The Kirkland City Council met on March 7, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of the meeting:
Proclaiming March 2023 Women's History Month in Kirkland - The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, proclaimed March 2023 as Women's History Month in Kirkland. During Women's History Month, the community is called to celebrate the historic and current achievements of Kirkland women in the arts, culture, business, non-profit, religious and civic institutions in our City. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Recommendations from the Interview Selection Committee - The Council approved recommendations from the Interview Selection Committee on which applicants to interview for current board and commission terms, which end March 31, 2023. Board and Commission interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, March 29.
Health Through Housing Agreements Screening Process - The Council received an update on the status of the proposed working draft agreements regarding King County’s designated permanent supporting housing facility in Kirkland.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
Google Fiber Discussion - The Council received 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.
NE 85th Street Station Area Plan – Phase 2 Updates - The Council received an update on the Phase 2 Station Area Plan implementing code amendments. The update was an overview of items considered at the February 23, 2023, Planning Commission Public Hearing and the draft structure for affordable housing requirements in the Station Area.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live on the City website or can be watched afterwards on the City of Kirkland Facebook page and the City YouTube channel. 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 March 21, 2023.
How Does Your Neighborhood Prepare for an Emergency?
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!
Eye on Kirkland 2044: Sustainability, Climate & Environment Survey
As part of our Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan Update, please take our short survey to tell the City what the community currently does and is willing to do to help the environment, and what additional assistance you’d like to see from the City. Thank you!
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.
The City of Kirkland, along with north King County partner cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline, announces the siting of a new multi-service crisis response center dedicated to serving the behavioral health needs of community members across north and northeast King County. The new crisis center will be operated by Connections Health Solutions, a national innovator in behavioral health crisis care. The facility will be located at 11410 NE 122nd Way in Kirkland’s Totem Lake neighborhood, conveniently located near Evergreen Hospital and Highway 405. The crisis response center will be the first of its kind in King County to provide a spectrum of care services, from walk-in mental health urgent care to continued stabilization of behavioral health or substance use crises.
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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. For the first four weeks, automated warnings will be issued to speeders in these two school safety zones.
When school resumes after spring break on April 17, automated enforcement of the school zone speed limit begins, with Kirkland Police issuing speeding tickets.
The City of Kirkland is excited to announce the re-launch of the 2023 tree planting rebate program! The city program provides rebates up to $500 per property for planting qualifying trees on your property. Pre-paid certificates are also available for use at participating nurseries.
Rebates and certificates can also cover the necessary amounts of compost and mulch during planting, as well as watering bags to help your new trees thrive in the summer.
Trees help prevent flooding in our neighborhoods, provide shade for our homes, and help filter pollutants to provide clean water for Lake Washington. Planting trees is an easy, affordable way to help the environment on your own property.
Lend your voice while serving on one of the City’s Boards and Commissions. Have enthusiasm for Cultural Arts or Local Parks? How about Civil Service or the Library? If yes, we are seeking passionate individuals who want to make an impact with the City of Kirkland.
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Civil Service Commission
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Salary Commission
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Cultural Arts Commission
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Library Board
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Park Board
On the fence about applying and wondering if you should? Current members like Shoshana Cohen who serves on the Design Review Board says, “If you’ve ever said to yourself ’I wish the City had done this,’ there’s no better way to be heard than to become a board member.”
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The Parks Funding Exploratory Committee wrapped up on Thursday, March 2 with a meeting full of spirited discussions, polling, and celebration. This group of 45 community members, chaired by Councilmember Kelli Curtis, met thirteen times since September 2022 both in-person and virtually. We are grateful for their dedication, commitment, and input to the potential ballot measure process. PFEC results will be shared with City Council at their Study Session on March 21, 2023. City Council will make a final decision this summer regarding fall 2023 parks and recreation ballot measure(s).
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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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Are you interested in joining a fun and dedicated team of 45+ super volunteers to engage our community in the restoration of natural parkland in Kirkland?
We encourage all that are interested to attend New Steward Orientation in March!
Stewards bring a diversity of interests, skill, and time to our parks in this long-term, ongoing role. Orientation is free, open to the public, and is a blend of online and in-person sessions. Youth volunteers under age 18 must attend with an adult (see website for more details).
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Totem Lake Boulevard– Totem Lake
The northbound lane-closure on Totem Lake Boulevard continues through March 10 while Kirkland's Totem Lake Connector contractor continues to work on the pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
Kraemer North America is planning to close all of Totem Lake Boulevard's lanes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from March 13 to March 16, as well.
The closures are part of five weeks of single lane-closures that alternate between Totem Lake Boulevard and Northeast 124th Street. Those single lane-closures began in late February.
Northeast 124th Street/116th Avenue Northeast – Juanita
Two nights of signal work are occurring this week. Construction activities are planned Thursday March 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
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. 116th Avenue Northeast remains closed, north of Northeast 132nd Street for until May. A detour is 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.
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Public Education Session – Pet Preparedness
Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 123 5th Ave
March is Pet Preparedness Month! What better way to prep than to attend a pet prep class? 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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Parks and Community Services Job Fair
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!
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