This Week: Council Recap | Coffee with a Cop | Eco Friendly Holidays | Holiday Hours

View as a webpage

this week in kirkland

December 12, 2024

city of kirkland washington

The Podcast

20141212 podcast with Paul Arnold

Officer Paul Arnold joins us to share how his path from football to policing inspires his work connecting with the community and keeping Kirkland safe. Tune in for a winning story.

City Council Meeting Recap

council-meeting-screenshot-20241210.jpg

The Kirkland City Council met on December 10, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting: 

  • Council adopted the 2025-2026 budget, the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program, and the 2025 property tax levy
  • Council adopted the Final K2044 Comprehensive Plan
  • Council issued a Commendation recognizing courageous community members for extraordinary bravery during life-saving efforts
  • Council received an update on the Connections Crisis Clinic

Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Special Meeting, where they discussed: 

  • K2044 Comprehensive 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 January 7, 2025. 

Community Conversations

podcast focus group

Calling All Podcast Fans (and Critics)

Got thoughts on This Week in Kirkland? Love it? Hate it? Never heard of it? Now’s your chance to shape the future of our award-winning City podcast! Join a focus group on Dec. 16 (in person at City Hall - Snacks included!) or Dec. 17 (virtual) from 4–5 p.m.

Share your hot takes on:

  • What you love (or don’t)
  • What would get you to hit play
  • Any wild ideas for improvement

Let’s make This Week in Kirkland the talk of the town! Sign up and listen to past episodes --> www.kirklandwa.gov/podcast


Our Kirkland

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.  

For more opportunities to provide feedback to the City, please visit our Community Conversations page.

City Office Schedules for the Holidays

Holiday Closure - Winter Holiday

City administrative offices will be closed: 

• At 12 p.m. noon on Tuesday, December 24 

• All day Wednesday, December 25 

• At 12 p.m. noon on Tuesday, December 31 

• All day Wednesday, January 1 

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 be available during regular business hours while administrative offices are open. 

Visit our website for City Hall Holiday Closures 2024.

Have a safe, warm, and happy holiday season!  

Espresso Your Thoughts with Kirkland Police

Coffee with a Cop 2024

Join officers from the Kirkland Police Department at The Art of Coffee for a friendly, informal chat. This is your chance to connect with the officers in your neighborhood, ask questions, share concerns, and offer suggestions. While coffee isn’t provided, no purchase is necessary to participate.

More info

Safe and Sound: Firearms Safety Workshop with Kirkland Police

Gun safety class KPD - Eventbrite banner

Join us for an informative presentation to discuss personal firearms safety inside the home. Participants will hear from Kirkland Police Officers as they teach about firearms safety and proper storage techniques. The class will be held at the Kirkland Police Department inside the Totem Lake Room, which is adjacent to the Police Department Lobby.

Attendees must be 21+ years old and reside within the City of Kirkland. Space will be limited to 20 participants.

Note: We ask that attendees DO NOT bring their personal firearms to the class, as there will be inert training aids utilized as part of the presentation.

Registration is required. Registration link.

Tips to Keep Your Pipes Frost-Free

Protect Pipes Frozen Icicles

As temperatures drop, frozen pipes can lead to big headaches. Protect your home and plumbing this winter with these simple, proactive tips:

  • Keep it Cozy. Shut your garage doors if water supply lines run through your garage.
  • Let the Warm Air In. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow heat to circulate around your pipes. Remember to move cleaners and chemicals out of children’s reach!
  • A Little Drip Goes a Long Way. On especially cold days, let a faucet drip to keep water moving through exposed pipes—this can help prevent freezing.
  • Steady Temps, Happy Pipes. Maintain a consistent thermostat setting, day and night, to keep your pipes safe.

A few simple steps now can save you time, money, and stress later. Stay warm and protect your home this winter.

Deck the Halls, Then Recycle with Care

Holiday Recycling

As you deck the halls, remember there’s plenty you can recycle, donate, or upcycle to keep the season eco-friendly. Here’s how:

  • Holiday Lights. Broken? Recycle them! King County has drop-off options, or toss them in your garbage. Details: Green Holidays - King County, Washington.
  • Plastic Decorations. Good condition? Donate to Goodwill or share on the Kirkland Buy Nothing group. If broken, these go in the trash (not the recycling!).
  • Cards, Wrap, & Gift Bags. Save and reuse gift bags and plain wrapping paper. Recycle plain (no glitter or foil!) paper items in your curbside bin. Get crafty! Turn old cards into ornaments, wreaths, or more creative projects. More fun ideas can be found at Recycling Christmas Cards: 12 Creative Ways To Upcycle Old Cards
  • Wreaths. Natural wreaths: Remove branches to place in your yard waste cart, and reuse metal bases. Faux wreaths: Donate if in good shape—they aren’t recyclable.
  • Batteries. Drop off used household batteries at Kirkland City Hall or North Kirkland Community Center. Please empty recycling bins as you go—no bagged batteries! Details: Battery Recycling - City of Kirkland.

Together, we can reduce waste and give our holiday items a second chance to shine!

Lifesaving Features in Your Neighborhood Park

AED in Parks banner collage

Your safety is our priority. We’re excited to share that AEDs (automated external defibrillators) are now available in six Kirkland parks, with plans to expand to more than 18 parks in the next year.  

AEDs are critical in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, as they can restart a person’s heart. Every second counts—using an AED quickly can significantly increase survival chances. 

You can find AEDs at these parks: 

  • 132nd Square Park 
  • Crestwoods Park 
  • Everest Park 
  • Marina Park 
  • Peter Kirk Park 
  • Juanita Beach Park (installed last month!) 

We’re committed to creating a safer park experience for everyone. Learn more about AEDs in our parks at www.kirklandwa.gov/parkaeds

Traffic Alerts

Capital Projects in Design or Construction

Check out our Capital Projects construction page for the latest traffic news. 

National Work Zone Awareness Week Road Construction Crews

Upcoming Events

National Blood Donor Month

Blood Drive

Date: January 15 and 16

Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Location:  City Hall, Peter Kirk Community Room, 123 5th Ave

Did you know blood is always needed? It’s easy for you to make a difference this January by making a blood donation appointment at Kirkland City Hall during National Blood Donor Month. Reasons to donate:

  • It takes 1,000 donors a day to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply in the Pacific Northwest. 
  • It’s the blood already on the shelves that saves lives.
  • If all eligible individuals donated two or more times a year, blood shortages would be eliminated. 

Make saving lives a habit in 2025 and be the change. Become a blood donor and help our community be ready for our friends, family, and neighbors by making a blood donation appointment with Bloodworks Northwest at Kirkland City Hall on January 15 or 16. 


Community bonfires 2024 dates and image combo

Community Bonfires

Gather ‘round the fire as we host cozy bonfires to welcome Argosy Cruises' Christmas Ship Festival at our waterfront parks:

  • Dec 18, 5:10 PM – Marina Park
  • Dec 20, 8:35 PM – O.O. Denny Park
  • Dec 22, 2:35 PM – Juanita Beach Park

Bonfires can be canceled due to inclement weather, burn bans, etc. Please call the Bonfire Hotline for day of event updates at 425-587-3345.

More info


Community events screengrab.gif

For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. 


For up-to-date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events.  

Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.  


Video Spotlight

As you gather with loved ones and serve up tasty treats this holiday season, learn how to prevent cooking fires and what to do if one happens. Safety starts with a few simple steps! Check out our Let’s Chat video for tips on how to be safe in the kitchen.

lets chat cooking safety child free zone with play button
facebooktwitterwebsite