City Council Recap June 21, 2022

Published on June 24, 2022

council meeting screenshot june 21 2022

The Kirkland City Council met on June 21, 2022, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:  

Study Session – Station Area Plan:  The Council reviewed the Planning Commission recommendations on Station Area Plan Phase 1 code amendments. The Council also received an update on the draft incentive zoning program details, which the Council provided direction to staff during its June 7, 2022 meeting. Council will consider adopting Station Area Plan Phase 1 code amendments on June 28, 2022.  

Limiting Open Carry of Firearms and Other Weapons in City Buildings Used by Governing Body: The Council adopted an ordinance relating to limitations on open carry of firearms and other weapons in City buildings used by City governing bodies to conduct public meetings and hearings. The State Legislature amended state law to make it a misdemeanor crime for any person to knowingly open carry a firearm or other weapon, as defined by RCW 9.41.300(1)(b), while knowingly being in any City municipal building used in connection with the meetings of the governing body of the City, or in any location of a public meeting or hearing of the governing body of the City during the hearing or the meeting. The Kirkland Municipal Court has jurisdiction to over misdemeanor crimes committed in Kirkland. In order to prosecute a misdemeanor case in Kirkland Municipal Court, it is the City’s long-standing practice to adopt relevant state misdemeanor statutes by reference and to expressly incorporate them into the City’s criminal code.  

Kirkland Native History Document: The Council adopted the Kirkland Native History Document and Land Acknowledgement Usage Guide. Throughout 2021, City staff compiled a hyper-local Native history document of present-day Kirkland in consultation with local tribal leaders and Native experts. Staff presented the draft Kirkland Native History Document at the November 16, 2021 Council meeting and solicited community feedback on the document from December 2021 through March 2022. At their December 14, 2021 meeting, the Council adopted a Local Land Acknowledgement and directed staff to return to Council after a public comment period with a final version of the Kirkland Native History Document and a Local Land Acknowledgement Usage Guide for use by City staff.  

June Budget Adjustments: It is the City’s practice to amend the adopted budget at mid-year and year-end, which Council did last night. Unless there is an immediate need, budget adjustments that represent ongoing increases to current service levels are generally not included in these regular adjustments. Rather, they are included in the biennial budget development and mid-biennial budget review processes. This mid-year budget adjustment allows for appropriation increases to reflect both unanticipated revenue and to recognize new positions and programs. In addition to changes in the operating budget, these adjustments provide an opportunity to close completed capital projects.  

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 regular City Council meeting is on July 5, 2022.  

 

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