City Council Recap July 19, 2022

The Kirkland City Council met on July 19, 2022, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:  

Study Session – Transportation Commission Workplan: The City Council reviewed and discussed the proposed 2022-2023 Transportation Commission Work Plan.  The Kirkland Municipal Code defines the Commission’s mission as “to advise the public works department, city manager, and city council in leading the city’s efforts to create and maintain a transportation system that enhances the economic, social, and environmental quality of life in our city now and into the future.”  Following the study session, staff will integrate any amendments requested by the Council into the Work Plan and return at a future meeting with the final version of the Work Plan for Council adoption. 

Study Session – Preliminary 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program: The City Council reviewed the Preliminary 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a plan that addresses construction, repair, maintenance and acquisition of major capital facilities and equipment. The CIP is the City’s six-year funding plan for building, maintaining and improving the roads, sidewalks, public buildings, parks, and other fixed assets. Based on Council direction at the July 19 study session, staff will return to the Council study session on October 4, 2022. Final Council adoption of the CIP will occur on December 13, 2022. 

Revenue Sustainability and Equity Study Final Report: The Council received the final Revenue Sustainability and Equity report from the City’s consultant and will give feedback on the revenue options proposed within the report.  This feedback will be taken into consideration as part of the City Manager’s proposed 2023-2024 Biennial Budget.   

Google Development Agreement: The City Council approved a Development Agreement between the City and Google. The Agreement supports development of a catalyst project as contemplated by the NE 85th Street Station Area Plan and its Form-based Code, adopted by the Council on June 28, 2022. This follows a study session conducted by the Council on July 6 and a public hearing conducted on July 11, 2022. Pursuant to RCW 36.70B.200, a development agreement may be approved by ordinance or resolution of the Council following such a hearing.  

Reproductive Healthcare and Marriage Equality: The City Council passed by a vote of 6-1 a resolution in support of codifying comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortion, and marriage equality in the Washington State and United States Constitutions.  

Policy Position on Dedicating Part of Juanita Heights Park for a Public Roadway: The City Council formally expressed its policy view that it would not support a discretionary dedication of a portion of Juanita Heights Park for use as a roadway if a building permit application for a Goat Hill development were to be filed that would not be approved under the City’s current zoning code development regulations unless a new access road was also built, and requiring a portion of Juanita Heights Park for that roadway.   

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 3, 2022.  This meeting is rescheduled from its regular first Tuesday to Wednesday, August 3, because some Councilmembers like to attend National Night Out block parties that occur on the first Tuesday in August. The regular meeting on the third Tuesday, August 16 is cancelled for summer break. This will be the only City Council meeting in August. City Council meetings will resume as normal in September on Tuesdays, September 6 and 20.