Mayor Ralph's Weekly Update

Happy Friday Kent,

Fall is in full swing and there's lots going on around the City of Kent! Check out this beautiful photo of the city we posted on our social media today.

Our city council had a busy week as our budget process continues and as we proceed with our new committee structure.

In this update I have details on some great seasonal events coming up that are fun for the whole family, as well as an opportunity to meet and engage with our police officers and some other important information.

I hope you enjoy the weekly update, fall colors and have a great weekend!

Dana Ralph, Mayor

I had the opportunity to drop the puck at the Seattle Kraken vs. Calgary Flames game that took place at the accesso ShoWare Center on Saturday! It was great to be back at the arena for the game and I'm really looking forward to more coming up. 🏒

On Tuesday morning we had our third Battle of the Badges food drive, this time at Grocery Outlet in Auburn! Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus and I participated as well as firefighters from Puget Sound Fire Authority. We took home the trophy for the most food collected, but again, the real winners are the families this food will be going to.

I wanted to give a shout-out to the Smash it Sports/Derby Girls/Easton Women's Major USSSA Slowpitch Softball team based here in Kent for their World Series 3rd Place finish! Congratulations! 🥎

Kent City Council

The Kent City Council held five meetings this week and there's a lot to cover!

You can see the recap of each meeting below, and see the full agendas, minutes and video recordings on our website.

• Mid-Biennium Budget Adjustments
  • Finance Director Paula Painter presented an overview and detailed information on Mayor Dana Ralph’s Proposed 2022 Mid-Biennium Budget Adjustments and reviewed questions and requests from Councilmembers.
• King County Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP)
  • Staff presented information on Landlord and Tenant programs and provided an overview of city-funded rental assistance supports through the CARES Act and forthcoming American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

• King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn’s State of the County
  • Update on COVID-19, vaccinations, economic recovery, eviction prevention, homelessness, addiction, public safety and more.
• Recognitions and Proclamations
  • Employee of the Month, Eleventh Annual Kent Turkey Challenge, Celebrate Community Day, Communications Division Awards.
• Economic Development Report
  • Update on consumer spending, employment rates, labor shortage, supply chains, workforce development and more.
• Reports from Mayor, Councilmembers and CAO
  • Update on regional and local committee work, business and community partnerships, community events and more.
• Public Hearings
  • First Public Hearing on 2022 Mid-Biennium Budget Adjustments, 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program

• Payment of Bills
  • Routine payment of outstanding expenditures.
• Community Immersion Law Enforcement Program (CILEP)
  • Presentation from Chief Padilla on a new program assigning newly hired Kent Police Officers to serve as volunteers in community based organizations for their first two months.
  • This program will help officers get to know their community, shape perspectives, learn about and interact with cultures other than their own and help Kent Police evaluate the cultural competency of new recruits.
• SPIDR Tech Program Implementation
  • Presentation from Chief Padilla on new technology allowing the Kent Police Department to follow-up with residents through text messages after calls with information on their request in the queue, its priority and officer dispatch, as well as a case number and more information.

• Update on West Hill Water Reservoir
  • Details on construction progress and proposed scenic mural for the new 5 million gallon water tank on the West Hill.
• South 212th Street Preservation
  • Update on overlays and curb ramp improvements for South 212th Street from 72nd Ave S. to 84th Ave S.
• Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, NPDES Audit
  • Update on mandated municipal permitting for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System through Department of Ecology.

• 2022 South King Housing & Homeless Partners Work Plan (SKHHP)
  • Update on work plan and budget process, building funding support, inventory and assessment of existing programs and housing.
• Kent Arts Commission Appointments
  • Information on turnover for commissioners, process for filling appointments to the commission.
• Kent Police Detectives Tenant Improvement Project Bid Update
  • Staff information on bid and contract for tenant improvement for detectives area for Kent Police Department.

Haunted BOO-Levard 👻

Spooky season is officially here and I’m so excited for the Haunted BOO-Levard,  returning again this year on Friday, October 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Our Kent Parks Department is partnering with Kent Station to put on this free outdoor trick-or-treating event, so be sure to mark your calendars.

Kids can trick-or-treat outside participating businesses, then check out the decorated trunks along Ramsay Way.

And if you're interested in decorating your trunk for prizes and bragging rights, be sure to register to decorate your trunk.

Street of Treats 🍬

The Kent Downtown Partnership's Street of Treats is also returning this year for some fun Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 30 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Come on out and visit downtown Kent while showing off your costumes and joining in on some fun activities for all ages.

Participating downtown Kent merchants are welcoming masked visitors to stop in and get a spooktaculur treat, and you can enter the costume contest for a chance to win prizes.

They will have kid’s activities, photo opportunities and more, and you can also support the Kent Food Bank by bring non-perishable food donations.  

Downtown businesses will be waiting for you! This is a free, rain or shine community event. Don't forget to bring your bag for treats.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Kent Police is participating in the nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back Day, happening Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kent Police Department.

Medicines that sit in home cabinets can be highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Many do not know how to properly dispose of unused medicines, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away: both are potential safety and environmental hazards.

The Kent Police Department works directly with the DEA to properly dispose of unwanted medications and is collecting a variety of controlled, non-controlled and over the counter substances. 

You can learn more by emailing Stacy Judd at SJdd@KentWA.gov.

Hops & Cops Event

Come on out and join Chief Padilla and the Kent Police Department for an evening of casual conversation at Half Lion Public House on Thursday, October 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

This is a great opportunity to come and hang out, get to know your local law enforcement officers, learn about the job and get your qbuestions answered.

Please note that the Kent Police Department staff will not be drinking during the event, and the alcohol will not be provided by the City of Kent. This event is available to everyone over the age of 21.

Fall Recycling Event ♻️

Our Fall Residential Recycling Collection event is coming up again soon. 

Each spring, summer and fall the City of Kent hosts a free recycling collection event from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that allows residents to dispose of recyclable items not normally accepted at the curb.

Instead of going to the landfill as trash, all items collected will be reused or recycled. This Fall's event will be at Hogan Park on Saturday, October 16.

Here's what you can bring: 

• Appliances  
• Batteries 
• Cardboard 
• Concrete, brick, rock
• Documents for shredding
• Electronics (No TV's or monitors - visit e-cycle Washington for more details) 
• Mattresses
• Porcelain - toilets and sinks (remove seat and wax ring)
• Propane tanks
• Scrap metal 
• Styrofoam
• Tires (limit 10)
• Textiles

2021 - 2022 Spotlight Series 🎶

The 2021 – 2022 Spotlight Series kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, October 9 with a performance by Collision of Rhythm! Limited tickets are still available.

If you can’t make it to Collision of Rhythm, be sure to check out one of the other incredible shows. This annual series is bringing some exceptional performances to Kent that you won’t want to miss out on. The full line-up and tickets for all shows are available online now.

Teen Center Reopening 🏀

The Kent Parks Teen Center, located at the old Kent Phoenix Academy (11000 SE 264th St), is reopening this Monday, October 11!

It's open to all youth from grades 7 to age 19 and has games, music, open gym basketball, indoor soccer, and more. Here's when the Teen Center is open:

Monday-Thursday: 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fridays: 4:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Fall Curbside Cleanup 🍃

Our Fall Curbside Cleanup Event is coming up and will be from Monday, November 8 through Friday, November 19.

These curbside cleanup events are an opportunity to place up to 10 units of both garbage and yard debris at the curb to get picked up totally for free.

You can learn more on our website.