September 26, 2024
Tune in to this week's episode as special guest Antionette Smith shares the work of our Human Services Division!
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. 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 October 1 meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will consider for adoption amendments to the Business License Code
- Council will review the Transportation Strategic Plan and provide amendments before final adoption
- Council will consider for approval a resolution opposing the merger between Kroger and Albertsons
- Council will discuss Sound Cities Association board and committee appointments
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
- A joint meeting with the Senior Council to discuss 2024 accomplishments, ongoing work plan, and the needs of older adults in the community
- A briefing on Fire and Park Impact Fees
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 October 1 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.
Follow Along the K2044 Process
Interested in Kirkland's 20 year forward looking comprehensive plan?
Deep dive at kirklandwa.gov/2044 and find upcoming ways to get involved including upcoming public meetings.
Subscribe to the K2044 newsletter to get updates right to your inbox!
How can I contact the City with questions, requests, or suggestions?
You can always contact City staff through the Our Kirkland service portal, available on the web and mobile app. Submitting your comments through Our Kirkland ensures the right staff receives the information and can follow up with you.
Houghton Beach remains closed this week based on test results which continue to indicate elevated bacteria levels. The beach has been closed since Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The beach will remain closed until further notified.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water recently and found that the levels of bacteria exceeded safe thresholds for bacteria based on the samples collected. King County crews will return to the beach next week to collect further samples.
For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.
The City of Kirkland and the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) are hosting three State certification workshops for local small businesses.
The series starts on Wednesday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall’s Council Chambers (123 5th Ave). No registration required. The series continues virtually on Tuesday, November 12 from 5 - 7 p.m. and Wednesday, December 4 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Registration is required for the virtual workshops.
For more information about doing business with City, visit the City website.
For questions about this certification series, contact Daniel Lazo at dlazo@kirklandwa.gov
Bid farewell to summer and say hello to fall at the 4th annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Juanita Beach Park (north), 9703 Juanita Drive NE.
How does Kirkland celebrate the season? With the Rustic Bites Round Up, live music, artisan food and craft vendors, apple cider pressing, contests including pie eating and corn shucking, photo booths, adult cornhole tournament, and a Kid's Korral with faux cow milking, ring toss, horseshoes, pumpkin bowling, crafts, and pony rides, plus a special visit from Gwendolyn the Cow.
More information can be found on the event page.
Get vaccines, screenings, and other health needs checked off your list this fall.
The Health & Wellness Fair will offer FREE health screenings that include blood pressure checks, blood glucose levels, A1C testing, HIV testing, and more. There will also be local organizations to share human services resource information.
Plus, a giveaway of free bicycle helmets while supplies last.
The Health & Wellness Fair is on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Juanita High School, located at 10601 NE 132nd St. in Kirkland.
Read more.
We’re in the final days of wrapping up National Preparedness Month. This week, we’re sharing how you can get involved and amplify your efforts by working with others! Tune into our Let’s Chat video for ways to get involved with preparedness in your neighborhood.
Have ideas for the future of transportation in Kirkland? Thoughts on how to make our transportation system more safe, connected, and multimodal?
We want to hear from you! Review the Draft Transportation Strategic Plan (TSP), and provide comments.
The Draft can be found on the City website.
Ways to share your comments:
• post a comment on the TSP webpage
• make a public comment at a Council meeting when they plan to deliberate the TSP at their October 1 and November 6, 2024 meetings.
Did you miss the grand opening celebration of the Kirkland Teen Union Building on Sept 18, but want to see inside and learn about what is offered?
You're in luck!
KTUB will host monthly open houses for parents, guardians, and neighbors to take a peek inside. The first open house is Tuesday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Learn more on the event page.
The Kirkland Youth Council (KYC) is looking for new members!
KYC is a group of about 45 middle and high school students who serve as the official advisory board on youth related issues and concerns to our City Council.
The new member recruitment process is open to all Kirkland youth in grades 6-12. The application deadline is Friday, September 27, 2024. 2024-25 Kirkland Youth Council Application link
Senior Council
The purpose of the Kirkland Senior Council is to help ensure that the needs of all seniors age 50 and older are addressed. The Senior Council enables seniors to directly participate in the advocacy and creation of community programs and services that meet their needs.
Applications for new members will be accepted October 1-31, 2024 and is open to adults that live, work or serve seniors in the City of Kirkland.
To fill out an application, go to https://tinyurl.com/4xcyf4pt
It's been a busy September! And our Council has been out and about in the community meeting folks and attending events. Here's some of what they've been up to:
The weekend of Sept 12, Councilmember Pascal joined the panel of Washington Bike Walk Roll Summit in Tacoma. Mayor Curtis and Councilmembers Falcone and Sweet unveiled the new informational Interpretative Signs at Juanita Beach Park on Sept 20. Then Mayor Curtis and Councilmember Falcone joined the Totem Lake Park mural painting on Sept 21. Mayor Curtis joined the ribbon cutting of St. John's Episcopal Church's State Street Community Garden on Sept 22. That's on top of the KTUB ribbon cutting that happened on the 18th, and the Cadet Benefit Car Show on the 21st! Oof, we're tired just typing it all out!
Thanks for all of our amazing community members, businesses, and non-profits who are giving so much back to our community!
124th Avenue Northeast
Southbound 124th Avenue Northeast remains closed this week to automotive traffic between Northeast 116th and 124th streets while a Kirkland contractor grinds and repaves the roadway.
Reed Excavating will maintain the southbound closure 24 hours a day, seven days a week until Oct. 14.
The 124th Avenue Northeast Improvements contractor will detour southbound traffic onto Slater Avenue Northeast. Customers, however, will be able to access the Totem Square commercial area by turning south onto 124th Avenue Northeast from westbound Northeast 120th Street.
During the lane-closure, Metro King County will move a few hundred feet to the north a bus stop on Totem Lake Boulevard, which serves the 225 and 239 routes.
The detour will, for nearly two weeks, overlap with a road paving project on Slater Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 120th and 124th streets. Private developer Fairfield will work at night to repave a section of Slater Avenue Northeast. Fairfield is building The Brynn Apartments.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue
Goat Hill
Goat Hill residents should expect daytime road closures this week on Northeast 116th Place.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill
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
Additionally, a separate stormwater construction project will reduce Juanita drive to one lane at 86th Avenue Northeast. Kirkland's contractor is installing a new stormwater system at this location. Work is expected through October.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-Juanita-Dr-and-86th-Ave-NE-Storm-Improvements-Project
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction is alternating traffic at various locations between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. Access to/from Northeast 139th Street will be closed beginning Sept. 9 through Sept. 27 while crews work to complete new curbs, gutters, and driveway aprons along Northeast 139th Street. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour. Expect delays with increased traffic as school resumed.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign
Eighth Avenue West and Fifth Street West
Water and sewer mains are being installed along 8th Avenue West between 4th Street West and 5th Street West , then continuing along 5th Street Wet between 8th Avenue West to 10th Avenue West. Flaggers are located at the intersections to allow for emergency vehicles.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/eighthavenuewestupgrade
Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street
Lake Street’s intersection with Kirkland Avenue is now open, and minor impacts to traffic flow are expected for delivery of materials throughout the remainder of construction. Pedestrian access changes, so please follow the pedestrian detour routes. Businesses remain open during construction.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/lakestreetpedscramble
Africans on the Eastside Fashion Show
Date: Saturday, October 12
Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave
Join us for a night of elegance and culture at the African Fashion Show! 🌍✨ Witness the beauty of African designs and vibrant styles.
For more info, visit the event page.
Halloween Costume Swap
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 123 5th Ave
The Halloween Costume Swap is back this month! We've been accepting and collecting clean and gently used costumes, masks, hats, and accessories at City Hall (123 5th Ave) and the North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE).
Come to City Hall on Saturday, Sept 28th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to pick out new-to-you costumes for you and the family! This is a free event!
There will also be a DIY costume craft station, and a photo booth!
For more info, visit our Costume Swap webpage.
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Learn about wildfires and interface fires from Kirkland’s Fire Chief Joe Sanford, and Let’s Chat about ways you can be more prepared.