Thanks to all who attended and gave comment during last night's City Council meeting, which took place via the Zoom videoconferencing platform in alignment with current public health recommendations and guidelines.
The public is always welcome at Council meetings, which are a great way to have your voice heard while gaining a better understanding of how your City government operates. The public comment period, identified as "Items from the Audience" on the Council agenda, is your chance to address the Council directly, with both compliments and concerns. We appreciate the community members who spoke last night and exercised their option to educate our Council on the things that are important to them.
For more information about Council meetings, including the Zoom link and instructions for providing public comment, please visit the City website. To view this council meeting or any past council meeting, go to Watch Council Meetings on the City’s website.
Here are a few highlights from the meeting:
Resolution R-5434 Early Action Update and Next Steps
During the Study Session, the Council received its first comprehensive update on Resolution R-5434, which is intended to ensure the safety and respect of Black people. City staff and consultant, Chanin Kelly-Rae, presented early action updates from the Black-centered community engagement process called for in R-5434. The discussion included proposed data elements for dashboards, plans for an internal Equity Gap Analysis, and Council feedback and direction on next steps. Learn more about the City’s efforts to dismantle structural racism, how to schedule a focus group with City staff and sign up for R-5434 updates.
The Third Update on the City's 2021 State Legislative Priorities
The City Council’s Legislative Workgroup, consisting of Mayor Sweet, Deputy Mayor Arnold and Councilmember Curtis, is staffed by the City Manager, the Intergovernmental Relations Manager and Management Analyst Andreana Campbell, with participation from Waypoint Consulting Group, the City’s contracted lobbyist. For more information on the City's 2021 legislative priorities, see the staff memorandum.
Amendment to the Adopted 2021 - 2026 Capital Improvement Plan
Council voted to amend the 2021—2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) by adding a new intersection improvement project at NE 124th Street/100th Avenue NE and approve both the receipt of $125,000 of Regional Mobility Grant funds and also the transfer of $10,000 of available Citywide Transit Study Project funds to fully fund the new Project.
The next City Council meeting takes place Tuesday, March 2. For more information on the Kirkland City Council, please visit our website.
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Early this morning (Wednesday, February 17) Kirkland police investigators made three arrests associated with a homicide that occurred on the evening of September 16, 2020 at Houghton Beach Park. Investigators discovered that the beach park was an agreed meeting spot to make a firearms transaction. This led to the death of a teenage male, who was shot multiple times and passed from his injuries.
Kirkland police investigators were able to determine that multiple suspects were involved in this case. Kirkland investigators worked continuously on gathering evidence and information surrounding the suspects involved. Their diligent efforts led to authoring three arrest warrants. These arrest warrants were executed with the help of the North Sound Metro SWAT Team.
Two juvenile male suspects and an adult male suspect have been taken into custody and booked into the King County Jail. All were charged with first-degree murder.
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The Kirkland Fire Department is working to provide vaccination services to approximately 50 adult family homes in Kirkland, which should be completed by the end of this week. Starting next week, Kirkland’s senior living facilities, including low income and subsidized senior living facilities, will begin receiving their first doses through the mobile vaccination program.
Kirkland Firefighters are also supporting the mass vaccination site at the Microsoft campus. The Microsoft site is open to anyone in Phase 1, Tiers 1A and 1B1 by appointment. The City is working on setting up a site in Kirkland, however these efforts are currently limited by the availability of vaccines and logistical support.
For information about getting the COVID-19 vaccination in King County, visit the Public Health - Seattle & King County vaccine information webpage. For questions about the mobile vaccination program, contact Public Health - Seattle & King County.
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Join us for a 90-minute interactive session featuring structured dialogues on race and racism. We’ll use the inclusive dialogue model to practice skills for engaging in conversations about racism, build relationships and understanding between participants from diverse racial backgrounds, and support anti-racist action in the community. The first event of the series is on Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Community members (high school age and up) may attend one or more sessions. Although the training material will be repeated each time, the question sets will vary. Returning participants are invited to deepen their skills and learning. Each session offers an opportunity to meet new people and explore different aspects of race, racial identity, and racism.
This is a virtual event. The event series is sponsored by the City of Kirkland.
Please Read the Following Carefully Before Registering:
The dialogue event is highly interactive. Unfortunately, we’re not able to gather in person where everyone is welcomed into a physical space that supports connection, and where those with sight ability are able to see others in the room. In order to create gracious and brave space for everyone, all attendees will be asked to have their cameras on in order to participate.
The inclusive dialogue format requires a mixed group to explore a range of perspectives and to fully support the event’s objectives. In the registration questions, you’ll be asked how you identify racially to help us balance the groups during the event.
The event is capped at 40 participants. After filling out the registration form, you’ll be sent a confirmation. If the event has reached capacity, you’ll be placed on a waitlist and notified if a spot opens up. Those who remain on the waitlist will have the opportunity to register first at the next event which will take place in the spring. All participants and those on the waitlist will have access to resource materials to support inclusive dialogues throughout the community.
About the Facilitators
The series is designed and facilitated by Debbie Lacy, Founder and CEO of Eastside For All, and Nura Adam, Founder and Executive Director of the Immigrant Women’s Community Center (IWCC). Debbie has a mixed ethnic background. Her mother is a Mexican immigrant with Mayan Indigenous and Spanish ancestry. Her father was white, mostly Italian. Debbie grew up in the Midwest and East Coast. Nura is ethnically Somali, raised in the U.S. Both live and work in East King County.
Community dialogues are part of broader efforts by Eastside For All, IWCC, and others who are committed to social justice and community-building that fosters solidarity, belonging, and compassion.
Register Here
The City is currently offering multiple opportunities for community members and business owners to become more civically engaged by providing input and feedback on several ongoing conversations. Your unique voice enriches the civic process and helps ensure that City efforts, programs and initiatives are responsive to the needs of our community.
Here are links to our ongoing surveys and opportunities to provide comment:
2021 Community Tree Survey - Comment by February 19
This survey will help the City gather insight from the community about how to better manage Kirkland's urban forest and will inform the development of a work plan to guide 2021-2026 tree planting, maintenance and preservation efforts. Visit our Urban Forest Workplan webpage to take the survey and learn more.
N.E. 85th Street Station Area Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Comment by February 19
Watch our Draft SEIS Introduction Video to learn more about this phase of the project. Let us know what you think are the best choices for the Station Area Plan by commenting by the Draft SEIS comment deadline. Visit the Station Area Plan webpage for more information.
NPDES Stormwater Management Program Plan - Comment by February 24
The Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP) outlines Kirkland city actions to protect area waterways by reducing stormwater pollution. Comments can be provided via email to Rkonrady@kirklandwa.gov. To see the plan and learn more about the City’s Storm and Surface Water Management Programs, visit the Storm & Surface Water webpage.
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What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, portable generators or furnaces. Sometimes referred to as the “invisible killer,” CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it unknowingly.
This is why it is vital to have working carbon monoxide alarms in your residence.
Carbon monoxide alarms (CO alarms), should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement. CO alarms can be placed on walls or ceilings but should be kept away from direct sunlight and humid areas. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to learn best practices for placement and height.
Advances in home safety technology have brought us combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms so that you can manage both threats with one convenient piece of equipment. These combination units should be installed either on the ceiling or high on the wall within 12-inches of the ceiling, and away from corners.
Three important reminders about carbon monoxide
● With our recent cold temperatures, many Kirkland residents have hauled out their generators to help cope with potential power outages. Always remember, alternative heat and power sources like portable generators produce carbon monoxide (CO) and should only be operated in well ventilated outdoor areas. They should never be used in interior spaces like the garage, and should be positioned away from windows, doors, and vent openings.
● We know mornings are chilly, but never warm up your vehicle while it’s in the garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove it from the garage and let it warm up in your driveway.
● If your CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outside or by an open window or door, and make sure everyone in your household is accounted for. Call 9-1-1 and don’t reenter your home until emergency personnel deem it safe.
For more information about the Kirkland Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau, visit the Prevention Bureau webpage.
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For the safety of students, school zone speed enforcement will resume tomorrow (Thursday, February 18), including school zone safety cameras.
The Lake Washington School District has announced that in-person services will begin on February 18 starting with kindergarten and first grade students and then phasing in additional grades over the following weeks. Drivers are asked to drive with caution and must obey speed limits as posted in school zones or they could be ticketed and fined.
Please find the full new release on our website. For more information about school zone speed enforcement and the safety camera program, visit our school zone speed enforcement webpage.
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The King County Solid Waste Division is evaluating four sites for a new transfer station to replace the Houghton Transfer Station in Kirkland. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/northeast to share your thoughts about the sites in a multilingual survey available through tomorrow (Thursday, February 18).
King County seeks community input on four potential sites for the new station
King County considered many locations in Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, and Woodinville, and selected four potential sites for the new station. Now, the King County Solid Waste Division needs you to educate them on what you know about those four sites and the surrounding areas. This will help King County further narrow the list of potential locations. The top two or three locations will be evaluated in an environmental review process in 2021.
Please visit kingcounty.gov/northeast and fill out a short survey:
- Share your local knowledge and concerns about the four sites
- Tell us what is most important to your community as we evaluate the sites
- Sign up online to receive project updates
Please note that this is a King County process. This is your chance to directly inform the County on whether you would like to continue to have a transfer station in Kirkland, or if you’d prefer another option. Thank you in advance for sharing your ideas with King County through the survey at: www.kingcounty.gov/northeast.
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Totem Lake
Willows Road Northeast will remain open only to northbound traffic until Feb. 26 when Interwest Construction will re-open both of its lanes.
Kirkland’s contractor is building a multi-use trail along Willows Road that will help people who are riding bicycles or walking to connect to the Sammamish River Trail and the Redmond Central Connector. This project, referred to as the Willows Road Regional Trail Connection, will complete a gap in King County’s regional trail network, progressing toward a more complete network that connects the Totem Lake and Redmond urban centers, the Woodinville Wine Country and the Willows Road high-tech corridor.
Visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/WillowsConnection
Juanita
A City of Kirkland contractor will continue its closure of Northeast 116th Street’s center turn-lane through February while its crews upgrade a series of crosswalks near McAuliffe Park and A.G. Bell Elementary School. The center lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each work day.
Westwater Construction is also closing an additional lane from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., with flaggers maintaining the flow of two-way traffic.
This project improves pedestrian safety in the Juanita neighborhood with a total of four upgraded crosswalks along Northeast 116th Street, between 104th Avenue Northeast and 113th Place Northeast. These improvements will increase safety for those walking between destinations north of Northeast 116th Street, like McAuliffe Park, and destinations south of the Northeast 116th Street, like Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School.
Visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/116thCrosswalks
North Rose Hill/South Rose Hill
A Kirkland contractor will begin this week establishing features along 128th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 75th Street that will transform the residential street into one of Kirkland’s first two greenways, on which walking and bicycling are the primary modes of travel.
Rodarte Construction will add rapid flashing beacons, 20-mile-per-hour speed-limit signs and other devices to reduce the speeds and volume of automobiles.
Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/greenways
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City of Kirkland Pop-Up Blood Drive by Bloodworks Northwest
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 at North Kirkland Community Center
Appointment only
Be a COVID-19 hero and schedule your one hour appointment. Donating blood is a safe and essential activity. Join the City of Kirkland and donate on February 25 or 26. To make your appointment, visit https://dslnk.co/CityOfKirkland or call 1-800-398-7888.
The North Kirkland Community Center is located at 12421 103rd Ave., Kirkland, 98034. For more information, visit our event page at: City of Kirkland Pop-Up Blood Drive.
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Kirkland Performance Center Presents: A Virtual Concert with The Infinity Project
8 p.m., Thursday, February 18
KPC at Home Livestream
The Infinity Project is a collection of long standing Seattle and L.A. musicians who have banded together to celebrate both the history and ongoing success of one of rock ‘n' roll's greatest hit makers. Infinity Project covers songs from the band's inception straight through to recent hits and everything in between. Dedicated to bringing a high quality polished performance to the stage this is a show not to be missed.
Whether your a long standing Journey fan or a new comer to their music there is something here for everyone.
More on The Infinity Project’s music can be found here.
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Cascade Water Alliance presents FREE Virtual Cascade Gardener Classes
March and April, 10 a.m. Saturdays
Online virtual events
Cascade Water Alliance is pleased to provide the 2021 Cascade Gardener virtual class series. All classes are free and will be held through Zoom. Cascade presenters are regional gardening experts who will help you create beautiful gardens and landscapes that are water efficient and sustainable. Space is limited, so register today!
You'll learn about natural yard care, choosing the best plants, gardening in small spaces, sustainable landscaping, garden design, veggie gardening, gardening year 'round and practical gardening. Visit the website to see the class schedule and to sign up!
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Kirkland Parks & Community Services presents "The Heart of Kirkland" Scavenger Hunt
Friday, February 5 - Friday, March 5
Self-guided event
Kirkland Parks & Community Services invites you to join this fun citywide adventure starting Friday, February 5!
Follow the clues, find the letters, solve the final riddle and submit your answer by Friday, March 5 to be entered into a drawing for prizes. Clues will take you to the four corners of Kirkland, test your knowledge of local businesses, parks, and our local history.
Starting Friday, February 5, clues will be emailed weekly on Fridays. Your registration fee supports Kirkland Parks & Community Services Scholarship Fund which helps enable families to participate in programs. Please check the box yes when asked to donate.
Win prizes donated by local businesses.
Register today at KirklandParks.net
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King County Metro Seeks Community Input on Route to Recovery
Deadline: March 8, 2021
Online survey
As King County Metro continues to transition through the pandemic’s recovery phases, it is making plans to gradually restore suspended service where needed most. In order to make the most informed service decisions for King County residents and Metro customers, King County Metro is seeking community feedback through a short survey on Metro’s route to recovery.
Responses are due by 11:59 p.m. March 8, 2021. Your valuable input will help transit planners identify and recommend priority service changes in September 2021 and beyond. The survey is available in six languages. Please visit the Metro Matters webpage for more information and links to the survey.
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