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Table of Contents:
Thanks to all who attended and gave comment during the May 4, 2021 City Council meeting, which took place via the Zoom videoconferencing platform in alignment with current public health recommendations and guidelines. We appreciate your vital input and are grateful to have such an engaged community. Thank you!
City Council meetings are now more accessible than ever! As of last night, Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live on the City of Kirkland Facebook page and the City YouTube channel, in addition to the livestream on the City website. Meetings are also televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Ziply Cable Channel 31.
Here are a few highlights from the meeting:
Study Session
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Update Draft Review: The City Council reviewed the draft Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which is the guiding document for an emergency management program in Washington State. This plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of City departments and key staff during disasters. Feedback from the City Council and department leaders will help finalize the plan and maintain the City’s eligibility for federal disaster grants. Read more.
Resolution R-5434 Equity Gap Analysis Update: The City Council received an accelerated update on the City’s progress conducting a comprehensive organizational equity assessment to identify gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of City policy, practice and procedure as directed in Resolution R-5434. The update was also meant to help inform persons considering running for public office either on the Kirkland City Council or Houghton Community Council about the City’s preliminary findings and likely conclusions as they apply to local elected leadership. Read more.
Business Items
Park Lane Summer 2021 Options – Engagement Results: The City Council discussed the findings from the community engagement process on options for the closure of Park Lane to vehicular traffic during summer 2021. After deliberation, Council voted to move forward with a modified version of Option 1, “Similar to last year,” which closes Park Lane from early May through October during the evenings. The Council agreed that the closures may begin at 6 p.m. but modified last year’s action (which kept the street closed overnight) so that the street is reopened once the restaurants close for the night.
Google Phase III Public Improvements Use and Maintenance: The City Council adopted Resolution R-5475, which approves the Cross Kirkland Corridor Improvement and Use Agreement, and the amended and restated Cross Kirkland Corridor Maintenance Agreement between the City and SRM. The Maintenance Agreement builds on the existing public improvements maintenance agreement with SRM (covering Phases I and II) by adding Phase III and the Phase III owner as a signatory. Under this agreement, as was true for the prior maintenance agreement, SRM is responsible for maintaining all public improvements other than those associated with the trail itself, which will remain the responsibility of the City. Read more.
Kirkland Avenue/Lake Street Intersection Improvements: The City Council received an update about the Kirkland Avenue/Lake Street Intersection Improvement Project and was asked to consider two scope enhancement opportunities. After discussion, the Council voted to move ahead with proposed Scope Enhancement 1 and requested additional information prior to moving forward with Scope Enhancement 2. For more information on the project, including the proposed scope enhancements, see the Council packet.
The next City Council meeting takes place Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
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 Saturday, May 22nd, 10 a.m. - Noon
Register Here
Join us for an overview of the inclusive dialogue model and practice skills for engaging in - and hosting - conversations about racism. The dialogue format is structured to build relationships and understanding between participants from diverse racial backgrounds and to support anti-racist action in the community. This event is sponsored by the City of Kirkland.
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). 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.
Community members high school age and up may attend. NOTE: If more than one person from your household would like to participate, each person must register separately.
A mixed group is required to explore a range of perspectives and fully support the event’s objectives. In the registration questions, you’ll be asked how you identify racially/ethnically to help us balance the groups during the event. The event is capped at 40 participants. After filling out the registration, 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.
Last week, the City of Kirkland honored its many volunteers during the 2021 Community Appreciation Celebration. Despite the pandemic and its inherent restrictions, the City of Kirkland engaged 988 volunteers who contributed a total of 11,080 hours of their time and talents in 2020. These outstanding contributions represent a community benefit valued at $365,900. This is in addition to all of the people who contributed their time and talents to the City’s boards and commissions, the Community Safety Advisory Committee, and the Welcoming Kirkland Initiative.
Throughout 2020, volunteers helped restore our parklands, planted new native plants, monitored pedestrian crosswalks, maintained traffic circles, weeded public areas and along the Cross Kirkland Corridor, and contributed to public safety as police program and emergency management volunteers; and from January through March coached youth sports, helped serve senior lunches and welcomed guests to City Hall. Thank you all for your service!
For more information about the City’s volunteer program and to view a video of the 2021 Community Appreciation Celebration – including an original musical performance by Kirkland staff - visit our Volunteer Opportunities webpage.
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 If you’ve attended a City Council meeting, you’ve heard the calm voice of City Clerk Kathi Anderson as she expertly performs roll call and records the votes. As City Clerk, Kathi oversees the team that makes up our City Clerk’s Office. This City department supports the Mayor and City Council by preparing Council agendas, packets and minutes, and staffing the Council meetings and retreats. The Clerk’s Office then ensures that these documents are accessible to the public so that our community members can quickly and easily find information about items discussed and decisions made during Council meetings.
Additionally, our Clerk’s Office maintains official City records and oversees public disclosure, oversees Hearing Examiner functions, coordinates City elections with King County Elections, and guides the boards and commissions recruitment process every year. Kathi celebrated her 30-year milestone in February of this year. Thank you, Kathi, for everything you do for the City of Kirkland and its residents, leaders, and staff.
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Your water quality report is now available online
In conjunction with National Drinking Water Week each year, the City of Kirkland provides our customers a Water Quality Report to let you know how your water supply is compared to state and federal drinking water standards. We encourage you to review this report as it provides details about the source and quality of your drinking water.
Most importantly, we would like you to know that your drinking water is safe! Ongoing testing in 2020 showed that your drinking water met or exceeded all state and federal drinking water standards.
In an effort to be more environmentally responsible, we are now delivering the report electronically.
Please view the report at http://www.kirklandwa.gov/waterqualityreport. If you prefer to have a paper copy, please email vsheth@kirklandwa.gov or call (425) 587-3907.
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 Are you ready to help your neighborhood become Super Scoopers? Become a pet waste station sponsor today!
Kirkland offers free pet waste stations for homeowner associations, neighborhood associations and homeowners.
You can keep your neighborhood common areas and open spaces clean and healthy by sponsoring a pet waste station, making pet waste cleanup easy and convenient for dog owners.
The City provides a weather-proof sign, pet waste bag dispenser and the first 500 bags at no cost to you (while supplies last).
As a station sponsor you are responsible for installing the station, keeping the signage maintained and the dispenser filled with bags.
To become a pet waste station sponsor or learn more about the program, contact Aaron Hussmann at ahussmann@kirklandwa.gov.
To learn more about the City’s efforts to reduce un-scooped pet waste, visit https://kirklandwa.gov/petwaste.
 At their May 4 meeting, the Kirkland City Council proclaimed May 2021 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month-long celebration is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society, and culture.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and have both shaped the history of the United States and had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have endured hardships throughout history, including exclusionary laws surrounding housing, marriage, immigration, and naturalization, as well as the persisting gaps in achievement, opportunity, and accessibility to in-language services. Additionally, there has been increased violence toward Asian Americans over the past year. A study based on police department statistics across major U.S. cities found a nearly 150 percent surge in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020. Resources for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can be found at www.kirklandwa.gov/AAPISupport.
In proclaiming Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the community is encouraged to learn more about those of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and to celebrate this month with appropriate programs and activities. The King County Library system lists several books illustrating diverse Asian American experiences. More Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month information and resources can be found at asianpacificheritage.gov.
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Looking for an easy, fun way to help those in need? We’ve got you! The Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (I-CERV) is hosting a food and essentials drive in Totem Lake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 8.
Recommended donations include soup, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, sauce, rice, peanut butter, granola bars, shelf-stable milk, canned goods like tuna fish and chili, and other nonperishable food items. Household essentials are also welcome, including diapers, cleansing wipes, baby food, paper towels and toilet paper. i-CERV delivers the donated items immediately to partner agencies charged with distribution to local families that need help.
These events are contactless with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place. All you need to do is drive through the collection area, pop your trunk, and let the volunteers do the unloading and hauling. Event organizers ask that donors please wear facial coverings while on site.
This event is in partnership with the cities of Kirkland and Bellevue, the Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore school districts, Friends of the Children Seattle, Nourishing Networks, the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club and the Kiwanis Club of Bellevue.
If you have questions about this event, contact Tasnim Rehamani at 206-981-6860. The Ismaili Jamatkhana is in the Totem Lake area at 12505 115th Ave NE, Building D, which is west of the Kirkland Justice Center and near Jasper's Off-Leash Dog Park. We’ll see you there!
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Cross Kirkland Corridor – Totem Lake
A detour around the Cross Kirkland Corridor between 120th Place Northeast and 128th Lane Northeast remains in effect while a pair of Kirkland contractors use it to make progress on two of Totem Lake’s most ambitious capital projects: renovation of Totem Lake Park and construction of Totem Lake Connector pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
Totem Lake Park is expected to be complete this summer and the Totem Lake Connector is expected to be complete later in 2022.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeconnector or www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakepark.
Cross Kirkland Corridor – Everest/Moss Bay
Cross Kirkland Corridor travelers will continue to encounter a short detour around the trail between Seventh Avenue South and Sixth Street South as construction of the Feriton Spur Park expansion continues.
The short detour will direct travelers to a protected pathway along Fifth Place South. The park’s developer, SRM Development, expects the detour to continue for five months. During that time, SRM Development will restrict parking along the north portion of Fifth Place South.
SRM Development expects to open Feriton Spur Park to open to the public in September. The new park will extend the developed section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor to Sixth Street South with 14 improvements, including a pickleball court, urban farm and the corridor’s first bathroom.
Northeast 132nd Street - Juanita
Drivers commuting along Northeast 132nd Street, between 100th and 97th avenues northeast should continue to expect minor delays while Kirkland’s Fire Station 24 contractor and Puget Sound Energy work in the street to connect and upgrade utilities for the new Fire Station 24.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/firestation24
Multiple locations - North Rose Hill/South Rose Hill
Drivers should expect construction this week along various sections of Northeast 75th Street and 128th Avenue Northeast while Kirkland’s Neighborhood Greenways contractor closes lanes to establish a variety of traffic-calming features.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/greenways
City of Kenmore - Juanita Drive
The City of Kenmore is closing a two-block section of Juanita Drive from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays until mid-May.
Kenmore is closing the arterial between Northeast 153rd and 155th places while its contractor continues to make progress on a mile and a half of sidewalk and bicycle lanes. After 3 p.m., Juanita Drive will be open to one lane, two-way traffic controlled by portable traffic signal.
Visit https://kenmoreconstruction.com/juanita-sidewalk-project
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Hazardous Wastemobile
Friday May 7, Saturday May 8, and Sunday May 9
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day
Fred Meyer parking lot, 12221 120th Ave NE.
Safely dispose of common household hazardous materials at no cost at this drive-through event. Drop off fluorescent lights, batteries, household cleaning products, pesticides, yard chemicals and more. Attendees must wear a mask at the event and should remain in their vehicle. See all accepted items, quantity limits, and safety guidelines.
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WHO: Eastside (and beyond!) families
WHAT: Join us on at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 8 for Kirkland Urban’s virtual May KU Kids At Home! Julie from Clown Buggie Entertainment is taking over Kirkland Urban’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/kirklandurban) to host a craft-a-long, creating a beaded animal keychain and answering questions along the way. To participate, you can pick up a free craft kit on Wednesday, May 5 from Plantiful, Chainline Brewing, LeVue Nails, Mud Bay or Lounge by Topgolf at Kirkland Urban, while supplies last. We ask that you please respect the maximum of one craft kit per family. Follow Kirkland Urban on social media (@kirklandurban on Instagram and Kirkland Urban on Facebook) for more details as they are announced, or visit kirklandurban.com.
TICKETS: No tickets; free and open to the public
DATE: Saturday, May 8
TIME: 10 a.m.
WHERE: Live on Kirkland Urban’s Facebook page
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/events/3581555935270498/
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Recycling Collection Event
Saturday May 15, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, 11605 132nd Ave NE
Recycle tricky items at our biggest recycling event of the year. Bring block Styrofoam, oversize scrap metal, bulky wood, mattresses, tires and more for recycling. Free shredding of confidential papers will be available (quantity limit). Some items are free to recycle, while others have a pass-through charge. Attendees must wear a mask at the event. See all event details, including all accepted items, fees and limits.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!😍
During the month of May gather your friends and family together and construct a gnome house, for fun, comradery, and prizes.
Categories include:
- Best home that honors your cultural heritage
- Most unique
- Most modern home
- Best use of foliage
- Best use of stones
- Best use of sticks
Once you create your gnome home then you will place it in a park of your choice for all to see. Submit a photo of your creation, the park location, and choice of category to tcobb@kirklandwa.gov. Prizes will be given to each category winner on June 2nd.
Criteria:
- Use all organic material sticks, stones, foliage found on ground
- Build no bigger than 12" x 12" squared
- Keep homes at ground level, off of walkways
- No profanities used in any way
- Small figurines are permitted
Register for FREE at https://bit.ly/3t2IKff.
Looking for gnome home supplies? Stop by our Gnome Home Supply event this Saturday from 11-2pm at North Kirkland Community Center. You will find sticks, moss, pine cones, bark, and more for FREE!
North Kirkland Community Center
12421 103rd Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
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