This Week: Council Preview | Mental Health First Aid | Go Solar

View as a webpage

this week in kirkland

February 27, 2025

city of kirkland washington

Seahawks Fan of the Year and Kirkland MVP Terri Fletcher

20250227 podcast with terri fletcher

We’re talking all things Seahawks with Terri Fletcher, Kirkland’s own and Seahawks Fan of the Year! From unforgettable game-day memories to her passion for community service, you'll love the stories she has to share.

City Council Meeting Preview

Kirkland City Council

The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. 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 March 4 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.: 

  • Council will review and consider signing three support memos for the King County Metro RapidRide K Line project
  • Council will review and discuss zoning code amendments to comply with newly mandated State rules for middle housing  

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

  • Options to utilize Peter Kirk pool year-round
  • The concept plan for the potential Seattle Kraken IcePlex community center
  • Streamlining the design review process to comply with State-mandated development standards

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 March 4 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. 

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.  

Mental Health First Aid Classes Coming to Kirkland

Mental Health First Aid Classes

Mental health challenges are common, but many people don’t feel equipped to help. Mental Health First Aid training teaches participants how to recognize and respond to signs of a mental health crisis—just like CPR helps in a medical emergency. The City of Kirkland, in partnership with Valley Cities, is offering free Mental Health First Aid classes for those who live or work in King County. These interactive, instructor-led courses cover risk factors, warning signs, and a five-step action plan to support someone in need.

Classes will be held at the Kirkland Police Department – Totem Lake Room: Adult Mental Health First Aid on March 21 (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and Youth Mental Health First Aid on March 28 (9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.). Space is limited, and registration is required.

Sign up today:

20 Years of Excellence in Financial Reporting

gfoa certificate of excellence in financial reporting

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Kirkland the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended December 31, 2023. This is the twentieth consecutive year the City has been awarded this recognition.

Read more. 

How to Step Up From Park Lover to Park Leader

Become A Steward

Join the fun and dedicated team of Green Kirkland Stewards and help engage your community in the restoration of natural area parkland in Kirkland!

Stewards are ongoing volunteers who share their love of green spaces by leading volunteers in forest restoration projects in their local parks with support and training from the Kirkland Parks Department. Stewards bring a diversity of interests, skill, and time to Kirkland's natural areas - anyone interested is encouraged to attend session one of orientation.

Orientation is free, open to the public, and is a blend of online and in-person sessions covering topics in urban forestry, habitat restoration, and volunteer management.

Register for the March 2025 Orientation on the New Steward Orientation Event Page

Session 1: Program and Urban Forestry Overview (Online) - Thursday March 20, 6 - 8 p.m. Online via Zoom

Session 2: Field Training in Restoration Practices (In-person) - Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kirkland Park TBD

Session 3: Site and Volunteer Management (Online) - Thursday March 27, 6 - 8 p.m. Online via Zoom

To learn more about the Steward role visit the Ongoing Volunteer Roles page on the Green Kirkland website or contact Jeremy Jones, Program Coordinator (jjones@kirklandwa.gov).

Thinking About Solar Energy?

curious about powering your home with solar

Solarize Eastside launches March 1—a limited-time program that helps homeowners go solar with discounted prices, trusted local installers, and quality WA-made equipment.

Going solar can feel overwhelming. Solarize Eastside simplifies the process by securing competitive pricing, pre-vetting contractors, and offering free workshops to answer your questions.

Get a free home assessment—sign up by July 4 at SolarizeEastside.org

Join a workshop to learn more about the program and get all your questions answered!

Let’s power up Kirkland!

What to Know With Heavy Rainfall

Neighborhood Flooding Road

This week’s atmospheric river brought heavy rain to our region—a good reminder to prepare for high rainfall and potential flooding.  

While Kirkland’s storm drainage system helps manage water, heavy rain can still cause localized flooding. Here’s how to stay safe before, during, and after a flood:

Before:

• Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.

• Test your sump pump beforehand to check it is in good working order.

• Store sandbags if you’ve had past flooding.

During:

• Never drive through floodwaters or around barricades.

• Don't allow children or pets to touch or play in floodwater.

• Call our 24/7 Public Works hotline if you see severe flooding 425-587-3900.

After:

• Return home only when it’s safe and floodwater has receded.

• Be cautious of electrical hazards—never touch wet electrical equipment or if you are standing in water.

• Stay away from downed power lines—call 911 to report them.

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

Who You Gonna Call?

call 425 587 3900

Sometimes things don’t go as planned—sewer backups, street flooding, large spills, or a water leak in the road can happen. When they do, Public Works has you covered!

Call our 24/7 Emergency Line: (425) 587-3900

Add us to your essential utility contacts, right next to Puget Sound Energy (PSE) for power outages and your water provider (Northshore Utility, Woodinville Utility, or City of Kirkland).

Stay prepared & know who to call when it counts!

For Kirkland public infrastructure resources, visit the Public Works Dept webpage.

Turn Up the Creativity

The Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) is your go-to spot for creativity, community, and connection! Whether you're into STEM workshops, crafting, cooking, or wellness activities, there's always something happening at KTUB.

Upcoming Highlights:

recording studio program at KTUB

Have a passion for music? Starting in March, KTUB’s Recording Studio Program is launching in partnership with 4 Tomorrow! Over eight weeks, teens will dive into music production, recording, songwriting, and performance—building skills for future studies or careers in the music industry. Registration is required! Learn more and apply: https://linktr.ee/4tomorrow_


pi day KTUB

March's Friday Feed is a special Pi Day edition. We'll have a movie playing and games for teens to enjoy after munchin' down on their slice of pie.


book club KTUB

For parents & caregivers of teens - the KTUB Book Club will be reviewing "How to Talk So Teens Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk" by Adele Faber & Elain Mazlish. Child care is provided for parents & caregivers attending the book club. Learn more and register.


Stay in the know! Follow KTUB on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for the monthly newsletter for updates on events, workshops, and more.

Turn Your Passion For the Planet Into Good

tilth alliance soil and water steward

Food equity. Sustainable gardening. Composting systems. Stormwater management. 

Do those topics get your blood pumping? Then you should become a Soil & Water Steward! Join forces with community builders, changemakers, and climate activists in Tilth Alliance’s comprehensive, eight-month training. Turn knowledge into action through impactful projects with community partners. Apply now! Applications accepted until March 5. 

Learn more at tilthalliance.org/stewardship 

Traffic Alerts

Central Way & Market Street

Drivers will encounter lane shifts and restricted turning movements as work on Central Way & Market Street medians continue. Some parking will be restricted to keep vehicles moving through the work zone between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Visit the project page for updates on every Thursday.

Northeast 124th Street

Kirkland's contractor is upgrading two pedestrian crossings on Northeast 124th Street near North Kirkland Community Center. Drivers will encounter traffic control that will reduce travel lanes near 105th Place Northeast and 101st Court Northeast from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The pedestrian crossings are being upgraded to High intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) signals that pedestrians will engage to cross the street. This project also provides safety updates on Central Way Medians, a crossing, and adds bike lanes from Market to Lake Street. Work on Central Way expected in a few weeks. Visit the project page for updates on every Thursday.

100th Avenue Northeast

OMA Construction may briefly alternating traffic at various locations or if necessary, briefly stop traffic between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign for project updates on Thursdays. 

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. This project is nearing completion. Kirkland's contractor is building sidewalks and stormwater improvements for the first Transportation Benefit District funded project.  

Northeast 80th Street at 124th avenue Northeast is receiving a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) as part of the 116th Avenue Northeast construction project. Work is underway for this installation, and drivers will encounter traffic control through this intersection from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

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 for project updates on Thursdays.

124th Avenue Northeast

Kirkland’s contractor will close Northeast 120th Street east of 124th Avenue Northeast for one week beginning Mar. 3 for Northshore Utility District to complete work on their utilities. Work continues on the east side of the street on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast. Bicyclists will merge with traffic. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue  for project updates on Thursdays.

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 for project updates on Thursdays.

 

Additional Construction Projects

Find out about additional construction projects here.

Upcoming Events

bloodworks enter to win and donate

Blood Drive

Date: Monday, March 10 

Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE

Brighter days are ahead for patients in our community: all it takes is one hour of your time. Make an appointment to donate blood at the North Kirkland Community Center on Monday, March 10! All donors in March can enter to win a dream trip to Kauai.


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

Check your preparedness supplies now, don't be left in the dark! Visit kirklandwa.gov/Prepare

OEM prepare video in the dark
facebooktwitterwebsite