Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged in what is happening in your City. During the Tuesday, September 1 City Council meeting, the Council took a number of important actions. Here are a few highlights from the meeting:

National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation

The City Council proclaimed September 15 through October 15, 2020 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Kirkland.

This proclamation supports Kirkland’s Resolution R-5240 declaring Kirkland a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community for all people. Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month helps to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain a priority and that we continue to welcome diversity in its many forms and embrace opportunities to showcase diversity in our City.

The proclamation was read by Councilmember Kelli Curtis and received by Kirkland resident Mr. Luis Navarro. To see the proclamation in its entirety, visit our website. 

Safer Routes to School Action Plans

The Council unanimously passed Resolution R-5445 adopting the Safer Routes to School Action Plans. The Safer Routes to School Action Plans bolster safety along key pedestrian school walk routes while inspiring more students to walk, bike and ride the bus to school. The action plans include 133 improvements, including 58 enhanced crossings and 75 new or improved sidewalk segments.

The Resolution establishes ongoing funding mechanisms to implement the plans, with key projects leveraging funding through State and federal grants.

For more information about the Safer Routes to School Action Plans, visit our website.    

Fire Station 24 Construction Contract Award

The Council unanimously awarded a construction contract to Everett-based general contractor Kirtley-Cole Associates, LLC, in the amount of approximately $11 million (including construction and sales tax) for the construction of a new fire station. 

Fire Station 24 will be located in north Kirkland at 9824 N.E. 132nd Street, an approximately 2.52-acre site formerly home to Rite Aid. The project constructs an 11,975-square foot fire station along with associated right-of-way improvements. The station will be a steel-framed structure with three drive-through apparatus bays, support spaces, crew workspace, crew living spaces and eight sleeping rooms. The City purchased this parcel in 2019 to reduce the time it takes firefighters to reach residents who are experiencing emergencies. It’s part of a City-wide effort to reduce firefighter response times and ensure fire stations are sustainable, durable, and provide healthier living spaces for firefighters.

Completion is slated for fall of 2021. 

The City of Kirkland is launching a Shop Local Kirkland initiative to support our local economy and help our businesses prosper during WA State’s Safe Start Plan and beyond. To ensure the initiative is relevant and successful, we are seeking businesses to participate in the initiative’s soft launch starting immediately. Together, we will work to design, build, and promote a vibrant, hyper-local economy.

Shop Local Kirkland will support businesses with ecommerce solutions and function as a “digital main street,” where Kirkland businesses can be found and can sell online. A vigorous marketing campaign will drive commerce through the platform, keeping dollars in the community and providing vital revenue to Kirkland businesses.

If you are interested and willing to participate in Shop Local Kirkland’s soft launch, fill out the brief Interest Form here: Shop Local Kirkland Interest Form

Questions? Please email Martha Chaudhry at: mchaudhry@kirklandwa.gov

The City of Kirkland continues to accept applications from small businesses and nonprofits that were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the second quarter of 2020 (April 1 to June 30).

The grants provided through the Kirkland CARES Small Business Relief Fund do not need to be repaid. Awardees can use grant funds for rent, utilities and normal operating costs and expenses. The application period opened on Wednesday, August 26 at the Kirkland CARES Small Business Relief Fund webpage. 

To receive a grant, for-profit or nonprofit businesses must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Small businesses must be located in Kirkland (including home based businesses) with a current and active Unified Business Identification Number (UBI) and City of Kirkland business license endorsement;
2. Small businesses must have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees as of April 1, 2020;
3. Small businesses must demonstrate a minimum 25 percent reduction in gross revenues (including a reduction of at least $5,000) due to negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during the second quarter of 2020 (April 1 to June 30);
4. Small businesses must demonstrate a minimum of $5,000 of normal operating costs and expenses (as specified as eligible under the grant agreement) during the qualified period (second quarter of 2020, April 1 to June 30); and
5. Small businesses must not be involved in the production, processing, promotion, distribution, or sale (wholesale or retail) of marijuana and cannabinoid products, concentrates, or extracts; and
6. Small businesses must meet all other eligibility requirements specified in the grant agreement.

More information on eligible expenses, ineligible expenses and restrictions on use of grant funds is located on the Kirkland CARES Small Business Relief Fund page on the City website.

The City will accept applications through 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 16. If the City receives more than 150 qualified applications, the awardees will be randomly selected through a lottery. The City will announce awards as applicants are confirmed. As of Tuesday, September 1, the City had received a total of 80 applications. 

Please direct questions about this grant to the City of Kirkland at kirklandbusinesssupport@kirklandwa.gov. Businesses can request paper applications at kirklandbusinesssupport@kirklandwa.gov. Applications and eligibility requirements are available in Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. If you need assistance completing the application in another language, the Business Response Team has translation services available to support you. Contact the Business Response Team by visiting the (re)STARTUP425 webpage. 

Looking to elevate your small business?

Apply to the Startup425 Innovation Lab. This exciting new program is the first of its kind on the Eastside and will run October 1 through November 12, 2020. We know Eastside businesses are struggling due to COVID-19, so Startup425 is underwriting this year’s program: there will be no tuition or fees charged to participating businesses. Space is limited and admission is selective. Applications will be accepted through September 25, 2020. Sign up at the Innovation Lab registration webpage.