The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. This will be a hybrid meeting, and community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda for the April 18 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
Electric Leaf Blower Initiative - Council will consider approving the Electric Leaf Blower Initiative, a multi-year plan to switch gas-powered blowers to electric.
Kirkland Way and Cross Kirkland Corridor Low Bridge Safety Evaluation - Council will review the crash history at the Kirkland Way/Cross Kirkland Corridor Low Bridge and provide guidance on next steps.
2023 State Legislative Update - Council will receive a seventh update on the City’s 2023 State Legislative Priorities.
Kirkland Zoning Code Amendments - Council will review and consider for adoption various sections of the Kirkland Zoning Code as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
Planning Commission Joint Meeting - Council will hold a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss the commission’s priorities and interests. Discussion items include the 2022-2024 Planning Work Program and the 2023-2025 Draft Planning Work Program.
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.
Build a Relationship with the City Through Our New ‘Kirkland Initiative’ Apply to enroll in our new interactive 8-week series to learn the foundations of government functions and programs, engage in dialogue to share feedback, and participate in activities like interviews and roleplaying to better understand City decision making processes. We want community members to build relationships with City leaders and have important conversations with those that serve them, and invite to you learn more and apply today!
Attend a Public Briefing on Tax Increment Financing Learn about the proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program and the infrastructure improvements it plans to fund at one of two upcoming virtual public briefings: April 20 at 6 p.m., and April 26 at 10 a.m. Both briefings will provide the same information. For more information, to submit a comment to the City, and for the virtual meeting links, visit the City's website.
Lend Your Perspective to the Future of Kirkland 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.
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Please take 10 minutes to complete our survey on Land Use and Transportation in the City. We’re curious to hear what you want within walking/biking distance of your home, how you travel around the City now, and how you want to travel around the City in the future.
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The Sustainability, Climate, & Environment survey is closing on April 24. If you haven’t already, please take a few moments to take the survey. This and other 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.
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Kirkland Police Department Deputy Chief Todd Aksdal graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on March 16, 2023. Aksdal joined 246 other law enforcement officers from 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Read more.
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Give the gift of artistic exploration! Help make art education accessible to all kids in Kirkland by donating to the Spark Creativity campaign. Your contribution will go to a scholarship fund that will enable kids to participate in music, visual arts, and theater programs.
Spark Creativity is organized by the Kirkland Parks and Community Foundation in partnership with Kirkland Arts Center, KAMP Music, and Studio East to boost youth access to arts in Kirkland. Contribute to the campaign here.
Celebrate Kirkland’s 4th of July parade is fast approaching! Are you interested in becoming a parade participant? The application process is now open. For details visit www.kirklandwa.gov/CelebrateKirkland.
The parade is a great way to engage with your community. Thousands of spectators line the streets to view floats, marching bands, community-based organizations, performance groups, civil servants, and more.
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After a month of issuing warnings, automated enforcement begins Monday, April 17, for two new school safety camera zones in Kirkland. The first new zone is northbound and southbound on 84th Ave NE on Finn Hill. The second zone is southbound on State Street and westbound on NE 68th St near Lakeview Elementary School.
Photo enforcement cameras will operate 30 minutes before and after the start of school and 30 minutes before and after the end of the school (based on individual school start and stop times).
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The final Surface Water Master Plan was adopted by City Council at the April 4 meeting. The document lays out a five to ten-year strategic plan for managing storm and surface water in Kirkland. The plan was updated to reflect current community, environmental, and infrastructure needs. Prior to this, the plan was last updated in 2014.
Thank you to all in the community that shared their thoughts about the City’s storm and surface water management!
Comments are always welcomed. Share your thoughts about the work, priorities, and goals of the Storm & Surface Water Division by phone at 425-587-3820 or email at stormwater@kirklandwa.gov.
Kirkland Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill Hoover was honored by the Seattle Kraken as a ‘Community Hero’ for his vital role in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kraken awarded Hoover with a $32,000 check to benefit the Kirkland Firefighters Benevolent Association at the Kraken match at Climate Pledge Arena in March.
As Kirkland was the epicenter of the pandemic for the United States in 2020, Hoover began working with medical experts to implement training protocols for both Fire and Police agencies to keep first responders safe. Hoover’s training methods, protocols and flow sheets were shared throughout the country as a model for other agencies. They not only kept first responders safe but allowed them to continue to effectively serve their communities.
Congratulations Battalion Chief Hoover!
King County special election ballots are in the mail. Reminder that there are two drop boxes in Kirkland:
— City Hall located at 123 5th Ave
— Kingsgate Library located at 12315 NE 143rd St.
Drop boxes close April 25 at 8 p.m. sharp!
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It’s not too late to get assistance filing your 2022 taxes.
United Way of King County offers free and convenient tax preparation services both in-person at multiple locations throughout King County as well as virtually from now through April 20.
Households making under $80,000 are eligible and can be connected to other community resources and public benefits by request.
There are three easy ways to file:
1. In-Person File your taxes in-person at locations throughout King County. Locations have convenient hours to meet your schedule, and no appointments are needed. To find a location near you, languages available, a list of what to bring, and other details, visit United Way’s website at www.FreeTaxExperts.org or call 2-1-1
2. Virtually – with assistance from a virtual volunteer Interested in filing your taxes virtually but don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own? Visit www.GetYourRefund.org. Please note: Virtual tax assistance slots are limited. If you do not feel comfortable sharing sensitive information like your Social Security Number or ID information online, or with navigating a web client, please visit in person.
3. Virtually – without assistance (no income limit on this software!) Feel comfortable filing your own taxes and just wish there was a way to do it yourself for free? Then look no further! File your taxes online at 100% no cost with United Way’s ‘My Free Taxes’ tool at www.myfreetaxes.com.
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Are you eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit? There is a new tax credit up to $1,200 available to qualifying Washington state families. You can apply now through December 31, 2023.
Un nuevo reembolso para los trabajadores de Washington.
Las personas y familias podrán recibir una devolución de hasta $1200 si cumplen ciertos requisitos de elegibilidad. Aplique desde hoy hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2023.
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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
People who are driving, walking or riding bicycles will encounter road construction on Northeast 132nd Street at Juanita High School and on the access road to the school. The project is building 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 will end on April 14. A detour is in place for vehicles. 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
Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists will encounter construction at the intersection of Northeast 124th Street and 116th Avenue Northeast. From April 16 to April 21, construction hours are expected to be from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. as the contractor works to pour the concrete sidewalk panels in the WSDOT controlled intersection area.
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.
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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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
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The Kirkland Initiative is a new program bringing the community and City government together to do great things. Learn more:
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