 The City of Kirkland’s own Charlie Shannon tells how vendors can apply to join this summer’s Juanita Friday Market while we dream up fresh possibilities. We also learn about new firefighters, the upcoming orientation for Green Kirkland stewards, what happened at the last council meeting, and what events are coming up in February. Plus, we share our gratitude for Kirkland blood donors and announce how to enter to win a luxury hotel stay and roundtrip airfare to Maui. Check it out.
The Kirkland City Council met on February 3, 3036. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda:
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Council held a public hearing on minor zoning code amendments related to the Houghton Village Development Plan. Later in the meeting after the public hearing, the Council adopted those, which allows development up to five stories if a developer follows the adopted Development Plan for the property.
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Relatedly, Council directed the city manager to put the Houghton Village property up for sale in 2026.
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Council received an update on staff’s implementation of Transportation Strategic Plan programs.
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Council discussed vacation and management leave for non-represented staff as a retention effort.
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Council authorized the Fire Department to receive compliance reporting fees.
Prior to the Business Agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they:
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An overview of Municipal Court caseloads, financial obligations, release, and bail as part of an ongoing review of the local criminal justice system.
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A joint meeting with the Transportation Commission to discuss the 2026–2027 work plan.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City's:
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 February 17, 2026
Not sure where to find what you're looking for?
Check out Ask Kirkland – the City's website chatbot. Click on "Let's Chat" in the lower righthand corner.
You can also text Ask Kirkland to ask questions via SMS. Just text:
1-866-527-KIRK (5475)
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Have a question for the City but aren't sure where to ask?
Rep’d is an innovative video platform that allows City staff to quickly and easily share short, plain-language answers to community questions. Ask a question today!
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See an issue needing to be addressed?
Whether it's potholes, graffiti, downed trees, or otherwise, let us know through Our Kirkland!
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 Everyone belongs in Kirkland. In response to questions from Kirkland community members, Mayor Kelli Curtis and Police Chief Mike St Jean share in this video how the Kirkland Police Department is here to protect and serve everyone in Kirkland and that it is safe to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Additionally, the City has prepared a list of immigrant community resources and resources related to if there is federal agent activity in Kirkland.
 Don't forget to turn in your ballot! Please note that the ballot box at Kirkland City Hall has been moved to the Wester Lot to improve voter experience and safety. The prior location next to City Hall required voters to get out of their cars to cast their ballot. The new “drive up and drop” design allows voters to submit ballots right from their vehicles, improving safety, accessibility, and efficiency.
King County Elections owns and operates ballot drop boxes across the county. For more information about the election and ballot box locations, visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections.
 Get ready, Kirkland! The beloved Juanita Friday Market is back on June 5, 2026, and we’re looking for vendors, entertainers, volunteers, and sponsors to join the fun. The market will run every Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. through September 25, 2026, at the beautiful lakeside Juanita Beach Park. The market will be closed on June 19 for Juneteenth and July 3 for Independence Day.
This year’s market promises all your favorites - fresh produce, vibrant flowers, baked goodies, and handcrafted treats - plus unique creations from local artisans and crafters. Enjoy live entertainment, kids’ crafts, and free giveaways, thanks to our amazing community partners. Select vendors will also accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons for Seniors and WIC, making it easier for everyone to shop local.
Want to be part of the summer fun? Applications for the 2026 season are now open! Visit the Juanita Friday Market page to apply. Interested in market employment? Check out the Job Opportunities page. Questions? Email us at juanitafridaymarket@kirklandwa.gov.
 The poplar trees along Central Way at Peter Kirk Park have far outlived their 30–40 year lifespan and will be removed February 16–19, 2026. The work is expected to take up to three days and is necessary to keep the area safe for visitors and neighbors.
Want to learn more about these trees and why they're being removed? Watch this informative video from Parks Operations Supervisor Rob Martinson.
To support a healthy long-term tree canopy, the City will replace the 15 poplars with 45 new trees. We’ll replant as many as possible in Peter Kirk Park and place the remaining trees throughout Kirkland’s parks, including McAuliffe Park, North Kirkland Community Center, Reservoir Park, and Rose Hill Meadows.
Our team is choosing species that will thrive for decades to come, including oak, western red cedar, beech, linden, and others. Thank you for your support as we continue stewarding our parks and urban forest.
 Severe storm closures, cancellations, and transportation challenges have caused blood donations to drop across the U.S., but patients can’t wait for the weather to clear. If you’re able, please make time to donate blood this week to help Bloodworks assist with emergency shipments of blood to regions impacted by the severe weather. Your donation can help people in storm-impacted areas and beyond. See a map view of all upcoming donation appointments at bloodworksnw.org or 800-398-7888. Text BWAPP to 999-777 to download the Bloodworks app.
Upcoming Blood Donation Events in Kirkland:
Thursday, February 5 – Keller Williams Eastside Realty
Friday, February 6 – IMAN Center
Friday, February 27 – Aegis Living Kirkland Waterfront
As an added bonus, if you donate blood this February, you can enter to win a luxury hotel stay and roundtrip airfare to Maui. Learn more and schedule your appointment today at www.bloodworksnw.org/win.
 As a Service Desk Analyst with the City of Kirkland, you’ll SERVE City teams by tackling tech troubles with curiosity, patience, and a can-do attitude. You’re part problem-solver, part translator – helping coworkers navigate systems, devices, and “why isn’t this working?” moments so they can keep doing meaningful work for the community.
You’ll help create a workplace where people BELONG by showing up with patience, empathy, and a genuine desire to help. Whether you’re answering a quick question or walking through a solution step-by-step, you make technology feel approachable and people feel supported.
This is a role where you’re encouraged to THRIVE. You’ll grow your skills, share ideas, and contribute to improvements that make life easier across the City, all while working with a supportive IT team that values teamwork, learning, and celebrating wins together.
While you’re making a positive impact, we’ll support you with:
- 100% City-paid medical, dental & vision premiums
- Retirement & generous paid leave
- Growth & training opportunities
- A collaborative team that values your work
Learn more and apply today at kirklandwa.gov/jobs
Muskrats thrive in wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving waters across western Washington. They primarily eat aquatic plants such as cattails, sedges, and water lilies, but occasionally consume fish and clams. Muskrats build burrows in stream or pond banks with underwater entrances and, less commonly in western Washington, lodges made of plants and mud.
Muskrats can be confused with river otters, beavers, or nutria. Here are key differences:
Size: Think large rat—smaller than beavers and otters.
Tail: Muskrats have a thin tail, unlike a beaver’s flat paddle or an otter’s sleek tail.
Swimming: They float lightly on the water and lack the otter’s arching, slinky-like movement.
Ears: Muskrat ears are hidden under fur; beaver ears are more prominent.
Muskrats are most active at twilight but can be seen during the day along shorelines and calm waters. They’re usually spotted swimming rather than on land. Look for muddy slides leading to water and watch for movement near hidden burrow entrances. Great viewing spots include Juanita Bay Park, Juanita Beach Park, Forbes Lake, and other shoreline areas.
Get more wildlife highlights and other environmental news by signing up for the Green Kirkland newsletter.
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 Join the Green Kirkland Steward team and help restore Kirkland’s natural areas while connecting with your community.
What’s a Steward? Ongoing volunteers who lead forest restoration projects in local parks—with training and support from Kirkland Parks. No experience needed—just a love for green spaces!
Spring 2026 Orientation - Free & Open to All*:
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Session 1: Program & Urban Forestry Overview (Online) Thursday, March 19 | 6–8 p.m. | Zoom
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Session 2: Field Training in Restoration Practices (In-person) Saturday, March 21 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Kirkland Park TBD
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Session 3: Site & Volunteer Management (Online) Thursday March 26 | 6–8 p.m. | Zoom
Register for all three sessions on the New Steward Orientation Event Page. Learn more about the role at the Ongoing Volunteer Roles page on the Green Kirkland website or contact Jeremy Jones, Program Coordinator: jjones@kirklandwa.gov.
*Youth under 18: please attend all sessions with an adult.
 The City has temporarily closed the drop-off collection site at City Hall for mercury-containing CFL light bulbs. The program that collects these bulbs is not accepting bulbs at this time.
As an alternative, you can bring your CFL light bulbs to the Factoria Transfer Station's Household Hazardous Waste drop-off location in Bellevue. Note that only CFL light bulbs containing mercury have a return program for proper disposal of mercury. All other light bulbs (LEDs, halogens, incandescent, etc) are not recyclable and need to be disposed of in the garbage. More information available is available on the City's website.
 From February 4 through February 19, drivers should prepare for a series of nighttime rolling slowdowns in both directions on Interstate 405 near Northeast 160th Street for utility line relocation as part of the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project.
Rolling slowdowns will occur intermittently on northbound and southbound I-405 between:
- 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 and 4 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5
- 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 and 4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6
These rolling slowdowns are also scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday nights the following two weeks: Feb. 11-12, Feb. 12-13, Feb. 18-19 and Feb. 19-20.
The following ramps may also be temporarily closed during these times:
- Northbound I-405 on-ramps from at NE 85th Street, 116th Avenue NE, and NE124th Street
- Southbound I-405 on-ramps at I-5, SR 527, NE 195th Street, and SR 522
During the rolling slowdowns, crews will temporarily stop traffic for up to 15 minutes to create a gap in the traffic flow which will allow crews short term access to the roadway to relocate utility lines. Drivers should expect additional traffic on I-405 approaching Bothell during overnight work and plan for delays. Schedule updates will be available on WSDOT’s Travel Center map, the WSDOT mobile app and by signing up for King County email updates.
(1) Northeast 85th Street: Shared Use Pathway
Northeast 85th Street continues to usher a single lane of traffic in each direction, between Interstate 405 and Sixth Street while a Kirkland contractor builds a shared-use pathway that parallel’s Northeast 85th Street. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
(2) 124th Avenue Northeast Pedestrian Improvements
Drivers should expect southbound lane shift between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 124th Avenue Northeast from the Tolt Pipeline Trail to Northeast 145th Street. Work may begin as early as February 10 on this sidewalk project on the west side of 124th Avenue Northeast.
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here.
 Wheels & Reels Winter Drive-In Movie Series
Date: February 7, March 7, & April 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park
February 7 – Twisters March 7 – Lilo and Stitch (live action) April 11 – Mufasa: The Lion King
Cozy Up for the 2026 Winter Drive-In Movie Series at Juanita Beach Park! Grab your blankets, load up the car, and enjoy a magical movie night under the winter sky! Watch family-friendly films (PG-13 and under) on our giant 17-foot LED screen. All ages are welcome, but parents are encouraged to review movie titles ahead of time for suitability.
This event happens rain or shine (no refunds), so come prepared! Cars and trucks are welcome, but please leave the limos, RVs, buses, and alcohol at home, and please no tailgating. Registration is $20 per vehicle and is required ahead of time for attendance. Please register based on your vehicle size to ensure the best viewing experience for everyone. The parking lot opens at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at 7 p.m.
Register now at www.kirklandparks.net or visit www.kirklandwa.gov/communitybuildingevents for more details.
Conversations with Council
Date: Saturday, February 21
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Kingsgate Library
The Conversations with Council events offer casual, drop-in gatherings where community members can share ideas, ask questions, and get to know their elected officials through small group or one-on-one conversations. There is no agenda, presentation, or prepared remarks—just conversation. Two to three Councilmembers will attend each session on a rotating basis. Community members are encouraged to drop in at any time during the events. Feedback from participants will help shape and evolve the program to meet the needs of the community. For more information visit www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Council/Conversations-with-Council
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Lunar New Year Celebration
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
Come celebrate Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse. This festive community event will feature light refreshments, hands-on arts and crafts, and a variety of cultural performances presented by the Seattle Chinese Arts Group and Mak Fai Lion Dance Association. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore an educational gallery showcasing the rich history and traditions of Lunar New Year. Whether you're familiar with the holiday or curious to learn more, this celebration offers something for everyone. The event is free and open to all, so bring your family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy an afternoon of fun, learning, and cultural connection. For more information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents or call 425-587-3300.
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Ever wonder what to keep in your car for winter driving? Kirkland’s Emergency Manager, Heather Kelly, shares what she keeps in her car to be ready for winter driving conditions.
Learn more: kirklandwa.gov/prepare
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