News

The 2023 Renton Regional Fire Authority (Renton RFA) Governance Board was sworn in last month during its first meeting of the year at Renton Fire Station 13. The Board includes two new members who replaced Councilmember Ryan McIrvin from the City of Renton and retired Fire Commissioner Myron Meikle from King County Fire District 25. The new members joining the Board this year are Renton City Councilmember James Alberson, Jr. and King County Fire District 25 Fire Commissioner Sean Cook. Renton RFA is excited about these new additions to the Board and the unique expertise they will bring to the organization while representing their respective communities. Renton City Councilmember and Renton RFA Governance Board Member Valerie O’Halloran was named Board Chair of the Renton RFA Governance Board during this morning’s events. King County Fire District 25 Fire Commissioner and Renton RFA Governance Board Member Kerry Abercrombie was named Vice Chair. Also returning to the Renton RFA Governance Board this year are Renton City Councilmember Ruth Pérez and King County Fire District 25 Fire Commissioner Marcus Morrell. Representing King County Fire District 40 today was Fire Commissioner Linda Sartnurak. The Renton RFA Governance Board will continue to fulfill its role of providing expert fiscal oversight for Renton Regional Fire Authority. It will also continue its ongoing commitment to representing the communities of Renton, Fire District 25, and Fire District 40 to the best of its ability. Renton RFA is looking forward to working with the newly appointed Board to continue to meet and exceed the expectations of community members throughout their jurisdiction in the coming year and beyond. Together the board works to ensure that these communities thrive and will work toward the Renton RFA vision of a safer, healthier, and stronger community – always.

At the regular Monday meeting on Nov. 21, the Renton City Council unanimously elected Councilmember Valerie O’Halloran as city council president for 2023. The councilmembers also unanimously elected Ed Prince as council president pro-tem. As council president, Councilmember O’Halloran will set the agendas and conduct the Committee of the Whole meetings that precede the full city council meetings. The president pro-tem runs the meeting in the president’s absence. Councilmember O’Halloran is in her first term on the council and currently serves as chair of the Finance Committee. Earlier this year, she earned the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership for completing more than 60 hours of training and demonstrated local community service. She also serves on the Renton Regional Fire Authority Governance Board, Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee, King County Flood District Advisory Committee, the I-405/I-167 Executive Advisory Group and WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council. Councilmember O’Halloran will take over the president’s duties from Councilmember Ryan McIrvin. Both she and Councilmember Prince begin serving their new roles in January.

City of Renton Councilmember Valerie O’Halloran has earned an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities. The award was presented by Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone at Sept. 19 Renton City Council meeting. “My congratulations to Councilmember O’Halloran for earning her advanced certification,” said Mayor Pavone on Sept. 19. “This achievement reflects her strong desire to serve our residents as she goes beyond her normal councilmember duties.” Councilmember O’Halloran is in her first term on the city council, winning the election in November 2019. “When I was elected, I made it a goal to learn what it means to be a city council member,” said Councilmember O’Halloran. “More specifically, to learn what it takes to be an effective council member. This Advanced Certification is a product of my commitment to serve the Renton community as best I can. I thank you for trusting me to do the people’s work.” She chairs the Finance Committee, is vice-chair of the Community Services Committee and is a member of the Utility Committee. She also serves on the Renton Regional Fire Authority Governance Board, Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee, King County Flood District Advisory Committee, the I-405/I-167 Executive Advisory Group, and WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council. She joins fellow Councilmember Ruth Pérez in earning this Advanced distinction. AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officiants for accomplishing training in five core areas that include: – Roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements – Public sector resource management – Community planning and development – Effective local leadership – Diversity, equity, and inclusion “Being a city leader in Washington is a complex job,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “Through our Advanced CML program, we are providing our elected officials with the knowledge they need to operate effectively within the law, plan, secure and manage funds, foster strong relationships, and work to build more equitable communities.” To earn the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, Councilmember O’Halloran completed more than 60 hours of training and demonstrated local community service. She earned her Certificate of Municipal Leadership during the pandemic in 2020.