In response to guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County, and after careful contemplation by the City Council, tonight’s Council meeting will be a “virtual” meeting, with Councilmembers attending remotely using video conferencing technology provided by Zoom.

As always, the Kirkland City Council welcomes public involvement at its meetings and would like to encourage community members to take advantage of its available options for digital participation. Staff presentations remain in the Council Chamber, but there will be no live audience testimony or live public comment. Instead, members of the public are invited to provide comment in advance of the meeting using the public comment voicemail line, at 425-587-3090, or by email at: councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov.

The meeting can be viewed in real time via the live stream on the City website at: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/WatchCouncilMeetings.htm, and is televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Frontier Cable Channel 31. The live feed will toggle back and forth between staff presentations and the Council’s Zoom video conference. The study session immediately preceding the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., with the Council meeting starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. The agenda for the March 17 meeting is available on the city website at: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda_031720.htm.

Additionally, the Council cancelled the Special Meetings scheduled for today (Tuesday, March 17) and Thursday, March 19. Today’s special meeting was arranged for a candidate interview that will be rescheduled. Thursday’s special meeting was set for the Council to conduct Board and Commission candidate interviews, which have been deferred until late April.

“It was important to the City Council to model recommended social distancing during our meeting,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “Holding a virtual City Council meeting demonstrates how a combination of creative thinking and technology can allow us to continue to do the important work of government during this challenging incident. Adhering to the social distancing measures recommended by Public Health Seattle-King County is vital to flattening the curve and reducing the spread of COVID-19 to our most vulnerable populations.”

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

The City of Kirkland has compiled informational webpages to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  These resources are immediately useful during this emergency and for the future, when attention turns to recovery. 

Kirkland residents can find information about how to get help with housing, utilities, food, healthcare, unemployment, and more by visiting www.kirklandwa.gov/ResidentSupportCOVID.  For those who can help during this time, the website provides ways to volunteer and give back to the Kirkland community. 

“Many in our community are facing reduced wages or even job loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic and what must be done to slow the spread of the virus,” said City Manager Kurt Triplett. “More than ever, we need to work together to ensure everyone has access to the resources they need.”

For businesses, resources such as workplace health recommendations, business continuity guidance, unemployment information, insurance information, and financial assistance are now available at www.kirklandwa.gov/BusinessSupportCOVID. Additionally, the City of Kirkland mailed a COVID-19 resource packet to all Kirkland businesses. Resource packets will arrive in mailboxes soon, and they include helpful tools and checklists, ideas for customer messaging, an example of a business impact analysis tracker, and a key contact list.

“We understand that many Kirkland businesses are experiencing the immediate effects of this challenging situation,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “The City of Kirkland is here to support our community and our businesses throughout this difficult time.  Together, we will not only survive, but make Kirkland stronger.”

Both websites will be updated regularly as more resources and information becomes available.

For more information, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/ResidentSupportCOVID or www.kirklandwa.gov/BusinessSupportCOVID. 

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Closures and event cancellations from the COVID-19 outbreak are causing significant impacts and financial burdens throughout King County. King County has put together resources and information on how to file for unemployment or workers’ comp; help with paying utilities, rent, and mortgages; issues with insurance; food assistance and more at www.kingcounty.gov/council.

The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.

Update on First Responders

The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and responding to calls as normal.  City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols.

The City of Kirkland currently has five firefighters and zero police officers in quarantine. Thirty-seven firefighters have now been released after completing their recommended quarantine period. All five first responders are in isolation or quarantine at home.

All of our first responders that are currently symptomatic are in the process of being tested. We’ve had twenty-five tests come back negative, and one positive test for COVID-19. For the tests results that have been negative, first responders will remain in quarantine for the entire 14-day period recommended by Public Health Seattle-King County. We have received questions regarding criteria for testing our firefighters. Testing criteria is established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In King County, testing is managed by Public Health Seattle-King County. At this time the CDC is recommending that clinicians use their judgement to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. More information on testing requirements is available on the CDC website.

While the City appreciates the outpouring of support and concern from the community for our first responders, the City cannot accept donations at this time.

Virtual City Council Meeting

In response to guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County, and after careful contemplation by the City Council, tonight’s Council meeting will be a “virtual” meeting, with Councilmembers attending remotely using video conferencing technology provided by Zoom.

As always, the Kirkland City Council welcomes public involvement at its meetings and would like to encourage community members to take advantage of its available options for digital participation. Staff presentations remain in the Council Chamber, but there will be no live audience testimony or live public comment. Instead, members of the public are invited to provide comment in advance of the meeting using the public comment voicemail line, at 425-587-3090, or by email at: councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov.

The meeting can be viewed in real time via the live stream on the City website at: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/WatchCouncilMeetings.htm, and is televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Frontier Cable Channel 31. The live feed will toggle back and forth between staff presentations and the Council’s Zoom video conference. The study session immediately preceding the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., with the Council meeting starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. The agenda for the March 17 meeting is available on the city website at: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda_031720.htm.

Recreation Registration and Parks Operations

The City has also cancelled all recreation programming, classes, and facility rentals through Friday, April 24. That includes community centers, recreation programs, facility rentals, athletic fields and picnic shelters. While the City encourages informal use of the parks, please be mindful of the recommended social distancing and proper handwashing and sanitation. Community centers, athletic fields and picnic shelters are anticipated to reopen on April 27, pending any additional guidelines from the state. In addition, YMCA will close KTUB, the Kirkland Teen Center, at Peter Kirk Park through Tuesday, March 31.

The annual boating season begins April 1. The city’s boat launch will remain in the open position throughout the month of April. Boat launch cards will be required beginning May 1. All boaters are encouraged to purchase their boat launch card online or by phone. Purchased cards will be mailed.

All parks and recreation business can be conducted online at www.kirklandparks.net or by phone at 425-587-3300. Anyone unable to utilize a credit card for online transactions are encouraged to call the customer service center at 425-587-3300. Alternate payment methods such as cash, check or scholarship can be arranged.

Spring and summer recreation program registration begins March 19. Registration will proceed as scheduled, opening at 6 a.m. on March 19 at www.kirklandparks.net. However, only programs beginning in May will be available for registration. Programs are expected to resume in May, pending any additional guidelines received by the Washington State Department of Public Health.

The parks maintenance center customer counter will be closed. All business should be directed to 425-587-3340. Issues in the parks can be reported at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/City_Services/question.htm.  

Court Operations

In order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Court lobby services are closed to walk-in visitors, but available by phone at 425-587-3160, until further notice.  This is a proactive measure to ensure the health, well-being, and safety of our community members and employees.  

The Kirkland Court Staff is here to help!  Staff are available by phone, 425-587-3160 or email, court@kirklandwa.gov to assist customers and answer questions.  To make payments, you may mail, use our drop box located near the front entrance or post payment online. 

Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Court will reschedule all March hearings except for mandatory DV/DUI charges (which must be heard the next judicial day) and in-custody defendants.  The Court will tentatively resume normal operations on April 1, 2020.

Police Operations

Kirkland’s Police Department lobby in the Kirkland Justice Center is now closed to the public. For questions or services, the public may utilize the phone located outside the lobby to speak with staff.

Guidance from the State and Federal Governments

Yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee ordered statewide closure of food establishments to sit-in service and the prohibition of gatherings of more than 50 people. In addition, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, issued a parallel local Health Officer Order for King County to prohibit gatherings of fewer than 50 people unless measures are taken by event organizers to minimize risk. Dr. Duchin also ordered the closure of food establishments except for pick up and delivery. More information is available on the Public Health Seattle-King County website. 

Public Health-Seattle & King County Updates

Public Health-Seattle King County provided updated guidance for retail establishments and childcares. Public-Health Seattle King County announced positive cases among King County employees. Public Health is reporting 30 new cases today, bringing the official case count in King County to 518. In addition, three new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths to 46. For more information visit the Public Health-Seattle King County website.

Update from Lake Washington School District

Based on Governor Inslee’s announcement on March 12th, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will now be closed through April 24th and will re-evaluate any further closures during that time.

For more information visit the Lake Washington School District website.

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Public Health provides updated guidance for retail establishments and childcares. We announced positive cases among King County employees. Public Health is reporting 30 new cases today, bringing the official case count in King County to 518. In addition, three new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths to 46.

Governor and Local Health Officer Orders

The Washington state Governor's Proclamation and Local Health Officer Order yesterday required closures and changes to businesses for many King County, as well as prohibitions on gatherings of more than 50 people and guidelines for gatherings of fewer than 50 people.

Guidance for childcares

Childcares are not required to close, but there are considerations for childcares to make about whether they should close or not. Child care and early learning serve a vitally important function in allowing parents to continue working, which has positive public health, economic and social impacts. Public Health suggests that decisions about whether and for how long to close a child care, are made that weigh the potential benefits gained by reducing the potential for COVID-19 transmission in the child care with the impacts of closing. For more information regarding childcares see our childcare guidance.

Guidance for retail establishments

Yesterday's Local Health Officer Order prohibited most social and recreational establishments from operating until further notice, provided strict guidance for food establishments limit service to drive through, take-out and delivery, and encouraged other essential retail establishments to stay open, as long as they take steps to minimize the spread of disease. For more information regarding retail establishments see the retail guidance.

New cases in King County employees

As community transmission becomes more widespread, Public Health is learning of positive cases across businesses and organizations in King County. A correctional officer informed Jail leadership that the officer tested positive for COVID-19; the officer did not demonstrate symptoms while working. This is the first confirmed case at one of King County's correctional facilities. The King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention has taken several emergency precautions to ensure the health and safety all of inmates, visitors, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, a Public Health - Seattle & King County staff member involved in COVID-19 response tested positive for the illness, after self-monitoring of symptoms led the individual to seek care and testing. The staff member began to show mild symptoms at work and went home. This is the first Public Health employee to test positive for the illness. All staff are being asked to take appropriate precautions, including monitoring their symptoms daily, stay home when they are sick and go home if they become ill while at work.

Many new cases being reported throughout King County

COVID-19 is spreading in King County, with hundreds of cases having been reported to date. We expect the case count to double every 5–7 days unless these orders to stay away from others are followed diligently. Already, we can expect that anyone we come into contact with may be infected because there is wide-spread infection in our community.

Follow the guidance for anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 and their contacts on how to prevent the spread to others.

It's critical to minimize the number of people who get seriously ill at the same time. If too many people get sick all at once, this will put too much of a burden on our health care system. If that happens, people at highest risk – people over 60, and with underlying health conditions – may not be able to get the care they need if they get seriously ill.

Case updates

Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/16/20

• 518 confirmed cases (up 30 from yesterday)
• 46 confirmed deaths (up 3 from yesterday)

These additional deaths include:

• A man in his 70s, who died at Valley Medical Center on 3/16
• A man in his 90s, who died at EvergreenHealth on 3/16
• A woman in her 70s, who died at EvergreenHealth on 3/13

Of the 46 deaths reported, 30 are confirmed to be associated with Life Care Center of Kirkland.

Isolation and quarantine facilities update

There are two King County residents needing a safe place for isolation and quarantine who have been admitted to the facility in Kent. Individuals can only be placed into these sites after a health professional with Public Health - Seattle & King County has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.

The number of persons in King County's isolation and quarantine sites will be included in regular updates provided by Public Health - Seattle & King County. No other identifying or personal information will be provided.