sponsor” an amendment idea for consideration through the full amendment process.  Sponsoring an amendment proposal does not mean that the Commission or Council will ultimately agree to the proposal—only that the Commission or Council has agreed that the proposal has merit and should be considered through the amendment process.  Sponsorship also commits available city resources to prepare the proposal and take it through the amendment process.  (For more on this, see “What city resources are needed for the amendment process?” below.)

What criteria apply to Commission or Council sponsorship?
Both the Planning Commission and City Council are authorized to propose amendments for consideration. The decision for the Commission or Council to take something that is on the docket and propose it as an amendment generally depends on:

• The item’s consistency with broad goals and priorities in the public interest
• Changing circumstances that relate to a community need
• Available city resources (i.e., staff time and other costs). 

(Note: items that move forward without sufficient time and resources will probably not fare well in the amendment process—or may prevent other City work from being done.)

What items are on the 2010 docket?
Certain routine or housekeeping amendments are expected every year.  In 2010, this includes:

1. CIP updates -within the Capital Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan
2. TIP updates-within the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan.

For Mountlake Terrace’s full list of docket items, see the “2010 Docket” section of this memo.

Amendment Process
Once an item is moved into the amendment process, certain steps and resources are required.

What does the full amendment process entail?
Here is a summary of typical steps in the amendment process:

1. Initial review and analysis by the appropriate city department(s)
2. SEPA (environmental) review and determination
3. Preliminary report to the Planning Commission and City Council
4. Additional analysis by the appropriate city department(s)
5. Development of maps and other materials, as needed
6. Development of a draft ordinance containing the amendment proposal
7. Legal review of the draft ordinance and any suggestions for revising the draft
8. Public notification (by postings, signage, newspaper, mailings, website, etc.)
9. Multiple reports and work sessions of the Planning Commission and City Council
10. Staff presentations and recommendation
11. Public hearing by the Planning Commission
12. Recommendation by the Planning Commission to the City Council
13. Public hearing by the City Council
14. Consideration of findings that the amendment proposal meets criteria contained in the municipal code.
15. Final decision by the City Council on whether to adopt the ordinance containing the proposed amendment
16. Newspaper publication of the adopted ordinance
17. Copying, posting and distribution of the ordinance (in both electronic and paper format)
18. Notification to parties of record regarding the Council’s decision
19. Codification of the ordinance (i.e., working with a code publishing company to incorporate the ordinance into the municipal code)
20. Record-keeping regarding the ordinance and public process.

What city resources are needed for the amendment process?
To take a Comprehensive Plan or development code amendment through the amendment process requires many resources, usually the equivalent of several thousand dollars, depending on scope and complexity.  This includes the many hours of staff time needed to develop the proposal and take it through the full process, as well as the cost of mailings, signs, and other items.  (For example, the cost of making and installing two 4’ x 8’ signs runs close to $1000.)  For applications, these costs are largely covered by the applicant.  For docket items, the costs are covered by the public (from the City’s general fund).

Summary: Application vs. City Sponsorship
Some amendment proposals are more appropriate for the application method, some for the sponsorship method.

The application method is best for plan or code amendment proposals that either:

• Primarily benefit a single individual or small group of individuals; or
• Do not reflect a current policy priority for the Planning Commission or City Council.

Under the application method, the applicant pays a user fee to help cover the cost and is guaranteed consideration through the full amendment process.

The sponsorship method is best for plan or code amendment proposals that:

• Provide a public benefit;
• Can and should be addressed with city (public) resources; and
• Help implement Council goals and priorities.

While anyone may suggest an amendment item for the docket, the item cannot move forward through the amendment process unless the Planning Commission or City Council agrees to move it forward—that is, sponsors it.

What are the criteria for amendments?
When proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan are being considered, the municipal code (specifically, MTMC 19.110.250.B) requires the consideration of certain criteria.  In fact, proposed amendments can be recommended by the Planning Commission and adopted by the City Council only if all of the required criteria (see below) are found to have been met.  The criteria are as follows:

1. Proposal promotes the health, welfare, and safety of the general public; and
2. Proposal will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services; and
3. There are significant social, economic, environmental, or land use-related factors which support the proposed amendment; and

Proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.

2010 DOCKET

2010 is not a major update year for the Comprehensive Plan.  The next major update is scheduled for 2014.  Thus, 2010 amendment proposals will probably be limited in scope. 

2010 Planning Commission sponsorship
At its May 24 meeting, the Planning Commission concurred with moving forward the routine docket items—TIP and CIP updates, as well as a housekeeping item, incorporation of items from the Sustainability Strategy and the idea of new names for two specific Mountlake Terrace neighborhoods.  The Commission also decided to initiate consideration of one Comprehensive Plan Map amendment related to an area in the vicinity of I-5 and 220th. (See number 5 below.)  In summary, the docket items that the Planning Commission has moved forward for consideration through the public process are:

• TIP updates
• CIP updates
• Integrating key components of the Sustainability Strategy
• Identifying new names for two Mountlake Terrace neighborhoods (“Neighborhoods Map”)  and
• Amending the Comprehensive Plan Map to re-designate the 220th and I-5 block (see Map) from single-household (RS) zoning to general commercial (CG).

2010 City Council sponsorship
At its June 17 meeting, the City Council reviewed the Planning Commission’s sponsored docket items.  The Council also decided to go forward with considering three other docket items as part of the Comprehensive Plan amendment process.  The three items are:

• Amending the Comprehensive Plan Map to re-designate the portion of Jack Long Park in which the water tanks and the SERS tower are located from “Parks and Open Space” (POS) to “Public Facilities and Services” (PFS).
• Amending the Comprehensive Plan Map to re-designate a City-owned parcel off Cedar Way in which a weir for stream level management is located from “Urban Low Residential” to “Parks and Open Space (POS).
• Adding a policy to emphasize the importance of existing public schools in residential neighborhoods.

Applications

No applications for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment were submitted this year by the June 30, 2010 deadline.

Nutria, an invasive type of aquatic rodent, has reportedly been observed in Lake Ballinger.  The state Department of Ecology representative, Dave Pater, advised anyone seeing nutria to report it to the Department.  Reporting can be done by calling 1‐877‐9‐INFEST or reporting online at www.InvasiveSpecies.wa.gov. Here is a link to learning more about nutria:  http://www.psparchives.com/our_work/protect_habitat/ans/nutria.htm#how.

Dangerous conditions created by a fire on Ballinger Island last summer have caused the island to be closed indefinitely. The island has dangerous sinkholes, hazardous trees, and the ground is very unstable.

“No Trespassing on Island” signs were posted on the island and along the shores of Lake Ballinger.  The City of Edmonds also installed signage in their public right-of-way to alert their residents. 

The City of Mountlake Terrace will continue to evaluate the condition of Ballinger Island from a public safety standpoint and will make a determination later in 2010 on what steps to take regarding restoration of the island’s natural habitat.

Until then, Ballinger Island will remain closed to the public.  If you see anyone accessing the island, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

The Mountlake Terrace Post Office will stay in its current downtown location at 23210 57th Avenue West. The U.S. Postal Service announced that they recently signed a two-year lease agreement with the property owner, Calvary Fellowship Church. The Post Office has been in this location since 1967.

No. It is unlawful for any person to sell, possess, use, transfer, discharge or ignite any fireworks within the City of Mountlake Terrace. Violations will result in confiscation of fireworks and fines. For more information about the fireworks law, please contact the Police Department at (425) 670-8260.

230th Street SW Reconstruction Project
The reconstruction will include bike lanes, sidewalks on both sides, and parking lanes.  The improvements include sidewalk ramps, drainage improvements, a new water main, and a revised vertical street profile to improve sight distance at 61st. Construction is scheduled to begin in March.

222nd Street Sidewalk Connection at Jack Long Park
The project will complete the sidewalk on the north side of 222nd Street SW between 58th and 60th Avenues W. The project includes sidewalk ramps and drainage improvements for the intersection of 222nd and 60th.  Here the new sidewalk passes the frontage of Jack Long Park, a stairway will be constructed up a steep grassy slope to the park’s south entrance.  Construction is planned to begin in spring.

East Side Water System Water Improvements
A new 12” diameter main will be installed in 228th Street SW between 39th and 44th, in Cedar Way from 228th to entrance to the 23400 block, and in 222nd Street between 39th and 44th to increase the available fire flow in the area.  Construction begins in late spring.

214th & 44th Traffic Signal
The new signal will enhance safety and increase capacity of 44th Avenue West and 214th Street SW. The project includes interconnecting the new signal with the existing signals at 212th Street SW and 217th Street SW so all three will operate in coordination. Construction is planned for spring and summer.

Residents should follow the precautionary guidance of health officials and stay informed of the situation through county and state health resources.  People who are sick with flu-like symptoms should stay home or go to a health care provider if they become seriously ill.

The City of Mountlake Terrace will continue with its strategy of public education, prevention, and coordination with Emergency Services Coordinating Agency. Protecting public health and safety during this event is the first priority.

Detailed information about this outbreak is available on the Department of Health swine flu update Web site (www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/default.htm). The agency’s swine flu information telephone line, 1-888-703-4364, provides prevention advice in English and Spanish. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/index.htm) has the latest information on the national disease investigation.

For more information and for details, please visit the following:  
www.doh.wa.gov (State Department of Health)
CDC
CDC Fact Sheet
CDC Fact Sheet in Spanish
WHO
Snohomish Health District’s Web site at www.snohd.org
Sign up for Twitter updates at http://twitter.com/SnoCo_DEM
Call 425-388-5060 with questions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the week, including weekends.
E-mail flu@snoco.org
Edmonds School District for current school updates
Catch Snohomish Health District Director Dr. Gary Goldbaum on "Inside Everett" talking about H1N1.  The program is 18 minutes and explains the virus and gives tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. Facebook version.

 “Swine Flu Fact Sheet”
What is it? A Type A influenza virus that is a mix of pig, human and bird viruses.
How is it spread?  Person-to-person, through uncovered coughs and sneezes or by touching virus-laden surfaces and then toughing your mouth or nose. (It is not transmitted from pigs to humans or from eating pork products.)
What are the symptoms? Similar to seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Prevention: Cover nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw tissue in the trash. Wash hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Stay home if sick and avoid contact with sick people.
Treatment: Flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

More information: www.doh.wa.gov or www.cdc.gov

Source: Washington State Department of Health

WNV is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although the risk of getting WNV is low, all residents in areas where the virus is active are at risk. Only a small number of people who become infected will develop any symptoms, usually 3 to 14 days after exposure. Persons over 50 years of age are more at risk for getting symptoms than children or pets. The median age of death is 78, so it is particularly important for older persons to take personal protective measures.

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce risk. The best way to minimize the threat of WNV is to control mosquito populations and prevent exposure to mosquitoes. To control the mosquito population, empty old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys and other containers around your home where water can accumulate and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Change water every week in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools and animal troughs. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito-infested areas. Consider using a mosquito repellant containing DEET. (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide). Other repellents registered with the EPA include Picaridin (KBR 3023) and Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant-based repellent. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

Measures can reduce the risk of exposure to mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus:

• Get rid of old tires and other containers around your home where water can accumulate and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Make sure the screens on all doors and windows are working properly.
• Schedule outdoor activities away from dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus; follow the directions on the container.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito infested areas.

You may report dead birds to the State Department of Health at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/WNV.html
Snohomish Health District is no longer collecting dead birds for WNV testing or collecting information about the birds. However, if three or more sick or dead birds are found at one time in one area, call the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife at 1.800.606.8768.

For more detailed information on West Nile Virus, including how to prevent it and what to do if you see a dead bird, please click on the link below. http://www.snohd.org/snoWNileVirus/index.htm

Additional Links:

• WADOH
• West Nile Virus Map