The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, April 16, 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 April 16 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.: 

• Council will consider authorizing the addition of a full-time Firefighter/EMT to the Mobile Integrated Health Unit of the Kirkland Fire Department. 
• Council will consider adopting an official statement of the City regarding international conflicts. 
• Council will review the Sustainability Strategic Plan’s Year Three (2023) report card, and will provide feedback to continue to prioritize implementation efforts. 
• Council will receive an update on the upcoming biennial community survey.  

Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:     

• A Regional Coalition for Housing Strategic Plan 
• The Coordinated Response to Homelessness Initiative and provide feedback and direction on the draft Resolution R-5631 declaring the City’s commitment to addressing homelessness 

Meeting details:      

The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session. The agenda for the April 16 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.       

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. 

Are you a Kirkland resident interested in receiving assistance with:  

• Utilities 
• Pet licenses 
• Business licenses 
• Annual vehicle registration fees 

Through the Kirkland Cares Low-Income Support Program, eligible Kirkland residents can receive discounts on utility rates and other City services and charges.  

Learn more here: gofwd.link/KirklandCLIS  

Earth Day is Monday, April 22, and the Green Kirkland Partnership is celebrating all month long! 

Make this April the start or continuation of getting involved with supporting healthy natural areas and forests. 

Join Green Kirkland at a volunteer stewardship event this April. Register soon as spots are filling quickly.  

Volunteer stewardship events in Kirkland Parks are a terrific way to give the earth a little love with your friends and neighbors. Volunteers are needed to save trees from invasive ivy and blackberry, help mulch new native plantings, and other fun habitat stewardship activities. Tools, training, and cookies (thank you Girl Scout Troup 46719!) are provided.  

Register to volunteer and learn more at www.greenkirkland.org   

Image courtesy of WSDOT

April is National Work Zone Awareness Week. It’s an important time to remember the responsibilities each driver holds and, most importantly, to keep our road workers safe. Earlier this month, WSDOT held a memorial to highlight the dangers of working on our roadways, and to remember those who have lost their lives doing their jobs. Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe:  

• Stay calm and plan for delays, no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone’s life.  
• Slow down and drive at the posted speed limit, they are there for your safety.  
• Put down the phone and pay attention to workers and your surroundings.  
• Don’t drink and drive.  

Almost 95 percent of the people injured or killed in work zone collisions are drivers and their passengers.

For more tips, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/seasonal-events-programs/give-em-brake 

The entrepreneurial spirit was electric at the Business Pitch Competition on April 3 as businesses put their heart and soul in pitching their ideas to the community!   

There were over 300 community members in attendance cheering on innovation. It was truly an inspirational evening.    

We would like to applaud these businesses for their ideas and hard work.    

And, without further ado, we would like to congratulate the winners:    

Start Up: Judy Nguyen and Dylan Meade with Homebodiy, Inc  

Expansion: Dina Elabd with Arabic Book a Month   

People’s Choice: Jazmine Colmenares with jazmincolshop   

CONGRATULATIONS!

By following these few simple tips, you can drastically increase your personal safety and decrease your chances of being assaulted: 

Be vigilant. Attackers look for people who appear insecure, distracted, or unsuspecting. If you are aware of your surroundings, you are less likely to be targeted. Walk confidently and strongly so potential attackers think you are prepared to fight back. Avoid distractions like cell phones, headphones, and music players.  

Be cautious. When walking, use well-lit and well-populated areas.  When approaching your vehicle, make sure no one is hiding in or around it. Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.  

Walk with a buddy, if possible, especially at night. The buddy system is one of the best strategies for avoiding an assault. 

Be prepared. Consider taking a personal self-defense class. Be prepared to scream and cause a scene if you are attacked but remember there is no single “correct” action to take if you are assaulted. Your best defense is to be prepared and know your options and capabilities.  

Do whatever it takes to survive. Remember, you are the victim. You have nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about. 

For more crime prevention tips, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/crimeprevention

Even in an increasingly urban environment like Kirkland, wildlife is all around us. Allowing wildlife easy access to food leads to problems for the wildlife, residents, and our pets. Following some simple guidelines to cut off food sources can help reduce or avoid confrontations. 

• Don't feed wildlife, intentionally or unintentionally. 
• Keep pet food indoors and away from pet doors. 
• Keep garbage cans secure and barbecue areas clean. 
• Keep dogs on a leash. 
• Keep pets indoors, especially at night. 
• Don’t feed feral cats (on which coyotes prey). 
• In order to limit the local concentration of rodents (on which coyotes also prey), protect compost piles and don’t feed the birds. 

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife manages wildlife issues and can be contacted at (425) 775-1311. This include animals such as deer, raccoons, coyotes, cougars, and bears.  

For additional information, visit our animal services page.

With spring comes the rain, and with the rain comes the possibility of flooding. Besides rain, there are other events that could lead to overwhelming the city’s storm drainage system. Here are some tips that to help residents stay safe before, during, and after a flooding event. 

Preparing for a flood: 

• Clear debris and leaves from roof gutters and downspouts. 
• If you have a sump pump, test it before a storm to make sure it is in good working order. 
• Consider storing sandbags if you have had past flooding. 

During a flood: 

• Never drive through floodwaters, on flooded roads, or around barricades. 
• Never play in, touch, or drink flood water nor allow children or animals to. 
• If flooding is severe and you are unable to clear a storm drain, call the 24/7 Public Works hotline at 425-587-3900. 

After a flood: 

• Return home when it is safe to do so, and floodwater has receded. 
• Be aware of the risk of electrocution! Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Stay away from downed power lines and report them by calling 9-1-1. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Fire-Department/Office-of-Emergency-Management/Know-Your-Hazards/Floods  

National Pet Day is today, April 11, and there is no wrong way to celebrate! Whether you post a picture of your fur baby or pay it forward with a donation to your local shelter. While donating food, blankets, and toys are generous, they aren't the only ways to give back. Shelters welcome volunteers to walk pets, and even resharing a social media posts go a long way! If you want to go above and beyond, adopt or foster a pet in need. You may find even more happiness in return. 

Today is a good time to ensure your fur babies’ wellbeing. Tips include: 

• Go through old toys and throw out any that are no longer safe.  
• Check collars to ensure tags are secured and updated. 
• Make sure you home is safe for them. Secure chemicals and toxins and put cords like phone chargers away. 
• License your pet. Not only does it help them stay safe, it’s also the law. 

License your pet today.

Wheels and Reels: The Little Mermaid (2023, PG) 

Date: Saturday, April 13  

Time: 6 - 9 p.m. 

Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Beach Dr 

Last drive-in movie of the season

Enjoy a night out under the stars at Juanita Beach Park with our Winter and Spring Drive-in Movie Series. 

The parking lot opens at 6:00 PM and the movie starts at 7:00 PM. $20 per vehicle, pre-registration is required. 

To register, visit KirklandParks.net or call 425-587-3336. All ages welcome. Snack vendors will be on site. Event is held rain or shine - no refunds. No RV's, limos, busses, tailgating or alcohol. 

Firearms Safety Presentation 

Date: Wednesday, April 24 

Time: 6 – 7:30 PM 

Location: Kirkland Justice Center, 11750 Northeast 118th Street 

Want to learn how to responsibly and safely own a firearm? Join us at the Kirkland Justice Center for a complimentary and informative presentation to discuss personal firearm safety. Learn more on proper storage techniques and firearm safety. Participants will receive a complimentary small personal safe and gun lock!  

Space is limited, register here! Must be 21 or older to register. 

For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. For up to date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events.  

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