September 5, 2024
Tune in and hear Councilmember Pascal tell about his journey to serve on the Council, including feeding wild black bears (in a responsible way as part of a job).
The Kirkland City Council met on September 3, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
- Council approved some miscellaneous zoning code amendments
- Council provided feedback to the City Council policies and procedures
- The Mayor Proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Recovery Month in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Note: We previously listed that Council would receive an update on the Energy Smart Eastside program. That presentation is moved to the September 17 meeting
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
- The preliminary six-year capital improvement program
- The draft housing element of the Comprehensive Plan
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.
To watch the Council discussions on the specific agenda items outlined above, visit the City’s website. The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website.
The next City Council meeting is on September 17, 2024.
Follow Along the K2044 Process
All Planning Commission (PC) meetings will be held at Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave) starting at 6:00 PM. Visit the Planning Commission website for more information.
Upcoming meetings and public hearings on the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan:
- September 12, 2024 (6:00 pm) - Public Hearing continued on these topics:
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- Market St. Corridor Plan
- Land Use Element
The record for this hearing remains open for written comments only. The record for spoken testimony was closed at the August 22, 2024 public hearing, and no additional spoken testimony will be accepted on the September 12 hearing topics at that meeting.
- September 26, 2024 (4:00 – 5:30 pm) - Housing Element Open House
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- City staff available to provide information and answer questions about the City’s draft Housing Element.
- September 26, 2024 (6:00 pm) - Public Hearing topics:
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- Housing Element
- Appendix (Community Profile, Glossary, History Narrative)
- October 15, 2024: Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session
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- Planning Commission recommendation for the complete draft 2044 Comprehensive Plan
We encourage you to stay involved in the process by attending public meetings, and learning more at the 2044 Comprehensive Plan update webpage. The webpage includes all past staff memorandums, presentations to the public, and public comments.
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.
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.
Watch our video for a fun conversation with Councilmember Jon Pascal and listen to our podcast to hear how he fed wild black bears before coming to Kirkland, as well as what led him to serve on Council.
O.O. Denny Park has reopened as of Tuesday, September 3, for water activities. The beach and creek had been closed to water activities since August 27 at the recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Houghton Beach Park has also been reopened as of Wednesday, September 4, for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming since August 27 due to elevated bacteria levels.
For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or you’re new to Kirkland, we'd love your help! Please email the Volunteer Coordinator Mikayla at mbinns@kirklandwa.gov or give her a call at 425-587-3011 for more information or to sign up.
We’re looking for:
- Breakroom Assistant
- Staff and Vendor Parking Assistant
- Bike Valet
- Setup and Breakdown
- and more!
We have the following shifts available:
- 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. (Set Up)
- 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 12:30 - 4 p.m.
- 3 - 5 p.m. (Clean Up)
Flexible shifts are available as well, if the shift times above don't quite work for your schedule.
For more information about City Hall for All, visit the City’s website.
Join the fun and dedicated team of Green Kirkland Stewards and help engage your community in the restoration of natural area parkland in Kirkland!
Stewards are ongoing volunteers who share their love of green spaces by leading volunteers in forest restoration projects in their local parks with support and training from the Parks Department. Stewards bring a diversity of interests, skill, and time to Kirkland's natural areas - anyone interested is encouraged to attend session one of orientation.
Orientation is free, open to the public, and is a blend of online and in-person sessions covering topics in urban forestry, habitat restoration, and volunteer management.
Register for the September 2024 Orientation on the New Steward Orientation Event Page
- Session 1: Program and Urban Forestry Overview (Online) - Thursday September 19, 6:00-8:00 pm. Online via Zoom
- Session 2: Field Training in Restoration Practices (In-person) - Saturday September 21, 10:00am – 1:00pm. Kirkland Park TBD
- Session 3: Site and Volunteer Management (Online) - Thursday September 26, 6:00-8:00 pm. Online via Zoom
To learn more about the Steward role visit the Ongoing Volunteer Roles page on the Green Kirkland website.
September marks National Preparedness Month, an annual reminder that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep you, your family, and your community safe. This year’s theme is “Start a Conversation.” Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy, but starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:
- Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
- Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.
- Ask questions like, “Do you know what kinds of hazards are common where we live, work, and travel?” “When emergencies strike, how will we stay connected and get information?” or “Do you know where we and our pets will go if we are told to evacuate if an emergency or disaster happens?”
- It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
The City of Kirkland Office of Emergency Management works in partnership with the community to provide useful information for readiness, response, and recovery for all hazards. Make time this week to create or improve your emergency plan. Find resources for creating your emergency plans on the City’s website.
Find more information and tips on how to protect yourself and your family before, during and after emergencies and disasters by visiting the City's preparedness webpage.
Join us for this fun community event that gives adults 50 + and their families an opportunity to gather information and get answers to questions they may have. Local area agencies will provide information on services ranging from health and wellness, legal services, transportation, senior living options, and much more.
When: Thursday, September 19 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
This is a free, drop-in event, no registration is required. Read more on our webpage.
Have you entered in the BYOC (bring your own cup) contest? The grand prize is announcement is coming up soon! 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 events, and at the end 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!
The Halloween Costume Swap is back this month! We will be accepting clean and gently used costumes, masks, hats, and accessories at City Hall (123 5th Ave) and the North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE)
During the week of Sept 23rd to 27th, drop-off your donated costumes, and then come to City Hall on Saturday, Sept 28th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to pick out new-to-you costumes for you and the family! This is a free event!
If you are interested in helping out on the day of the swap please email us at recycle@kirklandwa.gov.
For more info, visit our Costume Swap webpage.
The City of Kirkland is hosting a fall recycling collection event on Saturday, Oct 5th. This is an opportunity to dispose of hard to recycle items. For full event details and a list of accepted items please visit Fall Recycling Collection Event webpage. This is a cash only event - some items have a fee to recycle.
We will be answering questions about the event on the Recycle Hotline until noon on Friday, October 4th, contact the Recycling Hotline at 425-587-3812 or email recycle@kirklandwa.gov.
124th Avenue Northeast
Drivers traveling southbound on 124th Avenue Northeast are prohibited from turning left onto Northeast 120th Street. Kirkland’s contractor is widening 124th Avenue Northeast to five lanes and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Businesses remain open during construction. More info.
Goat Hill
Goat Hill residents should expect daytime road closures this week on Northeast 116th Place. More info.
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. More info.
Additionally, a separate stormwater construction project will reduce Juanita drive to one lane at 86th Avenue Northeast. Kirkland's contractor is installing a new stormwater system at this location. Work is expected through October. More info.
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction is alternating traffic at various locations between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. Access to/from Northeast 139th Street will be closed beginning Sept. 9 through Sept. 27 while crews work to complete new curbs, gutters, and driveway aprons along Northeast 139th Street. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour. Expect delays with increased traffic as school resumed. More info.
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
Water and sewer mains are being installed along 8th Avenue West between 4th Street West and 5th Street West , then continuing along 5th Street Wet between 8th Avenue West to 10th Avenue West. Flaggers are located at the intersections to allow for emergency vehicles. More info.
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. More info.
Kirkland Cadets Annual Benefit Car Show
Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Justice Center, 11750 NE 118th St
This family friendly event is a great chance to meet with fellow community members, police officials, and the cadets. Plus, there will be BBQ!
Car enthusiasts - enter your car in the show at the chance to win a trophy, or stop by to check out the awesome cars.
For more information about the event, and to enter, visit the Cadet webpage.
See Spot Splash
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (5 different sessions each starting at the top of the hour, 45 minutes each session)
Location: Peter Kirk Pool - 340 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
Cost: $10 per dog. Pre-registration is highly recommended or pay upon entering.
Join us for our 4th annual See Spot Splash event on Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
Bring your dog to splash and play at the Peter Kirk Pool, then head over to nearby Lee Johnson Field for some off-leash fun! Sponsored by Emerald City Orthodontics and brought to you by the City of Kirkland!
This event will include vendor booths, music, and treats! Participating dogs must be well behaved, show proof of vaccination, and be on a leash to enter. We hope you can join us!
Register online now at bit.ly/4d43n29, call 425-5787-3336, or pay in person at the pool. For event details, visit kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents.
Electric Leaf Blower Trade-in
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE
The City of Kirkland is hosting a trade-in event to help you dispose of your gas-powered leaf blowers in exchange for a new electric blower. Participants will receive a voucher valued at $100 – redeemable at select local stores to be used toward the purchase of a new electric leaf blower. Bring your gas-powered blower (emptied of gas) to be recycled and get your voucher!
Learn more about the Electric Leaf Blower Initiative and the trade-in event here!
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The school year has begun! And so to have our school zone safety cameras. Watch our video for a refresher.