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The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. 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 Business Agenda for the February 21 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
Permanent Supportive Housing – Council will receive an update regarding the status of the proposed working drafts of the Permanent Supportive Housing Agreement between the City and King County and the Services Agreement between the County and the future operator of the designated permanent supporting housing facility in Kirkland.
2023 State Legislative Update – Council will receive an update on the City’s 2023 State Legislative Priorities, as approved in Resolution R-5563.
Proposed Ordinance on Personal Delivery Devices – Council will consider two proposed ordinances to regulate the operation of personal delivery devices on private and institutional property, and on public rights-of-way.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
Parks Funding Exploratory Committee: Facility Feasibility Study Update - Council will receive an update about the Aquatics and Recreation Facility Feasibility Study that is part of the potential 2023 Parks Ballot Measure(s) exploratory process.
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, which starts 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.
In honor of Presidents Day, City administrative offices are closed on Monday, February 20, 2023. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal and over the phone will resume 8 a.m., Tuesday, February 21.
For a full list of 2023 City Hall Holiday Closures, visit the City’s website.
NE 85th St Station Area Plan– Upcoming Phase 2 Public Hearing
In June 2022, the City adopted a plan for the NE 85th Street Station Area. The adoption of the plan and the Phase 1 development standards pave the way for a walkable, equitable, sustainable, and complete transit-oriented neighborhood. City staff are now finalizing draft code amendments to implement the development standards in the rest of the Station Area (Phase 2), based on the vision, policy, and goals adopted with Phase 1.
At their meeting on February 23, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to collect testimony from the community on the Phase 2 development standards. You can provide public testimony for Planning Commission to consider in any, or all, of the following ways:
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Provide testimony in writing prior to the public hearing by emailing PlanningCommissioners@kirklandwa.gov.
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Provide oral testimony at the hearing, by attending in-person or virtually.
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Help Inform How We Protect Our Lakes and Streams
The City has posted its annual draft Stormwater Management Program Plan and invites community members to review and submit comments or suggestions by February 24, 2023. The draft plan describes potential actions the City could take in 2023 and beyond to reduce stormwater pollution and protect our lakes and streams.
KPD Explorer Program Seeks Youth Volunteers 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. If interested, contact one of our Lead Explorer Advisors:
School Resource Officer Dan Luebke (425) 587-3480 Ext. 8636; or Neighborhood Resource Officer Tiffany Trombley (425) 587-3427
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 can follow up with you.
On Thursday, February 9, Mayor Penny Sweet delivered the annual State of the City address to the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, during which she declared that the state of the City is prepared.
Mayor Sweet described how the City’s ability to endure and overcome COVID-19 was in large part due to investments in emergency preparedness before the pandemic struck our community on February 29, 2020.
“As we approach the third anniversary of that fateful day, it is important to remember just how our City survived those terrifying months that stretched into years,” said Mayor Sweet. “We were prepared!”
With an eye to the future, Mayor Sweet also described how we are prepared to dream.
“Our award-winning past continues to lay the foundation for the future,” said Sweet. “Kirkland is ready. Kirkland is able. Kirkland is prepared. Our preparation will create and sustain our bright future.”
The City of Kirkland is now accepting applications from residential landlords with eligible tenants for its Rental Risk Assistance Fund Program. The program is intended to help those facing barriers to stable housing and will provide grants of up to $1,200 directly to landlords to mitigate risk of tenant default. The program is made possible through $45,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
For a complete list of eligibility requirements, see the Kirkland Rental Risk Assistance Fund webpage.
Read more.
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Heather Kelly, Kirkland’s Emergency Manager, completed the Executive Leaders program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) on Feb. 9. Throughout the program, she collaborated with homeland security officials from across the nation on current policy, strategy, and organizational design challenges.
As Emergency Manager, Kelly’s diligent work helped the City be well prepared for the COVID emergency, and her leadership supported the City throughout the pandemic.
Kelly is a Certified Emergency Manager and has served Washington State communities for over 30 years in public safety and emergency management.
Located at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), CHDS is the nation’s homeland security educator. CHDS program participants develop critical thinking, leadership, and policy skills.
For information about the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, visit www.chds.us. For more information about Kirkland’s Office of Emergency Management, visit the City’s website.
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Have you seen this mysterious truck in your neighborhood?
This truck is where Kirkland crews use a remote-controlled camera to inspect our stormwater pipes.
This crucial video inspection helps us identify roots, clogs, broken pipes, and other issues that may cause flooding and drainage problems.
Watch this short video to learn more about what Kirkland maintenance crews are up to when this truck is parked outside.
The Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) has been busy with two meetings in the span of a week. PFEC met on Thursday, February 9, and again on Monday, February 13 and have been focusing more on ballot measure sizing, scope, and parks funding mechanisms. The committee will meet again on Thursday, February 23. Catch up on past meetings and the PFEC process on the City website at kirklandwa.gov/parks2023ballot
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Thank you to all who came to the re-opening celebration at Snyder’s Corner pop-up dog park on Feb 11. Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold & Councilmembers Jon Pascal, Kelli Curtis, Neal Black & Toby Nixon (and some of their dogs!) had a great time meeting up with community members.
Snyder’s Corner is an undeveloped open space located at 13267 Old Redmond Road. For more information about off-leash areas in Kirkland, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/dogparks.
NE 120th St Westbound Closure - Totem Lake
Westbound NE 120th St between Slater Ave NE and 124th Ave NE will be closed from February 13 until possibly March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews install a sewer line. Only Westbound will be closed. Please plan alternate routes.
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.
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.
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. As early as March 6, construction will close a section of 116th Avenue Northeast, north of Northeast 132nd Street for up to two months. A detour will be in place for vehicles. Pedestrian access will remain open on 116th Avenue Northeast throughout construction.
For questions about this traffic control, or other questions about this project, call WSDOT’s project hotline at 425-224-2433.
Northeast 132nd Street/132nd Square Park - Kingsgate
Driver’s will encounter road construction, lane shifts, and flaggers along Northeast 132nd Street at 132nd Square Park beginning Friday, February 17. Work in the roadway is expected to be complete by Monday, February 27. This work provides new power service to the park.
132nd Square Park is expected to open to the public on Saturday April 1, 2023.
Upcoming Green Kirkland Partnership Stewardship Events
Remove invasive species and plant native plants in parks and natural spaces throughout Kirkland. No prior experience necessary. Tools and education are provided at the event.
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Join an upcoming free, virtual Cascade Gardener class! Registration is required.
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CERT Continuing Education Session
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Room, City Hall 123 5th Ave
Are you CERT trained and live in Kirkland? The Office of Emergency Management is hosting a CERT Continuing Education (CE) Session where you will be reviewing Disaster Medical skills. For more details and to register, visit KirklandParks.net. This training is in person, and supplies will be provided.
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For more information, please contact:
David Wolbrecht - Communications Program Manager
City Manager's Office
425-587-3021 | dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
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