[4:47] afternoon, welcome to can city council workshop for Tuesday, September 1, 2026. We have one item on our agenda, can't move, update, and we have our parks director, Julie, press, candola, and a Athenian group, running the presentation. So welcome.

[5:05] He need no introduction anymore. This is just a parks employee at this point.

[5:18] How's everyone doing? Good. We're going to have an efficient presentation today. I know you guys got a lot going on. So we're going to go through some things.

[5:25] things, but I have a lot of great updates to share today which I'm excited to bring

[5:29] to you guys.

[5:29] So, as always, I want to go through our project goals and updates on the project where

[5:35] we're at with ASB, so the first phase of the project into your exterior finishes, designs.

[5:40] We get to look at some pretty pictures tonight which is fun, no more spreadsheets and concepts.

[5:45] You get to look at some real designs which is awesome.

[5:47] And then we're going to talk about really our next major employee facing milestone which

[5:52] which is our concept floor that will take place in October, and so that'll be the first time that our employees here at the City of Kent are going to get to spend time working in the new furniture, the new video conferencing, all the types of things we're going to have at the new facilities so they can start to see what that's going to be like.

[6:08] So exciting stuff. It's always proven to put it at that point when we get to it.

[6:12] So as always, I like to start with the goals of the project.

[6:15] I think it's important to re-base line every time we meet and talk about why we make the decisions we make.

[6:21] So the first goal of the project is to modernize operations and technology for the future,

[6:25] focusing on what we can now, but planning for future growth and expansion.

[6:30] And that's obviously in partnership with the city's IT staff and otherwise we move forward.

[6:35] Strengthening civic pride and community engagement is a place for the city to come together,

[6:40] their staff to come together and the community, enhance the public experience and accessibility.

[6:45] So making interactions with development and finance in other groups as well as these council chamber meetings.

[6:52] More accessible and a better experience for the public.

[6:55] Prioritizing employee well-being through not only the space, more natural light and

[6:59] otherwise, but finding ways to empower employees to work more with each other and drive their departments forward.

[7:05] ensure sustainable operations not only in our design, but how we able to maintain those going forward.

[7:10] So working with the park staff on the facility budget and planning going forward and then finally strengthening security and efficiency for all of our facilities, but specifically the future police facility.

[7:22] So at this point in time, just a bit of an update, high level with where I know it's a bit of an eye chart from where we're at, but overall, this is a multi-phase GCM project.

[7:33] As you guys know, with the states, we have really three phases here.

[7:36] So we have the ASB component, which is the first building, which would be the majority of administrative staff.

[7:41] Then we'll work to the Downtown Municipal Center, which is the Centennial Facility just across the street here that we'll work through that'll have PD and clerk and a number of other functions in it.

[7:52] Then the Council Chamber Facility, which will replace the old PD building, and then the demo and civic plaza of this facility.

[7:59] So, so of ways to go, we're very excited with where we're at at this point in time,

[8:03] you know, I was like to think that getting the first building, the first phase out of the way

[8:07] is a great momentum builder for the city, and we learn a lot, right? We learn a lot in how to

[8:11] interact with the employees, things that worked well, didn't work well, et cetera, and so I like to

[8:14] think we get better as we go on these programs. So, current project status, you know, in the GCCM

[8:21] in most design process, you go through schematic design, detailed design, and then construction

[8:27] We are at 100% detailed design documents were submitted last week.

[8:32] So they're currently in pricing right now with Skanska.

[8:34] We've been doing what I call intermittent pricing exercises between 50% and

[8:39] 100% DD and feel good about where we're at and

[8:41] that process as well as the features and functions that the city's getting.

[8:45] So working in nail down key components there, like major mechanical systems and

[8:49] electrical systems as we move forward.

[8:52] We're just starting to kick off our department furniture design sessions,

[8:55] which is always a great time, that's really the first time the departments get to go from looking at blocks on the sheets and designs to really talk through their functions and features, not just where the employees going to work for the majority of their day, but what kind of collaboration spaces, what kind of unique spaces can we bring together to better drive city services.

[9:14] And then next up is the furniture concept floor.

[9:17] So we've been in planning with that with catalyst our furniture partner as well as ARC the design partner on this project and so we're working through final orders and timing for that, but that's expected to take place roughly mid October through mid November and so that's an exciting step with where we go. So what comes next? So we're going to kind of restart or continue the council chamber design.

[9:43] So, if you may remember, we took all three phases of the project to the schematic design 100% milestone together.

[9:51] So, and then from there, we went forward with the ASB facility into detailed design.

[9:56] Once we start into construction documents with ASB later this month,

[10:00] we'll pick up detailed design for the council chamber and for the Centennial facility.

[10:05] So just to kind of remind you guys where we're at, we're about to get re-engage on those components, which is really exciting.

[10:10] So moving towards construction documents on ASB, which is great, and then ultimately thinking through our next steps at Centennial as we finalize design there.

[10:19] So we're in a good spot, we're extremely busy right now as you can imagine lots going on.

[10:24] The city staff's been great and working with us to get answers and solve problems as we go along and we'll continue to do so as we move forward.

[10:32] All right, so let's start to look at some pictures instead of charts and numbers so I think that's fun.

[10:36] So, let's talk about where we're at with ASB.

[10:39] So, so far, we've moved forward in advance interior, exterior lighting finishes for ASB and we've been working together with city staff and city leadership to make some final selections.

[10:50] So, I'll show you some of that detail here in just a second.

[10:53] We've made significant strides on what the customer service center is going to look like going forward and the overall experience for the public when they come in to make sure they have a place to be.

[11:03] It's easy for them to navigate where they need to go and that city staff are empowered to better interact with

[11:08] The public they are today and the current set up and then finally continued refinement of the mechanical improvements

[11:14] Wall and finish refinement and technology. So these are kind of the pieces that come at the end of the journey

[11:19] Lighting selection obviously something. It's always fun that comes for the end as well. So let's take a look at the interiors

[11:26] so

[11:27] You may remember at the last presentation

[11:30] I walked through the design narrative that ARC put together and included the white river component and the hub house from Kant and some of the history that ties in to this community as well as what you are today and what you're going towards and so all of that you're going to see translated into finishes and these designs so we're still working through you'll final concepts of different parts of this so things will likely change a bit as we go for but wanted to bring you the latest of what we're at so this is in the lobby looking at the customer service

[12:00] area customer center, if you will, with the new front entrance to the facility there to the left.

[12:05] If you've been to C, lately, not C-TAC, I messed that up last time, but I got this done.

[12:10] The new entrance is the portals into the facility there, look very similar to this.

[12:16] So the black with the wood finish, really cool, really high end, really durable.

[12:20] And so in this image, you're starting to see back at the Permit Center and

[12:25] ECD counters as well as the finance counter, as well as the information desk for the city.

[12:29] So lots of cool stuff here, lots of light, lots of natural components and places for people to be and congregate, which is awesome.

[12:37] Moving forward, a bit of a different look here, so this is moving over to the left inside, starting to look at some of those counters.

[12:43] You can see that really in general, this is a space you feel good walking up, talking to city staff, city staff feel good, interacting with you.

[12:51] All the amenities that they need there when it's coming to printers or dust talk components or

[12:57] otherwise are all being planned through furniture, so that will all come forward, but signage

[13:01] and otherwise being worked through here.

[13:05] Moving into more staff spaces and otherwise, so we have a couple different conference

[13:09] room concepts throughout the facility.

[13:11] This is a larger training room type concept, and so what you're seeing here is a couple of key

[13:16] components.

[13:17] One, it's bringing in the innovative component that was a part of the design narrative, so

[13:21] some of that darker red and otherwise you're seeing here, but a couple of key components

[13:25] So I want to point out here, and I think I have the laser pointer, right?

[13:29] I do not.

[13:30] That's okay.

[13:31] Oh, other side.

[13:32] Nope.

[13:32] Okay.

[13:35] Oh, there we go.

[13:36] Okay, so things here, so this is an acoustic felt back wall here.

[13:40] So the pattern design of that is still TBD, but that brings acoustic properties into the room

[13:46] to make sure that from noise transfer and otherwise are in a good spot.

[13:50] You're also seeing a couple different ceiling finishes in here, so this is actually exposed

[13:54] those ceiling grid that's being painted here, and then we're dropping some acoustic tiles in here.

[13:59] So gives A, this is economically a great way to stretch the taxpayer dollar and

[14:05] otherwise in this space, but B, provides a really nice experience for those in the room.

[14:09] Easy to maintain, easy to support for city staff going forward.

[14:13] So just an example of what one of these spaces might look like.

[14:16] As you can see, common theme in all of these lots of natural light, right?

[14:19] That's an important part of what makes people enjoy their workplace.

[14:23] Now you're taking a look at the work cafe, which is on the second floor at ASB.

[14:27] This will be a spot that is designed to support a couple of things.

[14:31] So one is going to be supported to design, lunch, breakfast, et cetera for city staff.

[14:35] But really creates, you can see a couple different places where people to come together,

[14:39] have informal meetings, have conversations, have coffee or otherwise.

[14:42] So you can see a little bit of a breakout, more of your traditional kind of work cafe set up here,

[14:47] some cafe style chairs, but then some informal meeting spaces over here.

[14:50] So lots of different spaces in here, bringing in light and otherwise, but you're seeing

[14:54] carrying that exposed ceiling theme, but dropping in some really nice acoustic components

[14:59] here.

[15:01] Economicly, really the best path to go and aesthetically really supports where we're going.

[15:07] Continuing forward into some of the offices, so in this facility, a lot of the offices are going to be on the interior of the building, right? So we want to make sure we're maximizing the natural light from the exterior of the facility. And so to make sure we're getting through the facility into the offices and otherwise, several of these spaces are going to have what we call storefront, right? So we'll have a storefront glass in front of the office here.

[15:29] And so we were playing with some of the frosting options to give that feeling of privacy, but still carry light into the space.

[15:35] You can see here that, you know, nice big open space.

[15:38] This is showing like a director or senior director, mayor level office that gives your space to meet in there, but also a desk area.

[15:46] You may remember back from some of our early conversations about the different concepts.

[15:51] One of the things that we find on projects like this is that we always hear about meeting spaces and there's not enough meeting spaces.

[15:57] What we find is two things, typically one.

[15:59] It's not there's not enough, there's not enough of the right types of meeting spaces.

[16:02] Number one, and number two, your directors are consuming most of the meeting space type,

[16:08] right?

[16:08] Because they spend most of their days and meetings and otherwise.

[16:10] And so by bringing a four-top table of video conferencing system into their office, you free

[16:15] up all kinds of meeting space throughout the facility.

[16:17] So you're seeing some of that evolve here and just want to, you know, jog your memory back

[16:21] to some of that.

[16:22] You can see how it comes together, finish wise now at this point in time.

[16:25] This space we're really excited about.

[16:27] This is kind of the executive conference room that will be just off of the main entrance on the first floor.

[16:34] And so the hope with this space is this can be a space where you can bring potential economic development partners for

[16:40] the region, foreign dignitaries, et cetera, into a space that allows you to showcase camp, right?

[16:46] So you're seeing some acoustic paneling on the back wall there, obviously a monitor system to do whatever you want, video conversation wise.

[16:52] But, you know, the opportunity here for some acoustic art on the back wall that showcases your city, but also supports the acoustic nature as well as some serving and related components there.

[17:02] So, this is a very efficient space, right? It brings a lot of pieces together, a catering kitchen, a median space, kind of a showroom, economic development room for a city into one spot.

[17:12] And it's just off the entrance, which is really exciting.

[17:14] All

[17:17] right, so throughout the facility as well, we're obviously going to have the main work cafe that's on the second floor, but for some folks, that's a bit of a walk from their space downstairs.

[17:26] And so we want to make sure they have places to get coffee and water and heat up food and all that kind of stuff in different spaces in the buildings you're seeing.

[17:33] One of these kitchen nets, we have a few of these throughout the facility, we'll have the same kind of stuff centennial and otherwise, but this is another place where come get coffee.

[17:41] These may have copies, copy print spaces, all those types of things brought together.

[17:45] And you can see bringing those finishes into this space.

[17:48] But consistent theme here, lots of natural light, lots of space for people to walk and be together.

[17:54] You know, I've had clients before to talk about his happy collisions, right?

[17:57] They're folks who are going to each other from different departments, but creating a place for that to be.

[18:03] Going forward to our huddle rooms.

[18:05] So we're working through finishes and otherwise in some of these spaces.

[18:08] But you can see a little bit of a glimpse of what we're going to have here, right?

[18:11] So spaces with lots of natural light coming in, you have your conference set up there with video

[18:16] and conference on the back wall, how we frosted, how we finished it is still TBD.

[18:19] But lots of these throughout the space, almost all of these are going to be like free flows.

[18:24] So for folks to be able to pop in and pop out and have meetings.

[18:26] There's a few that are designated to departments based on their meeting cadence.

[18:30] But overall, this is exciting for staff and I'll always be able to have spaces to meet.

[18:36] Restrooms, something we don't talk about enough probably on the design side.

[18:40] We talk about a lot of it on the requirement side, but showing you a little about what this could look like for public restrooms or otherwise to meet the needs of where we're at today, so bringing finishes, ADA compliance and otherwise into these spaces.

[18:53] And then starting to think about in our open spaces, so as you know on this project, it's not just about conference rooms, it's not just about desks.

[19:01] We know that in the modern workplace, the majority of work takes place in a hybrid setting, right?

[19:05] So it takes place with people that are remote in person coming from different areas.

[19:09] And so you have to create some open and collaborative spaces to do that.

[19:11] So you're seeing a bit of that concept here where you have a standing table here that you can lay plans down on,

[19:17] docks or otherwise, and then a white board tack board over here.

[19:20] And those two hoverrooms we just looked at are tucked in here, right?

[19:22] So kind of all in one area, so folks can have a place to come and be together and collaborate.

[19:26] Right.

[19:28] Important part of all of our projects is a wellness room, right?

[19:31] So this can be used for a number of functions throughout city facilities.

[19:35] So obviously, the original intention of these several years ago were for

[19:40] newborn mothers with newborns that are nursing, but these have also been used a lot

[19:43] last couple of years for mental health, for virtual health,

[19:47] women's role kinds of things, right?

[19:48] So this provides a really great space equitable across the city and

[19:52] otherwise we're putting those throughout the facilities.

[19:55] All right, some of you may remember, some of you may have forgotten, but the building does not look like this today.

[20:03] It is a bit more gray and dare I say a bit less inviting than what this looks like.

[20:09] And so you're seeing a bit of what our exterior concepts could look like here.

[20:12] So a couple of things I want to orient you to the space on.

[20:15] Number one, what we're showing here is the new entrance to the facility.

[20:21] So you may remember today, there's two very old, very dying pine trees there, I think that are just on either side, as well as some big ugly cameras and lights.

[20:30] It's not inviting, it feels like a very government facility, and so this brings people in, draw some of the features from the rest of the design component in the building.

[20:40] We also are still finalizing the blue gray kind of concept at the outside, but gives us signs so people know it isn't in office park, so making sure we can bring people in.

[20:47] And then really updating the staff entrance here that's on the south side of the building to really draw staff in as well as a look at the

[20:55] Fleet parking that's going to be for staff back here on the north side of the building. So having all that kind of start to come together

[21:02] So new plantings and landscaping and flag pulls you can see here that really brings it and makes it a municipal facility

[21:08] But obviously driving a more welcoming environment for folks. All right

[21:13] Okay, let's go ahead and talk about the concept floor next.

[21:17] So, I know I've given you a little bit of an overview, but just to kind of like dive a bit deeper.

[21:23] The concept floor is our version of a test experience for staff.

[21:28] And so it's a full scale furnished preview of the new ASB workspace.

[21:32] So we're going to be focusing on the furniture, the video conferencing, those types of components.

[21:37] Obviously we haven't started construction yet, so the finishes and otherwise won't be there.

[21:40] But they'll get to see what it's like to work together in the new layouts,

[21:43] proximity to each other, all those types of things.

[21:46] Staff will get to register and come and work for half day blocks so we have that laid out over a four week period for them to come and do that work together.

[21:53] We'll collect feedback from them at the end of each session around what type of workstation layout and office types they liked,

[22:00] what sort of ancillary furniture or open concept they use, storage needs and components,

[22:05] desk top accessories, and then overall feeling layout.

[22:08] So staff really get a chance to be a part of this, and number one, provide feedback to us.

[22:12] But number two, get to go experience something that we've only seen as diagram.

[22:16] So exciting step for us is we go forward, and I think a key part of our program to make

[22:20] sure we get the design right.

[22:22] I've also said this before, this is for us a great way to service any, oh, I forgot that.

[22:28] Type components that come at the end of the project, right?

[22:30] Because folks get to see and say, oh, so and so does this, or we have this type of function,

[22:34] This is a great way to jog people's memory on that before it's too late.

[22:39] So what would that look like?

[22:40] So this is a bit of a rendering of what that would look like from a diagram perspective.

[22:44] So we'll have 17 seated positions.

[22:47] So workstations, touchdown spaces, et cetera, that are all different configurations.

[22:51] You can see we have some down here that are more bullpen settings.

[22:55] So back to back, more collaborative.

[22:57] We have more private up here.

[22:58] We have some manager level workstations over here.

[23:00] We have some office layouts here, some different huddle and concepts.

[23:04] So we have everything brought together as well as phone booths in there, the staff come

[23:08] and try and check out.

[23:09] And so it will be a great opportunity for them to go through this space.

[23:13] Each concept floor session has an Athenian personnel, ARC personnel, and a catalyst rep.

[23:19] So it will be a fully immersive experience for them.

[23:21] They can ask questions.

[23:22] We can collect feedback and really kind of help staff be educated on what's coming.

[23:29] All right.

[23:30] You know pictures look like I always feel like when I'm showing like plans like this

[23:34] It's hard to know what those really are right they just look like sticks on on a diagram

[23:38] So these are some of the 3d renderings here as you could see two office concepts

[23:42] We're showing them in the same room here right just so we can be efficient with our space over there

[23:46] But ultimately you have on the left side there

[23:49] This is more your traditional kind of L shape with a storage component in the back and your right side this more focus on

[23:54] You know kind of median and related types of faces so a couple different concepts of staff can choose from and provide feedback

[24:00] We also have different manager workstation layouts, so a couple things to note, some managers

[24:07] are heavily focused on managing people, some are more managed on process and otherwise

[24:11] and so they need different layouts for their station.

[24:14] So in the bottom left down here, you have more collaborative, more meeting base, you have

[24:19] more focused traditional with storage component here, you have a bit of a hybrid here, this

[24:23] is probably a manager that's out in the field with his staff most of the day, and then you

[24:27] have kind of your traditional L-shaped desk here.

[24:29] So, we're going to have all those things plus a couple other for staff to come and try out and see what it's going to be like in the new components.

[24:36] For the rest of our staff, we have an option A and an option B type layout here on the staff can look at.

[24:42] So, you have, we have, we flipped the order of this, hang on for a second.

[24:47] Okay, all right, so this is actually our cloud spaces here.

[24:51] So, on the cloud spaces here, a couple different things to point out.

[24:54] So you have more of a traditional open huddle space type here, we'll have a video conferencing solution here from Cisco on the wall so they can meet and have a traditional huddle experience.

[25:04] This is a bit more hybrid, so you see like kind of a high top table and a couch in the back, and then a monitor wall here with some whiteboards on either side.

[25:12] These are extremely popular right now with our municipal clients because they're super flexible for planning, budgeting, et cetera, so we'll have some of those in this space.

[25:19] We'll have a touchdown space for rotational staff or staff that are coming in and out, and then a couple different phone booth concepts.

[25:26] You can see one that's ADA-accessible, one that's not to make sure that we're meeting all of our accessibility standards.

[25:32] From staff spaces, so as I mentioned, we have more collaborative in these two spaces.

[25:37] You can see kind of the one on the left there focuses on teams that probably collaborate together, or

[25:42] reviewing docs together, all those types of things.

[25:44] The one on the right are probably staff that are more in and out throughout the day.

[25:47] They work together in a team, but their focus is more independent in nature.

[25:51] Then you go to more of your traditional heads down, focus on their work spaces.

[25:56] So carry it throughout here.

[25:57] All of these spaces have a six inch, maybe a little bit higher glass panels,

[26:01] smoke glass panel, or on the outside that gives some additional seated privacy.

[26:05] But you're seeing a lot of collaboration potential here as well as different layouts

[26:09] when it comes to storage, the return or the surface area they have to work with and otherwise.

[26:15] Another view here, kind of looking down, this is more with writable surface, so you can see a whiteboard brought directly into the space here, so maybe this is someone that does planning or otherwise, they don't have to leave their space, they have it all right there, and then they have some under counter storage here as well.

[26:29] So, a couple different options, people work differently, so we want to make sure we support that, just a couple more views here with tackboard and some other modular storage.

[26:37] These are interesting, these modular pedestals here, and the fact that they can be used for someone to sit and have a conversation with you, but are also great for storage.

[26:47] So lots of options there on the concept floor that we're going to go through.

[26:51] So where do we go next?

[26:54] Our department design sessions for furniture have started this week.

[26:58] We'll continue with those for the rest of this week and probably some follow-ons in the next couple of weeks, but we're focused heavily on making sure that we have the right counts of

[27:06] city staff, the right-to-side city staff, and orient them, orienting them in a way that they can work better together.

[27:12] Then we'll start on the concept floor and walking folks through that, planning for that with the department,

[27:17] getting them ready to go with their staff.

[27:19] We'll have the concept floor program in October, and ultimately, like I said, starting construction documents for ASB.

[27:25] So we have no shortage of things to do.

[27:27] As you can imagine in the next couple months, but staying pretty busy here, I feel really good about the progress that the team has made.

[27:33] Specifically, I would say the last 45 days, really driving from our SD design package and then focusing on the 50% DD package through now at ASB.

[27:45] And I think that the teams are really working well together not only with each other, but with city staff.

[27:49] I can't say enough about the collaboration with ECD and IT and parks really focusing on solving complex problems.

[27:56] Anytime you renovate a space, there are those things, so that'll be my presentation for Denon, I'll take questions.

[28:01] Questions?

[28:04] Thank you.

[28:05] Any questions?

[28:06] Thank you.

[28:07] Tenant.

[28:07] Councilmember Boyce.

[28:09] Thank you, Madam President.

[28:10] Hey, I'm just curious.

[28:11] When I think about the workstation, I know in my area of work, we have a lot of ergonomic

[28:15] issues at the workstation.

[28:16] So we have the deaths as that can rise up so people can stand and sit.

[28:21] It has a part of the package here, or something you thought about?

[28:24] Yeah, so there's a, through our design partner at Catalyst, which is a Millernol rep, we are

[28:30] working through an entire ergonomic component when it comes to the work station.

[28:34] So, as of now, all of the work stations are planned to be sit-stand adjustable.

[28:38] The chairs have some insane number of adjustments you can make to them to meet those components,

[28:43] and so those are all things we're working through.

[28:46] Same kind of conversation when it comes to the huddles or otherwise,

[28:48] making sure that where we need them, we can do those types of things.

[28:51] And then just a follow-up question is probably for Pat and Drew.

[28:54] Have they, you know, from a historical standpoint, you had a conference room?

[28:57] I mean, if somebody you think about, maybe think about the history of Kent, and maybe some of the conference room could be named ties to the history of Kent, I think it would be something to think about.

[29:09] Great presentation. Thank you, sir.

[29:12] Thank you, Councilmember.

[29:13] Thank you, Councilmember.

[29:13] I was actually thinking that.

[29:14] Looking at that picture.

[29:15] Thank you.

[29:16] Thank you.

[29:17] Any other questions or comments for Tania?

[29:22] Thank you, Councilmember.

[29:23] I don't really have a question.

[29:24] I just want to thank you again for what you're doing to collaborate with staff, but also get input from employees because I think it's really important there that's going to be the ones using the building and sitting in these spaces and that you're doing a great job and it's very thoughtful in the way that you're engaging with everyone, so I really appreciate that.

[29:45] Thank you. We appreciate it. You know, we talk about this all the time internally with the team and with our team in Athenian

[29:50] But ultimately, you know, these facilities are an investment and community service, right?

[29:55] They're empowered employees to be able to work together be more efficient on what they do and better

[30:00] Functional spaces, operations, space, planning, and the goals. We appreciate y'all support on that.

[30:06] And I just want to echo. This looks great. And I'm very excited to see this when it's complete. And I can't, I'm sure our employees are just as excited to have new spaces. And so I'm looking forward to it. Thank you so much for all the work you're putting into this. Thank you. All right. With that, thank you. Thank you, Tenyan. And we are adjourned until 7 o'clock for council meeting.

[30:29] Thank you.

Council Workshop Workshop Regular Meeting

Agenda

Transcript