March 27 COVID-19 Special Edition: Message from Councilmember Neal Black, Message from Police Chief Cherie Harris and Fire Chief Joe Sanford, Kirkland Relief Fund Accepting Applications April 1, Survey for Impacted Businesses and More!

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this week in kirkland

March 27, 2020

city of kirkland washington

Message from Councilmember Neal Black

Access to accurate information is vital to our community getting through the COVID-19 pandemic together. In the short video below, Councilmember Neal Black gives tips on how we can make sure that we're all sharing information from trusted sources.

For more information on the City's response to COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 information page. Please note, over the weekend, additional newsletters will not be issued unless changes to the situation warrant information being sent.

Councilmember Neal Black video capture

Message from Police Chief Cherie Harris and Fire Chief Joe Sanford

Fire Chief Joe Sanford and Police Chief Cherie Harris wanted to thank all of the families of our first responders for their sacrifices during this challenging time. We know that the support our first responders receive from their families is vital. We also wanted to let you know the steps that we’re taking to keep our first responders safe.

Chief Sanford and Harris

Kirkland Relief Fund Accepting Applications on April 1

The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce begins accepting applications Wednesday, April 1 for the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund.

The Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund is the result of a partnership between Google, the City of Kirkland, the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and Banner Bank, which created the new program to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and small nonprofits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. The Relief Fund received initial seed funding of $250,000 from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, and is open to additional contributions.

The Fund was initially announced in a press release on March 25.

The Chamber will act as the fiscal agent for the Relief Fund and will manage all contributions.  A committee comprised of members from the Chamber and Banner Bank will review all applications and make all decisions regarding dispersal of grant funding.  Eligibility criteria and application process are expected to be available in a matter of days.

The Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund aims to provide immediate financial assistance to Kirkland’s hardest hit small businesses and small nonprofits in the form of unrestricted grants to support rent, employee salaries, and operating costs as a stop-gap relief pending the release and distribution of anticipated federal and state aid.  It is expected that the Relief Fund will disperse grants to applicants in successive funding rounds, as contributions allow. 

For more information, including details on applying for funding and/or contributing to the fund, please visit the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce Relief Fund webpage.  

Relief Fund Grant image

Take the Survey: Has Your Business Been Impacted by COVID-19?

Economic Impact Survey

The Seattle Office of Economic Development, Greater Seattle Partners, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce are coordinating a regional effort to assess the economic impacts related to COVID-19. We strongly encourage Kirkland businesses to take the survey. The information will inform strategies to speed recovery and may lead to emergency relief programs and support. The survey window closes March 31. 

Concerned About Your Legal Rights as a Tenant During COVID-19?

Eastside Legal Assistance logo

If you are concerned about your legal rights as a tenant during this time of COVID-19, please join Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) for a Webinar about Tenancy Law on Wednesday, April 1, from 1 to 2 p.m.​ This webinar will be around Tenant Rights, and also answer some questions about the moratorium passed by the Governor. The presenters will be Shane Woerner - ELAP's Kirkland Housing Attorney - and Edmund Witter - Senior Managing Attorney at Housing Justice Project.

This event will take place on Zoom, is for tenants and service providers, and will also be recorded. If you'd like to join in, please follow the link below at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. 

https://zoom.us/j/475318489

Meeting ID: 475 318 489

Call-In: +16699006833, 475318489# US

Cancelled Events

Because physical distancing is critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19, the following events are cancelled:

StyroFest: Styrofoam + Electronics Recycling Event
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4 
Kirkland Maintenance Center
For more information, visit the Kirkland Calendar

KU Kids at Kirkland Urban
10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11
The Fountain Court at Kirkland Urban
For more information, visit: https://www.kirklandurban.com/event/KU-Kids/2145540093/  

The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland's 46th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12 
Peter Kirk Park
For more information, visit: https://kirklandkiwanis.org.  

The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce
All Chamber events through the month of April are cancelled
For more information, visit: https://kirklandchamber.org/

Kirkland Performance Center
All Kirkland Performance Center shows through April 30 are postponed
For more information, visit: http://www.kpcenter.org

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