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Mayor Ralph's Weekly Update

Happy Friday!



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Mayor's Update



February 16, 2024




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Employee of the Year

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steffes

Happy Friday, Kent! 

On Wednesday morning, we all gathered together to celebrate our 12 employees of the month from 2023. Each department had one outstanding individual whose hard work and dedication went above and beyond every month. 

The 2023 Employee of the Year went to Ofc. Eric Steffes.

Eric started working for the Police Department in January 2006 as a Police Officer. Eric was the sole Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) officer for several months. Now, this unit is staffed with officers that neighborhoods, HOAs, businesses, and other community organizations look to when they're having a problem in their area or when they want an officer to make an appearance at a community event.

Officer Steffes has developed and maintained relationships across the entire city, and he has done so wonderfully. Many neighborhoods, residents, business owners, and other community partners look to Officer Steffes as their "guy." They know they can count on him to show up and follow up. [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/public-works/environmental/talking-trash-recycle-and-clean-up-events-for-residents/adopt-a-street?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

Congratulations Eric!

Several fun events are happening this weekend, be sure to take a look at them below!

Hope you enjoy the update and have a great weekend.

Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor 

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reminder

Just a reminder that all city offices are closed Monday in observance of President's' Day.




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Ubuntu Street Cafe is reopening!

Last week, I went to their soft opening, and it was fantastic. The Café gives Project Feast apprentices real-life experience to learn and cultivate their culinary and customer service skills while operating our cafe.

They will be open Thursday and Friday from
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with a rotating international menu.

The mission of *Project Feast [ https://projectfeast.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* is to transform the lives of refugee and immigrant cooks by providing pathways to sustainable employment in the food industry.

Check them out - they are amazing!

project feast

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Kherson

I was thrilled to host Boeing’s Global Engagement team for a visit to Kherson Park this week. With NASA’s original Lunar Rovers being built by Boeing here in Kent, the team loved seeing our space-themed park.  Without the support of Boeing, the Kent Downtown Partnership, and Kent Lions, we wouldn’t be able to offer Space for Kidz.

I’m super proud that there’s no other municipal park in the country that offers augmented reality to assist with STEM learning – connecting play with science takes enjoyment of Kherson Park to the next level! 



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State of the City 

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2024 State of the City

We hope you will join us for the State of the City address Thursday, March 21 at Kent-Meridian High School. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. address starts at 7 p.m.

We have so much to celebrate, and I'm looking forward to sharing stories of our success, what we've accomplished, and what's on the horizon.

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Coffee with the Chief 

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coffee with the chief

Join Chief Padilla and the Kent Police Department for Coffee with the Chief!

?? Thursday, February 29
?? 8 - 10 a.m.
?? Maggie's on Meeker (307 W. Meeker St)

The KPD staff will also be on hand to answer any questions.
We look forward to seeing you there!

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Kent 101

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kent 101

We kicked off our Spring session of Kent 101 last week!

It was fun to see so many new faces wanting to learn more about their city and government! If you missed signing up for Spring, don't worry! We will start taking registration for the Fall session in August! 

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Block Watch 101 

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block watch

Interested in starting a Neighborhood Block Watch or revitalizing an old one?  Come learn how to start a Block Watch from Kent PD's Community Education Unit and Neighborhood Response Team! 

To Register email:
West Hill/Valley Sara Wood swood@kentwa.gov  
East Hill Stacy Judd sjudd@kentwa.gov

?? Tuesday, March 12
⌚ 6:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.
?? Kent Police Training Center (24523 116th Ave SE)

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Check out these before and after photos of storm drainage and street improvements at 79th Ave!

 

flooding 1

flooding 2

Crews raised the road and added more drainage to help mitigate flooding.



Lots of work happening around Kent this week, from asphalt overlays and watermain replacements to sidewalk/curb pours and generator installations!

public works

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Target Zero 

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target zero

We are developing an action plan to improve transportation safety in Kent, working toward eliminating fatalities and serious injuries due to crashes.

*Please take this brief survey to share your experience on city streets and areas you feel may be unsafe.  [ https://engage.kentwa.gov/kent-target-zero-action-plan.?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Residential Recycling Event

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recycling [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/public-works/environmental/talking-trash-recycle-and-clean-up-events-for-residents/recycling-collection-events?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

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! 

?? Saturday, March 2
⌚ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
??  Hogan Park (24400 Russell Rd.)

*Learn what items are being accepted at KentWA.gov/Recycle. [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/public-works/environmental/talking-trash-recycle-and-clean-up-events-for-residents/recycling-collection-events?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Human Services 

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human services

The application period for the 2025-26 request for proposals to the 16 city Human Services Funding Collaborative will open on Monday, March 4. There will be two funders workshops on March 5 and 6 for new applicants and those who wish to refresh their memories on the application process. The two workshops will have the same content.

??Tuesday, March 5,
??10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
?? Redmond City Hall (15670 NE 85th St, Redmond)
*register here [ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSednRHuitYlyEImQXcv1hb4zVazZ8hMN6jYaBUHNy0OU-ttrA/viewform?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

??Wednesday, March 6
??1 p.m - 2:30 p.m.
?? Kent City Hall (220 4th Ave S.)
*register here [ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdznD45KRfpFjVNH0nHcgqdUPVU_bvZFACeNNnhY0R_-7fmbQ/viewform?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

New program applicants should contact staff at the cities they will be requesting funding from as soon as possible to discuss their proposals. If requesting funds from multiple cities, a single joint meeting can likely be arranged.

Please familiarize yourself with the information and resources found on the* **application* [ https://www.redmond.gov/1000/Application-Process?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* page* [ http://link.webportalapp.com/ls/click?upn=NY9Fl3AwoUzT7dxd04UX9vnf03uy3c7pMpaYlNvSavRlqfCeEHnRyXsmQNoYL5ons7gwq-2F0cEqDHgb4JQ6SWyQ-3D-3DVqBd_0adZpQ11oGXpubb34WPy-2BLldFL8nG72mZQnhDRfytlbon5ywIDDVOzdXkqzA9bEkurKKmkIoK-2BhCXLd-2BLdqdSWp3swDrYK9-2BC8Ynf9dmnwH66y6j16RczOFcLpQ6ENPHyPBqkAueYL-2F4hEHqwUoiC6DkMWg3c07FSQR64n7DfZ7ju4kd3-2F9VcpUMcMpXwm30MEa3w9sCt6gCCWfzgzya5lEoCARXIKduvA5Sc6dsFhqGW4g-2FGkWqnvz9-2FoETwP7xaF2sD5eSOD8qK-2BUlKeLFK4oiPjjcKx-2F-2Fj4bV9kqzeAhXQxlWo1W7-2BMABgtErRiDY3mSZ81Q6pqFkP3RMEK9-2Ffl901oqVxiy76bYDZdbHAToYqIn4dyDLjacxIygQqI8UahjWcXZdCO1iF-2FtAbbv7ZxfQMRUHmstucormnzrXPijl3ORsJNhEukoT3i1XBLxsIh5JyqUVnJTwjOPWNzxZYstqNLJorXVEv2LlV4bkfhOahpCi9b2n-2F4ri4sLNJsmYk-2BszEvIAK5P6YeLtMFxxxEsfcfJ3PEQCfdhvZOYabZ8Vt7pYsZqMQz8RJWVkI6ShLuswiNKigmt4P4ZBZkuTNJghALY4qQ5TDgHr2mAuCOOMhZ9n7Z0-2FS-2B1Vz-2BmxrGd1G2ukQRQ1UvKWVuQrei3O8sGUVklCOHPCK7tSGxb-2FbQQ-3D&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]. 

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*The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program application is now open! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/neighborhood-program/neighborhood-grant-program?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] *

I'm very excited that our neighborhood program is running at full speed! Our matching grant program is open, and we are accepting applications. This program offers matching funds on a competitive basis to recognized neighborhood councils to develop and implement projects which will enhance the livability of their communities.

neighborhood

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GKHS

The *Greater Kent Historical Society and Museum [ https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=greater+kent+historical+society+and+museum&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* is hosting a free workshop on Preserving the Cultural and Historical Records of Your Ethnic Community, Organizations, and Families.

?? Tomorrow 
?? 9:30 am – 1 pm.
?? Kent Commons

Presented by archivists from the University of Washington Libraries, learn how to get started documenting family and community history.



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Cider and Ale Trail 

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cider and ale trail

Beer & cider lovers, this one’s for you!

There will be some of the best beer and cider brewers, and distilleries together for a fantastic night of tasting, live music, dining and shopping in historic downtown Kent.

??  Friday, March 8
⌚  6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
??   Historic Downtown Kent 

*Get your tickets now! [ https://www.downtownkentwa.com/event/cider-ale-trail-2/?fbclid=IwAR2MdMDjyDWNu2Tg6RQs_y7vx7OGOcmNjeAaRjaKkX7tsmqr0Ultel7z-2w&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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The KentWorks app lets you access information and improve your neighborhood and community by reporting *non-emergency issues* to the city.

 You can request a service, report a problem and find information about the City of Kent all from your mobile device in just a few taps!

kent works app

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jobs of the month

We're hiring! Check out our featured jobs and find great opportunities on our hiring page at *jobs.kentwa.gov [ https://jobs.kentwa.gov/jobs?page_number=2&page_size=10&sort_by=headline&sort_order=ASC&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*




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tball

A new season of fun is just around the corner!
Registration is now open for all youth Spring sports. Programs are available for kids ages 3 and up. Registration deadlines vary, be sure to hop online and *learn more about Volleyball, Soccer, and T-Ball/Tossball* [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/sports-athletics/youth-sports?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] today.



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Kids Art Day

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kent arts day

Who’s joining us for Kent Kids’ Arts Day? This crafty event returns to the Kent Commons Community Center on Saturday, March 9.

Come and celebrate with over 12 different hands-on projects lead by professional artists.  Get your hands dirty with the hands in wax project or get creative with some favorite traditional projects. 

The stage will be going all day with music from local performers, and we will have food trucks on site. Volunteers are needed to help out with hands-on projects. Come on down and have some fun while giving back!

?? Saturday, March 9
⌚ 10 a.m - 3 p.m. 
??   Kent Commons

*Sign up to volunteer or learn more. [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/arts/kent-kids-arts-day?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Spotlight Series 

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spotlight

The 2023-2024 Spotlight Series has been amazing far, and it isn’t over yet! 

*Get your tickets now* [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/arts/spotlight-series?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] for the last two shows of the season "Live from Laurel Canyon" and "Trailblazing Women of Country".

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kent ymca

Join us for the inaugural Kent Community Day event at the Kent YMCA!

We are so excited to be partnering with the team at the Y to put on this fun and free event.

Stop by for community swim time, gym activities, bounce houses, and so much more!

?? Saturday, February 24
⌚ 12 p.m.- 3 p.m.
 ??  Kent YMCA



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The Kent Parks ShoWalk program is a free, indoor walking program offering a warm and dry place to walk and stay active during the cold, wet months.

*Check out the schedule here! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/programs-activities/adult-fitness?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*


showalk

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raskc

Get your furry friends licensed with *Regional Animal Services of King County [ https://kingcounty.gov/depts/regional-animal-services.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* 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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Don't forget to check out the KentNOW podcast! This week, Gaila Haas from the Kent Downtown Partnership talks about the upcoming Cider and Ale Trail, and Conservation Coordinator Tony Donati explains how to join the adopt a spot program. Check out the new season now!
?? 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 ]*


24 KentNow

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Translations A/文

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translations

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