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Mayor Ralph's Weekly Update

Happy Friday!



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Mayor's Update



September 6, 2024




npm

Happy Friday, Kent!

September is National Preparedness Month! Preparing for disasters and emergencies is important—they could happen anytime.

I want to encourage you and your family to take some time this month and learn about how you can be prepared for emergencies and more.

We have some great resources and information *on our website [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/emergency-preparedness?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*, and there's also a lot of great information at *Ready.gov [ https://www.ready.gov/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ].*

I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter, find it informative, and have a fantastic weekend!

Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor

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carnation

Happy 125th anniversary to the Carnation brand, started here in Kent! In 1899, the Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company was founded, which later became Carnation Evaporated Milk Company. Today it's sold worldwide!



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Congratulations to Kent's very own Jaleen Roberts, who won a silver medal at the 2024 Paralympics over the weekend! She jumped a personal best of 4.77 meters in the women’s long jump T37!

jaleen

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food bank day

Today is National Food Bank Day! The Kent Food Bank provides important resources to residents facing food insecurity in the Kent community. It's located in the Alliance Center in downtown Kent, home to social services offered by South County Area Human Services.



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Thanks again to the Meridian Villa Estates residents who care so much for their neighborhood! It was a pleasure to talk to you all as a part of Drinks in the Driveway.

Thanks to Chad Bieren from Public Works, and Assistant Chief Grove for answering their questions and concerns and to Lloyd Hartley for hosting!

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4

As the NFL season kicks off, I thought it might be fun to share this throwback historical photo of some high school football practice in Kent from 1912. Here's hoping for a great season from the Seahawks!



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Coffee and Conversation

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coffee and convo

I would like to invite you to join me at the Kent Senior Center for another Coffee and Conversation event. Bring your questions, concerns or compliments!

?? Monday, September 9                            
?? 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.                                         
 ?? Kent Senior Center 600 E. Smith St 

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flag raising thunderbirds

Join us when we raise the Thunderbirds flag at Kent City Hall with Head Coach Matt O'Dette, Cool Bird, a few of their players!

There's a lot of excitement heading into their home opener September 28 at accesso ShoWare Center!

?? Wednesday, September 25 
?? 3:30 p.m.
?? Kent City Hall 




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Each spring and fall we host TeamUp2CleanUp: a community-wide day of service to beautify Kent as individuals, schools, businesses, and social groups come together to remove litter at various locations around the city. Make a day of it and join us! 

?? Saturday, September 28
⌚ 9 a.m. - Noon
?? *East Hill*: Kent United Methodist Church (11010 SE 248th St)*
**Downtown*: Kherson Park (307 West Gowe)
*West Hill:* West Hill Plaza (24700 Military Road) or
*Sign up to clean your OWN location! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/21314/638435032217800000?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

team up to clean up

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wastemobile [ https://www.facebook.com/events/1115008680233892?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

From September 6-8, the King County* Wastemobile [ https://www.facebook.com/events/1115008680233892?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* will be at Puget Sound Fire Station 75. Daily events operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Wastemobile offers King County residents and eligible businesses a safe, free, and convenient opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste at no cost.



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Kent City Council

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The Kent City Council held multiple public meetings this week. Check out the recap on this week's meetings below. 

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*You can also see the full meeting agendas, minutes and livestream recordings on our website here. [ http://kentwa.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Kent 101 

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Kent 101

The Fall session of Kent 101 is just a few weeks away!

I've always believed in the importance of being informed, and this program empowers residents with the knowledge of how our local government operates.

It's a free eight-week civics course open to all residents and is designed to educate, inform and build experience.

If you’ve ever wondered who does what around Kent, how construction projects get done or how our Parks department works, this is a great opportunity for you!

Classes begin September 19, 2024! *You can sign up here!  [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/kent-101?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Kent Comprehensive Plan

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compplan

Wanted to provide an update on our Comprehensive Plan process.

We heard from thousands of people during Round 2 of our community engagement, who shared ideas about growth in the city and priorities for the next twenty years.

The project team is busy incorporating your feedback into a draft plan, which will be released in mid-October.

Meanwhile, we are in the process of studying and updating our development regulations for *Community-Based Behavioral Health Facilities* [ https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fengage.kentwa.gov%2Fbehavioralhealth%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101917760a00d-765b3656-672c-441a-8de0-c2e358fca0b5-000000/bfbMSY1JuDMw_adqn8s-AhxIa85L0IoD6iywAV_K91s=367 ].

Behavioral health facilities provide a wide variety of services to address mental health and substance use disorders.

These facilities play a crucial role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and families, helping to create a healthier, more resilient community.

A lack of behavioral health facilities has put significant strain on the region's hospitals, jails, and emergency responders to provide mental health services.

We have been working diligently with service providers, community groups, and residents to determine how to integrate additional treatment options into our community.

Based on what we have heard so far, we are focusing on code updates to allow new types of residential care facilities and to revise requirements for one use that is already allowed in Kent City Code.

Your input is incredibly valuable to us, and we want to ensure that these updates reflect the needs and priorities of our residents.

To gather your feedback, we’ve created a short survey that we encourage you to complete. Learn about *Behavioral Health Facilities [ https://engage.kentwa.gov/behavioralhealth?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* and* take the survey [ https://engage.kentwa.gov/behavioralhealth/surveys/behavioral-health-facilities-code-update-survey?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*!

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Excavation of the Mill Creek stream channel from East Smith St to Central Ave N took place last week along with habitat log placement and temporary fish exclusion.

Fish exclusion involves the safe relocation and returning of fish in the work area. 



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Pavement preservation and paving work took place all around the city last week and has continued again this week!

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Badges & Barbells

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badges

Join Kent Police for the first ever Badges and Barbells!

It starts at 6 p.m. with a 20–30-minute workout with officers followed by networking with our officers and staff.  *Space for the workout portion is limited to 20 people.* The networking portion is open to all.

*Registration to participate in the workout is required.  [ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barbells-and-badges-tickets-982111821897?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawE0qeVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVR3TWJn96cKAFxpkMz8yTIfoBML9REkczNRga6e9AxSGEVJa5KamX4Pww_aem_XjpZrEn3kQi_F2qh6RUCrA&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

Waiver to participate in the workout is required and will be emailed when registration is complete. If you have any questions, contact jberry@kentwa.gov or swood@kentwa.gov. 

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Farmers Market

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june 15

Farmers Market season is starting to wind down. Only a few weeks left to enjoy the  Living Well Kent and the Kent Lions Club market downtown! This is a community driven market, increasing access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce to our community. 

?? Every Saturday until September 14
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.​
?? 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe

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Green Kent Work Party

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greenkent

Join Kent Parks, friends, and neighbors on *Saturday, September 21* from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as we participate in this month's Green Kent Work Party at Clark Lake Park!

At this month’s event, we'll be removing invasive blackberry and scotch broom to help keep this park healthy and thriving. Parking at Martin Sortun Elementary. Learn more and register online at *MyKentParks.com/GreenKent. [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/volunteering/outdoor-conservation-events?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Kent YMCA day

You’re invited to join Kent Parks and the Kent YMCA for the next Kent Community Day!

The event is FREE and open to all. There will be a community swim session, bounce house, patio activities, and an afternoon of fitness, connection, and family time!

?? Saturday, September 14
⌚ 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
?? Kent YMCA (10828 SE 248th St.)



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The 2024 Fall Recreation Guides are out now!

Registration for Fall programs are now open. From preschool classes and FREE after school programming, to clubs and outdoor adventures for adults age 50+ and everything in between, our Parks team offers something for everyone in the family!

Browse a digital guide and register online at *MyKentParks.com/Register [ http://mykentparks.com/register?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

parks guide

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Hop Picking Festival

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hop picking festival

The Master Gardeners of King County will have a Kent Hop Picking Festival tomorrow, *Saturday, September 7* from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden at 5311 South 237th Place.

Come on down to view and pick hops, explore the Neely Hop Trail, learn how to grow hops at home and discover the history of hops and beer in Kent.

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master gardner

Do you need some help with your garden? Get free gardening advice from the Master Gardners. 

The WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers are local and university-trained. They are providing free research-based information to home gardeners in King County. 

?? Saturdays
⌚ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
?? Kent McLendon's Hardware



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The Kent Parks team is planning for an exciting project that includes adding a Spray Park at Uplands Playfields!

Through the initial engagement process, we gathered input from residents and developed some preliminary designs.

We now want to know what you, our residents, like about each design or which design is your favorite! *Provide your feedback for the Uplands Playfields & Spray Park project online at EngageKentParks.com. [ https://engage.kentwa.gov/hub-page/engage-kent-parks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

uplands

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2024-25 Spotlight Series 

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spotlight series

We are excited for announce another incredible season of our Spotlight Series!

The Spotlight Series brings the best entertainment to local stages here in Kent. Tickets are now on sale for all shows. Read more about the performers, see ticket prices, and purchase tickets online at *KentWA.gov/SpotlightSeries. [ http://kentwa.gov/SpotlightSeries?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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parks commission

If you are looking to get more involved with the community, apply to join the City of Kent Parks & Recreation Commission! Learn more and apply online at *KentWA.gov/BoardsAndCommissions [ https://www.kentwa.gov/government/boards-commissions?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*.



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As a reminder, the playground area at Lake Meridian Park is closed for maintenance while contractors replace all of the playground surfacing.

The duration of the project is completely weather-dependent because dry, warmer weather is needed for the surfacing to cure.

lake meridian

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link extension

Want a free tree? *The Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension project and contractor Kiewit is providing free trees this fall! [ https://bit.ly/treegiveaway2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

Community members and organizations in Kent, Federal Way, SeaTac and Des Moines are eligible to receive trees.



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The RASKC animal shelter is over capacity! They need your help to find furever homes for dogs of all sizes. Help them clear the shelter!

*You can learn more at their website. [ https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/animals-pets-pests/regional-animal-services?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

clear the shelter

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Now Hiring HR Director

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HR [ https://karrasconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrge_126xxx_HR-Director-Recruitment-Brochure_FINAL.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

The City of Kent is looking to hire a Human Resources Director to lead the city's HR Department. This position plays a key role in the management and development of the city's talented workforce. *Learn more about the position and how to apply here. [ https://karrasconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrge_126xxx_HR-Director-Recruitment-Brochure_FINAL.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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*Here's the resident question of the week!*

""Is there a way to look for a park based on what equipment or things are there? My family and I are planning a birthday party and want to pick the best park to do it at!""

I love this question because we have so many great parks and facilities around the city that would be perfect to host a birthday party. You can actually go to our Parks pages on the city website and *use a toggle-able map [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/parks-places/parks-trails?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* to search for locations with specific amenities!  I think that's your best bet to find what you are looking for.

resident question [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/parks-places/parks-trails?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

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kentnow

Don't forget to check out this week's KentNOW podcast! 
This week, Josh, Kyle and Tracy talk to Jason Fiorito, President of Pacific Raceways to discuss the NHRA and the cool new projects they are working on. 

Listen to new and previous episodes on:
?? Apple Podcasts *apple.co/3J2UMkd [ https://t.co/kiMUAwAMdU?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*
?? Spotify *spoti.fi/3GNCeli [ https://t.co/MccBJhOIlp?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*
?? Amazon Music *amzn.to/3jjaOvU [ https://amzn.to/3jjaOvU?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*



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Translations A/文

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translations

 

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