The Kenmore City Council unanimously approved a resolution reaffirming the city as safe, inclusive and welcoming for all people on March 6.

“Our stance on Kenmore being a safe, inclusive and welcoming community aligns with our city’s vision and mission statements,” Mayor David Baker said in a statement. “We are committed to enacting policies that support the safety, health and well-being of all our citizens while being responsive to the diverse needs.”

The city council discussed the possibility of a resolution or proclamation at its Feb. 27 meeting.

“I believe Kenmore is an inclusive city,” Councilmember Milton Curtis said. “I think we’ve done that with our policies.”

Members of the public also spoke in support of the possibility of a resolution on Feb. 27, with some indicating a preference for Kenmore to go further and become a sanctuary city.

“I’m here to urge the City of Kenmore to become an official sanctuary city,” Kenmore resident Sheila Walter said that night, echoing many other comments.

Ultimately, the council decided to refrain from becoming a sanctuary city. The full approved resolution can be found online at kenmorewa.gov.

Meeting with Northshore School Board

Following the approval of the resolution on March 6, the council met with the Northshore School Board to share what the city and district are working on and discuss the possibilities for collaboration.

Topics of conversation included school impact fees, school boundary changes, a high school rowing program, storm water education, affordable housing, Walkways and Waterways, Target Zero and the Northshore School District’s bullying initiative.

With the latter, board members were looking for the city’s support, possibly in the form of an ordinance or resolution. Some members of the council, including Deputy Mayor Allan VanNess and Councilmember Laurie Sperry, took issue with the inclusion of a rainbow flag with the initiative, saying it’s not only LGBT students who are bullied.