The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. It’ll be a hybrid meeting, and community members are welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
On the Business Agenda for the June 6, 7:30 p.m. meeting:
Parks Funding Exploratory Committee – Council will review the updated Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) Report and will consider formally accepting it. This follows the PFEC’s updating its recommendations based on survey data from the recent City surveys on the potential parks ballot measure for an aquatics and recreation center, more year-round park restrooms, additional park rangers, and other additions.
Potential Parks Ballot Measure Pro/Con Committee – Although the Council hasn’t yet decided whether to place a ballot measure to support an aquatics and recreation center, the Council will be deciding whether to proceed with creating Pro and Con committees to come up with statements in favor of, and in opposition to, such a measure. Doing so will allow for the most lead time for the committee recruitment if the Council does proceed with the ballot measure.
Juneteenth Holiday – Council will vote to add Juneteenth to the City’s list of observed holidays, which is recognized every year on June 19.
2023-2028 Transportation Improvement Program – Council will consider adopting the 2023-2028 Transportation Improvement Program, which is a State-mandated planning document for the development of transportation facilities within the city and is required to be updated annually.
Ahead of the business agenda, the Council will hold a Study Session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss:
Parks Ballot Measure Discussion – The Council will hear from staff and will hold a deeper discussion on all the potential items that could be included on a parks ballot measure, including an aquatics and recreation center, more year-round park restrooms, additional park rangers, and other additions. The Council will also discuss funding mechanism and draft ballot measure language. The Council will not be deciding on whether to proceed with the ballot measure during this discussion.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched afterwards 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.
Kirkland 2044 - Housing & Human Services Survey
We want to hear what you! What do you think about the future of Housing and Human Services in the City? Help us:
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Understand the current housing and human services needs of those who live or want to live in Kirkland
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Identify challenges and hardships people face when trying to rent or buy 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
How should we get around Kirkland in the future? Please let us know in our Land Use & Transporation Survey! Tell us:
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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
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Join an Upcoming Planning Commission Meeting
Have thoughts about future growth in Kirkland? Share them with the Planning Commission!
The Planning Commission advises the City Council on all matters relating to the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan and land use regulations. The Commission meets regularly on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Upcoming June Planning Commission Meetings:
June 8: Public hearing on affordable housing requirements in the NE 85th St Station Area
June 22: Updates on the Land Use and Transportation chapters of the City's Comprehensive Plan
For more information about the Planning Commission, visit the City’s website.
Citywide Transportation Plan Update - Community Forum
Come join us on June 7 from 6-7 p.m. to share your vision for the future of transportation in Kirkland. The city is updating the Transportation Master Plan and we want to hear from you. You can also share your thoughts by taking this short survey.
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We’re good at keeping books. But don’t take our word for it: the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Kirkland the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended December 31, 2021. This is the eighteenth consecutive year the City has been awarded this recognition.
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After hours of continued learning, Kirkland Councilmember Neal Black was awarded a Certificate of Municipal Leadership by the Association of Washington Cities. The program recognizes city elected officials for accomplishing training in five areas, including community planning, resource management, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Councilmember Black joins several of his colleagues in achieving this recognition from AWC.
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The City of Kirkland is partnering with the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (OMWBE) to host a Summer Certification Series. This series will help small businesses owners who are minority, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged persons learn how to receive certifications that help win contracts from the City of Kirkland, Washington state, and other government entities.
The series is a part of the City’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Five Year Roadmap.
To learn more about signing up for The Summer Certification Series, please contact Don Robinson at drobinson@kirklandwa.gov.
We all live in a watershed - an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet - but which one do you live in? Find your watershed and learn about the health of your neighborhood creeks using Kirkland’s new online watershed dashboard.
Maintaining healthy water quality and habitat in our creeks, wetlands, and lakes is essential to the quality of life for the residents, businesses, and wildlife that call Kirkland home. Our staff team works hard to do just that, and also to educate you about your local watershed. Explore the dashboard and learn more at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/KirklandWatersheds.
This project was funded by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division.
Spring is when people start spending more time outside – gardening, spring cleaning, working on home projects and, sometimes, burning things.
Some people may not be aware that in Kirkland and in other urban areas of King County, all outdoor burning – of yard waste, garbage, construction and other materials - is prohibited by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) and not allowed at any time. PCSAA also determines the status of burn bans in King County. During “No Ban” and “Stage 1”, recreational fires are allowed in designated fire pits.
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Be limited in size - no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height
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Kept 25 feet away from structures or combustible material, like a wood fence, trees or brush
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Contained within an outdoor fire ring, a portable outdoor fireplace, or a commercially designed chimney
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Continually tended to by a responsible person until the fire is completely extinguished
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Have an immediate means of extinguishment, such as a 2-A rated fire extinguisher, dirt, sand, water barrel, or water hose
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Burn dry, seasoned wood to limit smoke production.
Finally, always check with PSCAA to make sure there is no burn ban in effect due to air quality before you start any kind of recreational fire. Even without a burn ban, if smoke from your recreational fire irritates your neighbors, you may have to put the fire out.
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As the forecast continues to show warming spurts, there’s a couple of good reminders for pet owners and parents. The first is that even mild temperatures can make a vehicle feel like an oven for a pet or child stuck inside a car.
This is a message worth repeating every year when the spring sun comes out: don’t leave your pet or child inside your vehicle, even for a few minutes.
“Even 70-degree days are not safe for pets in cars,” says Kirkland Animal Control Officer Hunter Woldseth. “In ten minutes, the inside temperature can reach 89 degrees. And parking in the shade or leaving the windows open has almost no effect on how hot it is inside the car.”
Any animal left in a vehicle or confined space must have water available, according to state law. It’s a violation to leave any animal alone inside a locked car if that animal can be harmed or killed because of excessive heat, cold, or not enough air or water.
The second reminder for pet owners enjoying springtime weather: license your pet! You’ll have peace of mind knowing that if they ever get lost and are licensed, they’ll get a free ride home if found by Kirkland Police.
In Kirkland, all dogs and cats twelve weeks and older owned by residents must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Licenses expire after one year and must be renewed on or before the date of expiration. License Your Pet today.
So, enjoy the warm weather, but keep your fur babies and actual babies at home if bringing them means they stay in the car for any length of time. And get your furry loved ones licensed in case they ever wander off – they’ll get a free ride home!
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Heads up if you’re heading downtown this weekend! The annual NAMIWalks Washington is Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Marina Park. Drivers should expect traffic delays and parking restrictions in the area. Please note: vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed.
Roadway impacts will be in effect from 9 a.m. until approximately 11 a.m. or when the last walker passes.
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CERT Continuing Education
Location: Fire Station 26, 9930 124th Ave NE
Have you taken a CERT class and would like to refresh your skills? We invite CERT graduates who live in Kirkland to join us in a Fire Extinguisher review session. Come and strengthen your skills and get hands-on training on how to use a fire extinguisher.
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Totem Lake Connector Bridge Opening Celebration
Location: south end of new TLC Bridge
Save the date! The community is invited to the grand opening celebration for the new Totem Lake Connector bike and pedestrian bridge. Be among the first to walk or roll across the new bridge!
More information coming soon.
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Totem Lake was a treasure hiding in plain sight and has been revitalized into the heart of a connected, active, urban neighborhood. Hear the thought and effort behind the creation of Totem Lake Park:
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