Kirkland City Council Meeting Summary - February 7, 2023
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Kirkland City Council Meeting Summary - February 7, 2023
The Kirkland City Council held a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on February 7, 2023. The agenda covered a Lake Street promenade feasibility study, neighborhood traffic calming policy revisions, a Black History Month proclamation, a presentation on the Houghton Village near-term strategy, action on a Carillon Point apartment master plan amendment, updates to the special events program and state legislative priorities, and selection of a board interview committee. Council took votes on the consent calendar and the Carillon Point resolution, and provided direction on several items.
Study Session
- Lake Street South/Lake Washington Boulevard Promenade and Concept Development Study: Transportation Planner Victoria Kovaks and Manager Joel Pfundt presented data on vehicle/pedestrian volumes, parking utilization, and safety concerns. Four design options were evaluated. The Transportation Commission recommended Option 1 (bike lanes on the west side, parking on the east). Council expressed general support for Option 1 and directed staff to include a preferred alternative in the 2024 Transportation Master Plan update, while also considering quick-win improvements like crosswalk beacons and lighting. Councilmember Nixon voiced concerns about losing half the on-street parking.
- Neighborhood Traffic Control Program Policy Revisions: Staff proposed streamlining community engagement for traffic calming measures by replacing the existing ballot/70% approval process with a city-led design approach and direct outreach. The revised policy would extend eligibility to collector streets with residential context, increase vehicle volume thresholds, and reduce the speed threshold for phase one/two measures. Council broadly supported the revisions, with Deputy Mayor Arnold requesting notification of neighborhood associations and school PTSAs. Councilmember Black asked for a follow-up review in 3–5 years.
Honors and Proclamations
- Mayor Penny Sweet and Councilmember Neal Black presented a proclamation declaring February 2023 as Black History Month in Kirkland. Tabor 100 President/CEO Ollie Garrett accepted the proclamation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Emily Bettencourt: Urged the city to redesign the Lakeview Drive intersection for bicycle safety, noting a near-miss.
- Cori Walters (new Executive Director, Kirkland Parks and Community Foundation): Thanked the council for support and expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration.
- Maysanne Burns: Expressed gratitude for the pop-up dog park at Snyder’s Corner and shared photos of community use.
- Scott Brady: Criticized the city’s approach to traffic calming, arguing that enforcement of existing laws is more effective than road narrowing.
- Alex Tsimmerman: Spoke on housing issues, calling for more affordable housing solutions and criticizing the city’s efforts.
- Wendy Stewart: Thanked council for the Snyder’s Corner Dog Park listening session.
- Noel Knappet: Raised concerns about traffic impacts from new developments, particularly the lack of right-turn lanes and infrastructure improvements.
Special Presentations
- Houghton Village – Near-Term Strategy: Deputy City Manager Beth Goldberg presented five options for the former PCC space: (1) mercantile upgrades (~$300K), (2) leave as-is (vacant), (3) assembly use for a nonprofit (~$850K), (4) demolish for open space, (5) other. Staff recommended further analysis of Option 3 and returning in March. Council expressed interest in activation but requested more details on costs, timelines, potential tenants, and financing options.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (6-0): Minutes of January 17, 2023; audit of accounts (payroll $5,271,240.72, bills $13,088,125.23); claims for damages from Mark Fessler, Rebecca A. Klinicke, and Daniel Luera; Resolution R-5574 (ARCH affordable housing funding); Resolution R-5575 (ARCH 2023 budget/work program); Resolution R-5576 (Ziply Fiber sponsorship for summer movie series); Library Board resignation acknowledgment; December 2022 sales tax memo; procurement report.
Business Items
- Carillon Point Apartments Master Plan Amendment: Associate Planner Jennifer Anderer summarized the hearing examiner’s recommendation and added conditions for utility easements for a future public restroom, two additional bike stalls, and relocation of the pet relief station. Council approved Resolution R-5570 (6-0) granting the amended master plan with conditions.
- Special Events Program Updates: Staff proposed (a) separating Marina Park and the Central Business District into two venues, (b) revising the community program exemption, (c) a priority review window with criteria, and (d) a revised fee model. Council discussed fees for 501(c)(3)/free public events and partnership events like the Wednesday Market. No final decision; staff directed to return with options addressing nonprofit and partnership events, incorporating economic development/tourism criteria, and considering specific discounts vs. a broad principle.
- 2023 Legislative Update #2: Government Affairs Manager Diana Hart reported on the high volume of bills (>1,500). The city’s ADU bill and REAT bill are moving. Councilmember Curtis requested that HB 1670 (1% property tax cap increase) be elevated to a priority. Staff noted ongoing tracking of Blake fix and vehicular pursuit bills.
- 2023 Board and Commission Interview Committee Selection: City Clerk Kathi Anderson drew names: Councilmember Pascal, Councilmember Falcone, and Deputy Mayor Arnold.
Reports
- Councilmembers gave regional committee updates (Transit, School District, PFEC, GMPC, Sound Cities, etc.). City Manager Kurt Triplett reported on RACER executive director interviews (March target), potential crisis clinic site, and the county’s elimination of COVID-19 vaccine requirement for firefighters.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution R-5570 (Carillon Point) approved 6-0.
- Consent calendar approved 6-0.
- Council supported the Promenade Option 1 and NTCP policy revisions direction.
- Staff directed to return with further analysis on Houghton Village and special events fee structures.
- HB 1670 elevated to city legislative priority.
- Executive session held on potential litigation; meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call towards 2020. Councilmember Nixon. Here. Council Member Black. Here. Council Member Curtis. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Councilmember Falcon will not be able to look at any. Councilmember you can get home. So moved. Second. Councilmember Vickson. Your mic isn't. Please continue with the roll. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Sweet. Here. Thank you. Our study session tonight is on two subjects. The first is a Lake Street South and Lake Washington Boulevard Promenade and Concept Development Study. The second study session subject relates to the neighborhood traffic control program policy revisions. If we finish the study session early, we may go into executive session to discuss possible litigation and or the performance of a public employee. In any event, we will we do expect to reconvene our regular meeting at approximately 7 30 p.m. City Manager. Okay, thank you, Madam Mayor, members of the council. So tonight we want to present both of those topics and to provide those presentations. Our transportation manager Joel Funt and our transportation planner, Victoria Kovacs will be making the presentations. We'll be starting with the Lake Street South discussion, and we're just looking for council feedback on the various options that have been identified, and there'll be some recommended next steps during the presentation. Great. Welcome, Joel. Victoria. Great. Thank you, City Manager, and thank you, Mayor. We do have a short presentation to share with you. And hopefully you can see my screen. Yes. Great. So Joel and I are both excited to be here to share with you the results of the Lake Washington Boulevard Promenade study. And we'll review the study background and kind of the purpose for why we did the study, as well as some of the existing conditions and data analysis that we had done. We'll review the four corridor options as outlined in the memo, as well as some other recommendations that can be done, regardless of which option the council might be interested in. We'll recap some of the evaluation criteria we looked at and uh we'll conclude with the discussion and next steps. So consideration of a promenade on Lake Washington Boulevard has been considered for quite some time. I pulled out some policies from the 2015 comprehensive plan, specifically in the shoreline area and the transportation master plan. And the transportation master plan does have a specific action to consider developing a master plan for a lakefront promenade. More recently, the active transportation plan adopted last year, also highlights to enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities on the Lake Washington waterfront. And it was uh council asked as part of the June budget process to conduct data gathering and analysis and design concepts to address the issues and needs in the corridor.
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