 We hope you get onboard (or a commission) after listening to this week's TWIK Podcast. Check it out.
 The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. 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 February 6 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will consider options for an additional pedestrian crossing along 100th Avenue NE.
- Council will hear feedback provided by the Parks Funding Exploratory Committee and Park Board related to the 2023 Proposition 1 results and will review draft questions for the post ballot measure community survey.
- Council will receive an update about installing publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators in parks and will provide direction on next steps.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., which will include:
- An update from City staff and feedback from Council on negotiations pertaining to the Cascade Water Alliance water supply.
- A project update on the current status of the third Neighborhood Greenway in design, Stores to Shores.
- A briefing on a suggested approach to a new citywide program for decorative pavement markings in the City’s rights-of-way.
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.
Kirkland City Councilmember Jon Pascal has been appointed to the Washington Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) by Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Roger Millar. The TIB funds essential transportation projects throughout the state to enhance the movement of people, goods, and services.
“I’m honored to receive this appointment and excited to lend my experience and expertise to the important work of the Board," said Councilmember Jon Pascal.
Councilmember Pascal will serve a 4-year term on the TIB representing the Association of Washington Cities.
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No one wants a family member to experience a heart attack while enjoying an outing at the park. To help ensure a safe experience for all, the City has installed its first AED (automated external defibrillator) at Kirkland’s 132nd Square Park in the Kingsgate neighborhood. If someone experiences a sudden cardiac arrest, an AED can be used to restart their heart. The sooner an AED is successfully utilized, the greater the chance that person will survive.
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Heads up Juanita / Finn Hill folks! Coming up at its Feb 6 meeting, the City Council will consider 3 locations along 100th Ave NE for a new pedestrian crossing:
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mid-block b/n NE 139th St & NE 140th St
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south leg of NE 140th St
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mid-block b/n NE 140th St & NE 140th PL
Council will be presented the three options, benefits and challenges for each, and will consider if and how to implement the new pedestrian crossing. City staff will be recommending #3 (green circle in the image). More info on this project can be found here: www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign
Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis and City Councilmember Amy Falcone are helping the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) with its project to understand how many people are experiencing homelessness in Kirkland and across the county, called the “unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) Count.”
At the downtown Kirkland Library, Mayor Curtis and Councilmember Falcone collected demographic information by interviewing people experiencing homelessness.
The count happens over two weeks and is an important tool to help track trends for our region. KCRHS estimates 53,000 people experience homelessness, sheltered and unsheltered, over the course of a year in King County.
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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? Want to make an impact and serve your community?
Then you should apply to a City advisory board or commission by February 13, 2024.
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You may see Kirkland Fire Department (KFD) firefighters downtown this Saturday – they’ll be out raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)!
KFD firefighters will be on the corner of Lake Street and Park Lane this Saturday, February 3, beginning at 9 a.m. collecting donations for this great cause, using empty boots – so show your support by dropping your donation into a boot!
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We Need Your Help to Inform Kirkland’s 2024 Stormwater Management Program Plan by February 23
You’re invited to comment on Kirkland’s 2024 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan by February 23. This Plan outlines Kirkland’s actions to protect our creeks, lakes, and wetlands by reducing stormwater pollution.
Kirkland’s Draft Plan includes a robust education and outreach program, tracing and eliminating pollution and spills to the City’s stormwater drainage system, and maintaining an extensive network of City stormwater infrastructure that collects and transports stormwater to local creeks, wetlands, and Lake Washington.
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The days are getting longer. But it’s still the middle of winter, and it still gets dark early. Follow these tips from Kirkland Police Department to make sure you can be seen if you’re out running, biking, walking the dog, or doing other outdoor activities in the evenings.
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Wear light or reflective clothing to make it easier for drivers to see you
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Cross at crosswalks
- Use sidewalks, walkways or paths whenever they’re available
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street
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Check each lane for oncoming or turning traffic
- Drive without distractions
- Look twice for people walking and biking before turning
- Slow down when coming to intersections
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Drive more slowly in the dark, and in bad weather
Traveling safely on our roads is everyone’s responsibility!
When we call the fire department in an emergency, we want them to arrive as fast as they can. But sometimes, they get slowed down by something that’s been happening a bit too often – cars parked in fire lanes or blocking access roads.
These lanes and roads are carefully planned to allow fire rigs access during emergencies - to hydrants, building fire department connections, and other water supply needs. Any time these access points are blocked - often by parked cars - fire response is significantly delayed. Even a small delay can result in a considerably bigger incident. This could result in loss of life and property, especially in a residential neighborhood. Time matters!
In general, fire lanes are painted red, but on older properties they could be painted yellow. Today, code requires red curbs or street painting with signs.
So be aware and do your part to help our fire department and our community: please don’t park in fire lanes (they are for fire vehicles) so our hard-working firefighters can respond to your calls as quickly as possible.
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The City of Kirkland is excited to announce the re-launch of the 2024 tree planting certificate and rebate program! The city program provides rebates up to $500 per property for planting qualifying trees on your property. Pre-paid certificates are also available for use at participating nurseries.
Trees help prevent flooding in our neighborhoods, provide shade for our homes, and help filter pollutants to provide clean water for Lake Washington. Planting trees is an easy, affordable way to help the environment on your own property.
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Join our team as a high-level Facilities Technician III. We’re looking for a candidate with more technical building expertise.
Our Facilities team manages maintenance of the many City buildings including City Hall, Kirkland Justice Center, fire stations, public works buildings, as well as community centers
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 King Conservation District is holding an election for Seat #1 on the Board of Supervisors.
Voting begins January 23, 2024 and ends February 13, 2024.
King Conservation District includes all registered voters in Kirkland.
More info and voting.
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WSDOT’s I-405 / NE 85th St Project
Crews have successfully demolished the two off-ramp bridges, paved and restriped new entrances and exits to I-405, and installed new temporary intersections with signals at the interchange.
Now that the area is re-opened, the way you travel around the area will be different. Maps and more information available on WSDOT’s project website.
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Celebrate Lunar New Year with Us
We’re making final preparations and cannot wait to see everyone at the Lunar New Year celebration this Saturday!
Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon Saturday, February 3 at Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave) from 2 – 4 p.m.
We will have light refreshments, arts and crafts, performers and more!
This event is free and welcome all ages. Parking is limited, please consider parking at the Peter Kirk Municipal Parking Lot or street parking.
Parks Beautification Event
Date: Wednesday, February 14
Location: Juanita Beach Park
Keep Kirkland’s parks beautiful by volunteering for the Parks Beautification Program. We know when we bring the community and parks together magic happens! Come make magic with us by volunteering for the Parks Beautification Program. The first event will be held Wednesday, February 14 from 10am – noon at Juanita Beach Park. No experience necessary. Tools and education are provided at the event. Learn more and register.
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Who’s excited for Lunar New Year? Here’s last year’s celebration to help get you hyped.
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