The Kirkland City Council met on May 2, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
2023 Neighborhood Safety Program – Council approved the Neighborhood Safety Program 2023 project recommendations, including funding an additional project from the remaining program balance.
2023 State Legislative Update – Council received an update on the City’s 2023 State Legislative Priorities.
132nd Square Park Project Update – Council received an update about the 132nd Square Park Redevelopment and Stormwater Retrofit project, discussed additional safety and functional features for the project, and approved using surplus funds from the Totem Lake Park Project to pay for these additional features.
Proclamations Issued May 2, 2023 – The Mayor proclaimed May 2023 Asian American and Island Pacific Heritage Month, Older Americans Month, Building Safety Month, Bike Everywhere Month, and May 7 – 13, 2023 Affordable Housing Week in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
Houghton Village - Council discussed a plan for upgrading the former PCC space at Houghton Village to prepare for near-future occupants, as well as considered an option for a potential long-term tenant once the site is redeveloped. Council approved the upgrade plan during the Business agenda portion of the Council meeting.
Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency Update – Brook Buettner, new Executive Director of the RCR Agency, introduced herself to Council. Council will decide at a future Council meeting who from the Council will serve as a delegate to represent Kirkland at the RCR Principal's Assembly.
Tax Increment Financing Update - Council received an update on tax increment financing to fund public improvements around the NE 85th Street Station Area and provided feedback on a draft ordinance to create a tax increment area.
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 May 16, 2023.
Help Shape the Potential Parks Ballot Measure
The Kirkland City Council is considering a potential ballot measure to invest in Kirkland's parks and recreation system and want to hear from people who live in Kirkland about their priorities! Tell us in our short survey: cityofkirkland.research.net/r/Kirkland-Parks-Survey. Survey closes May 11.
Kirkland 2044 – Housing & Human Services Survey is Live
We want to hear what you think about the future of Kirkland. Please take 10 minutes to complete this survey on Housing and Human Services in the City.
In this survey, we want to:
- Understand the current housing and human services needs of those who live and want to live in Kirkland
- Identify challenges and hardships people face when trying to rent or purchase a home in Kirkland
- Learn about the community’s priorities for housing and human services to improve City policies and services
|
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 has launched a new interactive online tool that compiles in one place data on Kirkland’s creeks. This new tool, commonly referred to as a dashboard, allows users to learn in which watershed they reside, about the health of their neighborhood creek, what they can do to help, and what the City is doing to help.
|
Join the City of Kirkland, Kirkland Parks and Community Foundation (KPCF), Kirkland Arts Center, KAMP Music, and Studio East Performing Arts Center in helping to boost youth access to the arts by supporting arts scholarships. Your donation to the Spark Creativity campaign will help local arts educators provide scholarships to kids in need.
For every $100 donated, receive $25 in Kirkland Ca$h, a community currency that began as an effort to boost local tourism and hospitality during the pandemic. Kirkland Ca$h vouchers can be used just like regular cash at more than 100 Kirkland businesses including restaurants, bike shops, salons, and more. Donations can be made via the Spark Creativity donation page.
|
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene delivered a $1 million check on May 2 to Friends of Youth for the new Willows Youth Services Center. The center is the only shelter for young adults experiencing homelessness in east King County.
“Many youth experiencing homelessness in east King County have few options for where to turn when they’re in crisis. This $1 million federal investment that I secured for Friends of Youth’s new Willows Youth Services Center will help expand the number of beds and the services available to youth and young adults when they need it most,” said DelBene.
“Now more than ever, it’s critical that we have places in our community where our young people can be safe, be themselves, and belong,” said Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet. “We’re so grateful to Congresswoman DelBene for securing this needed funding to support the opening of this important new center.”
The new facility will operate 24/7, expand emergency shelter beds from 20 to 35, and provide services such as integrated behavioral health, substance use treatment, basic medical care, nutrition, and hygiene facilities.
|
Want to better understand Local Planning, how it affects community members of Kirkland, and how you can participate?
The City of Kirkland Planning and Building Department is hosting the Department of Commerce for “A Short Course on Local Planning.”
The Short Couse training includes an overview of the complex mix of land use planning laws that work together to support land-use decision-making in Washington state. It will include an introduction to comprehensive planning and plan implementation under the Growth Management Act, and a review of the roles in planning and best practices for public participation. There will also be a segment on the Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan Update and the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) for local government officials.
The Short Course is offered at no charge and is open to the public. It will be held in person and also on Zoom. Register to attend here.
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
In‐person: Kirkland City Hall, Council Chamber, 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033
Via Zoom: Link will be emailed (be sure to check your junk email folder)
A question and answer session will be held after.
On behalf of the Kirkland City Council, thank you to all of our incredible Kirkland volunteers who attended Community Appreciation Night last week! Whether you’re on one of the City’s advisory boards, serve in your neighborhood association, or give your time through the City’s volunteer program, the City Council appreciates all you do in supporting a vibrant civic life.
City staff are finalizing the video of the event and will be publishing it soon – stay tuned!
The Kirkland Fire Department recently held its annual awards ceremony to recognize firefighters and staff for promotions, new hires, years of service, extraordinary service and other outstanding work. The ceremony had been on hold due to the pandemic, so honorees this year included recognition for staff in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Among the awards:
City Manager’s Award: Anna Grimes and Hunter Marshall 2021
Community Service Award: Ivan Huld and Ken Henderson 2022, Travis Braddock 2021
Officer of the Year: Ryan Riedl 2022, Jon Hernandez 2019
Firefighter of the Year: Darren Broekhuis 2022, Doug Tomczak 2019
Congratulations to all our KFD staff who work so tirelessly to keep Kirkland safe!
 The Cross Kirkland Corridor trail at Feriton Spur Park will be closed for two weeks beginning Wednesday, May 10 to allow crews to repair the concrete pathway. Detour signs are posted on site.
The Green Kirkland Partnership needs your help this summer with volunteer watering to nurture baby native plants in the natural forested areas of Kirkland’s parks. This is a great opportunity to spend time in the cool and serene forest while helping your local park!
Volunteers in this role commit to serving 1 -2 hours per week, during most weeks June through August on their own time and schedule. Volunteers age 18 and over can serve solo while volunteers age 14-18 need to serve in teams (you bring your buddy). Volunteers under age 14 will need to serve alongside a parent/guardian.
Volunteer should be comfortable carrying water cans or hoses off-trail over uneven terrain to water baby trees in our forests. An interest form, service agreement, and brief orientation are required for this fun summer volunteer role.
|
Northeast 124th Street – Totem Lake
Kirkland's Totem Lake Connector contractor is closing Northeast 124th Street, between 120th Place Northeast and 124th Avenue Northeast, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting May 4.
Kraemer North America closed the same section of street on May 1, May 2 and May 3. This is the last night of closures.
The full closure allows the contractor to paint the pedestrian and bicycle bridge's span and install electrical wiring.
Emergency access vehicles will have access.
Northeast 132nd Street/Juanita High School – Juanita
People who are driving, walking or riding bicycles on Northeast 132nd Street will encounter road continued construction and lane shifts at the intersection at the Juanita High School 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.
116th Avenue Northeast remains closed, north of Northeast 132nd Street until May 14. A detour is in place for vehicles. Pedestrian access will remain open on 116th Avenue Northeast throughout construction.
The eastbound lanes on Northeast 132nd Street will be closed from 111th Avenue Northeast to 116th Way Northeast for daytime construction work. This closure expected to complete the sewer line installation work by Friday, May 12. 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.
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. For the week of May 8, construction hours are expected to be from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as the contractor works on fiberoptic and electrical utilities.
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. This project will be complete by summer.
Spring Recycling Collection Event
Location: Lake Washington Institute for Technology, 11605 132nd Ave NE
Kirkland's recycling collection events allows residents to dispose of recyclable items that are not accepted through recycling collection services or product stewardship programs. All items collected will be reused or recycled.
Mother’s Day Half Marathon and 5K
Date: Sunday, May 14, 2023
Celebrate Mother's Day by running a half marathon or 5K around beautiful Kirkland! The course starts and finishes at Juanita Beach Park. The course is a combination of road and crushed gravel on the Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail with views of Lake Washington for much of the way!
For more details and to register, visit the event page.
|
Cascade Water Alliance – Water Efficiency Spring Series
Join an upcoming Cascade Water Alliance gardening class to learn how to have beautiful, healthy landscapes while using water efficiently.
Upcoming topics include: Edible Natives, Small Space Gardening, and Irrigation and Effective Moisture Management.
All classes are virtual, free, and on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
|
Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
Help shape a potential 2023 Parks ballot measure for expanded aquatics, parks, open spaces and recreational opportunities.
|
