City Council Recap July 5, 2022

The Kirkland City Council met on July 5, 2022, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:   

Study Session – Transportation Benefit District: The Council received an update on potential Transportation Benefit District (TBD) funding implementation and provide direction on the City Manager’s proposed spending plan, and whether to build the TBD revenue into the 2023-2024 operating budget and 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan.  At the February 15, 2022 Public Hearing, Council adopted an ordinance assuming the rights and powers of the Kirkland TBD which creates the opportunity for Council to adopt a vehicle license fee to fund transportation improvements.   

Study Session – School Resource Officer Program: The Council was updated on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. The SRO program expanded from two officers to six officers with the passage of Proposition 1 in 2018. The Kirkland Police Department continues to actively collaborate with the City Manager’s Office and the Lake Washington School District on the SRO program.  Due in part to these conversations, several changes have either already been completed and/or are in the planning stages for the SRO program.    

Public Hearing - Autonomous Personal Delivery Devices: The City Council reviewed work completed to date to develop draft regulations concerning the operation of autonomous personal delivery devices in Kirkland. The Council approved extending the current moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and/or issuance of permits related to autonomous personal delivery devices for up to six months in order to complete an identified workplan.  

Police Body Worn Cameras: The Council reviewed and approved a revised Kirkland ordinance which creates a new chapter of the Kirkland Municipal Code regarding public safety technology. This new chapter will authorize police use of body worn cameras but will also be used to prohibit the use of facial recognition technology.  Prior to the Council’s decision on how to proceed with a body worn camera program, staff conducted community conversations on the topic in March and April 2022.  

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 5-Year Roadmap: The Council adopted the final draft of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Five-Year Roadmap with amendments. On August 4, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution R-5434 to ensure the safety and respect of Black people and dismantle structural racism in Kirkland. Among many other actions within R-5434, the resolution called for contracting for a comprehensive City organizational equity assessment to identify gaps in diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of City policy, practice and procedures, and to identify proposed actions steps to address these gaps.  

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.   

The next regular City Council meeting is on July 19, 2022