December 18, 2025 - This Week in Kirkland - Text Version
Published on December 19, 2025
This Week: Don't Get Grinched | Get the Right E-Bike | Holiday Service Impacts
City of Kirkland Washington sent this bulletin 12/18/2025 04:16 PM PST
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Education and Outreach Coordinator Marisa Allison from Kirkland’s Public Works Department joins us to talk about rainwater, water quality, counting bugs, and her flock of fowl. We also share tips for preventing porch pirates, take some e-bike savvy for a spin, and chat about why composting holiday trees is the noble thing to do. Check it out!
The Kirkland City Council is on winter recess. The Council's next meeting will be on January 6, 2026. More information about the agenda items for that meeting will be included in a future edition of This Week in Kirkland.
Stay in the know: want a preview of what topics are anticipated to come to Council in the coming weeks and months? Check out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
City administrative offices will be closed:
- At 12 p.m. noon on Wednesday, December 24
- All day Thursday, December 25
- At 12 p.m. noon on Wednesday, December 31
- All day Thursday, January 1
Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal, and over the phone will be available during regular business hours while administrative offices are open. Please visit our website for more information about City services.
Note: There is no solid waste collection service on Christmas Day, December 25 or New Year’s Day, January 1. If your regular service day falls on Thursday, then your collection day is moved to Friday, and Friday customers will receive solid waste service collection on Saturday during those weeks. Find more information about recycling, compost, and garbage services here.
Have a safe, warm, and happy holiday season!
If an e-bike is on your holiday gift list, make sure you're selecting the right one for the rider and understand how state and local laws apply.
In Washington, e-bikes are grouped into three classes based on speed and how the motor assists the rider. Some vehicles sold as “e-bikes” may actually be electric motorcycles or e-dirt bikes, which follow different rules. Of note, riders under 16 may not ride a Class 3 e-bike, and electric motorcycles require proper registration, licensing, and insurance to be used on roadways.
For more details on e-bike laws and safety tips, visit the City’s e-bike information page and help keep the holidays merry and safe for everyone.
The week before Christmas is an exciting time - deliveries are arriving, errands are in full swing, and neighborhoods are bustling. It’s also one of the busiest times of year for package thefts and car prowls. A few simple steps can go a long way in keeping your gifts and personal belongings safe this holiday season.
Help Deter Package Theft
With more packages being delivered to doorsteps, thieves may take advantage of unattended items. Consider these tips to help reduce the risk:
- Track deliveries and bring packages inside as soon as possible.
- Request signature confirmation or schedule deliveries for days when someone will be home.
- Use package lockers or have items delivered to a trusted neighbor, friend, or workplace.
- Install motion-activated lights or doorbell cameras to add visibility and deterrence.
- Avoid leaving packages out overnight, especially in visible areas.
Prevent Car Prowls While You Shop and Travel
- Lock your car every time, even if you’re stepping away briefly.
- Remove valuables from view, including shopping bags, purses, electronics, and spare change.
- Take items with you rather than placing them in the trunk after arriving at your destination.
- Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible.
- Double-check doors and windows before walking away.
See Something? Say Something.
If you notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood, such as someone checking car doors or lingering around porches, report it. Quick reporting can help prevent thefts and protect others nearby.
More crime prevention tips can be found on the Kirkland Police Department's webpage.
As winter sets in, keeping Kirkland’s streets safe and functional becomes more important than ever. For Jason, Street Division Lead, this season highlights why public service matters. Each roadway cleared, each maintenance check completed, and each storm responded to reflects his commitment to helping our community SERVE one another through dependable infrastructure.
Jason values the strong sense of teamwork in Public Works – being part of a group where people support each other and truly BELONG. His work helps keep the City moving, from daily commutes to winter community events.
He also takes pride in building a lasting impact. Through leadership and dedication, Jason has a found a place where he can THRIVE while contributing to Kirkland’s future.
When asked what makes working here meaningful, Jason shared: “The City of Kirkland is a place where you’re treated fairly and supported in everything you do. If you have a question, there’s always someone willing to help.”
If you are looking to thrive in your career and serve your community like Jason, check out our job openings by visiting our jobs page at www.kirklandwa.gov/jobs.
After your holly jolly holiday, unflocked (without powder or fake snow), undecorated Christmas trees up to 6 feet tall can be placed beside your cart on your regular service day during the first two weeks of January to be collected by Waste Management for composting at no extra cost. Taller trees should be cut down to 4-foot segments.
Outside of the first two weeks of January, trees should be cut into 3-foot segments and put fully inside your yard waste cart or brought to the Factoria Transfer Station for composting. Your tree brought the cheer. Now let it bring the soil some joy!
A new year brings new opportunities. What better way to make an impact than by saving a life? Donating blood is a simple, achievable goal that truly matters. Just one hour of your time, and a pint of blood, can mean a lifetime for someone in need. You can donate blood every 56 days, that’s up to six times a year. Plus, you’ll enjoy a little treat when you’re done! Make this the year you check off a resolution that counts. Schedule your blood donation today to donate blood at Kirkland City Hall January 21 or 22 and start 2026 with purpose.
1. Northeast 85th Street: 122th Avenue Northeast to 120nd Avenue Northeast
On Northeast 85th Street east of I-405, daytime work will close a westbound lane on the north side of Northeast 85th Street between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. Daytime work may reduce eastbound traffic to one lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Eastbound-3rd-Lane for project updates on Thursdays.
2. Northeast 85th Street: I-405 to Sixth Street
Northeast 85th Street continues to usher a single lane of traffic in each direction, between Interstate 405 and Sixth Street while a Kirkland contractor builds a shared-use pathway that parallel’s Northeast 85th Street. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
Community Bonfires at the Park
Dates and Locations: Please see below.
Kirkland Parks and Community Services warmly welcome the community to enjoy bonfires hosted by City staff that accompany Argosy Cruises' Christmas Ship Festival stops at waterfront parks.
Saturday, December 20 at 5:35 p.m. - Juanita Beach Park (9703 NE Juanita Dr)
Monday, December 22 at 2:10 p.m. - Marina Park (25 Lakeshore Plaza)
Note: Inclement weather, a burn ban, or other factors may result in cancellation of a bonfire event. Please call the Bonfire Hotline for day of event updates at 425-587-3345.
Google Lights
Date: Now through January 9
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Feriton Spur Park, 509 6th Street South, Kirkland
Celebrate the season with sparkle and joy! The lights will shine bright nightly from 4 to 9 p.m. through January 9, so you can soak in the holiday glow all season long. Bundle up, bring your loved ones, and let the magic of the holidays light up your night!
Kirkland Ice Rink
Date: Now through January 11
Location:Lee Johnson Field, 202 3rd St, Kirkland
Experience the magic of winter in downtown Kirkland with festive outdoor ice skating on Lee Johnson Field surrounded by twinkling lights, music, and seasonal cheer for all ages. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association, the ice rink will be open through January 11, 2026.
Ice skates are included in the admission fee. Skating sessions are for an hour duration. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. This is REAL ice, so bundle up! Find more information, including hours of operation, here.
For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. For up to date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events.
Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
In the dark of the approaching Winter Solstice, relieve the sun-soaked community building of this past August's National Night Out neighborhood gatherings!