This Week: Council Recap | Mobile Integrated Health | Get Your Business Certified | Volunteer with the City

View as a webpage

this week in kirkland

August 3, 2023

city of kirkland washington

City Council Meeting Recap

council meeting screenshot aug 03 2023

The Kirkland City Council met on August 2, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting: 

Council discussed preliminary options and provided direction to staff on three items:    

  • Automated External Defibrillators in parks,   
  • Boards and Commissions Code of Conduct update, and   
  • Allowing electric scooters, segways, or similar electric-assisted vehicle along the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC).    

Council also received a special presentation from Dr. Amy Morrison, President of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology.   


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 September 5, 2023.

Houghton Beach Swimming Closed Due to Elevated Bacteria Levels

Houghton Beach Closed

The Houghton Beach swimming area is closed for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels per the recommendation of Public Heath – Seattle & King County. People and pets should not swim, drink lake water, or engage in other water activities at Houghton Beach. Read more.

Kirkland’s New Mobile Integrated Health Unit

Mobile Integrated Health Unit

The Kirkland Fire Department has a new way to support vulnerable community members. Called the “Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Unit”, Firefighter/EMT Chris Meter and Case Worker Taryn Robinson meet with vulnerable community members, evaluate their needs, and connect them with local resources.

When KFD fire crews encounter someone who might benefit from talking to the MIH Team, Chris and Taryn get looped in. Chris has been a Firefighter/EMT with KFD for 13 years and takes on this new role. Taryn comes to KFD from Idaho where she was a wildland firefighter/EMT and pursued her social work career.  

Welcome to your new roles, you two! 

Be Prepared for Heat

FEMA Heat - When Temps Rise Outside Get Inside

Ah, summer in the Pacific Northwest - we’re enjoying all the great weather we can get! But it’s always a good idea to be prepared for what could come if the temps inch up. Do you have a plan for extreme heat? Here’s some tips:  

  • Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool such as libraries and shopping malls. 
  • Cover windows with drapes or shades. 
  • Weather-strip doors and windows. 
  • Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
  • Know the signs of heat stroke and what to do in case of an emergency.
  • While the kids are home for the summer, get the whole family prepared.
  • More at Ready.gov/heat 

Get Your Business Certified for Government Contracts

OMWBE why certify

Interested in winning government contracts but aren’t sure how to do so? Register for the last Summer Certification Series class of the summer! Join the virtual event August 10 at 6 p.m. to learn the City’s process for awarding contracts as well as the City’s economic development strategies for small business and nonprofit recovery and resilience.  

The Summer Certification Series is a partnership between the City and the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) which certifies small businesses owned and controlled by minority, women, and socially/economically disadvantaged persons in order to increase contracting opportunities for certified businesses with state and local governments. 

The City of Kirkland’s Summer Certification Series is a part of the City’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Five Year Roadmap 

Thanks for National Night Out 2023!

NNO 2023 collage

This year’s NNO event promoting police and community partnerships was a big hit! Kirkland Police officers, firefighters and City Councilmembers visited 16 neighborhoods across Kirkland and met community members who hosted block parties, BBQ’s, potlucks, ice cream socials and more. 

If you missed meeting police, firefighters, or Councilmembers, be sure to fill out the request form next year so they can make it your neighborhood next time! 

Thank you to all the community members who helped make this year’s National Night Out a success! 

Join the Transportation Commission

City Council Chamber Seal

Have a background in transportation issues or are interested in the topics? Apply today to join the Transportation Commission!  

The commission provides recommendations to City Council regarding the planning and development of transportation issues throughout the City.  Submit your application by Thursday, August 24 to the City Clerk.  

For more information, and to apply, visit the City website 

Help Kids Kick off the School Year

KidVantage Back to School Event

Help give kids a successful start to the school year by donating much needed school supplies and clothing. Drop off donations to the KidVantage Van at City Hall (123 5th Ave) on Thursday, August 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.   

For more information, visit: https://kidvantagenw.org/events/

Team Up with Green Kirkland

Green Kirkland Volunteer

Did you know that a fun and dedicated team of 50+ super volunteers called Green Kirkland Stewards help engage our community in the restoration of over 500 acres of natural parkland in Kirkland? 

Stewards bring a diversity of interests, skill, and time to Kirkland parks in this long-term, ongoing role. Interested in learning more?  Attend New Steward Orientation – it’s free, open to the public, and is a blend of online and in-person sessions. 

Visit the Steward Orientation event page to sign-up for all three parts of the training and learn more about this volunteer leadership position. 

New Steward Orientation September 2023 

Session 1: Program Overview and Forest Restoration (Online) - Wednesday September 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm. Online via Zoom. 

Session 2: Field Training in Best Practices (In-person) - Saturday, September 23rd, 10:00am – 1:00pm. City of Kirkland Park location details to be sent to registered participants. 

Session 3: Volunteer and Site Management (Online) - Wednesday September 27th, 6:00-8:00 pm. Online via Zoom. 

Sign Up for a Teen Program

Teen Hike Lake Valhalla

Year-Round Teen Programming is here and means there's always something fun to join! Gather friends and get outdoors with Kirkland’s Teen Outdoor Adventures (TOA’s). Hiking, river floating, kayaking, snowshoeing and outdoor yoga are a few of the TOA's you can join. Monthly Teen Nights are also still going with some Kindness Days and special events sprinkled in throughout the year.   

Check out our Teens Program webpage to register and get more information. 

Upcoming Events

Kingsgate Library

Summer Meals at Kingsgate Library  

Date: Monday – Friday, now thru August 30 

Time: 12 – 1 p.m. 

Location: Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd St 

Nourish your body and brain while you read this summer. Enjoy a FREE lunch and be a Summer Reader!  No registration required, while supplies last. 

For more information, visit KCLS.org 


kirkland library nancy stewart

Sing into Reading with Nancy Stewart 

Date: Monday, August 7 

Time: 10:30 - 11 a.m. 

Location: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave 

Newborn to age 6 with an adult. 

Join Nancy Stewart as she shares stories and songs, and provides information on how singing simple songs helps children get ready to read. 

For more information, visit KCLS.org  


Juanita Friday Market Poloroid

Juanita Friday Market 

Date: Fridays thru September 

Time: 3 - 7 p.m. 

Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 Juanita Dr NE  

This Week at Juanita Friday Market: 

Fresh Sweet Corn! Picked daily by our produce vendors. Entertainment: John Frost from 3-4pm, The Three Gs from 4-6:30pm, sponsored by Parkshore Juanita Bay. Busy Lil Bees Kids Booth sponsored by Kirkland Kids Dentistry will have special crafts.   


Outdoor Summer Movies Flyer 2023 Aug 5

Outdoor Summer Movie Series 

Date: Saturdays thru August 12 

Time: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. showings  

Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 Juanita Dr NE   

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a FREE double feature on our giant LED movie screen. On Saturday, August 5 we will be showing Turning Red and Soul at Heritage Park located at 111 Waverly Way. The movies will start at 6pm & 8pm. Don’t forget to bring your snacks and water! The Outdoor Summer Movie Series is sponsored by Ziply Fiber. For more information, please visit www.kirklandwa.gov/communitybuildingevents or call 425-587-3330. 


For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. For up to date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events 

Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter 

Video Spotlight - Juanita Friday Market

What all can be found at the Juanita Friday Market? Watch to find out:

Juanita Friday Market - Summer in Kirkland.jpg
facebooktwitterwebsite