Kenmore construction projects are being affected by the ongoing concrete workers strike in King County. The strike, which began on December 3, 2021, involves over 300 concrete mixers and drivers who have joined to strike against six of the largest cement suppliers in the region. As a result of the strike, concrete is not available in King County and major infrastructure projects in the region are being significantly impacted, including some of the projects currently in progress in Kenmore:
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West Sammamish River Bridge
The concrete strike is affecting the construction schedule for the Bridge project, which could create significant cost increases in the future. City staff and the project contractor are currently working to find ways to combat these impacts and workaround the schedule impacts due to the strike.
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Juanita Drive
The schedule for this project has been impacted by approximately 2 ½ months and counting, due to the concrete labor strike. The contractor will be granted an extension of time for the days lost due to the strike. Preparation work continues with grading and forming for curbs and sidewalk when concrete becomes available.
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68th Avenue
The 68th Avenue project contractor is based in Snohomish County and contracted with a concrete material supplier from Snohomish County, therefore the project has been relatively unaffected by the King County strike to date.
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Log Boom Park Waterfront
While the contractor has gone to lengths to keep the project schedule moving, including pouring concrete at late hours in the day when delivery was available and procuring concrete from Snohomish County, the strike has impacted work on the main ADA pathway to the boat rental building, and the picnic shelter. The contractor has been granted a suspension of the contract and extension of time for days lost due to the strike and other material delays. Work is currently suspended and will resume later this spring when materials are available.
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Waterfront & Natural Open Space Access at Squire’s Landing Park (renamed ƛ' a Xw a d i s)
Currently, there has been no impact to the project schedule because the contractor has focused on other work. Delays may be anticipated later this spring/summer if the strike continues.
With timing delays, rising costs, and a major backlog of orders to be filled regionally, concrete supply is expected to remain difficult to procure for weeks after the strike ends.
 Automated Photo Enforcement Coming to Kenmore at One Traffic Signal and Two School Zones
Last week, Kenmore City Council voted in favor of adopting the ordinance and municipal code changes allowing automated photo enforcement in Kenmore. Three locations are planned for photo enforcement, including 61st Ave and Bothell Way for red-light enforcement, and the Arrowhead Elementary school zone on Juanita Drive and the Kenmore Elementary school zone on 73rd Ave for school zone speeding enforcement.
Photo enforcement for school zones is expected to begin later this spring with a lengthy warning-only period. Notices of infraction, including fines, will begin shortly after the start of the fall school term. Revenue from fines issued by the program will support the City’s pavement preservation and traffic safety programs. This approach ensures road upkeep costs are shared with drivers who travel through Kenmore, not just Kenmore residents.
The Kenmore Automated Photo Enforcement webpage is a great resource to read FAQs about the program and learn more.
American Rescue Plan Act Updates
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Do you live in Kenmore? Has the pandemic made things hard for you and your family? Is your combined family income less than our area’s average income? You may qualify for direct cash assistance. But hurry, the program ends this month! Applications are being accepted at https://kenmorecares.org |
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Kenmore City Council has allocated $75,000 in ARPA funds for Urgent Small Business Assistance Grants. This emergency grant assistance program is intended for businesses that own, rent or lease commercial space in the City of Kenmore and would provide one-time pandemic-recovery. Deadline for application submissions: 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2022. |
 Two Plans will Identify Pedestrian Needs and Upgrades in Kenmore
Over the last several years, the City has been working toward two important pedestrian network plans, the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition plan and the Pedestrian Facilities Plan (formally known as the Sidewalk Priority Plan). The ADA Transition plan looks at how accessible the City’s public sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalks are for pedestrians. Per federal requirements, this ADA Transition Plan will identify where and why sidewalk, curb ramps and crosswalks do not meet accessibility guidelines, will assess the cost to bring those locations into compliance with the guidelines, and will prioritize which locations get fixed first.
The Pedestrian Facilities Plan (PFP) will help the City prioritize where we build new pedestrian facilities within the city. The PFP is guided by transportation element of Comprehensive Plan where sites are evaluated, and new projects are created.
On March 14, City Staff will be presenting preliminary findings with the City Council and discussing the priority criteria for new projects (the PFP) and replacement (ADA Transition Plan). You may share your comments at this or any council meeting or by emailing John Vicente, City Engineer at jvicente@kenmorewa.gov
 The City of Kenmore is hosting a pilot farmers market this summer! We are currently accepting applications for market vendors. We are recruiting: farmers/growers, processed food vendors, and prepared food vendors to sell at the market. Application deadline is Friday, April 15.
Questions? Email – farmersmarket@kenmorewa.gov.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our logo contest for a chance to be the face of the pilot farmers market! We received over 40 unique and creative logo entries for the contest. You can help us decide on the winning logo by casting your vote for the top contenders before 11:30pm tonight (March 10). The winner will be announced Friday, March 11! |
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With the cost of doing business rising faster than projected operating revenues, the City Council directed a Financial Sustainability Plan process in 2020. The City appointed a task force of Kenmore residents and conducted a community engagement process to create a plan for the City that would provide financial sustainability for the foreseeable horizon. Based on input from the community, the plan resulted in a combination of reductions in expenditures and new revenues to make sure the City maintains healthy fund balances. The steps to be taken in the adopted Financial Sustainability Plan are to be phased in over multiple years. The plan calls for one of those steps, a new Cable TV utility tax of 6%, to begin in the second half of this year. The City Council will likely consider this tax in the spring or early summer of this year.
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 75% of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed to them, often taken from a friend or family member. You can take the simple step of locking up all of your medications so that they cannot be easily accessed by others in your household. Get your FREE locking prescription drug bag at Kenmore City Hall. Come during business hours and the front desk receptionist will assist you. Quantities are limited, and are provided by our friends at the Washington State Healthcare Authority.
Have prescription drugs that you want to dispose of all together? That can be done using the drop box at Kenmore City Hall and at area pharmacies. For more info, visit: Unwanted medicine drop-off locations - MED-Project | Washington
 Daylight Savings Time March 13: Rest Up for Safety
On Sunday, March 13 our clocks will jump ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time (DST). Research shows roughly a 6% increase in fatal car crashes the week following DST due to drivers experiencing “mini-jetlag”. Drowsy driving is similar to drunk driving and impacts reaction times, attention, and judgement. Give yourself extra time this weekend to rest and ease into the time change. As a pedestrian/cyclist, always wear your reflective gear to help your visibility during these changing daylight hours. Be safe, Kenmore!
Kenmore City Hall is open weekdays 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm. Receptionists are available to answer phone calls weekdays 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm at 425-398-8900.
Visit the City Calendar to see more events here.
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Live theater is back in Kenmore! Kenmore's own As If Theatre Company presents THE CAKE, a touching comedy about baking, beliefs, and when to stop following the recipe. The show runs March 3 - 20 at the Kenmore Community Club. For tickets and info, visit asiftheatre.com. |
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Pot O'Gold Scavenger Hunt hosted by the Kenmore Heritage Society March 12 - 20!
Kids, teens, and adults will have a blast getting out into the fresh spring air to hunt for shamrocks with this new and interactive St. Patrick's QR Code Hunt that starts at Kenmore City Hall. |
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Happy Naw Ruz (new day)! Join us at the Kenmore Senior Center in Rhododendron Park on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 between 12pm - 3pm. Pasha Mohajerjasbi, Kenmore Program Supervisor, shares this ancient celebration, welcoming the return of spring. It includes special sweets, tea on the Samovar and some neighborly camaraderie. All are welcome! |
Si gusta communicarse con la ciudad de Kenmore o revisar un documento en otro idioma, envíe su solicitud con su información de contacto a cityhall@kenmorewa.gov o llame al 425-398-8900.
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