SNOQUALMIE – City leaders learned Monday night that Snoqualmie will most likely be represented by a different Metropolitan King County Council member, if either one of two options proposed by the county’s redistricting committee – or a combination of them – is approved.

Those options for redistricting, called “H” and “I,” both move Snoqualmie and North Bend into District 3, which is represented by Councilwoman Louise Miller.

“Either one of the options that we think will be approved takes us out of the district we’re now in,” said City Administrator Gary Armstrong at this week’s City Council meeting.

“I guess what it’s saying is, either way, we’re moving.”

The county is undertaking the redistricting process because of population shifts detailed in the 2000 Census. District 12, which presently includes Snoqualmie, North Bend, Issaquah, Sammamish and part of Maple Valley, grew at a faster rate than other County Council districts.

In an earlier interview, Councilman David Irons said District 12 needs to lose 14,000 people to bring it in line with the 133,618 constituents that each district should contain, based on the 2000 Census.

Both options, H and I, would move the Upper Valley into District 3, but there are differences between the proposals. Option H includes all of Woodinville in District 3, while option I leaves out Woodinville and includes a large area of land south of Snoqualmie and North Bend, giving the district horseshoe shape.

“In some ways, it may be to our advantage to be in [District 3],” Armstrong said, citing the similarities between Snoqualmie and North Bend and Lower Valley cities, which are already part of the district.

Councilman Frank Lonergan pointed out that if Snoqualmie does become part of District 3, local residents won’t be able to elect their County Council representative. Miller is not seeking re-election, and voters will decide Nov. 6 whether Republican Kathy Lambert or Democrat Kristy Sullivan should take her place. The redistricting proposal will take effect next year.

Another issue is that the city of Seattle could gain more clout on the County Council.

“That’s the big deal. How many districts does Seattle get out of this?” said Snoqualmie Mayor Fuzzy Fletcher.

According to the redistricting committee’s Web site, www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/redistricting/index.htm, the final proposal would probably combine elements of options H and I. Armstrong encouraged council members to submit their comments on the options.

Also at the meeting, Parks Superintendent Jeff Mumma said the city is still working with its architect on a proposal to build a combined community center and pool on Snoqualmie Ridge. And Public Works Director Kirk Holmes said in light of what’s been happening across the United States, his department is installing alarm devices on hatches to city water tanks to prevent any attempts to pollute the water supply.

Capt. Jim Schaffer of the Snoqualmie Department of Public Safety-Police Division said the city has protocols in place on how to handle mail suspected of being contaminated with anthrax, as well as the necessary equipment for handling the mail.

“We’re trying to keep it from being a citywide letter-opening service,” he said. But, he added, “We’ll respond to any situation or any concern that a resident might have.”

Those options for redistricting, called “H” and “I,” both move Snoqualmie and North Bend into District 3, which is represented by Councilwoman Louise Miller.

“Either one of the options that we think will be approved takes us out of the district we’re now in,” said City Administrator Gary Armstrong at this week’s City Council meeting.

“I guess what it’s saying is, either way, we’re moving.”

The county is undertaking the redistricting process because of population shifts detailed in the 2000 Census. District 12, which presently includes Snoqualmie, North Bend, Issaquah, Sammamish and part of Maple Valley, grew at a faster rate than other County Council districts.

In an earlier interview, Councilman David Irons said District 12 needs to lose 14,000 people to bring it in line with the 133,618 constituents that each district should contain, based on the 2000 Census.

Both options, H and I, would move the Upper Valley into District 3, but there are differences between the proposals. Option H includes all of Woodinville in District 3, while option I leaves out Woodinville and includes a large area of land south of Snoqualmie and North Bend, giving the district horseshoe shape.

“In some ways, it may be to our advantage to be in [District 3],” Armstrong said, citing the similarities between Snoqualmie and North Bend and Lower Valley cities, which are already part of the district.

Councilman Frank Lonergan pointed out that if Snoqualmie does become part of District 3, local residents won’t be able to elect their County Council representative. Miller is not seeking re-election, and voters will decide Nov. 6 whether Republican Kathy Lambert or Democrat Kristy Sullivan should take her place. The redistricting proposal will take effect next year.

Another issue is that the city of Seattle could gain more clout on the County Council.

“That’s the big deal. How many districts does Seattle get out of this?” said Snoqualmie Mayor Fuzzy Fletcher.

According to the redistricting committee’s Web site, www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/redistricting/index.htm, the final proposal would probably combine elements of options H and I. Armstrong encouraged council members to submit their comments on the options.

Also at the meeting, Parks Superintendent Jeff Mumma said the city is still working with its architect on a proposal to build a combined community center and pool on Snoqualmie Ridge. And Public Works Director Kirk Holmes said in light of what’s been happening across the United States, his department is installing alarm devices on hatches to city water tanks to prevent any attempts to pollute the water supply.

Capt. Jim Schaffer of the Snoqualmie Department of Public Safety-Police Division said the city has protocols in place on how to handle mail suspected of being contaminated with anthrax, as well as the necessary equipment for handling the mail.

“We’re trying to keep it from being a citywide letter-opening service,” he said. But, he added, “We’ll respond to any situation or any concern that a resident might have.”