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Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | Vol. VIII | Issue 35
This Friday will be a packed day, filled with an annual favorite, along with a first-time festival.
First, join staff and over 35 vendors at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center at Renton’s annual Age-Friendly Senior 50+ Resource Expo. Access resources and gain knowledge on various topics such as health, finance, transportation, housing, and more on Friday, September 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free transportation is available for Renton residents. Pre-registration for the expo is encouraged. Book online using the keyword 'expo' or call 425-430-6633.
Later that night, celebrate the fall harvest and full moon at the city's first Mooncake Festival on Friday, September 29, from 5-7 p.m. at Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Hwy.
Children and families are welcome to attend a night of joy and togetherness. Enjoy live performances, refreshments, mooncakes, crafts for kids, photo opportunities, and more. In addition, a screening of ‘Over the Moon,’ in the gym, will be at 7 p.m. This event is for all ages.
Celebrated in China and other Southeast Asian countries, the Mid-autumn Festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The full moon is considered a symbol of reunion, and the Mooncake Festival is celebrated by gathering with family and friends to enjoy each other's company, eat mooncakes, and celebrate togetherness.
.jpg "Ready in Renton 2023 Proclamation")
Ready in Renton Month Proclamation recognized at Monday night’s council meeting
During Monday night’s council meeting, Mayor Armondo Pavone designated September as Ready in Renton Month. To accept the proclamation was the city’s Emergency Management Director, Deb Needham.
Renton is susceptible to various degrees of natural emergencies, including earthquakes, flooding, snow, and extreme heat, and it is important to take the time now to prepare for upcoming severe weather. One way to prepare is to build an at-home emergency kit. Learn how to build your emergency kit from Emergency Management Coordinator Michelle Theurer.
Join the SAND Academy pilot program to help create safer walking and biking neighborhood routes
Safer Access to Neighborhood Destinations (SAND) invites Renton students in grades 8-12 to participate in the city’s free SAND Academy at the Liberty Park Building.
Last week, the city held the first of three academies, and the teens worked directly with city staff to determine safe routes for walking, biking, and getting around their neighborhood.
There are still opportunities to get involved in the SAND Academy. Two dates remain for the academy:
- Saturday, September 30, 2023: 10 a.m. –12 p.m.
- Saturday, October 7, 2023: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
During the academy, students will receive a bicycle and pedestrian safety presentation and take a field trip to identify signal equipment and safety features on Renton’s roadways.
Registration is free; students can receive up to two hours of high school community service credits. Student academy "cadets" will receive lunch and a free bike helmet (as supplies last).
The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission and the City of Renton Public Works Department fund the SAND program. The program's primary goal is to reduce the number of pedestrian-involved accidents by educating and engaging young adults and aspiring drivers with tools and knowledge to empower safe and confident travel choices.
Winter preparations start now for the city's Public Works Street Maintenance crews
The seasons are changing, and the heavy snow is a few months away, but our Public Works Street Maintenance crews are getting prepared.
Snowplows will be roaming the streets starting next week as part of the teams' yearly winter preparation. On the first week in October, crews will begin to prep equipment and staff for the upcoming winter months. During this prep, crews will:
- Drive the plow trucks around routes to get the feel of the truck and note any road obstructions (islands, curbs, road hazards)
- Hold a winter ops meeting to educate new hires on the overall process
- Complete hands-on training and perform maintenance on all equipment and supplies
Year after year, the city's Public Works Street Maintenance Division works together to strategically plan and prepare for the winter months and actively improve the plan to serve the community best.
Their dedication, commitment, and well-thought-out plans and preparation best set them up to handle incoming snow and ice and prioritize the safety of residents. The city greatly appreciates these crews' sacrifices to keep the streets safe for Renton residents.
To learn more about our winter prep operations, visit our website.
Practice water conservation: Seattle Public Utilities asks for voluntary conservation measures
After an unusually dry summer, Seattle Public Utilities is asking customers to voluntarily use less water. While most of Renton’s water sources come from wells within city limits, water conservation is something everyone can practice and participate in to ensure that the water supply improves for people and fish.
Here are some tips to save water:
- Limit the amount of water used on lawns
- Take shorter or fewer showers
- Do full laundry and dishwasher loads
- Fix leaks right away, especially running toilets
Visit Seattle Public Utilities blog for more information on Seattle’s water supply conditions and water-saving tips.
Get informed: Attend the King County Human Services Funding information session
The Human Services Funding Collaborative is a 16-city consortium that supports King County non-profit organizations whose mission is to provide services that support human necessities that enhance livability for community members.
Ahead of the 2024 application, the collaborative will host two information sessions for non-profit organizations that have yet to apply for past funding.
During the sessions, organizations will get the opportunity to understand the application process, receive information on how funds are allocated, and ask questions with direct staff involved to best prepare for the application process.
The information sessions will be in-person, with an option to attend virtually:
- Wednesday, October 4, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Kent City Hall, Council Chambers 220, 4th Ave S
- Thursday, October 5, 1– 2:30 p.m. at Redmond City Hall, Council Chambers 15670, NE 85th St
The proposal request will open in the spring of 2024 for funding beginning January 1, 2025.
Visit their website for more information on minimum requirements, past application questions, and staff contacts.
Public feedback available for Renton’s CES 2.0 Plan
The city has completed the first update to its initial climate action and mitigation plan, Clean Economy Strategy 2.0 (CES 2.0), and is requesting community feedback. The draft plan is ready for comments from Renton residents, business owners, and other community stakeholders.
CES 2.0 plan was adopted in 2011 and is a roadmap of local policies to reduce Renton’s greenhouse gas emissions, enhance environmental sustainability, and prepare for climate change. The update responds to changing conditions, including significant population growth and new regional and state policies.
Implementing the strategies and actions within the CES 2.0 will support the creation of local green jobs, public health benefits, safer walking and biking routes, more accessible transit, long-term energy cost savings, and more robust emergency management systems. The city will lead implementation, but success will depend on collaboration across the Renton community: from residents, workers, and the business community.
The draft plan is uploaded and available for review and the public comment period will remain open through October 4.
In addition, the public is invited to attend the Planning Commission briefing and public hearing on October 4 (in person or via Zoom) or send public comment to [email protected].
Background information on CES 2.0, including a complete project timeline and additional opportunities for community member involvement, can be found on the project’s website.