Public Hearing on inclusive, safe and welcoming framework, Virtual 4th of July, We Need Your Input, and more!

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this week in kirkland

July 1, 2020

city of kirkland washington

Coming up at Council

City Council

The Kirkland City Council’s next “virtual” meeting takes place Tuesday, July 7. The meeting uses video conferencing technology provided by Zoom in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. The regular business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session.

The agenda for the July 7 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting at: Kirkland City Council agendas. 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.

Here are a few highlights from the upcoming meeting:

Study Session:

The Study Session begins at 5:30 p.m. and will include presentations on the Police Strategic Plan, police use of force, the School Resource Officer Task Force report, and how the 2018 Proposition 1 is investing in community policing, behavioral health, domestic violence, suicide prevention, and gun safety education. 

Business Meeting:

City Council to Hold Public Hearing on a Draft Resolution Affirming Black Lives Matter and Establishing a Framework for Kirkland Becoming a Safe, Inclusive and Welcoming Community

A framework resolution that is intended to build on all the City's previous initiatives will be discussed.

Shortly after the death of George Floyd, City leaders and staff called upon the relationships that had been built following the Menchie’s incident to get guidance on how the City could be part of the solution to injustice and structural racism. The City received important feedback that it was critical to first listen and learn, especially from members of the Black community, prior to action.  

The framework resolution that will be discussed by the Council is structured to keep City actions limited and focused so that goals and outcomes may be developed in partnership with Black community members from the Eastside.

The City Council and staff have received outreach from notable Black members from the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition who have formed a new group called the “Right to Breathe Committee,” as well as Black community members, Black youth, other communities of color, religious leaders, neighborhood leaders and interested stakeholders, all of whom desire to be part of creating overdue societal change.  Staff may also identify additional non-profits, community-based organizations and expert advisors who can contribute. The framework resolution provides funding and authorization for City staff to develop a comprehensive community engagement plan that may include town halls, further public hearings, social media campaigns, small group discussions, training, mailings, surveys and more.  

The dialogue with the Black community, non-profits, community-based organizations, experts and other community members will be used to inform the Council’s budget deliberations in the fall of 2020 as the Council considers specific policies and programs to be funded as part of the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget. The community engagement will also highlight potential legislative actions that could be taken by the Council or the state legislature.

The draft Resolution articulates the initial strategies to becoming a safe, welcoming and inclusive community:

Transparency strategies:

  1. Develop police use of force dashboard
  2. Implement Body Camera pilot
  3. Develop Human Resources dashboard
  4. Develop Human Services dashboard
  5. Other strategies identified by the community and the Council

Accountability strategies:

  1. “8 Can’t Wait” police use of force policy review
  2. Contracted third party policy use of force review
  3. Use of force data evaluation and analysis
  4. Council use of force policy discussion
  5. Police body camera pilot
  6. Staff review of national best practices for alternatives to police for serving those experiencing homelessness, behavioral health issues, drug addiction and other community challenges
  7. Contracted organizational “equity assessment” to identify gaps in diversity, inclusion and proposed action steps to address gaps
  8. Other strategies identified by the community and the Council

Community Engagement strategies:

  1. Community engagement process centered around Black people
  2. Targeted stakeholder engagement
  3. Town Halls, virtual meetings and small group discussion
  4. Surveys, graphics, mailers and social media campaigns,
  5. Council retreat
  6. Other strategies identified by the community and the Council

Funding strategies:

  1. Fund outside review of police use of force
  2. Fund body camera pilot
  3. Fund community engagement strategies
  4. Reserve funding to implement ideas from community engagement, national best practice review, and equity assessment
  5. Meet other funding needs identified by the community and the Council

The draft resolution is presented as a starting point for very important, complex and difficult community discussions about police, structural racism, and actions the City can take to be a leader for change on these issues.   The public hearing is intended to solicit comments from any member of the community on these challenging topics or on changes to the resolution itself.   The public hearing is scheduled for one hour on the Council agenda, with no restriction on the number of speakers during that time frame. Comments from individuals will be limited to three minutes. If many people wish to speak, the time limit may be adjusted to two minutes to accommodate as many speakers as possible. 

Following the public hearing, staff will be seeking Council input and direction on any changes to the resolution. A final resolution and funding options will be brought back for discussion at future Council meeting. 

Fire and Emergency Medical Services Ballot Measure

The City Council will be finalizing edits to the proposed ordinance/ballot title language and appointing community members to the pro and con committees. The City Council will make their final decision about placing the measure on the ballot during their meeting on Tuesday, July 21. 

Public Participation

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 remote participation. Comments can be provided through Zoom, voicemail at: 425-587-3090, and email at: councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov. Voicemail and email comments must be provided by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7.

For the public hearing on police and racial equality issues:

  • Up to one hour for public comment
  • Three minutes will be allowed per speaker (this may be limited to two minutes per speaker to allow for more people to make public comment).
  • There will not be a “three person per viewpoint” limitation for the public hearing

For issues that are not quasi-judicial or set for a public hearing :

  • Three minutes per comment, no more than three speakers per side of an issue 
  • The City Manager will no longer read emails received by the City Councilmembers during the Council meeting. Emails that are submitted will be provided to, and read, by the City Council. 
  • Speakers will be prioritized in this order: (1) ZOOM video; (2) ZOOM audio; (3) voicemail messages left with the City by 3 p.m. on July 7; and (4) emails with attachments that include audio or video that can be displayed

Community members may also attend the meeting via Zoom. Instructions to participate via Zoom will be provided on the City Council webpage prior to the meeting. For more information about the Kirkland City Council, please visit the Council webpage

2020: Celebrate Independence Day Virtually

It's unlikely any of us will forget how we came together to celebrate the 4th of July in 2020 by staying apart. In that vein, here are a few suggestions for safely celebrating this year:

1. Join us for a virtual parade and fireworks display! 

Please join the City, the Celebrate Kirkland Leadership Team, and the Kirkland Downtown Association for the first ever virtual Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July event! This custom, star-spangled Independence Day extravaganza will be available on Saturday, July 4 on the Celebrate Kirkland Facebook page, City Facebook page, the Kirkland Television YouTube channel, the Kirkland Granicus Stream, Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Ziply Cable Channel 31, so choose your favorite viewing platform and prepare for an uplifting video experience starring the best Kirkland has to offer.

Commentary is provided by Mayor and Celebrate Kirkland founder Penny Sweet, longtime community advocate, Cow and Coyote decorator and avid Sea Hawker, Terri Fletcher, and Chamber Chief Executive Officer and lifetime Kirklander Samantha St. John. 

And because no 4th of July is complete without a spectacular display of fireworks, stay with us after the parade for the 2020 virtual fireworks show! The online display features dazzling pyrotechnics from years past to help brighten your screens and bring the 4th of July holiday to life.

2. Join the Lakeview Neighborhood Association for a "Drive Through" reverse parade to honor the Lakeview neighborhood veterans. The reverse parade will go from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and will begin in the Lakeview of Kirkland Assisted Living Parking Lot (please enter going south on Lakeview Drive.) The parade will honor seven amazing veterans, two from World War II, who have been in COVID quarantine since March. They will be sitting outside at social distancing to see you!!                

The neighborhood association is inviting the fire, police, city council, and the neighborhood to "drive by" through the parking lot to honor these veterans for their service.  Other residents will be inside at their windows, if applicable. Come by car, foot or bike, but remember to social distance and wear your face covering!

3. Follow these safety guidelines!

Unfortunately, we are seeing COVID cases continue to rise in King County and Washington State. Please be sure to head this guidance from Public Health--- Seattle King County:

"Maintaining the safety principles that led to the success against the outbreak has never been more important. These include continuing to practice physical distancing of 6 feet or more, minimizing contact with others outside the home, frequent hand washing or sanitizer, use of cloth face coverings in public, and avoiding group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces."

4. Fireworks are prohibited in Kirkland!

The discharge and possession of fireworks is illegal within the Kirkland city limits. Fireworks are banned to eliminate the property damage, fires, injuries, deaths, trauma to animals and the noise associated with their use. The Kirkland Police Department will be enforcing this ban. 

 

celebrate kirkland

City Announces Evenings on Park Lane

Evenings on Park Lane

In an effort to support downtown businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, the City will begin closing the west end of Park Lane between Lake Street and Main Street to vehicles from 6 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., seven days a week.

“With the weather getting better and our county slowly reopening, we’ve seen our community members coming out in larger numbers to support our downtown shops and restaurants,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “By opening ‘Evenings on Park Lane’ to pedestrians, we’re giving our community members space to stay six feet apart to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The night-time closures of Park Lane to vehicles is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020 and last through Labor Day. The City will continue to evaluate all options to support downtown businesses and help keep community members safe.

The decision to close the west end of Park Lane in the evenings to vehicles was informed by considerable outreach to the businesses on Park Lane and collaboration with community groups.

“We want to thank everyone who contributed ideas or feedback about this plan,” said Mayor Sweet. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting small businesses during a pandemic. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility, patience, and goodwill as we try our best to support our business community and their patrons during these challenging times.”

The City will post signs indicating that the street is closed to vehicles, as well as parking signs at each parking stall to inform visitors to Park Lane of the overnight closures.

As is available to all Kirkland businesses, several of the restaurants on Park Lane have applied for permits to use the parking stalls directly abutting their storefront as extended food service space. Businesses interested in applying for a parklet permit to use parking stalls in front of their storefront can download the application on the City’s website: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/BusinessSupportCOVID

In addition to the overnight closures, the City is also planning to close Park Lane to vehicles during the day for July 25-26 and August 9. These weekends were previously scheduled to be closed for special events that had been planned on Park Lane.

We Need Your Input to Develop new City Website

website under construction

The City of Kirkland is seeking input from the community to help guide the development of a new City website.

Community members are invited to take a short survey to share their experience with the current City website, and assist staff in developing a new City website that better meets the needs of the public.

The City of Kirkland is working with consultant OpenCities to develop a new City website that is focused on optimizing the user experience for community members. The new site will prioritize giving the public quick and easy access to the services that they use most. Another primary goal of the new site will be to increase accessibility for all users, including placing a priority on ADA accessibility and site translation capabilities.

“We know that we live in an age where many people want to be able to access services, pay bills and participate in civic life online,” said Councilmember Neal Black. “The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of having technology that is accessible and easily useable for all. We need your input to make sure the City’s new website best meets the community’s needs.”

The current City website platform is near the end of its functional life and must be replaced. The City is using this opportunity to ensure that the new website is functional, secure and offers the features and services most desired by the community. The City will be launching a test site later this year and will also be seeking input from the community at that time.

The deadline for the survey, which can be accessed at https://us.openforms.com/Form/01c2ec4d-efd6-40d5-a2fa-1ab6688a117b, is 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13.

City Traffic Cameras Now Viewable Online

traffic cameras on map

The City of Kirkland is pleased to announce that City traffic cameras are now available to the public on the City website at https://trafficmap.kirklandwa.gov/.

Community members can visit the webpage and click a camera icon to display an image from the traffic camera at that location. Visitors to the page can then click on the image, or use the maximize window button at the top of the pop-up, to open a larger version of the image. The images are refreshed approximately every minute.

“We hope that this new feature on our website will be a helpful tool for community members looking to plan their trips to avoid traffic,” said Councilmember Jon Pascal. “We also believe that this will be a valuable tool for community members to check road conditions during winter storm events.”

The traffic map is currently live and available to the public at https://trafficmap.kirklandwa.gov/.

Kirkland Undercover

Public health agencies continue to stress the importance of wearing face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Washington State Department of Health has issued a statewide order requiring individuals to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces such as stores, offices and restaurants. The order also requires face coverings outdoors when you can't stay 6 feet apart from others. This week we present another edition of Kirkland Undercover. 

Gary Tao, Freddy Young, Howard Yuan and Su Lin were out enjoying a gorgeous sunny evening on Park Lane last week, when we caught up with them to find out why they wear masks in public. 

Gary, who lives in Kirkland, said that he doesn’t mind wearing a mask, and with all the data indicating that masks help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, it’s a good habit to have. In other parts of the world masks are commonplace, he added.

“Many countries in Asia already do it on a regular basis to protect against not just COVID but other types of viruses and they've seen the results, so I don't see why not,” Gary said. “It's an easy habit to have and if you can keep the stores open it's definitely worth it.”

For Freddy, a Bellevue resident and a health care professional, it’s all about keeping himself and others safe and healthy.

“I wear mine because I don't know what I have and I don't know what other people have,” he said.

Thanks Gary, Freddy, Howard and Su!

Undercover family

Kirkland Has Got Talent! Virtual Art Gallery Viewable Online

Kirkland Creates

Kirkland Parks and Community Services is proud to present the Kirkland Creates Virtual Art Gallery. Our call for local artists received 37 pieces from 11 artists! Our mission is to connect people through art by highlighting local artists and showcasing how creative our community is.

Please view the Kirkland Creates Virtual Art Gallery here: https://rb.gy/gbfvka

A big thank you to all of the artists for allowing us to display their work.

City Conducts Annual Survey

City logo

The City of Kirkland is in the process of conducting its annual community survey. This survey, conducted by  EMC Research, utilizes phone and an online platform to gather input. The online platform will be available at a later date. Results of the survey helps the City to gauge how well we are serving the community, what community priorities we should be focusing on, and  helps the City Council to develop the biennial budget. Both the results of the phone survey and the on-line survey will posted to the City’s website. All responses are anonymous. To view past community surveys visit http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Reports/COK_Survey.htm.

Traffic Updates for July 1 to July 8

Cross Kirkland Corridor

A short section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor remains closed until July 3 while work crews from the Northshore Utility District improve the reliability of the area’s sewer system.

In addition to closing the corridor just south of its intersection with Northeast 124th Street, Razz Construction is also closing one of Northeast 124th Street’s vehicle lanes between Totem Lake Boulevard and 120th Place Northeast. 

Orange detour signs will direct trail users to go around the construction site using 120th Avenue Northeast, Northeast 116th Street, and 124th Avenue Northeast.

Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakegateway or www.kirklandwa.gov/ckc

Neighborhood Safety Program Drivers should expect minor traffic delays at six locations this month while Kirkland’s contractor implements the 2019 Neighborhood Safety Program. NPM Construction is improving safety on Houghton’s 108th Avenue Northeast, Lakeview’s Lakeview Drive, North Rose Hill’s Slater Avenue, Norkirk’s Northeast 87th Street, Juanita’s Northeast 120th Street, and Kingsgate’s Northeast 132nd Street.

Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/nsp

Totem Lake

Marshbank Construction has closed all but one northbound and one southbound lane on Totem Lake Boulevard between Northeast 124th Street and 120th Avenue Northeast. The contractor expects to keep this segment of roadway open to two-way traffic throughout the remainder of this project, into September.

Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakegateway or www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlake

108th Avenue Northeast

Drivers should continue to expect minor traffic impacts this month on 108th Avenue Northeast while a Kirkland contractor upgrades an aging water and sewer main along the north-to-south arterial.

Marshbank Construction is replacing the two systems—both more than five decades old—to increase their capacities to serve Kirkland’s growing population and to reduce the systems’ needs for maintenance.

That need is most urgent in the sewer line, which runs from Northeast 68th Street to Northeast 53rd Street. Settling soil has created a sag in the sewer line, allowing sewage to accumulate there and requiring maintenance crews to periodically flush the line.

The contractor is also replacing the water main between Northeast 68th and 60th streets.

Marshbank expects to complete the upgrades by spring of 2021. 

Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/108thavewatersewer

Upcoming Events

Wednesday market image
 

Kirkland Wednesday Market presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association

3 to 7 p.m. Every Wednesday through September 23

Marina Park

The Kirkland Downtown Association Wednesday Market opens Wednesday, June 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Marina Park. Please see the new market rules. If possible, please order from market vendors in advance. More information about the Wednesday Market is available at http://kirklandmarket.org/


juanita friday market

Juanita Friday Market

3 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 5 through September 25, 2020

Juanita Beach Park

Face masks are required to enter the market.

Please allow for extra time as Public Health Seattle & King County is limiting the number of customers allowed in the market at any given time. Thank you for your patience! There are big changes this year so before you go, be sure to pre-order your purchases, check-out the drive-thru plans, and see how we'll be handling health & safety issues. And while we'd love to see everyone, if you're in a high-risk group please stay home and send a friend to do your shopping. 


King County library

King County Library System presents: Plant-Based Cooking and the Prevention and Reversal of Diabetes

6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14

Online, virtual event

Type 2 Diabetes is an epidemic in our country. It affects people from all walks of life, including our children. Doctor visits, finger pricks, medications, injections, feeling tired and sick. It is all so unnecessary! Come learn about the causes of Diabetes and how to prevent and reverse Type 2 Diabetes through a plant-based diet, and find an alternative solution to the life sentence of Diabetes.

Brought to you by the Kingsgate Library. Registration required by 10 a.m. on July 13.


Safer Summer for Events

Household Goods and Electronics Recycling Event hosted by Waste Management

Northshore Community Church, 10301 NE 145th ST (parking lot across street)

Saturday July 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Accepted items: clothing/linens, reusable household goods (book, dishware, games), electronics (computers, TVs, printers, DVD players, etc.). For more event details check out www.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland.  

Event safety procedures: please wear a mask and stay in your vehicle unless directed otherwise.

Check out all of the Safer Summer Recycling Events on our flyer.

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