[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6124708,"mediaKeyId","2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22","parentId",2680176,"title","Advocates and residents urge Kent council to adopt resolution protecting LGBTQI residents and workers","audioSeconds",543,"startMs",2592410,"endMs",3136089,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22&start=2592&end=3136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22/thumbnail_2592410.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124708/Kent/King-County/Washington/Advocates-and-residents-urge-Kent-council-to-adopt-resolution-protecting-LGBTQI-residents-and-workers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124708-8c9b04fc6d21b6503d8da8bf57af7ad3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431394&Signature=gVZJetOGSls9aD-CQ5VNFHJKsOPFQER5KJ~OoN-W~iwNWibU9MgQtpx~-8nedG9d~T~AZK4Ph-WC2BkHDJPUFfq2z-NSIDs1eh1YnzE2BQ16PEDryewhtyhzuU8ceqxRW39Yu62WrVp7qSdjIZmoBqNoU2stvyyIlxUJAtgZNES3w8fw2bdXc6XsJVmBeiRCMDGwHx06ZARWUeypjYMkoeezebgnhRCf3Sl4ril0GJF~-lA14IpOhM96vvJOpcToown3Zw0CZon7KuojGd32UzNAhg62vXSzZ1GnvHZsVXZ~O2kXexVTkbFCpGaco-QyJYte3-W7SAxHB2h6J9PNOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent City, WA","date","2025-03-19T01:36:29Z","article","Three speakers used the March 18 public-comment period at the Kent City Council meeting to urge passage of a resolution supporting safety and protections for LGBTQI residents and workers.

Amosai Cheke (spelled in transcript as \"Amosai Cheke\") identified himself as a Kent resident and Utopia Washington organizer and said the issue was \"about survival,\" describing a recent attack on a trans woman in Kent and youth pushed from homes. \"When our community is under attack, where do you stand?\" he asked council members.

Adrianna Suluai, who identified herself as a trans woman and a representative of Utopia Washington, described working with families and youth and urged the council not to delay action. \"We cannot afford to wait,\" she said, calling the resolution a concrete expression of the city standing with queer and trans residents.

Shannon Jepsen Hernandez spoke as a teacher at Mill Creek Middle School, a 23-year resident of Kent and a downtown business owner (Back 40 Outfitters). She described a series of safety problems near her store — open drug use, multiple break-ins and a recent theft she said totaled $23,000 — and said those conditions also affect students who pass through downtown. She said those experiences motivated her to support measures addressing public safety and community services.

Councilmembers did not take action on a resolution during the meeting; speakers asked the council to move forward with a community-led resolution to improve safety and protections for LGBTQI residents.

Why it matters: Public comment placed personal safety and equity concerns before the council and framed them as a call for a formal municipal response. Speakers described incidents they said had occurred locally and asked the council for a clear, timely response.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kent City Council Meeting - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Three speakers during public comment urged the council to pass a resolution supporting protections for LGBTQI residents and workers, citing recent local assaults, family rejection of youth and safety concerns for businesses and students.","taxTitle","Kent, King County, Washington","taxId",2557,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124712,"Kent awards $180,630 contract to Central Paving for 2025 crack sealing",72,4733185,4806180,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22&start=4733&end=4806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22/thumbnail_4733185.jpg","/articles/6124712/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-awards-180630-contract-to-Central-Paving-for-2025-crack-sealing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124712-fd38def0b55c9cd1460165bbcae48ba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431394&Signature=WbN3Jo29bk49Q6-E4SyblDDU8ivuSd0ZkmEWsin1xbaWjriOYaAhbn8bI4uFz1aSe56F9wS45uGqM2sDmxLjK61~HWO1LRxNg6vEW1VCubjCL-RuJeb080dCl~W0D7fXxbZb0ZCbgqwhFiwymTQzayzhfh61bTsT9gseu9l9Kcy4XgYNGrpW1yj1G1HHWg2aXOr~w2m2dOS~GqrNGlSOclbnnes9g6ohbwEO7No~b8eBkUOHcXBem2fe-BiWYP~Ih3P~iqOpPVC9fZcye2go7-ourC1LMCwYglFzWq4IqtuN7f3~nQLibzCV26hB0YLl8tiqsQitZ04OZJ74pDssDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent City Council voted March 18 to award the 2025 crack sealing contract to Central Paving LLC for $180,630. The motion passed on a voice vote, 7-0.

Public Works Director Chad Baron told the council the project funds crack sealing work: cleaning cracks in pavement and sealing them to prevent water intrusion and extend pavement life. He reported the city received five bids and recommended awarding the contract to Central Paving LLC as the lowest responsive bidder.

The council’s action authorized the mayor to sign contract documents subject to final terms acceptable to the city attorney and public works director.

Why it matters: Routine pavement maintenance like crack sealing helps extend the service life of road surfaces and can reduce larger resurfacing costs in the future.

What’s next: Public works will finalize contract terms and schedule the work with the awarded vendor.","The council voted 7-0 to award the 2025 crack sealing contract to Central Paving LLC for $180,630; Public Works Director Chad Baron said the work prevents water intrusion and extends pavement life.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124715,"Kent approves 3-year contract with Teamsters Local 117 for police officers and sergeants",76,5869510,5945635,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22&start=5869&end=5945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22/thumbnail_5869510.jpg","/articles/6124715/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-approves-3-year-contract-with-Teamsters-Local-117-for-police-officers-and-sergeants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124715-a5aa5ff69963fcc924e51b18dfe9079e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431394&Signature=j~ZKxMMUjLAJqkRnJzKu8890baDQYb0Dmd1N6E-AkNpxxcL3P0~iGBeKDnrBG3W2beW-a4kcseHJ4d4aFX2YDVwlT2i9r2tcQzXLgwO-j7nDAIbfs6AH12K1NdpviIDxasGX7IhPrRgXoT~lDpjVZsIQ5E7KPDEAXfCe50UDchAxCUT6gu3MSRsI2BLrdbhAW6C~PthwpfWwoEieQjhmXOxXKPdkj-3QP8bW1p4tbi923uuWQkd0hOBOitXCrXbqBP-hV114qgKiGN0w-lwvJjLWKtsYliBR-xQjVOD9Q8y5Hmebz9zKd4GpMqB5FKH5nkKoYhQtk2DMh4h1LSKL5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a closed session on collective bargaining, Kent City Council on March 18 authorized the mayor to sign a three-year collective-bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 117 covering police officers and sergeants.

Human Services Director Carrie Endicott presented the agreement, saying negotiators reached terms after months of talks and that the contract reflects the city’s partnership with Teamsters Local 117 and the shared commitment to public safety. The council then voted 7-0 to authorize the mayor to sign the contract and to amend the budget as needed to implement its terms.

The motion implementing the agreement directed the administration to finalize signatures and adjust the budget to reflect the contract’s terms; the contract period is effective Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Why it matters: The agreement governs wages, benefits and workplace rules for sworn police staff represented by Teamsters Local 117 and includes budgetary impacts that the council authorized staff to implement through budget amendments.

What’s next: The administration will finalize the signed contract and implement required budget changes; no additional public details about the contract terms were provided during the meeting.","Following a closed session, the council authorized the mayor to sign a three-year collective bargaining agreement covering Kent police officers and sergeants for 2025–2027 and approved budget amendments as needed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124716,"Kent council authorizes letter urging changes to proposed $1.5 billion King County parks levy",1524,3192470,4717119,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22&start=3192&end=4717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680176-e9567a869d66a5c9715a2e934beb4e22/thumbnail_3192470.jpg","/articles/6124716/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-council-authorizes-letter-urging-changes-to-proposed-15-billion-King-County-parks-levy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124716-9fd471690d47ff1b678ee557a57401f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431394&Signature=Q~68lkR7-ph4RcoECJ-1bwwyoy7YfrWLKZ7h2jCxde9BBK9CK2QHKvkCa-0onGH3v7WzWCIFIl1PurM7fJdlWseeucCV38hyr1Sq0iFMk1hEXB~AFQYE7pp5cjwTi5gdczPSnVU~y87~J5ido9LnJ4dDDQu92uxnN44Jdr7377zaJ9XbtKXgQLeOtNnKoranzF8knSCPiYSCqSP9BtrPivxnswgbMa2bhsHg8BqaSjenk5crH~WtPFSwvNatx6OBH3~kmQt1QVXu9TjR8dl8f9Vn8NLZRy2yGv3iHudxzeD9LUQkh8KvyuDyvXaQOpwFyRWsUDFNLCbA8V7dO~pqIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent City Council voted unanimously March 18 to authorize Council President Pro Tem to sign a letter urging King County to revise its proposed 2026–2031 parks levy so that funds are distributed more equitably to cities such as Kent.

Parks Director Julie Paris Godola told the council the draft levy — which she said would raise $1.5 billion countywide if approved — falls short on transparency, coordination with cities and direct investment in Kent. Godola said the county’s stakeholder process left municipalities’ concerns unaddressed when the levy was released publicly in February.

Godola said the levy’s presentation materials make apples-to-oranges comparisons across levy rounds and that Kent received little in direct capital investment despite contributing to the funding pool. She said the county’s proposed pass-through method would increase Kent’s guaranteed pass-through funding from $572,000 in 2024 to roughly $816,000 under the new formula, but that Kent residents would still pay an estimated $8 million annually into the levy and that, over six years, Kent would contribute roughly $48 million while receiving around $5 million in direct pass-through funds under the current proposal.

\"The new levy is way too large,\" Godola said, adding that the county’s capital grants bucket — a core municipal priority — increased by only $5 million while operations and maintenance received a much larger increase in absolute dollars. Godola also said trail and capital investments were heavily weighted to other parts of the county, noting a $120 million earmark for north and east side trails versus $8 million for South King trails.

Council members asked questions about how projects would be prioritized and who decides when projects are \"shovel ready.\" Councilmember Trautner and others said those answers had not been made clear. Councilmember Boyce urged colleagues to use the packet Godola provided to contact King County Council members.

Councilmember Michaud moved — and the council seconded — a motion to authorize the council president pro tem to sign a letter urging King County, should it pursue the levy, to distribute funds equitably to the city of Kent. The motion passed 7-0.

Mayor Dana Ralph said the signed letter would be distributed to the King County Council, the county executive and regional networks.

Why it matters: King County’s proposed levy would affect property-tax payers across the county and provide capital and operating funds to the county parks system and to municipalities through pass-through dollars and grants. Kent officials argued the proposal, as written, undercounts direct investment in Kent while increasing the overall levy size and shifting a large share of funding to other jurisdictions.

What’s next: The levy remains at the county level and would require placement on a ballot and approval by the Regional Policy Committee and King County Council before appearing to voters; the council’s letter is intended to influence those decisions. The council gave instructions to distribute the letter to key county officials and regional partners.

","After a presentation from Kent Parks Director Julie Paris Godola outlining concerns about fairness, transparency and limited direct investment in Kent, the City Council voted 7-0 to authorize a letter to King County urging a more equitable distribution if the 2026–2031 parks levy is placed on the ballot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advocates and residents urge Kent council to adopt resolution protecting LGBTQI residents and workers

Kent awards $180,630 contract to Central Paving for 2025 crack sealing

Kent approves 3-year contract with Teamsters Local 117 for police officers and sergeants

Kent council authorizes letter urging changes to proposed $1.5 billion King County parks levy