March 14, 2018 — You'll find in this issue:
|
| |
Parents march to City Hall for school safety
Students at schools across the area (and the nation) walked out of their classrooms today at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes in honor of the lives lost in the shooting at Parkland School in Florida. Students from many Kirkland schools joined in, and many parents attended the walk outs. After the tribute, many parents left the schools and marched to City Hall to demonstrate their commitment to school safety.
About 75 parents and community members were greeted by the Mayor, Councilmembers, Police, Fire and City staff and were welcomed into Council Chambers for a robust discussion about what the City, State, School District and parents can do to protect our children.
More discussion will happen Wednesday, March 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. at a Community Safety Forum which will be hosted by the Lake Washington School District and the City of Kirkland at Lake Washington High School in the school theater. All are welcomed to attend.
|
| |
Recreation registration begins tomorrow
Kirkland Parks and Community Services program registration for spring and summer opens tomorrow, Thursday, March 15, at 6 a.m. for online registration and 8 a.m. for walkup or phone registration.
Online registration will be available at www.kirklandparks.net.
Phone registration will be available by calling 425-587-3300 and selecting option #1.
Walk-up registration will be available at City Hall (123 5th Ave), North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103 Ave NE), and the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave).
Browse spring and summer program options online now at www.kirklandparks.net. You can also view the PDF version of the catalog online.
|
| |
Race & Equity Summit
Come and be a part of the solution. The Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition is hosting a Race and Equity Summit on Thursday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Overlake School in Redmond (20301 NE 108th St, Redmond).
The summit is designed for those who want to have in-depth conversations with organizations that are addressing equity issues in East King County. The summit will feature interactive sessions on a range of topics, including a panel discussion that includes Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen that will explore local actions the City is taking to create equitable communities. The summit is co-sponsored by the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition.
Cost is $25 for registration, which includes breakfast refreshments, lunch, and snacks. For more information and to register please visit the website, or email the organizers. Scholarships are available.
|
| |
City receives Puget Sound Energy grant
The City’s commitment to energy efficiency through conversion of street lights to LED lights were recognized by Puget Sound Energy at the March 6 City Council meeting.
In 2016, the City received two grants in support of its 2016 LED Conversion project. The project converted approximately 840 sodium vapor street lights to energy-efficient LED lights across the City. The conversion was completed last August and Puget Sound Energy recently finished the post-project audit. Puget Sound Energy awarded the City $133,207 for the project and marked the occasion with a presentation of a ceremonial check at the recent Council meeting.
For more information, read the full press release online.
|
| |
Get free tax help
United Way of King County is here to help this tax season. Households earning under $66,000 per year are eligible for free tax preparation services online and at 30 locations throughout King County from now through Thursday, April 19.
In Kirkland, free tax preparation will be offered at the Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) at 348 N. Kirkland Ave, Mondays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit United Way of King County’s free tax help website.
|
| |
Council meeting preview: March 20
The next Kirkland City Council meeting is Tuesday, March 20, starting at 7:30 p.m. Currently on the agenda for the meeting:
- Study Session at 6 p.m. – I-405 Projects Update
- Final 2018 State Legislative Update
- Community Survey Draft Questions
- Welcoming City Update
- Earth Month Proclamation
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
- Historic Landmark Designation Removal Criteria
- Kalakala Artist Concept Evaluation
- Business Partnerships and Naming Rights Policy
- And more…
The final agenda for the meeting will be posted to the City Council webpage on Friday, March 16, by 5 p.m.
|
| |
Senior Property Tax Relief Forum
Over 100 senior residents attended a free public Senior Property Tax Relief Forum on Tuesday, March 13, at City Hall. Attendees learned about available tax exemptions for seniors, possible scams that may occur as a result of the tax increase and how to recognize a scam and how to report it.
A video of the event is available on the Kirkland YouTube channel.
For more information, please contact Regula Schubiger at 425-587-3323 or rschubig@kirklandwa.gov.
|
| |
Take the Green Home Challenge
Join Kirkland Conserves’ month-long Green Home Challenge. Each week during April, participants will receive a few manageable actions by email that will help make homes simpler, healthier and greener. Participants will learn how to:
- waste less food
- recycle more
- get rid of junk mail
- de-clutter closets
- find energy wasters
- and more
The Challenge will refer participants to free resources available year-round in Kirkland. To help make the suggested changes, participants will be able to pick up free tools, such as a battery charger, countertop compost pail and reusable canvas bag.
|
| |
1st Street closure in Norkirk
After a brief winter weather shutdown, Kirkland's utility contractor has resumed work on a sewer and water main upgrade project along 1st Street in the Norkirk neighborhood, between 5th and 16th Aves. The contractor is currently rebuilding sidewalk access ramps along 1st Street and plans to repave the road surface in mid-March, during a favorable weather window.
Both tasks—rebuilding the sidewalk access ramps and repaving the street—require intermittent lane-closures. The contractors are working eight hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
For more information, please visit the project website online.
|
| |
Learn and share at Youth Council Summit
The Kirkland Youth Council invites all Kirkland middle and high school students to apply to participate in a half-day summit on Thursday, March 29 at Bastyr University (14500 Juanita Drive N E, Kenmore).
The Summit will consist of a conference style format, and students will attend different sessions on transportation, parks, teen rights and mental health. Students will also be able to provide input on what they would like to see changed in their community.
Registration is required for the event and can be completed on the City website at www.kirklandwa.gov/youthsummit. The deadline to register is March 21. There are limited spots for each school, and students who have applied will be chosen randomly. Transportation will be provided from schools in the Lake Washington School District. Participants will receive lunch and four hours of community service.
For questions and more information contact Kirkland Youth Council Coordinator Regula Schubiger at rschubiger@kirklandwa.gov or 425-587-3323.
|
| |
Volunteer to restore wildlife habitat at Juanita Bay Park
Join the Green Kirkland Partnership on SApril 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, to help restore native habitat for owls, deer and other wildlife at Juanita Bay Park. Volunteers will help pull out invasive plants and mulch around new native plantings in a beautiful and secluded section on the eastern side of the park.
No experience needed, and all tools, training and gloves are provided.
For more information on the exact requirements, location and to register, visit the Green Kirkland Partnership webpage.
|
| |
Become a Green Kirkland Steward
Are you interested in leading volunteers, learning more about urban forestry and taking your engagement in Kirkland’s parks to the next level?
Join Green Kirkland to learn about becoming a Green Kirkland Steward.
Register for the New Steward Orientation, Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McAuliffe Park.
No long-term commitment is needed to attend the informational orientation. If you choose to become a Green Kirkland Steward, a follow-up skills training will be held on Saturday, May 5.
For further information visit Green Kirkland Steward webpage or email greenkirkland@kirklandwa.gov.
|
| |
Stay in Touch
Get news and information immediately by “Liking” or "Following" our official Kirklandwa.gov Facebook page and following us on Twitter: @kirklandgov. You will get news and can contribute to the conversation, which will ultimately make our City an even better place to live.
Sign up for additional email alerts on our website: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/City_Services/E-Services.htm
|
| |
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.
|
|
