The Kent City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, was a short session that included employee recognition, community proclamations, and upcoming events.

The meeting began with a heartwarming tribute to Mark Maughan, who was honored as Employee of the Month for his exceptional dedication and positive attitude.

Following this, Mayor Dana Ralph read proclamations recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month.

The council also discussed ongoing projects, events, and community initiatives.

Employee Of The Month

Mark Maughan was selected by his coworkers as September Employee of the Month. Maughan was originally hired in 2004 as a temporary maintenance worker for the Parks Department. In 2005 he took a job as a water meter reader for the Finance Department, and has since then been promoted to Meter Reader 3. In addition to customer service and reading meters, Maughan’s job requires troubleshooting and replacement of inoperative meters. 

Throughout each day, Maughan makes the people he interacts with feel valued and appreciated. He works with a perfect balance of efficiency and customer service, with a calm and caring demeanor. He goes above and beyond to create positive interactions, and comes in to work with a smile every day.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Dana Ralph read a proclamation in recognition of September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, nearly 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the US. That’s 1 in 285 children that faces a cancer diagnosis. Around 1/5th of those children will not survive their cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease in children. Childhood cancers must be treated differently than cancers in adults, and specific research into treatment and cures is needed. The proclamation was accepted by the family of a child lost to childhood cancer, who went on to establish the Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation to support the fight against childhood cancers.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Ralph also read a proclamation honoring September as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness (FASD) Month. This disorder is 100% preventable, thus the importance of raising awareness of the harm caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. A child will not develop FASD if not exposed to alcohol during fetal development. FASD can lead to physical, learning, and behavioral disabilities with lifelong implications. The proclamation was accepted by two siblings who themselves have been working to overcome the challenges of their own FASD. They also lost an older sister named Starla to FASD, and created an organization in her honor. Starla believed that youth with FASD need positive, hopeful messaging to counter the shaming stigma around the disorder.

Upcoming Events

Councilmember Brenda Fincher shared that the Kent Spotlight Series is starting up soon. Tickets are available now at the link above. The Spotlight Series at the Kent Meridian Performing Arts Center will include all kinds of music and entertainment, and runs from September 20th through spring 2025.

Councilmember Fincher also shared that there is a new free art exhibit at the Centennial Center Gallery.

There are still spots open for afternoon sessions of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT training gives you the skills to help save and sustain lives following a disaster, until help arrives. Classes start on September 29th, and the training is free.

Other Updates

Councilmember Fincher briefly mentioned that sidewalk projects are underway to help create safer walking routes to school for children.

Mayor Dana Ralph reported from the Flood Advisory Committee that they are recommending King County Flood Control District considers raising their rates to undertake extensive but necessary flood control projects. Here is the letter in which Mayor Ralph explains the need for increased rates and heightened flood control measures.

There were no public comments at this meeting.

Video

Watch full video of this meeting below:

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Mellow DeTray

Mellow DeTray is a Seattle native who has spent the last 17 years raising her family in the region. For many years she published a moderately popular cooking & lifestyle blog, and she had a brief stint in political journalism during a local election. Clear and informative writing has always been a side hobby of Mellow’s and she looks forward to bringing you unbiased coverage of City Council meetings.