The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, March 7, 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 March 7 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
Recommendations from the Interview Selection Committee - The Council will consider the recommendations of the Interview Selection Committee on which applicants to interview for current board and commission terms ending March 31, 2023. The Interview Selection Committee was selected during the February 7 Council meeting and consists of Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold and Councilmembers Amy Falcone and Jon Pascal. Board and Commission interviews are scheduled to be held Wednesday, March 29.
Health Through Housing Agreements Screening Process - The Council will receive an update on the status of the proposed working draft agreements regarding King County’s designated permanent supporting housing facility in Kirkland. City staff will seek Council feedback on any outstanding questions on or concerns with the draft agreements.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
Google Fiber Discussion - The Council will receive an overview of a proposal from Google Fiber to fund a new fiber optic network throughout the City’s rights-of-way to make gigabit speed internet service available to subscribers. If this proposal were to proceed, this would be an additional fiber optic service in the City. City staff seek the Council’s direction on how to continue exploring this opportunity.
NE 85th Street Station Area Plan – Phase 2 Updates - The Council will receive an update on the Phase 2 Station Area Plan implementing code amendments. The focus of the update will be an overview of the items considered at the February 23, 2023 Planning Commission Public Hearing and the draft structure for affordable housing requirements in the Station Area.
Meeting details:
The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session. The agenda for the March 7 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.
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.
The Future of the Houghton Village Shopping Center
The community is invited to a town hall on the future use of the Houghton Village Property on March 6 at 6 p.m. The City purchased the Houghton Village Shopping Center, located at 10702 NE 68th Street, to support a variety of potential public purposes, such as affordable housing, school space, non-profit program space, arts and cultural space, and/or City recreational program space. Before decisions are made on how to redevelop the property, the City Council would like to hear from the community on how best to achieve these public benefits while also creating a thriving, walkable, sustainable retail development. Learn more and register for the town hall here.
Emergency Preparedness – We Want To Hear From You
The City of Kirkland Office of Emergency Management needs your input and thoughts about where and how you engage in emergency preparedness activities in your neighborhood. The Washington State Emergency Management Division has discontinued support for the Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) program. The City is seeking to understand how neighbors connect to help us develop and implement meaningful preparedness opportunities.
Share your input in this short survey by March 31. Thank you!
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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.
Juanita Beach is temporarily closed, starting Wednesday, March 1, due to a sewer overflow into Juanita Creek at I-405/NE 132nd Street.
As a precaution, Public Health – Seattle & King County has recommended the beach remain closed until at least Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
People and pets should not swim, drink lake water, or engage in other water activities at Juanita Beach.
Signs will be posted indicating that the beach is closed.
Updates about Juanita Beach Park will be posted on the City webpage.
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New school zone safety cameras installed at Lakeview Elementary and Finn Hill school zones are scheduled to begin operation March 13. Warnings will be issued for the first four weeks, then automated citations and tickets issued by police will begin April 17.
The two new school zone safety camera locations are: State Street & NE 68th Street (Lakeview Elementary), and NE 84th Street (Sandberg & Thoreau Elementaries & Finn Hill Middle School).
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What our community is currently doing and what they’re willing to do to help the environment
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How climate events impact your life
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What sustainable amenities you would like to see more of throughout Kirkland’s Park system
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What additional assistance the City can provide
Want to dive deeper into these topic areas? Join a focus group! Learn more, and contact David Barnes by Wednesday, March 8 to sign-up at DBarnes@Kirklandwa.gov.
Did you hear about the launch of the new Metro Flex on-demand service? Metro Flex is a new on demand neighborhood transit service. It combines Community Ride, Ride Pingo and Via to Transit Services, all into one new service, Metro Flex!
Riders can download and use the new Metro Flex app to book rides in Juanita, Kent, Othello, Rainier Beach, Renton Highlands, Sammamish, Skyway and Tukwila. Best of all, Metro Flex allows riders to book rides from a location to a location anywhere in the service area, adding to their ease of travel. Learn more at the Metro Flex webpage.
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Check out the latest edition of our “Let’s Chat” video series. This video covers how to care for your loved ones during a disaster. Learn about evacuation planning and routes, and emergency alerts.
For more information about preparing for disasters, emergency alerts, and more detailed emergency preparedness information, go to www.KirklandWA.gov/KirklandEM
The Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) meets for its last scheduled meeting tonight, Thursday, March 2 to finalize their recommendations for investment elements and funding mechanisms for a potential fall 2023 parks and recreation ballot measure(s). PFEC was established by the City Council to lead the community input process and provide recommendations for potential ballot measure(s) to Kirkland City Council. The final PFEC Report will be presented to City Council at its March 21, 2023 meeting.
The Kirkland City Council will make a final decision this summer regarding a fall 2023 parks and recreation ballot measure(s). Learn more about PFEC and potential parks and recreation ballot measure(s) at kirklandwa.gov/parks2023ballot.
At the February 7 City Council meeting, the Mayor, on behalf of the full City Council, proclaimed February 2023 Black History Month in Kirkland. During Black History Month, Kirkland joined many other governments, businesses, and organizations in celebrating the extraordinary achievements and contributions made by Black people to the social, artistic, cultural, political, economic, spiritual, and national advancement in the United States and beyond. We recognized Pacific Northwest local notable figures, such as Quincy Jones, Dr. Alice Augusta Ball, and Vivian Leona Caver, on the City’s Facebook page.
Though February is coming to a close, the City encourages all Kirkland community members to join in this conversation and celebration all year long. By coming together, we can create the “beloved community” envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE
Parks and Community Services Department is hosting a job fair on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the North Kirkland Community Center. Learn about seasonal and year-round positions, chat with hiring managers, apply on-site, and enjoy refreshments and swag. We can't wait to see you there!
We need your help to sweep the salt! Spreading salt and de-icers on our sidewalks and driveways helps keep us safe in icy conditions. But when washed off to storm drains, the salts and chemicals in de-icers can be harmful to our creeks, lakes, and wetlands. Here are a few tips for keeping us safe and our creeks healthy:
- Use products according to the instructions on the label and give them time to work. Using more doesn’t work better – it’s just more expensive and means more pollution for our local waterways.
- Use a hand-held spreader to help you apply a consistent amount of product.
- Spread deicer before snow and ice start to accumulate. This will prevent snow from bonding with the pavement and speed the melting process.
- After snow and ice melts, sweep up any excess salt or sand and throw it in the trash.
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Northeast 124th Street – Totem Lake
Drivers should expect a lane closure throughout the next four weeks near the construction site for the Totem Lake Connector bridge.
Kraemer North America, Kirkland’s contractor, will be alternating lane-closures from Northeast 124th Street to Totem Lake Boulevard, depending on the task its crews are planning to complete.
The lane-closures on Northeast 124th Street will occur between 120th Place Northeast and 124th Avenue Northeast.
The lane-closures on Totem Lake Boulevard will occur between Northeast 124th Street and 120th Avenue Northeast.
Kirkland expects the bridge to be complete by June.
Northeast 124th Street/116th Avenue Northeast – Juanita
Two nights of signal work are occurring next week. Construction activities are expected Wednesday March 8 and Thursday March 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Lanes will be closed beginning at 8pm Wednesday night at 116th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 124th Street, as a Kirkland contractor installs the new signal pole for the intersection.
Drivers will encounter uniformed police officers Thursday, March 9, controlling the intersections at the southbound I-405 off-ramp at NE 124th Street and at NE 124th St/116th Ave NE. These signals will be turned off as a Kirkland contractor installs new signal heads and overhead signage with WSDOT representatives.
The project builds a new southbound to westbound right-turn lane from 116th Avenue NE, while also improving pedestrian facilities along the westside of 116th Avenue Northeast.
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.
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.
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.
Women in Public Safety Career Fair
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry St, Seattle
Join Kirkland, Redmond, Seattle and Bellevue Police Departments and King County Sheriffs for a FREE Women in Public Safety Career Fair on March 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Learn about career opportunities for women and meet first responders to discuss public safety and how you can make a difference.
Questions? Email SPDrecruiting@seattle.gov.
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Public Education Session – Pet Preparedness
Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 123 5th Ave
Are your four-legged friends or other pets in your home prepared for a disaster? Learn how to plan for your pets in a disaster with a presentation from Kirkland Police Department’s Animal Control Officer. Due to health and safety requirements, this is a people-only event. Feel free to bring pictures of your pet companions to share with others! For more details and to register, visit KirklandParks.net.
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Switching to an All-Electric Home
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Location: virtual webinar
Join an upcoming webinar to learn about home electrification options, new federal incentives to help fund your project, and interact in a live Q&A with experts. Switching to all-electric appliances, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, can reduce your carbon emissions, improve your comfort and indoor air quality, and often reduce bills. Find out how to electrify your home in a 90-minute webinar The All-Electric Home: What's Involved and New Funding Options, hosted by the King County Library System.
Events for Kids
Periwinkle Outdoor Explorers – FREE Day
Location: North Rose Hill Woodlands Park - 9930 124th Ave NE
Looking to explore the outdoors with your little one(s)? Check out the Periwinkle Outdoor Explorers nature-based outdoor preschool! Join for a Free Outdoor Explorers Day on Friday, March 10 – plus, there are still openings in the Spring 2023 class.
Perfect for the active child who loves to explore the outdoors! Bring your littles and dress for the weather as teachers Jessica and Bobby take you on a park exploration that includes nature art and activities.
For questions and information, and to register, call (425)-587-3350
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Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE
Ages: 3 to 10 with adult guardian
Dance the night away with your special guest. Everyone is invited to participate in this enchanted evening of music, a thematic craft, and light refreshments. Dress to impress and make sure to have your free professional picture taken for a treasured memory. For information and to register, visit KirklandParks.net.
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