The next regular meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on July 5, 2022. This will be a hybrid meeting, and community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom. Limited socially distant seating will be available in the Council Chamber, as well as some limited overflow seating.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the agenda for the July 5, 2022 Council meeting:
Study Session – Transportation Benefit District: The Council will receive an update on potential Transportation Benefit District (TBD) funding implementation and provide direction on the City Manager’s proposed spending plan, and whether to build the TBD revenue into the 2023-2024 operating budget and 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan. At the February 15, 2022 Public Hearing, Council adopted an ordinance assuming the rights and powers of the Kirkland TBD which creates the opportunity for Council to adopt a vehicle license fee to fund transportation improvements.
Study Session – School Resource Officer Program: The Council will be updated on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. The SRO program expanded from two officers to six officers with the passage of Proposition 1 in 2018. The Kirkland Police Department continues to actively collaborate with the City Manager’s Office and the Lake Washington School District on the SRO program. Due in part to these conversations, several changes have either already been completed and/or are in the planning stages for the SRO program.
Public Hearing - Autonomous Personal Delivery Devices: The City Council will review work completed to date to develop draft regulations concerning the operation of autonomous personal delivery devices in Kirkland. Staff also is requesting an extension of the current moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and/or issuance of permits related to autonomous personal delivery devices in order to complete an identified workplan.
Police Body Worn Cameras: The Council will review a revised Kirkland ordinance which creates a new chapter of the Kirkland Municipal Code regarding public safety technology. This new chapter will authorize police use of body worn cameras but will also be used to prohibit the use of facial recognition technology. Prior to the Council’s decision on how to proceed with a body worn camera program, staff conducted community conversations on the topic in March and April 2022.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 5-Year Roadmap: The Council will consider adopting the final draft of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Five-Year Roadmap. On August 4, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution R-5434 to ensure the safety and respect of Black people and dismantle structural racism in Kirkland. Among many other actions within R-5434, the resolution called for contracting for a comprehensive City organizational equity assessment to identify gaps in diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of City policy, practice and procedures, and to identify proposed actions steps to address these gaps.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact 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.
How to participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so in-person or via Zoom during the “Items from the Audience” part of the agenda. That part of the agenda occurs at the beginning of the Council’s business meeting at 7:30 p.m. Information on the updated comment sign up process to provide comment to the City Council, and on attending the meeting virtually, is available on the City Council webpage.
Written comments can be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
In honor of Independence Day, City administrative offices are closed on Monday, July 4. Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal and over the phone will resume 8 a.m., Tuesday, July 5.
Independence Day is observed as a federal holiday to recognize and celebrate our American freedom, liberty and independence.
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10:30 a.m. Kids’ decorating activities at Marina Park Pavilion – get ready your bikes and pets ready for the Children’s Parade!
11:30 a.m. Children's Parade starts at Lakeshore Plaza and Kirkland Avenue.
12:00 p.m. Hometown Parade starts at Lakeshore Plaza and Kirkland Avenue.
Fireworks Ban Reminder: The sale, use and discharge of private, consumer fireworks are banned in Kirkland. For more info, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 425-587-3650. Event goers are encouraged to carpool and plan for their parking in advance. For public parking, including the Kirkland Municipal Garage, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/parking. For bus transportation, go to http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov.
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The City of Kirkland has published its online biennial Community Survey to gauge community attitudes about the quality of life in Kirkland, satisfaction with City government services, and priorities for the future. A phone version of the community survey was recently administered to a statistically valid, random sample of Kirkland residents.
Read more.
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At a special meeting on June 28, 2022, the Kirkland City Council adopted a plan for the NE 85th Street Station Area. The adoption of the plan, along with related legislative amendments, paves the way for a walkable, equitable, sustainable, and complete transit-oriented neighborhood that will provide affordable housing, park amenities, high tech and family wage jobs, commercial and retail services, and opportunities for new school capacity. The plan leverages the Sound Transit bus rapid transit station planned for the I405/NE 85th Street interchange which is on schedule to be operational in 2026.
Read more.
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At the first voluntary gun turn-in event in the Puget Sound region in nearly 10 years, Kirkland Police Department received 91 guns at its ‘Guns for Gift Cards’ exchange last Saturday, June 25, at the Kirkland Justice Center.
Read more.
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If your plans include a 4th of July get together (finally!), be extra careful if pets will be there. It might seem like a treat to give Rover a bite of your grilled burger as you watch a public fireworks display, but some foods - and activities - could be hazardous to our animal friends.
Some tips to keep in mind when pets are at parties:
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Never leave alcoholic drinks where pets can reach them – alcohol can be poisonous to pets.
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Do not apply sunscreen or bug spray to your pet if it’s not meant specifically for animals. Ingesting sunscreen or insect repellent can make pets sick, or worse.
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Keep matches and lighter fluid out of pets’ reach. Both can be harmful to pets if eaten.
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Keep your pets on their own food (no table scraps!). Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who may have delicate digestive systems. Foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast can all be potentially toxic to animals.
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Do not put glow jewelry or toys on your pets or allow them to play with them. While the luminescent substance in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and stomach irritation could still result if they’re swallowed, not to mention the possibility of choking on plastic pieces.
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Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of pets’ reach. These can also cause pets stomach irritation if ingested.
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Never use fireworks around pets! (fireworks are illegal in Kirkland, remember?)
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Even though it sounds fun to us humans, please resist the urge to take your pet to a loud, public fireworks display – these can be frightening or disorienting for pets. Instead, keep them safe from noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.
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On Wednesday, July 13, The City of Kirkland, Kirkland Downtown Association, Google and SRM Development invite the general public to join a free celebration of Feriton Spur Park, Kirkland’s beloved park on the Cross Kirkland Corridor, in the heart of Google’s 6th Street campus.
Feriton Spur Park was expanded by more than double its previous size in 2021-2022 with the addition of several new features. The renovated park has a new 16-foot wide paved trail, a 44-foot pickleball court, an urban farm growing vegetables for Hopelink, bathrooms, a splash area and amphitheater.
The event will include live music, food trucks, pickleball, lawn games and refreshments. The evening will mark the official grand opening of Chainline Brewing’s café and tap room, Chainline Station, inside a historic Pacific Northwest Railway Caboose.
Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet and Google Site Lead Paco Galanes will provide remarks. Several sculptures using pieces of the historic Kalakala ferry designed by Amber Mikluscak, Lead Landscape Architect with The Watershed Group, will be unveiled.
Wednesday, July 13, 5:30-8 p.m. PT
Feriton Spur Park on the Cross Kirkland Corridor
(directly behind Google Building E)
To get there, walk or bike along the CKC, take Metro’s 245, 250, or 255 bus route or complimentary parking is available on Google’s campus in building D, 451 7th Ave S, Kirkland, WA 98033.
More information can be found on the event page.
The first Kirkland Ca$h You Stay We Pay program closes today, June 30 and supported our Kirkland hotels and local businesses with more than 675 Kirkland Ca$h certificates generated from hotel stays, and nearly $17,000 of community currency certificates issued to support the revenues of our local businesses. Kirkland Ca$h is supported by the City of Kirkland to support local tourism and local shopping and dining. Kirkland Ca$h certificates can be redeemed at any participating businesses and are valid through August 31, 2022. Visit KirklandCash.com for participating businesses and more information. |
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Do you have an idea for a Kirkland event that would bring visitors to our lovely town? Apply for a tourism grant today!
The 2023 Explore Kirkland tourism grant application is open now through Monday, August 8.
The grants award marketing and operations funds to special events and festivals that demonstrate the ability to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays.
Event organizers may visit the city’s Tourism Funding webpage for information on grant funding criteria and to access the 2023 online grant application. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m., Monday, August 8. Questions about the tourism grant application process may be sent to Tourism Program staff at tourism@kirklandwa.gov.
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For many, car washing is a summertime ritual.
There’s no problem with washing your car, but it does matter how and where you choose to wash it. The average homeowner uses 100 gallons of water to wash a car. Dirty car wash water contains soap, grease, brake dust, oil, and dirt. Driveway car washes send all that dirty water down the street and into the nearest storm drain. From there, it’s a short trip to the nearest creek and Lake Washington.
Best option: Use a commercial car wash
The best choice for clean water, healthy fish, and a clean car is to use a commercial car wash - automatic or self-serve. Commercial car washes use less water than washing at home. They also recycle water and connect to the sewer system to clean dirty water.
Good option: Wash on your lawn or a gravel area
If you wash your car at home, wash it on your lawn or a gravel area. The ground absorbs and filters wash water and breaks down the soap and grime, protecting your plants. Plus, you’ll water your lawn while cleaning your car.
Good option: Direct car wash water to landscaping
Can’t park on the lawn but still want to wash at home? Use rolled up towels or sand bags to direct wash water from your driveway to your lawn or landscaping. This will keep the dirty water out of ditches, streets, or storm drains.
Northeast 124th Street – Juanita
Night construction continues on 116th Avenue Northeast at Northeast 124th Street, where a Kirkland project to improve traffic flow at the intersection is in process, although no work will occur on Sunday July 3 or Monday July 4 due to the holiday.
Interwest Construction is working from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday to create a new southbound right-turn lane from 116th Avenue Northeast onto Northeast 124th Street. They have encountered a number of underground conflicts that have showed some aspects of the project.
The contractor is also building a wide sidewalk with street trees and street lighting along the northwest side of 116th Avenue Northeast.
Northeast 132nd Street at I-405 – Juanita/Kingsgate
Drivers will encounter traffic control that will be in place into fall as the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) contractor begins the first phase of major construction, including the removal of trees in the project area.
WSDOT is building a new on-ramp for northbound Interstate 405 traffic and a new off-ramp for the interstate’s southbound traffic. The project will enhance sidewalks and bicycle lanes and will create roundabouts at the ramps’ Northeast 132nd Street intersection.
For questions about this traffic control or this project, call WSDOT’s project hotline at 425-224-2433.
Kirkland’s Neighborhood Safety Program contractor continues traffic control at Central Way’s intersection with Main Street this week, where its workers are installing a set of rapid flashing beacons.
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 until the park is completed. The concrete drivers’ strike is delaying completion of the park. 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 open 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.
Saturday, July 16, 23, and 30 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (double features) at Juanita Beach Park North, 9703 Juanita Dr NE
Friday, August 5 and 12 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (double features) at Heritage Park, 111 Waverly Way
Bring a blanket or low-back chair and enjoy a FREE double feature on the City’s new GIANT 12-foot LED movie screen. No need to wait until its dark outside. Watch a movie at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays starting July 16 at Junita Beach Park North and at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, August 5 and 12 at Heritage Park. Food and snack trucks will be on site. All movies are PG-13 or under.
Date: Every Friday through September 30, 2022
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive, Kirkland 98034
The City of Kirkland is excited for the 16th season of the Juanita Friday Market. Come with your friends, or meet new ones, and enjoy shopping for delicious and nutritious foods, as well as fine wines and locally brewed craft beers. Then try one, or more, of our hot food vendors for a varied menu of offerings. We look forward to seeing you at Juanita Beach on these spring and summer Friday afternoons and evenings.
Date: Every Evening through October 2, 2022
Location: Park Lane, Downtown Kirkland
A local favorite, Evenings on Park Lane is back and will run through October 2, 2022. The west end of Park Lane between Lake Street and Main Street will be closed to vehicles nightly from 6 to 11 p.m and open to people walking and wheeling until the Park Lane restaurants close for the night.
What an enjoyable way to stroll downtown and shop local.
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