January 17, 2018 — You'll find in this issue:
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At the Council: Highlights from the January 16 City Council meeting
Study Session at 6pm: Joint Meeting with the Park Board – The City Council had a joint meeting with the Park Board and discussed dog off leash areas, a cost recovery model for park operations, park acquisition, growth and development and exploring community interest in an aquatics and recreation center. More information is available in the staff memo.
WSDOT I-405 Update – The City Council received an I-405 Corridor update from the Washington State Department of Transportation, which included express toll lane performance, next steps for improvements between Renton and Bellevue, a preview of the NE 132nd interchange project in the Totem Lake area and potential improvements to increase capacity in the north end between SR 522 and SR 527. More information is available in the staff memo.
Considering Finn Hill Neighborhood Plan Adoption – The City Council voted to approve the Finn Hill Neighborhood Plan and related code amendments. More information is available in the staff memo.
Considering Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center Plan Amendments – The City Council voted to adopt the ordinance amending the Zoning Map and Zoning Code and the resolution amending the Design Guidelines for Pedestrian-Oriented Business Districts to include updates for the Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center. More information is available in the staff memo.
2018 Legislative Update – The City Council received its first update on the 2018 legislative session, which highlighted the City’s legislative priorities, including homelessness and affordable housing and support for funding the Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Councilmembers noted that, as the legislature enters its second week, Kirkland's legislative priorities are reflected in actual legislative proposals and are under consideration in various committees.
City Council Committee Appointments – The City Council adopted an amended recommendation for Council Committee appointments, as follows:
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Finance and Administration: Jay Arnold (Chair), Dave Asher, Amy Walen
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Public Safety: Penny Sweet (Chair), Toby Nixon, Jon Pascal
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Planning and Economic Development: Tom Neir (Chair), Penny Sweet, Amy Walen
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Public Works, Parks and Human Services: Jon Pascal (Chair), Tom Neir, Toby Nixon
Watch Council Meetings Online – You can watch the recording of this City Council meeting, as well as previous meetings, by visiting the Council Meeting archive on the City website.
Next Council Meeting – Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
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Evergreen Hospital lockdown ends well
At 8:07 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, Evergreen Hospital Security called 911 to report a man with a rifle entering the hospital.
A doctor observed a man walk into the hospital with what appeared to be a rifle slung over his shoulder and reported it to hospital security. Kirkland Police Officers quickly arrived on scene and, with the help of security, began a tactical and deliberate search for the man. While the search ensued, Evergreen Hospital continued to care for the safety and well-being of their patients while operating within their lockdown protocol.
Initial security footage of the subject was disseminated to police officers, but they were unable to confirm exactly what the man was carrying. A hospital employee saw his own picture on social media and realized that police were looking for him. Officers quickly contacted the employee and confirmed that the suspected rifle was in fact an ornate umbrella with a sword-like handle.
Please read the press release online for more information.
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Feds end use of Rapid Flashing Beacons
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration notified the City of Kirkland, as well as all cities nationwide, that the use of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons has been terminated due to a patent issue associated with the device.
There are no safety issues related to the beacons, which studies have shown are highly effective in getting cars to stop.
For more information, please read the press release online.
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City Manager contract extended through 2022
Citing the excellent performance of City Manager Kurt Triplett and the need for stability in a period of tremendous growth and economic development, on January 16 the City Council voted to extend Triplett’s employment agreement to 2022 while also raising his salary.
The Council specifically mentioned Triplett’s leadership supporting the 2017-2018 City Work Plan and praised his efforts in guiding the redevelopment of Totem Lake, the implementation of the Cross Kirkland Corridor Master Plan, his leadership on A Regional Coalition for Housing and his work with churches and other non-profits to construct a permanent family and women shelter in Kirkland.
Triplett will receive a five percent raise, a one-time contribution to his retirement plan and up to three months additional earned severance. The new contract provisions are consistent with the City’s internal market-based comparison of other local governments with similar budgets and staffing levels.
For more information, please read the press release online.
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Locate your home on the new Geo-Hazard Maps
Understanding where landslide and earthquake hazards exist is the first step in protecting property from damage. The City has posted updated, technically enhanced maps that show more precisely where these risks could occur.
These maps have been months in the making. City staff contracted with Kathy Troost, PhD, LG, from the University of Washington’s Department of Earth and Space Sciences, to use the latest technology to update the maps. City staff have now begun the process of developing code amendments to the text of the Kirkland Zoning Code for Geologically Hazardous Areas based on the updated maps.
For background information on the mapping process, watch the December 11 presentation of the maps or consult the Geologically Hazardous Area Code Amendments webpage.
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Learn disaster response to protect your family
In a large-scale emergency, all responses are local. Preparedness is a community effort, and one or two prepared community members in a neighborhood can make all the difference in saving lives.
You can be that responder. Enroll now in the Kirkland Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Course. This 8-week program meets once a week on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at City Hall. The course runs from March 1 through April 26 with a culminating disaster simulation on Saturday, April 28. Adults of all ages and abilities are welcome in the course, as are students age 14 to 17 if accompanied by an adult. The instruction team is made up of Kirkland firefighters and trained CERT instructors.
The camaraderie alone makes the course worthwhile, but it’s the hands-on, practical training that could really save your family.
To learn more about Kirkland CERT and its programs, visit their webpage.
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Connecting Kirkland’s past and present
In 2015, the City purchased pieces of the Kalakala, the world’s first streamlined passenger vessel. The Kalakala was built in 1935 at the Lake Washington Ship Yard in what is now Kirkland’s Carillon Point.
A citizen committee, alongside the Cultural Arts Commission, has explored how to repurpose the pieces for an art installation to commemorate the historic ferry.
You’re invited to preview four concepts that use salvaged pieces of the Kalakala in a piece of public art. Meet with the artists and explore their concepts at the Kalakala Art Reveal and Open House on January 31 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kirkland Performance Center.
The event is free, but please register for the event by visiting the Eventbrite page.
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Lend a counting hand
Homelessness is a harsh reality for many in King County. On Friday January 26, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. volunteers will work in teams of two to three to conduct a visual count of individuals experiencing homelessness across King County in the annual Count Us In survey.
Teams are comprised of community volunteers and expert guides who will walk and/or drive all over their assigned routes beginning in the early morning hours. The expert guides consist of individuals currently and/or previously experiencing homelessness.
Volunteers require a cell phone and must be able to walk approximately two to three miles. Volunteers with cars will be asked to help transport their team members on the day of the count.
For more information on volunteering, please read the FAQ for Volunteers. To sign up to participate as a volunteer, please fill out this short survey. Please note that expert guides will be recruited separately through a different process. If you have been recruited as a guide, do not complete this form.
For more information or questions contact Jean-Paul Yafali at Jean-Paul.Yafali@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-1375.
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Community celebrates MLK Day with green stewardship
Over 160 volunteers joined the Green Kirkland Partnership at five Kirkland parks on January 15 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of community engagement. Volunteers of all ages helped to clear invasive plants, plant native trees and spread mulch.
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene joined the work at North Rose Hill Woodlands and jumped right into the thickest blackberry patch in the park. Kirkland City Councilmember Penny Sweet also dug in alongside all the youth volunteers at Crestwoods Park. Teams from Microsoft, Lake Washington School District Administrators and Hitachi Consulting also joined the many Kirkland area families.
These events were organized as a partnership between the Green Kirkland Partnership, the City of Kirkland, United Way of King County, Tilth Alliance and the University of Washington Restoration Ecology Network.
Want to continue your commitment to community service? Visit the Green Kirkland Partnership volunteer calendar for a full list of upcoming events.
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Comment on the plan for your waste
King County seeks your comments on the new draft Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan. This draft plan provides direction on how King County and cities will manage King County’s garbage and recycling over the next six to 20 years.
Come and learn about the King County Solid Waste comprehensive plan and provide feedback at an upcoming open house at the Kingsgate Library on January 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Inform policy decisions about recycling and garbage in our county by visiting the website and completing the online survey.
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Alternative Formats
Persons with disabilities may request materials in alternative formats. Persons with hearing impairments may access the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.
Title VI: The City of Kirkland’s policy is to ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the provision of benefits and services resulting from programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated may file a complaint at 425-587-3021 or TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov.
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