November Ballot Measure to Fund Additional Firefighters/EMTs, Council Recap, Construction Progress at Totem Lake Park, Shop Local Kirkland Seeks Businesses for Soft Launch, Notice of Upcoming Salary Commission Meeting, Last Day to Apply for Kirkland Cares Small Business Relief Fund Grants, and More!

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this week in kirkland

September 16, 2020

city of kirkland washington

November Ballot Measure to Fund Additional Firefighters/EMTs

The City Council has placed a measure on the November ballot that funds additional firefighters/EMTs to improve response times for fire and emergency medical services and modernizes fire stations to protect firefighter health and safety.

This video below highlights modern risks for firefighters and why reaching you quicker than ever before is necessary to keep everyone safe. Please watch this short video to learn more.

Legacy versus Modern Fuels image for video

Council Recap

City Council

The City Council discussed a number of important issues during their September 15 meeting. You can watch the meeting in its entirety on the City website. A few of the highlights from the meeting can be found below:

Eastside Welcoming Week Proclamation

The City of Kirkland once again proclaimed Welcoming Week in Kirkland. Since 2016, the City has been proclaiming Welcoming Week as part of the Welcoming America initiative. This year, the City of Kirkland, alongside the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, and Sammamish, is co-sponsoring an Eastside race and equity summit, Bridging History and Story: Building the Next Chapter for Racial Equity. This virtual community summit is presented by the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition and Eastside For All and will explore historical legacies and learn about local anti-racism efforts. What stories will connect, sustain, and guide us into our next chapter? What actions can we commit to taking within our community circles?

All community members are invited to attend this free event. High school age and up. Please register here: Eastside Race and Equity Summit. The event will feature keynote speaker, Delbert Richardson. The event will also include small group conversations, resources for taking action, and performances by Ocheami, a group of artists and educators who share and perform West African culture to support healthy perspectives of life. For additional information or accommodations request, please contact eastsideraceandleadership@gmail.com or call 425-452-7886. Please Note: Except for the small group conversations, the event will be recorded.

COVID-19 UPDATE

City Manager Kurt Triplett provided an update on the City’s COVID-19 response in regard to park operations. Recently, the City reopened the Houghton Beach parking lot and dock. The City is also considering re-opening playgrounds as earlier as Monday. If playgrounds reopen, safety signage will be prevalent, masks will be required, and visitors will be asked to limit gatherings to ten people or less. If problems such as large gatherings or failure to comply with mask requirements become common,  then the City would consider closing those amenities again. Lastly, the City will be utilizing CARES Act funds to continue the park ambassador program through the end of September. The park ambassador program is currently on-hold due to air quality but will be back reactivated when air quality improves.

The City Manager also briefly discussed the status of the allocation of the $2.67 million in CARES Act funding the City had received. At an earlier City Council meeting, the Council had decided to allocate the funding in approximately equal portions to City operations, business relief and human services programs. The City is currently in the application period for the Kirkland CARES Small Business Relief Fund program. This grant program is for businesses with 25 employees or less that have had significant financial impacts due to Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders earlier this year. The deadline for applying to the program is September 16 at 5 p.m. Recently, the City received an additional $1.3 million in CARES Act funding. The City is currently discussing how to use these funds to support the local business community. The City is also in the process of distributing funds to human service agencies serving Kirkland community members. To-date approximately $315,000 has been provided directly for rental assistance. The City has also provided $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club and other childcare type programs. The City Manager will provide a more in-depth update on human services funding during the October 6 City Council meeting.

RESOLUTION 5434: Affirming that Black Lives Matter and Approving the Framework for Kirkland to Become a Safe, Inclusive and Welcoming Community

Assistant City Manager Jim Lopez provided an update on the implementation of R-5434. The City is moving forward with implementation including activating the City’s Management Analyst to begin researching best practices that have been utilized by other cities that have undertaken similar initiatives. The City is also looking to recruit a temporary Special Projects Coordinator to support community engagement around this initiative. This position is expected to be posted this week. The City is also continuing to working closely with the Right to Breathe Committee and the Welcoming Kirkland initiative on designing the community engagement process.

Construction Moving Forward at Totem Lake Park

Totem Lake restroom

We are pleased to announce that construction is progressing nicely on Totem Lake Park. Workers are in the process of completing the construction of a new restroom and a 10 foot trail that will lead from the boardwalk to across Totem Lake and then connect with the Cross Kirkland Corridor. This project will also include a new playground, picnic opportunities and an overlook. We look forward to joining you at an event in the summer of  June 2021 to enjoy all of the new recreational opportunities this project will provide for the Kirkland community.

Applications for Kirkland Cares Small Business Relief Grants Due Today by 5 p.m.

Kirkland Cares

Today is the final day to apply for the City of Kirkland, Kirkland Cares Small Business Relief grants for 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. Applications will be available 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% 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., 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.

Shop Local Kirkland Seeks Businesses For Soft Launch

Shop Local Kirkland logo

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, sign your business up by visiting: www.shoplocalkirkland.com

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

Public Input Wanted: Salary Commission Meeting on Monday, September 21

City logo

The Salary Commission is holding a meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2020 to receive public input and discuss possible adjustments to the salaries of the Mayor and Council Members. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Members of the public can also call in Toll Free at 1-888-475-4499.

Zoom information:

Meeting ID: 955 4747 3461

Passcode: 357600

Click here to join the meeting via Zoom. 

Public comment may be given at the meeting or may be submitted in writing to: Salary Commission c/o City Attorney’s Office at 123 Fifth Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033 or email kraymond@kirklandwa.gov prior to 5 p.m. on September 21, 2020.

For more information on the Salary Commission visit our Salary Commission webpage.  

Time is Running Out to Complete the 2020 Census

Census Graphic

With just a few weeks left, and many more people still left to be counted across Washington, we are asking YOU to complete the census.

The 2020 Census is our opportunity and our right to complete.

Together, we can make sure our communities and families get the resources we need for things like housing, education, healthcare, and transportation.

You can complete your census online at 2020Census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020, or if an official census worker visits your home.

Traffic Alerts for the Week of September 16 Through September 22

Totem Lake

Drivers should expect traffic delays until May on Willows Road Northeast, starting Sept. 22. Kirkland’s contractor, Interwest Construction, is building a 1,900-foot-long and 11-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian path along the road’s northbound lane. Interwest is planning in mid-December to close for two weeks Willows Road Northeast, just south of its intersection with 141st Avenue Northeast.

Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/willowsconnection

Drivers will continue to have access to one northbound and one southbound lane on Totem Lake Boulevard between Northeast 124th Street and 120th Avenue Northeast until Sept. 30, when Kirkland’s contractor expects to complete the Totem Lake Gateway project.

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

Market

Kirkland’s street paving contractor plans to detour Market Street traffic onto Third Street until Sept. 22—or later if it rains this week—while its crews remove and replace the street’s top layer of pavement.

Lakeside Industries will detour commuters from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., each weekday. However, the contractor will keep open Market Street’s southbound lane when it is repaving the street’s northbound lane. Alternatively, the northbound lane will be open while Lakeside is repaving its southbound lane.

Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/streetpreservation

Houghton

Four of 108th Avenue Northeast’s five lanes are available again to people who are driving between Northeast 68th and Northeast 53rd streets.

Marshbank Construction is replacing water and sewer 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.

Marshbank expects to complete the upgrades by spring 2021. 

Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/108thavewatersewer

Upcoming Events

Wednesday market image

Kirkland Wednesday Market presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association

Cancelled, Wednesday September 16

Due to poor air quality, the Kirkland Downtown Association has cancelled the Wednesday market for Wednesday, September 16. 

The Kirkland Downtown Association Wednesday Market will be back next Wednesday, September 22, 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/.

NOTE: The Kirkland Wednesday Market you have all come to know and love needs your support! Join the market as a volunteer and help the Kirkland Downtown Association bring this event to the community this summer!  

Due to COVID-19, the KDA needs a slightly larger group of volunteers than in the past to ensure they are complying with current health department requirements.

Click here to sign up to be a volunteer! 


Scavenger Hunt image

Kirkland Parks & Community Services Presents: Kirkland's Treasured Past Scavenger Hunt

September 2 through October 9

Self-guided event

This amazing historical adventure is the result of a partnership between Kirkland Parks and Community Services and the Kirkland Heritage Society and Museum. History comes to life as you hunt down clues, unravel mysterious riddles and solve intriguing puzzles! There are over $1,000 worth of awesome prizes, including a gorgeous waterfront guestroom at the Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa and much more.

Sign up in the Kirkland Parks & Community Services Catalog. 

 


Hayley Sales

Kirkland Performance Center Presents: A live virtual concert with Hayley Sales

8 p.m., Thursday, September 17

Online, virtual event

Hearing her classic voice for the first time, you can tell she has paved her own way; through the velvety hints of Motown and the bold romance of early jazz, the music of Hayley Sales breathes new life into the vintage sounds of the 1950s and 60s.

An artist through and through, she has had to take the long way; carefully crafting her songs to match the unabashed honesty of a born performer. There’s an elegance to her that is hard to come by in 2020. You hear it immediately on her latest record, Ricochet, the first she’s been allowed to release in a decade, and her most exposing, genuine collection of songs to date. As her voice introduces the opening piano chords of Never Let You Go, you feel transported into a realm of timeless romance, emboldened by lessons in overcoming adversity. More on Haley’s music can be found here.

This performance will stream across KPC’s Facebook and YouTube channels. For more information about Hayley, visit the KPC webpage


Batteries

Electronics, CRTs, and Battery Recycling and Free Shredding

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (11605 132nd Avenue NE)

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, September 19

Accepted materials: home electronics (computers, peripherals, stereos, printers, scanners, etc), CRTs (big screen TVs, wood console TVs, etc), household batteries (alkaline and rechargeable), lead acid batteries (car batteries). Get more details.

Free shredding: clean paper only (staples ok). Limit 4 file-size boxes or grocery bags per vehicle. No pre-shredded paper.

Event safety procedures: please wear a mask and gloves and stay in your vehicle until it is your turn. Please pack materials so they will be quick to unload.

You may be asked to unload your own materials, or staff may unload for you. Please put items in your trunk or backseat.

This event will be popular, please be prepared for a wait! No admittance after 3 p.m.

Questions? Contact Kirkland's Recycling Hotline at recycle@kirklandwa.gov.


Food pic for cooking class

King County Library System Presents: Cooking from the Garden with Lisa

2 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 6

Online, virtual event 

Presented by Lisa Taylor, our favorite garden educator! For information about Lisa see Garden With Lisa 

It isn’t an edible garden unless you eat it. In this class you will make some fantastic yard food. You will explore the edible plants that grow in our fall garden and how we can eat them in different easy-to-make dishes.

You’ll make a rustic pesto and a gourmet fall salad with homemade dressing, sing songs and have fun.

More information and registration can be found online on the King County Library Services page. 

Register in advance by 11 p.m. the day before the program and we will send you a Zoom Invitation to join the class the morning of the event.


Juanita Friday

Juanita Friday Market

3 to 7 p.m., every Friday through September 25

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. 


Evenings on Park Lane

Evenings on Park Lane

6 p.m. to 7 a.m. every evening through September 30

Park Lane

*Extended through the month of September

In an effort to support downtown businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, the City closes 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. This pedestrian friendly environment aims to increase patronage at businesses in the heart of our downtown shopping district. Enjoy unique clothing boutiques, delicious restaurants, decadent desserts, art galleries and fine furniture stores at your leisure! 

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