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 Happy Friday Kent!
It’s hard to believe another year has already come and gone, but what a great year for the City of Kent!
As we kick off the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the incredible achievements we’ve accomplished together. These milestones represent the dedication of our City’s leadership, the hard work of over 700 employees, and, most importantly, our shared commitment to making Kent an amazing place to live, work, and thrive.
Every year, I like to send out what we’ve called the Mayor’s Progress Report. It’s a chance to highlight the progress we’ve made and share a vision for where we’re headed. You can find the full-text version on our website or watch the video here!
We’re excited to keep this momentum going as we head into another year of opportunities and growth. Thank you for being part of what makes Kent so special. Have a great weekend, and here’s to another successful year ahead!
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Just a reminder that all city offices and facilities will be closed this Monday, January 20 as we join the nation in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the namesake of King County.
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Last weekend, I attended the Seattle Charity Cup Hockey match that benefits the Puget Sound Firefighters Association and the Behind the Badge Foundation. The energy at Accesso ShoWare Center was incredible! Congratulations to Puget Sound Fire/EMS team where they defeated the South Sound Law Dogs 7-5!
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I am a big fan of our Sister Cities student ambassador program.
We held our annual meeting earlier this week and heard a presentation from Jacob Le. He spent three weeks last summer in our sister city Yangzhou, China. We heard about his adventures and how much he learned from the experience.
We also received updates from the Tamba, Japan and Sunnfjord, Norway committees.
I love that Kent students have these opportunities to participate in cultural exchanges and build lifelong friendships.
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I have a quick construction update! Speed cushions have been completed at 223rd between 108th and 116th, and at 104th and 272nd to improve safety.
There has been some additional work for speed cushions, which is also in progress at 216th.
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There is a closure of S 218th / 98th Ave S from 94th Pl S to 99th Ave S through October for work to widen the roads to three lanes.
Work includes paving, concrete curbs and gutters, sidewalks, paved shoulders, street lighting, storm drainage, sanitary sewer, water mains, landscaping and pavement markings.
The project will also include undergrounding of all overhead utilities.
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Catch the action when the T-Birds take on the Kelowna Rockets at 6 p.m. Saturday night, and the Vancouver Giants Tuesday night at 7 p.m.at accesso ShoWare Center!
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Applications are now being accepted for the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Board!
The goal of the board is to increase engagement, integration, and access to city services for all cultural communities in Kent.
You can learn about the city's work in these areas and the Equity Strategic Plan at KentWA.gov/Race-Equity and apply to be on the board here!
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Join our Parks team as a certified lifeguard at Lake Meridian Park this summer!
Requirements:
American Red Cross Advanced Lifesaving or Lifeguard Training Certificate, Red Cross standard First Aid certificate, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer certifications.
Apply today at MyKentParks.com/Jobs!
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Kent Parks and Recreation |
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Our Parks team needs your input on the Campus Park Redevelopment project.
Fill out the online survey now at EngageKentParks.com
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 Jazz at Lincoln Center presents New Orleans Songbook celebrates the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City (the historic epicenter of jazz!) and will make for one amazing evening on January 24.
Get your tickets for the 2025 Spotlight Series now
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BlueBridge Alliance plays an essential role in supporting victims in our community and has been an incredible partner to the Kent Police Department. Their professional collaboration with our patrol officers makes a real difference, and we are so grateful for the work they do.
This week, BlueBridge Alliance highlighted Patrol Officer Bertolacci on their website for his efforts to enhance their services, and we couldn’t be prouder of his dedication.
If you can, take a moment to read their post and learn more about this impactful organization. For additional information about BlueBridge Alliance and their services, visit: bluebridgealliance.org.
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 Kent 101 is our fun and interactive 8-week civics course that deepens your understanding of local government and how it all works.
This program is perfect for high school students looking for career inspiration, college students who need more experience before joining the work force, working adults who want to have a stronger understanding about government work, or retirees looking to be more involved in their community. Deadline to sign up is February 7.
Learn more and apply on our website at KentWA.gov/Kent101!
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The Cider and Ale Trail is back with some of the best cideries, breweries and distilleries for a fantastic night of tasting, live music, dining and shopping in historic downtown Kent.
📅 Friday, March 7
⌚ 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
📍 Historic Downtown Kent
Get your tickets now!
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Cities used to receive sales tax revenue on goods shipped from the city. Now, cities receive revenue on goods shipped to the city.
Under this structure, some cities saw increased revenue, while others like Kent lost a lot.
Kent continues to feel the worst negative impacts of this change because over 30% of our land is zoned for industrial and warehousing industries.
Increased online sales were thought to balance out the revenue loss, but that's just not the case for Kent. Click here to learn more.
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"Hello Mayor! It was my new year resolution to become more involved in our city. Outside of signing up to volunteer for Green Kent or Team up to Clean Up, what other ways can I get involved?
Thanks for your question! Consider applying to serve on one of the City’s boards or commissions! These volunteer opportunities allow you to share your voice, shape decisions, and help guide the future of our city. Learn more and apply here!
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Have you ever been curious about what’s being built in your neighborhood or around the city? Check out BuildKentWA.com!
It's a great way for you to find information about new projects that are under construction and coming soon.
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Join Tracy, Josh an Kyle as they update you on the important, fun, and interesting things happening in the City of Kent!
This week on the pod, the team talks to target Zero District 8 manager Sara Hallstead and Transportation Engineering Manager Rob Brown about Target Zero goals and safety plans for 2025. Kimberly Beyheimer and Will Lugo from Puget Sound Fire talk about being Winter Weather ready!
Listen now on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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 We are now booking Spring and Summer dates for Drinks in the Driveway!
Our program brings city leaders to neighborhood councils/associations to discuss resident issues.
If you want to get on the list, sign up at bit.ly/3VLfKsh.
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 We’re thrilled to launch Sidewalk Sessions—a brand-new way for our Public Works team and me to connect with you directly in your neighborhood!
Public Works is the backbone of our community. From smooth roads and safe sidewalks to reliable utilities, their work keeps Kent running strong. Through Sidewalk Sessions, we’ll visit neighborhoods across the city to share updates, answer your questions, and hear what’s important to you.
This is your chance to learn more about the incredible work happening behind the scenes to maintain and improve Kent’s infrastructure—and how it all impacts your daily life.
Sign up to bring Sidewalk Sessions to your neighborhood!
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