The Kirkland City Council met on May 16, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Community Feedback Report on Houghton Village Shopping Center – Council received a report on the Houghton Village Shopping Center community engagement process. Based on Council direction during the meeting, City staff will be continuing community engagement over the next few months and will be returning to Council with an update in the fall.
Juanita Drive Safety Project – Council authorized a scope modification request for a new and separate intersection improvement project at NE 112th St and 80th Ave NE and Juanita Dr NE.
Kirkland Ave and Lake St Intersection Improvements – Council received an update and agreed with the staff recommendation to delay the project until spring of 2024. Doing so allows the City to leverage a recently secured grant while also being responsive to concerns expressed by the downtown business community.
Tax Increment Area – Council authorized the creation of a tax increment area in Kirkland to provide funding for infrastructure improvements in the area of the NE 85th St Station Area.
King County Metro Update – Council received a presentation from King County Metro on future changes to service in Kirkland including Metro Flex as well as some suspended service beginning later in 2023.
Proclamations Issued May 16, 2023 – The Mayor proclaimed May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month, May 2023 as National Foster Care Month, May 20 – 26 as Safe Boating and Paddling Week, and May 20 as Kids in Parks Day 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:
Parks Ballot Measure Items - Council discussed the Parks Ballot Measure recommendations, including community survey results, Park Board feedback, additional Facility Feasibility Study options, additional Parks Funding Exploratory Committee recommendations, and staff recommendations. Council also discussed facility options, elements to include, and funding mechanisms for the potential ballot measure. The Council will consider its discussions and considerations of a potential ballot measure at its next meeting.
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 June 6, 2023.
Want to Learn About Local Planning?
Attend a Short Course on Local Planning to better understand how it affects community members of Kirkland and how you can participate.
Kirkland is hosting the Department of Commerce for “A Short Course on Local Planning” for an overview of Comprehensive Plans, Growth Management Act, and more.
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. A question and answer session will be held after.
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)
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Kirkland 2044 - Housing & Human Services Survey
We want to hear what you think about the future of Housing and Human Services in the City.
In this survey, we want to:
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Understand the current housing and human services needs of those who live and want to live in Kirkland
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Identify challenges and hardships people face when trying to rent or purchase a home in Kirkland
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Learn about the community’s priorities for housing and human services to improve City policies and services
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Kirkland 2044 – Land Use & Transportation Survey
We’re extending our Land Use & Transporation Survey to hear more of the community’s input on how Kirkland should move in the future.
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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
For more information about the Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan update, and for other ways to get involved, visit kirklandwa.gov/K2044
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The City of Kirkland will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 2, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. to unveil the installation of a new crosswalk modeled after the Intersex-Inclusive Progress flag at the entrance of Marina Park at Kirkland Avenue and Lakeshore Plaza.
June is Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit pride. The ribbon cutting ceremony is one of several events in Kirkland and the Eastside to celebrate Pride Month. All community members are invited to enjoy ice cream, games, swag, and more to celebrate the crosswalk unveiling with City Council, local businesses, and interest groups.
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Kirkland Police Department (KPD) will host its fourth voluntary ‘Guns for Gift Cards’ exchange on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kirkland Justice Center.
Although no registration is required for the Guns for Gift Cards exchange, proof of Kirkland residency, such as a utility bill, is required to participate.
Participants are asked to bring unloaded guns they wish to trade in for gift cards and to follow these rules:
• Stay in your vehicle when you arrive at the KJC
• Gun(s) must be unloaded
• Gun(s) must be in the trunk or backseat of your vehicle, or otherwise out of reach
Read more for additional rules and guidelines.
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The City of Kirkland’s brand new Totem Lake Connector bike and pedestrian bridge is almost complete, and the community is invited to the opening celebration on Saturday, July 8! Festivities begin at 2 p.m. at the south end of the bridge near LA Fitness. People are encouraged to bike/walk/take transit to the event as parking will be limited. It’s not every day that a new bridge opens in Kirkland – be among the first to cross this new icon of Kirkland!
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Kirkland Police Department observed Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 with an annual wreath ceremony to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty. This important day of remembrance falls during National Police Week May 14-20, honoring law enforcement who serve and protect their communities across the country.
Thank you to the everyday heroes of the Kirkland Police Department for all you do for our community.
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 It only happens twice a year, and the first graduation ceremony for Kirkland firefighter recruits in 2023 was held on May 12. The group of 13 was a combination class – 10 recruits from Kirkland Fire and three from Bothell Fire. Congratulations to our region’s newest firefighter/EMTs, and thank you for helping keep our community safe!
With warmer weather comes more time out at our waterfront parks and beaches. Did you know King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks monitors bacteria levels on a weekly basis during warmer months? Sampling began Monday, May 15 at Juanita Beach, Waverly Beach, Houghton Beach, and Juanita Creek. Sampling will continue every Monday.
There will be some changes to closures this year.
You may notice that the beaches will close and reopen more often and that the closures could be shorter durations. That’s because of updates to the sampling protocol that will re-open a beach according to more real-time water-quality data.
Another change will be to the advisory signs posted at the beach. When the beach is closed for swimming due to high bacteria levels, signs will be posted at the beach that read “Stay out of the Water.” The surrounding park will remain open to the public.
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The annual Celebrate Kirkland Parade returns to downtown Kirkland on Tuesday, July 4, 2023! We are currently accepting applications for parade float entries and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include helping along the parade route, assisting with the Kid’s Pavilion, the Veteran’s portion, or helping to set up and break down the event. See how you can get involved.
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There’s still time to show off your art! Artists who are 50+ are invited to submit their work for the 13th annual senior art show at the Kirkland Merrill Gardens, June 8 - 22, 2023. The Kirkland Senior Council is hosting the event showcasing senior artists who are pursuing their artistic passions. The show will exhibit paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, and quilts. Artists who are 50+ are invited to submit their work.
For more information or to request an application, please email the Senior Council at Scouncil@kirklandwa.gov or call the Peter Kirk Community Center at 425-587-3360.
Dates: June 8 - 22, open daily for drop ins
Location: Merrill Gardens, 14 Main St S
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 Today is the 43rd anniversary of the Mount St Helen’s eruption. Let’s chat about impacts that can occur after volcanic eruptions, and what impacts you should know living in Kirkland.
Totem Lake Boulevard – Totem Lake
Kirkland's Totem Lake Connector contractor is closing an eastbound Northeast 124th Street lane, between 124th Avenue Northeast and 120th Place Northeast, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday.
The closure allows Kraemer North America to restore sidewalk in the area.
Northeast 132nd Street/Juanita High School – Juanita
People who are driving, walking or riding bicycles on Northeast 132nd Street will encounter continued road construction and lane shifts at the intersection at the Juanita High School access road.
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.
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. The contractor is waiting on final utility work so they can repave the intersection. This utility work is expected to be complete in early June.
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 this summer.
Bike Everywhere Day
May is Bike Everywhere Month, a time to support, encourage, and celebrate all things bicycling.
Tomorrow, May 19, is Bike Everywhere Day. To help celebrate the occasion, ride your bike to work, the store, or wherever you may go!
The City is co-hosting celebration stations for Bike Everywhere Day at:
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Feriton Spur Park / Cross Kirkland Corridor at Google’s 6th Street campus – station open 7 – 9 a.m.
- Evergreen Point / 520 Trail – station open 7 – 10 a.m.
Ride on by, come say “hi!” and get a drink and snack at one of our celebration stations!
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7 Hills of Kirkland
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The 7 Hills of Kirkland has been a beloved Memorial Day bike ride for over 20 years. The ride supports fundraising to provide housing and services to the Eastside’s less fortunate residents. Join a few hundred of your closest friends and challenge yourself to complete the traditional 38-mile route. Distance too short? Then the Metric Centry 62-mile course will provide the hills your heart desires. Either way, you'll finish back at Marina Park where you can celebrate with delicious strawberry shortcake.
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