July 4, 2024
Happy Independence Day, everyone! Hear all about the City's upcoming Kirkland flag crowdsourcing process (and so much more) on this week's podcast.
The Kirkland City Council met on July 2, 2024. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
- Council reviewed various parts of the City Council Policies & Procedures
- Council continued a discussion of the official City flag process that began during the Study Session.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
- A briefing on the Juanita Public Pathway Feasibility Study
- The draft process for crowd-sourcing an official City flag over the next year.
How to watch: Due to the current network disruption, the July 2 City Council meeting was held in-person only. The meeting is available to watch on the City's YouTube channel.
The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website.
The next City Council meeting is on July 9, 2024.
On Monday, June 24, City of Kirkland IT staff detected suspicious activity on the City’s internal network. Out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with the City’s security consultant, City IT staff proactively shut down access to some City network functionality. This has unfortunately resulted in some City services being delayed or inaccessible.
911 and public safety services are fully operational and responding to calls. City facilities remain open for business.
IT staff and our security vendors are working to further identify and resolve the issue. We will provide periodic updates on the City’s website.
Houghton Beach and Waverly Beach have been reopened for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. Houghton Beach beach had been closed to swimming for two weeks and Waverly Beach had been closed for one week due to elevated bacteria levels.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water on Monday, July 1, and notified the City on Tuesday, July 2 that the waters were again safe for recreational use. King County crews will return weekly to the beach throughout the summer to take samples to ensure that the water is safe.
For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage. For more information about beach closures please watch our video, which explains the science behind what causes these perennial closures and provides all of us with suggestions on what we can do to help avoid closures like this in the future.
This past week included some major milestones for Kirkland and our regional partnerships.
Cascade Water Alliance celebrated its 25th Anniversay! Cascade Water Alliance is the consortium of regional cities that sources Kirkland's water both now and into the future. Councilmember Penny Sweet - Kirkland representative for Cascade - provided opening remarks for the celebration. Thank you, Cascade!
The Regional Crisis Response Agency (RCR) celebrated its one-year anniversary. The agency's crisis responders have already made such a positive change in our community supporting 911 calls for those experiencing behavioral health crises. Congrats, RCR!
And finally, this past week also included the ribbon-cutting for Amazon's new Project Kuiper facility in Kirkland. The site will be focused on manufacturing satellites, and Amazon has teamed up with LW Tech for an innovative partnership for workforce development. Mayor Kelli Curtis provided remarks during the ceremony. With all these new jobs and Kirkland's inclusion in the space economy, this is a great additional to Kirkland's economy. Welcome, Project Kuiper!
National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 6! Every year, on the first Tuesday in August, millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out in thousands of communities across the country. National Night Out provides an opportunity to interact with Kirkland’s law enforcement, fire service professionals and City Council. While police and fire personnel will make every effort to attend your event, if invited, please note that the availability of the City's first responders depends on emergency call volume.
If you would like to request City Council, police, and/or firefighters at your block party on, fill out the National Night Out First Responder Request Form by July 23.
Events that include a road closure require a permit. To request a road closure, submit a National Night Out Block Party Permit Application, also due by July 23. Block party fees will be waived for National Night Out events held on August 6, 2024. Applicants must live on the street to be closed and serve as the event contact.
For more information visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/NationalNightOut
The Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) is re-launching in September 2024, and needs a new design. Last month, KTUB held a design competition for teens. Well, teens responded! many entered into the competition and are competing for first place!
View and vote for the best design on our webpage or visit KTUB on Facebook or Instagram and like the picture of your favorite design. First place will get a hooded sweatshirt and hat with their design and a $100 gift card to a business in Kirkland.
The winning design will be announced by July 31, 2024 on our website.
Summer is heating up! Here are a few ways to keep cool:
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is very important during hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, but cut back on alcohol and caffeine in the sun.
Go Inside
If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, look for places that do - like the library, a nearby café, or the home of a friend or family member who has A/C. During heat emergencies, cooling centers may be opened. Try to limit time outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – the sun’s peak hours. And reduce strenuous activities or reschedule them to a cooler time of day.
Wear Light Clothing
Dark colored clothing absorbs heat. Instead, wear loose, light-colored clothing which reflects heat and helps your body maintain a safe temperature.
Close It Up
A good way to keep heat out – and cool air in – is to close window blinds, shades and curtains. Ceiling fans and portable fans can help.
For tips on preparing for more extreme heat, please visit the City's website.
It’s getting hot out there! Hot temperatures can be dangerous for people – and pets. Here are some tips to keep pets healthy when it’s hot:
- Never, ever leave your pet in a parked car – not even for a minute. On warm days, inside car temps can reach dangerous levels in minutes.
- Limit exercise on hot days – keep to early morning or evening hours when it’s cooler. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn paws, so walk your dog on grass, if possible.
- Provide shade outside – trees or tarps work great because they don’t block airflow. A doghouse does not provide relief – in fact, the enclosed space makes it worse. And make sure they have fresh water.
- Watch for signs of heatstroke – including heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation.
- How to treat pet heatstroke - move them into the shade or air-conditioning. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or run cool water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take them directly to a vet.
More tips like this and more if you sign up to the new Kirkland Animal Services Texting Community. Just text "PETS" to 425-577-5656 to enroll. License your pet and get all the best tips from our new Animal Control Officer, Angela Arnold. Help our Kirkland furry friends stay safe this summer!
Kick off summer with movies outside! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a FREE double feature on our giant LED movie screen.
On Saturday, July 13 we will be showing Elemental (PG) and La La Land (PG-13) at Juanita Beach Park located at 9703 NE Juanita Beach Dr.
The movies will start at 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your snacks!
Visit the 2024 Outdoor Summer Movie Series webpage for the rundown!
Pee Wee Soccer offers our local youth, ages 3-4 and 5-6, with a great chance to have fun, participate, and socialize.
This year we are expanding the program by offering two locations, Crestwoods Park or 132nd Square Park. Games will be on Saturdays, September 7 - October 12, and will feature a 30-minute practice followed by a 30-minute friendly, recreation style match. See you on the field!
Registrations for Kirkland residents opens on Wednesday, July 10, at 10 a.m.
Find more information and register at https://tinyurl.com/FallPWS or call 425-587-3336
Changes are coming as early as Monday night, July 8 to NE 85th St at I405 Interchange.
This travel lane adjustment is to provide space for crews to create a work zone - in the middle of NE 85th Street - as they begin build columns for the new I405 bridges. Pedestrian access is available along the north side of Northeast 85th Street. This realignment is expected to remain in place into early summer, 2025.
124th Avenue Northeast
Drivers traveling southbound on 124th Avenue Northeast are prohibited from turning left onto NE 120th Street. Kirkland’s contractor is widening 124th Avenue Northeast to five lanes and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Search “124th Avenue” on www.kirklandwa.gov
Northeast 116th Place (Goat Hill)
Goat Hill residents should expect road closures this week from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Northeast 116th Place. PSE’s contractor is working on Northeast 117th Place from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. and will have sections of the roadway closed during that work.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
Work is currently on 8th Avenue West, west of 3rd Street West. Work will then continue from Market St toward 3rd Street West along 8th Ave W. 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.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/lakestreetpedscramble
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.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor
Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South
Kirkland's Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street West water main contractor is alternating traffic until mid-July on Eighth Street South and a short section of Railroad Avenue.
Strickland and Sons crews are working from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Search “5th Avenue water” on www.kirklandwa.gov
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. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign
Recycle Right Event
Date: Saturday, August 3rd
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s south parking lot, 11605 132nd Ave NE
This is an opportunity to recycle unwanted textiles, electronics, reusable furniture, and paper for confidential shredding. To recycle reusable furniture an online form must be submitted by July 29th.
This is a free event, there is no cost to recycle any of the accepted items. For full event details and a list of accepted items, please visit WM Recycle Right Event
For questions please contact WM’s Outreach Coordinator at Recyclenw@wm.com.
Kids Summer Concerts
Date: Tuesday, July - August
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive
Starting July 9, little ones can enjoy weekly outdoor concerts on the shores of Lake Washington.
For more information, visit the Kids Summer Concerts page.
Learn Emergency Preparedness
Join the upcoming 2024 CERT class and learn about emergency preparedness, disaster first aid, live fire suppression, and more. The class is on August 6, 8, 13, and 15 from 6 to 9 p.m., with a drill on August 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Registration is $25 for Kirkland residents. Find more details and to sign up visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/cert
Rec-n-Roll
Date: Fridays, July - August
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for yard games, group games & competitions, arts and crafts and fun and friends. The Rec-n-Roll Van will be at Kirkland parks on Fridays throughout the summer. Lunch will be provided while supplies last!
This is a free drop-in program, no registration is required. Get the full schedule at the Kirkland Parks Facebook page.
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Learn about steps you can take to be safe in, on, or around waterfronts this summer