City Council Recap May 21, 2024

The Kirkland City Council met on May 21, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting: 

• Council considered options to modify the time periods of the automated safety camera program in school zones.
• Council received an update on the Cascade Water Alliance Negotiations and provided direction on how to proceed.
• Council adopted the recommended projects for the 2024 Neighborhood Safety Program.
• The Mayor proclaimed Public Works Week in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
• The Council continued discussion on draft resolution R-5631, Declaring the City's Commitment to Addressing Homelessness. The Council clarified what the City is and is not doing related to homelessness with this resolution:
  • The City is proposing:
    • Developing an Action Plan to address issues of homelessness
    • Community engagement to inform the Action Plan
    • City Council consideration of the draft Action Plan by the end of 2024
  • The City is not proposing:
    
    • Opening parks to homeless encampments 
    • Opening new shelters near primary schools 
    • Taking in Seattle’s homeless population 
    • Siting a tiny home village at Houghton Village (the former PCC site) 
    • A specific housing and homelessness ballot measure. Potential future ballot measures would not be considered without a demonstrated need and a comprehensive public process.

Additional information on the resolution can be found on the City’s website.

Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed: 

• The Seattle Kraken’s proposal to construct an Iceplex on the former Houghton Park and Ride site
• Transportation Strategic Plan Plan and associated projects list.

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 City Council meeting is on June 4, 2024.