The Kirkland City Council met on September 19, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the business agenda items:
Council held a public hearing on a resolution to support Parks Proposition 1. Following the public hearing, the Council voted 6-1 to approve the resolution.
Council received a special presentation from Deanna Dawson, Chief Executive officer of the Association of Washington Cities.
Council approved the addition of two new full time employee positions as over-hires, one to ensure a smooth transition for the pedestrian and bicycle safety priority projects identified for the Transportation Benefit District when the current staff member retires, and the second to support a transition in the Finance and Administration Department.
The Mayor proclaimed September 18 – 22, 2023 National Pollution Prevention Week, and October 1 – 7, 2023 Freedom to Read Week. To read more, visit the Proclamations webpage.
Prior to the business agenda, the Council also held a Study Session at 5:30 p.m., during which:
Council received on update on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 5-Year Roadmap including status on all 68 Roadmap objectives.
Council received a briefing on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and provided direction to staff on Council priorities and goals for staff to update the TMP and the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched 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 October 3, 2023.
Learn More About the Parks Ballot at an Upcoming Open House
All Kirkland community members are invited to attend one or all informational open houses with City Manager Kurt Triplett and Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra to learn about Kirkland Proposition 1: Levy Lid Lift for Expanded Aquatics, Recreation, and Parks Facilities, Operations, and Programs on the November 7, 2023 ballot.
• Thursday, October 5 from 7:30 - 8:30pm at North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE, Kirkland 98034
• Monday, October 16 from 6 – 7 p.m. at City Hall, 123 5th Ave, Kirkland 98033
• Wednesday, October 25 from 12 – 1 p.m. online via Zoom, register for the link
Learn more about Proposition 1 at www.kirklandwa.gov/parksballot Please send any questions to parksballot@kirklandwa.gov.
Accommodations and Alternate Formats: The City of Kirkland is committed to accommodating citizens with disabilities and special needs. Persons with disabilities may request materials in alternative formats. Persons with hearing impairments may access the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at 711. If you need assistance participating this event, please call us at 425-587-3300 or TTY/TTD 425-587-3111.
Join the K2044 Discussion
Participate in our Economic Development Community Survey!
Economic Development involves the strategies and initiatives that enhance a community's economic vitality. It's about creating jobs, fostering business growth, and cultivating a vibrant local economy that benefits everyone.
Your feedback will help us:
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Understand your priorities for economic growth and business development.
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Identify opportunities to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Shape policies that align with community values and aspirations.
Your participation will help us create a roadmap for a thriving, sustainable, and resilient Kirkland as part of the K2044 Comprehensive Plan. We are committed to working together to build a future that reflects the aspirations of our community.
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Time to talk about the neighborhood!
Working Groups are forming now for updates to the Juanita and Kingsgate Neighborhood Plans within the Comprehensive Plan. Work directly with City of Kirkland staff to prioritize study issues within the Kingsgate and Juanita areas, review existing and draft plans, and attend public meetings. Want to know more? See our Working Group Roles and Goals FAQ flyer for details! Additional information at www.kirklandwa.gov/neighborhoodplanning
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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 Police Department invites Kirkland community and business members to sign up for its annual Community Police Academy. Learn about investigations, training and more! Get a firsthand experience of the inner workings of the KPD. The 7-week series begins October 4 and runs through November 15.
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Beginning September 20, 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.
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For Pollution Prevention Week this week, Mayor Penny Sweet, Councilmember Toby Nixon, and Public Works Director Julie Underwood joined staff from the City’s Storm & Surface Water Division to install a commemorative storm drain marker in front of City Hall. Council also issued a Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation at their meeting Tuesday.
Kirkland has more than 17,000 storm drains that help prevent flooding in our streets and neighborhoods. These storm drains connect directly to our creeks, wetlands, and lakes. To help prevent pollution and illegal dumping down these drains, we install educational storm drain markers with the message, “Only Rain Down the Drain.” Learn more about what you can do to prevent pollution in Kirkland at www.kirklandwa.gov/cleanwater
Kirkland Fire Department Lieutenant Ty Koistinen is back from Maui after a 17-day deployment. He was the first Kirkland firefighter deployed with the Washington Task Force 1 (WA-TF1), part of a national search and rescue team sent to Maui to assist after the devastating wildfires.
Lt. Koistinen says seeing the task force – including doctors, medics, law enforcement, logistics, dog handlers, structural engineers and firefighters - all work together was something to experience. Every day was different - where they slept, what they ate, what their duties were, and they all quickly adapted.
He describes the scenery in Maui as surreal - that it’s hard to comprehend the level of destruction of so many homes, businesses, buildings and families’ lives. But the locals who are going through so much themselves were unbelievably generous, welcoming and accepting.
Hearing stories from firefighters who were there when the fires were blazing and seeing destroyed fire engines were a daily reminder of what the task force faced. Their mission was to search for people. They went through every house moving metal roofing and debris, making paths for the dogs that assisted them. Dogs wore booties and tape on their paws because surfaces were sometimes hotter than 160-degrees and they needed to be rested frequently. In the end, more than 40 dogs assisted.
One day Lt. Koistinen asked another firefighter how they managed to hold it together so well and the firefighter responded “Well, we know you can control two things: your attitude and your effort, so that’s what we’re choosing to do.”
Thank you, Lt. Koistinen, for stepping up and helping support our Maui neighbors during this challenging time!
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If you’re going to be parked for more than 10 seconds, you can help protect our environment by turning your vehicle engine off (not at stoplights though). Why? Because idling:
1. Wastes money by wasting more gas than restarting the engine.
2. Increases air pollution by emitting dangerous pollutants that impact health, especially for children.
3. Damages your car’s engine - idling can cause fuel residue to build up and damage engine components.
The annual City of Kirkland Costume Swap is back - next week! This is a great opportunity to trade in old Halloween costumes and accessories for new-to-you costumes.
Next week from Monday, September 25 to Friday, September 29, please donate gently used and clean costumes, hats, masks, and accessories at either North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE) or Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave).
Then attend the swap event on Saturday, September 30 to get your new-to-you costumes and accessories for you and the family! There will even be a photo wall for you to share your new costume pics!
Discover the art of sustainable, low-maintenance, and water-wise landscapes in this hands-on workshop led by the renowned Jessi Bloom. As a Certified Arborist and award-winning Ecological Designer, Jessi will guide you through the secrets of crafting vibrant outdoor spaces that thrive with minimal impact on the environment.
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Date: Sunday, October 22
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Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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Location: 132nd Square Park
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Instructor: Jessi Bloom, an expert in ecological design and sustainable landscapes.
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Workshop Focus: Principles of water-wise gardening, native plants, and easy maintenance.
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Take-Home Tools: Gain practical insights and step-by-step instructions to kickstart your landscape project immediately.
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Save the date - Sunday, October 22 – to celebrate Kirkland’s urban forest at the City’s annual Arbor Day event on at 132nd Square Park!
Activities from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. include a ceremonial tree planting at 12:30 p.m. and kids’ activities.
Get hands on and volunteer with Green Kirkland Partnership to help restore Kingsgate Park and South Norway Hill Park. Register today!
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In case you haven’t heard, we just launched our official podcast “This Week in Kirkland” at our recent City Hall for All event! The “TWIK” podcast is a friendly, audio version of this digital e-newsletter of the same name, bringing listeners timely topics and noteworthy news happening around Kirkland every week.
Hosted by Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez and the podcast team, the podcast is policy, parks, events, and democracy, so join us for the civic conversation straight from City Hall, including:
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What’s happening at City Council meetings;
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Tips from different City departments;
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Updates on parks, paving, and other constructions projects;
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Info on fun local events;
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Opportunities to provide feedback on upcoming initiatives; and
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A little Kirkland trivia
The TWIK podcast is published every Friday and can be found on Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.
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CKC Closures
Puget Sound Energy continues construction for the Sammamish - Juanita 115kV Transmission Line Project. This impacts parts of the Cross Kirkland Corridor in Totem Lake spanning from 120th Avenue NE to 132nd Avenue NE / Slater Avenue NE. To protect the safety of trail users and crews, there will be intermittent trail closures during construction over the next few months. Detour signs will be posted when closures are in effect.
Slurry Seal
Kirkland's 2023 slurry seal contractor is returning the week of Sept. 18 to neighborhood streets to complete remaining tasks. 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.
For more info: www.kirklandwa.gov/slurryseal.
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Juanita Friday Market – only 2 left this season!
Date: Fridays thru September 29
Location: Juanita Beach Park
This week: Pumpkins! For decoration, in recipes, or both! Get a Pumpkin Spice Coffee Recipe at the Information Booth.
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Fall Recycling Event
Date: Saturday, September 23
Location: Lake Washington Institute for Technology (South Parking Lot), 11605 132nd Ave NE
This is your opportunity to dispose of those hard to recycle items! See the Fall Recycling Collection Event page for a list of accepted items. Some items have a fee to recycle and this is a cash only event. We will be answering questions about the event on the Recycle Hotline until Friday, Sept 22. Recycling Hotline: 425-587-3812 or email recycle@kirklandwa.gov.
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Wheels and Reels
Date: September 23, September 30, and November 4
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Beach Dr
It’s the 2023 Fall Drive-In Movies Series on our giant 12-foot LED movie screen! Movies are PG-13 and under, all ages are welcome. Parents are encouraged to review movie titles in advance. Held rain or shine, no refunds. Cars and trucks are acceptable, but please do not bring limos, RV's, buses, or alcohol. No tailgating allowed. Registration is required. Register based on the size of your vehicle. $20 per vehicle. Parking lot opens at 6pm, movie starts at 7pm.
Register: KirklandParks.net or see www.kirklandwa.gov/communitybuildingevents for more info.
September 23 – Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13)
September 30 – Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (PG)
November 4 – Akeelah and the Bee (PG)
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In honor of Pollution Prevention Week, check out how we marked the occasion last year – by installing rain-activated artwork!
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