The Kenmore Top 4: June 24, 2022

At its June 21 meeting, the Kenmore City Council approved a partnership with Plymouth Housing Group as well as the use of $3.2 million of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to build an affordable housing development in downtown Kenmore at 6532 Bothell Way NE. The development will include 100 units, a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments, to serve residents at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI). Read the full press release here.

This week, Kenmore City Council had the first reading of a 6% cable TV utility tax that is being considered. In 2020, Kenmore City Council adopted the Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP), which was developed by a task force of community members to balance the City's budget through 2028. the FSP resulted in a combination of reductions in expenditures and new revenues to ensure the City maintains healthy fund balances. The plan calls for one of those new revenues, a new cable TV utility tax of 6%, to begin in the second half of 2022. Adoption of the cable TV utility tax is scheduled for the July 11 City Council meeting.

Congratulations to Kenmore's new Youth Poet Laureate, Luke Burns, and Youth Poet of Distinction, Sophie-Lorraine Smith, who were honored at this week's City Council meeting. Last spring, Arts of Kenmore held a competition open to all 11th graders to find a Poet Laureate and Poet of Distinction to represent the community of Kenmore with a year of service; expanding the reach and platform of youth poetry and engaging peers around an issue that is significant to them. The poets will also have the opportunity to publish a selection of their original works. 

Upcoming 4th of July holiday safety reminder: Personal fireworks are banned in Kenmore city limits per Kenmore municipal code 8.10. Firework offenses are misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine. Remember, there will be a community fireworks show happening on August 11 as part of the West Sammamish River Bridge Opening Celebration. Please stay safe this 4th of July!