The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, December 13, 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 December 13 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
Public Hearing on Vehicle License Fee - The Council will hold a public hearing to receive community input on the City Council enacting a $20 vehicle license fee (car tab) to accelerate safety investments for safer routes to school and active transportation projects and a trees and street median team.
Public Hearing on Extending the Moratorium on Personal Delivery Devices - The Council will hold a public hearing for an ordinance concerning the extension of an existing moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and/or issuance of permits related to Personal Delivery Devices.
2023-2024 Budget Adoption – The Council will consider and is anticipated to adopt its 2023-2024 Budget.
Capital Improvement Program Adoption – The Council will consider and is anticipated to adopt the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program.
2044 Comprehensive Plan Briefing – The Council will receive a briefing from staff on the status of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan update. This item was originally scheduled to be presented to the Council at the November 15, 2022 Council meeting. However, due to the length of that meeting the topic was deferred to the December 13 Council meeting.
Prior to the above regular agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
Proclamation Process Update, Flag Policy Update, Cultural Calendar Review, and Antisemitism Definition - The Council will provide feedback to staff on proposed updates to the City Council’s Policies and Procedures related to Proclamations and a staff-recommended update to the City’s Flag Policy. Council will also review a cultural and religious observances calendar and a potential draft definition of antisemitism. Based on Council direction during the Study Session, staff will return to a future Council meeting(s) for Council’s consideration and potential action on each of these topics.
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 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 also be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
This will be the final meeting of 2022.
It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Please keep these tips in mind:
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Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
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If you have a real Christmas tree, water it every day. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily.
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Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
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If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily, and never leave them unattended.
As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.
The City of Kirkland announces the hiring of Diana Hart as the City’s Government Affairs Manager. This position assists and advises City leadership through the management of intergovernmental, legislative, and business issues affecting the City and region.
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Drivers should expect traffic delays and restricted parking due to the 12Ks of Christmas Run/Walk to be held at Marina Park on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Please note: vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed. Course maps are available at src12ksofchristmas.com.
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The City of Kirkland will begin issuing warnings for two new school zone safety cameras in the Moss Bay and Finn Hill neighborhoods. The City will also begin construction of a new right turn lane into Juanita High School. Both projects kick off on January 3, which is also the first day back for students from winter break.
School Zone Safety Cameras were installed at the two school zones with the highest traffic volumes and the most vehicles traveling 26 MPH and over. Also beginning January 3, these cameras begin issuing warnings. The cameras are operational only on school days, and only during the period that the school zone flashing beacon is active. The goal of these cameras is to reduce speeds in the school zone. Citations will begin to be issued in early February. The cameras are located at the Lakeview Elementary school zone in the Moss Bay Neighborhood, and at the Sandberg and Thoreau Elementary, and Finn Hill Middle School on 84th Avenue NE in the Finn Hill Neighborhood.
At Juanita High School the new right turn lane will increase capacity during peak times for parents, students, and staff accessing Juanita High School from NE 132nd Street. This project is expected to begin on Tuesday, January 3. The City expects construction to be complete by the start of summer in June 2023.
Inclement weather like the wintery snow we just had may delay trash/recycling collection services. There are a few things you can do to prepare for delayed service. First, consider purchasing a 32-gallon trash can or temporarily upsizing your trash cart for the winter to hold extra waste just in case service is delayed. Also, consider trying to reduce your waste output, including composting your food scraps to get them out of the garbage. Lastly, stay informed of WM service alerts at https://servicealerts.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland/. For trash, recycling, and compost information, including how to upsize your service, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/recycle or call WM at (425) 587-0040.
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Every eight years, our community comes together to create a vision and policies to guide future growth of the city to ensure the needs and desires of people who currently or would like to live, work, learn and play in Kirkland are reflected. We know growth is coming - more neighbors, more jobs, more housing and transportation options - and the Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan process will help us guide that growth over the next 20 years.
Save the Date! Virtual Visioning Event - January 11, 2023
The City will host a virtual event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and invites you to share your voice about the future of Kirkland. Community feedback helps the City understand the values and perspectives of Kirkland’s communities. Register on the event page.
For more than 30 years, KFD Fire Stations have been 'drop points' accepting donations of new toys, games, clothing and non-perishable food to benefit Hopelink families.
Drop off donations at any of KFD’s 6 Fire Stations between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., 7 days a week, through December 21.
Your time, effort and generosity are greatly appreciated!
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For all your holiday shopping and dining needs, shop our businesses first at www.ShopLocalKirkland.com!
By choosing to spend your dollars at local businesses, you are supporting the entrepreneurs and employees of our small, independent businesses that contribute to Kirkland’s unique character. This holiday season make sure to #shoplocalkirkland.
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Do you like planning parties? Do you love a parade? Then come work for us on a beloved community tradition!
The City is seeking a Program Coordinator whose primary responsibility will be planning and running the City’s Celebrate Kirkland July 4th Parade. You would also provide support for internal and external special events, programs, and services within Parks and Community Services.
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The Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) meets tonight! They will learn about property taxes in Washington, ballot funding mechanisms, the City’s budget, and the history of ballot measures in Kirkland. PFEC will take a winter break and resume in mid-January 2023. The committee will provide their recommendations regarding potential parks ballot measure(s) to Kirkland City Council by spring 2023. Sign up for the monthly Parks 2023 Ballot Measure Initiative newsletter. Catch up past PFEC meetings and learn more about PFEC at kirklandwa.gov/parks2023ballot.
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NEW- 126th Avenue Northeast – South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails
Drivers and residents along 126th Avenue Northeast will experience road closures and detours as the project to replace an aging water main pipe begins. The project, between NE 70th Street and NE 80th Street, is expected to be complete in early spring.
RW Scott Construction expects to start work on Monday, December 12, 2022.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/126th-Avenue-NE-Watermain-Replacement
Northeast 132nd Street at I-405 – Juanita/Kingsgate
Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists will encounter continued construction as WSDOT’s contractor builds a new interchange for Interstate 405.
For questions about this traffic control, or other questions about this project, call WSDOT’s project hotline at 425-224-2433.
Visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/i-405northeast-132nd-street-interchange-project
Northeast 124th Street – Juanita
Drivers continue to encounter construction at 116th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 124th Street, where a Kirkland contractor is constructing a new right-turn only lane to improve traffic flow.
Interwest Construction is shifting between day work and night work to get the sidewalks and signal pole foundations formed and poured. The project also builds a wide sidewalk with street trees and street lighting along the northwest side of 116th Avenue Northeast. This project is expected to be complete in January, with final paving occurring in Spring.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/116th-Ave-NE-RTL
King County Firefighter Diversity and Recruitment Workshop
Date: Saturday, December 10, 2022
Location: Renton Technical College, 3000 NE 4th St, Renton, WA 98056
The King County Fire Chiefs Association’s Diversity and Recruitment Workshop is geared towards BIPOC community members, women, limited-English-speaking community members, and those with no prior experience who would like to learn more about a rewarding career in Fire and EMS.
Attendees will learn about the written firefighter exam, oral interviews, fitness assessments and a day in the life of a firefighter.
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Date: Saturday, December 10, 2022
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive
Light Up Kirkland is a magical event held at Juanita Beach Park. Partake in some cocoa and cookies as you stroll on the grounds of the park to view a winter wonderland of lights, followed by a bonfire on the beach and music from local students. Argosy Cruises will swing by with their Christmas Ship and provide more musical entertainment from the water. This event is free.
Questions? Call 425-587-3336
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Ismaili CIVIC Holiday Food and Toy Drive
Time: Drop off between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Juanita High School, 10601 NE 132nd St
The 3rd Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive is seeking donations of unwrapped, new toys and culturally diverse non-perishable food. The drive benefits families of King County services and Eastside school districts. Thank you for your continued support.
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