Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting Summary - May 16, 2023
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Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - May 16, 2023
The Kirkland City Council held a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the City Council Chamber, adjourning at 10:36 p.m. All seven councilmembers were present. The agenda included a parks ballot measure study session, a King County Metro update, a consent calendar, and action on a tax increment area ordinance and multiple transportation project items.
Study Session: Potential Parks Ballot Measure Discussion
- Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra and staff, joined by EMC Research, presented survey results, funding mechanisms, facility options, and ballot measure considerations.
- EMC conducted 400 statistically valid interviews April 20-24; the city's open-link survey drew 1,315 responses, 1,016 from Kirkland residents.
- EMC findings: 61% said the proposal was important, but only 24% said 'very important'; importance dropped eight points after cost information; groups likely to turn out (50+, homeowners, households without children) fell to about 53-54% total importance.
- Year-round restrooms ranked highest among elements, with 22% 'extremely important'; indoor lap/recreation pools showed higher intensity in the open-link survey.
- On location, North Kirkland Community Center was the plurality preference, but about 30% had no preference; 53% preferred one facility over two (36%).
- Youth Council input: 21 members voted; 57% ranked an aquatics/recreation center with teen programs in their top three; 48% ranked year-round restrooms in their top three.
- PFEC recommended one permanent levy lid lift (52% of PFEC members), followed by long-term temporary levy lid lift (31%) and bond/levy combo (17%).
- Facility options: 103,000 sq ft Houghton Park & Ride ($132.5M capital, 73% cost recovery); 86,000 sq ft Houghton Park & Ride ($108.5M, 74%); 80,000 sq ft NKCC ($110M, 83%); complementary two-site package totaling 112,000 sq ft ($155.5M, 81%); and an 18,000 sq ft NKCC replacement ($42M, 22%).
- Existing waitlists total over 16,000 entries annually, including more than 10,000 in aquatics.
- PFEC's facility preference was one facility, ranking the 86,000 sq ft Houghton option first and the 103,000 sq ft Houghton option second.
- Council discussion leaned toward one facility at Houghton Park & Ride, several favoring 86,000 sq ft, with a need to plan for North Kirkland Community Center refurbishment and transit connectivity. No formal vote was taken; staff was directed to continue discussion June 6.
Honors and Proclamations
- Councilmember Toby Nixon read the Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation; Jeffrey Grossman and Linda Bookey of Kol Ami accepted it, proclaiming May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Kirkland.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Susan Davis called for completing missing sidewalks in the 124th Avenue/NE 103rd area and opposed a permanent parks levy, calling it a 'blank check in perpetuity.'
- Joshua Sharp, owner of Under the Needle Tattoo, opposed the planned Kirkland Avenue/Lake Street full closure and its timing, citing business and parking impacts and noting only three accidents cited.
- John Sheller, King County Library System government relations manager, expressed concern that the tax increment area ordinance would freeze the voter-approved library levy; he questioned projected levy rates and asked for answers.
- Eric Donnelly, opening Rock Creek restaurant, asked that construction be postponed until fall or spring and cited expected revenue and tax impacts.
- Katya Difani, owner of Urban Wellness, requested delaying construction to early next year and asked for better communication and promotion of downtown businesses during the work.
- Doug Davis proposed a task force and a February start, with testing and business involvement rather than a full closure.
- Kathy Iverson, Barbara Loomis, and Karen Lightfeldt opposed permanent closure of Park Lane to vehicles and loss of its 17 parking spaces; Lightfeldt noted a $75,000 city study and petitions from property owners and businesses.
- Denise Bugallo, KCLS regional manager, announced that KCLS would stop charging late fines and clear current fines as of May 9, and would expand library hours beginning June 18, including 25 more weekly hours across Kirkland and Kingsgate libraries.
- One speaker made offensive and hateful remarks; Mayor Penny Sweet responded that the statements were hurtful, were not condoned by the council, and that the council remains committed to a safe, inclusive, welcoming Kirkland.
Special Presentation: King County Metro Update
- General Manager Michelle Allison, Amanda Pleasant-Brown, and Graydon Newman presented.
- Metro currently delivers about 96% of scheduled service and will temporarily suspend about 150,000 service hours in September 2023 to improve reliability.
- Kirkland-specific reductions: frequency reductions on routes 225, 230, 231, and 255; full suspension of routes 237 and 342; alternatives were identified for most affected riders.
- MetroFlex Juanita pilot (since September 2020, Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.) has about 53,843 riders and will be evaluated in late 2023.
- RapidRide K Line on 108th Avenue NE is in Metro's budget for delivery as early as 2030; Metro acknowledged the city's 108th Avenue Transit Queue Jumps project and its federal grant support.
- Councilmembers discussed youth ridership, increased MetroFlex promotion, and the need to keep working on K Line operating funding and access to the NE 85th Street BRT station.
Consent Calendar
- Motion by Councilmember Kelli Curtis, seconded by Councilmember Amy Falcone, carried 7-0.
- Approved minutes of May 2 and May 4, 2023; audit of accounts (payroll $3,725,306.51; bills $6,095,908.64); claims from Sara Crane, Joe Eng, and Mary Lester; award of NE 131st Way/90th Avenue NE non-motorized improvements to Apcon-Tech, Inc. for $713,812; Resolution R-5591 adopting the 2023-2025 Planning Work Program; 2023-2025 Police Guild-commissioned staff collective bargaining agreement; $217,800 transfer from REET 2 Reserves for downtown and NE 124th Street pedestrian safety improvements; Foster Care Month, Kids to Parks Day, and Safe Boating/Paddling Week proclamations; 2023 first quarter investment report; March 2023 financial dashboard; and procurement report.
Business Agenda
- Tax Increment Area Ordinance (O-4846): Motion by Councilmember Neal Black, seconded by Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold, carried 7-0. The ordinance designates the NE 85th Street Station Tax Increment Area, sets a sunset date, identifies public improvements, states intent to issue bonds up to $58,000,000, takes effect June 1, 2023, and sets a construction deadline. Consultant Morgan Shook addressed library concerns about levy impacts; Councilmember Toby Nixon asked about new voter-approved levies during the increment period.
- Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street Intersection Improvements Project Update (considered out of order by 7-0 vote): Capital Projects Manager Craig Martin presented a revised schedule starting construction in spring 2024, with full closure before Fourth of July and completion by September 2024. Council concurred with the staff recommendation and supported business mitigation efforts such as promotion, potential Kirkland Cash, and ongoing engagement.
- Houghton Village Shopping Center Community Feedback Report: Deputy City Manager James Lopez reported on early engagement, including a 67-attendee community forum, neighborhood meetings, school administrator meetings, and a non-representative Central Houghton Neighborhood Association survey. Themes included building height, workforce/affordable housing, public space, traffic, pedestrian safety, and school partnerships. The city will allocate over $700,000 for Studio East to activate the former PCC space. No formal action was taken; staff will conduct another outreach phase and return in fall.
- 124th Avenue NE Capital Projects and Interim Actions: Public Works Director Julie Underwood reported about $54 million in unfunded capital needs on the corridor and seven private development projects. Council approved, 7-0, a motion by Jon Pascal (seconded by Amy Falcone) to expand service package 23SO14 to allow interim pedestrian improvements filling sidewalk gaps in conjunction with private developments citywide when Public Works determines it appropriate. Council also asked staff to explore incentives for landowners to build sidewalks early.
- Juanita Drive Multimodal Safety Project Update and Scope Modification: Senior Project Engineer Laura Drake said the corridor project is at 90% design, funded at just over $11.6 million with expected total cost just over $13.5 million. Council approved, 7-0, a motion by Jon Pascal (seconded by Amy Falcone) to create a separate new CIP project for the NE 112th Street/80th Avenue NE/Juanita Drive NE intersection.
- 108th Avenue NE Transit Queue Jumps Project Update: Laura Drake reported current grants total just over $3.5 million against an estimated need of $8.5 million more. Council concurred with staff's strategy to federalize the project, coordinate environmental review with Metro, and target state/federal funds; no formal vote was needed.
Reports
- Councilmembers shared reports on the Congressional Art Competition reception, Kirkland Initiative, Chamber luncheon with Port of Seattle Commission President Sam Cho, police swearing-in and awards, Fire Academy graduation, National Peace Officer Memorial, National Police Week, National EMS Week, the June 4 senior graduation cruise, Growth Management Planning Council, Clean Sweep, Pride crosswalk unveiling, Kirkland Little League Fan Fest, Regional Transit Committee, Bellevue Chamber event, Cascade Bike Everywhere Breakfast, PSRC General Assembly, housing roundtable, Cascade Water Alliance, and the America's Competitiveness Exchange.
- City Manager Kurt Triplett said a Juneteenth ordinance would be brought at the next meeting; the state Legislature passed a Blake Fix bill; requests for additional funding were received for Kirkland Heights and Polaris housing projects; WSDOT approved permanent fencing at the former Houghton Park & Ride; and a retail theft event was being planned with the Chamber. Kirkland Heights received $500,000 in CDBG funds; Polaris is seeking $1.8 million, with King County potentially committing $1 million and the city exploring $800,000.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved 7-0.
- Ordinance O-4846 (NE 85th Street Station Tax Increment Area) adopted 7-0.
- Service package 23SO14 expansion for interim pedestrian improvements approved 7-0.
- Juanita Drive scope modification creating a separate NE 112th/80th/Juanita intersection project approved 7-0.
- Council concurred with the Kirkland Avenue/Lake Street spring 2024 schedule and the 108th Avenue QJ federalization strategy.
- Parks ballot measure discussion will continue June 6, with staff to bring options on funding, facilities, North Kirkland Community Center planning, transit connectivity, and membership/financial assistance comparisons.
- Houghton Village community engagement will continue, with another staff report anticipated in fall.
Meeting Transcript
Someone came. I would like to call the orders at the city council meeting of May 6th, 2023. Community members are welcome to join us in person or by telephone. Councilmember Nixon. Here. Councilmember Black. Here. Council Member Curtis. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Sweet. Here. Thank you. Sorry. City Manager. Okay, thank you, Madam Mayor. So tonight we have a star student lineup for you. Uh the purpose of tonight's uh study session is to really share with you all the information that we've had since we last talked about the park ballot measure. So you're gonna get updates on ops designs, uh, resident surveys, the uh statistic valid survey, the last PFEC recommendation. And our goal is to basically provide you all this information and get your thoughts and feedback, but the uh plans for we'll start talking about trade-offs and decision making will be at the June meeting. So I just wanted to make sure that uh people understand there's a whole new study session at the first meeting in June to continue to explore these items. So uh with that as an overview, I'm gonna turn over to our parks and community services director, Lyndon Swangstra. Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Council. Uh we're pleased to be with you here this evening. I'll introduce to you all the folks that you see sitting here. Uh we have Mary Gardaki, our Parks Planning and Development Manager. She's been the lead for the uh feasibility study. We have John Lloyd, our deputy director, Jason Fylan, our parks manager, Sarah Shellenbarger, our recreation manager, and our communications manager, David Wolbrecht. And I like to claim him. And uh virtually we have Ian Stewart with EMC. He'll be presenting some information for you. Um we do have a full agenda tonight. Um there are 64 slides, and I'm not gonna pretend that they're all really short, but there are four primary subjects. Um community feedback and survey results, then funding mechanism options, expanded facility options, and ballot measure options. We're gonna stop at three um key discussion points, that being the funding mechanism, facility preference, and elements to include in the ballot measure. First, we're gonna start with a little bit of feedback, community feedback, and uh starting with the park board feedback. As you'll recall, Council and Park Board had a joint meeting on April 4th, during which you discussed the potential ballot measure elements. Park Board shared their general um support of the PFEC recommendation uh for the five elements and the at least one recreation and aquatic center. Um they had a little bit of a differing opinion. They would they had asked for consideration of three additional elements, that being enhanced safety and security, synthetic turf multi-purpose sports fields, and a permanent off-leash dog park. At council's request, uh, these items were added to the community survey so that we could gather further input on that. Park Board did also discuss um some concern about three elements that you see listed, uh and then they did also express a preference for the Houghton Park and Ride location. And on that note, I'm gonna hand it over to David, uh, who's gonna talk to you about survey results? Thank you, Lynn, and good evening, Madam Mayor, Council. Um so just briefly I wanted to talk through timeline of how we got here related to the community survey.
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