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Table of Contents:
Thanks to all who attended the November 16, 2021 City Council meeting, which took place via the Zoom videoconferencing platform. We are grateful to have such an engaged community. Thank you!
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. Please note: City Council meetings will remain virtual until further notice.
Here are a few highlights from the meeting:
Study Session:
NE 85th Street Station Area Plan: The City held a joint study session with the Planning Commission about the Station Area Plan. The Council and Commission reviewed the prior feedback given to the project team and received an update by the City’s consultant about how the plan is forming, referred to as the “Preferred Plan Direction.” The Council is anticipated to confirm a Preferred Plan Direction in December.
Safer Routes to School Phasing Plan and Transportation Benefit District Funding: The Council heard an update on the Safer Routes to School Phasing Plan. This potential phasing plan would be funded by activating the Kirkland Transportation Benefit District. The Council continued discussion of this concept during its Business Meeting and voted to update the 2021-2022 City Work Program by adding activating the Kirkland Transportation Benefit District as a priority of the City. More information on this topic will be included in future newsletters, on social media, and on the City’s website.
Business Item:
Tree Code Amendment – Framework for Completion: The Council agreed with a framework for completing changes to Kirkland’s Tree Code. This framework includes regular check-ins at Council on January 4, January 18, and February 1, 2022 to discuss specific changes to the Tree Code. The Council also continued discussion of minor changes to the Code that had been brought up before and provided staff with further guidance.
To view the Council discussions on these agenda items, visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Council/Council-Meeting-Minutes-and-Agendas/Watch-City-Council-Meetings. The full agenda packet and recording of the meeting are located on the City of Kirkland website at: www.kirklandwa.gov/council. The next regular City Council meeting is on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
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The Kirkland City Council’s next meeting is a Special Meeting to discuss the City’s State Legislative Agenda and will be held jointly with the Houghton Community Council on Monday, November 22, 2021 via Zoom. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. The agenda for the November 22 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting at: Kirkland City Council agendas. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to City Council Agendas on the Kirkland email lists subscription page. Please note: City Council meetings will remain virtual until further notice.
More ways to watch! 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.
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 Kirkland has been named one of the top-ranking cities for digital innovation by the Center for Digital Government (CDG). The CDG recently announced the winners of its 2021 Digital Cities Survey that recognizes cities that use technology to tackle social challenges, enhance services, strengthen cybersecurity, and more. Kirkland ranked eighth in the category of cities with 75,000 to 124,999 population nationally.
“Kirkland took center stage last year as the epicenter for COVID-19 in the United States nearly a month before other parts of the country felt the impacts,” said Councilmember Amy Falcone. “Our Information Technology staff immediately leapt into action to help transition much of our workforce to remote work while maintaining an accessible and open government for our community. They quickly stood up the technological infrastructure to begin holding virtual City Council meetings, allowing both city officials and the public to participate remotely, at a time when this wasn’t standard practice. These were both major undertakings without precedent, and our intrepid staff continued to create innovative solutions to better serve our community despite this intense pressure.”
The CDG identified several City projects in its recognition, including:
“This recognition would not be possible without our phenomenal IT team,” said Chief Information Officer Smitha Krishnan. “I’m grateful that their hard work, creativity, and dedication to serving our community is being honored.”
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. All U.S. cities are invited to take part in the annual Digital Cities Survey.
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 The Kirkland Parks and Recreation Department is looking for Youth Sports Referees and Gym Supervisors.
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Gym Supervisors (Facility Leads) will lead staff and supervise all activities in a gym facility. Gym Supervisors monitor the facility, assist customers and basketball officials, open and close the facility, and make written and verbal reports to the Recreation Coordinator and Supervisor.
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Youth Basketball Referees will officiate the youth basketball games for boys and girls for grades 3rd through 6th. Youth Basketball referees also assist with set up and break down of equipment prior to and following games, provide first aid when necessary and maintain a clean, safe, and orderly facility. Officiating training will be provided in December and no prior experience is necessary!
To learn more about the Youth Basketball program and available employment positions, please visit the Kirkland Parks Jobs page here.
 Come out and support Kirkland's local small business community on “Small Business Saturday,” November 27. Our businesses have been through many challenges brought on by the pandemic, and they could use your patronage now more than ever. Kirkland has a spectrum of unique small businesses including boutique shops, restaurants and cafes, art galleries, and more. Explore www.ShopLocalKirkland.com to find a new favorite small business to support during one of the busiest shopping days of the season.
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 How does the City of Kirkland get ready when a winter snow storm is about to hit? Public Works Superintendent Ray Steiger explains more in this video. A map of snow plow routes is available on the City’s website. When winter weather closes roads, the City of Kirkland posts information to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor and also to www.kirklandwa.gov. Requests for service can be submitted 24/7 via the Our Kirkland web portal or by calling 425-587-3900.
Please note: requests outside of the pre-established priority routes may not receive high priority due to resource limitations.
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 In this series, we are excited to share stories from our friends and neighbors who utilize Community Van.
Veronica Guzman is co-director of the nonprofit bilingual Global Idea School in the Juanita neighborhood. She uses the Community Van program’s 12-passenger van to bring students for field trips, swim lessons, tennis lessons, and other activities.
Community Van is a flexible, innovative transit option run by the City of Kirkland and King County Metro. You can take advantage of Community Van’s 6 and 12-passenger vans for trips to the airport, appointments, errands, or other outings. Learn how and sign up today.
Recent wind events have impacted power service in different areas of our City, and many Kirkland residents have hauled out their generators to help cope with these outages. Don’t forget: Generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), 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.
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.
Here are a few other key points to remember when using a generator:
- Keep the generator dry. Operate your generator on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure and make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Do not use the generator in rainy or wet conditions.
- Plug equipment directly into the generator. Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords that are in good working condition and have a wire gauge that can handle the electric load of any connected appliances.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
Get these and other tips on generator safety at: https://www.energy.gov/ceser/activities/energy-security/emergency-preparedness/using-portableemergency-generators-safely
For more information on generator safety, visit: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages. For additional information and resources, visit the Kirkland Office of Emergency Management webpage at: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Fire-Department/Emergency-Management/Know-Your-Hazards/Severe-Weather/Power-Outage
The City’s contractors continue to make progress on the Totem Lake Connector Bridge. In the above photo, Talu Leota and his foreman Tristan Fager establish the form’s outlines for piers four and five. The next steps of the process are to build the forms, reinforce them with rebar and then to pour the concrete. After that, Kirkland’s Totem Lake Connector contractor will plant these piers into drill shafts within the ‘triangle’ between Totem Lake Boulevard and Northeast 124th Street. The piers will support this section of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
For more information about this project, visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/Totem-Lake-Connector
124th Avenue Northeast – North Rose Hill
Puget Sound Energy is relocating gas lines this week and next along 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th and 124th streets.
Crews are working from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. this week and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through mid-November.
After Puget Sound Energy relocates its gas lines, other utility operators, such as Comcast and Ziply, will begin relocating fiber optics lines through February.
The City of Kirkland is coordinating the utility relocations as part its ambitious effort to improve the 124th Avenue Northeast corridor.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue
Cross Kirkland Corridor – Totem Lake
A detour around the Cross Kirkland Corridor between 120th Place Northeast and 128th Lane Northeast remains in effect while Kirkland’s Totem Lake Connector contractor uses the corridor to build the pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
The Totem Lake Connector is expected to be complete in winter 2022.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeconnector or www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakepark.
Northeast 132nd Street – Juanita
Kirkland’s Fire Station 24 contractor is planning on Monday to repave Northeast 132nd Street, between 97th Avenue Northeast and 100th Avenue Northeast. Kirtley-Cole’s crews will work from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the contractor is continuing construction on the new fire station and many of its amenities, such as restoring the sidewalk, building a new multi-use path and installing new traffic signals.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/firestation24
Northeast 120th Street – North Rose Hill
Drivers traveling Northeast 120th Street through between Slater Avenue and the Lake Washington Institute of Technology may encounter minor traffic delays while the contractor works to complete the surface water project. Work is expected to be complete by the end of November.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/ne120thsurfacewater
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 is directing 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 parallel, on-street parking along the north portion of Fifth Place South.
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.
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Spread the love and cheer this year with lights, inflatables, music, and holiday decorations of all kinds. Decorate your home between November 1 through December 9 and register to be a part of the City’s Light Up Kirkland competition!
Each home registered must submit a photo of their holiday decorations (photo of the outside of your home) to Jessi Vandiver at jvandiver@kirklandwa.gov by December 9 at 5:00pm. The judging committee will review submissions on December 10. Then the committee will choose the top 10 homes to drive by and review them in person on December 14 between 5-8 PM. The top 3 winners will be announced on December 16, and winners will win a victory yard sign!
Register for FREE at https://bit.ly/3BhTpGN.
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Benefits and Beauty of Landscaping with Native Plants
Presented By: King Conservation District
Date: Thursday, November 18, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Place: Online Event
Price: Free Register Here
Join King Conservation District for a FREE native plant webinar with Jacobus Saperstein, native plant expert. The talk will cover the countless benefits that native plants provide for landscape aesthetics, wildlife habitat, water quality and more! Attendees will get advice on the best ways to reduce plant mortality, save money and improve your landscape's overall health and happiness.
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Urban Forest Restoration at South Rose Hill Park
Sunday, November 21, 2021 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is requested for all Green Kirkland events.
Face coverings: Please bring and wear a face covering at times when physical distancing cannot be maintained at outdoor stewardship events.
Volunteers will help restore critical habitat by removing invasive plants such as blackberry or ivy, planting native plants, and pitching-in with stewardship tasks like mulching and weeding. With your help, this park with have healthy and thriving natural areas for years to come!
All experience levels and ages are welcome following the safety and event guidelines. Tools and training are provided. Events are 100% outdoors and occur rain or shine!
For general information about what to expect at Green Kirkland events visit the ‘What to Expect Page'.
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Holiday Boogie & Books | Ages 2-5
Join in the Holiday fun with Miss Karen!
Date: November 22 – December 13 (Mondays)
Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. or 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Place: North Kirkland Community Center
Register Here
Hear whimsical engaging stories and music with instruments to sing-a-long and boogie to! All instrument will be cleaned according to COVID 19 recommendations prior to and after use. Classes start Monday, November 22nd at the North Kirkland Community Center.
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KirklandTalks: 2021 Dialogue Series on Race and Racism
Saturday, December 4, 2021 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join us for an overview of the inclusive dialogue model and practice skills for engaging in - and hosting - conversations about racism. We focus on preparing, navigating, and reflecting. 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 the final of four dialogue events sponsored by the City of Kirkland. This is a virtual event.
Space is limited to 40.
For more information and pre-registration visit here.
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Holiday with the Hawks
Kick off your holiday season with this fun and unique event!
Date: Thursday, December 16
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Peter Kirk Community Center
Register Here
Join us and Seahawk Legends for the 12 Days of Goodness. If you are a huge 12 or a fan of the Seahawk Legends, this is an event you will not want to miss! You will have an opportunity to get photo's, autographs and hear fun stories from some of your past favorites. Special thanks to Answers for Elders for making this special opportunity possible and to Koelsch Communities for sponsoring the lunch. Advanced registration required by 12/6!
Masks are required but participants may remove them for the lunch portion of the event.
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