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May 29, 2025
Save water and money this summer. Find out how Kirkland residents can grab free water-saving kits, score rebates, and pocket hundreds in savings—all while helping the planet. Gena Jain joins us with the details!
Check it out.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will consider adopting amendments to the Kirkland Zoning Code to implement State-mandated requirements for middle housing, accessary dwelling units, parking, and design review within low-, medium-, and high-density residential zones.
- Council will consider a new fee schedule for the Transportation Impact Fees.
- Council will receive a special presentation on the "State of Healthcare" from EvergreenHealth CEO Dr. Ettore Palazzo
- Council will consider options for a bike path along Central Way and Peter Kirk Park.
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 Transit Needs Study and provide direction to staff on the outcome of the Study.
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 June 3 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.
As the sun turns up the heat for summer, it's time to dive into water conservation! This heroic act doesn’t just save the day for Mother Earth, but also for our wallets and most importantly for future generations. Water might cover a whopping 71% of the planet, but only a teensy-weensy bit is good for us thirsty humans to drink. So, in places like Washington State, where summers can be uber dry, saving water is a must to keep things flowing smoothly and cuts down on energy use and emissions.
Here's a few ways to be a water-saving wizard this summer: water your lawn early in the morning or later in the evening, use the carwash to clean your car, and make water games a rare treat or get creative with water recycling. All year round, fix those pesky sink and toilet leaks, install water saving faucets, take speedier showers, turn off taps like a ninja, and rethink your landscaping to replace thirsty lawns with native and drought tolerant plants.
Juanita Beach has been reopened as of May 28 for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming for one week due to elevated bacteria levels.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water this week and notified the City that the waters were again safe for recreational use. King County crews will return weekly to the beach throughout the summer to take samples to ensure that the water is safe.
More info.
Feeding ducks and geese may seem harmless, but it causes real harm to our parks and the animals that live in them. Leftover food and increased bird droppings can pollute lakes and streams—Houghton Beach had to close repeatedly last summer due to E. coli from goose waste.
Feeding birds human snacks like bread also leads to health problems like “angel wing,” a condition that can prevent them from flying. It encourages bad habits too—birds can become aggressive, lose their natural foraging skills, and gather in large groups that spread disease. Extra food also draws rats and other pests.
So, What Can You Do Instead?
We know you care about wildlife, that’s why you're reading this! Here are a few ways you can help:
- Watch from a distance - Bring binoculars and watch their natural behaviors.
- Teach kindness - Help kids understand why not feeding ducks is a better choice.
- Keep it clean - Always dispose of trash and recycle. Leave no food behind.
- Get involved - Volunteer with Green Kirkland Partnership to protect natural spaces in Kirkland – www.greenkirkland.org.
Parade Day is coming up fast and we still need YOUR help!
Sign up for a fun, quick shift and get a front-row view of the action.
SIGN UP HERE: https://bit.ly/43U7IU7
Calling all performers, creators, clubs, and community stars—we want YOU in the parade!
Whether you’re a dancer, juggler, unicyclist, musician, or garden club guru—join the fun!
You can build a float, walk with your team, or bring the beat!
We’re looking for colorful, creative, and community-powered entries for this year’s Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade!
SIGN UP HERE: https://bit.ly/4lwWnPX
Don’t miss the 2025 Kirkland Cadet Car Show on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kirkland Justice Center.
Hosted by the Kirkland Police Cadets, this event showcases classic cruisers, muscle cars, and modern marvels - all while supporting the Cadet Program, which provides leadership and hands-on training for youth interested in law enforcement careers.
Early bird registration is just $25 through September 7, 2025. All registered participants receive a commemorative dash plaque and a chance to win one-of-a kind trophies.
Learn more about the Kirkland Cadets on the City's website and register your car for the show today: https://us.openforms.com/Form/7c17bffe-3d1c-49e2-9330-2bdf92bd5c43.
Warmer weather means more people are out and about - walking, rolling, and riding bikes around our beautiful city. We love seeing our community being active, but we’ve also noticed a rise in unsafe biking behaviors, especially among young riders.
Parents and caregivers: please talk with your kids about the importance of bike safety. Kirkland Police have received a handful of calls about youth on e-bikes weaving through traffic, which puts everyone at risk.
Here’s how we can all ride safely this season:
- Ride with traffic, not against it.
- Use bike lanes whenever available.
- Wear a helmet.
- Check for cars exiting a driveway when riding on the sidewalk.
- Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Bikes must follow the rules of the road.
- Stay visible with lights and bright clothing, especially at dusk.
And just a reminder—wheelies may be fun, but they don’t belong on public streets. Stunts like popping wheelies in traffic or near pedestrians are dangerous and could lead to serious injury. Please keep tricks to designated areas like skate parks, and ride respectfully in shared spaces. Let's work together to keep our streets safe and enjoyable for everyone, all summer long.
Playing sports is healthy and fun for children. It provides physical activity and teaches discipline, teamwork, and leadership. However, children can and do get hurt during sports activities. Every year, over 8.5 million kids are treated in emergency rooms for sports-related injuries. That’s about one injury every two minutes!
Parents play a vital role in helping keep their children safe while playing sports:
- Teach your kids to play by the game rules and to listen to their coaches.
- Make sure your child has the correct protective safety gear and that it’s either packed or worn on the way to practices and games.
- Take your child for medical care if you suspect a concussion or serious injury. Concussions can be serious and delaying medical care can have serious consequences. Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about symptoms, how concussion occurs in different sports, and how sometimes symptoms can come on right away, but other times they can take a few minutes or hours.
- Don’t let your kids play when they are injured.
To learn more about youth sports safety including concussions, visit https://safekidswashington.org/topics/sports-safety.
National Safe Boating Week was last week and serves as a reminder for boaters to brush up on their boating safety skills in preparation for boating season. According to US Coast Guard statistics, over 4,000 recreational boating accidents occur every year in the US, resulting in 500+ fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries. Many of these are preventable by practicing safe boating. Whether you cruise, sail, kayak, fish, or do yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, you are responsible to know the laws and basics of boating safety:
- Wear a life jacket. A stowed life jacket does no good in an emergency.
- Know state boating laws and follow them.
- Take a boating safety course.
- Don’t drink while you boat. 23% of fatal boating accidents are alcohol-related.
- Make sure your boat is prepared.
- Check the weather, including the water temperature.
- Dress properly. Bring extra clothing in case yours gets wet.
- Always let someone know your plan.
- Use an engine cut-off switch.
- Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Follow navigation rules.
- Keep in touch. Have more than one device that works when wet.
Do you need a Boater Education card? Many recreational boaters in Washington are required by law to complete a boating safety course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card. Learn more: https://parks.wa.gov/about/rules-and-safety/boater-education-safety/boater-education-card
Be safe and have fun!
Slater Avenue Northeast/132nd Avenue Northeast at Cross Kirkland Corridor
Slater/132nd Avenues Northeast is permanently reduced to a single lane heading north from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 126th Place. This is consistent with Slater Avenue Northeast to the South and 132nd Avenue to the North. Drivers will encounter traffic control and heavy equipment as this project creates a signalized crossing from the end of the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail to King County’s Eastrail, as well as more pedestrian and bicyclist improvements. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/CKC-to-Eastrail-Crossing-at-Slater-Ave-NE-132nd-Ave-NE for project updates on Thursdays.
98th Avenue Northeast
Drivers will encounter a single northbound lane reduction on 98th Avenue Northeast from the Forbes Creek Bridge to Northeast 110th Street as Kirkland’s contractor builds new sidewalk to connect to the neighborhood with Market Street. Additionally, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) will be added by this project to the Market Street intersection with 19th Avenue/19th Avenue West crossing. Work at both these locations will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid most commuter traffic. This project is funded by the Transportation Benefit District.
124th Avenue Northeast
Work continues on the east side of the street on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. Paving is commencing, which will required some business driveways to be closed for a few hours as the asphalt sets. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast. Bicyclists will merge with traffic. This project is on schedule to be finished in June. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue for project updates on Thursdays.
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 for project updates on Thursdays.
Juanita Drive
Juanita Drive may be reduced to one lane between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 128th Street with flaggers controlling the flow of traffic. Paving is complete, with typical paving tasks remaining (utility raising, permanent striping after a few weeks of asphalt curing, etc.) Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrivecorridor for project updates on Thursdays.
Eighth Avenue West
Kirkland’s contractor is rehabilitating the remainder of Eighth Avenue West. Sections of Eighth Avenue West will be closed as the work moves east. This work is weather dependent but progressing nicely. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/Eighth-Avenue-West-water-and-sewer-main-upgrades for project updates on Thursdays.
Northeast 132nd Street
Kirkland's contractor is returning to complete maintenance work on the stormwater system on Northeast 132nd Street’s intersection with 120th Avenue Northeast. A uniformed police officer will control the intersection when work impacts the intersection, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Work is expected to be complete in mid-June.
City Fruit Tree Care
Date: Friday, May 30
Time: 12 - 2 p.m.
Location: McAuliffe Park, 10824 NE 116th St, Kirkland, WA 98034
Got an hour or two this Friday? Come soak up some sun and give back to the community! Join us and City Fruit at McAuliffe Park on May 30 at noon to mulch and care for our beloved fruit trees.
RSVP here.
Learn more about City Fruit volunteer opportunities at https://www.cityfruit.org/volunteer-opportunities/
Recycling Collection Event
Date: Saturday, May 31
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, 11605 132nd Ave NE
Recycle: Electronics, scrap metal, appliances, Styrofoam, textiles, wood, paint, paper shredding, and more.
For more information, visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Whats-Happening/Community-Events/Public-Works-Department-Events/RCE
Blood Drive
Date: Tuesday, June 24
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Kirkland City Hall, Peter Kirk Community Room, 123 5th Ave
Did you know only 3% of us donate blood each year? Summer blood shortages are real, and you can help save lives in our local hospitals by rolling up your sleeve. To celebrate your blood donation this May or June, you can enter for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. Schedule your appointment and enter to win at www.bloodworksnw.org/win
Book your appointment here.
Kirkland Wednesday Market
Begins June 4
Bringing local produce and goods to downtown Kirkland all summer long! The weekly summer farmers market, located on the shore of Lake Washington, provides local farm fresh produce and flowers, artisan breads and baked goods, food trucks, and artists. More info.
Juanita Friday Market
Begins June 6
Market vendors feature a wide variety of delicious fruits, fresh local produce, and beautiful flowers all grown and produced in the state of Washington. Select high quality ingredients to make your own farm to table dinner or grab something tasty from one of the hot food vendors. We have sweet treats, beautiful hand-made items, free kids crafts, entertainment and free parking. Come see us rain or shine!
Learn more about the market at kirklandwa.gov/juanitafridaymarket.
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