Kent accepts $190,000 domestic-violence co-responder grant and $2M for Interurban Trail crossings

Kent officials accepted two grant awards and amended budgets accordingly at the Committee of the Whole.

Domestic-violence co-responder grant: Sarah Halstead, community education coordinator with the Kent Police Department, said the department received $190,000 from the Association of Washington Cities to supplement local funding for a co-responder program operated with the nonprofit Project B Free. Project B Free provides bilingual staff trained in mental-health services and domestic-violence case management who respond alongside officers to domestic-violence calls. The grant runs through June 30, 2026; council accepted the award, amended the budget and authorized the mayor to sign documents.

Interurban Trail improvements: David Payne, city transportation planner, described a $2 million state grant from Move Ahead Washington for improvements at six at-grade crossings on the Interurban Trail (S. 12th St., W. James St., W. Smith St., Meeker, S. 250th St., and S. 262nd St.). Payne said the grant requires that work at the six locations be completed within the legislative timeline; the award requires no local match. Council accepted the funds, amended the budget as necessary and authorized execution of agreements subject to terms acceptable to public works staff and the city attorney.

Why it matters: The AWC funding supports a co-responder domestic-violence program that supplements police response and case management, while the Move Ahead Washington funds will finance safety upgrades at multiple trail crossings without a city match.

Council action: Council accepted both grants and authorized budget amendments and signature authority for required documents in committee.