OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, February 21, 2023
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 21, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

We're live, Mayor.

0:04

Recording in progress.

0:07

I'd like to call over the city council meeting as everyone.

0:20

Through Zoom or by telephone.

0:23

Clerk, will you please call a roll?

0:24

Councilmember Nixon.

0:26

Here.

0:26

Councilmember Black.

0:27

Here.

0:28

Councilmember Curtis.

0:29

Here.

0:29

Councilmember Falcone.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Council Member Pascal.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Mayor Sweet.

0:35

Here.

0:36

Thank you.

0:37

Our study session tonight is for a parks funding exploratory committee facility feasibility study update.

0:44

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at approximately 7 30.

0:48

City manager.

0:49

Okay.

0:49

Thank you, Madam Maryland.

0:50

That's a very exciting presentation.

0:52

We have the whole study session set aside for it.

0:55

Tonight, we're going to be walking you through the same presentation that was given to PFEC about the two aquatic and recreation facility options at Houghton Park and Ride and at the North Kirkland Community Center.

1:05

We're not looking for decisions tonight.

1:07

PFEC hasn't made any final recommendations.

1:09

Those will come to the council at the end of March.

1:12

But what we are looking for is thoughts, feedback, insights, or any comments that you want to share with our talented team that we have here, both staff and consultants.

1:21

So I'm going to go ahead and let Lens Waxter, our parks director, introduce everybody, and we're looking forward to the presentation.

1:26

Thank you.

1:32

Oops.

1:36

Don't think that is on.

1:37

I don't think you are online.

1:39

Hold please.

1:44

I can't even see that switch over there.

1:47

We're super happy to be here with you this evening.

1:50

As Kurt mentioned, we're presenting the recreation and aquatic center feasibility study results.

1:56

That is the brunt of our presentation this evening, although we will end with uh just a little tidbit on where PFEC is at.

2:03

Um but first let me introduce our team.

2:05

Uh the city's project lead for this project is Mary Gardaki, our park planning and development manager, and also our management analyst for the ballot measure, Hilary De La Cruz.

2:17

And our consultants for the project would be Jim Calvilidge from Opsis.

2:22

Oh, he's on this side, and Chris Roberts with Opsus as well.

2:26

We have Darren Barr with Ballard King over here and George Dinus with Councilman Hunsaker over here.

2:33

And uh in uh in the peanut gallery, kidding.

2:37

Um, behind them providing support would be Jason Fylan and John Lloyd.

2:41

Uh we have 72 slides for you this evening.

2:44

Uh we are hoping to take no more than 45 minutes so that there's plenty of time for a question and answer.

2:50

This is the one time that we'll have all the consultants in front of you regarding the feasibility study, so definitely ask them any any questions that you have.

2:59

So first we'll go through that piece of um the presentation and then we'll do the quick PFEC update at which point in time we'll uh turn it over for QA.

3:09

So on that note, I will introduce Mary Gardacki while I pull up the presentation.

3:19

Oops, I forgot.

3:21

I was gonna see if you actually had the hard copies of these as well.

3:25

Um right, so uh tonight, as uh Kurt mentioned, we are going to replicate as much as we can of the presentation we gave to PFEC.

3:43

So this is the presentation that we shared with them.

3:47

Um this was the uh meeting agenda for that evening.

3:51

We just did quick inter introductions and agenda overview just now with Lynn, and then I'm gonna cover the city direction to the planning team, and then that point on it'll be covered by opsis.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████████23%
Sustainability Initiatives██████████10%
LGBTQ+ Rights████████8%
Public Art███████7%
Public Works██████6%
Capital Improvement Planning██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Legislative Updates█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2023

The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on February 21, 2023, preceded by a study session on parks facility feasibility. The council heard public comments, approved consent items, discussed the Health Through Housing program, received a state legislative update, adopted ordinances regulating personal delivery devices, and amended the 2023-2024 City Work Program. The meeting also included special presentations on the Sustainability Neighborhood Ambassador Program and the Sustainability Master Plan Year Two Report Card.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (7-0): Minutes of February 3 and 7, 2023; audit of accounts (payroll $3,788,760.05; bills $3,478,224.15); claims from Tarun Chandrashekar, Adam Garbe/USAA Insurance, and Blake Lanz; award of construction contract for NE 142nd Street Drainage Improvements to Kamins Construction ($326,685.76); Resolution R-5577 approving a Ninth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with City Manager Kurt Triplett; Public Disclosure Semi-Annual Performance Report; Cultural Arts Commission resignation of Michelle Lustgarten; 2022 Fourth Quarter Investment Report; 2022 Fourth Quarter Financial Management Report; December 2022 Financial Dashboard; and Procurement Report.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Benjamin Greschler (virtual): Expressed support for a rainbow pride crosswalk, stating representation is vital for LGBTQ+ youth and adults.
  • Kyndal Chapman (virtual): Board member of Eastside Pride, expressed strong support for a pride crosswalk as a symbol of welcome and protection.
  • Jeremy Suzuki (in person): Student at Juanita High School and leader of GSA, spoke in favor of the decorative crosswalk for Pride Month, sharing personal experiences of finding acceptance through pride symbols.
  • Cole Martin (in person): Recent Kirkland resident, expressed gratitude for the city's inclusive atmosphere and support for LGBTQ+ community.
  • Betsy Lewis (virtual): Expressed concern about lack of transparency from the city regarding plans for the Houghton Park and Ride site, noting that King County previously stated it would remain a long-term parking resource.

Discussion Items

  • Parks Funding Exploratory Committee (PFEC) – Facility Feasibility Study Update (Study Session): Parks staff and consultants presented options for an aquatic and recreation facility at the Houghton Park and Ride and North Kirkland Community Center. Options varied in size, amenities (pools, gyms, fitness areas, community rooms), and cost (capital and operational). PFEC members expressed preliminary preferences: 53% favored one facility, 43% two facilities, with a cap range of $221–$309 per year for a million-dollar home. The council provided feedback but no decisions were made; final PFEC recommendations expected March 21, 2023.
  • Sustainability Neighborhood Ambassador Program (SNAP!) Report: Student interns presented projects on heat pumps, trees, water conservation, biking, and solar power, including community outreach and restoration events.
  • Sustainability Master Plan Year Two Report Card: Senior Planner David Barnes highlighted achievements in 2022, including nearly doubling completed actions, adoption of high-performing building codes, data-driven tree canopy decisions, and progress on deconstruction ordinances and green jobs.
  • Health Through Housing Agreements Discussion: Deputy City Manager James Lopez provided an update on negotiations with King County for permanent supportive housing at the former La Quinta Inn. Key issues discussed: off-premises conduct language (still being refined), a proposed city liaison position (supported by council), deadly weapon prohibition (county lead), and performance measures. No action taken; further details expected March 7, 2023.
  • 2023 State Legislative Update #3: Government Affairs Manager Diana Hart reported on the status of priority bills, including accessory dwelling unit bills, the REAT 3 proposal, and other housing, sustainability, and revenue measures. Councilmember Curtis received support to sign in favor of SHB 1474 (Covenant Home Ownership Account).
  • Personal Delivery Devices (Ordinances O-4826 and O-4836): Staff presented final ordinances to regulate personal delivery devices on private property and public rights-of-way. Council clarified intent to prohibit combustion-based energy sources and permit only electric, non-emission sources. Both ordinances adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • 2023-2024 City Work Program: City Manager Kurt Triplett presented revised language for 12 work program elements based on prior council feedback. The council adopted several amendments:
    • Added "Central" before "Houghton" for Fire Station 22 (7-0).
    • Changed "Houghton" to "Lakeview" for attainable housing location (7-0).
    • Revised Environmental Sustainability item to read: "Continue to fund Sustainability Master Plan actions to further equity, energy efficiency, public health, and a sustainable and resilient environment to further the Sustainable Environment goal" (7-0).
    • Then a motion to retain "and a clean energy economy" in that item passed 4-3 (Yes: Arnold, Curtis, Falcone, Sweet; No: Black, Nixon, Pascal).
    • A motion to retain "Prioritize and" at the beginning of that item passed 7-0.
  • Legislative Request Memos (LRMs):
    • Childcare Pilot for City Meetings: Councilmember Falcone’s motion to request a memo on options for a childcare pilot at public meetings passed 7-0.
    • Decorative Crosswalk for Pride Month: Public Works Director Julie Underwood presented options. Council consensus to proceed with a short-term installation for June 2023 at Marina Park, with a long-term policy program to be developed. Legal analysis on liability to be provided.
    • Truck Eating Bridge Mural: Council agreed to refer the project to the Cultural Arts Commission for a deliberative process, with no urgency; the current banner will remain.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved 7-0.
  • Ordinance O-4826 (Personal Delivery Devices on public rights-of-way) adopted 7-0.
  • Ordinance O-4836 (Zoning amendment for Personal Delivery Devices) adopted 7-0.
  • 2023-2024 City Work Program amended and advanced to March 7, 2023 consent calendar (with amendments as above).
  • Childcare pilot LRM approved 7-0.
  • Pride crosswalk short-term installation approved by consensus; staff directed to proceed with Marina Park location for June 2023.
  • Council authorized signing in support of SHB 1474 (Covenant Home Ownership Account) at its February 22 hearing.
  • Executive Session held to discuss pending litigation; meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

We're live, Mayor. Recording in progress. I'd like to call over the city council meeting as everyone. Through Zoom or by telephone. Clerk, will you please call a roll? Councilmember Nixon. Here. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Curtis. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Council Member Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Sweet. Here. Thank you. Our study session tonight is for a parks funding exploratory committee facility feasibility study update. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at approximately 7 30. City manager. Okay. Thank you, Madam Maryland. That's a very exciting presentation. We have the whole study session set aside for it. Tonight, we're going to be walking you through the same presentation that was given to PFEC about the two aquatic and recreation facility options at Houghton Park and Ride and at the North Kirkland Community Center. We're not looking for decisions tonight. PFEC hasn't made any final recommendations. Those will come to the council at the end of March. But what we are looking for is thoughts, feedback, insights, or any comments that you want to share with our talented team that we have here, both staff and consultants. So I'm going to go ahead and let Lens Waxter, our parks director, introduce everybody, and we're looking forward to the presentation. Thank you. Oops. Don't think that is on. I don't think you are online. Hold please. I can't even see that switch over there. We're super happy to be here with you this evening. As Kurt mentioned, we're presenting the recreation and aquatic center feasibility study results. That is the brunt of our presentation this evening, although we will end with uh just a little tidbit on where PFEC is at. Um but first let me introduce our team. Uh the city's project lead for this project is Mary Gardaki, our park planning and development manager, and also our management analyst for the ballot measure, Hilary De La Cruz. And our consultants for the project would be Jim Calvilidge from Opsis. Oh, he's on this side, and Chris Roberts with Opsus as well. We have Darren Barr with Ballard King over here and George Dinus with Councilman Hunsaker over here. And uh in uh in the peanut gallery, kidding. Um, behind them providing support would be Jason Fylan and John Lloyd. Uh we have 72 slides for you this evening.

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