Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - July 19, 2022

The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on July 19, 2022, preceded by a study session on transportation and capital improvement planning. The council took action on a development agreement with Google, adopted a resolution on reproductive healthcare and marriage equality, and discussed parks funding, revenue equity, and fire staffing. The regular meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. and adjourned at 11:04 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from July 5, July 6, and July 11, 2022.
• Acknowledged audit of accounts: payroll $3,791,355.03 and bills $2,711,250.07.
• Acknowledged a claim for damages from HAL 1 LLC.
• Acknowledged the 2021 Annual Code Enforcement Report, May 2022 Financial Dashboard Report, and Procurement Report.
• Motion carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Abigail DeWeese (representing Google) expressed support for the Google Development Agreement, noting public benefits and explaining that rooftop public access is not provided due to security concerns based on past incidents.
• Beverly Marcus urged adoption of Resolution R-5550 supporting reproductive healthcare and marriage equality, stating she is horrified by the overturning of Roe v. Wade and sees Washington State as a firewall.
• Catherine Frere raised concerns about firefighter staffing, citing excessive overtime (one captain worked 260 hours in 14 days) and a brownout risk, accusing the city of inaction.
• Sharon Cox commented on tree retention at the Google site, inquiring whether the tree code protects periphery trees; she assumed trees on the south end and other sides would remain.
• Guillermo Rivera (Insight for All) spoke in favor of tenant protections recommended by ARCH, stating they would allow families to continue living in Kirkland and benefit everyone.
• Marv Heston objected to Resolution R-5550, arguing the council did not run on these issues nor conduct a public survey, and thus is overstepping its bounds.

Study Session

• 2022-2023 Transportation Commission Proposed Work Plan: Transportation Manager Joel Pfundt, Commission Chair Kurt Ahrensfeld, and Vice Chair Faith DeBolt presented the plan. Key new items include a Transportation Master Plan update, corridor studies for 120th Avenue NE, 85th Street, and 87th Avenue, a Lake Washington Boulevard study, speed limit setting policy update, and data collection/performance measurement. Councilmember Pascal emphasized safety and reducing vehicle speeds. Council provided feedback; a final plan will return for adoption.
• 2023-2028 Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Financial Planning Manager George Dugdale and Kevin Lowe Pelstring presented. The funded program increased by $61 million for transportation, including $16.8 million in developer-delivered projects. A new equity mapping tool was introduced. REAT forecasts increased to $11 million/year. Parks projects saw no new funded projects; restroom renovations at Everest and Houghton Beach were prioritized, delaying ADA upgrades and off-leash dog areas. Council discussed neighborhood safety program funding, park priorities, and staff capacity. Updates on major projects: 100th Avenue design and right-of-way acquisition underway, 124th Avenue advertising for bids later in 2022, and One EDA Drive design continuing.

Special Presentations

• Fire Department Staffing Update: Chief Joe Sanford presented current staffing and proposed temporary change: from August 2022 to May 2023, discontinue the voluntary 12-hour dedicated aid car at Station 22 and instead reassign personnel from Station 27 to staff it during daytime, returning at night. Goal is to reduce overtime and manage vacancies. Council expressed support for the operational decision and requested continued tracking via the fire dashboard.
• COVID-19 Update: City Manager Kurt Triplett reported rising BA.5 variant cases and encouraged masking and vaccinations. Consideration of possibly remote August meeting depending on health guidance.
• Resolution R-5434 Update: No update provided.

Business

• Google Development Agreement (Ordinance O-4807): Deputy City Manager Tracey Dunlap reviewed amendments: sustainability features (all-electric, no natural gas, 100% carbon-free energy by 2030), a repayment plan for the community benefit incentive payment in case phases 4/5 do not proceed, collaboration with Lake Washington School District, transportation concurrency split (1,534 trips initially, additional 700 after project completion), and third-party parking utilization analysis. Planning Director Adam Weinstein clarified tree code application: not all periphery trees will be retained, but landmark trees receive protection, and the project will likely increase tree canopy. Council discussion; motion by Deputy Mayor Arnold. Vote: 7-0 to approve.
• Revenue Equity Study Final Report: Sarah Emmans of ECONorthwest presented final recommendations: increase the business license fee (RGRL) by $25 per FTE, raise the exemption from $12,000 to $20,000, maximize use of REET for maintenance, and implement paid parking downtown (gross annual revenue potential up to $6.4 million). Council supported including options in the budget process with community outreach. Staff will bring proposals to the September 20 revenue public hearing.
• Establishing a Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC): Management Analyst Hillary De La Cruz presented plans for a 40-member committee to meet ~10 times from September 2022 to February 2023 and recommend ballot measure components and funding mechanisms. Council feedback included: define diversity broadly, include youth, renters, and disability community, balance expertise with inclusiveness, include skeptics and political diversity, and ensure robust discussion on funding. Resolution to be finalized at the August 3 council meeting.
• Reproductive Healthcare and Marriage Equality (Resolution R-5550): Councilmember Falcone introduced the resolution, which was updated to include support for Washington State legislative action. Councilmember Nixon moved to table; motion failed for lack of a second. After debate, motion to adopt passed 6-1 (Nixon dissenting). Councilmember Nixon argued the resolution is divisive and not city business; others emphasized supporting civil liberties and sending a message.

Reports

• City Council Reports: Deputy Mayor Arnold reported on Eastrail Regional Advisory Council (discussed art, a celebration conference, and a potential $25,000-$50,000 budget ask). Councilmember Falcone highlighted the successful outdoor summer movie series and the Guns for Gift Cards event on July 20. Councilmember Curtis reported on the legislative work group (permanent supportive housing briefings, firefighter vaccine mandate, AWC housing policy group) and an ARCH elected official focus group on dedicated affordable housing revenue. Councilmember Black shared highlights from the Chamber DEI Symposium on barriers to re-entry for formerly incarcerated individuals. Councilmember Pascal had no additional reports.
• City Manager Reports: Calendar update; no other items.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance O-4807 (Google Development Agreement) approved 7-0.
• Resolution R-5550 (Reproductive Healthcare and Marriage Equality) adopted 6-1.
• Parks Funding Exploratory Committee direction provided; final resolution to return August 3.
• Revenue Equity Study next steps: staff to bring RGRL options to September 20 public hearing and begin outreach to business community.
• Fire Staffing operational change approved: discontinue voluntary 12-hour aid car for 10 months.
• Juanita Heights Park/Goat Hill policy motion adopted 7-0: Council will not support dedicating park property for a roadway to enable a development that requires such a road.
• Motion to table Resolution R-5550 failed for lack of a second.
• Executive session held for litigation, personnel, and collective bargaining; meeting adjourned at 11:04 p.m.