After a welcoming statement from Valley Bank’s Mike Miller and the introduction of participants, Kent’s Economic Development Director Ben Wolters took the floor to discuss the city’s recent successes. He noted the Regional Justice Center, Kent Station, the rail station and ShoWare Center as having been some of the area’s most significant recent developments.

“The city has tried to attract businesses that are game changers,” Wolters said.

He further noted that the ShoWare Center has only been open for 15 months, and has already attracted more than 400,000 visitors to its hockey games, concerts, business fairs and other community events. These numbers are likely to escalate with the addition of the Kent Predators, Kent’s new IFL expansion team. The Predators play their first home game at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12.

“Looking forward, the city is looking at another game changing opportunity,” Wolters added.

The targeted project is to build a facility for the Federal Aviation Administration which could potentially bring 2,000 employees to Kent – within half a mile of the downtown core. Currently, a dozen municipalities are competing to be considered. The first phase of the process is submitting a letter of interest to the GSA and FAA. The City of Kent has done that and hopes to provide a more detailed proposal in May. If the city advances to the next level of the bidding process, the city will make a presentation and proposal in August, with the final decision coming in December.
Other key projects in the works include Tarragon’s expansion of Green River Community College at Kent Station.

“Tarragon just completed a huge expansion of GRCC, with hundreds of new students, and a lot of energy, excitement and new opportunities,” Wolters said.

He also gave an update on the half-completed parking garage at Smith and Fourth which he called “an incredible legal soap opera.” The property is now in the hands of Washington Federal Savings. To date, there has been some interest in buying that space for office use, but there is no time frame for resolving the issue, developing that property or selling it.

Another meeting highlight included the city’s completion of Town Square Plaza which was an attempt to bridge the historic downtown district with Kent Station. Wolters noted there is still a gap between the two areas, but the city is hoping to do more integration. Wolters also commented that First Avenue is becoming a destination in downtown Kent, with its own personality and flavor.

Wolters said, “It shows what is possible in the rest of downtown if property owners and businesses come together. We are changing the market perception of this place.”

Wolters opened the meeting for questions and comments, and invited property owners to voice their concerns as well as the potential for opportunities. Participants asked about the status of the Howard Hanson Dam, potential flood risk, lack of parking, need for additional ball fields and an aquatic center, the Farmer’s Market, the need for housing in downtown Kent and more.

“What is the long-term vision for downtown Kent?” asked Paul Morford. “The city needs to take on parking. It needs to increase parking on a large scale.”

Wolters wrapped up the meeting by inviting participants to contact him directly with their concerns and ideas. A follow-up meeting is planned for later this spring. To offer your input, contact Ben Wolters at 253-856-5703 or via email.

“This past year was challenging, not just for this city, but for all governments, large and small,” Mayor Cooke said. “Kent, like all cities, worked under a tightening budget.”

She is, however, optimistic about three things:  1) that 2009 is over; 2) the economy appears to be recovering; and 3) flood season is ending. She recounted a number of the city‘s 2009 highs and lows, including:

1)  The popularity of ShoWare Center which brought 350,000 guests through its doors in 2009, including 60,000 guests who saw Disney on Ice at the new sports arena

2)  The implementation of the new CodeRED system which allows the city to make 60,000 emergency contacts per hour via phone, email and text message

3)  The four labor unions taking voluntary pay cuts to avoid staff reductions and to help the city save more than $1 million in 2009 spending

4)  2.8%, or $2.2 million, drop in revenue

5)  8.1%, or $1.5 million, drop in sales tax revenue

6)  Elimination of 56 positions within the city, about half of which resulted in layoffs. Other vacant positions were not filled.

7)  Expansion of Kent Station with the GRCC expansion

8)  1,677 Kent Parks volunteers

9)  4,000 volunteer hours spent removing graffiti

10)  Annexing Panther Lake to occur July 1, 2010, making Kent the sixth largest city in the state

In addition to these items, Mayor Cooke reviewed the 2010 budget, stating that public safety remains the city’s #1 priority. The 2010 budget is 5.6% less than the 2009 budget and it includes $1 million to be set aside for emergencies like potential flooding.

“Things are looking a lot better economically,” she added.

A topic of major concern was, of course, the flood risk of the Howard Hanson Dam. Once predicted at a 1 in 4 chance of flooding, the flood risk has dropped to 1 in 33. While this is a positive step, Mayor Cooke said, a permanent fix is not available for three to five years.

“Any kind of delay is simply unacceptable,” she added. “Until that dam is fixed, it is going to haunt us.”

To help control potential flooding, the city raised levies by three feet, successfully completing the task before the beginning of flood season last fall. In addition, Mayor Cooke thanked the community, business leaders and service groups for helping to spread the word about potential flood risks as well as helping one another fill sand bags and helping seniors and the disabled prepare for a flood.

Mayor Cooke singled out a number of city staff and community and business leaders for their support of the Kent community. She thanked them for their tireless service and for making Kent the great place that it is. One person instrumental in the city’s survival of a difficult year was Chief Administrative Officer John Hodgsen.

“John Hodgsen is an outstanding leader and worker in the city,” Mayor Cooke said.

The overall mood of the meeting was positive and Mayor Cooke left the audience with some new things to watch for:  a redesigned website, taking the inbox newsletter to an email format, and the second annual International Festival, set for June 26, and the Kent Refugee and Immigrant Forum.

“It’s 2010 and I’m smiling,” Mayor Cooke said.

The event was presented by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Allied Waste and co-sponsored by Kent Downtown Partnership. The program was taped to be shown on Kent TV21 at a later date.

Read the full story here.

Thanks to the Kent Downtown Partnership for sharing this story.

The alerts concerning potential flooding in the Valley will initially come from the Army Corp of Engineers. They assure us that we will have approximately 48-96 hours early warning of potential flooding.

Then a 24-48 hour notice before they perform a release at the Dam, which may or may not cause actual flooding. With the 24-48 hour notice, this should be provide amble time for cancellation of school classes and relocation of residents from the Valley.

There should be no “mass exodus” at once as everyone will have considerable time to make the appropriate arrangements. Additionally, evacuation routes have already been determined and signage and monitoring have been arranged.

Remember, any flooding will be caused by a release from the Dam, hence the Army Corp of Engineers can monitor and predict with almost certainty when and if they will perform a release and thus provide us with sufficient notice.

From Robert Constant, Traffic Sergeant
Patrol Division, Kent Police Department

Here is the text of the county’s press release, issued October 26, 2009 by Larry Gossett:

Council Adopts Agreements to Relocate County Inmates in Case of Emergency

Pierce, Kitsap Counties to house inmates if flooding forces evacuation of the Maleng Regional Justice Center.

The possibility that water released from behind the storm-damaged, federal Howard Hanson Dam could flood the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent has the Metropolitan King County Council acting to protect the inmates housed in the facility. The Council gave its approval today to two separate interlocal agreements with Pierce and Kitsap Counties to house inmates from the Regional Justice Center in their detention facilities.

“We have a responsibility to protect the people serving their time in the MRJC, as well as those who work there and the public,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, the sponsor of the ordinance. “These agreements ensure that if we do have to relocate inmates, they will be placed in secure facilities outside of the flood zone.”

The detention facility at the MRJC can house up to 1,300 felony and misdemeanor inmates. In the event of flooding, up to 200 of those inmates would be transferred to the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle. The adopted agreements augment the capacity of the KCCF by allowing for the transfer of 168 to Pierce County detention centers and 114 inmates to Kitsap County.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been working on interim repairs to the Howard Hanson Dam since last January’s record rain, when sinkholes and rapid seepage of water were discovered in an earthen abutment next to the structure. The Army Corps is working to control that seepage through construction of a “grout curtain,” which consists of a concrete-like substance being injected into the earthen material to slow the flow of water.

Due to the weakened nature of the dam, the Army Corps is limiting the storage capacity of the reservoir until the repair can be tested next spring. If the Green River overtops its banks and floods the valley, the County has projected that the MRJC could be under up to 4 feet of water, forcing the evacuation of County staff and the inmates housed in the facility.

October 19, 2009

Council authorizes emergency funding for relocation of County services and protection of County facilities in flood-threatened Green River Valley

Vital county services to continue operating despite any flooding from federal Howard Hanson Dam.

The Metropolitan King County Council today authorized the emergency funds needed to relocate County services and protect critical County facilities in the Green River Valley, in advance of the threat of flooding from the storm-damaged, federal Howard Hanson Dam.

“It is imperative that the County take the necessary actions to protect our employees and the facilities in which they work in the Green River Valley,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee that reviewed the legislation. “Today’s actions help us prepare to take the steps we need to ensure continued operation of vital county services.”

“Our job is to protect citizen access to their government and the services that only we can provide,” Said Councilmember Jane Hague.

“In the event of a major flood, it is crucial that King County be able to guarantee basic services, such as wastewater treatment, to its citizens,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine. “These measures will also allow King County to maintain its key justice system functions during an emergency.”

The $34.6 million appropriation funds work already underway to, among other things:

·       negotiate for jail space to relocate inmates from the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC),
·       negotiate for leases to relocate Superior Court, District Court, the Prosecuting Attorney, the Public Defender, and Judicial Administration from the MRJC,

·       hire a contractor to build a wall of concrete blocks and earthen berms around the MRJC, and provide flood protection around other critical, valuable County facilities,

·       negotiate for leased space for Aukeen District Court and affected public health facilities,
·       lease a temporary animal shelter for five months,
·       lease generators capable of producing 16 megawatts of electricity to continue pumping treated sewage out of the South Treatment Plant in the event of a power failure,

·       erect a water barrier around the South Treatment Plant, and
·       move the Elections Office out of the Earlington Building to the King County Airport Operations Center.

“It would be irresponsible if King County was not prepared,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson. “The County has already acted to protect the November election, but if other critical services are not protected, flooding in the Green River Valley could leave our employees at the Regional Justice Center unable to provide basic services to citizens, and raw sewage headed to our wastewater treatment facility could back up and pollute Lake Washington. This funding provides reassurance that County services, services that are critical to protecting people, property, and democracy, will continue in the event of a flood.”

“This emergency funding to protect our wastewater facility could save millions in property damage” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “Preserving county services and protecting the wastewater facilities from damage are key elements of responsible planning and response to the flood threat.”

“To ensure the health and safety of King County residents, we must make these investments to prepare for potential flooding,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has made it clear that it may take the federal government 5 years to permanently fix the dam. Today’s decisive action is an important step in addressing a multi-year problem.”

“If flood waters strike there will be limited time to react to keep our facilities out of harm’s way,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “This decision assures that the County’s vital services such as wastewater treatment will continue their primary responsibility of serving the homes and business in the Green River Valley.”

The ordinance provides funds to lease a temporary King County animal shelter for five months, but prohibits the use of the funds for purchase of an animal services facility. The County Executive has already announced that animals will be relocated from the animal shelter in Kent and the facility closed by November 1 in anticipation of the flood threat, and proposed the transition of both animal control and sheltering services to a new entity by June 30, 2010.

“As an advocate for being prepared, I appreciate this thoughtful plan for moving the animals in our Kent shelter out of harm’s way due to the threat of severe flooding this winter,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “Because the warning period for flooding could be very short, we need to have a flexible and cost-effective plan for transferring our court operations as well as the animal shelter to temporary locations. I am confident that this framework will provide for the continuity of operations that still delivers compassionate care for the animals in our custody and responsive customer service in our court system.”

Of the emergency funds authorized today, $27.2 million will come from the sale of bond anticipation notes and $7.4 million from the County’s Wastewater Treatment construction fund. The legislation requires the Executive to report back to the Council every two weeks on how the money is being spent. Money that is not used during this flood season will be returned to the General Fund and the wastewater fund to be held in reserve in the event of another Green River flood threat next year.

The Council doubled the amount of funds placed into a flood contingency fund from $4.5 million to nearly $10 million by reducing other areas of the Executive’s budget request.

The Council on August 31 gave the County Executive proactive authority to declare a state of emergency in advance of actual flooding, which he did on Sept. 10.

“Relocating vital services out of the Howard Hanson Dam flood zone will ensure that the business of the county will continue uninterrupted in the event of a flood,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “This is an interim precaution we must take while urging the federal government to speed up permanent repairs to the dam.”

Agencies that are moved out of their facilities will remain at their interim locations until testing on the interim “grout curtain” being injected into the earthen abutment next to the Howard Hanson Dam is complete and it is determined that it is safe to return. The legislation calls on the Executive to report back to the Council with a 3- to 5-year relocation plan for County facilities, the period of time the Army Corps has said it will take to design, fund and construct a permanent fix for the dam.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at
http://kingcounty.legistar.com and type in “2009-0559 and 2009-0560”

Follow the Council’s deliberations through Twitter by visiting the

King County Council Web site at:
www.kingcounty.gov/council

Watch all Council proceedings held in chambers LIVE on King County TV
on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable on channel 22, or online at:
www.kingcounty.gov/KCTV

KENT, Wash. – October 14, 2009 – The City of Kent will begin making complimentary sand and sandbags available to Kent residents beginning Thursday, October 15. Empty sandbags, along with instructions for proper filling and placement, will be available for pick up at the City’s Operations facility located at 5821 West James Street at the following dates and times:

* Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
* Saturdays (10/17, 10/24 and 10/31 only): 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Once residents have their empty sandbags, they can fill them at one of the following sandbag filling stations during daylight hours only.  Residents are asked to bring their own shovels.

* Old Panther Lake Elementary Site, 20831 108th Ave. SE
* Earthworks Park, 742 E. Titus St.
* Home Depot, 26120 104th Ave. SE
* Totem Middle School, 26630 40th Ave. S.
* Grandview Park, 3600 S. 228th St.
*East Hill Fred Meyer, 10201 SE 240th St.

Residents will be limited to 100 bags per household.  For more information, contact the City of Kent Public Works Department at 253-856-5600.

September 16, 2009

Council briefed on cooperation, evacuation, recovery and
mitigation in Green River flood zone

Committee hears details of federal and state agencies working with communities in the path of potential flooding from federal Howard Hanson Dam

A rapid response was promised today by representatives of the state and federal governments, as they briefed members of a Metropolitan King County Council committee on intensive preparations already underway in advance of the potential release of water from the storm-damaged, federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam that could inundate the Green River Valley.

Jim Mullen, Director of the state Emergency Management Division, told members of the Committee of the Whole that his agency and the state’s Military Department are already offering training and preparedness workshops to threatened communities, as well as preparing shelter and mitigation plans.

Mullen said the state’s assistance involves several state agencies, from the Department of Transportation’s preparation of evacuation routes and search and rescue plans to the Department of Social and Health Services arrangement of assistance for those with special needs who are displaced by flooding. Other state agencies involved range from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Health to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which would assist in identifying personnel and equipment for swift water rescue.

“I am concerned that the state has not identified what gaps exist in flood preparations for this region,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, chair of the Council’s Committee of the Whole. “They have assured us that these gaps will be identified shortly and I look forward to receiving their report.”

“Flooding in south King County could impact transportation corridors throughout the Puget Sound region,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson.  “Evacuating thousands of people from the Green River Valley, along with shifting transportations routes for those who depend on State Route 167 everyday, will push I-5 to the limit. We must take every step necessary to ensure people can safely evacuate the Valley.”

Emergency officials acknowledged that while they will assist the County in several aspects of flood preparation, King County will have the primary responsibility for setting up shelters for displaced residents.

Lon Biasco, Division X Director of Disaster Operations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told the committee that FEMA is not a first responder, but rather an agency that supports and coordinates federal response through state officials who come to FEMA with specific needs. For example, he said FEMA is now assisting with locating generators to keep the County’s South Treatment Plant operating to process wastewater in the event of a flood-related power failure.

“As we prepare for the real possibility that communities will need to be evacuated, it is vital that the agencies responsible for responding all be on the same page,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “Today’s briefing is reassuring in the fact that local, county, state and federal agencies are already preparing plans for something we all hope won’t be needed.”

“Today’s briefing is an example of the necessary dialogue that must continue between all levels of government as the Green River Valley region prepares for possible flooding,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.  “These coordinated partnerships will assure the residents and businesses of the region that every angle is being looked at in order to prepare, react and recover from flood waters.”

Mark Carey, FEMA’s Mitigation Division Director for Division X, praised King County for being rated by his agency as the second most-prepared community in the nation in the ability to manage flood risk — from early warning to flood fighting to levee maintenance. He said FEMA’s mitigation responsibility locally will be to:

·       Analyze risk: Carey told members that according to their scenarios, the potential property and economic loss from major flooding in the Green River Valley could go as high as $4 billion.

·       Reduce risk: The agency has been providing technical assistance and is prepared to provide financial assistance where needed, primarily through grants which would be administered and prioritized by the state. Carey said up to $14 million would be available to assist with mitigation.

·       Insure for risk: FEMA administers the national flood insurance program, and Carey said it is committed to helping raise the amount of flood insurance purchased by Green River Valley residents.

“Coordinated emergency preparedness efforts for potential flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam are underway and will protect lives if flooding occurs,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “But these emergency preparations don’t let the federal government off the hook from doing everything possible to speed up a permanent repair to the dam so that people and property in the flood zone are properly protected.”

“It’s impossible to predict whether the floodwaters will come, but the county and the Green River Valley cities will continue to work with state and federal agencies to be ready for all possibilities,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine. “No matter what the future holds, we will do our best to be prepared.”

Both the state and federal officials stressed that preparation is the best weapon in advance of floods, and encouraged community outreach efforts on the preparation of evacuation kits, discussion of where to go in case of flooding, and the purchase of flood insurance.

The Army Corps of Engineers discovered the problem with the earthen abutment next to the dam after January’s record rain. According to the Army Corps a temporary fix to inject grout into the earthen material to control seepage is underway but dam storage capacity will be limited until the repair can be tested next spring. A long-term fix could take the federal government three to five years and hundreds of millions of dollars.

Further briefings on the federal Howard Hanson Dam flood threat will be heard in Committee of the Whole. The County is hosting a series of public meetings on the Howard Hanson flood threat. For information on the meetings, click here.

See the PowerPoint presentation on state planning efforts

Visit the Web portal for King County’s flood planning

Flooding in the Green River Valley

Residents, businesses and farms below the Howard Hanson Dam in the Green River Valley should prepare now for a higher risk of flooding. Parts of Seattle, Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila—could be flooded and evacuations in some communities are possible.

MORE INFO HERE.

Are you ready?

See the King County Flood Plan website for complete information on upcoming presentations and tips on how to prepare for potential flooding. Events listings here.

Not sure if you are in an area that may be affected? Check this map for more information. Potential areas to be affected are those below the Howard Hanson Dam including Kent, Auburn, Renton, South Seattle and Tukwila.

Additional is also available in this blog post.

Contact: Bob Ferguson 206-296-1001/Reagan Dunn 206-296-1009

September 8, 2009

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

State Attorney General to testify on proposed legislation
reforming King County public records process
Committee of the Whole discussing plan that incorporates recommendations of Attorney General’s model rules for public records response and retention

The Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole will hear tomorrow from Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna on a proposed County ordinance to increase transparency and openness in government while reducing the possibility of costly lawsuits.

Wednesday, September 9

Meeting start time – 9:30 a.m.

Attorney General McKenna’s presentation – 11:00 a.m.
Council chambers

10th floor, King County Courthouse

Third and James Streets

Following Attorney General McKenna’s presentation, the committee will discuss the proposed ordinance, which is co-sponsored by Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson and Councilmember Reagan Dunn.

The proposed legislation reflects the work of a joint Council and Executive branch staff work group and incorporates into County code many of the Attorney General’s suggested model rules for public records response and retention.

The Committee of the Whole considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council and is the only standing committee on which all nine members serve.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at
http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/legistarweb and type in “2009-0351”

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Contact: Bob Ferguson 206-296-1001
bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov

September 8, 2009

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Work on alerting public to potential flooding from federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam to be presented to Council committee
Committee of the Whole also to be briefed by Director of Elections on possible relocation of County elections facility

The Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole will hear tomorrow about the County’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the potential for widespread flooding in the Green River Valley. The Committee will also be briefed on the possible relocation of the County’s Elections Office should it become necessary for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release water from the federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam to avoid overloading the storm-damaged structure.

The briefing will be held:

Wednesday, September 9

9:30 a.m.
Council chambers

10th floor, King County Courthouse

Third and James Streets

Councilmembers will hear from Carolyn Duncan, Director of Communications for the King County Executive, and Sherril Huff, Director of King County Elections.

The cities in the Green River Valley, King County, federal agencies, the Red Cross, business organizations and social service providers are involved in an extensive outreach effort to inform residents and businesses of the potential crisis. Governments and organizations are working with agricultural interests in the unincorporated areas and vulnerable populations in the Green River Valley. Letters warning of the increased risk of a major flood and informational brochures have been mailed to 165,000 addresses in the flood plain, along with 15,000 distributed to jurisdictions, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

The Army Corps discovered sinkholes and rapid seepage of water from an earthen abutment next to Howard Hanson Dam after last January’s record rain. A temporary fix to control seepage is underway but dam storage capacity is expected to be limited until the repair is tested next spring. A long-term fix could take three to five years to develop and construct.

The Committee of the Whole considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council and is the only standing committee on which all nine members serve.

All Council meetings held in chambers are carried live on King County TV

on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22.