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Happy Friday Kent,
This week was another busy one! The City had several public meetings and discussion about the budget as well as committee meetings to address regular operations.
We have some great events coming up and as always, continued opportunities to get involved with your local government.
Hope you enjoy the update and have a fantastic weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Kent and much of the surrounding region by NWS Seattle and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency through midnight on Sunday due to wildfire smoke. The air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. |
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Earlier this week I was joined by Chief Padilla as we visited with the Olympic Skyline Condominiums community to discuss public safety in their neighborhood as a part of our ongoing series of events called Drinks in the Driveway. We had great conversations, answered questions and heard feedback from many residents. |
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I had the opportunity to proclaim October 4 to be Charley Wilson Day in Kent in celebration of his 100th birthday, recognizing his long-standing service to our community and the Lake Meridian Water District. Charley was elected to serve on the board in 1976 and did so for 46 years! |
2023-2024 Biennial Budget
This week we continued our 2023-2024 Biennial Budget process with staff presentations and discussion at our council meetings.
The council will spend the next several weeks going through the proposal and will have the opportunity to make suggestions and changes.
Council will vote on the final passage of the budget in November. You can see my full letter to the council on our website.
We took a budget-neutral approach to stabilize our fund balances and secure financial sustainability for the next two years. I'm looking forward to continued conversation about the budget so we can ensure it meets the needs of the Kent community.
Kent City Council
The Kent City Council held five public meetings this week. I've included a recap of all the meetings this week. To view the agendas and livesteam recordings, visit our website by clicking any of the included images.
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Public Recognition
- Recognizing October Employee of the Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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Reports from Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, Council and Staff
- Details on community events, regional and local committee work, partner organizations and more.
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Quarterly Economic Development Update
- Details on consumer spending, federal inflation response, available jobs, shipping, construction demand, housing.
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Public Hearing & Comment Period: Biennial Budget
- First public hearing and comment on 2023-2024 Biennial Budget and 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan.
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Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes, payment of bills, contractor agreements.
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2023-2024 Biennial Budget
- Finance Director Paula Painter and her team provided information and answered questions regarding the proposed 2023-2024 Biennial Budget.
- Particular information provided on Special Revenue Funds, the Red-Light Camera Fund, Affordable Housing Sales Tax, Housing Sales Tax, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, overall revenue and expenditure changes and the budget adoption timeline.
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Ordinance 4443 to Repeal and Replace Chapter 8.09 of the Kent City Code with a new chapter entitled “Camping on Public Property”
- Committee discussed proposed ordinance to prohibit activities that cause environmental damage and harm public property including unlawful camping; to set forth procedures for removal; circumstances under which unlawful camping is enforced.
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East Hill North Community Park Engagement Update
- Overview of community engagement efforts including events and collateral materials for feedback on park.
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Purchase of Play Equipment & Amenities for Morrill Meadows Park
- Seeking approval to purchase new equipment for renovations to park.
- Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
- Contract Amendment for Compulink Management Center
- WSDOT Highway Safety Improvement Grant for 104th Ave SE
- S 224th Street Projects Wetland Mitigation and Remediation
Fall Recycling Event
Have items to be recycled? Come on out to our Fall Residential Recycling event next weekend! For a full list of accepted items, visit our website.
📅 Saturday, October 15
⏰ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Hogan Park, 24400 Russell Road
Each year the City of Kent hosts several free recycling collection events that allow residents to dispose of recyclable items not typically accepted at the curb.
Instead of going to the landfill as trash, all collected items will be reused or recycled!
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so I wanted to include a reminder for you to take some time and ensure you know some best practices to protect yourself.
- Enabling multi-factor authentication
- Using strong passwords
- Updating software
- Recognizing and reporting phishing
It's important to take a risk-based approach and focus on the behaviors most important to you. Everyone has a right to a safe internet, so remember to #BeCyberSmart!
Orca Recovery Day
Help our orca population by volunteering with us and our conservation partner, Green River Coalition, as we work to restore the river habitat along the Green River!
📅 Saturday, October 15
⌚ 10 a.m.
📍 Riverview Park
Volunteers will be removing invasive species and planting native trees and shrubs to help improve conditions for salmon, which are a vital food source for orcas.
The planting helps restore spawning habitat for Chinook salmon which make up more than 80% of the diet for endangered Southern Resident Orcas in Puget Sound.
All ages are welcome and tools will be provided. You can learn more and register at the Green River Coalition's website.
Haunted Boo-Levard
Spooky season is here and so are the celebrations! Head over to Kent Station on Halloween with your friends and family to enjoy the Haunted Boo-Levard!
Kids can trick-or-treat around Kent Station at participating businesses, then stroll down Ramsay Way for trunk-or-treat fun. Wear your favorite costume and be sure to vote for your favorite decorated trunk!
You can learn more and sign-up to decorate your trunk online here.
📅 Monday, October 31
🕐 4:30 - 7 p.m.
📍 Kent Station
Upcoming Events
Just a reminder that you can check out upcoming events on our website at any time! The image above includes some of our featured events, but there's a whole lot more through the month and end of the year to check out at KentWA.gov/Events!
Safe Places in Kent
The Kent Police Department is asking local businesses to sign on to be a Safe Place for victims of hate crimes.
Our Safe Place program seeks to offer victims of hate crimes shelter if they are feeling unsafe and a place to call 911 and wait safely until officers arrive.
Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, the Kent PD Safe Place program decal provides a visual cue for anyone experiencing violence or harassment based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Here is how your business can participate or learn more about the program.
Bicycle Advisory Board
Our Bicycle Advisory Board is accepting applications for new members! Members advise the council, mayor and staff on projects, policies and programs that affect cycling conditions in Kent.
Joining a local board or commission is a great way to get involved with the community and your local government. You can learn more and apply on our website.
License Your Pets!
Get your furry friends licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County to help get them back to you if they're ever lost!
Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.
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The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will be awarding $10,000 grants to small businesses owned by women and POC in Pierce and King Counties! Applications are open through October 16. ComcastRise.com |
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