Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) Member Description

Parks Funding Exploratory Committee Position Description

Community Members creating recommendations for potential 2023 Parks ballot measure(s)

Community feedback over the past few years, including from over 4,700 Kirkland community members who provided input as part of the 2022 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan update, has shown a strong desire to add an aquatic center and additional indoor recreation space in Kirkland. Community members also want year-round access to restrooms, a strengthened trail network, better lighting and parking at facilities, increased maintenance of parks, pickleball courts, diverse and inclusive recreation programming, and more.

The City Council has heard that the community wants fast action to deliver improvements, enhancements and expansion of parks and recreation services identified during the PROS Plan update. On March 1, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution R-5514(PDF, 642KB) directing staff to:

Explore potential comprehensive Parks ballot measure options to be placed before Kirkland voters in 2023 for the purpose of maintaining and expanding natural areas, open spaces, aquatic and recreational facilities, and program opportunities that enhance the health and wellbeing of the community to further the goals of abundant parks, open spaces, and recreational services.

The City Council is looking for input from Kirkland community members, groups, and businesses to help identify the right elements to include in potential November 2023 ballot measure(s) and the appropriate funding mechanism(s) that could be part of the ballot measure(s).

To carry out this important work, on August 3, 2022, the City Council approved the formation of a Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) to determine the highest priorities for parks and recreation and provide recommendations to the City Council regarding what capital and operating elements and funding mechanisms the ballot measure(s) should include.

PFEC Process

PFEC will meet twice a month from September 2022 through February 2023. The Committee will compile and make recommendations to City Council in the spring of 2023 regarding what the potential ballot measure(s) should include. Based on community input, City Council will make a final decision on the ballot measure(s) in late spring or early summer of 2023.

Meetings in September will begin with PFEC members getting to know one another and an educational process on parks and recreation (including tours), funding history, background on Kirkland’s budget, and conversation about available ballot measure funding mechanisms. PFEC members will also discuss what the City learned from the PROS Plan community engagement and what community members’ greatest needs are. City staff and consultants will provide PFEC members with detailed cost and feasibility information related to potential investments named in the PROS Plan and identified by PFEC, City Council, the Park Board, and community members. Based upon their review of comprehensive information, PFEC members will make recommendations to Council for what capital and operating elements and funding mechanisms the potential ballot measure(s) should include.

PFEC Composition

PFEC should be comprised of members who reflect the diversity of the Kirkland community, including with respect to race; ethnicity; gender; sexual orientation; gender identity; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; status as a homeowner or renter; neighborhood; family composition; languages spoken; policy perspective; and age.

Additionally, the City seeks members who represent these types of activity/interest or identity groups:

Service Clubs of Kirkland
Affordable Housing Provider
Affordable Housing Resident
Organized Aquatics
Outdoor Field Sports
Outdoor Court Sports
Indoor Sports
Fitness and Training
Informal/Pickup Sports
Lifelong Learning Activity
Performing Arts
Parent with school-age children at home
Health and Wellness
Large Business
Small Business
Youth
Seniors
Renter
Disability and/or neurodiverse community members

PFEC will be made up of 30-50 Kirkland community members volunteering their time including:

Chaired by Councilmember Kelli Curtis
20-30 members will represent specific organizations that City Council asked to participate in PFEC
An open application process will be used to identify:
- 10-20 at-large members will be chosen through an open application process with an emphasis on activity and interest groups

PFEC Member Role

The City greatly appreciates the time of PFEC volunteer members, who are asked to:

Attend at least 90% of PFEC meetings (2-3 hours each, typically on Thursday evening – see meeting schedule below)
Care about parks and recreation in Kirkland
Live or work in Kirkland
Enjoy great food! Dinner from Kirkland restaurants will be provided at in-person meetings.
Have time (2 hours/week) to review materials provided by staff that will help inform PFEC recommendations
Come with an openness to engage in conversation with people with diverse perspectives
Agree to PFEC agreements of how to interact with one another in the group, to be written collaboratively during the first meetings
Ask any questions that arise – all questions are good questions!
Be committed to the City’s efforts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

The City will provide:

Dinner from Kirkland restaurants for any in-person meetings
Educational meetings and tours of existing and model facilities
PROS Plan information and other existing community input
Transportation and childcare support as needed

Apply to be a PFEC member!

The City is currently seeking community members to apply for the activity/interest and identity group and at-large PFEC positions. Paper applications may be picked up at Kirkland City Hall at the Parks and Community Services Department, 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033. All materials are available at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/parks2023ballot.

Apply for PFEC Today

Application timeline

Thursday, August 4: Application opens - applications will be accepted via an online form or via paper copy. Pick up paper copies at Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, 98033) or call 425-587-3315 to request one be mailed to you.
Monday, August 29, 8:00 p.m.: Application due date
Tuesday, August 30 – Friday, September 2: Application review process, including contacting selected members
First week of September: PFEC member list announced on website
Thursday, September 15: First PFEC meeting

PFEC Meeting Schedule

PFEC Meetings may be held in-person or virtually on Thursday evenings. The first two meetings in September 2022 will be held in-person at local parks. October meetings will be held virtually. Location details will be communicated at least two weeks in advance of the meeting date.

September 15, 2022, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., meeting in-person outside
September 29, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., meeting in-person outside
October 13, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., virtual meeting
October 27, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., virtual meeting
November 10, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., in-person meeting - facility tour
December 1, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.* Tentative hold
December 8, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., location tbd
January 12, 2023 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., location tbd
January 26, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., in-person meeting
February 9, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., in-person meeting
February 23, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., in-person meeting

Contact Details

Hillary De La Cruz
Management Analyst

Sarah Rock
Communications Program Specialist

425-587-3315
playitforward@kirklandwa.gov

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