January 15, 2026 - This Week in Kirkland - Text Version
Published on January 16, 2026
This Week: Council Preview | Penny's Party | Week's Headlines | Recycling Pledge
City of Kirkland Washington sent this bulletin 01/15/2026 05:05 PM PST
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The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will consider proposed updates to Kirkland’s design review process and design standards to meet the requirements of new state law. This follows a public hearing Council held on the topic this past November.
- Council will receive its annual briefing on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 5-year Roadmap. Staff will provide an update and welcome Council’s questions and feedback.
- Council will receive an update on the 2026 State Legislative Session, the City’s legislative priorities, and the work of the Council’s Legislative Work Group.
- Council will consider the Mayor’s recommendations for Councilmember assignments for regional boards and committees.
Prior to the Business Agenda, the Study Session will include:
- An overview of the Kirkland Community Court, which was established five years ago as a therapeutic, problem-solving court to address low-level, non-violent misdemeanor offenses through a framework centered on accountability, public safety, and long-term behavior change.
- An update on the City's pilot program to provide a dedicated sexual assault legal advocate to survivors of sexual assault in Kirkland.
Meeting details:
The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session. The agenda for the January 20 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City's:
Meetings are also televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Ziply Cable Channel 31.
How to participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so in-person or via Zoom during the “Items from the Audience” part of the agenda. That part of the agenda occurs at the beginning of the Council’s business meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Information on the comment sign up process to provide comment to the City Council, and on attending the meeting virtually, is available on the City Council webpage.
Written comments can also be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
Stay in the know: you can also get a preview of what’s coming up at Council in the coming weeks and months by checking out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
You're Invited!
Help celebrate Penny Sweet's 16 years of serving on the Kirkland City Council!
Friday, January 30, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Lakeside Christian Church at 701 1st St in Kirkland.
Hope to see you there!
Not sure where to find what you're looking for?
Check out Ask Kirkland – the City's website chatbot. Click on "Let's Chat" in the lower righthand corner.
You can also text Ask Kirkland to ask questions via SMS. Just text: 1-866-527-KIRK (5475)
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See an issue needing to be addressed?
Whether it's potholes, graffiti, downed trees, or otherwise, let us know through Our Kirkland!
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Man Sentenced for Violent Attack on Kirkland Resident
Missing Woman Safely Recovered
Honor Dr. King’s Legacy on MLK Jr. Day of Service
Each year, communities across the nation honor Dr. King’s legacy by turning his vision of justice, equality, and service into action on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Dr. King believed that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Volunteering on MLK Jr. Day is an opportunity to answer that question. Explore volunteer opportunities and learn how you can be part of Kirkland’s MLK Jr. Day of Service the week of January 19 at kirklandwa.gov/volunteer.
2026 Service Opportunities
Environmental Stewardship
Community Support
More Opportunities
In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., City administrative offices are closed on Monday, January 19, 2026. 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 resume 8 a.m., Tuesday, January 20.
On January 6, 2026, the Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, proclaimed Monday, January 19 as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and encourages all Kirkland residents and businesses to serve their neighbors and community on this day and throughout the year. Read the full proclamation at www.kirklandwa.gov/proclamations. For a full list of 2026 City Hall Holiday Closures, visit the City’s website.
The City's upgraded Code Publishing platform is now live! You can now search through the City’s municipal code, zoning code, comprehensive plan, ordinances, and resolutions all in one place. To learn more about the new features and get tips on navigating the platform, check out this short introduction video.
Donate blood now through January 31 and you could set sail on an unforgettable adventure through Alaska’s breathtaking seas and ports.
Your donation, like the wonders of nature, is part of something bigger. Let Bloodworks welcome you and a guest to your ocean-view room aboard a 7-night Celebrity cruise to Alaska. Departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, they'll add a $300 travel voucher to help cover expenses before the sail-away.
Book your donation appointment at Kirkland City Hall on January 21 or 22 and fill out an entry form at bloodworksnw.org/win. The winner will be selected on or about February 15, 2026. See Official Rules for details.
In our continued effort to foster a sustainable community, we're excited to invite you to take the WM Recycle Right Pledge. By committing to recycle right, you can help increase the recycling of plastic containers, glass bottles, and metal, and reduce contamination from plastic bags, food, and liquids.
By taking the online Recycle Right Pledge, you commit to making recycling more convenient and effective in your home by taking actions such as clearly marking recycling and garbage bins, and by properly disposing of beyond the cart items. You will also pledge to educate yourself and family and friends on how to recycle right this could include actions such as displaying your recycling guides on your refrigerator and sharing the WM recycling 101 video. Check out the online pledge to learn more!
As a thank you for your commitment, by taking the pledge, you will be entered to win a month of free WM garbage collection service. Winners will be notified by phone or email.
The City will be temporarily closing the drop-off collection site at City Hall for mercury-containing CFL light bulbs as of January 23, 2026. The program that collects these bulbs is not accepting bulbs at this time.
As an alternative, you can bring your CFL light bulbs to the Factoria Transfer Station's Household Hazardous Waste drop-off location in Bellevue. Note that only CFL light bulbs containing mercury have a return program for proper disposal of mercury. All other light bulbs (LEDs, halogens, incandescent, etc) are not recyclable and need to be disposed of in the garbage. More information available is available on the City's website.
Construction to repair a leaking sewer pipe continues along the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) Trail. As early as Tuesday, January 20, wastewater flows in the Eastside Interceptor (ESI) 14 sewer pipe will be diverted to a temporary above-ground pipe.
Last fall, crews installed a 3,000-foot temporary 18-inch pipe along the trail. Sewage from this section of the pipe will be pumped into this temporary pipe so crews can safely fix the pipe while it is empty. Generators and pumps will push flows to the temporary pipe. An additional generator and pump will also be running to keep the dig site dry.
The temporary system will maintain sewer service to homes in the area. Once the pipe is fixed, flows will be returned to the ESI 14 pipe. Crews will also remove the temporary pipe and restore the trail. Construction is anticipated to last through February 2026. To stay informed about the project, please visit the Eastside Interceptor Section 14 joint rehabilitation project webpage.
(1) Northeast 85th Street: 3rd Eastbound Lane
On Northeast 85th Street east of I-405, daytime work may close a westbound lane on the north side of Northeast 85th Street between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. Daytime work will reduce eastbound traffic to one lane between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. This project is expected to go into suspension in the next few weeks. 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: Shared Use Pathway
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.
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here.
Wheels & Reels Winter Drive-In Movie Series
Date: February 7, March 7, & April 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park
February 7 – Twisters
March 7 – Lilo and Stitch (live action)
April 11 – Mufasa: The Lion King
Cozy Up for the 2026 Winter Drive-In Movie Series at Juanita Beach Park! Grab your blankets, load up the car, and enjoy a magical movie night under the winter sky! Watch family-friendly films (PG-13 and under) on our giant 17-foot LED screen. All ages are welcome, but parents are encouraged to review movie titles ahead of time for suitability.
This event happens rain or shine (no refunds), so come prepared! Cars and trucks are welcome, but please leave the limos, RVs, buses, and alcohol at home, and please no tailgating. Registration is $20 per vehicle and is required ahead of time for attendance. Please register based on your vehicle size to ensure the best viewing experience for everyone. The parking lot opens at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at 7 p.m.
Register now at www.kirklandparks.net or visit www.kirklandwa.gov/communitybuildingevents for more details.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
Come celebrate Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse.This festive community event will feature light refreshments, hands-on arts and crafts, and a variety of cultural performances presented by the Seattle Chinese Arts Group and Mak Fai Lion Dance Association. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore an educational gallery showcasing the rich history and traditions of Lunar New Year. Whether you're familiar with the holiday or curious to learn more, this celebration offers something for everyone. The event is free and open to all, so bring your family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy an afternoon of fun, learning, and cultural connection. For more information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents or call 425-587-3300.
For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. For up to date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events.
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