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 Are your ears upstanding members of the community? If their civic engagement wobbles to and fro, perk them back up with the This Week In Kirkland Podcast.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. More information about the meeting will be included in next week’s edition of ‘This Week in Kirkland.’
We all want clean water in Kirkland’s creeks, lakes, and swimming beaches. Protecting our waters from pollution takes concerted effort from the entire community, and the City of Kirkland has posted its draft Stormwater Management Program Plan which describes proposed actions the City will take this year to protect our lakes and streams.
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Have an opinion about how things are going in Kirkland? Ever wish you could provide formal recommendations to the City Council? Then you should apply to a City advisory board by February 13, 2024. City advisory boards and commissions are responsible for formulating new ideas, gathering information, receiving public comments, analyzing complex issues, and making recommendations for specific projects and policies to the City Council.
Most boards and commissions hold monthly evening meetings. To decrease potential barriers to participation, the City is considering providing childcare stipends for board and commission members. More information on that initiative will be available in the coming weeks.
Kirkland community members who meet eligibility requirements are invited to apply to the City Clerk by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Eligibility requirements differ for each board or commission. Visit the Current Recruitment Positions page or call the City Clerk’s Office at 425-587-3190 to learn more and apply.
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If a fire breaks out in your home, you might only have a few minutes to get out safely. Would you and your family know what to do?
Only 1 in 3 households actually has an emergency plan. Kirkland Fire Department shares these tips to come up with one that works for your family:
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Make the plan. Get everyone in the house together and draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Also mark where smoke alarms are.
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Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure doors and windows to the outside can open.
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Have an outside meeting place – like a tree or a mailbox – away from home where everyone should meet.
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Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.
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Practice getting out of the house using different exits.
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Teach kids to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
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Close doors behind you as you leave – a closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
If your smoke alarm goes off:
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Get out of the house – and stay out. Don’t go back inside for people or pets.
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If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to an exit.
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Call 911 once you get out.
Your ability to get out of your home safely during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Be as ready as you can be!
Pets are an important member of your family, so they should be included in your family’s emergency plan. Help your pet be ready for the unexpected with these safety tips:
1. Make a Plan for Them too
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Evacuation. Many public shelters and hotels don’t allow pets. Know a safe place to take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.
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Buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you can’t.
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License Your Pet! Licensing your pet is the best way to ensure they get back home to you. It’s also required by law. Keep your address and phone number up-to-date, and don’t forget an emergency contact outside of your area.
2. Build a Pet Emergency Kit
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Food, water and medicine. Several days’ supply of food, water and an extra supply of your pet’s medicine in airtight, waterproof containers, along with a water bowl.
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First aid kit. Talk to your vet about what’s best for your pet’s medical needs.
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Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Also have copies of your pet’s registration and other important documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
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Traveling bag, crate or carrier, ideally one for each pet.
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Grooming and sanitation. Pet shampoo, conditioner, pet litter/box, newspapers, paper towels, garbage bags and bleach, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
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Familiar items. Include favorite toys, treats or bedding - these can help reduce your pet’s stress.
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A picture of you and your pet. If you become separated, a picture of you together will help you show ownership and help others find your pet.
3. Stay Informed
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Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts for local alerts and warnings sent by state and local public safety officials.
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Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster.
If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency.
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It takes courage, determination, and integrity to join the Kirkland Police Department. As one of the best departments in King County, we’re very excited to welcome two new police officers! You’ll soon see them serving our community.
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming an officer? As a mid-sized department, KPD is large enough to have several specialty units such as Investigations, Pro-Act and Neighborhood Resource Officers – yet small enough for officers to get to know their colleagues and recognize the great people they work with every day. Check out open positions at KPD.
Magic happens when the community comes together with our parks! 🌱 Come make magic with us by volunteering for the brand-new Parks Beautification Program. Join our fun and inspirational Parks Management crews and help make Kirkland’s parks shine by weeding flower beds, planting perennial flowers, cleaning signage, and much more!
The first event will be held Wednesday, February 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Juanita Beach Park. No experience necessary. Tools and education are provided at the event. Learn more and register now.
Food equity. Sustainable gardening. Composting systems. Stormwater management.
⬆️ Do those topics get your blood pumping? Then you should become a Soil & Water Steward! Join forces with community builders, changemakers, and climate activists in Tilth Alliance’s comprehensive, nine-month training. Turn knowledge into action through impactful projects with community partners. Apply now! Applications accepted until March 10.🌎
Learn more at tilthalliance.org/stewardship.
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 Have an itch to be better prepared in case The Big One strikes? Check out the latest Let’s Chat video from the Office of Emergency Management to hear how community members dove into Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and joined the Kirkland Emergency Communications Team (KECT).
Northeast 85th Street Interchange (WSDOT Project)
Starting as early as 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, crews will close all lanes in both directions on Northeast 85th Street between Kirkland Way/114th Avenue Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast. On and off-ramps to I-405 and sidewalks in this area will also be closed. Northeast 85th Street will reopen to travelers at 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 29.
This closure is necessary for crews to demolish the I-405 collector/distributor ramps and install temporary intersections with traffic signals safely and efficiently. Following the closure, the way you travel around the area will be different.
During the closure, expect travel delays and plan for increased travel times, especially during the most congested times of the day. To stay up to date on travel conditions, check out the WSDOT Real Time Travel Map.
Please note that this work is weather-dependent, and the closures may be rescheduled for the following weekend or completed over two weekends if necessary.
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What: Both directions of Northeast 85th Street between Kirkland Way/114th Ave Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast will be closed. Sidewalks in this area will also be closed. ALL RAMPS at the I-405/Northeast 85th Street interchange (Exit 18) will also be closed in every direction.
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When: From as early as 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 29. The closures will be in place 24/7 during this period.
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Where: A signed detour route will be available to guide travelers around the Northeast 85th Street closure. Pedestrian detour routes are being finalized and information will be sent in the coming weeks. Please review the detour maps and the information below for various detour information.
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Expect delays and plan for increased travel times, especially during the most congested times of the day.
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Traffic control officers and flaggers will help keep traffic flowing around the closure and on the detour routes. Please slow down for crews and for everyone’s safety.
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After the closure, the way you navigate the Northeast 85th Street and the I-405 interchange will be different than how you’re used to traveling in the area.
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Changes to the area will include:
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Pedestrian access moved to the northside of Northeast 85th Street.
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New intersection with signals on Northeast 85th Street between the southbound I-405 off-ramp and the southbound I-405 on-ramp.
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New intersection with signals on Northeast 85th Street between the northbound I-405 off-ramp and northbound I-405 on-ramp.
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Visit the WSDOT webpage for more information about the new traffic changes coming to the area. WSDOT will be sending out additional information regarding the traffic changes in the coming weeks.
Stay up to date and sign up for the I-405/Northeast 85th Interchange and BRT Station Project email list.
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here.
Lunar New Year
Date: Saturday, February 3
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center
The community is invited to attend the annual Lunar New Year Celebration event on Saturday, February 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. Lunar New Year is a cultural event that celebrates the first new moon of the lunar calendar. This event is free and will be held at the Peter Kirk Community Center located at 352 Kirkland Ave, in Kirkland.
National Seed Swap Day!
Date: Saturday, January 27
Location: Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd St
Bring your extra veggie, herb and flower seeds and trade them for something new! Pre-package your seeds (20-30 seeds each packet) and clearly label with the variety.
Please, no hybrid or GMO seeds. Seeds should be no more than 2 years old.
New to gardening? We will have seeds for you, as well!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Kingsgate Library.
Registration not required.
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Talk Time Class
Location: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave
Practice speaking with other English language learners. Learn about American culture and meet people from around the world.
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Take advantage of Community Van for trips to the airport, appointments, errands, and outings!
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