Mayor Ralph's Weekly Update

Happy Friday Kent,

It was a busy week at city hall as we continued to work on our spending priorities for the ~$28.2 million the city is receiving from the federal government in American Rescue Plan Act funding.

We'll be allocating that funding during our Fall budget process and we want to hear your thoughts on how we're spending it.

You can read more about how to provide your input below along with details on some great events coming up that you won't want to miss! I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy this week's updates.

Dana Ralph, Mayor

Quick Updates

On Tuesday I was joined by Council President Troutner, Councilmember Michaud and local business owners to meet with Congressman Adam Smith. We had a great conversation about Kent's economic recovery and how we can continue to come together, unify and serve Kent residents.

We're getting very close to reaching our goal of having 70% of all residents age 16 and older being fully vaccinated in King County! We're at about 66% and are making great progress. Keep it up.

Living Well Kent Farmer's Market

Living Well Kent is kicking off their annual farmers market tomorrow, June 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Morill Meadows Park!

They're taking place every first and third Saturday of the month through September 18, so be sure to drop by for some fresh, healthy, locally grown and culturally relevant food and artisan crafts.

These events are open to the public, and they do accept food access and nutrition incentives including SNAP/EBT.

Farmers Markets are a direct way of rebuilding local food production, celebrating our roots and bringing us together while maintaining the ingredients and social relationships which directly fuel our community.

They provide accessible and affordable nourishment, while keeping our farmers and artisans going. And environmentally, the small-scale farms responsible for local foods have a significant impact on the restoration of our soil and air quality.

City Council Update

The Kent City Council met this Tuesday for their biweekly Committee of the Whole meeting. Here's what was on the agenda.

• Authorization of Contract Awards, Leases & Grants
  • Contract Award for Website Redesign, Sublease of Perkins Site, Grant Acceptance for Meet Me on Meeker 64th Ave Intersection.
• Resolution Adopting 2022-2027 Transportation Improvement Program
  • Overview of future and current projects, performance measures, adoption timeline.
• Staff Update on Transit-Oriented Development
  • Development that integrates transit and land use, supports transit ridership and local planning.
• Staff Update on Naden Property
  • Continuing to pursue opportunities to develop downtown commercial property.
• Recommendations from ARPA Committee on Allocating COVID-19 funds
  • Proposal to invest $28.2 million in backfilling revenue, economic development, human services & equity programs, infrastructure.
• Information on Boards & Commissions Ordinance
  • Continued review of ordinance to clarify general terms and conditions, roles, duties and requirements.

To see past meeting agendas or watch the live recording, go to our website.

American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Tuesday evening the Kent City Council discussed our American Rescue Plan Act spending priorities during our Committee of the Whole meeting.

Council formed an ad-hoc committee in April to determine how we would allocate the ~$28.2 million the City of Kent is receiving in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

The committee consists of myself, our Chief Administrative Officer Derek Matheson, Finance Director Paula Painter, Councilmember Kaur and Councilmember Boyce

As it stands, we've identified four spending categories to invest this funding into to address the economic impacts of COVID-19. This funding will be allocated during our Fall budget process, and we'd like your feedback on our recommendations.

You can provide your input by emailing comments to CityCouncil@KentWA.gov or by contacting the City Clerk at 253-856-5725 or CityClerk@KentWA.gov to testify during the public comment period of our next meeting.

Drive-By Donation Drive

Kent Station will be hosting a food donation drive supporting the Kent Food Bank and the Covington Storehouse next Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Come on down to Johnny Rockets at Kent Station to drop off donations that will be distributed to local groups in need. Just drive up, pop your trunk and volunteers will unload it all for you.

Senior Activity Center Summer Kick-Off

Are you 50 years or older? We want to see you at the Senior Activity Center on June 24 for a free Summer kick-off event!

This event will be drive-thru style and will run from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Come say hello to our Kent Parks staff, grab some free summer goodies, and enjoy a free hot dog meal.

Hot dog meals will be provided by Big Dog's food truck and will include one classic hot dog, one bag of chips, and one water bottle.

Pre-registration and tickets are required. Call the Senior Center at (253) 856-5150 to reserve your spot!

Kent Cornucopia Days 5K

The Kent Parks Cornucopia Days 5k is returning this year July 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Three Friends Fishing Hole!

Registration is now open and costs $15, or $30 with a shirt. The deadline to register and receive a shirt is June 11 - don't miss out! Participants age 60 and over run for free, courtesy of Kent Bowl!

Register for the Kent Cornucopia Days 5k on RunSignUp.com today and check out the Kent Cornucopia Days 5k webpage for more information and details about what race day will look like this year.

Parking will be available at Columbia Distributing, directly next to Three Friends Fishing Hole. 

2021 Kent Summer Concerts

Have you heard? Kent Summer Concerts, our free outdoor concert series, is returning this year!

With everything from country and rock rhythms to R&B and music for kids, this year’s concerts offer something for everyone.

Kent Summer Concerts are presented by Kent Parks, the City of Kent, and Kent Station. We can't wait to kick off this rockin' summer series!

Concerts are offered Wednesday afternoons at Morrill Meadows Park (new location for 2021), Wednesday evenings at Kent Station, and Thursday evenings at Lake Meridian Park.

Current COVID-19 guidelines will apply, including masks and social distancing requirements. Seating will be limited and released on a first-come, first-served basis for each show. Seating will begin one hour prior to concert time.

Cruisin' Kent Car Show

The Cruisin' Kent Car Show is returning this Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kent Station!

There will be vendor booths, live music and a dj booth, souvenirs, prizes and more! Sponsor show cars will be on Ramsay Way and all other cars will be in the lot behind MOD Pizza. 

After the car show, the Relay for Life Ceremony and Celebration benefitting the American Cancer Society will begin in the plaza at 2:00 p.m. and go until 3:00 p.m.

Get more details online at the Kent Station website. This is going to be a great and super fun event, can't wait to be there!

FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

If you're eligible, you can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit or by calling 833-511-0311.

Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance

More rent help is here!

King County's Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP) is one of the ways King County is helping residents facing financial hardship and housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with community-based organizations, King County will be distributing federal funds for need-based rental assistance to tenants in the county.

This grant is intended to prevent evictions by paying past due and future rent. We will distribute funds equitably and will target limited resources to those with the greatest needs.

An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household where at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

• Residence within the King County geographical area
• A lease; or proof of regular recurring rent payments
• Household income at or below 50% of Area Median Income; households can use 2020 income or current income to prove eligibility

Learn more and sign up on their website!

PSE Bill Assistance Program

If you haven't heard, Puget Sound Energy is making an additional $27.7 million in bill payment assistance available through its COVID Bill Assistance Program!

To qualify, customers’ net household monthly income must fall at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and have a past due balance. Customers can receive up to $2,500 per program year in additional bill assistance.

Customers who received energy assistance in the past may automatically receive a grant to forgive past balances due, up to the $2,500 annual limit.

For more information, please visit pse.com/covidhelp.