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A MOTION proposing an honorary road name designation in recognition of Mukai Farm & Garden.
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WHEREAS, the council, by motion, may propose an honorary road name designation, consistent with K.C.C. 16.08.060, and
WHEREAS, the Mukai Farm & Garden is one of the only extant examples of a pre-World War Two Japanese American farmstead in America, and
WHEREAS, before World War Two, the Mukai Farm & Garden was one of the largest strawberry farms in America, and
WHEREAS, the farmstead was once a hub of Japanese American social and cultural life on Vashon Island, and
WHEREAS, the Mukai Agricultural Complex was designated a King County Landmark in 1993, and
WHEREAS, its garden, designed by Kuni Mukai in 1932, is the first Japanese-inspired stroll garden in the United States designed by an Issei woman, and
WHEREAS, Kuni's Garden received the 2020 John Spellman award for garden restoration, and
WHEREAS, the Mukai Cold Process Barreling Plans played a significant role in developing innovative processing and canning practices that helped revolutionize the fruit business in the United States, and
WHEREAS, the Mukai Farm & Garden symbolizes the vibrant role of Japanese Americans in Vashon's pre-World War Two agricultural economy, and
WHEREAS, the Mukai Farm & Garden continues to educate and engage the people of King County about Asian American history and cultures;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The council proposes that the section of 107th Avenue SW from SW Bank Rd south to terminus of the road be given the honorary road name designation "Mukai Way" to honor the contributions of the Mukai family and the broader Japanese American immigrant community to 20th-century agriculture, business and community life on Vashon Island.
B. In accordance with K.C.C. 16.08.060.C.5., the road services division is directed to prepare a list of the names and addresses of all affected property owners on 107th Avenue SW from SW Bank Rd south to terminus of the road. The list shall be sent electronically to the clerk of the council no later than April 20, 2021, who shall provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff, the policy staff director and the lead staff of the local services committee, or its successor.
C. Within ten days of receipt of the list of affected property owners, from the road services division, the clerk of the council shall mail to each affected property owner a copy of this motion and a notice advising the affected property owners that the council may introduce an ordinance to make the honorary road name designation. The notice shall inform the affected property owners that the proposed honorary name designation will not replace the legal name of the street or change their addresses, and that the costs associated with installing and maintaining the honorary road name designation signage shall be borne by the road services division or its successor. The notice shall provide that members of the public may submit comments on the proposed honorary name designation to the clerk of the council no later than May 30, 2021, and shall include both email and regular postal mail addresses to which comments may be submitted. The clerk of the council shall retain any submitted comments and provide, by June 11, 2021, copies
of submitted comments to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff, the policy staff director and the lead staff for the local services committee, or its successor.