City Council Recap July 18, 2023

Published on July 21, 2023

The Kirkland City Council met on July 18, 2023, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:

The Council received an update on the Capital Improvement Program, including the status of key projects, grant opportunities, and summary of ongoing improvements. Currently, there are 103 projects and over 150 professional service contracts in progress.

The Council also received an update on Kirkland’s Transportation Benefit District and related investments in Safer Routes to School and Active Transportation Plan projects.

The Council adopted Ordinance 4857 which submits to the voters for the November 2023 ballot a levy lid lift proposition to expand aquatics, parks, and recreation facilities, operations, and programs. The ordinance also states the City’s intention to build a new aquatics and recreation center, funded separately.

Council also appointed community members to serve on “pro” and “con” committees to prepare statements in favor of and in opposition to the Parks Ballot Measure for the General Election Voters’ Pamphlet.

The Council adopted three ordinances constituting Phase 2 of the NE 85th Station Area Plan. These actions continue to lay the foundation for a transit-oriented, walkable, mixed-use district around the forthcoming bus rapid transit station being built by Sound Transit and WSDOT. The vision of the station area includes high-tech and family wage jobs, affordable housing, park amenities, sustainable buildings, and commercial and retail services.

Prior to the above business agenda, Council held a joint study session with the Planning Commission starting at 5:30 p.m., where they discussed NE 85th Station Area Plan Phase 2 and Community-Initiated Amendment Requests, followed by a presentation and discussion with staff on the 2044 Comprehensive Plan update process.

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 Wednesday, August 2, 2023.