|
Table of Contents:
|
 Thanks to all who attended the January 18, 2022 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.
Highlights from the meeting are provided later in this issue of This Week in Kirkland.
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, February 1, 2022
|
|
The Kirkland City Council has published a letter to explain why they unanimously support sunsetting the Houghton Community Council (HCC) as one item on their list of annual state legislative priorities. Please read the letter on the City’s website.
|
As part of the January 18, 2022 Council meeting, the City Council adopted Ordinance 4779, which imposes a moratorium on permits for the use or storage of autonomous personal delivery vehicles for up to six months. The moratorium was enacted to allow time for the City to study any potential impacts to the health, safety, and welfare of the community, potential needed changes to City codes, and other considerations like times of day and interactions with pedestrians. The ordinance sets a public hearing on the topic for March 1, 2022. Additional information on this can be found on the City’s website.
|
As part of the January 18, 2022 Council meeting, the City Council authorized a letter to King County expressing support for King County’s purchase of a hotel in Kirkland for permanent supportive housing as part of the County’s Health Through Housing Initiative. Read the letter on the City’s website. Please visit the County’s website to find out more about King County’s Health Through Housing Initiative.
The City of Kirkland introduces a draft Police Use of Force Dashboard that makes available to the public data on use of force incidents from 2016 through 2020. The use of force dashboard was one of several actions called for in Resolution R-5434, which was adopted by the City Council in August 2020 to help ensure the safety and respect of Black people and to dismantle structural racism in Kirkland. The published dashboard is a preliminary version of the interface, and the City seeks feedback from the community on ways to make the dashboard as effective as possible.
“Following the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020 and demand for action in Kirkland, the City Council committed to several strategies to increase transparency and accountability,” said Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold. “Publishing this draft use of force dashboard is one step of that effort, and I’m eager to explore the data to see what insights we can learn to inform potential changes in policy, programs, or processes. I encourage the community to engage with this new tool and give us your feedback about the preliminary dashboard and the data.”
The dashboard is the result of months of analysis of the Police Department’s use of force incidents by Police Strategies LLC, a third-party vendor that provides both data evaluation and analysis, as well as the public-facing interactive dashboard. Development of the draft dashboard was also informed by community input and industry best practices.
The dashboard provides use of force data, allowing the public to see:
- Date, time and location of use of force incidents.
- Age, race, gender of subjects, and incident type as tracked in the current police report system.
- Officer force tactics, including type of force used and number of officers involved.
“The use of force by officers is a matter of community concern, not just in Kirkland but across the nation,” said Police Chief Cherie Harris. “Transparency is one of the driving factors in gaining the trust of the community we serve, and this draft use of force dashboard is one tool to help in that effort.”
As part of the January 18, 2022 Council meeting, the City Council received the first of two presentations on the third-party evaluation and analysis of the Department’s use of force data and the creation of the draft dashboard. That presentation, available on the City’s website, focused on Police Strategies’ methodologies used for evaluation, with some high-level results presented. The second presentation to Council, anticipated to occur at the March 1, 2022 Council meeting, will focus on the results of the use of force analysis and recommendations that come from that analysis.
The use of force dashboard is one of several initiatives called for in R-5434. More information about R-5434 is available on the City website.
|
|
 As part of the Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Kirkland City Council meeting, the City was awarded the Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the Village at Totem Lake. The Smart Communities Award recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional work in implementing the state’s Growth Management Act. Kirkland received the Judge’s Merit Award.
“The Village at Totem Lake Project is a testament to the bold vision of creating a vibrant, walkable community place championed by successive City Councils,” said Councilmember Kelli Curtis. “Through a robust community engagement process, partnerships with forward-thinking private developers, and an orchestrated city-wide department collaboration, this project exemplifies Kirkland’s priorities of community building, placemaking, and sustainability.”
The award is granted to projects that demonstrate creative leadership, constructive collaboration, and best practices for other communities to adopt. Judges noted they were extremely impressed with the Village at Totem Lake project for the substantial public-private investment partnership, its “transformation of a ‘70s era mall into a transit-oriented mixed-use village,” and the excellent example it sets in bringing a long-range community plan into fruition.
The project evolved from the Totem Lake Plan that was adopted in 2002. Along with $557 million in private investment, the City contributed $15 million towards improvements to 120th Ave NE and the public plaza as part of a Redevelopment Agreement between the City and CenterCal Properties. In addition, the City has invested approximately $34 million towards several projects near the Village at Totem Lake, including:
- Totem Lake Park
- Totem Lake Connector bicycle and pedestrian bridge
- Street improvements along Totem Lake Boulevard near Totem Lake Park
- Turn lane improvements at NE 116th Street and 124th Ave NE
- Drainage improvements near the Comfort Inn property
“The Village project was a great accomplishment toward the vision of the Totem Lake Business District which the City drafted with the community in 2015,” said Councilmember Curtis. “This project aligns with that vision to create a central core in Totem Lake that includes a dense mix of medical, retail, office, and housing in architecturally attractive buildings, all with connections to the Cross Kirkland Corridor. Our diligent planning has led to this amazing place, a true village.”
The City produced a video featuring Mayor Penny Sweet, who discusses the history and vision behind the project. That video can be found on the City’s YouTube channel.
For additional information on the transformation projects in the Totem Lake area, please visit the City’s Totem Lake webpage.
|
 With the current surge of COVID-19, we are sharing reminders from Public Health – Seattle & King County and the CDC about how we can all help during this recent wave of cases.
-
Get Boosters. While breakthrough infections of COVID are possible, getting vaccinated is the single most important thing you can do to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID. You can find how and where to get a shot in King County here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/distribution.aspx
-
Mask Up. Well-fitting and high-quality face masks are one of the most important tools we have to limit the spread of COVID. Guidance about masks from Public Health can be found here: https://publichealthinsider.com/2021/12/21/up-your-mask-game-omicron-is-here/
-
Get Tests. If you need to test for COVID, you can order a free test from the Federal Government at COVIDtests.gov, or contact your insurance about coverage. Don’t go to the Hospitals or ERs to be tested.
-
Donate Blood. Continuing to give blood over the next 12 weeks is crucial to recovering from this prolonged shortage. Every donation counts! For more information, and to schedule a donation, visit: https://www.bloodworksnw.org/
-
Stay Informed. To stay up to date on current COVID-19 rules such as when you need to show proof of vaccination, guidelines for wearing a mask in public, when to get a booster and what resources are available for businesses, visit the Public Health Guidance page here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/current-guidance.aspx
The City of Kirkland remains open for in-person services but is encouraging community members to access City services through remote options in January in order to help slow the current surge of COVID-19 brought on by the omicron variant. Find out more here: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Whats-Happening/News/Community-Encouraged-to-Access-City-Services-Remotely-in-January. Thank you for your understanding.
The City has published the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the NE 85th St Station Area Plan. The Final SEIS includes an analysis of the Preferred Plan Direction for the Station Area adopted by City Council, and provides responses to the Draft SEIS comments from the community. The Final SEIS is one step in the planning process. Work towards a final Station Area Plan with the community, Planning Commission, and City Council will continue in 2022. You can view the Final SEIS, Draft SEIS, and all other project documents on the project webpage at www.kirklandwa.gov/stationareaplan.
You can stay informed about the project by signing up for Station Area Plan email updates.
|
The Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission (KCAC) seeks proposals for an outdoor mural project. The KCAC proposes that artists consider the NE 68th Street underpass crossing under the Cross Kirkland Corridor between 104th Avenue NE and 106th Avenue NE as the mural installation site. Artists are welcome to suggest alternative locations, subject to approval by the City and other stakeholders. The project should embody the principles of the City’s Resolution 5240 and Resolution 5434, which express the City’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The selected artist should plan to install the mural within the month of April 2022.
More information on the Mural Art Call and how to submit a proposal, visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Managers-Office/Cultural-Arts-Commission/Mural-Art-Call-for-Artists
Pictured above: the north and south pillars at NE 68th St. underpass is the site of Kirkland’s 2022 Mural Art Call to Artists.
|
 MyBuildingPermit and Simpson Strong-Tie have once again partnered to provide a series of home retrofit classes (formerly known as Project Impact) for homeowners and contractors. The virtual class series highlights Washington Association of Building Officials’ (WABO) newly revised seismic retrofit standard plans.
All classes are free. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit: http://mybuildingpermit.com/training and select the preferred date and time. Registrants will receive a webinar link prior to class start.
The following dates and times are offered for Protecting Wood Framed Homes from Earthquakes: A Foundation Retrofit Class
-
February 9, 2022 at 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
-
February 10, 2022 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
-
March 9, 2022 at 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
-
March 16, 2022 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
More resources on earthquake retrofitting can be found at
|
|
 Kirkland Parks and Community Services is currently reviewing the City’s special event program and seeks community input through a virtual community conversation Jan 26 at 6 pm.
We are seeking feedback from event organizers, business owners, and the public about special events in Kirkland. Some of the key topics the City will explore include special event fees, event scheduling and permitting process, event restrictions such as limits on the number of events, and beer and wine garden rules. Your feedback will have a direct influence on various City policies, programs, and practices.
The session on Jan 26 is expected to last approximately 90 minutes, and participants will have the opportunity to take part in polls, ask questions, and participate in a question-and-answer period. Following the listening session, staff will summarize the issues and bring forward recommended changes to City Council that balance the broad needs and interests of Kirkland’s community members, businesses, and event organizers. If you would like to be a part of this citywide conversation, please register and attend the upcoming Community Listening Session.
For more information, and to register, visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Parks-and-Community-Services/Special-Event-Services/Special-Event-Feedback.
|
|
King Conservation District, a special purpose district committed to helping people engage in stewardship and conservation of natural resources, is holding an election for Board of Supervisors. Kirkland residents can vote and voting is open now through Feb 8. Visit kingcd.org/elections to review the candidates and their statements, to submit a vote online, or find information to vote by mail. If you have questions or need assistance voting, please contact elections@kingcd.org or call 425-282-1900.
|
You can put out your Christmas tree next to your cart for free collection on your regular service day through the end of January. Trees taller than six feet must be cut down to six-foot segments. Apartment and condo residents can place trees next to your dumpster or carts on your designated collection days (see map for days (pdf)).
Collected trees will be composted. Flocked trees and artificial trees cannot be composted and must be thrown away.
|
Market Street – Moss Bay
The continuing concrete workers’ labor strike is continuing to impede progress on several City of Kirkland capital construction projects.
One of those suspended projects is the crosswalk improvement that Kirkland’s Neighborhood Safety Program contractor began in November at the intersection of Market Street and Central Way.
Search “Neighborhood Safety Program projects” on www.kirklandwa.gov
124th Avenue Northeast – North Rose Hill
Franchised utility operators, such as Ziply and Comcast, are continuing to relocate their utilities this week along 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th and 124th streets.
Crews are generally working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but may work some nights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. This work may be impacted by the snow.
After Ziply relocates its fiber optic lines, other utility operators, such as Comcast, will begin relocating their utilities 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 City expects the Totem Lake Connector to be complete by December 2022.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeconnector
Northeast 120th Street - North Rose Hill
Drivers traveling Northeast 120th Street between Slater Avenue and the Lake Washington Institute of Technology may have noticed the project has not progressed as expected. The concrete workers’ strike has forced the contractor to suspend construction until the strike is resolved.
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 through January. During that time, SRM Development will continue to restrict parallel, on-street parking along the north portion of Fifth Place South.
SRM Development expects to open Feriton Spur Park to the public in 2022. 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 at I-405 – Juanita/Kingsgate
The Washington State Department of Transportation’s contractor, Graham Contracting Ltd., expects to be on-site intermittently to conduct pre-construction activities for the site such as potholing, surveying, and clearing vegetation.
Drivers may experience lane-shifts and potential shoulder or lane-closures on Northeast 132nd Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For questions about these closures, call the project hotline at 425-224-2433.
Visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/i-405northeast-132nd-street-interchange-project
|
