 This week brings another no-guest episode, which means another drive through our new segment, “The Roundabout”! We ruminate about community connection, creativity, and the best Star Wars movie. Plus, we talk wildfire smoke safety, e-bikes vs. e-motorcycles, the Junior League Softball World Series, and maps, maps, and more maps. Check it out!
The Kirkland City Council met on Aug. 5, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the Business Agenda:
- Council approved proceeding with the next stage of exploration on a Tool Library.
- Council approved an alternative delivery of the Peter Kirk Pool Project.
- Council received a briefing on the Totem Lake Southern Industrial Subarea.
- Council provided direction on proposed code amendments for housing on faith-owned land.
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Council discussed a potential affordable housing agreement at Arete Apartments.
During the study session, Council discussed preliminary utility rates for 2027-2028 and received an update on the Kirkland Cares Low-Income Support Program. Council is on recess for the rest of August. The next meeting will be held in September.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
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Preliminary Utility Rates for 2027-2028
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An update on the Kirkland Cares Low-Income Support Program
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City’s:
Note: The Aug. 5 meeting was not able to be streamed live on the City’s Facebook page due to a technical issue.
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 Sept. 1, 2026.
Want to meet Kirkland Councilmembers in an informal setting outside of City Council meetings? Bring your own topic to the next Conversations with Council event.
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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Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality across our region, and the smoke contains tiny particles that can irritate your eyes and lungs, making it harder to breathe. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions may be especially sensitive to poor air quality. Keep these safety tips in mind while smoky conditions are in our area:
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Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before spending extended time outdoors.
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially when the air quality is poor.
- Keep windows and doors closed to keep clean air inside.
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Set your vehicle’s fan or A/C to recirculate when driving through smoky areas.
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Stay hydrated and take breaks indoors if you’re spending time outside.
If you experience coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, move to cleaner air and seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe.
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More closures are coming as part of the Washington Department of Transportation’s NE 85th Street Interchange Project. This weekend, WSDOT crews are preparing the foundation for the new 114th Avenue NE roundabout, completing drainage, and installing curbs. To do so, they’re closing the NE 85th Street Interchange and local streets. Detours will be in place (see map above), but you may wish to plan extra time or consider an alternate route if you plan to travel through the area.
WSDOT will close the NE 85th Street Interchange and local streets at 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 and reopen them at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10. NE 85th Street will be closed between 6th Street and 120th Avenue NE. The closure encompasses the I-405 on-ramps on NE 85th and the I-405 Exit 18 off-ramps as well as 114th Avenue NE betweenNE 87th Street/Kirkland Way and Odhe Avenue.
Additional weekend closures are also expected from Aug. 14-16, Aug 28-31, and Sept. 11-13. Please note: All dates are tentative and subject to change due to weather conditions or other factors. For concerns, contact the project hotline at 425-224-2423 or visit the WSDOT project page.
Starting Monday, Aug. 10, the roundabout at NE 85th Street and 114th Avenue NE will be in a new temporary configuration for the next phase of construction. Lanes will be narrower, so it will be particularly important for cars to give semi-trucks, buses and other large vehicles extra space.
The new configuration opens up the roundabout for cars to complete the entire loop. However, there will be new restrictions for trucks and long-bed trailers. Trucks will not be able to make any left turns from the roundabout and must use the truck detour route. Those large vehicles accessing the Everest Neighborhood should use 9th Avenue S to avoid the low-clearance bridge on Kirkland Way.
The Junior League Softball World Series is in full swing! Members of the community, our City Council, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, and a host of other dignitaries and celebrity guests welcomed the 10 participating teams last Saturday, Aug. 2. The World Series is now officially underway, with games held daily through the championship match-up on Saturday, Aug. 8.
The tournament has reached the single-elimination stage, so the games are high-stakes. Go out and support these amazing young athletes! To find game times, check out the online schedule.
The City of Kirkland has published its online biennial Community Survey to gauge community perspectives on the quality of life in Kirkland, satisfaction with City government services, and priorities for the future. All Kirkland community members are encouraged to take the online 2026 Community Survey at https://surveys.reconmr.com/S2/1/Kirkland2026/.
A phone and text-to-web version of the community survey was recently administered to a random sample of Kirkland residents. For over a decade, the City has conducted a version of this survey every two years as part of its budget process. The results from both the online survey and the phone survey will be presented to the City Council at upcoming Council meetings. The results will inform the Council about the community’s sentiments on various issues in Kirkland in preparation for the Council’s adoption of their 2027-2028 biennial budget later this fall.
The online survey will close on Aug. 31, 2026.
 It’s National Emergency Management Awareness Month! Emergency managers play a vital role in helping our community to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impacts of disasters. Their work often takes place behind the scenes, but their impact is felt every day, especially when we need it most. Thank you to the hard-working emergency managers who help safeguard the people of our community!
Learn more about Emergency Management in Kirkland.
The City is working to get the word out on the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles. Some electric motorcycles look a lot like e-bikes. If it has a throttle and can go more than 20 miles per hour without pedaling, it’s an e-motorcycle. Unless your kid has a driver’s license, a motorcycle endorsement, and proper insurance, it is illegal for them to ride an e-motorcycle.
If your kid isn’t old enough to drive your car, they aren’t old enough for an e-motorcycle. Help your kids ride right.
We all want your kids to get home safely. Let’s work together. Give them the right ride. Learn more.
Enjoy the shade of a good tree and help grow Kirkland’s forest canopy with the Green Kirkland Partnership in a park near you this August! Multiple stewardship events will be held throughout the month, and volunteers will connect with community as they help with mulching, weeding, and watering. All are welcome, and training and tools are provided.
The stewardship events will take place in Juanita Open Space #1, Everest Park, Windsor Vista Park, and North Rose Hill Woodlands Park. See the details below:
Polish the chrome, gather the family, and mark your calendar. Registration is now open for the 8th Annual Kirkland Cadet Benefit Car Show, happening Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kirkland Justice Center.
Whether you’re bringing a prized vehicle or simply coming to admire an incredible lineup of cars, the Kirkland Cadet Benefit Car Show offers something for everyone. Join us for a day of family-friendly fun while supporting the Kirkland Police Department's Cadet Program. Spectator admission is free.
“We look forward to this event every year because it brings together people of all ages around a shared interest,” said Police Chief Mike St. Jean. “It’s a fun day for families, an exciting showcase for car enthusiasts, and an important fundraiser that helps our Cadet Program continue providing leadership and service opportunities for local youth.”
Vehicle owners are encouraged to register early. Registration is open to all makes and models and includes a commemorative 2026 dash plate. The entry fee is $25 through Sept. 1 and increases to $30 beginning Sept. 2, including day-of entries.
Throughout the day, attendees can browse an impressive variety of vehicles, meet fellow enthusiasts, purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, and cheer on their favorites as awards are presented in categories including People's Choice, Participants’ Choice, Kirkland Cadets’ Choice, Sponsors' Choice, KPD Command Choice, and the Cadets’ “Most Likely To” award.
All proceeds benefit the Kirkland Police Cadet Program, which provides leadership development, community service opportunities, and hands-on experience for young adults interested in law enforcement careers.
To register a vehicle, become a sponsor, or learn more, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/cadetcarshow. Community members who would like to support the Cadet Program but don’t have a vehicle to enter can make a donation through the registration page.
The City of Kirkland is seeking community feedback as it explores updates to its regulations for home-based businesses and new allowances for small-scale neighborhood businesses in residential neighborhoods. These changes would make it easier for local entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, support more walkable and connected neighborhoods, and expand access to everyday goods and services. Community members are invited to share their ideas and experiences by taking Kirkland’s Neighborhood Stores and Services Community Survey.
“Kirkland is constantly changing, and the City government has to adapt to ensure our community remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive,” said Councilmember Jon Pascal. “These potential code amendments aim to support a diverse, business-friendly economy that directly serves the local community and provides needed goods, services, and employment opportunities for community members. The survey will help us thoughtfully consider a range of community perspectives before updating the regulations.”
Feedback from community members will help shape critical components of the project, like allowed business types, hours of operation, location requirements, and more. City staff will review survey responses, analyze concerns and ideas, and communicate the feedback to decisionmakers to help inform their guidance on the code amendments.
Residents, business owners, and anyone interested in the future of Kirkland’s neighborhoods are all welcome to share their views. Visit the City’s website to complete the Neighborhood Stores and Services Community Survey. The online survey will close on Sept. 18, 2026.
Every day, patients rely on blood donations during emergencies, surgeries, and cancer treatments. Those blood donations can only come from generous donors like you. Yet this summer, our local blood banks are struggling to keep up with patient need.
Bloodworks Northwest invites you to set aside one hour to keep our blood supply strong. That’s all the time it takes to roll up your sleeve, give blood, and save a life. City Hall is hosting blood drives on Aug. 19, 20, and 27. Make your appointment today.
Maps tell stories — and at the City of Kirkland, they help shape the future.
As our IT Supervisor of GIS, you’ll SERVE the City by leading the GIS team behind the maps, dashboards, and location-based technology that support everything from infrastructure projects to emergency response.
You’ll BELONG to a collaborative IT team that values curiosity, innovation, and helping one another succeed. Your leadership will empower your team while building strong partnerships across the organization.
You’ll THRIVE leading meaningful projects, exploring new technology, and making a lasting impact on the community — one map, one dataset, and one great idea at a time.
While you’re making a positive impact, we’ll support you with:
- 100% City-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums
- Retirement and generous paid leave
- Growth and training opportunities
- A collaborative team that values your work
(1) NE 134th/136th/137th streets: 2026 Overlay Program
Drivers can expect a disruption to travel between 90th Avenue NE and 100th Avenue NE on NE 134th/136th/137th streets as Kirkland’s contractor begins overlay maintenance on this street. Work began Monday, Aug. 3 and is expected last multiple weeks. Working hours are between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
(2) NE 85th Street/I-405: WSDOT Project
Drivers should expect a full weekend closure of NE 85th Street from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 to Monday, Aug. 10. The closure encompasses all ramps to/from I-405 and NE 85th Street from 6th Street to 120th Avenue NE. Detours will follow the standard routes from previous closures.
Additional weekend closures are expected in both August and September as WSDOT works to complete essential projects before fall.
Outdoor Summer Movies
Location: Heritage Park | 111 Waverly Wy.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a double feature on our giant LED movie screen. The first movie, Zootopia 2 (PG), starts at 6 p.m., with the second, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13), starting immediately after the first concludes. It’s free to attend!
Co-Working Day and Free Business Advising
Location: Kirkland City Hall | 123 5th Ave.
Instead of working from your house, office, or local coffee shop, join us at City Hall! Startup and Small Business Co-Working is designed to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and provide valuable resources to help you thrive in your entrepreneurial journey along with fellow entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners.
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Mobile Blood Drives at City Hall
Date: Sunday, Aug. 19; Monday, Aug. 20; and Monday, Aug. 27
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Aug. 19 and 20) and 9:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. (Aug. 27)
Location: Peter Kirk Conference Room (Downstairs) | Kirkland City Hall | 123 5th Ave.
The summer season is tough for our community’s blood supply. Book an appointment today through Bloodworks Northwest and spend just one hour donating one pint of blood to save a life. Make an appointment today.
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Did you know there’s an on-demand transit service in Kirkland? Watch to learn more!
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