August 8, 2024
Go for the gold! Meet Councilmember Amy Falcone and hear why she's so passionate about serving our community on City Council.
The Kirkland City Council met on August 7, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
- Council adjusted the boundaries and timing for the automated safety cameras in school zones.
- Council received an update on the 2044 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element, including a briefing on the transit corridors being studied for the possibility of more housing capacity.
- Council reviewed updates to the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline Renovations.
- Council approved staff to move forward on the Cross Kirkland Corridor Bridge Mural process.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
- Staff's evaluation of the Kraken's Proposal for an ice plex facility.
- Utility rates for Solid Waste, Water, Sewer, and Surface Water.
- The Public Works Maintenance Center Facility Plan.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City of Kirkland Facebook page and the City YouTube channel, in addition to the livestream on the City website. 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.
Please note - the Council is on Summer recess. The next City Council meeting will be September 3, 2024.
In our Meet the Council video series, Councilmembers share their interests, what it is like being a Councilmember, and why the community should get involved.
Watch our latest video for a fun conversation with Councilmember Amy Falcone. You can also listen to our podcast to learn more about Amy and what she loves about Kirkland, the community, and serving on Council.
Houghton Beach remains closed this week based on test results which continue to indicate elevated bacteria levels. The beach has been closed since Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The beach will remain closed for at least one additional week until testing results meet the reopening criteria.
Read more.
Tuesday, August 6, was National Night Out. Our amazing community invited Kirkland police officers, firefighters, crisis responders, and City Councilmembers to 14 neighborhoods! Thank you for promoting first responders and community partnerships with block parties, BBQ’s, and other social events.
If you missed it this year, be sure to fill out the request forms next year – National Night Out is the first Tuesday of August every year!
More information about National Night Out can be found on the City's website.
This month, the Kirkland Youth Transit Ambassadors are launching their Kirkland Bus Bingo Community Challenge! The Ambassadors are aiming to increase positive thinking towards public transit, reduce carbon emissions, normalize riding the bus, and increase the number of bus riders (especially youth). Watch our local Youth Transit Ambassadors, Belle and Eva, as they complete their normal day activities and scratch off some bingo slots!
The Sustainability Ambassadors invite you to take a selfie while on your ride and tag @Ambassadors2050 to be featured on their Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! If your group gets BINGO, you'll be featured on their monthly newsletter. But wait - there's more! Complete every square on the board to win transportation swag from the City and have your full video sent in the Sustainability Ambassadors newsletter. Send your completed bingo board to info@sustainabilityambassadors.org
Thank you all for coming and supporting our new Animal Control Officer, Angela Arnold, at last Saturday's Meet & Greet. If you were unable to make it and you have questions about lost pets, pet licensing, and more - join the text notification service by texting the word “pets” to 425-490-8326.
Don’t forget about our monthly pet photo contest! Each month, one pet will be picked and promoted as the Kirkland Pet of the Month. Enter by sharing on social a photo of your furry friend proudly displaying a pet license tag and use the hashtag #KirklandPetTags for a chance at $50 in Kirkland Ca$h.
And, if you need to renew or sign up for a pet license, you will receive a $15 Kirkland Ca$h voucher to support participating businesses in Kirkland! License your pets on our website or at the Kirkland Police Department.
Donate blood, save a life, and enter for a chance to win a $3,000 prepaid gift card! Fill out the entry form, book an appointment (Kirkland sponsor code is 6955), and donate in the month of August to enter. Kirkland City Hall has two events coming up on August 28 and 29! Visit www.bloodworksnw.org/win for more.
Join your friends and neighbors this summer and volunteer with the Green Kirkland Partnership to help restore the forest in Kirkland Parks!
Visit the Green Kirkland event calendar to register and learn more!
Tools, training, and gloves are provided. No prior experience needed to volunteer, and youth are welcome following the event guidelines. Events are supervised by a Green Kirkland Steward.
Upcoming events:
Sunday, August 11, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Finn Hill Open Space #4
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 9 to 11 a.m. - South Norway Hill Park
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Juanita Open Space #1
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Finn Hill Open Space #4
Visit www.greenkirkland.org for general information about this program.
Northeast 85th Street/I-405 Interchange Nightly Closures this weekend
Northeast 85th Street is closed nightly beginning Friday, August 9 at 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. Saturday, then beginning as early as 10 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday and again as early as 11 p.m. Sunday to be open Monday at 4 a.m.
During the closure times, the off-ramps will not be open, but the on-ramps will be.
The next full weekend closures are expected in October to set the girders. This work is building the new bridges for both northbound and southbound 405.
For detour routes or next week’s ramp and lane closures, visit the WSDOT project webpage at bit.ly/85th-Interchange-BRT
Slurry Seal begins
More than 30 neighborhood streets in the Finn Hill and Juanita neighborhoods will close for eight hours each, starting August 5.
The annual slurry seal program will continue until Aug. 12.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/slurryseal
124th Avenue Northeast reduced to one-lane per direction nightly
From August 13th and August 16th, the construction for 124th Avenue Northeast Road Improvement project will add night shift to work on the drainage installation at the southwest quadrant of 124th AVE and NE 124th ST. Uniformed Police Officer will be on site at night to guide traffic.
Kirkland’s contractor is widening 124th Avenue Northeast to five lanes and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Search “124th Avenue” on www.kirklandwa.gov
Goat Hill
Ongoing construction on Goat Hill continues to limit access to the residential area between 3 p.m. and midnight.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill
Juanita Drive
Juanita Drive will be reduced to one lane periodically this week between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 128th Street with flaggers controlling the flow of traffic.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction, over the next two weeks, will have intermittent disruptions to access to Northeast 144th Lane as crews work to install soldier pilings for a new wall on the west side of 100th Avenue Northeast. The Kirkland contractor is alternating traffic at various locations between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. Access to Northeast 144th Place from 100th Avenue Northeast expected to be closed until August 30th. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
Work is currently located on 8th Avenue West between Market Street and 3rd Street. Flaggers are located at the intersections to allow for emergency vehicles.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/eighthavenuewestupgrade
Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street
Lake Street’s intersection with Kirkland Avenue is now open, and minor impacts to traffic flow are expected for delivery of materials throughout the remainder of construction. Pedestrian access changes, so please follow the pedestrian detour routes. Businesses remain open during construction.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/lakestreetpedscramble
Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South project complete
The Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street West water main replacement project is complete as final striping occurred on Monday August 5th. Minor punchlist items for the contractor are the final tasks, including property restoration which will occur this fall. No further alerts for this project are expected.
Kirkland Cadets Annual Benefit Car Show
Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Justice Center, 11750 NE 118th St
Car enthusiasts - enter your car in the show at the chance to win a trophy, or stop by to check out the awesome cars.
This family friendly event is a great chance to meet with fellow community members, police officials, and the cadets. Plus, there will be BBQ!
The annual Benefit Car Show is a fund raising event, and all proceeds go to the Kirkland Cadets to fund their state training and regional competitions.
For more information about the event and to enter, visit the Cadet webpage.
KCLS Event: Kirkland Analog Days
Date: Saturday, August 24
Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Avenue
There's something for everyone, young and old! For the younger, see outdated technology in action for perhaps the very first time! Below is a schedule of the day's activities:
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: The Connections Museum of Seattle
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Polaroid Camera Station
1 - 2 p.m.: Blank Books
2 - 3 p.m.: Nancy Stewart
2 - 4 p.m.: Cabot Guidry
3 - 4 p.m.: Fountain/Dip Pens
3 - 5 p.m.: Vinyl Records Cafe
For full details, visit the event page on KCLS.org
See Spot Splash
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (5 different sessions each starting at the top of the hour, 45 minutes each session)
Location: Peter Kirk Pool - 340 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
Cost: $10 per dog. Pre-registration is highly recommended or pay upon entering.
Join us for our 4th annual See Spot Splash event on Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
Bring your dog to splash and play at the Peter Kirk Pool, then head over to nearby Lee Johnson Field for some off-leash fun! Sponsored by Emerald City Orthodontics and brought to you by the City of Kirkland!
This event will include vendor booths, music, and treats! Participating dogs must be well behaved, show proof of vaccination, and be on a leash to enter. We hope you can join us!
Register online now at bit.ly/4d43n29, call 425-5787-3336, or pay in person at the pool. For event details, visit kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents.
Last of the season!
This week the Outdoor Summer Movies will be at Heritage Park (111 Waverly Way). Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a FREE double feature on our giant LED movie screen.
We will be showing "Brother Bear" and "The Fabelmans". The movies start at 6 PM and 8 PM. Don’t forget to bring your snacks!
For more information, please visit www.kirklandwa.gov/communitybuildingeventsor call 425-587-3330
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