View with images
February 13, 2025
You might very well pass by this love story, now etched into the City’s landscape, on your next walk, bike ride, or adventure along the CKC. Tune in to hear how Kyle and Christina's story is woven into Kirkland, and how you can create your own lasting memory here, too. You won’t want to miss it!
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. This will be a hybrid meeting, and community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda for the February 18 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will receive an update on the 2025 Legislative Session.
- Council will consider extending an ordinance for the Parkplace Project at Kirkland Urban.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss the King County Metro RapidRide K Line project.
Meeting details:
The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session. The agenda for the February 18 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.
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.
How to participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so in-person or via Zoom during the “Items from the Audience” part of the agenda. That part of the agenda occurs at the beginning of the Council’s business meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Information on the comment sign up process to provide comment to the City Council, and on attending the meeting virtually, is available on the City Council webpage.
Written comments can also be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
Stay in the know: you can also get a preview of what’s coming up at Council in the coming weeks and months by checking out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
Get Involved: Serve on a Kirkland Board or Commission
Whatever you're passionate about—parks, the arts, libraries, transportation, human services, or city planning—there’s a seat for you! This is your chance to lend your voice and shape Kirkland’s future.
Seats Available:
• Civil Service Commission
• Cultural Arts Commission (adult and youth seats)
• Design Review Board
• Human Services Commission (adult and youth seats)
• King County Landmarks & Heritage Commission
• Library Board (adult and youth seats)
• Park Board (adult and youth seats)
• Planning Commission
• Salary Commission
• Transportation Commission
Make an impact—learn more and apply today: Boards and Commissions webpage.
Deadline is Friday, February 14, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Ready to turn your business dreams into reality?
The Kirkland Workshops & Pitch Competition is back! Gain the skills, confidence & tools to start or grow your business—plus showcase your idea at the final pitch event where 3 winners take home $5,000 each!
Workshops run February 26 through March 26 and cover: Business Basics, Lean Canvas, Finances, Marketing, and Pitch Practice.
Space is limited—apply today and take your business to the next level!
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
The City of Kirkland is here to help! The best way to reach us with questions, requests, or suggestions is through Our Kirkland—our online and mobile service portal. Using Our Kirkland ensures your message gets to the right team for follow-up.
Looking for more ways to share feedback? Check out our Community Conversations page.
In honor of Presidents' Day, City administrative offices are closed on Monday, February 17, 2025. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal and over the phone will resume 8 a.m., Tuesday, February 18.
Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational.
For a full list of 2025 City Hall Holiday Closures, visit the City’s website.
Whether you’re kayaking, paddleboarding, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the view, we all love Kirkland’s amazing lakes and streams.
Kirkland’s 2025 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan outlines key steps to protect our local waters and reduce pollution, both now and for the future. The City invites community members to share feedback on water quality concerns, flood prevention, or ideas for keeping our lakes and streams healthy by February 24, 2025.
Review the plan and learn more at kirklandwa.gov/stormwater. Email your feedback to stormwater@kirklandwa.gov
When Kyle wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Christina, he knew he wanted the moment to be as special and meaningful as their relationship. Kyle and Christina met in Kirkland and began their love story in Kirkland. The Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) is meaningful to them because it connects Kyle’s first job, Christina’s first job, and Kyle’s first apartment. They also share a love of running and have created at least one thousand miles of memories running together on the CKC trail.
Inspired by the many memories shared together along the CKC, Kyle found the perfect way to make his proposal unforgettable—by installing a bench through the City’s bench donation program.
Kyle worked with the City to donate a bench, carefully choosing a peaceful spot along the CKC that he thought was scenic, peaceful, and perfect for both of them. On a December winter morning, he led Christina to the bench, where a small plaque engraved with "In this place, our journey begins, celebrating our love, now and forever” awaited her. Kyle knelt down and asked her to marry him.
With happy tears, Christina said yes! Now, the bench not only provides a place for the community to rest and reflect but also serves as a lasting symbol of their love story.
Congratulations Kyle and Christina!
The City’s bench donation program offers a unique way to commemorate special moments, honor loved ones, or give back to the community while enhancing our public spaces. Whether it’s a wedding proposal, a memorial, or a simple celebration of everyday joy, a donated bench can become a meaningful part of the City’s landscape.
To learn more about how you can create your own lasting memory in a park or along the CKC, visit the Park Donations page.
Listen to Kyle and Christina share their story on our podcast!
A note from Kirkland PD's Animal Control Officer: We’ve had a few coyote sightings around Kirkland lately and with mating season underway, coyotes and other wildlife are out and about more than usual. While coyotes tend to avoid people, consider the following tips to keep your furry pals safe:
- Keep an eye on your pets – Coyotes are most active during dawn and dusk, so be extra cautious during those times. Always supervise your pets when they’re outside, even in fenced areas.
- Don’t leave food outside – Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and may be attracted to pet food, trash, or even fallen fruit. Secure your garbage and avoid leaving pet food outside overnight.
- Be alert – If you spot a coyote, make loud noises, clap your hands, or shout to encourage it to move along. Coyotes are generally shy and will retreat if they feel threatened.
Learn more: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Animal-Services/Wildlife-Issues
Kirkland Senior Center
Every year, the Senior Center provides free income tax assistance services from February through April.
A volunteer Tax Advisor will help you prepare your 2024 tax return. Appointments are required and available Fridays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., now through April 11. Call 425-587-3360 to schedule your appointment.
United Way of King County
United Way of King County offers free and convenient tax preparation services both in-person at multiple locations throughout King County as well as virtually from now through April 19.
Households making under $80,000 are eligible and can be connected to other community resources and public benefits by request.
There are three easy ways to file:
- In-Person - File your taxes in-person at locations throughout King County. Locations have convenient hours to meet your schedule, and no appointments are needed. To find a location near you, languages available, a list of what to bring, and other details, visit United Way’s website at www.FreeTaxExperts.org or call 2-1-1
- Virtually with assistance – Interested in filing your taxes virtually but don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own? Visit www.GetYourRefund.org. Please note: Virtual tax assistance slots are limited. If you do not feel comfortable sharing sensitive information like your Social Security Number or ID information online, or with navigating a web client, please visit in person.
- Virtually without assistance - No income limit on this software! Feel comfortable filing your own taxes and just wish there was a way to do it yourself for free? Then look no further! File your taxes online at 100% no cost with United Way’s ‘My Free Taxes’ tool at www.myfreetaxes.com.
Are you eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit? There is a tax credit up to $1,290 available to qualifying Washington state families.
Read more at Washington Department of Revenue.
Un nuevo reembolso para los trabajadores de Washington. Las personas y familias podrán recibir una devolución de hasta $1290 si cumplen ciertos requisitos de elegibilidad. Lea mas en Washington Department of Revenue.
Take a close look at your trees this winter—it's the ideal season to assess their structure and prune if needed.
Before we know it, new leaves will cover the trees and bird nesting season will be upon us. We do not want to prune in the spring and early summer unless we have to.
As you assess you trees this winter, remember:
- Have a pruning plan! Proper pruning can take multiple seasons to reach your goals while keeping your trees healthy.
- No topping or heading cuts are allowed unless you have a permit with a certified arborist's plan. These cuts can cause long term damage to your tree.
- Keep your canopy! Removing more than 25% of a tree’s canopy and leaves can starve your tree. Heavy pruning requires a city permit and a certified arborist.
- If dealing with storm damage, you can leave the natural break for bird habitat, or prune the branch back appropriately with a clean cut—just make sure to follow the guidelines above.
Need resources? Check out the Pacific Northwest International Society of Arboriculture or the Trees are Good pruning pages for helpful information.
Care for your trees the right way to protect their health and beauty for years to come!
As we celebrate American Heart Month this February, it's the perfect time to think about the small steps we can take every day to protect our heart health. ❤️ From eating nourishing meals to finding moments to relax, our daily habits can have a big impact on the strength and longevity of our hearts.
Here are a few simple self-care tips to keep your heart healthy:
- Move More: Find time each day to get active, whether it’s going for a walk, stretching, or enjoying a favorite exercise.
- Eat Heart-Healthy Meals: Choose meals that are rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Get Enough Sleep: A good night’s rest is essential for your heart’s well-being.
- De-Stress: Take a moment to unwind each day—whether it’s through deep breathing, meditation, or enjoying a hobby you love.
It’s also a great time to consider taking a free CPR class. Knowing CPR can help you save a life in an emergency—and it’s an easy skill to learn! 💪 Find an upcoming CPR class here: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Fire-Department/Public-Education/CPR-Class
For more tips on heart health and ways to protect your heart, check out: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/american-heart-month
A Big Thank You to the Green Kirkland Partnership!
In 2024, the Green Kirkland Partnership made an incredible impact:
- 1,800+ volunteers dedicated 7,600 hours
- 5,642 new native plants found a home
- 160+ stewardship events hosted by 56 Stewards
- 17 new acres enrolled in restoration & monitoring
Your hard work is making Kirkland’s natural areas healthier for everyone—thank you!
Interested in contributing to this big impact? Sign up and join fellow community members in making a difference.
Juanita Open Space #1 - Saturday, February 15, 2025 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Highlands Open Space #1 - Monday, February 17, 2025 | 12 to 2 p.m. (President’s Day Holiday)
Juanita Bay Park (main lot) - Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Learn more about the program, dive deeper into 2024 accomplishments, and find more events at greenkirkland.org
I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Update
Get the latest on upcoming construction, ask questions & stay informed! Join WSDOT, Sound Transit & Skanska for a virtual project update.
Feb. 26 from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom
Register here or find the link on WSDOT’s project page before the meeting.
Can't make it? A recording will be posted later!
Construction Projects
Find information and updates about City of Kirkland construction projects here.
Safe Practices Online & Tech Support for Seniors
Date: Wednesday, February 19
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave
Cost: FREE
Navigating the digital world can be tricky, but we've got you covered! Join us for a special event where volunteers from the City of Kirkland IT Department will offer personalized tech support for iPhones, Androids, Mac & Windows computers! Plus, learn essential online safety tips to stay protected in the digital world.
Learn more and register at kirklandparks.net or call 425-587-3360
KCLS Event: Foraging for Basketry and Wild Crafts
Date: Tuesday, February 18
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd St
Get to know some of the incredible plants that grow here in the Pacific Northwest!
Explore ways to identify, gather, store and use them to create crafts while following a forager’s code of ethics.
Join Field and Forest Crafts for this show-and-tell discussion and leave with fun and easy ways to get started foraging for your own craft materials.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Kingsgate Library.
For more information, and to register, visit KCLS.org
Blood Drive
Date: March 10
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE (*Note*: not at City Hall)
There’s lifesaving power in all of us. By donating blood, you’re helping patients needing blood transfusions for challenging procedures and treatments – chemotherapy, heart surgery, serious burns, organ transplant, critical injuries, sickle cell disease, and more.
Your generous donation is even more important this time of year to protect our community from scary shortages. Will you help supercharge our blood supply?
Make an appointment to donate blood at the North Kirkland Community Center on Monday, March 10!
Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
Meet the team bringing fun to Kirkland—classes, camps, and activities for all!