CITY OF RENTON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 3, 2022
City of Renton Contacts
Judith Subia, City Council Liaison, 425-430-6575
Maryjane Van Cleave, Communications & Engagement Director, 425-430-6713
Renton City Council convenes tonight for initial 2022 meeting
Virtual meeting will start at 7 p.m.; council will include two new members
RENTON, WA – Renton City Council will convene for the first time in 2022 with a virtual meeting starting at 7 p.m. Mayor Armondo Pavone chairs council meetings.
Two new council members, Carmen Rivera and James Alberson, Jr., will take the council oath and join the seven-member group. Elected in November 2021, Ms. Rivera (Position 2) and Mr. Alberson (Position 1) replace Angelina Benedetti and Randy Corman. This is the second swearing-in for Ms. Rivera. On Nov. 30, 2021, she took the oath to complete the term for Position 2 and participated in meetings on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.
Councilmember Ruth Pérez will be sworn in for her third full term.
Councilmember Rivera was born and raised in Renton and graduated from Lindbergh High School. She attended Seattle University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice specializing in Forensic Psychology and earned a master's in Forensic Psychology from the University of Liverpool (England). Ms. Rivera is the first openly LGBTQIA+ person elected to serve on the council. She previously worked in Washington State's Department of Children, Youth, and Families at Echo Glen Children's Center and is currently a full-time faculty member at Seattle University's Criminal Justice Department.
Councilmember Alberson is a 24-year resident of Renton and the owner and principal of Top Tier Training & Development. He has served on the Renton Chamber of Commerce board of directors for the past six years and as a member of the city’s Planning Commission for two years. Mr. Alberson has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Purdue University.
Councilmember Pérez was appointed in 2014 to Renton City Council, becoming the first Latina and immigrant to ever serve in this body. She was elected to complete the term in 2015 and re-elected in 2017 and 2021. Ms. Pérez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Business Administration. She served as the council president in 2020 and was selected in 2021 as the first woman to chair the Renton Regional Fire Authority Governance Board. Councilmember Pérez earned an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities in 2019.
Councilmember Ryan McIrvin will serve as Council President for 2022, and Councilmember Ed Prince will serve as Council President Pro-Tem. Mr. McIrvin begins his sixth year on the council, while Mr. Prince enters his tenth year. Valerie O'Halloran and Kim-Khánh Văn, both in their second year, complete the council.
The council has also set its committee assignments and schedules for the year. All meetings are subject to change. The most current information can be found at rentonwa.gov/council.
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Community Services, 1st Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Carmen Rivera, Chair; Valerie O'Halloran, Vice-Chair; James Alberson, Jr., Member.
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Finance, 2nd & 4th Mondays, 4 p.m. Valerie O'Halloran, Chair; Ruth Pérez, Vice Chair, Kim-Khánh Văn, Member.
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Planning and Development, 2nd & 4th Mondays, 5 p.m., Ed Prince, Chair; James Alberson, Jr., Vice-Chair; Ruth Pérez, Member
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Public Safety, 3rd Monday, 4:30 p.m., Ruth Pérez, Chair; Kim-Khánh Văn, Vice-Chair; Ed Prince, Member
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Transportation, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 5 p.m., Kim-Khánh Văn, Chair; Ed Prince, Vice-Chair; Carmen Rivera, Member
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Utilities, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m., James Alberson, Jr., Chair; Carmen Rivera, Vice-Chair; Valerie O'Halloran, Member
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News Releases
About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 106,500 (2021), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks, and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, news releases, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.