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January 30, 2025
Seattle Mariners sportscaster Aaron Goldsmith talks life in Kirkland, lessons from the booth, and coaching his children's sports teams. Don’t miss his amazing stories! Check it out.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. This will be a hybrid meeting, and community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda for the February 4 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will receive a briefing on the 84th Ave NE Bike/Walk/Roll Improvements, review potential options, and provide direction to staff
- Council will receive an update on the Seattle Kraken Iceplex Proposal
- Council will receive an update on the 2025 Legislative Agenda
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
- The 2024-2026 Planning Work Program, which guides the priorities of the Planning and Building Department
- The Sustainability Strategic Plan, and an update on the progress
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 February 4 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 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.
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.
With snow in the forecast this weekend, it’s time for all of us to get ready.
Our Public Works crews are geared up and ready for action! Stay safe, stay prepared, and remember: if you see a snow plow, give it room to work.
Here’s how you can stay informed, safe, and ready when the snowflakes start to fall:
1. Watch the Weather with NWS
Stay ahead of the storm by monitoring the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast. Get real-time updates on snow predictions, temperatures, and potential winter hazards.
• Visit www.weather.gov for the latest forecasts.
• Follow @NWSSeattle on social media for local weather alerts.
2. Track the Plows & Plan Your Route
Avoid surprises by using Kirkland’s new snowplow tracking map. This handy tool shows the current location of snowplows and includes traffic cameras for real-time road conditions.
- Priority Snow Routes: Crews prioritize critical roads first, such as lifeline routes near Evergreen Hospital, fire stations, and freeway interchanges. After that, they’ll move on to arterial and collector streets.
- Check out the tracking map and priority snow route map at www.kirklandwa.gov/snow.
3. Driveways & Sidewalks
Keeping sidewalks and driveways clear is every property owner’s responsibility. Follow these tips to shovel safely:
- Push, Don’t Lift: Reduce strain on your back.
- Dress Smart: Wear warm, breathable clothes and sturdy boots.
- Stay Hydrated: Shoveling is hard work—don’t forget water!
Don’t forget to sprinkle deicer before the snow sticks and sweep up any leftover salt or sand once the snow melts to protect Kirkland’s waterways.
4. Know Who to Call
- Urgent Issues: For urgent public right-of-way concerns, call Kirkland’s 24/7 line at 425-587-3900.
- Power Outages: Check Puget Sound Energy’s outage map at www.pse.com/outage or call 1-888-225-5773.
For non-emergencies, use the Our Kirkland platform to report issues or request services.
5. Stay Safe & Informed
- Avoid Driving: If you don’t need to drive, stay home. Be sure to park in your driveway or garage to keep roads clear for plows and first responders.
- Check Road Conditions: Use the City's traffic camera map and WSDOT resources to review road conditions before heading out.
6. Prevent Freezing Pipes
- Let faucets drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep cabinet doors open to let warm air circulate around plumbing.
With a little preparation and teamwork, we can navigate winter storms together! For the latest updates on Kirkland’s snow response, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/snow. Stay safe, stay warm, and let’s weather the storms together.
The Kirkland Workshops & Pitch Competition is back for its second year! Whether you're starting or growing your business, this series will give you tools to succeed. Gain hands-on experience, learn to communicate your value, and build confidence in your entrepreneurial journey.
Workshops run Feb 26 - March 26, leading up to the Pitch Competition on April 9, where three winners will each take home a $5,000 prize!
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your skills and compete for cash awards. Space is limited—apply today!
Apply Now.
Hey there, Kirkland! Blair here, your friendly Transportation Program Coordinator.
2024 was a game-changer for transit on the Eastside with the launch of Sound Transit’s Link light rail 2 Line and some bus route upgrades. Now that we’re cruising into 2025, why not set some “get-around-town” goals for the new year? Here’s how you can do it:
- Start Small: Don't go full throttle right away—maybe bike or ride a scooter to work once a week and see how it feels.
- Make a Plan: Grab that ORCA card and use Google Maps or Metro’s Trip Planner to map your route.
- Get Support: Biking or carpooling is way more fun when you have a buddy to share the ride!
If you're interested in more transportation options info, including connecting with folks to carpool with, check out resources at https://kirklandgreentrip.com/
Got transportation questions? I’m just a message away (bdaly@kirklandwa.gov, 425-587-3924).
Happy riding!
-Blair Daly, Transportation Program Coordinator at the City of Kirkland
The City of Kirkland and the City of Auburn, in partnership with the Refugee Artisan Initiative, are enhancing recycling efforts in multifamily residences. This initiative, supported by King County Solid Waste grant funds, promotes sustainability and empowers refugee women through fair-wage employment and skill training.
Artisans are crafting over 3,000 upcycled bags from repurposed materials, designed for easy storage of recyclables under sinks or in closets. Kirkland will be distributing these bags to multifamily residents in Kirkland, through our multifamily waste reduction and recycling programs.
By distributing these bags, the project seeks to improve recycling habits and reinforce a commitment to sustainability and community empowerment. Read our blog post to learn more.
Looking to up your pet-parenting game? Our very own Animal Control Officer, Angela Arnold, is here to help! Angela brings her passion and expertise to Kirkland’s pet owners, sharing tips to keep your furry friends happy, healthy, and safe through a texting feature for pet owners.
This service keeps you connected with:
- Lost pet notifications (with photos!)
- Helpful pet care tips and updates
- Announcements about pet-related events
Joining the texting community is quick and easy. Simply text “pets” to 425-490-8326 and stay in the loop with everything you need to be the ultimate pet parent.
Don’t miss out—join today and let’s make Kirkland the purr-fect place for pets!
Are you a safety-focused, motivated individual with a passion for making a difference in your community through transportation projects?
The City of Kirkland is hiring a Transportation Engineer for a full-time, limited-term role funded for 12 months. This is your chance to take the lead on impactful projects that enhance safety and improve lives.
In this role, you’ll:
- Review all school speed zones in the City and recommend updates to signs and infrastructure
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the Automated Safety Camera Program by analyzing data and assessing its impact on reducing vehicle speeds in school zones.
- Oversee new traffic data collection, refine enforcement schedules, and conduct safety studies.
- Tackle other traffic safety-related projects as assigned.
If you’re passionate about creating safer streets and thriving communities, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and help us make Kirkland a safer place for everyone.
Landscape Median Updates begin Feb. 3
The City's contractor will update several medians along Central Way and Market Street. This project enhances visual appeal by installing or replacing decorative stamped concrete. The project also improves safety for City staff as the new medians need less maintenance. More info.
Central Way and NE 124th Street Pedestrian Improvements begin Feb. 10
The City also begins a pedestrian safety improvement project at two locations in Kirkland. The project adds a center island median where Market Street enters Marina Park, extends existing medians with decorative stamped concrete on Central way, and extends bicycle lanes on Central Way from Lake Street to Market Street. Additionally, two High intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) crossings will replace existing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) on Northeast 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center.
Work hours for both projects are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, please visit the project website, which will also provide updates as construction progresses. More info.
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction may briefly alternating traffic at various locations or if necessary, briefly stop traffic between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign
116th Avenue Northeast
Drivers near Lake Washington High School will encounter 116th Avenue Northeast reduced to a single lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. north of Northeast 70th Street. Kirkland's contractor is building sidewalks and stormwater improvements for the first Transportation Benefit District funded project. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tbd
NEW LOCATION ALERT
Northeast 80th Street at 124th avenue Northeast is receiving a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) as part of the 116th Avenue Northeast construction project. Work is underway for this installation, and drivers will encounter traffic control through this intersection from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
124th Avenue Northeast
Kirkland’s contractor continues work on the east side of the street, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast. Bicyclists will merge with traffic. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue
132nd Avenue Northeast
Drivers traveling on 132nd Avenue Northeast will encounter sidewalk construction from NE 95th Street to Lake Washington Technical Institute. Traffic is reduced to a single lane controlled by flaggers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kirkland's contractor is building sidewalks and stormwater improvements for the second Transportation Benefit District funded project. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tbd
Juanita Drive
Juanita Drive will be reduced to one lane periodically this week between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 128th Street with flaggers controlling the flow of traffic. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor
Additional Construction Projects
Find out about additional construction projects here.
Lunar New Year Celebration – Year of the Snake
Date: Saturday, February 1
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA
Join us for a festive afternoon with light refreshments, fun arts & crafts, and captivating performances by the Seattle Chinese Arts Group! Explore an educational gallery showcasing the history and traditions of Lunar New Year.
Open to all – everyone’s welcome!
Parking is limited, please consider parking at the Peter Kirk Municipal Parking Lot or street parking.
Learn more at kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents or call 425-587-3336.
Income Tax Assistance
Dates: Fridays from February 7 - April 11 (Appointments required.)
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center - 352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
Cost: Free
Need help filing your 2024 taxes? Take advantage of this free service! A trained AARP Tax Aide Volunteer will guide you through the process.
Appointments fill up fast, so don’t wait! Call 425-587-3360 to schedule your spot today. For more details, visit this link.
Galentine's Day Soiree
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA
Celebrate the spirit of friendship and womanhood at our fourth annual Galentine's Day Soiree! This special day is dedicated to honoring each other as women and friends. Shop local: Explore a vibrant marketplace featuring over twenty local, women-owned small businesses. Find unique gifts for your Valentines gifts and Super Bowl parties, including jewelry, candles, sweet treats, charcuterie, and more. We'll have a complimentary photo booth, community tables, and warm coffee drinks. Grab your besties and come celebrate with us for FREE!
This year, we are inviting the community to participate in a dessert bake-off. See rules, regulations, and bake-off registration info here.
Visit KirklandParks.net or call 425-587-3336 to register!
KTUB Open House
Date: Tuesday, February 11
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) - 348 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland
The Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) invites all community members to visit us during our Open House night! Tour the building, learn about the on-site services we provide, receive information and resources from community partners, and register your teens for recreation programs. All ages welcome. Light snacks provided.
Please visit kirklandwa.gov/KTUB or call 425-587-3370 for more information about KTUB.
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Ever wonder how a city comes together? See how Kirkland’s Capital Improvement Program builds the roads, parks, utilities, and public spaces that connect us all.