Kent employees donate to Children's Therapy Center; council proclaims Small Business Saturday; resident urges parks to provide osprey platform

At the Nov. 18 council meeting, Mayor Dana Ralph and the Kent employee charity committee presented a donation to Children's Therapy Center. Representatives from the center described their local roots (opening in 1979), a multi‑site presence including a campus on King Kengly (as stated in the record), and that the center serves more than 3,000 children annually. Mayor Ralph and council praised the city employees for organizing the donation event.

The council also approved a proclamation designating Nov. 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday in Kent. Gayla Haas, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership, thanked the council and described shop‑local activities, including the organization's "Yeti scavenger hunt," which runs through Dec. 31 and is intended to drive customers into downtown businesses.

During public comment, Stephanie Vedvik, who identified herself as a Kent resident and member of a bird‑watching group, asked Parks to install a replacement osprey nesting platform at or near the current Art Wright Baseball Field nest if the existing nest must be removed for safety reasons. Vedvik cited Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance recommending construction of replacement platforms when active nests are removed and asked that nest materials be placed on or near any new platform to encourage the osprey pair to remain in the area. Mayor Ralph said she would make sure the request is forwarded to the Parks Department.

Also during the meeting the council announced appointments and reappointments to the Arts Commission as part of consent business; appointees present expressed gratitude and said they looked forward to serving.