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February 8, 2024
We think of the Podcast as a connector spanning across all of Kirkland. Check it out.
The Kirkland City Council met on February 6, 2024, in a hybrid meeting. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
- Council decided to proceed with the staff recommended option for an additional pedestrian crossing along 100th Avenue NE , to be located mid-block between NE 140th St & NE 140th Pl. This decision was based on community feedback, traffic safety standards, and staff analysis of options for the crossing.
- Council adopted a temporary moratorium on the development of new dwelling units (including new Accessory Dwelling Units, stand-alone houses, and apartments) on Goat Hill to allow the City time to study environmental, development, and access issues, and potentially craft new development regulations to address these issues. The moratorium only applies to projects for which a complete building permit application has not yet been submitted.
- Council heard feedback provided by the Parks Funding Exploratory Committee and Park Board related to the 2023 Proposition 1 results and provided feedback on draft questions for a community survey on the 2023 Proposition 1 ballot measure.
- Proclamations Issued February 6, 2024 – The Mayor proclaimed February 10 as Lunar New Year, February 19 as Day of Remembrance of Japanese American Incarceration, and February as Black History Month in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session , where they discussed:
- An update from City staff on negotiations pertaining to the Cascade Water Alliance water supply.
- A project update on the third Neighborhood Greenway in design, Stores to Shores.
- A briefing on a suggested approach to a new citywide program for decorative pavement markings in the City’s rights-of-way.
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. The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website.
The next City Council meeting is on February 20, 2024.
The City of Kirkland is calling on local small businesses to join us for a transformative workshop - designed exclusively for businesses like yours - that will culminate in an exciting Pitch Competition! Not only will you gain valuable information, but top finalists win prizes of $5,000!
Imagine you’re out with your family or friends and suddenly someone stops breathing normally or their heart has stopped. Would you know what to do?
Come and learn at a free, in-person CPR class for community members beginning in February. The Kirkland Fire Department is partnering with the Medic One Foundation (MOF) to provide free CPR classes to community members every few months.
Read more.
Not only is it stunning, convenient, and fun, but the Totem Lake Connector Bridge is also award-winning!
On February 2, Kirkland’s iconic Totem Lake Connector Bridge received a 2024 Washington Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Considered the “Academy Awards” of Engineering, these prestigious awards offer engineers well-deserved recognition for their accomplishments and contributions in the field of engineering.
Whether you walk, drive, ride a bike, or take transit, we all want to travel through Kirkland quickly and safely. To improve traffic and safety conditions, the City of Kirkland has a list of projects it will prioritize over the next 20 years – ranging from sidewalk and transit improvements, to bicycle facilities and intersection enhancements. We'd like to hear from you about which projects are most important to our community.
At the February 6 City Council meeting, the Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, proclaimed February 2024 Black History Month.
By proclaiming the month of February 2024 as Black History Month in Kirkland, all community members are invited to join us in commemorating the countless contributions of Black people to our region, our nation, and the world, as well as facing the reality of institutional racism in our community. The City encourages all Kirkland community members to join in conversation, both this month and all year. By coming together, we can create the “beloved community” envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read the full proclamation here.
The City Council has worked to demonstrate a deliberate and intentional effort centering the experiences and perspectives of Black people through the adoption of the following resolutions:
- Resolution R-5434 Ensuring the safety and respect of Black people
- Resolution R-5548 Approval of the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Roadmap
Resolution R-5240 Declaring Kirkland a Safe, Inclusive, and Welcoming City supports this same intentional effort at ensuring the general wellbeing, inclusion and belonging of Black people and all people in Kirkland.
Learn more about the City’s DEIB Roadmap here.
Mayor Curtis, Deputy Mayor Arnold, City Councilmembers Black, Sweet, Pascal, Tymcyzszyn and City Manager Kurt Triplett joined Police Chief Cherie Harris and officer instructors at a 2-day Community Police Academy last week.
City leaders learned about KPD’s Community Responder partnership, de-escalation, use of force tactics, and even got the chance to do mock investigations and a live training simulation.
It was their chance to learn about the inner workings of the KPD and what officers encounter every day as they serve our community.
Interested in working for a department that’s big enough for specialty units but small enough to feel like a family? Check out open police jobs here.
Flammable liquids – such as cooking oil, gasoline and cleaning fluids – can be extremely hazardous due to their ability to produce vapors that can ignite and burn. It’s Burn Awareness Week – a helpful reminder to store flammable liquids in proper containers and in cool, well-ventilated spaces.
Primary causes of burn injuries include fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, and electrical and chemicals. For kids ages 0-3 years, scalding is the top burn type. Most of these happen at home. Kirkland Fire shares some tips to prevent scalding:
- Set water heater temperature to no higher than 120°F
- Keep hot foods away from the edges of tables and counters
- Avoid drinking hot beverages while holding infants and toddlers
Stay safe around things that can burn!
You aren’t alone if you have a shed or a closet with old forgotten paint cans. Many of us end up with remnants of past projects or inherit leftovers from someone else!
Here are some suggestions and solutions for when you have leftover paint and are not sure what to do with it:
- Give it away or donate it for reuse: find out if a school, non-profit, or theater group will accept paint donations or post on a community sharing platform such as Nextdoor Kirkland or a Facebook Buy Nothing Group.
- Recycle at a PaintCare location : it is free to drop off unwanted paint, stains, and clear finishes at Sherwin-Williams, Mallory Paint Store, Miller Paint, and Town Center Hardware (all locations accept at least 5 gallons of paint per customer).
Always dispose of paint properly! If you have a very small amount of latex paint you can add kitty litter, let it dry it out, and then place in the garbage. Never put full or partially full containers of any paint into the garbage cart or dumpster. Do not pour paint down the sink, rinse into the street, gutter, storm drain, or yard drain. All storm drains lead to Lake Washington, so only rain should go down the drain. Learn more at http://kirklandwa.gov/paint.
If you have a paint spill or see a paint spill, always call the pollution and flooding hotline at 425-587-3900.
We have an inseparable love for our pets. That doesn’t mean we can’t get separated. Make sure your pet can make it back home safely and license your pet.
WSDOT’s I-405 / NE 85th St Project
Crews have successfully demolished the two off-ramp bridges, paved and restriped new entrances and exits to I-405, and installed new temporary intersections with signals at the interchange.
Now that the area is re-opened, the way you travel around the area will be different. Maps and more information available on WSDOT’s project website.
Juanita Beach Cleanup
Date : Wednesday, February 14
Location : Juanita Beach Park
Keep Kirkland’s parks beautiful by volunteering for the Parks Beautification Program. We know when we bring the community and parks together magic happens! Come make magic with us by volunteering for the Parks Beautification Program. The first event will be held Wednesday, February 14 from 10am – noon at Juanita Beach Park. No experience necessary. Tools and education are provided at the event. Learn more and register.
Wheels and Reels
Enjoy a night under the stars at our 2024 Winter Drive-In Movie Series at Juanita Beach Park!
- February 24 – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (PG-13)
- March 23 – Super Mario Bros (PG)
- April 13 – The Little Mermaid (2023) (PG)
The parking lot opens at 6pm and the movie starts at 7pm. Registration is required - $20 per vehicle.
All ages are welcome, bring the whole family. To register and for more information please visit https://bit.ly/3RB5fHV or call 425-587-3336. Events will be held rain or shine – no refunds. No RV’s, limos, buses or alcohol.
Have you seen the Kirkland Stormwater truck in your neighborhood? What are our maintenance crews up to?