 We’re joined by Ryean-Marie Tuomisto, Water Quality Program Coordinator for the City of Kirkland to get the scoop on free vehicle leak inspections and why they are so important for keeping our lakes and streams clean. Check it out.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will continue its discussion on possible zoning code amendments for the NE 85th Street Station Area.
- Council will review the recommended projects for this year’s Neighborhood Safety Program.
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Council will be briefed on new state requirements for incentivizing affordable housing on faith-owned land.
- Council will discuss a draft scope of work for a new Kirkland Tool Library.
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 overview of Kirkland’s Public Defense Services
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Proposed amendments to the Code Enforcement Process
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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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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It’s official! The City of Kirkland and the Seattle Kraken announced their plans to build the Kraken Iceplex and Kirkland Community Center at the site of the former Houghton Park and Ride. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to open in the fall of 2027.
Want to watch the press conference from April 29, 2026? Check it out!
This partnership between the City and the Kraken is designed to deliver major public benefits with no new taxes. The center will be a hub for recreation and community life, with flexible rooms for classes and gatherings, along with fitness space. Plus, every Kirkland resident will receive two hours of free open skate each month and the Kraken’s One Roof Foundation will offer discounted programs for low-income and vulnerable community members to support broad public access.
The facility will include two NHL-regulation ice rinks, a City-operated community center, a public restaurant, Kraken Team Store, and space for programs, events, and activities. It is expected to boost Kirkland’s economy, with an estimated $7 million each year in economic activity for Kirkland and the Eastside. It will support local jobs, bring new visitors, and help nearby businesses.
Prepare yourself for the changes coming to NE 85th Street. Starting the weekend of May 8, drivers will encounter multilane roundabouts where the street passes under I-405.
Does the idea leave your head spinning? Follow these tips to keep yourself, other drivers, bikers, and pedestrians safe while driving in multilane roundabouts:
- Choose the appropriate lane based on the lane assignment signs.
- Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk before entering the roundabout.
- Look to your left and yield to drivers already in the roundabout.
- Stay in your lane and let the pavement markings guide you.
- Be courteous and use your right turn signal to indicate your exit to the vehicles around you.
- Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk while exiting the roundabout.
From April 26 to May 3, Kirkland Fire is participating in Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters, a national tribute led by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty.
In Kirkland, the display honors Firefighter Terence Goldberg, who passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Goldberg served the Kirkland community with dedication and is recognized at both the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado.
Do you love fitness, thrive in a group setting, and enjoy being in the water? Turn your passion into a rewarding summer opportunity with the City of Kirkland as a Deep Water Exercise Instructor!
At the City of Kirkland’s Parks and Community Services Department, we’re actively searching for an energetic and motivating Deep Water Exercise Instructor to lead fun and engaging aquatic workouts at the Peter Kirk Pool. This role offers a flexible, part-time schedule during weekdays in the evening and Saturday mornings. You will get the opportunity to SERVE and inspire the local community through outdoor fitness working in a dynamic and team-oriented environment. As the Deep Water Exercise Instructor, you get the chance to teach a class where we all BELONG by leading safe, high-energy water workouts including warm-ups, strength training, and cooldowns while creating a welcoming environment for participants of all fitness levels. We are looking for applicants with experience teaching group aquatic fitness classes, are currently First Aid and CPR certified or able to obtain certifications and bring a positive attitude and a genuine passion for helping others succeed and THRIVE in their fitness goals.
This non-benefited position is perfect for students, recent graduates, or anyone seeking short-term work.
Hourly Rate: $31.67-$37.81
Classes run June through August (Monday/Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings)
 To make way for the Kraken Iceplex and Kirkland Community Center, the temporary Houghton Park and Play will close the week of May 4. The features you’ve loved at Houghton Park and Play are getting new homes across the city.
- Expanded community gardens at Rose Hill Meadows this April — open now!
- Six new pickleball courts with seating at Peter Kirk Park — expected in June
- A refreshed skate park at Peter Kirk Park — design is underway
We’re grateful to everyone who made this temporary park such a welcoming space, and excited for what’s coming next. Thanks for your patience as we make room for something great.
For project updates and questions, visit kirklandwa.gov/iceplex.
The City of Kirkland’s International Night Market has received a 2026 Program Spotlight Award for Innovative Programming (Population Under 100K) from the Washington Recreation and Park Association, recognizing outstanding creativity and community impact in parks and recreation. The award was presented on April 23, 2026, at the WRPA Annual Awards Banquet in Tacoma, Washington.
Launched in 2025, the International Night Market brought the community together to share traditions from around the world. It featured a mix of local food vendors, live entertainment, and cultural experiences. Thousands of community members attended, leading to the event’s continuation in 2026.
The International Night Market will return on Aug. 19, 2026 at Juanita Beach Park, with expanded opportunities for the community to participate. The City of Kirkland is currently seeking vendors, performers, and cultural resource organizations interested in participating in this year’s event.
 May is Bike Everywhere Month and Wednesday, May 13 is this year’s official Bike Everywhere Day (formerly Bike to Work Day). Stop by “celebration stations” for goodies at Evergreen Point / 520 Trail, or at Feriton Spur Park along the Cross Kirkland Corridor, or wherever there’s a station along your route. A map of celebration stations will be available here.
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.
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Has your vehicle sprung a leak? Find out for FREE at Lake Washington Institute of Technology! If the technicians find a leak in your vehicle and recommend further service, you’ll be issued a $250 voucher to be redeemed at participating auto shops in Kirkland. By participating in this program, you’re helping to prevent pollution from entering our local streams, wetlands, and lakes.
✅ Where: Lake Washington Institute of Technology Auto Repair Shop
✅ When: May 4-7 from 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
Imagine the warm Hawaiian sand between your toes as a thank you for saving lives in the Pacific Northwest! In gratitude for your blood donation in May, you can enter to win roundtrip airfare for two plus a three-night stay in a lush oceanview room at Oahu’s beautiful Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. Your donation makes a real impact in our local hospitals and could turn into the getaway of your dreams.
Drivers should expect traffic delays and restricted parking due to the Kirkland Half Marathon and 5K, to be held at Juanita Beach Park on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed. Course maps are available at https://orcarunning.com/kirklandhalf/.
Roadway impacts will be in effect from 7 a.m. until approximately 11:30 a.m. or when the last runner passes. Additionally, the following closures will be in place:
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Juanita Beach Park parking lot
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Eastbound Juanita Drive between 93rd Avenue NE and 98th Avenue NE (detour in place)
Event organizers expect 1,500 athletes will participate in the run/walk, which includes courses for the Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids’ Dash.
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(1) NE 85th Street: Shared Use Pathway
Night work will detour eastbound NE 85th Street traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on May 5 and 6 (dry weather dependent) to grind and overlay the two eastbound lanes of NE 85th Street. A uniformed Police Officer will control the intersection of NE 85th Street and Sixth Street. Eastbound traffic will detour to Seventh Avenue/NE 87th Street. Westbound travel on NE 85th Street will not be detoured.
(2) NE 85th Street Eastbound Third Lane Project
Drivers can expect night construction to continue 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 from 120th Avenue NE to 122nd Avenue NE as Kirkland’s contractor finishes watermain work and moves onto concrete and street repairs. Work on this project is expected throughout spring.
(3) 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.
Location: Juanita Beach Park
Our second annual Junk in the Trunk Community garage sale features 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.
For more information, visit www.KirklandParks.net and click on the Community Events tab. We hope you can join us!
State of the City & Community Appreciation Night
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center and Kirkland Performance Center
Join us for this special one‑night‑only live podcast conversation with the City Council as we share gratitude for our amazing community. This free event celebrates connection and community pride, starting 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, registration is recommended. More event details, answers to frequently asked questions, and registration found here.
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Conversations with Council
Location: Kirkland Library
Join the City of Kirkland for the next Conversations with Council event on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kirkland Library, part of a community engagement program offering casual, monthly opportunities for you to connect with your City Councilmembers at locations across Kirkland.
All are welcome at these drop-in sessions, which are designed for open dialogue — without agendas or presentations. You are encouraged to B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Topic)™, ask questions, and share ideas on the issues that matter most to you. Since launching in January 2026, nearly 50 community members have participated. If you haven’t yet had a chance to join, the new slate of events this quarter offers plenty of opportunities to take part.
📅 Looking ahead: Future Council Conversations
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Chat with Councilmembers while enjoying summer market season on Friday, June 26, from 3-5 p.m. at the Juanita Friday Market.
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Downsizing and Decluttering: You Can’t Take it With You
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center
You can spend a lifetime accumulating treasures, trinkets, and memories. All the “stuff” can make downsizing feel like a monumental endeavor. Join AARP Washington as we share tips to tackle even the most daunting task of decluttering and preparing for your next stage in life.
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Spring Recycling Collection Event
Date: Saturday, May 16
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s South Parking Lot
Just in time for spring cleaning, the City of Kirkland is hosting a Recycling Collection Event! Kirkland residents can bring hard-to-recycle items, like scrap metal, electronics, Styrofoam, and tires (with exceptions). Bring exact cash for items with a drop-off fee. Find the full list of accepted items and fees here.
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You asked, we answered! A common question is “Do you plan to have a recycling event in the near future?” The next recycling event is May 16 (see above), plus Rukia explains how to check recycling event dates, and where to find ways to recycle items that can’t go in your regular recycling cart (hint: kirklandwa.gov/beyondthecart). Watch this short video to learn more.
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