October 31, 2024
On this week's podcast, test your parks knowledge with our special guest John Lloyd, Deputy Director of Parks and Community Service.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. 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 November 6 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will consider authorizing additional funding to the Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA) for Winterfest
- Council will provide final comments and/or amendments on the Draft Transportation Strategic Plan
- Plus, Council will hold public hearings on the:
- City Budget
- Capital Improvement Program
- Transportation Improvement Program
- Property Tax Levy
- NOTE: The Council will be allowing digital presentations such as PowerPoints and PDFs on a pilot basis for this public hearing. More information on how to submit your files can be found on the City's website.
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 Preliminary 2025-2026 City Budget and the Preliminary 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program
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 November 6 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.
Draft chapters of the Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan are available to view on the City's website.
The Kirkland 2044 Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that describes how the city will manage its growth over the next 20 years and provide the resources that growth requires.
See the “Get Involved” tab to provide comments on the draft Plan or email questions or comments to staff at 2044comprehensiveplan@kirklandwa.gov
To get the facts about the Comprehensive Plan - visit the frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) and answers page.
Upcoming milestones:
- City Council will hold a study session on the draft Plan on November 19, 2024.
- Final adoption of the Plan by City Council is scheduled for December 10, 2024.
Share Your Input and Win Ca$h
Budget planning for 2025 & 2026 is underway! Want to have your say on how Kirkland’s programs and services are funded? Here are some ways to get engaged:
- Review the Preliminary 2025-2026 Budget.
- Take a 10-question city budget quiz and be entered into a drawing to win $60 Kirkland Ca$h.
- Provide feedback through Our Kirkland.
- Email us at budgetfeedback@kirklandwa.gov with your feedback about the budget.
Find the quiz and more info at www.kirklandwa.gov/budget
Help Design an Official Kirkland Flag
Whether you live in Kirkland or just happen to love Kirkland, you have an opportunity to help create an official Kirkland flag. Submit a design between now and November 15, 2024, and be a part of Kirkland’s history.
Tips, design criteria, rules, and the link to submit your design can be found at kirklandwa.gov/flag
Let that creativity fly!
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 City of Kirkland is working to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Kirkland parks and recently installed one at Crestwoods Park in partnership with Project 100.
Join the City and Project 100 for an AED ribbon cutting and educational event at Crestwoods Park. Special guests from the Seattle Seahawks will be on hand to help celebrate. Learn how to do CPR and how to use an AED! Enjoy a hot cocoa, hot coffee, and a sweet treat.
Learn more about AEDs in Kirkland Parks at www.kirklandwa.gov/parkaeds. Learn about Project 100 at joinproject100.org/.
AED Ribbon Cutting Event
When: Saturday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Crestwoods Park - 1818 6th Street, Kirkland
While most smartphones and computers automatically make the transition from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, there are always a few strays. I'm looking at you, stove, coffee pot, and car.
The good news is that this return to Standard Time means you get an additional hour to sleep, so set your clocks back before you go to bed and enjoy that extra hour of rest.
And remember, the end of Daylight Saving Time is a great time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms, as well as check you emergency supplies including food and water storage you may need to refresh.
This week we celebrated National First Responders Day, a day where we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all first responders who dedicate themselves to keeping our community safe. To our police officers, firefighters, crisis responders, public works crews, paramedics and 911 dispatchers - your courage, commitment, and service inspire us every day. Thank you for your service!
The combined Kirkland squads of Streets, Grounds, Water, Waste Water, Surface Water, Parks, Fleet, and Transportation were out earlier this week at the City’s annual Winter Weather Crew Day. There’s something for everyone: we’re talking snowplow driving, large tree and brush removal, truck engine operational maintenance, chipper safety, and, yes, chain saws. Important reminders for the experienced folks and a comprehensive intro for our new arrivals. Watch out, La Nina – Kirkland’s #winterready
Check out our fun video!
Thankfully, with all the leaves falling and piling up, you can set out FREE extra yard waste during November!
Use paper bags or durable containers (labeled as yard waste). Plastic bags are not accepted. You can put out up to 5 extra yard waste bags each week for FREE.
Or...use those extra leaves as mulch in your yard!
Just be sure to keep leaves out of the storm drains, which can block rainwater from flowing into storm drains and cause flooding. We have 17,000 storm drains to keep clear of debris - City crews can use your help. Thanks for doing your part.
A mighty few braved the rain to plant trees alongside Mayor Kelli Curtis in our natural areas and install large trees in the landscape at Everest Park this weekend as part of the City's Arbor Day celebration.
Thanks to the dedicated Green Kirkland volunteer leaders and community members who joined in the activities, Everest Park now has an Emerald Sunshine elm, a bald cypress, and a beech tree to increase the diversity of its shading tree canopy.
We'll be rooting for their success!
Want to learn more about caring for trees? Visit kirklandwa.gov/trees
124th Avenue Northeast
Kirkland’s contractor will shift both northbound and southbound traffic to the west side of 124th Avenue Northeast on Monday, Oct. 28 as the project begins work on the east side of the street. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue
116th Avenue Northeast
Drivers near Lake Washington High School will encounter 116th Avenue Northeast reduced to a single lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. north of Northeast 70th Street. Kirkland's contractor is building sidewalks and stormwater improvements for the first Transportation Benefit District funded project.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tbd
Goat Hill
Goat Hill residents should expect daytime road closures this week on Northeast 116th Place.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill
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 with flaggers controlling the flow of traffic.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction 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
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
Eighth Avenue West remains closed between Market Street and Fifth Street West. Concrete sidewalks and curbs are being repaired along 8th Avenue West. Water services to be installed at the intersection of 8th Ave W and 5th St. 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. Pedestrian access changes, so please follow the pedestrian detour routes. Businesses remain open during construction.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/lakestreetpedscramble
Kirkland Teen Union Building - Open House
Date: Tuesday, November 12
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Teen Union Building - 348 Kirkland Avenue
Ages: All Ages
Cost: FREE
The Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) invites all community members to our ALL-AGES, OPEN HOUSE!
Grab some light snacks and refreshments, then tour the building, receive information and resources from community partners, register your teens for our recreational programs, and get to know the KTUB team.
BTW: This is one of the only ways that Adults can see the NEW inside of KTUB!
Learn more about KTUB at www.kirklandwa.gov/KTUB.
Wheels and Reels Drive In Movies
Date: Saturday, November 23
Time: Movie starts at 7 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park (NW parking lot) - 9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland
Ages: All ages
Cost: $20 per vehicle per movie pre-registration required!
Join us at our drive-in movie series. We will be showing The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on our giant LED screen!
Register online now at https://tinyurl.com/4dz9b5km or call 425-587-3336 or visit kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents for more information.
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In honor of our podcast guest, talk a virtual visit to our beautiful parks with Sights & Sounds: Parks in Kirkland series. Maybe you'll discover a new-to-you park to visit!