The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, July 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 July 18 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
The Council will consider adopting a Parks Ballot Measure Ordinance. If adopted, the ordinance would place a measure on the November ballot that asks voters to authorize an increase of the Parks Levy. The increased funding would help pay for expanded Parks programs and facilities. The ordinance would also state the City’s intention to build a new aquatics and recreation center funded by issuing bonds.
If the Parks Ballot Measure Ordinance is adopted, Council will consider the appointment of individuals to serve on “pro” and “con” committees to prepare statements in favor of and in opposition to the proposed Parks Ballot Measure (Proposition No. 1) for the General Election Voters’ Pamphlet.
The Council will also consider adopting ordinances that allow NE 85th Station Area Plan Phase 2 to move forward. The goal of the plan is to create a transit-oriented, walkable, mixed-use district with high-tech and family wage jobs, affordable housing, park amenities, sustainable buildings, and commercial and retail services.
In addition, the Council will receive an update regarding the City’s existing Transportation Benefit District. Staff will present a draft progress report of projects funded in part by the TBD including sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and street improvements. The TBD allows the City to collect a $20 annual fee for each vehicle registered in Kirkland.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a joint study session with the Planning Commission starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss the 2044 Comprehensive Plan update process. Points of discussion will include community engagement and outreach as well as the plan’s vision statement, potential study issues, and potential policy changes.
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.
Houghton Beach Park has been reopened for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming for one week due to elevated bacteria levels.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water on Monday, July 10, and notified the City on Tuesday, July 11 that the waters were again safe for recreational use. King County crews will return weekly to the beach throughout the summer to take samples to ensure that the water is safe.
For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage. For more information about beach closures please watch our video, which explains the science behind what causes these perennial closures and provides all of us with suggestions on what we can do to help avoid closures like this in the future.
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Join us for the grand re-opening of 132nd Square Park, “A Park For Everyone” on Saturday, July 15 from 12 – 3 p.m.! Ceremony with ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. Check out the new synthetic turf field, new playground, reflexology path and more!
There will be info booths, an ice cream vendor, the big screen, touch a Gator truck, park tours and sports activities on the fields to include lacrosse, pee wee soccer, and either rugby or baseball.
Add the event to your calendar and learn more here.
Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 12 - 3 p.m.
Location: 13159 132nd Ave NE
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Kick off summer with movies outside! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a FREE double feature on our giant LED movie screen.
On Saturday, July 15 we will be showing Light Year and Top Gun: Maverick at Juanita Beach Park located at 9703 NE Juanita Beach Dr.
The movies will start at 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your snacks! Outdoor Summer Movie Series sponsored by Ziplyfiber.
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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.
4th of July Parade
The 24th annual Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July parade was a big success with a turnout of over 30,000 people! We had more than 70 parade entries, including a heartfelt tribute to our veterans and a strong emphasis on diversity with participants from the Pakistani-American, Brazilian, and Ukrainian communities in Kirkland. Big thanks to our sponsors, Kenworth Truck Company and Lee Johnson Auto Family. Kenworth commemorated 100 years by displaying a truck from every decade, while Lee Johnson Auto Family provided vehicles for our veterans and Grand Marshals.
Totem Lake Connector Opening
The opening of the new TLC bike and pedestrian bridge was celebrated July 8 by hundreds of community members, with local officials cutting the ribbon, activity booths by vendors and City staff hosting interactive informational booths.
A tremendous thank you to local, regional and state officials who attended:
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci
Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet
Kirkland Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold
Kirkland City Councilmembers: Neal Black, Kelli Curtis, Amy Falcone, Toby Nixon, Jon Pascal
State Representatives: Davina Duerr, Roger Goodman, Vandana Slatter, Larry Springer
Bellevue Mayor Lynn Robinson
Bellevue City Councilmember Janice Zahn
Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson
Bothell City Councilmember Amanda Dodd
Redmond City Council President Jessica Forsythe
Ken Workman, Duwamish Tribe
Eastrail Partners Board President Taldi Harrison
Do you have an event you’d like to host in Kirkland? You could get grant funding for it through the 2024 Explore Kirkland tourism grant program! Applications accepted until Monday, July 24.
This program has previously awarded funding to several treasured Kirkland events including the Junior Softball World Series, Kirkland Summerfest, Kirkland Uncorked, Kirkland Oktoberfest, Lake Washington Half Marathon, and many more.
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National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 1! NNO is an annual campaign that promotes police and community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Communities in all fifty states participate by hosting block parties, festivals, cookouts and other events with safety demonstrations, kids’ events and more. NNO is a great way to meet and chat with Kirkland’s police officers, firefighters or City Councilmembers.
City Councilmembers, Kirkland Police and Kirkland Fire attend community events between 6 and 9 p.m. Police and firefighters will make every effort to attend your event if invited, but please note that their availability depends on emergency call volume.
Events that include a road closure require a permit. To request a road closure, submit a National Night Out Block Party Permit Application, also due by July 17. Block party fees will be waived for National Night Out events held on August 1, 2023. Applicants must live on the street to be closed and serve as the event contact.
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
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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
Blood Drive
Location: City Hall, Peter Kirk Room, 123 5th Ave
The need for blood is constant, especially in the summer, so please book your appointment for the City of Kirkland Pop Up Blood Drive. Appointments are available for July 19 & 20 in the Peter Kirk Room at City Hall.
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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Concert on the Lawn: The BusKings
Location: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave
Celebrate summer reading at the library with live music by The BusKings. Bring your own blanket or borrow one from the library. Free refreshments provided by FOLK (Friends of the Library of Kirkland.) The BusKings are three musically-minded Metro bus drivers, plus one passenger. Their music is primarily Jazz, but also includes Klezmer, Pop and World Music. Registration not required. Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request.
Learn Emergency Preparedness
Join the upcoming 2023 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 opening of the new TLC bike and pedestrian bridge was celebrated July 8 by hundreds of community members, with local officials cutting the ribbon, vendors providing a petting zoo and food trucks, and City staff hosting interactive informational booths.
To learn more about this multi-year project, visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeconnector
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