During the month of October, the City of Kirkland will begin distributing $5,000 grants through the Kirkland CARES Small Business Relief Fund.

Grants will be provided to 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 City received over 280 applications in August and September. Though the program was originally designed to provide funding for 150 small businesses, the City is utilizing a second allocation from Washington State to strive to fund all applicants that met the eligibility requirements.

The City is currently in the process of finalizing grant agreements with some businesses and contacting others who need to provide additional information.

“These grants are an important investment in our Kirkland economy, and the City Council is pleased that we could allocate additional funding toward supporting our local businesses,” said Mayor Penny Sweet “The grant program is another step in a series of actions to address immediate financial challenges our small businesses are facing during this pandemic. City staff are committed to working hard to get this money out to our small businesses quickly while completing all the necessary due diligence to ensure that we’re being responsible stewards of taxpayer funds.”

Grants will be issued on an ongoing basis as applications are thoroughly vetted and contracts are signed. Please direct questions about this grant to the City of Kirkland at kirklandbusinesssupport@kirklandwa.gov.

The Kirkland City Council’s next “virtual” meeting takes place Tuesday, October 20. The meeting uses video conferencing technology provided by Zoom in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan to reopen Washington. 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 October 20 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 Ziply Cable Channel 31.

Here are a few highlights from the upcoming meeting:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation

The Council will proclaim October 2020 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Kirkland. The purpose of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to promote an active community response against the scourge of domestic violence. 

National Code Compliance Month Proclamation

The Council will proclaim October 2020 as National Code Compliance Month in Kirkland. This is an opportunity to highlight the important function of Code Enforcement in the City and the contributions that Code Enforcement staff members have made to improve the quality of our community.

Urban and Community Forest Appreciation Month Proclamation

The Council will proclaim October 2020 as Urban and Community Forest Appreciation Month in Kirkland. This proclamation is meant to commemorate that the community values its urban forest while recognizing the steps taken towards preserving, planting and maintaining it. 

Sustainability Master Plan Review

Council will continue their discussion on the Sustainability Master Plan. They will also identify any topics from the library of public comment that require further discussion, such as electrification of vehicles, alternative standards for safe pedestrian travel, energy supply, revisions to remove barriers and provide incentives for solar power installations, access to parks and open space, waste reduction and recycling and composting. 

Public Art for Fire Station 24

The City Council will consider acceptance of the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission’s recommendation of The Sentinel  by Michael Clapper of Michael Clapper Studios, Denver, Colorado, to be fabricated and installed as part of the renovation of Fire Station 24.

The art is fashioned in the shape of a Maltese Cross, with material choices and colors that represent heat and fire. The sculpture uses LED lighting to provide a soft, white glow at night that changes to red when there’s an emergency call. The station number (24) is subtly incorporated into the design. The piece is 10-feet tall, nine feet wide and 20-inches in depth. The art will be positioned along a highly used sidewalk, for maximum exposure and enjoyment by the community.

The Shop Local Kirkland website is LIVE and now accepting registrations from ALL Kirkland-based businesses here:  www.shoplocalkirkland.com. Registration is easy and free.

Shop Local Kirkland (SLK) is an initiative of the City of Kirkland to help businesses get found, expand their reach, sell online and access new customers. Shop Local Kirkland responds to the impacts on businesses from the Covid-19 global pandemic. The SLK website is a ‘Digital Main Street’ for our businesses, which will be activated by robust consumer engagement and marketing campaigns. Shop Local Kirkland is designed to keep dollars in the community and be an online, safety-net economy for our city.

Questions? Need help? Please email shoplocalkirkland@kirklandwa.gov

Keep Leaves Out of Streets

The leaves are starting to turn, and soon they’ll start to fall. Please help us prevent flooding in your neighborhood by cleaning leaves off storm drains and out of streets. Fallen leaves pile up on storm drains on our streets, blocking rainwater from draining, which can lead to localized flooding. City crews work hard to keep storm drains clear of leaves, but with over 12,000 drains in Kirkland, we could use your help! Learn more on how to prevent flooding at kirklandwa.gov/flooding. If severe flooding occurs in your neighborhood, please call our 24/7 hotline at (425) 587-3900 for assistance from a City crew.

Fallen leaves can be a great source of nutrients for your garden. Mow over leaves on lawn areas a couple times - the small pieces will break down and return nutrients to your soil without the need for fertilizer. Fallen leaves in garden areas can act as mulch and also provide a haven for butterflies, bumblebees and other beneficial animals.

During the month of November, the collection of extra yard waste will be free for single family residences in Kirkland. Residents who would like to avoid a charge for yard waste extras in October are encouraged to save excess leaves that won’t fit in their cart until November. For more information about stormwater drainage and flooding, please visit our Storm and Surface Water webpages. 

Fall is upon us and daylight hours are in shorter supply, making our crosswalks darker and our pedestrians less visible. We invite community members to download the free PedSafe app, which conveniently turns your mobile device into a bright, flashing beacon. 

The PedSafe app provides an easy-to-use and safe tool for pedestrians of all languages, cultures and ages. Utilize the app so you can be visible to drivers when you are crossing or walking near streets and roadways.

The PedSafe flashing beacon is visible from three to five blocks away (up to 1,000 feet) and prevents distracted walking, as users are unable to text or talk on the phone while the beacon is activated. 

Once the app is downloaded to your mobile device, it only takes two quick taps to launch the beacon. Download PedSafe for free on the PedSafe webpage.