 Would you rather listen to this newsletter as a fun and dynamic podcast? Kirkland Police Chief Mike St. Jean gives us the run down on what it’s like to be in law enforcement and all of the exciting ways the community can get to know their police department. We announce the much-awaited reopening of the southern portion of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, give a heads up on some upcoming weekend freeway closures, and share why filling the boot is so meaningful. Plus, we preview the next council meeting and talk about events like the Lunar New Year Celebration. Check it out.
The next regular meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- The City Council will receive a report on the state of Kirkland’s urban forest and urban forestry programs. Staff will seek the Council's direction on different scoping options for the forthcoming update to the Urban Forest Management Plan.
- The Council will consider approving $20,000 of lodging tax funds which have been recommended for investment by the Tourism Development Committee to amplify key tourism-driving events like the Junior Softball World Series, the Umbrella Fringe Festival, World Cup Business Education, and potentially others.
- The Council will consider adjusting the compensation paid to judges pro tem, which are temporary judges who serve in the absence, disability, or disqualification of Presiding Municipal Court Judge John Olson or when additional judge capacity is needed. This compensation adjustment would bring the rate of pay up to market value and would allow for easier cost-of-living adjustments to be made in the future.
- The Council will consider adjusting the vacation and management leave for non-represented staff to help support the City's goals of attracting and retaining highly qualified staff.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
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An update to the 2026-2028 Planning Work Program.
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An overview of probation services offered by the Kirkland Municipal Court.
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.
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.
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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Repairs to the Eastside Interceptor (ESI) 14 pipe that runs under the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) Trail are complete. The CKC trail between NE 52nd Street and 108th Avenue NE is now open. Some equipment will remain along the trail side for summer repair work.
Culvert repair starts this summer
Although the pipe repairs are complete, crews will return this summer to stabilize and repair a rockery wall and culvert located beneath King County’s pipe. This work will provide long-term protection for the repaired pipe and trail.
To support this work, the existing 3,000-foot temporary above-ground sewer pipe and the excavated access points will remain on the west side of the trail. Until the summer construction begins, the access points will be covered with steel plates and fenced off. During the repair work this summer, the CKC Trail section between NE 52nd Street and 108th Avenue NE will be closed. Tree planting and equipment removal will take place after the culvert repairs are complete. Updates will be provided as repair planning progresses.
To stay informed about the project, please visit the Eastside Interceptor Section 14 joint rehabilitation project webpage.
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Kirkland Police has joined the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force, a regional partnership with Bellevue, Issaquah, and Redmond focused on addressing the driving concerns we hear most from our community: speeding, reckless driving, and loud modified exhaust. Through this coordinated effort, officers from each agency will work together to patrol areas most impacted by dangerous driving and ongoing noise concerns.
This regional approach allows agencies to share resources and focus on safer speeds and safer roads across city lines. Community members can support the effort by reporting dangerous driving when it occurs. Read more about the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force and how it’s working to improve safety across the region here: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-news/eastside-safe-streets-task-force
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 Kirkland firefighters will be out in downtown Kirkland on Sunday, March 1, hosting a Fill the Boot campaign to support the Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle on March 8 and raise funds for Blood Cancer United. This year’s climb carries special meaning as the Kirkland team climbs in honor of one of their own, Firefighter Braddock, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Community members are invited to stop by the intersection of Central Way and Lake Street South on Sunday, March 1 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to say hello and make a donation. Every dollar raised helps support blood cancer research, patient care, and local families navigating treatment. If you’re downtown that day, keep an eye out for the boots — and help Kirkland firefighters take one more step toward a cure. You can also support the team anytime by donating online at: https://pages.lls.org/events/wa/firefighterstairclimb26/KirklandFireDepartment.
The City of Kirkland has posted its 2026 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan and invites community members to review and submit comments or suggestions by February 28, 2026. The draft plan outlines potential actions the City may take to reduce stormwater pollution and protect our lakes and streams.
Stormwater pollution is a leading cause of contamination in Kirkland’s creeks, lakes, and wetlands. Pollutants come from everyday activities such as driving, yard care, pet waste management, car washing, and land development. Preventing stormwater pollution involves reducing the contaminants we use and treating any runoff before it reaches our local waters.
Read the full news release.
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 Are you ready to make a difference, stay active, and earn some cash? The Parks & Community Services Department is looking to hire over 100 positions this summer! Open positions include pool and waterfront lifeguards, swim lesson instructors, day camp leaders, youth sports staff, seasonal park rangers, seasonal parks laborers, special events staff, recreation attendants for facility rentals staff, recreation lead staff, and more. Most positions are seasonal, and several are year-round.
Explore open positions and apply at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/ParksJobs
Save the date for the Parks Job Fair
Date/Time: Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Ages: 15+ Location: North Kirkland Community Center - 12421 103rd Ave NE, Kirkland
Job Fair link - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Whats-Happening/Community-Events/Parks-and-Community-Services/Parks-Community-Services-Job-Fair
 Beginning Feb. 20, crews started removing large flyover ramps that once carried northbound I-405 traffic to SR 522. Taking down these structures opens the center of the interchange so crews can widen I-405 and continue construction on the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project.
This work will happen over a sequence of weekend closures stretching into mid-March. While the ramp removal work can happen in most weather conditions, certain steps, such as restriping temporary detours, require dry pavement. The Washington State Department of Transportation will confirm each closure as schedules are finalized.
Upcoming closure schedule
- Feb. 27-March 2: All lanes of eastbound and westbound SR 522 at the I-405 Interchange will close from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, to 4 a.m. Monday, March 2, to remove the remaining portion of the ramp over SR 522. Crews will start closing lanes as early as 9 p.m.
- As early as March 6-9: All lanes of northbound and southbound I-405 in Bothell will close from Friday night, March 6, to Monday morning, March 9, to remove portions of the ramps over mainline I-405. Times for the closure will be released when the schedule is finalized.
- As early as March 13-16: All lanes of northbound and southbound I-405 in Bothell will close Friday night, March 13, to Monday morning, March 16, to remove the remaining portion of ramps over mainline I-405. Times for the closure will be released when the schedule is finalized.
What travelers should expect
Detour routes will be signed, but they cannot carry normal SR 522 or I-405 freeway volumes.
People should plan for longer trips and congestion that may extend beyond the immediate closure areas. Travel patterns may shift week to week as work locations change. Travelers with flexibility should consider adjusting travel times or exploring alternate modes where possible.
Real-time information will be available through the WSDOT mobile app and the Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT's 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.
(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 expected to begin February 19 on this sidewalk project on the west side of 124th Avenue Northeast.
(3) 132nd Avenue Northeast Intersection Improvements
Drivers should expect lane shifts and flagging operations on 132nd Avenue Northeast near Northeast 100th Street as Kirkland's contractor builds a new signalized intersection. Traffic control begins at 9 a.m. and ends by 3:30 p.m.
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here with project updates on Thursdays!
 Take a Virtual Tour of the Recycling Center
Date: Friday, February 27
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m
Location: Online
Cascadia Recycling Center (CRC) processes recyclables for the City of Kirkland and from hundreds of thousands of Puget Sound residents and businesses. The virtual tour is a great opportunity to see how the center functions and to see how they process recyclables collected from over 250,000 households in Washington! It is also a perfect opportunity to ask Waste Management your recycling questions.
For more information and to register please visit the Waste Management website. The next in-person tour will be on May 29, 2026.
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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 Wheels & Reels Winter Drive-In Movie Series
Date: March 7 & April 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park
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.
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