![hank drop box](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WAKENMORE/2024/10/10354211/5773564/ballot-box-with-hank_crop.jpg) City mascot Hank Heron lands near Kenmore's ballot drop box at City Hall.
Election Day is coming up on November 5! King County Elections will be hosting a vote center at Kenmore City Hall on November 2, 4, and 5. King County vote centers are available to register new voters, update current voter records, obtain a voter registration card and to provide assistance to voters who need help completing their ballot. Trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private, independent ballot.
Kenmore vote center hours of operation:
- November 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- November 4: 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- November 5: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
You can also return your ballot to the drop box at Kenmore City Hall on the west side of building (68th Avenue). Only open during election cycles, your ballot must be returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Plan ahead to avoid lines.
On October 7, the City Council was presented with the preliminary 2025-2026 Biennial Budget. The 239-page proposed budget is ambitious and full of meaningful and important work, including a plan for spending the remaining $2 million of the one-time “Special Projects” funding made possible by the pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act. On October 14, the City Council began a series of budget discussions that will continue on most Mondays through November, with a public hearing on November 18 and final adoption of the 2025-2026 budget expected on November 25. Visit kenmorewa.gov/budget to view what’s inside the proposed budget and to keep up on the latest budget updates.
We want to hear from you on the budget. Contact the City Council directly at ci_council@kenmorewa.gov or reach out to Finance Director Melinda Merrell at mmerrell@kenmorewa.gov.
Kenmore Deputy City Manager Stephanie Lucash Awarded National 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award
The City of Kenmore proudly announced that Deputy City Manager Stephanie Lucash has been recognized as the national 2024 Leadership Trailblazer Award winner. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon Lucash by the League of Women in Government (LWG) during the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, in September. The Leadership Trailblazer Award celebrates women who have made significant contributions to public service and demonstrated exemplary leadership in government.
Lucash has worked for the City of Kenmore since 2021, where she has been instrumental in spearheading key initiatives including the American Rescue Plan Act funding and COVID-19 response efforts, leading regional partnerships, building relationships with the local business community, and advocating for access to mental health services and affordable housing.
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Recently, Kenmore City Manager Rob Karlinsey shared a new "Hot Topics" update, keeping residents informed about important issues facing Kenmore. Check out his brief update to learn the latest on key topics including middle housing, the Imagine Housing proposal, Lakepointe, the 2025 - 2026 Biennial Budget, and the Financial Sustainability Plan. You're invited to hop on board and stay informed!
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.
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Did you know you have access to Geographic Information System (GIS) maps of Kenmore at your fingertips to help you find an array of information?
Kenmore's interactive GIS map provides users access to a wide variety of Kenmore data such as parcel boundaries and addresses, streams and wetlands, stormwater and drainage features, and land use and zoning layers. Here are a few tips for using the interactive GIS map:
- You can view city parcels with a street map or aerial background and turn on any off any layers in the legend.
- Some of the layers are grouped and need to be expanded by clicking the arrow to the left so you can see and turn on even more layers!
- If you want to, you can use the Draw tool located in the top right corner to highlight or add any features. You can add colored shapes, lines or points.
- Then, when its a beautiful work of art, you can use the Print tool which will create a PDF document of your map! These features are fun for making maps to hang on your fridge but are also helpful if you need to make a Site Plan for a permit application.
If you like this and you're interested in more city web maps, check out our GIS Hub online with other maps of Kenmore, such as parks, art installations, and more.
On October 12, the Kenmore Police had the pleasure of helping Special Olympics of Washington with the Northwest Regional Bowling competition at Kenmore Lanes. The event included opening ceremonies, and competitions to showcase the individual and team skills of the athletes and unified partners. Chief Moen and Officer Boyer were among the Officers honored to award medals to the athletes, guard the coveted Special Olympics torch, and join in the festivities.
Study Zone is a free volunteer tutoring program available at the Kenmore library every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Volunteer tutors provide homework help for grades K-12 and can also give language support for homework or translation in many languages. Students may drop in any time during and can look for volunteers wearing the Tutor t-shirt to get started.
Celebrate the spooky season and enjoy these upcoming community events:
Kenmore's inaugural Oktoberfest weekend in September was a buzzing success! Local businesses and organizations collaborated to launch this first-ever celebration, marking the beginning of a new tradition in our community. The City secured grant funds from the Port of Seattle to support and promote the event, providing a fantastic opportunity to highlight Kenmore’s local businesses and create lasting memories for both residents and visitors. Thank you to everyone who attended and see you next year!
Visit the City calendar to see more events here.
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