 Bring us along while you drive, exercise, or do laundry, and we’ll tell you all the latest from the City. This week, be the first to hear about the City's brand new Natural Yard Care Ambassador program!
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, May 21, 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 May 21, 2024 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
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Council will review options to modify the time periods of the automated safety camera program in school zones.
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Council will receive an update on the Cascade Water Alliance Negotiations and provide direction on how to proceed.
- Council will receive consider adopting the recommended projects for the 2024 Neighborhood Safety Program.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
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The Seattle Kraken’s proposal to construct an Iceplex on the former Houghton Park and Ride site
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Transportation Strategic Plan (TSP) with direction on TSP projects list, including addition or removal of projects.
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.
Stay in the know: you can also get a preview of what’s coming up at Council in the coming weeks and months by checking out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
Help Us Shape the Next 20 Years of Kirkland
Your presence and feedback are crucial in ensuring that the Comprehensive Plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our diverse community. Your insights will help guide decisions that will impact our city's development and growth.
All Public Hearings will be held at City Hall during Kirkland Planning Commission meetings starting at 6:00 p.m. Open Houses will be from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Prior to each meeting, an opportunity to speak with staff and ask questions will be provided. Visit the K2044 Get Involved webpage for more information.
May 23 Topics: Land Use; Sustainability, Climate & Environment; Human Services; Neighborhood Plan updates; Community Amendment requests (CAR’s)
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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 is able to follow up with you.
Renee Cox, Crisis Reponder Supervisor with the Regional Crisis Response Agency, has been selected as one of five finalists for KING 5's Hometown Heroes award!
Over the past two decades, Renee has been one of the pioneers in creating a new crisis responder career path for civilian mental health responders to help police and fire departments assist those in high risk behavioral health crisis. Renee has been serving the Kirkland and other north King County communities as a crisis responder since 2017 and is a member of the City of Kirkland's Homelessness Assistance and Response Team.
To review all of the finalists and to vote, visit the KING 5 Hometown Hero Awards voting page.
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The Kirkland Fire Department held the grand opening of Fire Station 27 this past Saturday. To say we were ecstatic with how many people dropped in would be an understatement! Hundreds of families took self-guided tours of the station, including firefighters’ work area, equipment shop, sleeping rooms, workout room, kitchen and - of course - the apparatus bay where the firetrucks and aid cars are kept.
Thank you all for celebrating with us! This new Fire Station 27 was made possible by the passage of the 2020 Fire Prop 1. We hope you can make it to the future re-openings of Forbes Creek Fire Station 21 and North Rose Hill Fire Station 26. Both stations' renovations are made possible by Fire Prop 1 and are scheduled to be completed in 2025.
Kirkland Police put an end to a weeklong crime spree with the arrest of two juvenile suspects, who were apprehended multiple times over the course of a week. The suspects, both 16-year-olds, are accused of committing a string of crimes in and around Kirkland.
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 May 15 is recognized as Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day to honor officers who have died or become disabled in the line of duty. This past Wednesday, KPD's finest were joined by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Fire Dept, City leadership, and others in recognizing those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to their communities across the country.
Thank you, KPD.
This past Wednesday, the City hosted its annual Community Appreciation Night, and WOW was it great to see so many join in to honor the work of our volunteers! The night was packed with special performances, awards, and recognitions, and we are thrilled to give a big THANK YOU at this annual event!
In 2023, the City engaged over 2,300 volunteers who contributed over 17,000 hours of their time and talents. This many hours provides a community benefit that is valued at well over half a million dollars!
If you volunteer in any capacity, whether you’re a leader in your neighborhood, a program volunteer, or a member of a Board or Commission, or whether with your faith community, kid's school, or otherwise – thank you!
"Every hour you give, every task you tackle, is the planting of a sapling that grows the garden for our future generations; that flourishes into a community that is uniquely Kirkland,” said Mayor Kelli Curtis.
Tomorrow is Bike Everywhere Day! So ride a bicycle this Friday, and - if your routing allows for it - stop by one or more of the *celebration stations*
There are two open celebration stations in Kirkland from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. City of Kirkland staff will be cheering on bikers and handing out snacks, drinks, and swag, and Kirkland Bicycle Shop staff will be providing free basic maintenance on bicycles:
2. South end of the Totem Lake Connector bridge, along the Cross Kirkland Corridor (behind the Shell gas station at 12221 NE 124th St, Kirkland, WA 98034 (view exact location on Google Maps)
The third week of Building Safety Month is dedicated to learning about building safety professionals, their roles, and when you should give them a call.
Let’s start with what a building professional does:
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Constantly train to keep up with new codes and standards
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Enforce code compliance
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Check the quality of materials, the installation work and the safeguards in electrical systems
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Manage the development, administration, interpretation, application and enforcement of the codes adopted by their jurisdiction.
If you plan on making renovations, make sure to check in with a professional. Many projects require permits, such as:
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Re-roofing
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Installing electrical outlets
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Window frame modifications
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Remodeling kitchens or bathrooms
- Installing a pool, spa or hot tub
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Installing equipment such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and space heaters
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Building a tall fence and decks
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 Do you use natural yard care practices, such as reducing or eliminating pesticides, building soils with mulch and compost, and watering wisely? Do you wish your neighbors knew how to care for their yards in ways that benefit local water quality and wildlife?
You could become a Natural Yard Care Ambassador! Use our application form to learn more and show off your lake-friendly garden!
Kirkland's brand new Natural Yard Care Ambassador program highlights beautiful, sustainable landscapes that protect our creeks and create healthy habitat in Kirkland. Natural Yard Care ambassador’s gardens also have a chance to be featured on Kirkland Conserves social media, and will stand out by their Kirkland Natural Yard Care yard sign! We welcome applications that represent a variety of landscape aesthetics – from cottage garden to modern, lush natural lawns to lovely native plantings.
Over the next few months, expect to read all about ambassadors' advice, struggles, and motivation for gardening on the Kirkland Conserves Blog.
If you want to learn more about what it means to “build healthy soil” and what it takes to build a healthy, natural lawn visit Our Natural Yard Care webpage!
Get ready to unleash your inner superhero on Downtown Kirkland! Next time you’re strolling through our streets, take a moment to look down – trust us, it’s an eye-opener! Our mission? To vanquish litter, battle unruly weeds, and restore sparkle to our beloved town. Arm yourself with gloves, your most fearless grubby outfit, and your weapon of choice – be it brooms, shovels, rakes, or hoes.
A huge shoutout in advance to all our community crusaders! Your powers combined are what make Kirkland shine.
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National Safe Boating Week takes place May 18-24, 2024 and serves as a reminder for boaters to brush up on their boating safety skills in preparation for boating season. According to US Coast Guard statistics, over 4,000 recreational boating accidents occur every year in the US, resulting in 500+ fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries. Many of these are preventable by practicing safe boating. Whether you cruise, sail, kayak, fish, or do yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, you are responsible to know the laws and basics of boating safety:
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Wear a life jacket. A stowed life jacket does no good in an emergency.
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Know state boating laws and follow them.
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Take a boating safety course.
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Don’t drink while you boat. 23% of fatal boating accidents are alcohol-related.
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Make sure your boat is prepared.
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Check the weather, including the water temperature.
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Dress properly. Bring extra clothing in case yours gets wet.
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Always let someone know your plan.
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Use an engine cut-off switch.
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Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Follow navigation rules.
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Keep in touch. Have more than one device that works when wet.
Northeast 116th Place (Goat Hill)
Goat Hill residents should expect road closures this week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Northeast 116th Place. Kirkland’s contractor is keeping open the Northeast 120th Place access to Goat Hill.
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
West of Market residents should expect road closures along Eighth Avenue West or Fifth Street West while a Kirkland contractor upgrades the water and sewer mains beneath the streets.
Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street
Lake Street’s intersection with Kirkland Avenue will remain closed until June 1. Kirkland’s Lake Street pedestrian scramble contractor closed it April 1 for two months while its crews rebuild the intersection into the city’s first pedestrian scramble.
Juanita Drive will be reduced to one lane periodically this week between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 128th Street.
Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South
Kirkland's Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street West water main contractor is alternating traffic until mid-May on Eighth Street South and a short section of Railroad Avenue.
Strickland and Sons crews are working from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
OMA Construction is closing access onto Northeast 139th Street until June 2 while crews build a soldier pile wall along the west side of 100th Avenue Northeast, near Northeast 139th Street. The contractor is also alternating traffic at various locations between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour.
Juanita Friday Market
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive
Market vendors feature a wide variety of delicious fruits, fresh local produce, and beautiful flowers all grown and produced in the state of Washington. Select high quality ingredients to make your own farm to table dinner or grab something tasty from one of the hot food vendors. We have sweet treats, beautiful hand-made items, free kids' crafts, entertainment and free parking. Come see us rain or shine!
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Senior Art Show
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Merrill Gardens, 14 Main Street South
Creativity is ageless! Join us for the opening of the 14th annual Senior Art Show sponsored by the Kirkland Senior Council on Friday, June 7, 2024.
The show will run from June 7 - 21, 2024.
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Last month, in the annual address Mayor Kelli Curtis declared the State of the City is “flourishing.” Check it out!
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