 Special Projects Coordinator and This Week in Kirkland podcast regular Kate Ryan joins us to highlight the many volunteer opportunities in Kirkland including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service coming up on January 19. Check it out.
 The Kirkland City Council met on January 6, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
The Council reviewed the updated cost and schedule on a proposed temporary regional booster pump station to help address the water pressure issues in the Upper Highlands neighborhood. Council directed staff to proceed with the final design and delivery of the project with an anticipation that the staff would return to the Council soon for additional action to expedite the project.
The Council directed staff to pursue various school zone sign projects to increase safety in school zones.
The Council received an update on the Green Loop project, which is a continuous trail and open space corridor designed to connect parks, trails, and natural areas in the Finn Hill and Juanita neighborhoods. Council provided feedback to staff about how to engage community members on initial alignment of the Green Loop.
The Council received an update on the King County Independent Force Investigation Team, which is the multi-agency unit that conducts independent criminal investigations into the use of deadly force by police officers and of which Kirkland Police Department is a member. Council voted to support adding the Seattle Police Department as a member agency and directed staff to check in with Council on a status update by the end of 2026.
The Mayor proclaimed January 19 as MLK Jr. Day of Service in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
There was no Study Session as part of this meeting.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City's:
YouTube channel
Facebook page
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 20, 2026.
 During its January 6, 2026, Council meeting, the Kirkland City Council selected Mayor Kelli Curtis to continue to serve as mayor and Councilmember Neal Black to serve as deputy mayor.
Mayor Curtis was appointed to the Council in February 2019 and elected to her first term in November 2019. She was re-elected to her second term in 2023 and selected to be Mayor in January 2024. Mayor Curtis has lived in Kirkland for almost 30 years.
“It is my deep honor to be selected by my colleagues to continue to lead the Council as Mayor,” said Mayor Kelli Curtis. “Kirkland is truly an extraordinary place, and I look forward to working alongside this committed, caring Council in service to the Kirkland community. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together as we focus on the opportunities and challenges in front of us.”
As part of her role on the Council, Mayor Curtis advocates Kirkland’s interests by serving on various regional committees, including as the Caucus Vice Chair for the Sound City Association (SCA) King County Growth Management Planning Council, and as a member of the SCA Large City Mayors.
The City of Kirkland operates under the “council-manager” form of government, which means that the mayor’s responsibilities are primarily to preside at council meetings and act as head of the City for ceremonial purposes. The mayor votes as a councilmember and does not have any veto power.
More information on Mayor Curtis and the City Council can be found on the City’s website: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Council
Five years after voters overwhelmingly approved Fire Proposition 1, the City of Kirkland has completed the projects and staffing funded by the voter-approved levy - meeting its commitments to improve emergency response times and protect firefighter health and safety.
"Fire Prop 1 shows what's possible when we work together toward shared goals," said Councilmember Amy Falcone. "Community members helped shape the priorities of community and firefighter safety, voters approved the plan, and the City delivered on its commitments. We're proud that all projects were delivered within five years, on schedule, and under budget."
Approved by more than 71 percent of voters in November 2020, Fire Prop 1 was designed to address critical needs facing the Fire Department, including aging facilities, response-time challenges, firefighter safety concerns, and preparedness for large-scale emergencies such as pandemics.
“Fire Prop 1 represented a promise to our community to invest wisely, act with urgency, and strengthen public safety for the long term,” said Fire Chief Joe Sanford. “Because of the trust voters placed in us, we were able to modernize our fire stations, improve response times citywide, and create healthier working environments for our firefighters. We’re proud to say those promises were kept.”
Key Investments Delivered Through Fire Prop 1
Fire Prop 1 funded a comprehensive set of improvements that are now complete, including:
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Staffing Enhancements: The hiring of 20 additional firefighter/EMTs, improving daily response times across the city and providing operational resilience during emergencies.
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Pandemic Preparedness: The creation of a dedicated stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure continuity of emergency services during public health crises.
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Fire Station Improvements:
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Replacement and relocation of Fire Station 27 to the eastern side of I-405 in Totem Lake.
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Renovation and modernization of Fire Stations 21 (Forbes Creek), 22 (Houghton), and 26 (North Rose Hill), which were all originally built before modern safety, seismic, and infrastructure standards.
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Firefighter Health and Safety Upgrades: Station designs now reduce carcinogen exposure through features such as negative-pressure gear storage rooms and improved diesel exhaust capture systems, helping limit long-term health risks.
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Seismic and Infrastructure Upgrades: Reinforced station construction to meet modern safety standards and ensure operational readiness during earthquakes and other emergencies.
Final community open houses for Fire Stations 21 and 26 were held in late 2025, marking the completion of all Fire Prop 1 capital projects.
Community-Driven Planning
The success of Fire Prop 1 was rooted in extensive community involvement. In 2019, the City Council convened a Community Safety Advisory Group comprised of Kirkland residents, business owners, and youth and senior council representatives. Over five months of in-depth meetings, the group developed recommendations that directly shaped the ballot measure, concluding its work just days before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Lasting Investment in Community Safety
With Fire Prop 1 now fully implemented, Kirkland residents are benefiting from faster emergency response times, safer and more resilient fire stations, and improved long-term health protections for firefighters. These investments will serve the community for decades to come.
The City of Kirkland extends its sincere thanks to the community members who supported Fire Prop 1, the Community Safety Advisory Group, whose early work helped shape the measure, and the firefighters and staff who worked together to see it through.
 Each year, communities across the nation honor Dr. King’s legacy by turning his vision of justice, equality, and service into action on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Dr. King believed that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Volunteering on MLK Jr. Day is an opportunity to answer that question. Explore volunteer opportunities and learn how you can be part of Kirkland’s MLK Jr. Day of Service the week of January 19 at kirklandwa.gov/volunteer.
2026 Service Opportunities
Environmental Stewardship
Community Support
More Opportunities
 Do you want to get involved with the City in an even more personal way? Our Information Desk is currently looking for volunteers! Volunteers would work with our exceptional City Clerk’s Office to deliver essential customer service that keeps our community connected and informed.
Time Blocks: Wednesday/Thursday 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
General Duties include:
- Meet, greet, and guide visitors to the right staff, departments, or meetings, ensuring they feel valued and supported from the moment they arrive.
- Answer and direct phone calls efficiently, connecting people to the right resources.
- Assist with clerical tasks including mailings, copying, filing, and scanning so that operations run smoothly.
Your attention to detail and friendly approach can make a lasting impression and help keep everything organized and connected.
Please fill out our Ongoing Volunteer Application at kirklandwa.gov/volunteer.
There is a drop-down to select “City Hall Information Desk” as your interest.
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In 2025, you gave your time and talents to make Kirkland a better place, and the impact shows. Together, over 2,300 volunteers served over 16,500 hours and strengthened our community in countless ways. We appreciate you!
Our City of Kirkland volunteer leads love working alongside you to bring programs to life in our community. From Youth Sports and Adopt-a-Road to pedestrian safety, special events, and environmental stewardship. Serving Kirkland is always better with you by our side. Thank you for making a difference!
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 The best emergencies are the ones that never happen – and that is where this role comes in. The City of Kirkland’s Fire Department is recruiting a Deputy Fire Chief – Fire Prevention, a newly created executive leadership role focused on strengthening prevention services in a growing and evolving city.
This position provides strategic oversight of fire code enforcement, inspections, plans review, investigations, community risk reduction, and public education while working closely with the Fire Chief and executive leadership team.
Kirkland Fire Department leaders SERVE by protecting lives and property through thoughtful consistent prevention strategies. They BELONG as collaborative partners across the Fire Department and City organization and THRIVE by leading innovation, improving systems, and helping teams succeed amid increasing development and complexity.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced fire prevention leader to shape the future of public safety in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most livable communities.
While you’re making a positive impact on our community, we’ll support you with:
- 100% City-paid medical, dental & vision premiums
- Retirement benefits
- Growth & training opportunities
- A collaborative team that values your work
Learn more and apply today at kirklandwa.gov/jobs
 January 9 is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Thank you to the men and women of the Kirkland Police Department for serving and protecting the community with honor, integrity, and courage every day.
Wondering what to do with your tree now that the holidays are over?
During the first two weeks of January, Waste Management is collecting trees for composting at no extra cost. Simply place your unflocked (without powder or fake snow), undecorated Christmas trees up to 6 feet tall next to your cart on your regular service day. Taller trees should be cut down to 4-foot segments.
After the first two weeks of January, trees should be cut into 3-foot segments and put fully inside your yard waste cart or brought to the Factoria Transfer Station for composting. Find more information about recycling, compost, and garbage services here.
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 If you welcomed a new pet in 2025 or haven't renewed your pet's license, make licensing your pet part of your fresh start for 2026. By law, all Kirkland dogs and cats 12 weeks and older must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies, and a pet license makes reunification quicker by connecting Kirkland's Animal Control Officer directly to an owner’s contact information.
Keeping licenses and vaccinations up to date is a simple step that helps protect pets, their families, and the community. Learn more and apply: kirklandwa.gov/petlicense.
Photo: River otters at Juanita Bay Park, Chuck Guilford
Kirkland’s shoreline parks and natural areas are home to amazing wildlife, including river otters! River otters are common in Lake Washington and often seen at Juanita Bay Park. These sleek, semi-aquatic mammals feast on fish, crayfish, and other aquatic creatures. They make dens in logjams and old beaver lodges, and groups spotted at Juanita Bay are usually mothers with pups.
How to spot a river otter:
It can be tricky to tell river otter, beaver, nutria, and muskrats apart especially in the water but here are few tips.
- Sleek body and streamlined tail – think predator! In contrast to a beaver’s thick paddle tail or a skinny rat like tail of nutria and muskrats.
- Smooth, fluid swimming style often rolling or diving for long periods.
- Arched, playful gait on land.
- Unlike beavers and nutria, otters are carnivores and have sharp teeth, not broad flat teeth.
Where to look:
Otters are most active at dusk and dawn, and there’s often several at Juanita Bay Park. They likely roam far into Forbes creek and the Juanita creek basin near Juanita Beach Park. Otters leave stinky, oily spraint (poop) in conspicuous places like docks, shoreline rocks, and trails as a social cue for other otters, also a sure sign that our aquatic neighbors are around!
Get more wildlife highlights and other environmental news by signing up for the Green Kirkland newsletter.
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 When weather turns extreme, it’s best to know who to call if a need arises. Do you know who your water servicer is?
The City of Kirkland's Water Division operates and maintains the City’s water infrastructure from parts of the South Juanita and Totem Lake neighborhoods southward. The Northshore Utility District and Woodinville Water District provide water to the Finn Hill, Kingsgate, and North Juanita neighborhoods.
Reminder: The water line on your property up to the meter is the responsibility of the property owner. Learn more and find your servicer information at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Water
As we begin the new year, Fire Chief Joe Sanford reflects on the completed Fire Prop 1 projects and the community support that made them possible. Thank you, Kirkland.
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