Mayor Ralph's Weekly Update

Happy Friday Kent,

It's market and outdoor dining season! This week's update is full of details on upcoming events hosted by the city and our partners that you have to check out.

I also have some important public health updates to share with you as well as some other general news and information. 

It's looking like we're going to have some sunny weather this weekend, so get out there, explore the city and enjoy everything that's going on as we rally and get together again as a community at these fun events.

Have a great weekend!

Dana Ralph, Mayor

Quick Updates

Just a reminder that our offices have reopened, including the first floor of Kent City Hall, the first floor of the Centennial Center, the Kent Senior Activity Center and the Kent Commons Community Center.

Kent's legacy of space exploration and innovation continued this week with Blue Origin's successful New Shepard launch, which is their first human flight to the edge of space!

Next Monday is the final day to register to vote online or by mail so that you can vote in the ongoing 2021 Primary Election! Make sure you're registered and ready at VoteWA.gov.

Kent City Council Recap

On Tuesday evening the Kent City Council met for their biweekly Council Workshop and Council meeting. Here's the recap!

• Sound Transit Update: Link Extension & Downtown Garage
  • Update from Sound Transit Liaison Kelly Peterson and Deputy Economic Community Development Director Matt Gilbert on Sound Transit projects.
• Public Records Requests 101 Briefing
  • Briefing on the public records request process from City Clerk Kim Komoto including Public Records Act guidance and staff responsibilities.

• Proclamation for National Night Out 2021
• Overview of Upcoming Community Events
• Public Safety Report from Chief Padilla
• Reports from Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer and Councilmembers
• Public Comment Period
• Approval of Consent Calendar Items

You can watch the recordings and view the full meeting agendas on our website.

Kent Vaccination Clinic

If you haven't heard, Kent's vaccination clinic has moved from the accesso ShoWare Center to the Kent Public Health Center at 25742 104th Avenue SE in Kent.

The clinic is open for vaccinations Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You do not need to be an enrolled patient at the Kent Public Health clinic to get vaccinated, and anyone 12 or older can get vaccinated for free, with no insurance or appointment needed, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Kent Health Fair

Latinos Promoting Good Health are partnering with the City of Kent, Kent YMCA and King County Public Health and others to host a free Kent Health Fair with information, health resources, and social services!

The health fair will be at the Kent YMCA at 10828 SE 248th St. on Saturday, August 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

There will be free health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, Diabetes, HIV and Hepatitis C. You can also schedule a free Mammogram and PAP screening at 1-800-756-5437. There will be dental services for adults, COVID-19 vaccines, childhood immunizations and health insurance enrollment assistance available as well.

To learn more, email LatinosPromotingGoodHealth@yahoo.com.

Police Legislation Update

During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Washington State Legislature enacted several bills related to law enforcement that will impact our police department. 

These bills go into effect this Sunday, July 25, so I wanted to share information about the changes so that you're aware and informed.

Our team put together a series of videos to explain how each bill will impact police services in our community, check them out on our city website.

Kent Summer Concert Series

Our Kent Summer Concerts have been going great! So awesome to see families out there enjoying the live music and fun.

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

Our Kent Summer 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. Seating will begin one hour prior to concert time, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for each show.

Check out the full line-up online!

Kent Station Night Farmers Market

We're partnering with Kent Station to host a night farmers market on Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through August 25! 

These are the same evenings as the summer concerts, so it's a perfect time and place to come and hang out and enjoy an evening with friends or family. 

If you follow us on social media, you may have even seen the short Kentertainment video we posted that shows it off. Our team had lots of fun putting it together.

I've personally been able to stop by the market twice now and the turnout has been spectacular! It felt like there were hundreds of people walking around enjoying the market, live music and shops and eateries, so definitely stop by next week! 

You can learn more at the Kent Station website.

Kent Downtown Open Air Dining

The Kent Downtown Partnership presents is continuing to put on Inside OUT, their series of open air dining and  marketplace through the Summer.

These events are a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather while having a great meal with friends or family. I have already been to a few and it just feels so great to see our city coming back to life while enjoying our local eateries.

• Inside OUT Open Air Dining and Market
  • Every Saturday from July 10 to August 28, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Night Market
  • Friday, July 23, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 14, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Visit the Kent Downtown Partnership website for more details.

East Hill Farmers Market

The East Hill Farmers Market sponsored by Living Well Kent is returning tomorrow, July 24 at Morrill Meadows Park from 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m.!

They have a great selection of fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce! All of their products are also grown by immigrant and BIPOC residents who are learning to be successful farmers in the Western Washington climate. 

I had the opportunity to swing by last time and it was so great to talk to these resilient farmers, hear their stories and take home some fresh produce.

As a reminder, their market does accept SNAP/EBT, SNAP Market Match and WIC.

2021 National Night Out Against Crime

National Night Out is coming up quick and I can't wait to ride around the city visiting some of the neighborhood-hosted community events!

If you haven't participated in it before or don't know what it is, National Night Out is our annual community-building campaign that promotes police and community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

On the first Tuesday of August (the 3rd this year), residents in neighborhoods all around the city and across the nation host neighborhood events and spend the evening outside with their local community.

We'll be all around the city at different neighborhood events hanging out, answering questions and just chatting, so I hope to see you there!

If you aren't sure if your neighborhood has someone hosting an event, check-in and see, because you won't want to miss this.

Kent Museum Grand Re-Opening

The Greater Kent Historical Society's Museum grand re-opening celebration is finally coming up next Friday.

Head over to check out a live carving from a cedar log, a native basket weaving demonstration, a 1955 Soap Box Derby car exhibit, the Blue Star Memorial honoring our veterans, Another Time,  Another Place acknowledging the Japanese American community and a hops garden growing from historic strains.

You'll also be able to enjoy an ice cream sundae as you stroll over to the museum grounds! This will be an exciting afternoon celebrating our City's rich and vibrant history and I can't wait to be there.

The grand re-opening will run from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Kent Museum, which is located at 855 East Smith Street.

Food Truck Frenzy

Seniors! Head over to the Senior Activity Center on Thursday, August 5 for food and fun!

The Food Truck Frenzy event will run from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and feature food selections from four trucks including hot dogs, tacos, mini donuts and ice cream. 

Tickets are required and may be purchased for $5 each. Ticketholders will receive one (1) item from each of the four food trucks along with a goodie bag! Plan to bring your lawn chair and enjoy your plate while hanging outside at the Senior Center.

To purchase your ticket, call the Senior Center directly at (253) 856-5150.

This outreach event is supported by the King County VSHS Levy.
Please Note: This event is for individuals age 50 and older only. 

Cruisin' Kent Car Show

The Cruisin' Kent Car Show is coming back to Kent on Saturday, August 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. over at Kent Station!

There will be vendor booths, live music with a dj booth, souvenirs, prizes and lots mote. 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!

Washington Paintcare Program

You can now recycle your unwanted latex and oil-based paint here in Kent at these locations thanks to the Washington Paintcare program!

• McLendon Hardware
• Miller Paint
• GreenSheen Paint

Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance

King County is starting the next round of the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP), which helps people experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and who are at risk of housing instability or homelessness.

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. They 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 on their website.