The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Wednesday, July 5, 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 July 5 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
The Council will receive an update on the Street Racing Noise Pilot Project which is a partnership between the Kirkland Police Department and a third-party vendor and is the first pilot project in the State of Washington to test the feasibility of this technology to automatically detect street racing.
The Council will also receive a briefing on a new contract to modify the Kirkland School Resource Officer program in partnership with the Lake Washington School District.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will continue the discussion on a potential parks ballot measure to fund expanded aquatics and recreation opportunities in Kirkland. Based on Council feedback, staff will return to the July 18, 2023, Council meeting for potential Council action on placing the measure on the November 2023 ballot.
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.
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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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 Kirkland City Council is recruiting interested community members to draft the statements that would appear in the voters’ pamphlet both for and against a potential November 2023 Parks and Recreation ballot measure. The City Council has not yet approved a draft or final legislative action to place the Levy Lid Lift on the November 7, 2023 General Election ballot but may consider doing so at its July 5 or 18, 2023 regular meetings. Given the tight timelines required by King County Elections, the City Council determined it was prudent to begin recruitment for potential Pro and Con statement committee members now.
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Park Lane is the beloved anchor of one of Kirkland’s most vibrant commercial centers, set between Marina Park on Lake Washington and Peter Kirk Park in the central downtown core.
For several years, some community members and groups have requested the City transform Park Lane into a pedestrian-only corridor to create a stronger sense of place and enhance the thriving business area. The City has also heard from many in the business community along and near Park Lane that such an action would be detrimental to their business.
To help understand both the potential financial impacts to businesses and place-making benefits for the community, the City hired a consultant to study various options of vehicular closures of Park Lane. The City will be hosting a Virtual Town Hall on Monday, July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. for the community to hear from the consultant and City staff about the findings in the report and answer questions from the community about it.
The report will be presented to the City Council for discussion in the Fall.
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The beloved Celebrate Kirkland Parade is returning for its 24th year on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in downtown Kirkland. An event not to be missed, the main parade begins at 12 p.m. at Market Street and Lakeshore Plaza. See the full parade route here.
The 4th of July Parade is a local tradition and fun for the whole family. The itinerary includes a kids’ decorating event at Marina Park Pavilion at 10:30 a.m., a Kids Parade at 11:30 a.m. beginning on Lakeshore Plaza at Kirkland Avenue, and then the Main Parade at 12 p.m.
There will not be a public fireworks display as part of this year’s event. Fireworks Ban Reminder: The sale, use, and discharge of private, consumer fireworks is banned in Kirkland City limits. For more information, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 425-587-3650.
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The forecast looks like a warm one – don’t forget to bring a water bottle!
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Bring sun protection like a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
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Have a plan of where to meet if you get separated from your group
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Take a group picture beforehand in case you get separated and need to describe the group
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Bring a spare key for your car and home in case you misplace one
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Keep a hard copy of important phone numbers in case your phone gets lost, runs out of power, or has no connection
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Don’t forget to bring your ID and keep it with you
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If your plans include a 4th of July get together, be extra careful if pets will be there. It might seem like a treat to give Rover a bite of your grilled burger as you watch a public fireworks display, but some foods - and activities - could be hazardous to our animal friends.
Some tips to keep in mind when pets are at parties:
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Never leave alcoholic drinks where pets can reach them – alcohol can be poisonous to pets.
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Do not apply sunscreen or bug spray to your pet if it’s not meant specifically for animals. Ingesting sunscreen or insect repellent can make pets sick, or worse.
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Keep matches and lighter fluid out of pets’ reach. Both can be harmful to pets if eaten.
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Keep your pets on their own food (no table scraps!). Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who may have delicate digestive systems. Foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast can all be potentially toxic to animals.
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Do not put glow jewelry or toys on your pets or allow them to play with them. While the luminescent substance in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and stomach irritation could still result if they’re swallowed, not to mention the possibility of choking on plastic pieces.
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Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of pets’ reach. These can also cause pets stomach irritation if ingested.
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Never use fireworks around pets! (fireworks are illegal in Kirkland, remember?)
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Even though it sounds fun to us humans, please resist the urge to take your pet to a loud, public fireworks display – these can be frightening or disorienting for pets. Instead, keep them safe from noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.
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The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) is looking for dedicated volunteers to join their Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART). DART volunteers provide crisis intervention and support to victims of domestic violence immediately following an incident, the most critical time for victims.
Volunteers might help a family by connecting them with shelter, food or clothing, or help create a safety plan. DART volunteers provide information about community resources, the criminal justice system, and victim rights.
DART Volunteers also help during the court process that follows an incident by providing information, referrals, and emotional support for the victim. Qualifications:
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Must complete 20 hours of required training in the Fall of 2023 including a patrol officer ride-along.
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Must commit to volunteering for at least one shift per month, for a minimum of 1 year.
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Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License and insurance.
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Must be 21 years of age or older.
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Must pass a Kirkland Police Department background check and a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer test—similar to a polygraph.
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Must have a commitment to assisting victims and families of domestic violence.
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Must have strong listening and problem-solving skills.
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Prior social service experience preferred, but not required.
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Must be able to work independently.
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Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
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Fireworks, BBQs, parades, U.S. history, and American heroes are all elements making up a traditional Fourth of July. Another way to honor our fellow Americans this holiday is by donating blood. Saving lives is a great way to celebrate the July 4th holiday!
By donating blood, you are supporting patients in our community who depend on blood transfusions to survive. The need for blood is constant and can increase during the summer as people are out recreating and traveling. A blood donation will only take an hour out of your day, but it makes a BIG difference to someone in need.
BONUS! All July donors are entered for a chance to win one of three $3,000 prepaid gift cards. Book your appointment today.
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Join the upcoming 2023 Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class and learn about emergency preparedness, disaster first aid, live fire suppression, and more. The class is on August 8, 10, 15, and 17 from 6 to 9 p.m., with a drill on August 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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The Kirkland Senior Council celebrated their 13th Annual Art Show at Merrill Gardens in downtown Kirkland this past month. There were 160 entrees by 71 local artists, all over 50 years of age.
Congratulations to the winners in each category!
Winners:
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Oil and Acrylics
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Other Media
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1st
2nd
3rd
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Kimberly Smith
Jane Scott
Claudia Scott
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1st
2nd
3rd
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Stanley Wolf
Carol Taylor
Reg Meisler
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Watercolors
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Photography
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1st
2nd
3rd
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Yu-Yin Linn
Ann Robertson
Jacqueline Snedeker
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1st
2nd
3rd
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Don Conrad
Donna Cutler
Diane Lutterloh
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Pastels and Drawings
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Quilts
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1st
2nd
3rd
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1st
2nd
3rd
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Karen Lynn Maher
Alice Stoops
Marilyn Fries
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I-405/NE 132nd St Interchange project area
This summer, crews will continue installing sanitary sewer line and fish culverts within the I-405/NE 132nd St Interchange project area. This work will require some temporary lane and road closures throughout the summer as well as a shift of traffic lanes along Northeast 132nd Street to the south. Details for each of the temporary traffic changes can be found on the Interchange Project WSDOT webpage.
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Totem Lake Blvd NE will be reduced to one lane during the day on weekdays beginning as early June 30
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Full closure of intersection at NE 132nd Street between 118th Ave NE and 116th Way NE from July 7-10
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Closure of Totem Lake Blvd NE at NE 132nd St in late July
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Traffic and pedestrian route shifts along NE 132nd St, 116th Ave NE and Totem Lake Blvd NE starting in late July
Totem Lake Connector Bridge Opening Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 8
Location: South end of the TLC Bridge
132nd Square Park Grand Re-Opening
Date: Saturday, July 15
Explore the playground, the zip line, the reflexology path, new labyrinth and more. Take a guided tour of the park, learn about the stormwater vault, and more!
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Summertime is here! Tune into the latest Let’s Chat video for some tips, and tricks to stay safe this season.
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