The Kirkland City Council met on October 4, 2022, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Public Hearing: 2023-2024 Budget Revenue Sources – The City Council held a public hearing on revenue sources for the 2023-2024 Budget. This public hearing was the first of three public hearings as part of the City’s 2023-2024 biennial budget process. For more information on the budget process, please visit the City’s website.
Proposed 2023-2024 Utility Rates – The City Council received the proposed 2023/2024 Solid Waste, Water, Sewer, and Surface Water Utility rates. Based on Council feedback and direction during the meeting, staff will prepare the final proposed utility rate ordinances for the City Council’s consideration and adoption at the October 18 Council meeting.
Community Emergency Response Training Class #30 Graduation – The City Council acknowledged the graduates of the City of Kirkland’s 30th Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class. The CERT program educates community members about disaster preparedness and response. This course teaches how to get prepared and trains participants in skills to help themselves, their families, and their community during disasters. The CERT course is taught by a team of City staff and community volunteer instructors. More information on CERT.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council also held a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they discussed:
2023-2028 Preliminary Capital Improvement Program – The City Council reviewed the Preliminary 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Document and provided direction to staff to be incorporated in the Proposed CIP presentation at the Council study session on November 15, 2022. Final Council adoption of the CIP will occur on December 13, 2022.
Street and Median Maintenance Improvements and Potential New Funding Sources – The City Council reviewed a report concerning an assessment of the Streets and Grounds Division of the Department of Public Works as well as options for median maintenance. The report and discussion will provide background and context for certain 2023-2024 budget service package requests.
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.
To watch the Council discussions on the specific agenda items outlined above, visit the City’s website. The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website.
The next regular City Council meeting is on October 18, 2022.
Small Group Meetings on Accelerating Safety Projects and Adding a Trees & Medians Maintenance Team through a $20 Car Tab
The City of Kirkland will host two small group meetings on accelerating safety projects and improving medians through a Transportation Benefit District. These small group meetings will focus on the 45 priority projects and the trees & median maintenance team that would be funded by a $20 car tab fee. It will be an opportunity to ask questions, offer ideas, and talk more about the proposal. The feedback from the community will inform the City Council’s consideration of enacting a $20 car tab fee as part of the budget process.
2023-2024 Budget Public Hearings
The first of three scheduled public hearings on the 2023-2024 budget was on Tuesday, October 4. The second and third public hearings are scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 15. These public hearings and other feedback from the community over the coming months will help inform the City Council’s adoption of its 2023-2024 budget at the December 13, 2022, Council meeting. For more information on the City’s budget process and ways to provide feedback, please visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/budget
King County Tax Town Hall
Join an October 8 Town Hall for a discussion on property valuations, taxes and where your tax dollars go in King County with King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, King County Tax Assessor John Arthur Wilson and Budget Director Dwight Dively.
Location: Kirkland Justice Center, Totem Lake Room (11750 NE 118th St, 98034)
How can I contact the City with questions, requests, or suggestions?
You can always contact City staff through the Our Kirkland service portal, available on the web and mobile app. Submitting your comments through Our Kirkland ensures the right staff receives the information and is able to follow up with you.
Money Magazine named Kirkland third on its 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2022 list. The annual list ranks cities across the nation based on criteria looking at economic activity, quality of life, diversity, and where the best futures lie.
“It’s an honor that Kirkland has been recognized nationally for something that we all know to be true: Kirkland is such an amazing place to live,” said Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold. “Thank you to our wonderful residents and businesses who together contribute to Kirkland’s vibrant and belonging community.”
Kirkland’s identity as a family-friendly, community-focused town with great schools and employment opportunities was highlighted in the description. Also highlighted is Kirkland’s locally owned businesses, walkability, and vast public parks and open spaces.
To determine the cities on this year’s list, Money Magazine examined data in nine different areas: cost of living, diversity, economic opportunity, education, fun and amenities, health and safety, the housing market, income and personal finance, and quality of life. For this year’s ranking, Money Magazine also focused on creating a more welcoming collection of cities for a broader group of people and factored in diversity more than previous years. Data was collected from several sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The City of Kirkland School Zone Speed Enforcement program has been expanded to include two new locations for the 2022-2023 school year: Lakeview Elementary and the Finn Hill school zone, which covers Carl Sandberg Elementary, Finn Hill Middle School, Environmental and Adventure Middle School, and Henry David Thoreau Elementary. Pending installation and testing, safety cameras in these two school zones are expected to begin operating October 17, 2022.
Read more.
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The City of Kirkland is inviting community members to participate in shaping Kirkland’s services and programs during the 2023-2024 City budget process. The City Council is seeking input from the community throughout Fall 2022 while they develop the budget for the next two years. Tell the City what matters most to you by participating in our online budget simulation.
In video two of our series, Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold talks about how planning and economic development are crucial to sustaining Kirkland’s quality of life.
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In our third video, Councilmember Neal Black shares about important investments Kirkland’s making to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Visit the City’s website to read more about the budget process.
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 The Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) held its second meeting on Thursday, September 29. The committee reviewed the PFEC Roadmap and toured the Peter Kirk Community Center, Peter Kirk Pool, and Peter Kirk Park in small groups. Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra gave a high-level overview of the Parks and Community Services Department and how it is funded. Committee members also learned about existing aquatics in Kirkland. Watch the presentations, learn more about PFEC and follow along at kirklandwa.gov/parks2023ballot.
Would you like to contribute your time and experience as a member of the City Council's advisory Boards and Commissions? The City is accepting applications for various volunteer boards and commissions through October 27, 2022. Visit the Current Recruitment Positions webpage or call the City Clerk’s Office at 425-587-3190 to learn more about each board, eligibility requirements, and to apply. Members of the advisory boards are appointed by the City Council. Interviews will be scheduled with the City Council at a time and date to be determined.
Please review the current Board and Commission vacancies below and consider these interim opportunities to get involved with your community!
Human Services Commission
This commission advises the City Council on matters relating to the City's efforts to support a socially sustainable community through health and human services and programs; develops recommendations on funding priorities and policies; and reviews requests and provides recommendations for grant funding of human services. There is both an adult and youth-specific seat available for this Commission. The commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
The Kirkland Senior Council advocates, supports and creates programs and services that meet the needs of adults age 50+ in the community. The Senior Council seeks dedicated community members who want to see Kirkland continue to be a safe, vibrant and welcoming city to all. The Senior Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
Tourism Development Committee This committee advises the City Council on allocating the lodging excise tax fund for tourism promotion and is comprised of seven voting members. To be a qualified applicant for this vacancy, you must be a representative of a business that is required to collect the lodging tax. The committee meets on the first Thursday of each month.
Transportation Commission
This commission advises the City Council on the planning and development of those transportation issues referred to them by the City Council. The Commission also submits to the City Council, through the City Manager, recommendations for such other transportation issues of interest to the Commission, or associated with Council-directed items, as the Commission feels is advisable. The commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
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The midterm elections are fast approaching and King County General Elections ballots begin to mail out on October 19. Have your voice heard and register to vote.
For all your voting needs and questions, King County Elections has resources for you. On the King County Elections website, you can:
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Register to vote if you’re not already registered
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View the issues you will be voting on
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View Election dates and timeline
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Check your registration status and information
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Track your ballot
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View current and past results
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Ask additional questions
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Kirkland Way – Everest, Highlands, Moss Bay
Kirkland’s 2022 street paving contractor will alternate lane-closures Oct. 13 at the south leg of Kirkland Way’s intersection with Northeast 85th Street while its crews install traffic sensors in the pavement. Watson Asphalt will begin closing lanes at 7 a.m. and will re-open them at 3 p.m.
A uniformed police officer will direct traffic through the intersection.
Kirkland’s 2022 street paving contractor will alternate lane-closures Oct. 14 at the north leg of Third Street’s intersection with Central Way while its crews install traffic sensors in the pavement. Watson Asphalt will begin closing the lanes at 9 a.m. and will re-open them at 3 p.m.
A uniformed police officer will direct traffic through the intersection.
Lakeview Drive – Lakeview
Kirkland’s 2022 street paving contractor will alternate lane-closures Oct. 14 at the east leg of Lakeview Drive’s intersection with Lake Washington Boulevard while its crews install traffic sensors in the pavement. Watson Asphalt will begin closing the lanes at 9 a.m. and will re-open them at 3 p.m.
A uniformed police officer will direct traffic through the intersection.
Kirkland’s 2022 street paving contractor is shifting lanes on Waverly Way between Fifth and 10th avenues west this week while its crews replace and repair damaged curb along the street’s west side.
The daily lane-shifts begin at 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.
The City of Kirkland is planning to repave this same section of street this month or, more likely, in spring 2023. The timing of that project depends largely on the weather.
Northeast 132nd Street at I-405 – Juanita/Kingsgate
Drivers continue to encounter traffic control that has been in place since last winter as the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) contractor completes the first phase of major construction for this project. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that the upcoming shift in travel lanes and sidewalk closures are expected to be implemented the night of October 14.
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, the schedule, or other questions about this project, call WSDOT’s project hotline at 425-224-2433.
Kirkland Health & Wellness Fair
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2022
Location: Juanita High School, 10601 NE 132nd St, Kirkland 98034
The City of Kirkland in partnership with King County Promotores Network, Public Health of Seattle & King County and Lake Washington School District is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair.
This free event will offer a variety of services including, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu shots, health exams, dental services, information exhibits, music, food, kids activities, giveaways and more.
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive, Kirkland 98034
Join the City of Kirkland for a celebration of Arbor Day with forest stewardship, a tree giveaway, ceremonial tree planting and more!
The Forest Day schedule of activities include:
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10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Green Kirkland Volunteer Stewardship Event. Volunteers will lend a hand and learn about forest habitat around Juanita Creek.
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12 – 12:30 p.m.: Ceremonial Tree Planting. Join City of Kirkland staff as we plant a tree at Juanita Beach Park to celebrate Arbor Day.
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12 – 2 p.m.: Tree Giveaway with King Conservation District. Two (2) 5-gallon FREE trees per property will be available for pickup. There are 20 different species both native and non-native, available. Trees must be planted on private property within Kirkland with permission from the landowner.
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12 – 2 p.m.: Forest Day Learning Booths and Demonstrations. Learn about your garden, your tree, current City programs such as the Tree Rebate Program, Comprehensive Plan updates, and Energy Smart Heat Pump Campaign, and ask questions of King County Master Gardeners who will have a booth at the event.
Date: Tuesdays through October 25
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Autumn is the perfect time to begin your next gardening steps. Cascade Gardener Presents a Fall Class Series on planting fall trees, weed maintenance, climate change gardening and more!
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New tenant protections took effect in Kirkland on September 17, 2022. Eastside For All, Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP), and the City of Kirkland have organized one-hour Know Your Rights workshops for renters, hosted by a staff attorney with ELAP. No RSVP is needed. These workshops are intended for tenants residing in Kirkland.
For Zoom links and other information, please visit https://elap.org/events/
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