June 13, 2024 - This Week in Kirkland - Text Version
Published on June 14, 2024
This Week: Council Preview | Lake St Open | Beach Closure | New Park Rangers
City of Kirkland Washington sent this bulletin at 06/13/2024 04:57 PM PDT
June 13, 2024
Podcast special guest, Neighborhood Resource Officer Tiffany Trombley, gives us an inside scoop on the new Kirkland Cadet Program for youth.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. This will be a hybrid meeting, and community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.
During the Business Agenda, Council will review and consider for adoption mid-year amendments to the 20234-2024 biennium budget.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
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.
What do you want in a pet program?
You may receive a call, text or email asking you to participate in a survey about pet licensing sometime in the next two weeks. Please consider participating!
Did you know the City now offers text updates from our Animal Control Officer Angela Arnold about pet licensing? You can also receive text updates about lost pets and more. Sign up today by texting ‘PETS’ to (425) 490-8326.
Comprehensive Plan Public Hearings
Don’t miss out! Guide the City by sharing your needs and aspirations. The City is holding public hearings on the Comprehensive Plan where community members can share their feedback on elements of the 20 year plan. The City is accepting your thoughts and suggestions via email at 2044ComprehensivePlan@kirklandwa.gov and on our Public Comment Form.
Public Hearings will be held during Planning Commission meetings starting at 6:00 PM. Open Houses will be from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM prior to each meeting to provide an opportunity to speak with staff and ask questions.
How can I contact the City with questions, requests, or suggestions?
You can always contact City staff through the Our Kirkland service portal, available on the web and mobile app. Submitting your comments through Our Kirkland ensures the right staff receives the information and can follow up with you.
The downtown Lake St and Kirkland Ave intersection is officially open to vehicles since it closed for construction on April 1. The project replaced the failing stormwater system to decrease risk of flooding, made upgrades to surrounding curb ramps and traffic signals, and raised the intersection to the level of the surrounding sidewalks which serves as a safety measure to slow traffic. When activated later this summer, the new pedestrian plaza will stop all direction of traffic and allow for multidirectional pedestrian crossing.
Next time you are downtown, take our snazzy new intersection for a spin!
Juanita Beach Park has been reopened as of June 11, for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming for one week due to elevated bacteria levels.
On June 11, 2024, Public Health – Seattle & King County recommended that people and pets stay out of the water at Waverly Beach Park for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels. Signs will be positioned to indicate that people and pets should stay out of the water. The rest of Waverly Beach Park remains open.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water recently and found that the levels of bacteria at the beach exceeded safe thresholds for bacteria based on the samples collected. King County crews will return to the beach next week to collect further samples.
For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.
Updates about Waverly Beach Park will be posted on the City webpage.
In observance of Juneteenth, City administrative offices are closed on Wednesday, June 19. Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible through email, over the phone, and the Our Kirkland service portal will resume at 8 a.m., Thursday, June 20.
The Juneteenth Holiday celebrates and commemorates the end of slavery in practice in the United States and the contributions of Americans of African descent to society.
For 2024 City Hall closures, visit the City’s website.
Kirkland Police Department is looking for inspired youth, ages 14 to 20, to join its “Kirkland Cadet Program”. This program allows teens and young adults to learn firsthand what it’s like to have a career in law enforcement by working inside the Kirkland Police Department.
Cadets' hands-on training and practical demonstrations during their bi-monthly meetings can include:
- Defensive Tactics
- Building Searches
- Criminal Investigations
- Collision Investigation
- Field Interviews
- Firearms Training
- Law Review
- First Aid Certification
- Bomb Squad
- SWAT Operations
- & more
Cadet's duties provide real-life opportunities to serve the community, including learning about security detail, crowd control, defensive tactics and what happens at a crime scene. Cadets receive the benefit of hours that can be applied toward a senior project or put on a resume, and more importantly, they benefit from experiences that will prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
See more info about the Public Safety Cadet Program or apply by emailing Public-Safety-Cadets@kirklandwa.gov.
Kirkland’s amazing urban forest doesn’t just happen – it’s closely maintained and carefully tended.
June 16 is National Arborist Appreciation Day. Thank you to our City Arborists and Grounds Crew for overseeing Kirkland’s 30,000 trees along our streets and sidewalks – that’s a lot of trees!
How does the City manage tree maintenance, requests, and permits? Well...
- Public Works’ Grounds Division maintains trees in the right-of-way and in public open spaces that are not within the parks system, while our Parks crews maintain trees in the public parks.
- Public tree removal and pruning requests start with the Planning and Building Department at (425) 587-3600
- Public tree emergencies can be reported to (425) 587-3900, 24 hours a day
- Puget Sound Energy handles tree issues within 12 feet of overhead lines, (888) 225-5773.
- Public trees fallen on private property are the private property owner’s responsibility to remove
This summer you may notice a few more helpful folks in our parks! The City of Kirkland Parks Department has kicked off the summer season with several new seasonal park rangers. The park ranger team includes full-time park ranger Betty and new seasonal rangers Daniel, Dane, and Rory.
Just for fun, we asked the new rangers their favorite animal in our parks. Daniel’s favorite is the classic mallard duck. Dane’s is the not so elusive coyote in our parks. While Rory’s favorite is a barred owl recently spotted swooping in at Edith Moulton Park.
The park ranger program provides customer service to park visitors to ensure a safe, welcoming, and positive experience for all park users in Kirkland’s parks and natural areas.
As ambassadors for Parks and Community Services, park rangers provide education, enforcement, and safety resources around park rules, environmental hazards, and park services. Rangers spend a lot of time in busy areas like the marina and waterfront parks, but you’ll also see them walking trails in our natural areas and green spaces.
Please give them a friendly hello when you see them and be sure to reach out if you need their assistance as they are always happy to chat about our parks!
More information about the program can be found on the City's Park Ranger Program website. The park ranger program works in collaboration with Kirkland Parks Management, King County Marine Rescue Dive Unit, and the Kirkland Police Department.
Congratulations to more than two dozen firefighters and one City staffer recognized for their service at Kirkland Fire Department’s Promotion and Retirement Ceremony on June 6!
Promotions: Lieutenant – Ryan Stevie, Doug Tomczak; Captain – Cory Caulk, Josh Pratt
Firefighter of the Year 2023 – Stephen McCauley
Fire Officer of the Year 2023 – Brent Anderson
Community Service Award 2023 – Martin Paul
Special Presentation Award – Anneke Davis
Years of Service Recognition:
5 years – Michael Allan, Kasey Bielec, Corey Hall, Andrew Lim, Ryan Magnin, Aaron McVay, Albert Park, Carlos Toledano
15 years – Mike Boyer, Darren Broekhuis, Darren DeBoer, Megan Keyes
Retirements: Brian Ferguson, 23 years; Steven Brownlee, 27 years; Randy Scott 28 years; Bryan Vadney, 39 years
The Kirkland Fire Department ALSO had a big milestone for its vehicles. Last Monday the Kirkland Fire Department held the final Push-In Ceremony, pushing E125 into the bay. Over the last three weeks we have commissioned three new vehicles, E125, E122, and A122 with this long standing tradition.
The history of the push-in ceremony dates back to the early days of the American Fire Service of the 1800s when horse-drawn equipment had to be pushed back into the station following a call. That tradition has been adopted by the modern fire service when accepting a new apparatus.
Thank you to all those who came out and joined us in pushing the fire truck!
Sun, fun, and pride! What a show out for our annual Pride celebration last Friday afternoon! Thank you to all the community who came out to celebrate together. There were arts and crafts, community resources, educational materials, a photo booth, live music and performances, a dance off, remarks from Mayor Curtis and members of the City Council, and best of all – community support and love.
We hope to see you all again next year!
Every school day, over 1,700 people make their way to Juanita High School. 1,345 of those people typically arrive by car. Eva Salmon heroically counted every single car, bike, and bus that arrived to Juanita High for two school days to determine the school's daily carbon emissions due to transportation.
She estimated that each day over 4,000 pounds of CO2 are emitted by students and staff who are going to school (see the math). Juanita High is served by nine yellow school buses that are only half full on average. Watch Eva's video laying out the facts of The Juanita Situation.
50% of Kirkland’s total greenhouse-gas emissions come from vehicles, leading the City of Kirkland to identify transportation as a Focus Area in its Sustainability Master Plan. The City has set a goal to reduce driving per capita by 20%. If 20% of Juanita High drivers instead took the bus, walked, or rode a bike to school, they could reduce their emissions by over 1,000 pounds a day! That's equal to the carbon sequestered by 8 tree saplings grown for 10 years.
You hopefully already have an emergency preparedness kit ready to go in case of a disaster. If you have pets, did you know they need kits, too? Kits should be in a portable container in case an evacuation is necessary. Here are some suggestions for what to put in an emergency “go kit” for pets to keep them healthy, safe, and feeling as secure as possible under a stressful situation:
- Enough food and water for at least a three-day supply per pet.
- Medications and medical records.
- First aid kit.
- Collar or harness (with ID tag & rabies tag) and a leash.
- Crate or pet carrier. Can be used to store the other items when not in use.
- Sanitation. Pet litter and a litter box, if needed. Include plastic trash bags and bleach for cleaning.
- Comfort items. A favorite treat or toy can help ease your pet’s anxiety.
- A photo of you and your pet(s) together.
Last but not least, license your pet! It’s the best way to be reunited with them if you are ever separated.
This weekend, use caution and expect delays on NE 85th St at I-405. The westbound right turn lane and right lane will be closed Friday at 9 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m.
I-405 northbound is still accessible with a temporary turn lane for small vehicles (large trucks will be detoured).
This and more traffic changes are coming to the project area.
Join WSDOT's online project update meeting on June 18 to learn more.
At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming construction work, ask questions, and find out how to stay informed. The project team will hold this meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, June 18 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Register here: https://bit.ly/45bBXoc
Not able to make it? WSDOT will post a recording to the project webpage within one week after the meeting. Please feel free to register for the meeting even if you can’t attend, and WSDOT will email you the recording when it’s available.
For questions, visit the project webpage or reach the project hotline at I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov or 425-224-2423
Northeast 116th Place (Goat Hill)
Goat Hill residents should expect road closures this week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Northeast 116th Place. Kirkland’s contractor is keeping open the Northeast 120th Place access to Goat Hill. Puget Sound Energy’s crews are working nights to relocate its gas lines, as well.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
West of Market residents should expect road closures at various areas along Eighth Avenue West, between Fifth Street West and Market Street while a Kirkland contractor upgrades the sewer mains beneath the streets.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/eighthavenuewestupgrade
Juanita Drive
Kirkland’s Juanita Drive Corridor improvements contractor is planning on June 10 to June 12 to close 79th Way Northeast while its crews repave the section of street in which they installed the water main.
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 early 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 is limiting Northeast 139th Street access from 100th Avenue Northeast until June 28, while crews repave the roadway.
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
Eastside Honoring Juneteenth: Freedom Day Celebration
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park
The afternoon of community celebrations includes:
- Delbert Richardson and his Unspoken Truths American History Traveling Museum
- A Celebration of Black Graduates organized by Na’eemah Webb with the Lake WA School District
- Entertainment by various Black artists, musicians, and dancers
- Black businesses, vendors, educational resources, and nonprofits
Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive
Join the City of Kirkland as we come together to celebrate Kirkland’s annual 4th of July parade. Please sit or stand along our downtown business district and enjoy a family-friendly event featuring processions from local shops, dance groups, music, government representatives, and much more. Everyone is welcome. Let’s keep the tradition going!
We need YOU! Be part of making the day special and sign up to volunteer!
Blood Drive
Date: Wednesday, June 26 & Thursday, June 27
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 123 5th Ave
Join us in making sure that our community has the blood inventory needed to save lives, by booking your summer donation for June 26 or 27 at the City of Kirkland Blood Drive. Join us in the Peter Kirk Room at City Hall, an hour of your time is all that is needed to save the life of another person. Be sure that you have photo ID when you arrive to check in for your appointment.
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National Night Out sneak peek, stay tuned for more!