The Kirkland City Council met on April 4, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Electric Leaf Blower Initiative - Council discussed the goals and process of the Electric Leaf Blower Initiative, a multi-year phased approach to switch gas-powered blowers to electric.
2023 State Legislative Update - Council received a sixth update on the City’s 2023 State Legislative Priorities.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Workplan - Council received an update on the progress of the DEIB team’s workplan.
NE 85th St Station Area Plan - Council received options for the naming of the future station area and requested further community outreach on a narrowed list of names as well as a name option recommended by local tribal representatives. Council also received an update on potential Tax Increment Financing for infrastructure improvements in the district.
Proclaiming April 2023 Autism and Other Neurodivergence Acceptance and Appreciation Month in Kirkland - The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, proclaimed April 2023 as Autism and Other Neurodivergence Acceptance and Appreciation Month in Kirkland. All community members are encouraged to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions of our autistic and other neurodivergent family members, friends, classmates, co-workers, and neighbors in our community. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
Park Board Joint Meeting - Council held a joint meeting with the Park Board to discuss the board’s priorities and interests. Discussion items included the 2023 Parks Ballot Measure Initiative and Parks level of service.
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 April 18, 2023.
The City of Kirkland is launching its new Kirkland Initiative civic engagement program this spring with the goal of diversifying public participation in local government and making City Hall accessible to all. The City is now accepting applications for the first cohort of the program.
The program is an interactive 8-week series that will include
• learning the foundations of government functions and programs,
• engaging in dialogue to share feedback, and
• participating in activities like interviews and role playing to better understand decision making processes
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Learn about the proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program and the infrastructure improvements it plans to fund at one of two upcoming virtual public hearings: April 20 at 6 p.m., and April 26 at 10 a.m. Both briefings will provide the same information.
The briefings will include a description of:
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the increment area,
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the public improvements proposed to be financed, such as improvements for transportation, a new sewer main, and parks development, and
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an estimate of tax revenues
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The City of Kirkland welcomes Meli Paulo as the City’s first Homeless Outreach Coordinator. Meli is excited to join Kirkland and ready to take on the great opportunity to serve those in the Kirkland community. She comes to the City of Kirkland with seven years of nonprofit social service experience, three of which were spent working as an Outreach Care Coordinator supporting the unhoused community in Seattle. Meli is eager to learn how she can best support folks in her new role as Homeless Outreach Coordinator here at the City. Some fun facts about Meli are she is number five out of thirteen children and she loves to cook.
Please join us in welcoming Meli to the City of Kirkland!
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Happy Earth Month, Kirkland! Looking for green and sustainable activities? We’ve got you covered...
Celebrate Earth Day with the Green Kirkland Partnership
Celebrate all month long with the Green Kirkland Partnership at a volunteer stewardship event in a park near you!
Volunteers are needed to help pull weeds, spread mulch, and care for our urban forests. All training, tools, and gloves are provided and each event is led by a Green Kirkland Steward or Parks Staff. All ages are welcome following the youth guidelines listed on the Green Kirkland website: www.greenkirkland.org.
Please register to volunteer as space is limited and events will fill up.
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Take a BYOC Pledge and Win Prizes
Three BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup) pledge events are coming up this April!
The first 20 people to pledge at each event will receive a pledge gift. By pledging to BYOC you are helping us to prevent waste from single-use cups.
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Sign Up for the Kirkland Conserves Newsletter
Hot off the press! The Kirkland Conserves e-news is packed full of Earth Month events, brand new water quality dashboards, recycling events and more! Read the April edition, and sign up for this monthly newsletter to get the latest Kirkland environmental news straight to your inbox.
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Plant a Tree with Our Tree Rebate Program
Did you know that the City of Kirkland has a tree rebate program?
Receive rebates up to $500 per property for planting qualifying trees on your property! Rebates also cover the cost of necessary compost soil amendments, mulch to protect the soil, and watering bags to help your new trees thrive. Learn more at: kirklandwa.gov/treerebate
The City is collecting input to hear what community members think about the future of Kirkland. Take a brief survey in a topic area that interests you to share your perspective with the City. Thank you!
Land Use & Transportation Survey is Now Live
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What uses you want within walking/biking distance of your home
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How and where future growth should happen
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How you travel around the City now, and how you want to travel around the City in the future
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How we can make it easier for you to walk, bike, roll, and bus in Kirkland
Closing Soon – Sustainability, Climate, & Environment
The Sustainability, Climate, & Environment survey is closing on April 24. If you haven’t already, please take a few moments to take the survey before it’s too late! These survey results will help the City understand what changes you and others in the community want to see in Kirkland’s action plan to address sustainability, climate, and environmental changes in the next 20 years.
Let us know. Take the survey today!
 The Eastbound lane closure on NE 132nd St will extend through Friday, April 14 to complete the sewer line installation work. The eastbound lane will open for traffic on the weekends. Pedestrian access will remain open along Northeast 132nd Street.
Then, 116th Way NE near NE 132nd St will be closed Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Detour signs will be in place. Expect delays and plan ahead.
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
Cross Kirkland Corridor – Totem Lake
A section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor will remain closed until April 14 while Kirkland’s Totem Lake Connector bridge contractor builds the pedestrian and bicycle bridge’s approach ramp. Kraemer North America is keeping the Cross Kirkland Corridor closed between Northeast 124th Street and 120th 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.
The eastbound lanes on Northeast 132nd Street will be closed from 111th Avenue Northeast to 116th Way Northeast for daytime construction work. This closure has been extended to April 14 to complete the sewer line installation work. A detour is in place for vehicles. The eastbound lane will open for traffic on the weekends. Pedestrian access will remain open along Northeast 132nd Street.
116th Avenue Northeast remains closed, north of Northeast 132nd Street 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.
Northeast 124th Street/116th Avenue Northeast – Juanita
Construction activities resume on April 10 on the corner of Northeast 124th Street and 116th Avenue Northeast. Drivers will encounter construction from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. through April 14, and then 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. from April 16 to April 21.
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.
126th Avenue Northeast Water Main Upgrade – South Rose Hill
Work is nearly complete on the water main upgrade along 126th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 70th and 80th streets.
Date: Sunday, April 9, 2023
Location: Peter Kirk Park, 202 Third Street, 98033
Join a few hundred of your closest friends at Kiwanis’ annual Easter egg hunt. Enjoy this free community event that takes over Peter Kirk Park and Lee Johnson Field. Age-designated areas ensure everyone has a chance to find a springtime treat! Visit with costumed characters and get a selfie!
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Kirkland Together: Recognizing Antisemitism
Join Kol Ami for an afternoon of learning and discussion on how to address antisemitism. There will also be break out room discussions and a closing reception. Sponsored by the City of Kirkland.
The event is free. Pre-registration required.
Location: Kol Ami, 308 4th Ave South
Wheels and Reels Drive-in Movies: “Freaky Friday”
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Dr
Enjoy a night out under the stars at Juanita Beach Park with our Winter Drive-in Movie Series. The parking lot opens at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. Watch each movie on our giant LED movie screen! $20 per vehicle, pre-registration is required. To register, visit KirklandParks.net or call 425-587-3336.
All ages welcome. Snack vendors will be on site. Event is held rain or shine - no refunds. No RV's, limos, busses, tailgating or alcohol. Thank you to MorningStar Senior Living of Kirkland for sponsoring our series.
For more details and to register, visit the event page.
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Retrofitting your home can help in case of an earthquake – but where do you begin? Watch to learn more:
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