The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, September 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 September 5 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
Council will consider the draft Utility Box Art Wraps Work Plan and provide direction to staff on it.
Council will decide on Potential Property Acquisition of 212 6th St S. adjacent to the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) to be developed as a memorial park in support of the CKC Master Plan.
Council will receive an update on a new Employee Childcare Initiative and consider adopting Resolution R-5598 authorizing negotiations for childcare services for City employees.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
Council will review the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program and related emerging issues and provide direction on proposed changes for Council to consider for adoption in December.
Council will receive a briefing on the findings of the Future of Park Lane Study and additional staff research and provide direction to staff about next steps.
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.
Kids of all ages will have the chance to climb onto a firetruck, dump truck, and many other City trucks at Truck-a-Palooza, part of Kirkland’s “City Hall for All” event on Saturday, September 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Truck-a-Palooza is a community favorite and will feature a dozen or so trucks and vehicles stationed around City Hall parking lot, including:
- Fire engine ladder truck
- Antique fire engine
- Dump truck
- Garbage truck
- Vactor truck
- Police cruiser
- Backhoe
- Paver
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Spider-like Arbor Pro
Truck-a-Palooza will feature a free toy parachute drop, as well as other fun giveaways and free photos with Fire Chief Joe Sanford.
In addition to Truck-a-Palooza, we’ve got a jam-packed line up of family fun and activities, including:
We're joining with OneEastside SPARK for the Eastside Made Pop-up Market. Explore a diverse showcase of handmade treasures, relish in tasty treats from food trucks, and be part of a day that celebrates the talent of the Eastside community. More information and a full vendor list available at OneEastside.
There is something for everyone at City Hall for All on Saturday, September 9 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. We can’t wait to say hi!
Our doors are open! Learn about the range of services available to you at City Hall and discover something new. We'll show you around Council Chambers, the video studio, the service counters for permits, licenses, and recreation registration, and so much more!
We know what you’re thinking... ‘If only I could get my City business done on a Saturday!’ Well, Saturday September 9 you can at City Hall for All!
Limited open services and city booths will be available to answer all your questions and get you on the right track. Plus, register for a passport appointment.
City administrative offices are closed on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal, and over the phone will resume 8 a.m., Tuesday, September 5.
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It’s back to school time! That means parents or buses will be dropping kids off and more kids will be walking or rolling to school. For drivers, that means slowing down, paying attention, and having patience – especially before and after school.
Here are some safety tips for sharing the road:
- When dropping off, follow your school’s procedures and don't double park - it blocks visibility for other kids and vehicles
- Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light - that forces kids to go around you and could put them in the path of moving traffic
- In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to kids crossing the street
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Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign
Reminder about sharing the road with school buses:
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It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children on an undivided road.
- Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it’s stopped to load or unload kids
- If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop on undivided roads
- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
- If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing
One more reminder: school zone cameras will be activated on September 5 at four locations in Kirkland: near John Muir Elementary/Kamiakin Middle School, Rose Hill Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School, and Henry David Thoreau Elementary/Finn Hill Middle School/Carl Sandberg Elementary. These cameras operate 30 minutes before and after the start of school and 30 minutes before and after the end of school. More information can be found on the City’s website.
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As you fire up those grills for one last hooray, keep in mind these safety tips to have a fun and safe celebration. Kirkland Fire Department responds to several fires every year started by BBQ grills. 1 out of 5 grill fires is due to lack of cleaning the grill, and most injuries from grill fires are thermal burns.
Whether you choose to grill with propane, wood chips, pellets, or good old-fashioned charcoal, here are some grilling safety tips to keep in mind this holiday weekend and throughout summer:
- Only use a grill outside and away from home, deck railing, eves and hanging trees
- Never bring propane tanks inside your home
- Remove grease buildup from the grill and tray before and after every use
- Open the grill before lighting
- Check the gas hose for leaks before the first seasonal use by applying a light soap and water solution along the hose - gas leaks will form bubbles on the hose
- If using starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid
- Dispose of charcoal in a metal container only after completely cooled
In Kirkland, both charcoal and propane grills are allowed on the decks of apartments and condos, but individual complexes and homeowner’s associations may have their own rules. Be sure to check with your property first.
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Kirkland is one of the most livable cities in America, with competitive pay, awesome benefits and investment in our employees, it’s also a great place to work! The City is looking for a Facilities Technician III – we’ll trust your skilled construction experience to maintain, repair and remodel the buildings and equipment we need to keep the City running.
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City of Kirkland and King Conservation District are giving away trees to enhance Kirkland’s tree canopy! Sign-up to receive up to two free trees at this year's Tree Giveaway event.
Learn more and register today by visiting kingcd.org/2023-kirkland-tree-giveaway. Trees will be available for pickup on Saturday, October 22 between 12 - 4 p.m. at 132nd Square Park. Pre-registration is required.
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The Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency was formed at the beginning of 2023. Since then, Crisis Responders have responded to hundreds of people in crisis across the five RCR cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell and Kirkland. They are building this program based on a long history of engagement with our communities, including RCR’s Community Advisory Group, made of up of folks with lived experience in the crisis system.
This month, RCR is engaging in a Community Visioning Process to bring together the people who work, live and have connections to our community. The purpose of this process is to define the future of crisis response in our North King County community. You are invited to join them for one of three sessions to envision and dream, and to participate in creating a blueprint for what success will look like for RCR and for crisis services more broadly in North King County.
In Person (light refreshments provided)
Monday, Sept 11, 2 - 3 p.m.
Shoreline City Hall, Room 301
Wednesday, Sept 13, 6 - 7 p.m.
Kirkland City Hall, Houghton Room
Virtual
Thursday, Sept 14, 3 - 4 p.m.
Zoom Meeting ID: 832 6240 0228
Passcode: 054790
For more informaiton, email info@rcrwa.org.
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You’ll see the City’s slurry seal contractor out and about from now through September. Slurry seal is applied every year to help extend the life of neighborhood streets. Streets are closed to travel and parking while “Road Closed” signs are up. Additionally, the contractor sweeps streets one week, three weeks and three months after application. Street parking is not available during sweepings. To check when the slurry seal application is scheduled for your neighborhood, visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/slurryseal.
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The Northbound driving, bike lane and sidewalk along Market Street will be closed August 16 to September 6 on Mondays to Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for extensive storm system and road work. Please plan to use alternate routes. Detour signs will be posted.
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Totem Lake Blvd at 132nd St.
From 8 p.m. Friday, Aug 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept 4, NE 132nd St will be closed between 116th Way and Totem Lake Blvd NE. For details, and everything you need to know about roundabouts, visit the WSDOT blog.
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King County Metro Changes Coming in Sept
Certain King County Metro bus routes that travel through Kirkland will be affected by ongoing service reductions that begin September 2.
Route 225: On weekdays, Route 225 will be reduced to hourly service during both peak and off-peak periods.
Route 230/231: On weekdays, routes 230 and 231 will be reduced to hourly service during both peak and off-peak periods.
Route 255: On weekdays, service will be reduced to approximately every 30 minutes after 7:00 p.m.
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Juanita Friday Market
Date: Fridays thru September 29
Location: Juanita Beach Park
This week: Fresh fruit for your Labor Day cookout! If you caught our Cooking Demo in August you learned how to grill fruit! Entertainment by Marilyn and the G Strings, 5-7pm, sponsored by Parkshore Juanita Bay. Busy Lil Bees Kids Booth has fun crafts sponsored by Kirkland Kids Dentistry.
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Reading with Rover
Date: Saturday, September 2
Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., 15 minute increments
Location: Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd St
Build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Reading with Rover is a community-based literacy program working with schools and libraries throughout the greater Seattle area.
See Spot Splash
Date: Saturday, September 9
Location: Peter Kirk Pool, 340 Kirkland Ave
Join us for our 3rd annual See Spot Splash event. Bring your dog to splash and play at the Peter Kirk Pool, then head over to nearby Lee Johnson Field for some off-leash fun. This event will include vendor booths, music, and treats.
Pre-register at www.Kirklandparks.net or pay in person at the pool. Cost is $10 per dog. Participating dogs must be well behaved, show proof of vaccination, and be on a leash to enter.
This event brought to you by the City of Kirkland and sponsored by Juanita Hills Animal Hospital.
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Talk Time Class
Date: Thursday, September 14
Location: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave
Practice speaking with other English language learners. Learn about American culture and meet people from around the world. Registration not required. Meets Thursdays.
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Welcome to Juanita
Date: Saturday, September 16
Location: Juanita Beach Park
Everyone is invited to ‘Welcome to Juanita,’ a free welcoming event that celebrates diversity and inclusion in Kirkland. Enjoy games and prizes, community and business information and resources, free food, and entertainment. Free parking and there complimentary bike valet parking. Hosted by the Juanita Neighborhoods Association. Your RSVP is appreciated to JNAneighborhood@gmail.com
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As summer comes to a close, a fond look back at the fun we had at the Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Independence Day parade!
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