 We explore art, emotion, inspiration, and the world with Kirkland Senior Council member and Senior Art Show organizer Scott Emmons, along with past art show winners, Heather Ebey and Kathy Coart. We learn all about submitting art and viewing the Senior Art Show, tourism grants, a new website for police jobs, work zone safety, booster seats, and what’s on the next Council meeting agenda. Plus, we preview oodles of great events, including the annual spring plant sale, Conversations with Council, Junk in the Trunk, Community Appreciation Night, and the spring recycling collection event. Check it out.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
-
Council will consider amendments to zoning code for the NE 85th Street Station Area
-
Council will give feedback on a pilot program to support housing on faith-owned land comply with a new state law.
-
Council will discuss a proposed implementation plan for a new Tool Library
-
Council will receive a demonstration of a new online downtown Parking Map
-
Council will have its second discussion on a resolution related to Preparing the City for Safe and Legal Responses to Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement Operations in the City
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
-
An overview of Prosecution Services
-
A briefing on possible property acquisition to expand parks services in the Kingsgate neighborhood.
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 April 21 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.
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)
|
|
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!
|
See an issue needing to be addressed?
Whether it’s potholes, graffiti, downed trees, or otherwise, let us know through Our Kirkland!
|
The Kirkland Tourism Development Committee (TDC) has launched the 2026 Explore Kirkland tourism grant application process, open now through Monday, June 1, 2026, at 12 p.m. PDT. As in years past, the TDC is offering approximately $60,000 in 2026 grants to provide marketing and operations funds to new or existing programs that demonstrate the ability to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays in Kirkland.
The Kirkland Police Department is hosting an upcoming Guns for Gift Cards event, where Kirkland community members can exchange unwanted guns for gift cards. The event will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kirkland Justice Center, located at 11750 NE 118th Street. Guns for Gift Cards is part of the City of Kirkland’s broader efforts to reduce gun violence and prevent firearms from being stolen, misused, or involved in tragic accidents or suicides. Each unwanted firearm turned in is one less weapon that could potentially cause harm in the community.
Read more.
The second week of April is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week — a time to recognize the vital role of 9-1-1 dispatchers in every emergency response. In an emergency, the first voice you hear is often a dispatcher. They gather critical information, provide calm and clear instructions, and help guide callers through stressful situations while dispatching first responders to help.
We recognize and thank the dispatchers who are always ready to answer the call and support our community when it matters most. We appreciate you!
The Kirkland Police Department has launched a new careers website to give candidates a clearer, more authentic look at how they can SERVE the Kirkland community.
Built around the idea that great humans make great cops, the new Kirkland Police Jobs website highlights what it means to BELONG to a department that values teamwork, professionalism, and strong community connections. It also showcases the many ways employees can THRIVE, from career development and training opportunities to specialized assignments across the department.
Whether you’re exploring law enforcement for the first time or considering your next step, this site is designed to help you better understand the role, the department, and the impact you can make. Visit KirklandPoliceJobs.com today!
The annual Spring Plant sale at Lake Washington Tech is a big event and it’s happening April 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students grow over a hundred crops that every gardener will want. These include vegetables and herbs that grow exceptionally well in our Northwest climate. Fuchsia baskets are a top seller, as well as petunia, million bells, and begonia hanging baskets, all dripping with flowers. The bedding packs for summer color are always popular and include impatiens, lobelia, snapdragons, dahlias, and so much more. There will always be some old favorites at the sale, like trailing bacopa, as well as something new every year. You don’t want to miss out on this exceptional community event! Plus, there’s a bonus online sale on Tuesday, April 28 for those who can’t make it in person during the weekend. Visit: https://plantsale.lwtech.edu/.
|
Join us for a treasure hunter’s heaven on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Our second annual Junk in the Trunk Community garage sale will be in Juanita Beach Park lot, featuring up to 50 vendors, food trucks, and more! Sellers get a parking space for their car and the one next to it to sell their items. The event is free to attend, vending fees are $35-$65.
For more information or to register to be a vendor from your vehicle, visit www.KirklandParks.net and click on the Community Events tab. We hope you can join us!
Sound Transit has recently shared that it expects to need to cut back and/or delay some of the voter-approved ST3 projects to balance the budget. In the coming weeks, the Sound Transit Board will need to make key decisions about the future of the 4 Line and the system as a whole. To learn more and lend your voice to the Sound Transit Board’s decision, take the Enterprise Initiative survey.
The South Kirkland-Issaquah Link line (the 4 Line) is currently estimated to be completed by 2044 and is one project that might be changed by cost-saving efforts. Voters approved ST3 with the expectation of a connected regional system that improves mobility and access.
The City of Kirkland’s position is that the 4 Line should maintain direct connections from South Kirkland through Downtown Bellevue onto Issaquah – connecting regional growth centers and making the regional transportation system work. The City is committed to delivering a balanced transportation system that gives people more options to get to, from, and around Kirkland safer and easier. In line with this, the City supports expanding high-capacity transit for our community and the Puget Sound region. For more on Kirkland's position on this topic, read the Council memo and letter from the City to Sound Transit.
|
Just in time for spring cleaning, the City of Kirkland is hosting a Recycling Collection Event on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Kirkland residents can bring hard-to-recycle items, like scrap metal, electronics, Styrofoam, and tires (with exceptions), to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology's South Parking Lot. Bring exact cash for items with a drop-off fee. See the full list of accepted items and fees.
|
 Join King County’s Target Zero Coalition for a free and informative 90-minute webinar focused on the important transition from into and out of a booster seat. Choose from two options: April 22 at 6 p.m. or May 12 at 12 p.m. Learn when to know whether your child is ready to move into a booster, and when they are big enough to fit just the seat belt alone. Learn critical information that is going to help keep your elementary school child as safe as possible in the car. Register here.
Metro Flex is your on-demand neighborhood transit service. With one simple app — and just a few taps — you can ride anywhere in the service area, all for the same cost as a bus trip. King County Metro announced that they are fine-tuning their boundaries to reach even more riders.
The Juanita service area has long connected riders to neighborhood destinations, but the community around Totem Lake has been evolving fast. New housing, medical services, and retail have turned the Totem Lake Transit Center into a major anchor. To reflect that shift, the Juanita service area will become the Juanita/Totem Lake Service Area. As the new boundaries center on the Totem Lake Transit Center, riders gain a stronger link to local destinations and the regional transit network. Learn more.
|
April 20-24 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. It’s an important time to remember the responsibilities each driver holds and, most importantly, to keep our road workers safe. Over 100,000 crashes occur in work zones around the country annually. In 2025, Washington state had 1,557 work zone-related crashes recorded on state highways.
Workers, commuters, and pedestrians are all affected. Let’s keep roadway workers and each other safe. Your actions behind the wheel can be forever. Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe:
-
Slow Down — drive the posted speeds; they’re there for your safety.
-
Be Kind — our workers are helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways.
-
Pay Attention — both to workers directing you and to surrounding traffic.
-
Stay Calm — expect delays; leave early or take an alternate route if possible. No meeting or appointment is worth risking someone’s life.
|
(1) NE 85th Street: Shared Use Pathway
NE 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 parallels NE 85th Street.
(2) 124th Avenue NE Pedestrian Improvements
Drivers should expect occasional work on 124th Avenue NE near NE 145th Street as Kirkland’s contractor finishes sidewalk work for this Transportation Benefit District sidewalk and crossing project. PSE crews will be on site before the contractor returns to activate the crossing. Pedestrian flags are temporarily installed at this new crosswalk.
(3) 132nd Avenue NE Intersection Improvements
Drivers should expect lane shifts and flagging operations on 132nd Avenue NE near NE 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 once the concrete/street work is complete as the contractor procures long-lead items.
(4) CKC to Eastrail Crossing at Slater Avenue NE/132nd Avenue NE
Drivers should expect traffic control and plan for minor construction delays from 132nd Square Park to NE 124th Street at Slater Avenue NE as Kirkland’s contractor resumes work on this project. PSE crews will be on site before the contractor returns to active the signals.
(5) NE 85th Street Eastbound Third Lane Project
Drivers should expect night construction east of Interstate 405 on NE 85th Street. Traffic control begins by 9 p.m. and ends by 5 a.m. to avoid disruption to NE 85th Street. Plan for travel delays due to construction near 122nd Avenue NE as Kirkland’s contractor resumes work on this project by replacing the waterline and valves. Work on this project is expected throughout spring.
Day Out for Autism
Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Washington Autism Alliance is hosting Day Out for Autism, a family-friendly resource and fun fair and 3K Walk on April 18 at Kirkland’s Marina Park. Join in their mission to expand access to healthcare, education, and essential services to individuals and families impacted by autism and related IDDs across Washington state.
|
Kenmore Earth Day
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Saint Edwards State Park | 14445 Juanita Dr. NE, Kenmore
The Kirkland Conserves Team will be at the Kenmore Earth Day celebration with interactive activities for the family and information about special offers for Kirkland residents. Join us, as well as environmental organizations, community partners, and sustainable businesses to have fun and learn more about our awesome planet and how we can take care of it. See you there!
|
Conversations with Council
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, East Building 1st Floor Mall/Cafeteria
Join us for the next Conversations with Council! This casual, drop-in event is part of the City Council’s pilot program to meet community members where they are — creating space for listening, connection, and conversation outside of formal meetings.
It’s B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Topic)™ — no agenda, no presentations. Just stop by to connect with Councilmembers and fellow community members, share ideas, and ask questions. Light refreshments provided.
|
State of the City & Community Appreciation Night
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center & Kirkland Performance Center
Join us for a special celebration of our amazing community. This free event starts with a dinner and social hour at the Peter Kirk Community Center, followed by desserts and entertainment at the Kirkland Performance Center. The program features the Mayor’s annual State of the City address, a musical performance, and a fun-filled volunteer appreciation ceremony in the style of a live podcast, This Night in Kirkland: All Together Now.
Admission and food are free; seats are limited, so be sure to register early. More event details, answers to frequently asked questions, and registration found here.
|
Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
In anticipation of this year’s “Junk in the Trunk” event, take a look back at last year’s large community garage sale. Vendors filled the lot, selling a wide variety of items directly from their trunks and adjacent spaces, including furniture, antiques, clothes, collectibles, and housewares. Watch the video to see the vibrant atmosphere and the amazing finds!
|
