 Check out our special Thanksgiving Edition podcast as we chat with Tiffany Trombley, Neighborhood Resource Officer, and Ryan Sheaffer, Fire Lt. & Inspector.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. More information about the meeting will be included in next week’s edition of ‘This Week in Kirkland.’
 It has been a very challenging week in Kirkland. Our community – and region – experienced one of the most damaging windstorms in decades. Most of Kirkland was without electricity for days, and a handful are still without power. Trees fell on homes and vehicles and blocked our streets. Schools and businesses closed. The impact of all of this left many of us stressed and frustrated.
As City Manager for Kirkland, I want to thank you, our community, for your resilience in enduring these challenges. Thank you for your patience with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) crews as they worked heroically around the clock repairing power transmission lines and other damaged infrastructure to return electricity to everyone. And thank you for your acts of generosity and kindness. Whether it was sharing stoves and other resources, checking in on neighbors, alerting the City to blocked streets, or in exchanging encouraging words, this is what our community is all about.
Please visit the City's website to read City Manager Kurt Triplett's comprehensive overview of the City’s response to the event, emergency preparedness information, and a link to provide feedback on how the City can improve.
The latest information on the impacts of the storm can be found on the City’s website.
The storm has passed, but the cleanup is still happening. From fallen trees and debris to food safety and damage reports, we’ve got the info you need to get back on track.
- Debris and Waste Management
- Storm Damaged Tree Reporting
- Food Safety
- Service Announcements
- Fire Alarm Systems Safety
- Road Closures
- And more
Visit our November 2024 Wind Storm webpage for tips and resources to help you recover.
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Report Damage to King County
King County Emergency Management wants to know if last week’s windstorm caused you any damages. This information may help Washington request disaster assistance from FEMA. If your primary residence or business was damaged by the weather, learn more and report your damages to King County.
If your property (private and business) has been damaged in this storm, you may qualify for property tax relief. For more information on how to apply, go to Destroyed property relief – King County, Washington.
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City administrative offices are closed on November 28 and 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal, and over the phone will resume at 8 a.m., Monday, December 2.
For 2024 City Hall closures, visit the City’s website.
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The Mayor, on behalf of City Council, has proclaimed November 29, 2024 as Native American Heritage Day in Kirkland.
Read the full proclamation here.
City of Kirkland Local Land Acknowledgement:
We acknowledge that the Southern Salish Sea region lies on the unceded and ancestral land of the Coast Salish peoples, the Duwamish, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Snohomish, Suquamish and Tulalip tribes and other tribes of the Puget Sound Salish people, and that present-day City of Kirkland is in the traditional heartland of the Lake People and the River People. We honor with gratitude the land itself, the First People – who have reserved treaty rights and continue to live here since time immemorial – and their ancestral heritage.
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This Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), explore amazing gift options right here in our community! Shop in person or online and discover unique finds from your local favorites.
Shop small. Support local. Make a BIG impact! Browse at ShopLocalKirkland.com
Watch our City Council reading the Small Business Saturday proclamation at businesses throughout our City.
Read the proclamation on the City's website.
Could you react quickly in the event of a cooking fire? More cooking fires are reported on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. Keep your holiday safe and stress-free by learning how to prevent and respond to cooking fires in our short video from the City’s Office of Emergency Management.
Thanksgiving is here, and while you’re enjoying your favorite dishes, remember that many T-Day staples are top culprits for clogged drains:
- Gravy, sauces, and soups
- Cooking oils, butter, and lard
- Milk, cream, sour cream, and mayonnaise
- Food scraps
- Oil from cooked meats
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) can build up in pipes, causing costly clogs and public health concerns. Here’s how to keep your drains happy:
- Recycle used cooking oil at the collection tank at North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE).
- Compost food scraps at bins available at City Hall (123 5th Ave).
- Dispose of leftovers properly by pouring cooled oils and scraps into a sealable container and placing it in the garbage.
Enjoy your gratitude-filled gatherings and save yourself from annoying and expensive repairs. For more tips, visit the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) webpage!
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WM will not be collecting solid waste on Thanksgiving. If your regular service day falls on Thursday, then your collection day is moved to Friday. Friday customers will receive solid waste service collection on Saturday, 11/30. More info: https://www.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland/
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If you’re one of the millions travelling this holiday, be prepared when it comes to your health and safety while you’re away from home. Kirkland Police Department shares these travel safety tips:
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Prepare for emergencies. Leave copies of important travel documents – like your itinerary, contact info, credit cards, passport - with someone at home, in case you lose them during your trip. Make sure someone at home knows how to reach you and have your emergency contacts with you at all times.
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Plan for the unexpected. Find out if your health insurance covers medical care.
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Pack smart. Prepare a travel health kit with things you might need, like: prescriptions, over-the-counter medicine, a first aid kit, aloe, hand sanitizer and your health insurance card.
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Choose safe transportation. Always wear a seat belt, and children should ride in car seats. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among healthy travelers. Be alert when crossing the street in a different city.
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Wash your hands. Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
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Don't share detailed travel information on social media until you get back home.
For road travel, prepare yourself with tools from WSDOT like holiday travel charts, the real-time travel map, and email alerts.
Keep your property safe this holiday season! If you're heading out of town, make your home look occupied by using light timers and pausing mail delivery—an empty house can attract unwanted attention. Keep gifts and shopping bags out of sight, whether at home or in your car, to avoid tempting thieves. When shopping online, stick to trusted websites, avoid using public Wi-Fi, and regularly check your bank statements to catch any unauthorized transactions.
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Ignite Big Change with Local Grants
Now through December 3 (Giving Tuesday), Ignite Kirkland is your chance to support local nonprofits making a big impact. The Kirkland Parks & Community Foundation has identified 30 projects needing over $130,000 in funding—from youth sports and community gardens to arts, culture, and wellness initiatives. Each grant, between $1,000 and $5,000, can fuel real change in our community.
100% of your donation goes directly to the projects you choose, so explore the causes and help build a brighter future for Kirkland today! Learn more and give at www.kpcf.org/grants
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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.
No construction is to occur on these projects on Thursday, Nov. 28 or Friday, Nov. 29.
124th Avenue Northeast
Kirkland’s contractor begins work on the east side of the street. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue
116th Avenue Northeast
Drivers near Lake Washington High School will encounter 116th Avenue Northeast reduced to a single lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. north of Northeast 70th Street. Kirkland's contractor is building sidewalks and stormwater improvements for the first Transportation Benefit District funded project. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tbd
132nd Avenue Northeast
Drivers traveling on 132nd Avenue Northeast will encounter sidewalk construction from NE 95th Street to Lake Washington Technical Institute. Traffic is reduced to a single lane controlled by flaggers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kirkland's contractor is building sidewalks and stormwater improvements for the second Transportation Benefit District funded project. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tbd
Northeast 132nd Street
Drivers on Northeast 132nd Street will encounter stormwater pipe repairs near 120th Avenue Northeast, near Evergreen Hospital. Construction is expected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. When work is in any Kirkland intersection, Uniformed Police Officers will control the intersection. Vehicle travel will shift north, creating space for construction. Pedestrians will also encounter a detour to bypass the construction. Bicyclists will merge with traffic.
Goat Hill
Goat Hill residents should expect daytime road closures this week on Northeast 117th Place, east of 90th Avenue Northeast. Flaggers are located at the intersection of Northeast 117th Place and 90th Avenue Northeast to assist drivers. 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 www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor
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
Eighth Avenue West remains closed between Market Street and Fifth Street West. This project is expected to repair sidewalks, curb and gutter, and temporarily patch the roadway to a better condition than currently exists before suspending work for the Winter. Final paving will occur in 2025. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/eighthavenuewestupgrade
Get ready to make magical memories! This winter, our community is coming alive with holiday cheer through a lineup of festive events for all ages. From sparkling light displays and holiday markets to music performances and family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
“Winter in Kirkland is a wonderful time to come together, share in the joy of the season, and celebrate the unique spirit of our community,” said Councilmember Jon Pascal, “We look forward to seeing everyone out joining the festivities, creating new memories with loved ones, and enjoying old traditions right here at home.”
Find event details and read more.
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 Author Talk: When Driving is Not an Option
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center
Anna Zivarts is a low-vision parent who is passionate about bringing the voices of non-drivers to the planning and policy-making tables.
Join an author talk with Anna to learn how all of us can benefit when decision makers and planners center the needs of nondrivers.
This free event will include a 50-minute author presentation, Q&A, light refreshments, and socializing.
Register here for free tickets on Eventbrite
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Check out our 1-minute video and discover 3 surprising ways small businesses shape Kirkland and why Small Business Saturday is a game-changer for our community!
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