The City of Kenmore continues to make progress on SR 522 between 61st Ave NE and 65th Ave NE to improve traffic circulation, increase safety for drivers and pedestrians, and improve ADA accessibility. The project consists of widened travel lanes, new traffic signal at 61st, street illumination, raised center median, landscaping, underground utilities, storm water improvements and sidewalk on both sides of the street. The team will be working on the north side of SR 522 through September 2015 and will then flip to the south side once the north improvements are complete. Construction for the project began in April 2015 and is expected to continue through summer 2016.

For more detailed information on current construction projects and to sign up for email updates, see the City of Kenmore’s bi-monthly construction update.

Voice Your Concerns on Sound Transit Service in Kenmore

On Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m., the City will host a community meeting to discuss Sound Transit's future transportation projects. The event will take place at City Hall and include a presentation and discussion portion.

Kenmore residents are urged to either attend the event or voice their opinions with Sound Transit via mail, email or website.

Currently, Sound Transit has no plans to construct any transportation improvements along HWY 522 or anywhere else within our City. The City is concerned that without additional improvements to coincide with the new light rail transit station planned at NE 145th St and Interstate 5 in Shoreline, traffic will increase on HWY 522 and on NE 145th St, decreasing speed and reliability for those that rely on Interstate 5/Lake City Way for their commute.

Your voice and opinions are important and we hope everyone takes the opportunity to be heard on the issue of transportation. For more information on Sound Transit and their ST3 package, please visit www.soundtransit3.org.

Kenmore Library, Courtesy KCLS

Activities at the Kenmore Library

Visit the Kenmore Library for exciting classes and programs for all ages! Adults can learn about eBooks, receive one-on-one computer help and engage in lively discussions at a book group. There are opportunities for kids and families to watch a feature film together. Teens are able to enjoy an ice-cream social as they kick of the summer reading program. Children can watch a fun puppet show and learn about the heroes of electricity. There are even great options for toddlers! The library offers a fun and interactive story time, complete with singing. To learn more, visit the Kenmore Library online.

Rhododendron Park

Explore Rhododendron Park

Centrally located within the heart of Kenmore, Rhododendron Park features one of the largest public collections of hybrid rhododendrons in the Northwest. In addition to beautiful rhododendrons, the 13-acre park features two play areas, basketball court, picnic shelter, pedestrian access trails and walkways, large green space, and restroom facilities. The picnic shelter is available for rentals through the Kenmore Senior Center by calling 425-489-0707.

To learn more about the history of Rhododendron Park, check out this excellent article.

CITY STAFF PROFILE

Ryan Mumma inspecting a building in Kenmore

By Jenny Pazar

Name: Ryan Mumma

Title: Building Inspector/Plans Examiner

What He Does: Review plans to ensure design complies with applicable codes. Inspects and approves residential and commercial construction in Kenmore.
Time With City: 8 months
Fun Fact: His favorite three hobbies are fishing/hunting, shotgun trap shooting, and building & flying remote control helicopters.

We all spend time in buildings, whether at home, work or school. Being safe while inside a constructed building is something we often take for granted. Building inspectors help ensure this safety and I had the opportunity to experience the building inspection process first-hand.

With nearly two decades of experience, City of Kenmore’s Building Inspector/Plans Examiner Ryan Mumma can identify if a building is up to standards in just a few minutes. Using his laser pointer, he moves from room to room, examining the foundation, structure, plumbing, and fire safety and noting what he sees in a clear and confident manner. He not only values doing a thorough and complete job, he also deeply believes in doing so in a respectful way with minimal disruptions to those around him.

When asked what his biggest challenges are, Ryan explains that there is often disagreement on both interpretation and implementation of code requirements. “Sometimes it seems like an ‘us against them’ situation, but I always think of it as ‘we’. I’m not a dictator; I’m a second set of eyes. I’m a civil servant to ensure the safety of the people living here.”

Inspecting a building is an in-depth process and involves knowledge in areas such as engineering, construction, and even science as energy efficiency is an important component. Ryan finds the plumbing the most interesting part of the inspection as plumbing is something people usually don’t enjoy having problems with. Ryan follows specific codes for both residential and commercial properties and inspects every detail of the foundation and structure of a building, using the building’s blueprint as a guide. If something does not meet a code, he discusses it with the contractors, providing knowledge and suggestions on how to rework and fix an issue.

The work of a building inspector transcends time and Ryan knows the impact of that. He believes his greatest contribution to the public is overall safety and longevity of the structures he inspects. Ryan explains, “From a performance standpoint, I want to make sure it’s built to stand the test of time. I care about the end product and well-being of the building from a safety and investment standpoint. My biggest worry is that I might miss something and someone else pays the price either physically or economically.” Ryan’s self-awareness motivates him and each day he strives to contribute in a positive and meaningful way.

COMMUNITY / CO-CREATOR PROFILE

Nikki Delgado at Bastyr Food and Herb Fair

By Brennan Jernigan

If you attended the fun and inspiring “For the Love of Kenmore” community event in April, you probably saw some nifty event flyers and banners. You can thank Nikki Delgado for designing and creating them.

Nikki is a 17-year old junior at Inglemoor High School and currently lives in Bothell, although very close to the Kenmore border. An avid volunteer, Nikki became involved with the city of Kenmore in December 2014, after meeting city staff members Cindy Shelton and Leslie Harris at a city-sponsored event.

Her time in Key Club at IHS inspired her love for volunteering and she is now the volunteer Events Marketing and Sponsorship Intern for the city of Kenmore. In her role, Nikki helps recruit sponsors, draft sponsor agreements, make flyers and banners for marketing events, and drafts news articles for events.

Her favorite part of the internship is meeting new people, learning about Kenmore and about how city government works. “I love the community feel here in Kenmore. Log Boom Park is gorgeous, with its beautiful walking trails. The 4th of July fireworks event is amazing there,” describes Nikki. When asked what she hopes Kenmore looks like in the future, Nikki exclaims, “I hope people of all ages, teenagers and families, will attend community events.”

Nikki was able to attend one of Peter Kageyama’s meetings leading up to the “For the Love of Kenmore” community engagement workshop. Her favorite part of the discussion was the emphasis on beautifying the community. She does this in her own way too—Nikki loves music and can play five different instruments. In addition to Key Club and the city, Nikki also volunteers at Evergreen Health.

After high school, Nikki plans to go to college and then medical school to become a doctor. She strives to have a positive impact on the world around her, hoping to eventually use her medical training to help people in developing countries in Africa.

With her passion for volunteering, helping others, and her motivation to get involved, Nikki is an irreplaceable addition to the Kenmore community.

STAY CONNECTED:

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences | Delete Profile | Help