June 27, 2024
What is it like being Mayor? Well, special guest Mayor Curtis is here to share. Check it out!
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. During the Business Agenda:
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
- A briefing on the completed Juanita Public Pathway Feasibility Study
- The process for crowd-sourcing an official City flag
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 July 2 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 participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so 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 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.
In our Meet the Council video series, Councilmembers share their interests, what it is like being a Councilmember, and inspire the community to get involved.
We kick off our series with Mayor Kelli Curtis. Watch our video for a fun intro to the Mayor, and listen to our podcast to hear more about what it is like to be Mayor of Kirkland.
Holiday Closure
In honor of Independence Day, City administrative offices are closed on Thursday, July 4. Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible over the phone, through email, and the Our Kirkland service portal will resume 8 a.m., Friday, July 5. Independence Day is observed as a federal holiday to recognize and celebrate our American freedom, liberty and independence.
For 2024 City Hall closures, visit the City’s website.
Sign up as Volunteer
The 25th annual Celebrate Kirkland Parade returns Thursday, July 4, 2024! We are currently seeking volunteers to help ensure this fun community event is a success. If you are a local business, organization, club, social group or even a family, it’s the perfect opportunity to give back and get involved with your community! Volunteer roles include: being on the parade route, answering spectator questions, helping with Kid’s Decorating and Giveaways, the Veteran’s area, and set up and break down of the event.
The itinerary for the Fourth of July Parade includes:
- 10:30 a.m. Kid’s decorating station at the Lakeshore Plaza
- 11:30 a.m. Kids walking parade
- 12:00 p.m. Big parade!
To volunteer, or to find more information about the parade route and details, please visit our Celebrate Kirkland page.
Get Around on the 4th of July
Drivers should expect traffic delays and restricted parking due to the 4th of July Parade to be held on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The Lakeshore Plaza, the Lake Street and 3rd and Central parking lots will be closed from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public boat launch will be closed from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Event information is available at www.kirklandwa.gov/CelebrateKirkland
Roads will be closed and detours in place from 9:30 a.m. until the roads re-open at approximately 2 p.m. For a detailed list of road closures, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/CelebrateKirkland
Event goers are encouraged to carpool and plan for their parking in advance. For public parking, including the Kirkland Municipal Garage, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/parking. For bus transportation, go to http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov.
4th of July Parties with Pets
If your plans include a 4th of July get together, be extra careful if pets will be there. It might seem like a treat to give Rover a bite of your grilled burger as you watch a public fireworks display, but some foods - and activities - could be hazardous to our animal friends.
Some tips to keep in mind when pets are at parties:
- Never leave alcoholic drinks where pets can reach them – alcohol can be poisonous to pets.
- Do not apply sunscreen or bug spray to your pet if it’s not meant specifically for animals. Ingesting sunscreen or insect repellent can make pets sick, or worse.
- Keep matches and lighter fluid out of pets’ reach. Both can be harmful to pets if eaten.
- Keep your pets on their own food (no table scraps!). Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who may have delicate digestive systems. Foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast can all be potentially toxic to animals.
- Do not put glow jewelry or toys on your pets or allow them to play with them. While the luminescent substance in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and stomach irritation could still result if they’re swallowed, not to mention the possibility of choking on plastic pieces.
- Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of pets’ reach. These can also cause pets stomach irritation if ingested.
- Never use fireworks around pets! (fireworks are illegal in Kirkland, remember?)
- Even though it sounds fun to us humans, please resist the urge to take your pet to a loud, public fireworks display – these can be frightening or disorienting for pets. Instead, keep them safe from noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.
Fireworks Ban
Fireworks are illegal in Kirkland and have been since 1999 – even on the 4th of July. Specifically, this means it is prohibited in the City to light fireworks, sell them or even have them in your possession. That includes sparklers and smoke bombs (yes, even those). In fact, sparklers are one of the leading causes of fireworks-related injuries.
In 2021, across the country, sparklers were the cause of 900 fireworks-related injuries, while firecrackers caused 1600 injuries.
In 2020, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office received 237 reports of injuries from fireworks and 360 reported fires due to fireworks, resulting in a loss of more than $1.3 million.
But all this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fireworks on the 4th of July – just let the professionals handle them by going to a public fireworks display instead. Check with neighboring cities like Bellevue, Renton, Sammamish or Seattle.
As summer, holidays, and vacations are on the horizon, so is more time in the water. While warming air temperatures are approaching, Lake Washington and other regional bodies of water are still cold. If you’re going to swim, please swim safely!
Are you interested to know how to help your friends, family, or neighbors after a disaster? Would you like to build a skillset of what to do after a disaster? Sign up for the next offering of our Community Emergency Response Training!
Sign up by July 30.
Summer is here and so is the Eastside BYOC campaign! The campaign is a fun and engaging initiative designed to help us reduce single-use cup waste. By participating, our community is working together to adopt reuse habits that make a positive difference for the environment. We have had lots of partner coffee shops and people participating by bringing their own cup and posting cup selfies on social media. Each week one of the reuse champions that posted a cup selfie will be selected to receive tickets to fun summer events, and in September we will have a grand prize drawing for an e-bike from Propella. Find out more and continue to help reduce waste by visiting www.eastsidebyoc.com!
Although very convenient, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode when not used correctly or damaged. Not only is this a hazard to residents and businesses, but these batteries can be particularly challenging for firefighters due to the nature of the fires.
It’s a good reminder about the potential threats lithium-ion batteries can pose when not used properly, or when they become damaged but continue to be used.
These batteries power a wide range of devices, from laptops and smartphones to mobility devices, electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-cigarettes.
Here are some helpful safety tips:
- Sometimes batteries are not used the right way; batteries not designed for a specific use can be dangerous.
- Like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective. They can overheat, catch fire, or explode.
- Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
- Only use the battery that is designed for the device.
- Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
- Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
- Stop using the battery if you notice these problems: odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, or odd noises.
Finally, for Lithium-ion Battery Disposal — Do not put them in the regular garbage. Take them to a battery recycling location instead.
Summer vacation is almost here! Whether you're out for the day or going out of town, there are steps you can take to protect your home from burglary. Here are a few tips from the Kirkland Police Department:
- Do what you can to make your home less inviting to thieves. If it looks difficult to enter, is difficult to enter, and is well-maintained, chances are they will try somewhere else.
- Get to know your neighbors. Establish that you can count on your neighbors and that they can count on you to report suspicious activities to the police.
- Install sufficient lighting in the front/back of your home and garage.
- Use deadbolt locks as secondary locks on all doors.
- Fortify your windows and sliding glass doors with secondary locks or dowels that fit securely in windows.
- When you are going to be gone for an extended period, don't make it obvious. Use timers to turn indoor and outdoor lights on and off. Leave music on (or on a timer, too). Stop mail and newspaper deliveries.
For more crime prevention tips, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/crimeprevention.
On June 18, WSDOT, Graham Contracting Ltd., Sound Transit, and City of Kirkland hosted the summer quarterly update meeting overviewing the next phases of construction and what changes to expect at the I-405 and NE 85th St Interchange Project. The meeting focused on current project status, project schedule, construction expectations in the area, night and weekend lane reductions in July, two weekend closures in Sept., and how the public can stay informed and contact the project team. The team also answered questions from community members. A recording of that meeting is available on YouTube and can be viewed along with other resources at bit.ly/85th-Interchange-Project near the bottom of the page under the tab "Related links."
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 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Northeast 117th Place. PSE’s contractor is working on Northeast 116th street from 5 p.m. to 3 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 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
Free Street Hockey Days
Date: Saturday, June 29
Time: 9 - 11 a.m.
Location: North Kirkland Community Center
We’re partnering with McVander Hockey on several street hockey programs this summer including free street hockey days. Join us for an hour of street hockey fun! All levels welcome and all equipment provided. Bring a water bottle and wear sneakers. Registration is not required.
For questions or more street hockey programs visit kirklandparks.net or call 425-587-3350.
Feriton Spur Summer Event Series
Date: Wednesday, July 10, 17, 24, and 31
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Location: Feriton Spur Park, 509 6th Street South
This month-long free performing arts series will bring diverse performances to the amphitheater for neighbors, trail users, and the community.
For more, visit the event page.
2024 Outdoor Summer Movie Series
Date: Saturdays, July 13, 20, and 27
Time: 6 - 10 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Beach Drive
Save the dates for our 2024 Outdoor Summer Movie Series at Juanita Beach Park
Each night will host two movies starting at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Visit 2024 Outdoor Summer Movie Series webpage for the rundown!
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.
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As we round out Pride Month, we'd like to highlight our kick off to the month - our City Hall Pride Flag Raising on June 3.