City of Kent weekly update host Kent Mayer outlined several upcoming events and resident engagement programs and noted the city’s winter weather plan and a Black History Month proclamation.

Mayer said the 2025 State of the City will be held March 20 at Kent Meridian High School’s Performing Arts Center, where officials will review accomplishments from 2024 and outline priorities for 2025. “It's a great opportunity to come and we get to talk through the things that we did and accomplished in '24, but more importantly, what's our vision for '25 and going forward,” Mayer said.

Mayer said the spring session of Kent 101, the city’s civics academy, began the previous evening and covers a different department each week, including administration, finance, parks, police, public works, IT and human resources. He encouraged residents to watch for invitations for future sessions.

Neighborhood outreach will include the return of "drinks in the driveway," informal neighborhood gatherings hosted by residents with city staff attendance; Mayer said the city will provide water and soda and often bring police or public works staff. He also announced a new sidewalk sessions program focused on sidewalks, street repair and related public‑works topics and provided a signup link.

Mayer noted the city posted a winter weather plan on its website with priority routes and preparedness information and reminded residents of upcoming holidays. He also said the council issued a proclamation for Black History Month at the previous council meeting and that Council Members Boyd, Fincher and Boyce accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Kent Black Action Commission.

Mayer provided website links for additional information (kentlaw.gov/winter, kentlaw.gov/driveway, kentlaw.gov/sidewalksessions) and encouraged residents to attend events and sessions. The update did not provide sign‑up deadlines or capacity limits for the listed programs.