Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – October 4, 2022

The Kirkland City Council met on October 4, 2022, in a hybrid format. A study session began at 5:30 p.m. on the 2023–2028 Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and street/median maintenance improvements. The regular meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. and included proclamations, a public hearing on 2023–2024 budget revenue sources, a COVID-19 update, consideration of 2023–2024 utility rates, and other business. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. following an executive session on real estate acquisition.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: September 20, 2022.
• Audit of Accounts: Payroll $4,735,759.71; bills $5,747,287.23.
• Acceptance of Public Improvements: Cross Kirkland Corridor Lighting Project (120th Ave NE to NE 124th St) completed by Colvico, Inc.; $11,017 transferred to Totem Lake Connector project and $274,346 returned to REET reserves.
• Resolution R-5559: Approved participation in an interlocal cooperative purchasing agreement with the City of Tacoma.
• Resolution R-5560: Reallocated the City’s portion of Community Development Block Grant (CV-3/CDBG) funds.
• Ordinance O-4814: Established salary for Municipal Court Judge, effective January 1, 2023.
• Ordinance O-4815: Amended Chapter 14.36 of the Kirkland Municipal Code relating to city floats, moorages, and tour boat facilities.
• Proclamations: Indigenous Peoples' Day and Arbor Day acknowledged.
• Procurement Report: Acknowledged.
• Motion carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items from the Audience (regular meeting): Katherine Freire read a letter from Mayor Penny Sweet to firefighters regarding vaccination requirements, criticizing coercion. Alex Tsimerman denounced the city government as “Nazi Gestapo democracy fascism,” criticized inflation, and warned against potential atomic war.
• Public Hearing on 2023–2024 Budget Revenue Sources:
  • Lynda Larsen (Velocity Apartments) supported funding for affordable housing case management but alleged lack of accountability, including undelivered gift cards and retaliatory behavior by staff.
  • Vincent Bembry (Athena Apartments) echoed accountability concerns regarding Imagine Housing.
  • Edward Radcliffe (Kirkland resident) opposed the 1% property tax increase, calling property valuations arbitrary, and criticized the proposed business license fee increase (RGRL) as regressive for small businesses.
  • Kevin Smoltz (Francis Village) requested better accountability, a pedestrian crosswalk near his building, and dust control from construction.

Study Session Discussion Items

2023–2028 Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

• Financial Planning Supervisor Kevin Pelstring and Capital Projects Manager Rod Steitzer presented proposed changes: moving $150,000/year from street levy to neighborhood safety program (total $900,000 over six years), adding $360,000 in REET reserves for stormwater fixes at NE 132nd St/116th Way/I-405, and clarifying $300,000 from general fund for NE 85th Station area transportation plan.
• 108th Ave NE Q-jumps project (two projects, ~$12 million total): Staff recommended continuing design but deferred obligating a $1.5 million federal design grant until more is known about King County’s K-line funding. Councilmember Pascal favored delaying a decision until spring 2023 after further county advocacy. Deputy Mayor Arnold supported exploring state/regional funding independent of the K-line. Councilmember Nixon preferred prioritizing safer routes to school projects. Council generally agreed to gather more information before committing.
• Pavement Condition Index (PCI): The city maintains ~650 lane miles. Current funding ($4.2M/year) is projected to push PCI below the levy goal of 70 by 2030 due to oil prices and inflation.
• Off-leash dog parks: Staff noted capacity and funding constraints; a proposed 2023–2024 service package would fund four pop-up locations.
• Capital delivery factors: Inflation, complex funding, permitting, and staffing challenges discussed; countermeasures include regular finance coordination, expanded recruitment, and partnering with utilities.

Street and Median Maintenance Improvements and Potential New Funding Sources

• Public Works Director Julie Underwood introduced new staff: Superintendent Chris Gavigan, Streets and Grounds Manager Ryan Fowler, and Supervisor Micah Stansberry.
• 2022 Streets and Grounds Assessment (Consultant Glen Akramoff): Strengths included dedicated staff and senior leadership support. Challenges included post-annexation workload, lack of documented processes, and employee development gaps. Recent improvements: new leadership, reduced absenteeism, team mission/values, and a new supervisor position. The maintenance facility (designed for 35–40 people now houses 70) requires long-term upgrades.
• Medians Replacement Project Update (KPG Psomas Senior Landscape Architect Coreen Schmidt): Four hardscape concepts were presented, incorporating stamped concrete, natural stone textures, and planting pockets. Two initial implementation options: Option 1 (Juanita Beach Park median, ~$142,000) and Option 2 (10 medians on Central Way/Market Street, ~$124,000). Council feedback favored concepts that retained low-maintenance plantings (options 3 and 4) and prioritized gateway corridors. Councilmember Curtis opposed removing medians with trees. Councilmember Nixon emphasized prioritizing ADA ramps over median aesthetics. Staff will incorporate feedback and bring forward a plan for 2022 implementation and future years.

Proposed 2023–2024 Utility Rates

• Policy and Community Relations Supervisor John MacGillivray and Financial Planning Supervisor Kevin Pelstring presented proposed rates: Solid waste (reflecting contractual changes and CPI cap at 5%), water (4% per year), sewer (6.5% per year), and surface water (5% per year). The average residential customer would see monthly increases of $15.75 in 2023 and $13.63 in 2024. A new Capital Facility Charge (CFC) methodology (“updated current”) was recommended as a middle ground. Council discussed a low-income utility discount program and noted the existing Kirkland Cares donation option on bills. Councilmember Falcone supported expanding outreach for donations. Council generally supported the proposed rates and the updated current CFC method.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously (7-0).
• CIP direction: Staff will incorporate Council feedback and provide an updated CIP at the November 15, 2022 study session. A decision on the 108th Ave Q-jumps federal grant is deferred to spring 2023 pending further information from WSDOT and King County.
• Median maintenance: Staff will proceed with design and implementation of the median replacement plan based on Council’s input; service packages for ongoing median maintenance and pop-up dog parks are included in the preliminary budget.
• Budget Revenue Sources: The public hearing was held; Council will consider all testimony in the final budget process (December 13, 2022).
• Utility Rates: Council directed staff to finalize ordinances for the proposed 2023–2024 rates with the updated current CFC methodology; adoption is scheduled for October 18, 2022.
• Proclamations: October 2022 proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month (accepted by LifeWire’s Kevin Tomlin) and Walk and Roll to School Month (accepted by Ben Franklin Elementary PTA board member Claire du Parc).
• CERT Class #30 Graduation: Emergency Manager Heather Kelly recognized the 13 graduates, the first fully in-person class since 2019; next class is May 2023.
• COVID-19 Update: City Manager Kurt Triplett announced the city’s emergency proclamation will end October 31, 2022. Rehiring of unvaccinated firefighters remains under review pending final decisions from medical directors and the city’s vaccination policy.
• Executive Session: Held to discuss the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase; meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.