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 The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. More information about the meeting will be included in next week’s edition of ‘This Week in Kirkland.’
City administrative offices will be closed:
• At 12 p.m. noon on Friday, December 22
• All day Monday, December 25
• At 12 p.m. noon on Friday, December 29
• All day Monday, January 1
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 be available during regular business hours while administrative offices are open.
Please visit our website for more information about City services.
Have a safe, warm, and happy holiday season!
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Last Call on Survey
Just two weeks left! Help create a future that reflects the aspirations of our community - take our short Economic Development survey.
What is Economic Development?
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.
Why Your Input Matters
Your feedback will help us:
- Understand your priorities for economic growth and business development.
- Identify opportunities to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Shape policies that align with community values and aspirations.
Take the Economic Development Survey Before December 31!
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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.
On December 15, Kirkland Police Department (KPD) arrested a Finn Hill man believed to be linked to multiple bank robberies in the region, including a robbery at Wells Fargo bank in Juanita on November 10, 2023.
The arrest was the culmination of a monthlong, joint investigation by the KPD, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and the FBI in Seattle. This collaboration was instrumental in gathering crucial information linked to various bank robberies around the region. Witness information led investigators to the suspect, who had a prior bank robbery conviction.
The man was arrested at his home in the Finn Hill neighborhood of Kirkland and booked into King County Jail on three counts of robbery.
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For many, the holidays are a time for parties and celebrations. Please do your part to ensure a safe holiday season by and prevent someone from driving drunk or high. Washington law enforcement will be doing their part with extra patrols across the state, now through January 1. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has some helpful tips for how you can help too:
- Be sober behind the wheel and prevent someone you care about from getting a DUI or hurting others while driving impaired
- Arrange for or provide a ride
- Arrange for the person to stay where they are
- Offer your couch for the night
- Engage someone else to help, including calling 911
Calling 911 to prevent a crash is better than calling to report one. Taking action to prevent a DUI-related crash is an emergency. When talking to 911 dispatchers, they will want to know:
- Make and model of the car
- License plate number
- Route and direction being travelled
- Description of the driver
You’d reach out to stop a friend from falling or getting hurt from an unseen danger. We do the same when we stop people we love from driving while drunk or high. Let’s get everyone home safely for the holidays.
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Winter is the peak time of year for holiday dinner parties – and, unfortunately, cooking fires. Kirkland Fire Department has some tips to ensure your winter gatherings stay safe:
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Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or oven.
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Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
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If you’re simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
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Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, hand towels — away from your stovetop.
If you have a cooking fire:
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Get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 9-1-1 to report the fire after you leave.
- If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
- Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
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For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Cooking fire facts (2017-2021):
- Two-thirds of cooking fires start with food or other cooking materials catching on fire.
- Clothing catching on fire is less than 1% of home cooking fires, but clothing on fire caused 8% of the home cooking fire deaths.
- Ranges or cooktops account for over half (53%) of home cooking fire incidents.
- Unattended equipment is a factor in more than one quarter (29%) of reported home cooking fires and half of the associated deaths.
Holiday shopping can be fun, but it also attracts thieves and scammers – whether you’re shopping in person or online. Kirkland Police offers these safety tips as you check items off your shopping list:
Porch Pirates
- Choose a specific delivery time when shopping online (if the seller offers this feature)
- Sign up for delivery alerts so you can be notified when a package arrives
- Provide specific delivery instructions so packages can be left out of sight
- Ask the shipper to require a signature confirmation of delivery to prevent packages from being left when no one is home to sign for them
- Ask a neighbor to hold on to your packages until you get home
- Have packages delivered to work, a neighbor’s or relative’s house
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If buying from a larger retailer, have your package delivered to a local store for pick-up
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Always lock car doors, even if you’re just running into a store for something. And be sure to roll up car windows.
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Park your vehicle in a well-lit, high-traffic area and away from larger vehicles or shrubs. Thieves can target cars parked in isolated areas without drawing attention.
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Don’t keep any valuables where they’re clearly visible in your car — especially purses, wallets, electronic devices and even charging cords.
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If you drop off gifts in your car and go back to keep shopping, move your car to another spot before heading back inside. Criminals may be watching and know you won't be back for a while.
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The Kirkland Fire Department held a promotion and retirement ceremony for firefighters and staff on Thursday, December 14. Chief Joe Sanford led the new officers through the oaths of their new offices. Friends and family were on hand to pin the officers' new badges to their uniforms.
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Megan Keyes and Benjamin Taylor were promoted to Lieutenant.
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Christopher Rogers and Tyrel Koistinen were promoted to Captain.
- David Nelson and Kyle Higgins both received the honor of serving as Kirkland’s newest Battalion Chiefs.
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And In gratitude for her 25 years of exceptional service, the Kirkland Fire Department awarded Battalion Chief Margo Freeman a commemorative display of the badges, patches, and pins she has earned during her remarkable career.
The Kirkland Fire Department also honored Audrey Martin for her 31 years of service in administration for the KFD.
Thank you to all our amazing KFD personnel!
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Doing some last-minute shopping? Kirkland’s vibrant and unique shops are a great place to find those special items that make for the perfect gifts. And while you’re out, why not pick up a sweet treat or a savory sandwich? Kirkland’s cafes, restaurants, and coffee spots are perfect places to relax and refuel as you check off your list.
Don’t forget to snag a gift for your holiday host before you celebrate with friends and family. Items from Kirkland’s specialty food and wine stores will wow guests and party throwers alike.
When you shop in Kirkland, you bring value to your beloved community. Your purchases contribute to Kirkland’s economy and your neighbors’ livelihoods. Local businesses help make the city shine. This week, give your neighbors a present with your presence and Shop Local Kirkland.
Inclement weather can delay trash/recycling collection services. Knowing this might come up this season, here are a few things you can do to prepare for delayed service:
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Consider purchasing a 32 gallon trash can or temporarily upsizing your trash cart for the winter to hold extra waste just in case service is delayed.
- Make an effort to reduce your waste output and even consider composting your food scraps to get them out of the garbage.
- If weather delays collection, WM will collect up to twice as much garbage, recycling, and yard waste on your next regularly scheduled collection day at no extra charge.
- Stay informed of WM service alerts at https://servicealerts.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland/.
For trash, recycling, and compost information, including how to upsize your service, visit kirklandwa.gov/recycle or call WM at (425) 587-0040.
Besides the heavy rainfall, so far, this late Fall and early Winter have been fairly tame for Kirkland. But as Pacific Northwest folks say, “If you like the weather, wait five minutes.”
When snow and freezing rain sweep into town, they can make living in Kirkland slippery and difficult. The best thing residents can do is be prepared for sudden and extreme winter weather.
Stay Connected
Pamper your Pipes
Homeowners should protect their pipes in freezing weather by keeping their homes heated above 55 degrees. Insulating pipes in garages, attics, and crawl spaces, sealing cracks around pipes where they enter your home, detaching hoses from outdoor faucets, and covering outdoor faucets with insulated covers can also help prevent disaster. If your outdoor faucets have shut-off valves inside your home, shut them off inside, drain the outside faucets, and leave the outside faucets open.
If predictions indicate prolonged freezing weather or your home loses heat, it’s a good idea to very slightly open any indoor faucets you might not use on a frequent basis. Even a very small drip can keep water moving through the system and prevent freezing. Most importantly, know where your main water shut-off valve is located to prevent a small leak from becoming a major problem. You should also know your water servicer and have their contact information handy. Visit our water webpage for more info and tips to keep your pipes from freezing.
Stay Off the Road
Avoid driving in extreme Winter weather. Even vehicles with four-wheel drive can lose traction on compact snow and ice. Disabled and abandoned vehicles impede City crews from clearing snow from City streets. If you do need to drive, try to stay on major arterials, go slow, avoid hills, and give yourself plenty of room to stop. Consider investing in snow chains for your vehicle.
Keep it Cozy
Stay warm. If your house loses power, you should have enough blankets and warm clothes on hand to stay toasty until the heat comes back on. Wear appropriate winter gear when you go outside or use your vehicle. Keep chemical handwarmers and an emergency blanket in your vehicle.
Eat, Drink, and Enjoy Safety
Stock up. If possible, keep 3 days of emergency food and water on hand. You should anticipate each person in your household will need about a gallon of water each day.
Slip and Falls Don’t Suit Anybody
Keep the sidewalk shoveled. If you have a city sidewalk adjacent to your home or business, keep it clear of snow and ice. It’s the law, and your neighbors will appreciate it! Use ice melting materials sparingly. Once things have thawed out, sweep up sand, salt, and other ice-melters to keep them out of rivers and lakes.
The Slush Rush
When the weather warms up, the extra water from snow and ice can lead to localized flooding exacerbated by clogged storm drains. Flooding can make roads impassable for both vehicles and pedestrians. If you can safely do so, please clear storm drain grates of snow, ice, and other debris so the water can flow uninterrupted. Keeping storm drains free from obstructions improves the overall safety of our roads for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Do you know who to call?
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Call 911 for fires and medical emergencies
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Contact Puget Sound Energy for power outages and for downed trees on power lines at 1-888-225-5773 or report via the outage map online.
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Report non-injury vehicle accidents to the WSP
For information on the City’s snow response, including snowplow routes, quick links, and frequently asked questions, visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/snow.
Volunteer with the Green Kirkland Partnership for a day of habitat stewardship on MLK Jr. Day on Monday January 15, 2024 in Kirkland Parks.
Volunteers are needed to help restore critical habitat by removing invasive plants such as blackberry or ivy, planting native plants, and pitching-in with mulching and weeding. With your help, your parks will have healthy and thriving natural areas for years to come!
Use the link above to register and learn more about each event. Pre-registration is requested for all participants and each event has a different start/end time and meeting location. All experience levels and ages are welcome following the youth guidelines listed on the registration pages.
Stewardship events are in partnership with United Way of King County and each event features a reflection to encourage us all to consider Dr. King's legacy and how we can have an impact beyond this single day of service.
Contact Green Kirkland via email jjones@kirklandwa.gov with questions or visit www.greenkirkland.org.
 Save the Date – Lunar New Year 2024
Date: Saturday, February 3
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center
地址：柯克兰市Peter Kirk 社区中心, 352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033
Learn about the Lunar New Year, and how it's traditionally celebrated! Enjoy activities that include crafts. food, dancing and cultural demonstrations.
More info here.
Sound Bath with Ethereal Sound & Wellness
Date: January 9 and February 6
Location: Heritage Hall, 203 Market St
Experience deep relaxation and restoration while participating in a series of Sound Bath classes brought to you by Savannah Powers of Ethereal Sound & Wellness. Immerse yourself in soothing sounds created by singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to reduce stress and promote a sense of balance and well-being. During the session, participants lie down or sit, close their eyes, and focus on the healing vibrations of sound, allowing themselves to unwind and find inner calm. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillows, water, and dress comfortably for a cozy experience on the floor or sitting. Note: Doors will close promptly at 6:30 pm with no late entry admitted so as not to disturb the experience for others.
Register here.
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Open Mic Night for Songwriters
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Location: Kirkland Performance Center (350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033)
Music educator and songwriter Ailisa Newhall invites musicians of all ages and abilities to perform in and enjoy an evening of encouragement, celebration, and comradery at the Kirkland Performance Center. “This event aims to inspire songwriters to showcase either a fresh composition or revisit an old favorite for a new audience.”
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