 
Kenmore Oktoberfest kicks off today and the community is buzzing in anticipation of the weekend fun! Kenmore Oktoberfest runs from September 19 - 22 and features great food and beverages, live music, and festivities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night on Brew Row, the Fly Away 5k on Saturday morning, wiener dog races and games at Saint Edward State Park on Saturday afternoon, and a fall market with a root beer garden, kids activities, and live music in Town Square on Sunday. Pick up an event passport now (at City Hall or any participating businesses) to map your adventure through Kenmore's first Oktoberfest!
At the September 16 meeting, the Kenmore City Council voted to adopt a resolution declaring a climate emergency. The resolution reaffirms the City’s commitment to implementing the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and advancing its emissions reduction goals. The City Council recently determined climate action to be the number one City Council priority in 2025, presenting a timely opportunity for the resolution.
The declaration acknowledges the threat that climate change poses to residents’ health and well-being, both presently and in the future. It recognizes the need for localized action beyond state and federal measures. Lastly, it reiterates the urgency and importance of sustained efforts to combat the impacts of climate change on communities.
Planning is Underway for the City's 2025-2026 Budget
The City’s next two-year draft budget is soon to be released for City Council consideration. With more than $20 million in operating revenues and expenses per year, the City’s budget pays for things like police protection, streets and traffic safety, parks, flood prevention, stream and lake pollution prevention, and much more. Here are some dates to watch for and participate:
-
October 7: The 2025-2026 Biennium Budget will be presented to the Kenmore City Council.
-
October - November: Budget presentations and public hearings will be held on most Monday City Council meetings at 7 p.m.
-
Late November – Early December: City Council will adopt the 2025-2026 two-year budget and the 2025 regular and excess (Walkways & Waterways bond) property tax levies.
|
Traffic Photo Enforcement Expansion
Given the remarkable impact from the two established photo-enforced school zones (Arrowhead and Kenmore Elementaries), the City Council has decided to expand the Kenmore Automated Photo Enforcement (KAPE) program that was first launched last year. At the September 16 meeting, the City Council approved items related to KAPE program changes and expansion, including:
- Extending photo enforcement to cover the regular speed limit (30 mph) in KAPE school zones 24/7, even when the school zone is not active. The 20 mph limit will still be enforced when the school zone is active.
- Implementing photo enforcement in the Inglemoor High School zone, where excessive speeding remains a problem despite the establishment of the existing school zone.
- Incrementally increasing the photo enforcement fines over time to offset growing program costs, allowing the City to fund other traffic safety improvements and activities.
The KAPE program has exceeded expectations in improving safety for the neighborhoods served by the cameras. In the school zones of Kenmore Elementary and Arrowhead Elementary, the number of speeding drivers during school zone hours has plummeted from over 95% to just 1.5%. Average speeds during school zone hours have dropped from over 30 mph to much closer to 20 mph.
These proposed program changes are also consistent with recommendations made by the Financial Sustainability Task Force earlier this year. Find updates and learn more at kenmorewa.gov/photoenforcement.
|
You're invited to a free introductory seminar all about residential heat pumps, how they can lower your carbon footprint, and why they might be a perfect fit for your home on September 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Kenmore City Hall. The seminar will cover available heat pump rebates, choosing installers, heat pump maintenance, and more. A Q & A session will follow the presentation, and a handy take-home checklist will be available. Want to learn more? Check out resources at: kenmorewa.gov/CAP.
The City of Kenmore will host its annual park beautification and volunteer event, Jack V. Crawford “Courtesy is Contagious in Kenmore” Day, on Saturday, October 19. Volunteers are needed to help with mulching, removing invasive plants, etc. Tools, drinks, and snacks will be provided.
Mayor Jack Crawford served as Kenmore’s first mayor from the City’s incorporation in August 1998 through 1999 and served on City Council until December 2005. In 2009, City Council proclaimed Jack V. Crawford “Courtesy is Contagious in Kenmore” Day to honor his leadership, graciousness, and generosity of spirit.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, October 19
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Log Boom Park
RSVP: By using the Volunteer Intake Form (click link & select Jack Crawford Day) or email volunteer@kenmorewa.gov.
Congratulations to The Lodge at St. Edward Park for their recent MICHELIN Guide Key award. They are one of only three hotels in Washington to receive this prestigious award. This renowned hotel and property is a historic gem in Kenmore's verdant Saint Edward State Park. The Lodge offers luxury amenities, fine dining, and events for all, including Kenmore Oktoberfest festivities this weekend; a special Stein and Stay room package and the beloved wiener dog races on the lawn on Saturday, September 21.
In August, Connections Health Solutions announced the opening of Connections Kirkland, King County’s first-of-its-kind, multi-service behavioral health crisis response center. The center will provide a range of services including walk-in urgent care and short-term stabilization for individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use emergencies. The center has capacity to care for upwards of 14,000 individuals annually and is open to all who need emergency behavioral health support services, regardless of insurance status.
The center is the culmination of years of work by the cities of Kenmore, Bothell, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline who came together to to bring accessible, immediate behavioral health crisis care to the community.
At the meeting on Monday, the City Council will proclaim September 23-29, 2024 to be National Diaper Need Awareness Week throughout the City of Kenmore. To recognize this community need, The City is hosting a diaper drive during the week. Community members can drop off diapers anytime during regular business hours at City Hall and they will be delivered to KidVantage. Please note: There is a need for larger diaper sizes (size 5, 6, 7 and overnight diapers in bigger kids sizes, medium - large).
The City thanks the diaper banks, their staff, volunteers and donors, for their courageous service during the crisis, and encourage the residents of Kenmore to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and support those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to families struggling with diaper need, so that all of Kenmore children and families can thrive and reach their full potential. .
The City of Kenmore will be hosting an Adult Mental Health First Aid training on October 4 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kenmore City Hall. Funded by King County MIDD Behavioral Health sales tax-supporting Behavioral Health and Recovery, in partnership with Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care, this training teaches adults to identify mental health and substance use symptoms, provide initial support, and connect adults to community resources. The training will be in-person at Kenmore City Hall in the Council Chambers and is free to any King County resident. Register here by September 27th.
Visit the City calendar to see more events here.
|
