Kent North Park Neighborhood

Thursday April 14, 2011

Infrastructure Can’t Wait for the Economy
to Improve

By Jamie Perry, President, Kent City Council and
Suzette Cooke, Mayor

Nearly every day we hear of belt-tightening budgets and reduced services from all levels of government – local, state and federal. As we meet with various groups throughout the community we hear about the drastic steps residents and businesses are taking to sustain themselves while the economy recovers.

Faced with similar decisions, the City of Kent moved swiftly to realign its priorities and services in the face of reduced tax revenues. We were forced to reduce capital expenditures, lay off 35 employees, and eliminate an additional 36 vacant positions. A 10 % net reduction in our budget over the past two years has also reduced our ability to deliver the services residents expect from their government.

All the while, new costly federal and state regulations governing the City’s drinking water, storm drainage and sanitary sewer utilities have been added – none coming with a funding source. Without the resources to comply with these unfunded mandates, we must turn to ratepayers.

In response, utility rates have increased significantly since 2009. While we recognize the timing couldn’t be worse given the uncertain economy, the rate increases were necessary to keep our utilities in good standing – these decisions were not made lightly.

However, it’s not just unfunded mandates that have put the City in this difficult situation. Kent also has real problems with aging pipes and deteriorating roadways that we need to address to ensure that clean water flows from our taps, sewage is carried away, and our streets are passable. Even during a slow or stagnant economy, the City has to continue to maintain its infrastructure.

To that end, Kent’s Water Utility is investing in a water filtration plant, new water reservoirs and replacement of aging and/or leaking pipes to be in compliance with Washington State Department of Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules. While we must comply with these regulations, which cost us millions of dollars, we all want safe and clean drinking water.

Additionally, the Kent Drainage Utility is repairing and upgrading the Green River Levee system. The integrity of our levees has been questioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, because they are not certified. Without certification, valley residents and businesses will be subject to onerous flood plain restrictions and expensive flood insurance costs.

Updating the levees to meet new federal standards will not only improve our flood protection, but it will also remove flood plain restrictions which threaten housing values, continued economic investment and job creation in the valley.

Lastly, sewer rates have increased to pay for higher costs passed on to Kent from King County METRO to build the Brightwater Sewage Treatment facility and to clean our sewage before it is released into Puget Sound.

Without these investments, Kent would be at risk of federal and state fines. Or worse yet, without certified levees to prevent flooding, deteriorating economic conditions in the valley would drive out businesses and jobs. We cannot make do without investing in our infrastructure.

On a related subject, you may have read that the City recently adopted a Transportation Impact Fee (TIF), a charge on new developments for every anticipated p.m. car trip generated by new homes or businesses.

Many communities around Puget Sound have adopted similar fees to help pay for road improvements that accommodate growth. Our City Council adopted the TIF to ensure that new development pays for its share of local road improvements. As development picks up in the coming years, fees collected will be pooled and used to increase capacity for the resulting increased traffic.

The bottom line is that infrastructure does not have an infinite life. We can pay now, or pay more later. Just like the roofs on our homes, streets, pipes, and levees don’t last forever. And maintaining that roof today costs far less than having to replace it when it leaks.

We are working hard to keep the City moving forward in the face of a challenging economy. In the coming months you will see projects under construction that will keep the City’s infrastructure in working order, create local jobs, help the City meet federal and state regulations, and protect the local economy as it recovers.

New Garbage/Recycling Color-Coded System to Help Make Disposal Easier

A new color coded system has been created to help customers put the right materials in the correct bins.

Blue Carts: Recycling (even more items now accepted)

Green Carts: Yard and Food Waste (including food scraps and pizza boxes)

Grey Carts: Garbage (no hazardous waste)

For a complete list on what can be placed in the carts, visit AlliedWasteKent.com or call Allied Waste at
206-682-9735.

Drop Off Limbs & Branches FREE this
Month Only!

Drop off those limbs and branches for free at Rainier Wood Recyclers, located across from Costco and behind Iddings on 27529 Covington Way SE. Also bring stumps, logs, two-by-fours, old decking and fencing that have not been painted or treated. For more information, call
253-333-0333 or visit Rainierwood.com.

April Community Volunteer Events
Coming Up

It’s spring, so let’s get outside! Kent Parks has two popular spring events for students looking for fun ways to earn community service hours, as well as scout troops, faith-based organizations, co-workers, and anyone who loves our parks.

Both events are Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. – noon, rain or shine. Dress for the weather (no sandals or flip-flops); bring work gloves and a shovel or lopping shears if you have them. Thanks to our friends at the Starbucks on 4th & Meeker for coffee and hot chocolate; water will also be provided.

Earth Day, April 23: Celebrate the 41st anniversary of Earth Day at one of Kent’s “newest” parks in the Panther Lake area: Park Orchard Park.

Arbor Day, April 30: Our most popular annual event – come plant trees with us at West Fenwick Park!

To keep our events manageable and safe, registration is required at least three days before. Forms are available at KentWAParks.com, click on Volunteer. Or call
253-856-5110.

Whether it is oil or antifreeze, paint or soapy water, we want to hear about it!

Our outdoor drains collect these materials, potentially contaminating lakes, streams and rivers where we boat, fish, and swim. Many pollutants can make us sick, and all of them harm the environment. Let’s curb pollution; report spills when you see them.

For more information about The Clean Water Project, visit ChooseKent.com/CleanWaterProject

Public Safety Pointers

Prescription Drug Take Back Day, April 30

Kent Police, in partnership with the DEA, is participating in a nationwide prescription and over-the-counter drug take back day on Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Police Department, 232 4th Ave. S.

Controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter substances, all solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers will be collected. (Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in original container.)

Remove any identifying information by taking off the label or cover with a permanent marker. Intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes or medical waste; illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines will NOT be collected. For more information call 253-856-5883 or visit ChooseKent.com/police.

Buckle Up Kids to Keep Them Safe
in the Car

Newborns – up to age two:
Washington State law requires a child up to 1 year old and 20 pounds to remain rear-facing in their child restraint. This is the MINIMUM requirement. To keep your child safer, and longer, safety experts recommend they remain rear-facing until the age of two or as long as the seat allows.

For additional information, call
1-800-BUCK-L-UP or visit 800bucklup.org.