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The Kirkland City Council met on February 20, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Council received a briefing on a draft bond ordinance intended to fund the Transportation Benefit District capital projects and construction and renovation to Fire Stations 27, 21, and 26.
City Council adopted the 2024-2026 Planning Work Program (PWP). The PWP guides the Planning and Building Department's work over the next three years on long-range planning projects that will help shape the future of Kirkland including legislation related to housing, design review processes, and permit review timelines and tracking that was adopted in 2023, as well as city-initiated projects.
Council received a briefing on the Juanita and Kingsgate Neighborhood Plan Updates, including key themes from community engagement in 2023 and working group recommendations for revised Vision Statements. Council provided staff with direction to continue study of proposed land use changes to increase residential capacity in the Juanita Neighborhood.
Council received an update to the City’s 2024 State Legislative Agenda.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
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Downtown Parking Study
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Kirkland Teen Union Building operations
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.
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 March 5, 2024.
Tell Us Your Thoughts on the Nov 2023 Parks Ballot
Share your feedback on the interests and priorities for a community pool in Kirkland.
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Talk to Us About Transportation – Using Our New Mapping Tool
Whether you walk, drive, bike, or bus it, we all want to travel through Kirkland quickly and safely. Help us prioritize our list of transportation projects to improve traffic and safety in the City over the next 20 years!
Give us your thoughts on sidewalks, bike lanes, transit, intersections and more, by using our new Kirkland Transportation Project Engagement Map tool to offer ideas, comments, and suggestions on proposed City projects.
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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.
Last fall, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene announced nearly $1.3 million in federal funding to establish a new comprehensive substance use treatment program at the Kirkland City Jail.
The program began implementation on January 16, 2024.
The treatment program at Kirkland Jail includes screenings, on-site treatment, support services, and reentry planning for incarcerated people with substance use issues. Through partnerships with peers and community resources, the program aims to reduce repeat offenses, overdose cases, and the tragic impacts of substance use in the community.
So far, 4 inmates have taken part in the medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) program. One individual took part in a continuation of a program they were already on prior to incarceration, and three individuals received drug withdrawal treatment.
The next steps for the jail include remodeling some spaces in the booking room to make it easier to monitor inmates on the program, developing connections with outside resources to link inmates upon release to help them maintain their sobriety, and the last step will be creating a resource coordinator position that will become the connections between the outside resources and the inmates that need them.
The grant covers all estimated cost of the remodel, and costs of the medication, medical oversight of the program and the resource coordinator position for three years. At that time we can apply for an extension if needed.
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February 2024 marks an unforgettable milestone for Kirkland Police Department – we have the most female officers our agency has ever had – 20 dedicated and multi-talented superwomen. We are so proud to have these 17 police officers and 3 corrections officers represent KPD when they are out serving our community with honor, integrity and courage.
For Kirkland Fire Department’s annual fundraising efforts, firefighters downtown collecting money were able to raise more than $7,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) earlier this month, thanks to our generous community!
Thank you for helping us fill the boot! Next month, these same firefighters will keep the fundraising going by taking part in the annual LLS Firefighter Stairclimb - the world's largest stair climb competition at the tallest building in Seattle, Columbia Center. Stay tuned!
Join the fun, dedicated team of 50+ Green Kirkland Stewards and help restore the beauty of natural parkland in Kirkland.
Stewards are volunteers who share their love of green spaces by leading other volunteers in restoration projects in our parks with help from the Parks Department.
Last year, 56 Green Kirkland Stewards and more than 1,800 volunteers helped restore more 325 acres of natural area across our City. Let’s keep that going!
To learn more about being a Steward, check out Ongoing Volunteer Roles on the Green Kirkland website. Orientation begins March 14!
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Make your voice heard on affordable housing funding and programs by joining ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing) as a member of its Community Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB consists of 12 to 15 residents and housing professionals that work with ARCH to evaluate local housing funding proposals and increase awareness of housing issues on the Eastside.
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On February 22, Planning Commission will receive an update from staff on draft policies for the K2044 Comprehensive Plan Housing Element update. Community members interested in learning more about how the City is planning to accommodate and enable housing growth over the next 20 years can tune in live to the Planning Commission meeting or watch the recorded meeting to hear Planning Commission guidance to staff as we work to finalize the policies prior to an upcoming public hearing in Spring 2024.
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Need a ride for you and your group? Check out this video from King County Metro about the Community Van program!
Get all your questions answered and get where you need to go!
Lake Street Pedestrian Scramble
Puget Sound Energy continues five weeks of utility relocations this week in the Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street intersection.
Crews will be working from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to relocate Puget Sound Energy’s existing electrical vault on the southwest corner of the intersection.
Most of the work will take place on the southwest corner of the intersection. However, the relocation could require some work on the southeast corner, as well as one night of work in Kirkland Avenue’s intersection with Main Street. That night is March 19 to March 20.
5th Ave South Water Main Update
Fifth Avenue South, between Sixth and Seventh streets south remains closed this week while a Kirkland contractor upgrades the water main beneath the street. Eighth Street South is open, but reduced to one lane, with alternating traffic.
The path that links Seventh and Eighth streets south remains closed, as well.
Kirkland’s Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South water main contractor closed the pedestrian path that links Eighth Street South to Seventh Street South. Strickland and Sons will re-open the path in the spring when its crews complete the water main upgrades.
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here.
Wheels and Reels
Get cozied up with your friends and family at our 2024 Winter Drive-In Movie Series at Juanita Beach Park! Watch each movie on our giant 12-ft LED movie screen! Movies are PG-13 and under, and we welcome all ages. Parents are encouraged to review movie titles in advance for suitability for your family. The event will be held rain or shine, with no refunds. Cars and trucks are acceptable, but please do not bring limos, RV’s, buses, or alcohol. There’s also no tailgating allowed. Please register for this event based on the size of your vehicle to help insure the best possible viewing for all. The cost is $20 per vehicle, registration is required. The parking lot opens at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. To register please visit www.kirklandparks.net or for more information visit www.kirklandwa.gov/communitybuildingevents
February 24 - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (PG-13)
March 23 - Super Mario Bros (PG)
April 13 - The Little Mermaid (2023) (PG)
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Hear the stories and meaning behind the artwork installed on Kirkland’s Park Lane Outdoor Sculpture Gallery October 2023 Installation. For more information, visit https://kirklandwa.gov/arts
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