This Week: Council Preview | Stairclimb | Summer Jobs | Oahu Vacation

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this week in kirkland

March 12, 2026

city of kirkland washington

Release the Green with 4,700 of Your Neighbors + Win a Trip to Oahu

Podcast thumbnail 3.12.26

We are joined by Leslie Myers, Clean Energy Product Manager with PSE who energizes us over the Green Power Challenge.  Check it out.

City Council Meeting Preview

Council 2026 Group Shot

The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:  

Council will hold a public hearing on a condemnation ordinance to acquire property needed for an expansion of the Public Works Maintenance Center. Later in the meeting, the Council will consider a condemnation ordinance related to acquiring property for the Public Works Maintenance Center. 

Representatives from WSDOT will update the Council on the I-405 / NE 85th Street In-line bus rapid transit station and interchange project.

Council will be updated on the school zone signing project and will consider extending a temporary position supporting this work.  Council will also provide direction to staff on the scope of outreach and preferred timeline for installing additional beacons.  

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

  • The upcoming Marina Park Repair Project and related options for updating the parking lot. 
  • The Water Comprehensive Plan.  

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 17 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'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.    

Get Questions Answered & Lend Your Voice

Ask Kirkland better

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!

Community Support Helps Kirkland Firefighters Climb

Firefighter Stairclimb

On Sunday, March 8, Kirkland firefighters took part in the Seattle Firefighter Stairclimb — an annual event where firefighters climb more than 1,300 steps at the Columbia Center in full turnout gear to raise funds for blood cancer research and patient support. 

With generous support from the community, the Kirkland team raised $47,158 for Blood Cancer United, placing 4th among more than 250 participating departments. 

Climb day highlights included: 

  • Kirkland placed 3rd in the team finish for fastest combined time 
  • Firefighter Ellingwood finished 16th out of 1,915 climbers 
  • Firefighter McPhee was the 2nd fastest female climber 

Thank you to everyone who donated, supported the Fill the Boot, and helped cheer the team on. Every step helps support families facing blood cancer. 

Find a Summer Job at the Kirkland Parks Job Fair 

Summer jobs_swimming pool

Want a job that’s active, meaningful, and rooted in community? The Kirkland Parks and Community Services Job Fair returns on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the North Kirkland Community Center.  

“Summer positions with Parks and Community Services are a great way to gain skills, confidence, and connection, as well as a paycheck,’” said Councilmember Shilpa Prem. “Stop by the job fair to meet the team and learn about rewarding seasonal jobs that help make Kirkland the place we all know and love.”  Read more. 

Help Shape Celebrate Kirkland July 4th Parade

celebrate kirkland red white and you

The Celebrate Kirkland Parade is one of our community’s most cherished July 4th traditions, and you can help bring it to life! We’re assembling this year’s Celebrate Kirkland Planning Committee, and we’re looking for passionate, creative, community‑minded volunteers to help craft an unforgettable holiday celebration. 

This is your chance to help shape the event of the summer. Committee volunteers play a key role in ensuring the event runs smoothly, feels welcoming, and reflects the spirit of our city. If you love community events, enjoy teamwork, and want to help build something special for thousands of neighbors, families, and visitors, this is a meaningful and fun way to get involved. 

Interested in joining the planning team? Click here to apply.

Lead Habitat Stewardship in Your Parks: Spring Orientation

Green Kirkland Partnership March 2026 events

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*: 

  • Session 1: Program & Urban Forestry Overview (Online)  Thursday, March 19 | 6–8 p.m. | Zoom 
  • Session 2: Field Training in Restoration Practices (In-person) Saturday, March 21 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Kirkland Park TBD 
  • 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. 

Annual Bulk Item Curbside Pickup for Kirkland Residents

Bulky Item Collection

Great news for Kirkland residents! Waste Management offers free annual curbside collection of one bulky household item for single family residential garbage customers. More than one bulky item can be collected at reduced rates for easy disposal. Don’t miss this chance to declutter your home! 

Eligible Items Include: 

  • Large appliances 
  • Mattresses 
  • Sofas 
  • Furniture 
  • Barbecue grills 
  • Exercise equipment 

How to Schedule a Pick-Up: Contact Waste Management at 425-587-0040 or visit the Waste Management website for more details.

Be the Sunshine a Local Patient Needs

Bloodworks Oahu

Each spring, as sunshine returns and families head out for vacation, blood donations drop, yet the need never does. Make a meaningful difference this spring break by donating with Bloodworks. Your donation supports patients facing surgeries, trauma care, and cancer treatments in our local hospitals. Plus, all donors this month can enter to win a dream trip to Oahu for two. Book your appointment today to donate at Kirkland City Hall on April 1 or 2 for a chance to soak up the sun. 

Kirkland Welcomes the World Business Workshop

Kirkland Welcomes the World

Seattle is a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, with matches taking place at Lumen Field. The upcoming World Cup is set to be the largest in history. Staged across three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament features 16 host cities, 48 teams, and 104 matches. 

The City of Kirkland wants to keep residents and businesses informed and ready for the festivities. Join us for an in-person Business Information Workshop presented by the City of Kirkland and Kirkland Chamber of Commerce on March 27 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Northwest University where we will have multiple speakers, resources, and information on how your business can engage with the influx of visitors this summer. More information here 

Code Amendments Would Change Parking Requirements

Parking lot

A new Zoning Code amendment is coming down the pipeline to implement the State-mandated minimum parking requirements under Washington State Senate Bill 5184. This project will bring the City into minimum compliance with Senate Bill 5184 with additional parking reductions for commercial expansions and in the NE 85th St. Station Area. Kirkland’s implementation of the bill will result in fewer minimum parking spaces being required for commercial and residential land uses citywide.  

Want to learn more? 

Visit the project webpage for further information, draft code amendments, and meeting packets: State Parking Requirements (Senate Bill 5184) Implementation Project 

Upcoming Actions 

  • The Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the draft code amendments on Thursday, March 12,. The meeting packet and Zoom link can be found on the Planning Commission webpage 
  • City Council is tentatively scheduled to adopt the code amendments on Tuesday, April 7.  

Questions? 

If you have any questions, you can reach out to the project planner, Martha Rubardt, at mrubardt@kirklandwa.gov.    

WSDOT Traffic Alert: Both Directions of I-405 in Bothell Closed March 13-16

I-405 closure

From 9 p.m. Friday, March 13, to 4 a.m. Monday, March 16, crews will close all lanes of northbound I-405 at the SR 522 Interchange and all lanes of southbound I-405 from SR 527 to SR 522 to remove ramp sections over I-405. Signed detours will be in place: Northbound I-405 nighttime detourNorthbound I-405 daytime detourSouthbound I-405 detour. 

Travelers should expect 2- to 3- mile backups on I-405 during the full closures. A one-hour delay in both directions is the best-case scenario during peak travel times. This work is part of the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project. 

Traffic Alert for March 14: Kirkland Shamrock Run

Drivers should expect traffic delays and restricted parking due to the Kirkland Shamrock Run, to be held at Marina Park on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed. Course maps are available at kirklandshamrockrun.com.    

Roadway impacts will be in effect from 8:55 a.m. until approximately 11:30 a.m. or when the last runner passes. Read more. 

2026 Shamrock Run

Traffic Alerts

Traffic Alert Map for 3.12.26

(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. Construction on this project is expected to enter suspension in by April as the contractor procures long-lead items.   

(4) 132nd Avenue Northeast Trend Lift Station (sewer) project 

Drivers should expect alternating traffic on Monday, March 16 on 132nd Avenue Northeast at Northeast 112th Street.  Flaggers will alternate traffic between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to investigate existing infrastructure prior to future construction at this location. 

For project updates, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/capitalprojects  

Upcoming Events

Coffee with a Cop

Coffee with a Cop 

DateWednesday, March 18  

Time: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.  

Location:  The Art of Coffee, 12348 NE 115th Pl, Kirkland 

Strong communities start with good conversations. Stop by Coffee with a Cop to meet Kirkland Police officers, ask questions, share concerns, or simply say hello. There’s no agenda - just a chance to connect with the people who serve your community. No purchase necessary. 


Conversations with Council

Conversations with Council 

Date: Thursday, March 19 

Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.  

Location:  North Kirkland Community Center 

The City recently launched a new pilot program called Conversations with Council, which offers regular opportunities for community members to engage informally with your Kirkland City Councilmembers at locations around Kirkland. There is no agenda or presentation—just B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Topic). Join us for our next session at the North Kirkland Community Center on Thursday, March 19 from 4-6 p.m. For more information about the program, and other ways to engage with the City, visit:  www.kirklandwa.gov/CouncilConversations  


Pitch Competition March 24

Live Pitch Competition 

Date: Tuesday, March 24 

Time: Doors open 5:30 p.m., competition starts at 6 p.m. 

Location: Kirkland Performance Center | 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033 

Join us for an electrifying evening of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit at the Kirkland Pitch Competition! This is not just an event; it's a platform where aspiring entrepreneurs showcase their groundbreaking ideas, and the community comes together to support and celebrate innovation. Watch as passionate entrepreneurs take the stage to present their business ideas in a format that's both engaging and informative. A distinguished panel of industry experts will evaluate the pitches, providing valuable insights and feedback to participants. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, an investor scouting for the next big opportunity, or a community member eager to support local innovation, this event is for you! Register to attend here 


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

Have you ever wondered what the Public Works Emergency Reporting line is, and when you should call it? Stacey answers your questions in this short video:

Public Works Video Still
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