Kent Mayor Responds to Moody’s Downgrade

KENT, Wash. – February 7, 2012 – The decision by Moody’s Investors Service to lower the rating on Kent’s Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) bonds will have no immediate impact on the city’s finances, Mayor Suzette Cooke reported at the City Council’s Operations Committee meeting Tuesday.

On February 6, Moody’s lowered the city’s bond rating one point from Aa3 to A1. In Moody’s terms, an Aa3 rating means that an obligor has a very strong ability to meet its financial commitments while a rating of A1 represents that an obligor has a strong capacity to meet its financial obligations, but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

Cooke said city government has been in persistent contraction for the last four years. “Rising costs and deteriorating revenues have forced reductions in every area of our budget. We have significantly cut internal supports – like training and supplies, reduced staff, cut programs, and delayed projects until economic conditions stabilize. We’ve been trying to maintain a level of service that least damages our residents and job base,” said Cooke. As Moody’s notes, ‘there is uncertainty with regard to the city’s ability to implement additional expenditure cuts as it has already enacted significant cuts over the last three fiscal years.’

“Uncertainty created by the economic recession has placed a financial burden on all levels of government,” said Cooke. “Locally we know South King County sales tax revenue is down 32 percent. the sluggish construction industry has gutted our development fees income, and the dearth of property sales has reduced Real Estate Excise Tax revenue by 75 percent. As the state and King County re-align their budgets, they have either reduced committed revenues to us (such as Streamlined Sales Tax mitigation) or transferred the responsibility of providing services down to us with no attached revenue (such as animal control). The trickle-down effect has left Kent financially vulnerable to acts and decisions outside our control.” Moody’s report states, ‘There is also uncertainty with regard to the city’s ability to preserve current levels of state shared revenues….’

Cooke said the downgrade does not affect current indebtedness or bond payments, nor would it affect voter-approved or revenue bonds; the city has no plans to issue LTGO bonds in the near term.

Moody’s report lists Kent’s strengths as having a large, relatively resilient property tax base; a stable local economy; and a “still manageable debt burden” with regards to the Public Facilities District that supports ShoWare Center. The report also notes the city appears to be in the early stages of a turnaround, committed to rebuilding negative fund balances, paying down interfund debts and stabilizing recurring fund operations. Cooke said the city is already working to improve its finances.

Friendly service and tasty beer make Airways Brewing Company a favorite with locals as well as beer enthusiasts from all over.  Their tap room, which opened on March 4, 2010, is located at 6644 S. 196th Street, Ste. 100 features full pints and growlers of their five standard beers: T-Tail Blonde Ale; Jet City ESB; First Class IPA; Starliner Stout and Sky Hag IPA.  Founder and brewer Alex Dittmar has had a lifelong passion for 60′s era jetliners as the names of his beers show.  Airways Brewing Company and now Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro is a combination of his love for airplanes, good beer and a connection with people from all over the world.

Please join Airways Brewing Co. for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 8 and welcome Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro to downtown Kent.

Mayor Suzette Cooke’s 2012 Budget Proposal to Kent City Council

Kent, Wash. – October 5, 2011 – Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke’s 2012 proposed budget was presented to the Kent City Council on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Chief Administrative Officer John Hodgson.

In a prepared statement, Cooke said her budget is in line with the “new normal.”

“For nearly four years, city government has been in persistent contraction. Rising costs and deteriorating revenues have forced reductions in nearly every area our budget.

We’ve made significant cuts, we’ve reduced staff, we’ve cut programs — and hoped conditions would stabilize.  Instead, projections continually collapse.  As Arun Raha, our state’s economist and forecaster, recently stated, ‘a return to normalcy seems like mirage in the desert that keeps slipping away’. This unprecedented recession just won’t end.

Earlier this year, the Council established its strategic goals for 2012 including the ‘development and implementation of a sustainable funding model for city services.’  This budget proposal is reflective of that goal and the new economic reality.”

The proposed 2012 Operating Budget totals $141.7 million.

Cooke’s statement further noted the budget continues to make law enforcement and public safety a high priority. “Approximately 46% of the expenditures in the General Fund are dedicated to public safety, which includes police, corrections and courts.”

Highlights of the proposed budget

Top priorities maintained

• Law Enforcement:  No reductions in the number of sworn officers are proposed.
• Human Services:  Maintain 2011 funding levels for human services. With the departure of the fire department, the original 1% calculation would have been $733k.  An additional $95,600 keeps it whole for 2012.
• Infrastructure:  Preserve the City’s infrastructure assets, including utilities (water, sewer and drainage), streets, parks, facilities and technology.
• Economic Development:  Focus on increasing economic development opportunities that provide jobs for Kent residents.
•  Increase connections and communication with our residents: Aim to foster inclusiveness by celebrating our diversity and creating new gathering places.

Cost increases and required/contracted expenditures

* $500,000 towards repayment of a 2002 loan from the water fund related to land acquisition for Kent Station.
* $126,000 increase in animal control services provided by Regional Animal Services of King County, for a total cost of nearly $417,000 for 2012.  The city-county contract will end 12/31/2012.
* $110,000 increase for election services and $44,573 increase in voter registration services provided by King County.
* $172,000 new expense for custodial, maintenance and security screening costs for the newly acquired Aukeen Court/Municipal Court building.
* $572,000 in utility cost increases for city-owned facilities and parks (i.e. electricity, water, sewer, garbage, etc.), as well as neighborhood street lighting previously covered by Home Owners Associations.
* $343,000 increase for state-mandated pension costs.
* $373,000 increase for worker’s compensation costs, largely due to remaining fire department claims.  The City is still responsible for these outstanding claims, because they occurred prior to the formation of the Regional Fire Authority.

Cost savings/fee increases

•     Eliminate 20.5 vacant positions – $1,711,562
•     Restructure fees for permitting and development services – $400,000
•     Apply a technology fee to permitting, parks and utility billing transactions to maintain technology systems – $125,000.
•     Increase business license fees – $100,000.

Residents are encouraged to attend a public hearing on the 2012 budget on Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Council members will review the budget and likely adopt a final version at their December 13 meeting.

1. Mayor Suzette Cooke
2. Kent City Councilwoman Deb Ranniger (sponsored by Allegro Performing Arts Academy)
3. Kent City Council President Jamie Perry (sponsored by Pacific Raceways)
4. Deputy Chief, King County Steve Strachan (sponsored by Great American Casino)
5. Representative Dave Upthegrove (sponsored by Pat’s Bar & Grill)
6. Kent Chamber President Andrea Keikkala (sponsored by Airways Brewing Company)
7. Timberwolves Receiver Jeremiah Captain (sponsored by Charley’s on Central)
8. Kiwanis Noon Club President Janet Stebbins (sponsored by Kiwanis Noon Club)
9. Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas (sponsored by Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise)
10. Kent Firefighter Marvin Oakcrum (sponsored by Gators Sports Bar and Grill)

Guest Judge:  Ken Sharp, owner of Minuteman Press of Kent

VIP Tickets are $100 and include dinner, wine, priority seating and voting rights in the People’s Choice Trophy Presentation; General admission tickets are $30 each.

Call 253-639-0124 to purchase tickets, or buy them online now –>  Click Here To Buy Tickets Now

Additional information is available on Facebook.

Donations will benefit the Kent Community Center’s music lab.

For more information about the event, which is being hosted by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, visit the City’s website online.

Ken Thomas Named Chief of Police for Kent

KENT, Wash. – January 19, 2011 – Ken Thomas, a 22-year police veteran with a history of innovative leadership and community outreach, will take the lead as the new Chief of Police for the City of Kent.

“Thomas’s leadership excellence and his ability to build strong relationships with diverse communities makes him an outstanding choice to lead our Police Department,” Mayor Suzette Cooke said. “Simply put, Ken is the right choice for our community and the right choice for the department.”

Currently serving as Captain of the 185-member department, Thomas is credited with leading Kent’s Community Oriented Policing Unit that has resulted in reduced residential burglaries and auto thefts.

“As a veteran of the department, he is very familiar with our community and neighborhoods, and recognizes our challenges,” Cooke said.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this position. I will do everything in my power to make Kent the safest city in the region,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor and City Council, and every member of this great department, just as I’m looking forward to working with the community as a true partner in public safety.”

Four candidates were interviewed by three panels representing Kent’s diverse community, public safety professionals, and business and civic leaders.

“While each candidate’s breadth of experience and commitment were impressive, Ken Thomas was the overwhelming top choice of each of three panels,” said Cooke. “The panelists like the direction the department is going; the officers like the direction the department is going. We all want to keep the current momentum.”

Council President Jamie Perry said the entire Council supports the selection of Thomas. “He’s going to do a great job and he’s got the experience we need.”

Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Thomas will be sworn in as Chief within the next two weeks. He replaces Chief Steve Strachan, who resigned in December 2010 to serve as Chief Deputy of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

“After careful consideration of the 18 applications, four finalists were selected to participate in on-site interviews,” Cooke said.

“Our screeners spent several hours reviewing the applications, determining minimum qualifications and compatibility of experience for our community.  We are pleased with the quality of the four finalists and look forward to concluding the interview process, and selecting our new Police Chief, hopefully by early March.”

Frazer, the only out-of-state candidate, brings 24 years of police, fire and emergency operations experience. His current position is Police Chief of McFarland, California, a city of approximately 13,000 located in the San Joaquin Valley, where he established a new department in 120 days after ceasing to contract with Kern County for police services.  Previously, Frazer was with the Rohnert Park, California Police Department (city population 43,000) where he served as Division Commander for the 78-member department since 1986.  (In the case of each city, the department population represents the total number of commissioned officers and full-time employees.) He holds a Masters Degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California.

Sale, who has served since 2004 as Chief of the 25-member Police Department in Cheney, Washington, population 10,500 (20,000 when Central Washington University classes are in session), has 32 years of law enforcement experience, including 25 years with the Washington State Patrol.  He is credited with developing a multi-agency team to identify and provide services to at-risk youth and speaks nationally on law enforcement issues.  Sale is a graduate of Washington State University and the FBI National Academy.

Thomas, a 22-year veteran of the 185-member Kent Police Department, currently serves as Captain.  He is credited with leading the City’s Community Oriented Policing Unit resulting in reduced residential burglaries and auto thefts.  Thomas holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development from Central Washington University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Villa brings 20 years of police experience to his current position as Assistant Police Chief for the City of Tukwila.  The 87-member department serves a population of 18,190 residents (140,000 daytime population).  Villa is credited with the development and implementation of a multi-pronged strategy which has resulted in a decrease of residential burglaries.  He saw active duty in the US Marine Corps Reserves, has a Business Degree from Central Washington University and graduated from the FBI National Academy.

The finalists will be interviewed January 13 by three separate panels, including one comprised of community members.

Read the press release online here.

May 5, 2010

Dear Dr. Vargus, Kent School Board Members, Mayor Cooke,

After School sporting activities are of an utmost importance to our children and our community of Kent.

The Afterschool Alliance’s recent examination of multiple studies of after-school program impact found solid evidence that:

• After-school programs keep children and youth safe and protect them from negative and unsafe behaviors.
• After school programs help working parents.

After-school activities help youth develop social skills, improve academic performance, and help them build strong supportive relationships with adults other than their parents. Young children benefit especially from the social skills development and improved academic skills. This leads to improved conflict management and better school attendance. Middle-school aged youth who continue to participate in after-school activities are more likely to be engaged in school and attentive in class and less likely to be involved in violent behavior at school.

Participation in after-school activities continues to be a benefit for students right through high school. Adolescents in after-school programs are optimistic for the future and have more interest in school than peers who are unsupervised after school. After-school program participation also helps to keep youth from skipping school and experimenting with alcohol, drugs and sexual activity.

In fact, the 1995 Westat, Inc. analysis of national data found that students who spend no time in after-school activities are 49 percent more likely to have used drugs and 37 percent more likely to become teen parents than students who spend one to four hours per week in after-school activities. After-school programs prevent pregnancy by promoting sound judgment, offering health education, and providing positive alternatives to sexual activity according to “Child Trends Research Brief,” May 2002.

Furthermore, if youth stay involved in after-school activities through adolescence, they are more likely to attend college, vote and volunteer as adults according to Zaff and Moore, et al. in the “Journal of Adolescent Research,” in 2003.

There are two reasons that after-school activities have these positive benefits for adolescents.

First, adolescents need guidance to grow into productive adulthood and after school programs and activities keep youth busy between 2 and 6 p.m., the times when adolescents are most likely to commit crimes, be crime victims, or participate in sexual activity.

Second, after school programs can provide extra time for career exploration, skill development, service learning and internships to prepare them for college and work.

It is estimated that every dollar spent on after school programs will save taxpayers $3 because of reductions in youth crime, teen parenthood and school dropout rates.

This estimate is based on studies done across the country including Alabama, California, and Washington D.C. This cost benefit is in addition to the life-long love of learning, improved level of education, and contributions in civic life that results from participation in after-school programs and activities.

Furthermore, by eliminating Fastpitch Softball from the available sports selection, you discriminate against girls who are not physically capable of performing at the physical rigors required with gymnastics, the height and coordination required with volleyball and basketball.

There is no way to train a girl who is physically limited by speed or height to run a fast thirty yard dash in track.

I as a parent feel that the Kent School District and the School Board has failed the community with this decision concerning middle and high school sports.

The ramifications of such will become apparent in the not too distant future. I hope for the childrens sake the consequences are not as negative as have been in other districts who have drifted down this path forsaking the children.

Sincerely,

Jesse Emery
21121 124th Ave. S.E.
Kent, Wa 98031
(253)852-2666

Once the Panther Lake annexation of 24,000 residents is complete, the City of Kent will become the sixth largest city in the State of Washington. For more information about the annexation, visit the city’s online annexation resource.

“This is a great game and we can’t wait to unveil it,” Commissioner Benizio said. “We are real pleased to grow here in Kent.”

Benizio was one of half a dozen speakers at today’s press conference called by the Kent Predators to introduce Benizio, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of Football Operations Brian Brents, Head Coach William McCarthy, the Kent Predators football team and dance team.

“Welcome Kent,” Mayor Cooke said. “We are going to be a great team together. I love wolves and I love purple. We’re going to beat everybody!”

Ken Moninski, co-owner of the team, said the team is excited to call the new ShoWare Center home and welcomed everyone to come watch the fan-friendly game.

“We’re going to make the city proud,” he said. “The support here is phenomenal. We’ll have a very successful season on and off the field.”

Co-owner Kokalis agreed, citing the team’s commitment to the City of Kent and his enthusiasm about the staff, players, team and community partnerships.

“We’re going to make Kent the best community in the state of Washington,” Kokalis added.

Brents, who took the El Paso Generals to a 12 and 2 season in 2009, serves as the Kent Predators VP of Football Operations. He, too, showed his support of the team and community.

“This is exciting, y’all!”

One of Brents’ first tasks was to hire head coach William McCarthy, who previously served as assistant coach to the El Paso Generals. McCarthy said the community would love the fast-paced game and encouraged the crowd to attend the team’s first practice during training camp this Sunday at Wilson Playfields (132nd and 248th on Kent’s East Hill).

Defensive back Kevin Jones, who played football for Kentwood High School, said he is anxious to start the season.

“We’re playing this game not just for ourselves but for the whole community,” Jones said. “I’m glad to be home!”

The team’s first game is an away game on February 28 against the Billings Outlaws, the 2009 defending champions of the United Bowl. The Predators’ first home game will be at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12.

“We’d like to put a sellout here,” Kokalis said.

For more information about the Kent Predators, visit the team online or contact Jim Granacker, VP of operations, at 253-239-3254.

Kent Predators Receiver Eric "Shampoo" Taylor and Mayor Suzette Cooke

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