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Kent council approves IT contract extensions, consultant staffing increase, EPA Brownfields consultant, art plan and CDBG action plan
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Summary
At the Committee of the Whole, council authorized the mayor to sign the King County INET services amendment ($137,004.94), approved a Robert Half staffing increase (up to $182,000), ratified a consultant agreement to implement the city’s $500,000 EPA Brownfields grant, adopted the 2026–2030 city art plan, approved the 2026 CDBG action plan, and adopted a SCIP resolution for regional housing funding.
The Kent City Council Committee of the Whole on Feb. 3 approved multiple routine but budget-related motions by voice vote.
King County INET services: Council authorized the mayor to sign Amendment No. 3 to extend King County INET services through Dec. 31, 2027, at a cost of $137,004.94, subject to final terms acceptable to the IT director and city attorney. John (network engineering manager) described INET as providing internet, Class C addressing and ValleyComm access for city locations.
Robert Half staffing services: The council authorized Amendment No. 7 to the consultant services agreement with Robert Half International to provide temporary IT staffing. Brian Rambonga, PMO manager, said the cost increase "should not exceed $182,000," and that amount is included in IT’s 2025–2026 operating and capital budgets.
Terracon — EPA Brownfields grant: Caroline Echol presented the consultant contract to implement the city’s 2024 EPA Brownfields community-wide assessment grant. She said the council previously accepted a $500,000 EPA grant and that Terracon was selected through a competitive RFP. The agreement costs were described in relation to the $500,000 grant; council authorized the mayor to sign the consultant services agreement subject to final terms acceptable to the economic and community development director and city attorney.
Art plan: The council approved the 2026–2030 city art plan and authorized the mayor to sign necessary documents to implement the plan within established budgets, subject to terms acceptable to the parks director and city attorney. The presentation listed projects including Garrison Creek, East Hill North Community Park seating walls, Springwood Park benches, a Upland Spray Park artist contract, two rotating downtown mural sites (403 and 314 West Meeker), about eight new utility-box wraps for 2026 and a $44,742 allocation for collection maintenance.
CDBG annual action plan: Council approved the 2026 Community Development Block Grant annual action plan, including funding allocations for public-service partners (Sacred Heart Shelter, Multi-Service Center shelter, Catherine's House, YWCA, Anita Vista housing, Partners in Employment), the city’s home repair program and administrative allocations. Marina Hansen said exact 2026 CDBG award figures were based on last year’s number because final federal allocations were not available.
SCIP housing capital fund resolution: Council adopted the resolution recorded in the packet as "resolution number 21 0 1" authorizing the administering agency (South King Housing and Homelessness Partners) to execute agreements to fund recommended affordable housing projects in South King County. Marina said Kent had contributed just under $10 million to the pooled fund since inception and that no Kent projects were recommended for the current cycle.
Each motion passed by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
