 Grow your tree knowledge and branch out with Arbor Day festivities coutesy of special guest Environmental Program Coordinator Anna Heckman! Check it out.
 The Kirkland City Council met on October 15, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
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Draft 2025 State Legislative Agenda - Council discussed what topics to support during the upcoming 2025 Washington State Legislature session.
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2025-2026 Utility Rates - Council adopted rates for the solid waste, water, sewer, and surface water utilities.
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Updates to Council's Policies & Procedures - the Council discussed ways to improve the public comment period.
- Also, the Mayor Proclaimed Arbor Day in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a joint Study Session with the Planning Commission, where they discussed:
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The Comprehensive Plan - including background on specific elements, amendments and discussion by the Planning Commission, and general direction for the plan.
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 November 6, 2024.
Budget Engagement
The City Council is seeking input from the community now while they develop the 2025-2026 city budget. The City budget sets the course for a wide range of City services including public safety, keeping parks beautiful and pedestrians safe, protecting the natural environment, and ensuring housing for all.
There’s a lot that goes into the City’s budget. Show what you know by taking the City Budget Pop Quiz, and weigh in on what’s important to you. Everyone who completes the quiz will be entered into a drawing to win $60 Kirkland Ca$h.
For more information, please visit www.kirklandwa.gov/budget.
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Add Your Voice - Join the Senior Council
The purpose of the Kirkland Senior Council is to help ensure that the needs of all seniors age 50 and older are addressed. The Senior Council enables seniors to directly participate in the advocacy and creation of community programs and services that meet their needs.
Applications for new members will be accepted thru October 31, 2024 and is open to adults that live, work or serve seniors in the City of Kirkland.
To fill out an application, go to https://tinyurl.com/4xcyf4pt
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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.
Why yes - it's a better time to plant trees! Get your hands dirty during Kirkland's Arbor Day event to celebrate Kirkland’s urban forest.
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Location: Everest Park, 500 8th St S.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Volunteer with Green Kirkland Stewards and help plant, mulch, remove weeds, and care for the natural areas at Everest park. Registration required.
12 – 1 p.m.
Ceremonial Tree Planting. Join Mayor Kelli Curtis, and your neighbors, to celebrate trees and the benefits they give our community with a ceremonial tree planting in the park. Help us plant a tree that will give us shade, clean air, and clean water for years to come! No registration required.
More information on the event page.
Did you know…
Global forests removed about one-third of fossil fuel emissions annually from 1990 to 2007 (source: U.S. Forest Service)
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Halloween is just around the corner! With all the little tricksters seeking those treats, drivers need to be extra aware when out and about. Not only will there likely be more kids and adults on the roads, they'll probably be walking in unexpected places. We can all help make sure all those trick-or-treater make it home safe and sound. And sugared. Remember: Slower speeds save lives.
Not only is October all about getting ready for Halloween, it's also National Pedestrian Safety Month! For safe information about pedestrian safety, please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety.
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 Do you love flags? We are still recruiting for amateur (or professional!) vexillologists - those who get excited about the history, symbolism, and use of flags. If this sounds like you, consider joining our Kirkland Flag Learners Advisory Group (K-FLAG) and help guide the City on adopting an official Kirkland flag.
You'll serve alongside other vexillologists to encourage participation in the community and recommend community designs to the City Council.
Applications available now at kirklandwa.gov/flag until mid-November.
The City works with our largest Kirkland employers to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle trips generated by their worksites. Not only is it helpful and relieves traffic, it's also required by state law!
Washington’s Commute Trip Reduction law is about reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion on the state's busiest commute routes. Review Kirkland’s draft 2025-2029 Commute Trip Reduction Plan and provide comments using this webform by October 31. Read more about the Commute Trip Reduction law and program on the Washington State Department of Transportation website.
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Do you have a background or interest in Arts? Or maybe tourism? The Cultural Arts Commission and the Tourism Development Committee have open seats seeking applicants.
Cultural Arts Commission
The role of the Cultural Arts Commission is to advise the City Council on public art acquisitions and loans, review and recommend projects, and promote strategic planning and development for arts, culture and heritage in the community.
Applications are due by 4 p.m., November 1, 2024.
Tourism Development Committee
The Tourism Development Committee advises the Council on allocating the lodging excise tax fund for tourism promotion. The City invites hoteliers and other eligible businesses to apply.
For more information, visit the City's website.
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Don't forget about our Howl-o-Ween Pet Tag Photo Contest! One winner, picked at random, will receive a $50 Kirkland Ca$h voucher redeemable at participating business in Kirkland.
All you need to do is take a photo of your pet(s) in a family friendly Halloween costume with a visible pet license tag, post on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter/X, and include #KirklandPetTags. 🦴🦴🦴
And, when you renew or sign up for a pet license, you will receive $15 in Kirkland Ca$h! To renew or sign up for a pet license, visit City Hall or our website: www.Kirklandwa.gov/petlicense.
Safety moment – did you know that Halloween is a busy time of the year for the Pet Poison Helpline? Get informed and keep your pet safe.
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We recently launched a texting community for Kirkland pet owners! Receive notifications and learn more about pet licensing, upcoming events, and hear from Animal Control Officer Angela Arnold! We encourage you to join the community by texting “PETS” to 425-490-8326.
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 Pictured above, KTUB staffer Drew in a very effective ghost costume.
KTUB (Kirkland Teen Union Building) has now been open for a full month! Can you believe it? We have lots of exciting things to do, for free, for teens of middle and high school age during our drop-in hours! Schedule of activities can be found on our Instagram and Facebook.
Afterschool Drop-In Hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - 3 - 6 p.m.
- Wednesday - 1:30 - 6 p.m.
For more information, visit KTUB's official website.
124th Avenue Northeast
Southbound 124th Avenue Northeast opened to automotive traffic between Northeast 116th and 124th streets on Monday, Oct. 14.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue
116th Avenue Northeast
Drivers on 116th Avenue Northeast will encounter construction vehicles and lane shifting north of Northeast 70th Street as Kirkland's contractor builds sidewalks, curb and gutter, and storm water improvements for the first Transportation Benefit District funded project. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tbd
Goat Hill
Goat Hill residents should expect daytime road closures this week on Northeast 116th Place.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill
Juanita Drive
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 with flaggers controlling the flow of traffic.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor
Additionally, a separate stormwater construction project will reduce Juanita drive to one lane at 86th Avenue Northeast. Kirkland's contractor is installing a new stormwater system at this location. Work is now expected through November.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-Juanita-Dr-and-86th-Ave-NE-Storm-Improvements-Project
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction is alternating traffic at various locations between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
Water services are being installed along 8th Avenue West between 4th Street West and Market Street. Flaggers are located at the intersections to allow for emergency vehicles.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/eighthavenuewestupgrade
Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street
Lake Street’s intersection with Kirkland Avenue is now open, and minor impacts to traffic flow are expected for delivery of materials throughout the remainder of construction. Pedestrian access changes, so please follow the pedestrian detour routes. Businesses remain open during construction.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/lakestreetpedscramble
Blood Drive
Date: November 6 & 7
Location: City Hall, Peter Kirk Community Room
Giving blood is a simple way to express gratitude for your own good health and know you’re taking action to help a local patient facing a serious medical condition. Schedule an appointment to give blood at Kirkland City Hall November 6 or 7 to help make sure we all have a healthy year together. Make it a celebration – of hope, community, and the power we all have to save a life.
Win a spring trip to Vegas!
Donate blood from October 15 to November 30 and enter to win a trip to Las Vegas to see Carrie Underwood at her Residency at Resort World! The prize includes a VIP concert experience, hotel, and airfare. Come save lives with us and win the time of yours!
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KCLS Event: Crafternoon
Date: Saturday, October 19
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd Street
For crafters of all kinds! Bring your project to work on and spend some time getting to know other crafters in your community.
For more information, visit KCLS.org
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 KCLS Event: Meet Little Monster: Managing Big Emotions
Date: Wednesday, October 23
Time: 5 - 6 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Avenue
Talk about managing big emotions with staff from NAMI Eastside. Learn how to talk about our feelings. Gain some coping skills for regulating emotions when they escalate.
For more information, visit KCLS.org.
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The Great ShakeOut is today, and asks: what would YOU do when the Big One hits? Watch our latest Let's Chat video for tips and info.
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