The Kirkland City Council met on January 17, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Proclamation: Day of Racial Healing - The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, proclaimed January 17 as Day of Racial Healing in Kirkland. This proclamation supports Kirkland’s Resolutions R-5240 and R-5434. Reflecting on and acknowledging past injustices can help people move forward together and can assist in making Kirkland a more safe, inclusive, and welcoming place where everyone belongs. Read the full proclamation here. Receiving the proclamation: Kalika Curry of Pono Pursuit, LLC, past Kirkland resident and community activist for Black and people of color as a leadership member of the Right to Breathe Committee.
Updates to City Flag Policy, Proclamation Procedures - Council updated its Policies and Procedures related to proclamations and adopted a 2023-2024 proclamation schedule.
Street Banner Program and Code – Council adopted changes to the Kirkland Municipal Code (KMC) 19.32 related to street banners and KMC 11.80.040 related to posting signs, posters and notices in parks.
Public Hearing: Draft Permanent Supportive Housing Agreement – Council held a public hearing on King County’s permanent supportive housing project in Kirkland. After the public hearing, Council reviewed and provided feedback on the proposed working drafts of the Permanent Supportive Housing Agreement between the City of Kirkland and King County and the Services Agreement between the County and the future operator of the designated permanent supporting housing facility in Kirkland.
Eastside Climate Partnership - Council passed with a 6-1 vote authorizing an Interlocal Agreement between the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond to formally establish a partnership to advance shared goals on climate action, energy and the environment. The agreement would help promote key actions in Kirkland's Sustainability Master Plan.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) - Council discussed two different operating models for KTUB. The first is a non-profit service provider to operate the facility as a teen center and the second is a City-operated alternative.
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 City Council meeting is on February 7, 2023.
King County District 6 Survey
Did you know Kirkland is in King County Districts 1 and 6, and our community members are represented by King County councilmembers? District 6 Councilmember Balducci wants to hear your priorities for the coming year in this short survey. Share your thoughts on the major issues facing the region.
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.
Ever wonder what the inside of a fire station looks like? Wonder no more: come celebrate the one-year anniversary of Fire Station 24!
The City of Kirkland is hosting an open house at Fire Station 24 on Saturday, January 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Swing by and tour this award-winning fire station and talk with Kirkland’s leaders about this and other public safety investments. Light refreshments will be provided.
What: Fire Station 24 Open House
When: Saturday, January 21, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 9820 NE 132nd St, Kirkland, WA 98034
Join Kirkland, Redmond, and Bellevue Police Departments for a FREE Career Diversity in Law Enforcement workshop on February 4 from 9 a.m. to noon.
We’re committed to recruiting participants who reflect the diversity of our community. This workshop aims to address barriers of those seeking a career in law enforcement and provide strategies to navigate the hiring process successfully.
Registration preferred but not required. Attendees must be 18+. Light refreshments will be provided.
Kirkland’s Public Works Department invites you to learn more about working at the dynamic department that keeps our city moving. Please join us for a Public Works Career Fair:
When: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Where: Public Works Maintenance Center, 915 8th St, Kirkland, WA 98033.
See demonstrations of the City's fleet and utilities equipment for the City's water, wastewater, surface water, streets and grounds, and engineering services. Meet hiring managers and staff and fill out applications for current job openings right at the career fair.
We’re currently looking for: Project Engineers, Fleet Mechanics, Utility Workers, and Office Specialists.
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Do you know a young person who is interested in learning what it's like to have a career in law enforcement? Consider the Kirkland Police Explorer Program! Designed for young people ages 14 through 21, the Explorers learn through service by volunteering at the Kirkland Police Department. Explorer duties can include helping with security detail or crowd control at community events.
Volunteer hours can be applied toward a senior project or included on a resume, but more importantly, these experiences are aimed at producing responsible and caring community leaders. Explorers get hands-on training and practical demonstrations during twice-a-month meetings, on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
If you’re interested or know a young person who might be interested in the KPD Explorer Program, let us know! Contact one of our Lead Explorer Advisors:
School Resource Officer Dan Luebke (425) 587-3480 Ext. 8636
Neighborhood Resource Officer Tiffany Trombley (425) 587-3427
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The Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) kicked off 2023 with a meeting Thursday, January 12 at the Parks Maintenance Center. The group started the process of reviewing potential ballot measure elements and related capital and operating cost information. These elements build on priorities identified in the PROS Plan, which incorporated community input from over 4,700 community members, analysis of current recreation programming, and analysis of the current park system by consultants and staff.
Thanks to all the volunteers who joined the Green Kirkland Partnership for a day of service on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Over 70 volunteers joined stewardship events at Crestwoods, Juanita Open Space #1, Windsor Vista, and Watershed parks. With their enthusiastic help, we removed invasive species, spread mulch, and replanted natural areas with native plants to make our forests and community heathier for all of us.
Thanks to our partners at United Way of King County, and to Microsoft, T-Mobile, YMCA Earth Service Corps, and all the families and neighbors who joined us!
It’s not too late to get involved
Make this day the start of a lifelong commitment to community service and environmental justice:
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Check out the City of Kirkland’s environmental justice page to learn more about equity and sustainability efforts in the City of Kirkland.
Inspired by the Totem Lake Connector bridge, a group of local Lego builders created their version of this iconic location for the City of Kirkland.
Special thanks to the SeaLUG Design/Build Team: Alex Estey; Alex Popiel; Brandon Jones; David Hensley; Doug Bell; Jaron Kelly; John Luetke; and Owen Jones.
Cross Kirkland Corridor – Totem Lake
A three-week detour around a Totem Lake-section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor went into effect Jan. 16. Kirkland’s Totem Lake Connector contractor is closing the corridor, between Northeast 124th Street and 120th Avenue Northeast to restore the original trail.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/ckc
126th Avenue Northeast water main upgrade – South Rose Hill
Work continues on a water main upgrade along 126th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 70th and 80th streets. Kirkland’s contractor is focusing specifically this week on the section between Northeast 75th and 80th streets.
RW Scott Construction will be closing sections of 126th Avenue Northeast to general traffic, but will provide access to local residents.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/126th-Avenue-NE-Watermain-Replacement
Northeast 132nd Street/Juanita High School – Juanita
Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists will encounter road construction on Northeast 132nd Street at Juanita High School and on the access road to the school. The project builds a new right turn lane into the High School to increase traffic flow during peak times.
NPM Construction is expected to start work on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The project should be complete this spring.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-132nd-Street-to-Juanita-High-School-Right-Turn-Lane
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 winter, with final paving occurring in spring.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/116th-Ave-NE-RTL
Upcoming Blood Drives
Date: January 23 and 24, 2023
Location: Kirkland City Hall 123 5th Ave
Looking for a relatively easy New Year's resolution? How about giving blood? Giving blood at least once a year is a small, attainable, and measurable objective that means a lifetime of difference for a patient in need—and comes with cookies! It only takes an hour to make a difference. Start by crossing one goal off your list and donate at City Hall January 23 or 24. You need to be at least 16 years old to donate blood, and all donors need to arrive with photo ID, and wearing a face mask.
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Date: Saturday, January 28, 2022
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave, 98033
Learn about the Lunar New Year, and how it's traditionally celebrated! Enjoy activities that include crafts, food, dancing and cultural demonstrations.
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Join an upcoming free, virtual Cascade Gardener class! Registration is required.
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