The Kirkland City Council’s next “virtual” meeting takes place Tuesday, January 5. 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 January 5 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:

Study Session: Municipal Court Update

The Kirkland Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and an independent branch of government authorized by Washington State law to preside over all criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, as well as traffic, non-traffic and parking infractions, and select civil matters occurring within the city limits of Kirkland.  At the January 5 study session, the Council will receive an overview of the structure of the Municipal Court, discuss impacts of the pandemic on operations, and learn more about the upcoming implementation of a Community Court.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Proclamation

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an American Federal and Washington State holiday commemorating the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In 1994, Congress initiated the King Holiday and Service Act, challenging Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of community volunteer service in honor of Dr. King.  Day of Service activities are organized by a wide range of nonprofit and community organizations, educational institutions, public agencies, private businesses, and other organizations across the nation. By proclaiming January 18, 2021, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, all Kirkland residents and businesses will be encouraged to serve their neighbors and community on this day and throughout the year.

R-5434 Early Action Review

Following the tragic killing of George Floyd by a police officer on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, numerous marches and rallies were held in Kirkland calling for an end to structural racism and for the City to demonstrate that Black lives matter.  On June 16, 2020, the Council directed the City Manager to develop a framework for the City’s response to the community and on August 4, 2020, Council adopted Resolution R-5434, committing to several actions related to examining and dismantling institutional and structural racism in Kirkland. At the January 5 meeting, the Council will receive a briefing on early actions conducted in 2020 to implement Resolution R-5434.

Council will accept live spoken commentary under 'Items from the Audience' or ‘Public Hearings’ at regular meetings via Zoom audio/video on a computer or telephone connection. The connection links are provided on each individual meeting agenda. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three minutes apiece, and no more than three speakers may address the Council on any one subject. However, if both proponents and opponents wish to speak, then up to three proponents and up to three opponents of the matter may address the Council. Zoom audience members will be alerted to ‘raise their hand’ virtually if they wish to address the Council at the appropriate time in the meeting. Written comments can be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov.

Please call (425) 587-3190 and leave a message before 5 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting with any questions; City Clerk's Office staff will endeavor to return your call. 

For more information about the Kirkland City Council, please visit the Council webpage.

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a one-week extension of the "Stay Safe–Stay Healthy" proclamation, along with the imposed statewide restrictions. The extension of the statewide restrictions will now expire on Monday, January 11, 2021. Current restrictions include:

• Indoor social gatherings with people who do not live with you are prohibited, unless you quarantine for 14 days prior OR quarantine for 7 days and receive a negative COVID test result.
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 5 people who do not live with you.

Please visit the Public Health - Seattle & King County website (www.kingcounty.gov/covid) for the latest guidance and information about COVID-19. 

WA State Dept. of Health: "Coping with COVID" Podcast and Blog Series

Did you know that a pandemic is a type of natural disaster? Disasters have known impacts on our behavioral health. In this series of conversations, disaster psychologist Kira Mauseth, PhD and psychiatrist Doug Dicharry, MD discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts us – what we’re feeling, why we’re feeling it, and what we can do about it. Listen below or check out the blog series on the Department of Health's Public Health Connection blog.

As of December 23, 2020, the new Juanita Beach Park bathhouse and playground are officially open to the public. While a few construction details still need to be completed, the modern-day bathhouse includes summertime restrooms with room to dress, all-season restrooms that are available for park visitors to use, outdoor showers, lifeguarding space, and space for non-motorized boating concessions. An opening celebration is planned for Spring 2021.

Visitors are invited to enjoy the 22-acre park’s many features including 1,000 feet of shoreline, two new picnic pavilions, and a new historical public art installation coming in 2021. The playground’s synthetic turf and play elements are designed to be accessible to people of all abilities.

“Working on this project has been a great joy,” says City of Kirkland Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra. “People of all ages and abilities can enjoy the park as it was originally intended: with space to gather, enjoy the views, and have clean, modern, and comfortable facilities.”

The term ‘bathhouse’ pays homage to the history of Juanita Beach Park. The first half of the twentieth century brought vacationers from Seattle to Kirkland, where families would dance to the jukebox in the bathhouse and sun themselves on the shore.

“Juanita Beach Park has a rich history and is one of Kirkland’s most popular parks,” said Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet. “This project has been a wonderful opportunity to preserve that history and improve the park amenities for generations to come.”

Construction began January 2020, by Synergy, Inc., a family-owned construction company in Woodinville. The new bathhouse was designed by Patano Studio Architecture. All improvements are consistent with the parks master plan.

For more information, please visit the project’s webpage. Safety guidelines and information about what park facilities are currently open under the Governor’s Safe Start plan can be found at: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/PlayItSafe.

Starting Monday, January 4 and until October 31, 2021, the existing west (southbound) bridge on 68th Ave N.E. across the Sammamish River will be closed for demolition, retaining one lane in each direction on the east bridge. Alternative routes and/or adjustments to commute schedules are recommended when possible. 

This City of Kenmore project provides a structurally safe new bridge with a higher capacity, a new bike lane, pedestrian pathways, and a viewing platform to enhance traveler experiences. For questions please contact info@kenmoreconstruction.com or call 425-201-4147. Visit the project website at www.kenmoreconstruction.com for more information and to sign up for updates.

In November, the City of Kirkland launched www.ShopLocalKirkland.com, a new digital main street filled with options for supporting local businesses, nonprofits, art organizations and service entities. SLK is a multifaceted effort meant to inspire consumers to support our small business community, while helping our small businesses transform digitally so that they're able to survive and thrive in an online as well as physical marketplace.

Now, Shop Local Kirkland has rolled out In-Car Dining, a unique opportunity to enjoy your favorite take-out while admiring the gorgeous views of Marina Park. Designated In-Car Dining spots located along Lakeshore Plaza convert your car into a family-friendly, safe dining room and support our local restaurants at a critical time. Several participating restaurants offer In-Car Dining Delivery right to your car door. Visit the Shop Local Kirkland website and select "In-Car Dining" to see a list of participating restaurants. 

In-Car Dining is growing with new restaurants being added!