Kenmore reports groundbreaking for public works center; city schedules STEP open house and police report no injuries after gunfire incident

City staff reported that Kenmore held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for a new public works operation center and said construction has begun. The staff report also announced a STEP (Shelter, Transitional and Emergency Planning) open house scheduled for Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall, intended to share information and collect public input on housing issues and the council’s STEP work. Staff additionally reported that officers responded to a gunfire incident Friday night that ended without injuries; the city's police took an individual into custody, and staff praised the police department’s de-escalation efforts. “No one was injured, and our police department did a phenomenal job at deescalating the situation,” a city staff member said. Council members thanked officers and neighboring jurisdictions for assistance in the response and encouraged public participation in the STEP open house. Council member Marshall urged residents to read a Supreme Court case referenced in council discussion to help inform future STEP conversations; Council member Sassen and Council member Lutzos encouraged participation in the open house and thanked staff for project progress. The meeting later moved into an executive session to consider real-estate acquisition and potential litigation; no final action was announced at adjournment.