The Kenmore Top 4: October 4, 2024

Kenmore Adopts Human Services Needs Assessment and Seeks Advisory Group Members
On July 22, the City Council adopted a comprehensive Human Services Needs Assessment to tackle the growing housing and human services challenges in Kenmore. This assessment is a crucial part of Kenmore’s mission to meet community needs fairly and effectively, and it’s all about building a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.

The assessment highlights what’s working, what’s missing, and where to focus efforts. In light of these findings, Kenmore is forming a short-term Human Services Advisory Group to shape Human Services related policies and initiatives.

The Advisory Group will be active from October 2024 to June 2025. Interested and qualified community members may apply via this online form prior to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 21. Community members may also be nominated for consideration by others, via an email to the Housing and Human Services Manager, Tambi Cork, at tcork@kenmorewa.gov. Selected members will be notified by October 25, 2024. Read the full press release.

Photo Enforcement Expansion Warning Period to Start November 2 
The City Council recently voted to expand the Kenmore Automated Photo Enforcement (KAPE) program, initially launched last year. This expansion introduces several key changes aimed at enhancing traffic safety.

Photo enforcement will now apply 24/7 in the Kenmore Elementary School Zone on 73rd Avenue and also the Arrowhead Elementary school zone on Juanita Drive. This means drivers can receive a ticket anytime they are exceeding the regular speed limit of 30 mph, even when school zones are inactive. The existing 20 mph limit will still be enforced when schools are in session. A warning period for the new enforcement measures will start on November 2. During this period, drivers exceeding the speed limit will receive warnings instead of fines. Fines for speeding violations in these school zones will begin on January 1, 2025.

The City Council also approved adding photo enforcement to the Inglemoor High School zone. This new enforcement location does not yet have a confirmed timeline, but a warning period is planned to begin in early 2025. Learn more at kenmorewa.gov/photoenforcement.

Purple Lights Spotlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Kenmore 
This week, the City Council proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Kenmore. Each October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month brings attention to domestic violence and ways people affected by domestic violence can increase and sustain safety for themselves, their children, and their communities. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, purple lights will shine on the dogwood trees in front of City Hall. Each year, neighbors show their support by replacing their porch lights with purple lights. The City of Kenmore is giving away a limited supply of purple lights. Stop by City Hall during regular business hours to pick yours up today. 

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.

The solar projects will generate an impressive 193 kW of power, amounting to approximately 352,225 kWh of energy each year. This means Kenmore will prevent around 147 metric tons of CO2 emissions—the equivalent to taking 35 cars off the road for a year or charging nearly 10 million smartphones! Kudos to Kenmore for taking big strides toward a sustainable future.