The Kirkland City Council met on December 13, 2022, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Public Hearing on Vehicle License Fee - The Council held a public hearing to receive community input on 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. Following the public hearing, the Council voted 6-1 to approve enacting the car tabs, which will go into effect starting January 1, 2024.
Public Hearing on Extending the Moratorium on Personal Delivery Devices - The Council held a public hearing to extend an existing moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and/or issuance of permits related to Personal Delivery Devices. Following the public hearing, the Council voted 6-1 to approve extending the existing moratorium.
2023-2024 Budget Adoption – The Council adopted the 2023-2024 Budget.
Capital Improvement Program Adoption – The Council adopted the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program.
2044 Comprehensive Plan Briefing – The Council received a briefing from staff on the status of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan update and provided direction to the staff team on the project.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
Proclamation Process Update, Flag Policy Update, Cultural Calendar Review, and Antisemitism Definition - The Council provided 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 also reviewed a cultural and religious observances calendar and a potential draft definition of antisemitism. 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.
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 January 3, 2023.
Share Your Thoughts on the Northeast Transfer Station
King County Solid Waste Division would like to hear from you about the Northeast Recycling & Transfer Station project. Visit the online open house between now and January 17 to learn more and provide comment.
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.
I would like to share a brief statement on behalf of the Council about the passing of longtime Kirkland leader, former Mayor Bill Woods.
It is hard to put into words just how much Bill has shaped Kirkland into the amazing community it is today.
Our beloved waterfront parks, our renowned Kirkland Performance Center, our thriving downtown business core, our highly productive government – these mainstays of Kirkland didn’t just happen. They happened because of Bill’s unparalleled leadership, vision, and deep commitment to public service.
A veteran of World War II, Bill moved to Kirkland in 1953. He worked professionally as a pharmacist for decades, where he was a well-known anchor of our business community. He was extremely active in the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and served on the board and as chair for many years. He was one of the founding members of the Kirkland Downtown Association. Like so many of our past and current councilmembers, Bill started in city leadership by serving on one of the City’s boards or commissions. He joined the Park Board in 1964, became a Councilmember the following year, then ran for mayor in 1966. Bill served as mayor for the next 8 years.
During that time, Bill oversaw the annexation of Houghton and helped the city transition to the council-manager form of government. He led the effort to acquire large amounts of waterfront for the city for parks, leveraging funds by Lady Byrd Johnson’s initiative to preserve natural lands for the public.
After retiring from formal public service, Bill spent years fundraising to make the Kirkland Performance Center a reality.
The list of his community leadership roles goes on and on. Kirkland as a community and as a government are better because of Bill’s unmatched service.
Bill passed away on December 7 at the age of 97. A true civic luminary, Bill’s legacy will forever be embedded in the fabric of our community.
On behalf of this full Council: you will be missed, Bill. Thank you for dedicating so much of your life to making Kirkland a better place.
Upcoming deadline for community members to request land use or zoning changes!
Applications for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map or Zoning Code initiated by the public are being accepted until December 30, 2022 at 4 p.m. For information about the application and review process visit the Community-Initiated-Amendment-Request webpage. Community members will also have opportunities to share thoughts about land use changes the City should consider as part of the K2044 Comprehensive Plan Update.
|
The City of Kirkland will begin issuing warnings for two new school zone safety cameras in the Moss Bay and Finn Hill neighborhoods on January 3, which is also the first day back for students after 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. 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.
|
For many, the holidays may mean spending time with loved ones and friends – and shopping for them online. The result is more packages at your front door and the potential for package theft. A recent survey found that 26% of Americans have had a package stolen from their doorstep.
Kirkland Police Department has some tips to help you protect your deliveries this season:
Check with neighbors. Sometimes, your package may not be stolen, but at the wrong address. Check with your neighbors and see if the delivery was dropped off at the wrong address. Many delivery companies will take pictures of your package in the designated location – be sure to check for the photo and verify it’s at the right spot.
Don’t leave unattended packages for long. When possible, attempt to schedule its delivery when you know you’ll be home, or ask your neighbors if they can hold on to them if you plan to be gone for the holidays.
|
Ship to a store or a locker. If purchasing an item from a retailer that has a physical location or locker near your home, consider shipping it there instead. Retailers will require proof of purchase, ID or a code before releasing packages, and this is a sure way to avoid package theft.
Use a security camera - and make it obvious. Installing a home security system with cameras or simply a camera-enabled doorbell is a great way to deter package theft, especially when highly visible. Someone thinking of stealing your package might see the security camera and think again.
Require a signature. Many delivery companies include the option to require a signature before leaving a package, letting you take physical possession of the item as soon as it’s delivered.
|
You might not ever think about lithium-ion batteries, but they supply power to devices that we use every day - and buy as gifts - including smart phones, laptops, toys, e-scooters, e-bikes and even cars.
Lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space. Problems can occur when these batteries are used in ways they’re not intended for. And like any product, a small number of them can be defective, leading to overheating, fire or an explosion.
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tips:
-
Buy and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing lab
-
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
-
Only use the battery designed for the device
-
Put batteries in the device the right way
-
Only use the charging cord that came with the device
-
Do not charge a device - like your phone - under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch
-
Keep batteries at room temperature
-
Do no place batteries in direct sunlight or in hot vehicles
-
Store e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can catch fire
To dispose of lithium-ion batteries, do not put them in your regular garbage. Recycling is always the best option. Free drop-off of lithium-ion batteries is available in the south lobby of City Hall at 123 5th Ave.
|
Kirkland Police Department Pet Food Drive
Some pet families could use your help - consider donating non-perishable pet food to our Pet Food Drive. Just drop off your unopened pet food at one of two locations:
- Kirkland Police Department at 11750 NE 118th Street
-
Kirkland City Hall lower level, 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland.
Donations will benefit Everett Animal Shelter, Woodinville Storehouse Food Bank and Pasado’s Safe Haven. Donations are being accepted now through December 31. Help make the holidays happier for pets and their families who might need a little support this season!
Ismaili CIVIC Holiday Food and Toy Drive
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.
Donations will be collected Saturday, December 17 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Juanita High School, 10601 NE 132nd St.
Kirkland Fire Department Annual Holiday Gift Drive
For more than 30 years, KFD Fire Stations have been 'drop points' accepting donations of unwrapped and 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!
LWSD Nourishing Network No family should go without food. Help address food insecurity for families of Lake Washington School District (LWSD) this holiday season with Nourishing Network – a regional coordination of people and organizations who provide food to people in need. Donations are welcomed and all proceeds go directly toward food resources for LWSD students and their families.
 Best of 425 voting is still open. Casting a vote is a great way to support local business and to say ‘thank you’ if you had an exceptional experience or service. Your vote will help choose the best restaurants, businesses, shops, activities, and people of the Eastside. You can cast one vote per category and vote in as many or as few categories as you like. The ‘Best’ list will be published in a future issue of 425 Magazine. Voting ends Friday, January 6 at 5 p.m. Cast your votes today!
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.
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 this winter, with final paving occurring in spring.
|
