[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6270673,"mediaKeyId","3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e","parentId",3032412,"title","Kent jail describes MOUD efforts; staff report limited reach amid short stays and diversion challenges","audioSeconds",731,"startMs",7247000,"endMs",7978000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e&start=7247&end=7978","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e/thumbnail_7247000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270673/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-jail-describes-MOUD-efforts-staff-report-limited-reach-amid-short-stays-and-diversion-challenges","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270673-bec9a0ac031a88c0efb3b55049cb4754/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750387&Signature=Czfg91IXG76Ml4X4TxWs4KZDVm7cT85dEBxDBjZwhVYRFdJzz2MW8wHn5V7KFapliB~1sfNAWGY-XQnV6OIez9yXESuaqeWkur6R6L5sr4Y8HuRQq-mnfPltP6nrKknBtbPGPsBHBr5wq6vGS6Ufg9C9v9Ak7KpNNVrTnmjkLt2eoiLaR5BfRTwsm39QAj0pRuuZWCViYOQJgm9aH4dHMSva78FrNXvbH28AQCYpT0rSACeJIffSRL1W~He9noY~-2lgGnXN~4lYGMvcvqvLrY7YM2Wp9kJqNUCtu21C3KkDQXyyiYf~yZwwMe3U5Rn~EgixoCVQ2GOfbWkctf9fUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent City, WA","date","2025-04-17T04:53:56.027Z","article","Commander Armstrong briefed the council workshop on April 15 about the jail’s medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) / medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) program.

Armstrong said the jail’s program focuses primarily on MOUD medications such as buprenorphine formulations (Subutex/Suboxone variations) and naloxone distribution at release. He explained that methadone is difficult to provide on site because of program regulations and logistics; long‑acting injectable formulations exist but are cost‑prohibitive for routine use in the facility.

The jail resumed a MOUD dosing program in November 2023, with its medical provider prescribing Subutex in the facility and staff administering medication under strict procedures. Protocols include urine screening, pre‑dose medical screening (including EKG and lab work as needed), an intake agreement, and supervised dosing sessions in a multi‑purpose room each morning. Correctional officers stay with participants 15–20 minutes after dosing to observe for adverse effects and to reduce diversion risk; staff then perform additional checks before inmates rejoin housing units.

Armstrong said that, since November, the facility placed approximately 113 participants on the program; about 16 diversions were reported (roughly a 14 percent diversion rate of participants). He also reported that the jail handled about 3,462 bookings during the same period and that the average length of stay was about 11.9 days — a short average stay that makes it difficult to complete the intake and dosing timeline (Armstrong noted that it can take about 10–14 days to complete the intake process required to place someone on the program). The jail provides naloxone to participants and offers flyers and referral information for community MOUD providers at release.

Council members asked about detox protocols, diversion outcomes and follow‑up after release. Armstrong said medical staff can use short taper protocols for people in acute withdrawal and that reentry partners (including REACH and court resource coordinators) help connect people to community‑based programs; he said follow‑through after release is inconsistent and the jail has limited capacity to monitor community adherence.

Armstrong described procedural safeguards and internal discipline for diversion and said the program has reduced some drug‑seeking behavior inside the jail because potential participants now know the jail offers a program. He also said cost and administrative constraints have limited expansion of injectable medications and that the city is monitoring state Medicaid waiver efforts and grant cohort pilots that could affect funding options for jail‑based services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Kent Committee of the Whole & Workshop - April 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Kent Correctional Facility described its medication‑for‑opioid‑use disorder (MOUD/MAT) program, procedural safeguards, participation and diversion statistics, and reentry referrals; staff said short average stays and regulatory costs limit program scale.","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},6270679,"Council hears staff proposal to concentrate broader middle‑housing options near transit and use limited height incentive",2128,5099000,7227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e&start=5099&end=7227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e/thumbnail_5099000.jpg","/articles/6270679/Kent/King-County/Washington/Council-hears-staff-proposal-to-concentrate-broader-middlehousing-options-near-transit-and-use-limited-height-incentive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270679-a4691e1df1a9baa0a04cded33bd5c5e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750387&Signature=LxD50xrxrm4cyBOltNIW-M~2ao0mW9Z8U6kdaoH5q1tetKVd-v2ydbNwwTdFbH9DxIK5p7byHqfVZ82Lb1DNT9gtw6g-cwbcUpltlrUqoD4CIK9z9mK64bVAD78avK5oD26SNu0UV8G2K8GX4Mk1HD~Hrbq7qtSLRdEwTs0xwO-pBW10OrCmvB1kZDLySqLtIwt0AtaIrFmPExdpcWdl9CaJgj2u5BMkJhz61NmLwSBwoXa5agQJP6bCEEkJURhq82dSaiig3prwxpcECoY7NgULAEQuTdSnUxkjWIQT971gCnTLC9T3vL1xnYxVzz3dAE3ERcMMwPXHhtHwafdi8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Hera (ECDC) and consultant Tyler Quinn Smith briefed the council workshop on state middle‑housing requirements and staff recommendations for Kent’s first‑phase code updates.

Hera said the city must adopt a Phase 1 update by June 30 to meet state timelines or default to the state model ordinance. Staff propose allowing all nine state middle‑housing unit types within a quarter mile of high‑capacity transit and limiting development outside that zone so that no single attached building exceeds four attached units (a measure intended to reduce massing and preserve neighborhood scale). The state requires allowing at least six unit types; staff recommended a near‑transit allowance of all nine and a narrower set (effectively seven of nine) outside transit where 5‑ and 6‑plexes and courtyard apartments would be restricted by code design.

Hera summarized related legislative discussion: state bills under consideration include a subdivision streamlining bill (SB 5559 as described in the presentation) and a parking preemption measure that would limit cities’ ability to require minimum parking (the draft language cited maximums of 1 space per single‑family dwelling, 0.5 spaces per multifamily unit and 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial floor area in the bill text described to council). Hera said the state proposal also prevents local requirement of parking for units under 1,200 square feet in some cases and creates exemptions for affordable housing, senior housing, childcare and certain small commercial ground‑floor uses.

Staff recommended several incentive options to encourage desired outcomes near transit and protect neighborhood character; after reviewing feasibility with developers and engineers, staff focused on a limited height incentive. Under current code the city’s standard is “two‑and‑a‑half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less” (buildings typically top out around 28 feet). The staff proposal would set the default ceiling at 2½ stories/28 feet and make a 3‑story/35‑foot allowance available as an incentive when an applicant retains either an existing home on the lot or specified significant trees, subject to detailed standards to be developed.

Hera and council members discussed tree retention and landscaping as potential incentives or requirements; council members asked staff to retain tree incentives for further study and to return with more detailed landscaping and canopy proposals during Phase 2. Council members also discussed parking dynamics and market responses to parking reductions; staff noted developers said financing sometimes requires higher on‑site parking ratios and that implementation costs for public parking management (meters, enforcement) can be substantial for smaller cities.

Staff said they will continue outreach with the Land Use and Planning Board, developers and the community, and will return with refined code language for the Phase 1 package and follow‑up Phase 2 items.","ECDC presented proposed code changes to implement state middle‑housing requirements: allow the full slate of unit types within a quarter‑mile of high‑capacity transit, restrict larger attached buildings outside that buffer, and offer a narrow height incentive tied to tree or existing‑home retention.",{"_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},6270684,"Votes at a glance: Committee of the Whole (April 15) — DUI grant, easements and routine approvals",125,3493000,3618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e&start=3493&end=3618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e/thumbnail_3493000.jpg","/articles/6270684/Kent/King-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Committee-of-the-Whole-April-15-DUI-grant-easements-and-routine-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270684-57a3e5a520cad46959d59afbaa041d2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750387&Signature=Jzhk9gnLqEyollH8lb74aIhIa0IPcyp6XdZdyw7kOv4JGqhbYtKgh3dnuTKHmqata4~7Cp9AjqE-oGRjTZEJX75cMshoFlhjlWUgEkPyjpuvo9hB8hc~kV0bV4BQKh6E6ui7cNKrkVCZrbz1tajh04bksz4ghXPS28bTOdRqxYV8h9f7e871EQHYPl4uB6gjYUi8gwLx9MFtRXxxQxLM7xyQYCXOFYdxdlU2gTr7y9xA10eRpnN3SxRb9USDecO2gkj4~IG-YwiHHZBuwNi1WzXf2bJ36IfwI9-DUTGtidyrzp3~oFPGSxhCLfcr0yjODKtAr-UErJKtEnEhDxftOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 15 meeting the Committee of the Whole recorded unanimous votes on a set of grants, property easement terminations and routine procedural items.

The committee authorized acceptance and budget appropriation of a Washington Traffic Safety Commission dedicated DUI officer grant for the Kent Police Department (amount stated in the motion: $118,761.15). Commander Josh Bobo and community education coordinator Sarah Halstead described the three‑year grant award, the program goals (enforcement shifts and community outreach in both English and Spanish) and the internal staffing plan to assign an existing officer to the funded position and hire back the officer’s prior assignment.

Public Works staff presented two right‑of‑way easement terminations tied to the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension project. The easements, originally granted in 2004 and 2005 to the city for right‑of‑way purposes on properties later acquired by Sound Transit (Woodinville Redmond Industrial Centre LP and Midway Investments and Properties LLC), were described as no longer needed for public purposes; the committee authorized termination of both easements to allow Sound Transit’s boundary adjustments.

Separately, the committee approved routine items including the agenda, minutes from the April 1 Committee of the Whole meeting and payment of bills. All motions were voted and recorded as carried unanimously.

Votes (as recorded in meeting minutes):
- DUI officer grant acceptance (Washington Traffic Safety Commission) — motion to set grant fund and authorize mayor to execute necessary documents; amount in motion: $118,761.15; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Termination of right‑of‑way easement (former Woodinville Redmond Industrial Centre LP parcel) — motion to authorize mayor to sign termination subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to public works director and city attorney; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Termination of right‑of‑way easement (former Midway Investments and Properties LLC parcel) — motion to authorize mayor to sign termination subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to public works director and city attorney; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Approval of agenda; approval of minutes (April 1 Committee of the Whole); payment of bills — all approved unanimously.","The committee unanimously approved a set of routine and project items including a Washington Traffic Safety Commission DUI officer grant, termination of two right‑of‑way easements tied to Sound Transit property, and routine agenda/minutes/bills approvals.",{"_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},6270689,"Kent committee approves placing King County Medic 1 levy renewal on ballot",1739,1488000,3227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e&start=1488&end=3227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e/thumbnail_1488000.jpg","/articles/6270689/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-committee-approves-placing-King-County-Medic-1-levy-renewal-on-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270689-41d0c14bdd81f6ec43acf58e7bfde604/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750387&Signature=ZRzw0uIvQ96zlSEW1CtnclfzO2165UjopGD-zjWv9OjdmFJqdlE8xcnH2~YYVshO5aXK0kBLhRvv8vvYppkKus9yQIi21f8IBn8PQg2dHAlu93QH2ROVZAJjHs6nRTzpPwMyLm2sc2dAWnG5Wf5mjNk0Snjlu16bWexXmSatRNcChKXuoW28H73rC0LYLT92KmEsLXGGEy6L3WFLateE~WlVlzzBKK~Pr0f0z9IowflX-AOjI-pKhiX4vqnDOjMgB09VrzZ~JscQc3jtMYj2GYF3R79jPAcAyvKs9OzXNq9AdgaeOAVJyF2TPoPjd9DnY4C5Q7oshEmX2T0UiVoXrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Plourde, Emergency Medical Division director, briefed the committee on April 15 about the Medic 1 strategic planning and finance process and the task force recommendations for a levy renewal. Plourde said the regional Medic 1 system responds to roughly one call every two minutes across King County, serves over 2.3 million people, and that the system’s prior cardiac arrest survival rate (a performance indicator) was about 51 percent regionwide in 2023.

Countywide partners convened an EMS advisory task force and four subcommittees (ALS allocation, BLS distribution, regional services/strategic initiatives, and finance) to set program priorities and a funding plan. Plourde summarized subcommittee highlights: continuing ALS allocation with CPI‑W+1% inflators, placeholders for additional ALS capacity (half units in years 3 and 5), an increase in Basic Life Support funding including a $5 million bump in year one split between base allocations and mobile integrated health, continued support for telephone referral and community partnerships (ECHO), and data/system improvements for dispatch and monitoring.

The finance analysis presented to council staff estimated carryforward reserves of about $64.4 million from the current levy period and modeled revenue risks (assessed value, new construction, Seattle/King split, and inflation). The recommended levy rate presented by the EMS advisory task force and supported by the finance committee and task force was $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value for a six‑year period, with an estimated total program budget (including Seattle) of about $1.55 billion over the levy term and reserves in the range the task force judged prudent. Plourde said the average annual homeowner cost under the plan, assuming an $850,000 home in 2026, would be about $212.

Council member Pat (name used in the motion) moved a resolution (No. 2086) to authorize placement of a renewal levy for King County Medic 1 on an upcoming ballot under the cited state statute. A second was recorded and the committee voted unanimously in favor; the committee recorded the resolution placement motion as passed.

Plourde and deputy chief Aaron Tyerman of Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority answered council questions on response times, program equity, and the role of reserves before the motion was made and approved.

The committee’s action authorizes placement of the levy measure on the ballot but does not represent an endorsement of the levy by the council; Plourde and staff outlined the separate notice and public‑comment requirements that would apply if the council chose to take a formal support or opposition position later.","After a countywide planning and financial process, Kent’s committee authorized a resolution sending a King County Medic 1 emergency medical services levy renewal to the November ballot; the levy as recommended would be a six‑year measure at $0.25 per $1,000 AV with estimated countywide program funding and specified reserves.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270693,"Kent staff update council on downtown plan refresh ahead of PSRC recertification",712,695000,1407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e&start=695&end=1407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032412-3c4af0dd912eef6b34be492af7bd267e/thumbnail_695000.jpg","/articles/6270693/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-staff-update-council-on-downtown-plan-refresh-ahead-of-PSRC-recertification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270693-2ef69f1ab49f8ec8042e3273532530c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750387&Signature=nunQW2i-et1ldQvWEnRau1yrNwzyeULKL0kmWW~eURs3~jYKNeAJTaOFraIrNo~O3iMChhaSnoX5YwQUqxwhqlRSpMzzyzOg~1WtxDcTKRIQIowxgcJGG4ES4c-xS56RNINaCaMr28JaBw3z9HYAgNhPTuSGfr304FWiBLkVlZwV9F72Hz~zlfErHAxlAcO2AiFe9IOrWL7qenaQsInJH7~dc01Km-c~KOK4vQ~7kSlb6~IvNsv0dg5YRIIvea6ERs9pEE0HkIEPhYgh~5FUJB3KXncyUrwhdBPXLC61GERKoplhCCFgboNcNwHnxKByoiqqRgmRgE8EdAbWgfdioQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Hera, a planner in Kent’s Economic and Community Development (ECDC) division, told the Committee of the Whole on April 15 that the city has resumed work on an update to its downtown plan so Kent can be recertified as a regional growth center by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).

The update matters because PSRC certification helps the city qualify for grant funding; Hera said the city has averaged about $10 million to $15 million in grant awards every two years when it is competitive as a certified regional center.

Hera described the project history: the downtown plan effort began in December 2023 with contract work led by MIG (the consultant team that prepared the comprehensive plan), paused while staff completed the comp plan, and restarted this spring. City staff removed an older planned‑action ordinance and now rely on a citywide infill exemption tool adopted in the comprehensive plan to avoid conflicting code requirements. The city is keeping the PSRC‑designated “teal” regional growth center boundary rather than expanding it, saying an expansion risked dropping below activity/unit thresholds required for the designation.

Hera summarized engagement to date: four focus groups, a Kent Downtown Partnership (KDP) subcommittee, resident and business focus groups, staff workshops with public works, parks, police and the mayor’s office, and youth outreach at middle schools. Common themes included downtown’s role as a cultural heart, the need for safe, walkable connections (crossing James and Smith streets was repeatedly cited), and addressing both actual safety incidents and public safety perceptions. A consultant parking assessment found overall stall counts adequate for downtown’s size, but cited location and perceptions (walking alone to distant stalls at night) as barriers to use.

Hera said PSRC will begin review this spring and the city aims to adopt the downtown plan in September to meet recertification timelines. She said staff are developing short‑term, high‑action items that build on the successful Meet Me on Meeker events and exploring tools and possible legislative changes to attract redevelopment of vacant and underused sites.

The council discussion that followed included references to other cities with active cores (Issaquah, Burien, Columbia City, Tacoma districts) as case studies and affirmed staff plans to return with further recommendations and timelines.

Hera’s presentation began when the committee introduced the ECDC briefing and concluded after a question period and examples for possible regional comparators.","Economic and Community Development staff outlined progress on a downtown plan update required for Puget Sound Regional Council recertification, described community engagement, boundary decisions and short‑term priorities including pedestrian safety and parking management.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kent jail describes MOUD efforts; staff report limited reach amid short stays and diversion challenges

Council hears staff proposal to concentrate broader middle‑housing options near transit and use limited height incentive

Votes at a glance: Committee of the Whole (April 15) — DUI grant, easements and routine approvals

Kent committee approves placing King County Medic 1 levy renewal on ballot

Kent staff update council on downtown plan refresh ahead of PSRC recertification