Wednesday, April 29 marked two months since the City of Kirkland activated our Emergency Operations Center in response to the first reported death from COVID-19 at the Life Care Center of Kirkland. Our city was thrust into the national spotlight as the first “epicenter” of this deadly disease in the United States. We watched as dozens of our first responders were placed into quarantine, as families suffered the loss of their loved ones, and as everything around us changed and was shrouded in uncertainty.

And we acted.

We moved quickly and decisively using the best information from available experts to adapt our operations and provide resources to our community to protect our residents. We immediately started thinking of the economic impacts of the order and started coming up with strategies, including coordinating with the federal, state and county governments, to support people in need, struggling local businesses, and non-profits.

As your City Council, we acknowledge what a tremendous burden this has been on all of our residents, businesses, and essential workers.  No one could have predicted the ways in which life has changed over the last two months. We are incredibly proud of our community for taking this public health threat seriously and doing their part to keep us all safe. We’ve been amazed by the generosity and support you’ve shown each other, whether by buying a gift card from a local business, delivering groceries for a neighbor in-need, or stepping to the side to allow for physical distance when utilizing our parks. There are not adequate words to express our gratitude.

Each day that passes comes with additional sacrifices. The uncertainty as to when this will all be over is one of the most challenging aspects of the situation. Governor Inslee said that it is unlikely many restrictions under his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order will be modified before May 4. Rather, his plan is a framework for the loosening of restrictions contingent on a steady decrease in COVID-19 disease activity, sufficient testing capacity and availability, sufficient capacity to conduct case and contact investigations, readiness of the state’s health care system, and low risk to our community’s vulnerable populations.

In the meantime, as a City Council, we are preparing. We know that there will be no quick return to business as usual. There will be significant impacts on our city budget. We’re focusing on managing what is within our control: most importantly, how we can keep staff and the community safe while continuing to provide necessary government services. These are difficult conversations that are currently resulting in more questions than answers, but our City Council and staff are prepared for this difficult work.

As these conversations progress, we will need your engagement. Our democracy depends on public participation. We will all have to be part of the recovery process. To make sure that your voice is heard, please sign-up for our newsletter by visiting https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKIRK/subscriber/new or follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

We don’t yet know the timeline for when the governor will ease the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, but when he does, we in Kirkland will be ready. In the meantime, we thank you again for your patience and continued cooperation in staying home, maintaining at least six feet of physical distance from others when you need to go out, and wearing a face mask when in public. We were the first epicenter in the United States to experience the intensity of this disease. Let’s now join together to be the epicenter of hope and resilience. Please continue to care for yourselves and your neighbors. We will emerge a stronger Kirkland because of our commitment to each other.

Due to the easing of Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order restrictions, the Kirkland Marina Park Boat Launch and moorage at the Kirkland Marina will become available for use starting on Tuesday, May 5.

Governor Jay Inslee announced on Monday, April 27 the easing the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order restrictions on certain outdoor recreational opportunities in the State of Washington as long as appropriate safety precautions are followed.  One of the opportunities that will be available starting on May 5 is recreational boating and fishing. Those requirements and recommendations can be found by viewing the proclamation on the Governor’s website. Please note that only members of the same household should travel together in boats.

The City will also be reopening the restrooms at Marina Park on May 5 to allow for access for handwashing. Please maintain physical distance of at least six feet when utilizing the facility. The City will also restart parking enforcement of boat trailer parking spaces and time limits (in addition to continuing enforcement of handicapped spaces and blocked hydrants).

“We know that access to Lake Washington is a major aspect of our quality of life in Kirkland, and we’re happy to be able to open the boat launch to the community,” said Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra. “So that we’re able to keep this amenity available to the public, please make sure that you are diligently following the continued requirements for physical distancing, group size restrictions and hygiene.”

Boating, fishing, golf and hiking are the only areas where restrictions have been loosened. Other park amenities such as playgrounds, athletic fields and sports courts are not yet available.

Seasonal boat launch cards are now available for purchase online at www.kirklandparks.net. Boat launch cards will not be available to purchase in-person as City buildings continue to remain closed to the community.

Seasonal boat launch cards purchased online will be processed and sent out within 1-2 business days from the date of purchase. Purchased cards will be sent through US mail to the home mailing address on file when purchased. Please confirm the address on your account is correct before purchasing your card online to ensure that you receive your boat launch card as soon as possible.

Staff are available to assist with any questions or concerns you have by e-mail at eParks@kirklandwa.gov or by calling (425) 587-3330.

Governor Inslee announced today (Friday, May 1) four phases for reopening the state. The "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order will be extended until May 31. The state will continue to monitor and assess the data on daily basis. 

Phase 1 includes reopening, with restrictions, retail curb site pickup, automobile sales, spiritual activities, landscaping, and pet walking. This could occur as early as mid-May according to the Governor. 

The individual commitment of Washingtonians is more important than ever. Our commitment will determine our ability to succeed in preventing significant fatalities. 

More information on the Governor’s phased strategy for reopening is available on the Washington State Coronavirus website. 

The City of Kirkland has partnered with Sound Generations to field calls from residents in need of food but who are unable to get any due to the impacts of COVID-19 on our community. When someone calls 425-207-4777, call center staff at Sound Generations will ask a few questions about the caller’s situation to connect them with needed services. The only requirement to receive assistance with food is to be a Kirkland resident. If callers cannot afford food, then volunteer drivers will pick up and deliver foodbank boxes. For those callers that can purchase food but have no way to get it, volunteer drivers will call back and arrange for meeting food needs. Please share this with friends, family and neighbors who might need this service.

For more resources, visit the City's webpage for resident support during COVID-19. 

The King County Solid Waste Division is urging self-haul customers to postpone all non-essential trips to its recycling and garbage facilities while Gov. Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order is in effect. Self-haul customers making essential visits should expect lines and possible service delays up to two hours. Learn more on the King County Solid Waste Division webpage.