OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - July 5, 2023

City Council — Wednesday, July 5, 2023
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, July 5, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:50:57

Transcript — Verbatim
1:27

Thank you.

1:28

We're live, Mayor.

1:29

Thank you.

1:30

I'd like to call to order the City Council meeting of July the 5th, 2023.

1:35

Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting.

1:38

Community members are welcome to join us either in person or remotely through Zoom or by telephone.

1:44

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

1:45

Councilmember Nixon.

1:47

Here.

1:47

Councilmember Black.

1:48

Here.

1:49

Councilmember Curtis.

1:50

Here.

1:50

Councilmember Falcone.

1:51

Here.

1:52

Councilmember Pascal.

1:53

Here.

1:53

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

1:54

Here.

1:55

Mayor Sweet.

1:56

Here.

1:56

Thank you.

1:57

Our study session tonight is a discussion on a potential parks ballot measure draft ordinance.

2:02

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

2:07

City manager.

2:08

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

2:09

Members of the Council.

2:11

So tonight is our last sort of discussion opportunity before we're going to be asking Council to make final decisions on the July 18th council meeting.

2:18

So we're definitely looking for your final input, suggestions, comments, edits, and so forth on the presentation tonight.

2:45

She's been extraordinarily working on that getting this through the team, as well as Beth Goldberg.

2:48

They worked really hard on this over the last two days to get it signed.

2:51

So we now have that in the packet.

3:02

While there are certainly things we might tweak on it if we could, we felt that uh since it's not yet binding and is going to be replaced by a purchase and sale agreement, uh, that it made sense to go ahead and sign it.

3:12

So we at least now have that actual physical document as part of the presentations for the today and July 18th.

3:18

So very excited about that piece of information.

3:20

So with that, uh, to give you an overview of where we are now and ask you the qu the final questions we have is Lynn's Wagstra, our parks and community services director.

3:30

Thank you.

3:31

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor and City Council.

3:34

As you know, we're here this evening to continue our conversation on the parks ballot measure.

3:39

Presenting this evening would be me as well as Hilary De La Cruz, our management analyst, Shri Krishna, the Deputy Director of Finance, and back by special invitation is Deanna Gregory, our Bond Council with Pacifica Law Group.

3:53

And she is joining us virtually this evening.

4:26

So those are our three primary sections.

4:28

And then at the end, we'll kind of um finish with a little update on the timeline and any next steps necessary for the ballot measure.

4:36

And on that note, I will hand it over to Shri.

4:43

Thanks, Lynn.

4:45

Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council.

4:50

So we wanted to just take a moment at the very beginning and walk through the base levy for the city and what the impact of the 20% assessed valuation decrease has on it.

5:01

The table in front of you is also in the memo.

5:04

And we're gonna walk through it in sort of columns by talking about what has happened in 2023, what we're projecting for 2024 with the 20% reduction and what the changes are.

5:15

The bottom line is to let you know that uh the impact on the property tax levy itself is roughly 24 cents.

5:22

Um so we're gonna start off by just talking about 2023.

5:26

That's information that we have had from um this I was about to say state the King County assessor's office.

5:34

And um walking through that, you'll notice that we end up with uh a regular levy of 86 uh.48 or 418 cents.

5:44

Um the assumptions that we're making to project what the 2024 levy rate would be on just the regular levy is assuming that we'll have a 20 percent reduction in the assessed value, which is shown in the total assessed valuation number, which you'll notice goes down from 48 million to 38.68 um billion.

6:05

And in terms of calculating our property tax and the levy rate, we always also include the new construction number.

6:14

We have gone ahead and assumed a new construction of 456 million and 167,000, which is around uh 11 per 11 percent of um the total assessed value, which is what was in 2023 as well.

6:31

Um then the new construction is calculated on the basis of the levy rate, which is the point eight six four one eight you see at the bottom of the first column there, which gives you the 394,000 that's in the second column there, um, the third row down.

6:47

Um we've also assumed corrections about $50,000, which is around the average that we have seen over the years, uh which brings us to a total levy of 42 million um 642,647,026.

7:01

Um but because of the 20 percent reduction, you'll notice that the levy rate, the property tax rate at the very bottom of the table has gone from point eight six four one eight to a dollar ten to five six, a change of a little under 24 cents for a thousand.

7:21

Um as you're all well familiar, um the council sets a levy amount, and the assessor sets the levy rate.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation████████████████16%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Taxation███████7%
Noise Abatement█████5%
Procedural████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
LGBTQ+ Rights████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - July 5, 2023

The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on July 5, 2023, starting with a study session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., adjourning at 10:07 p.m. The meeting included a study session on a potential parks ballot measure, honors and proclamations, public comments, a petition, consent calendar, business items on automated noise enforcement and the school resource officer program, and a contract amendment for the Park Lane study.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes from June 20, 2023 (regular meeting) and June 22, 2023 (special meeting) were approved.
  • Audit of Accounts: Payroll $5,616,456.79 and bills $8,738,455.21 were acknowledged.
  • Claims: A claim from Motel 6 was acknowledged.
  • Award of Bids:
    • 2023 Slurry Seal Project awarded to Doolittle Construction, LLC for $871,871.00.
    • 2023 Street Overlay Project awarded to Watson Asphalt Paving Co, Inc. for $2,293,293.40; fiscal note approved to transfer unspent funds from 2022 project.
  • Release of City-Held Interest: Agreement with D.R. Horton for release of interest in 207 8th Avenue W. for $225,000, authorized via quit claim deed.
  • Other Items: Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation, May 2023 Sales Tax Memo, and Procurement Report were acknowledged. Item 8.h.(1) (Future of Park Lane Study Contract Amendment) was pulled for consideration under Business.

The consent calendar was approved with a 7-0 vote, excluding the pulled item.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ethan Karlinsey expressed support for pedestrianizing Park Lane, citing walkability benefits and noting that the elimination of 17 parking spaces would not be a significant issue.
  • John Hansen and Catherine Hatlelid raised concerns about delays in a sewer installation permit process (427 days) and broader issues with permitting affordability.
  • Catherine Hatlelid and Annika Shinoda (age 17, junior at Lake Washington High School) spoke in support of repairing the Pride crosswalk after vandalism, emphasizing its symbolic importance for LGBTQ+ community safety and belonging.
  • Jan Young (Eastside Pride Pacific Northwest) and Susan Vossler (parent of a transgender son) expressed support for restoring the crosswalk and highlighted community resilience.
  • Kurt Dresner advocated for pedestrianizing Park Lane, countering business opposition with arguments about accessibility, evidence, and reversible changes.
  • Madison Reed (owner of Fetch Dog Store) and Ashley Child (owner of Nianza Bridal) opposed the closure, citing negative impacts on businesses from previous parking reductions during construction.
  • Alex Tsimmerman delivered a speech described as hate speech by the council, targeting Iranian Muslims and the Pride crosswalk. The council later apologized for the language.

Discussion Items

  • Potential Parks Ballot Measure Draft Ordinance (Study Session):
    • Staff presented updates on financing, levy rate calculations (assuming 20% drop in assessed valuation), and draft ballot language. The council discussed the package cost of $10.8 million for the first year, including an aquatics and recreation center, expanded restrooms, park safety, sports courts, lifeguards, teen programs, and Green Loop Trail segments.
    • Council directed staff to proceed with the package including two implementation positions (management analyst and park planning) but not the communications specialist position, to be revisited through the normal budget process.
    • Council requested additional information on the impact of a greater than 20% drop in assessed valuation and inclusion of the incremental levy rate increase in the ordinance.
  • Automated Noise Enforcement Update:
    • Police Chief Cherie Harris and Cithaeron CEO Sol Keiter reported on the pilot project using noise detection cameras on Washington Boulevard. The second device, installed in May 2023, has improved weather resistance and captured over 2,000 incidents of 90+ dB. The technology is still evolving; no violations are currently issued. Council expressed support and discussed next steps for legislative advocacy.
  • Community Resource/School Resource Officer Program Update:
    • Chief Harris presented a plan to convert three SROs to Community Resource Officers (CROs) due to school district budget constraints and a desire for broader community engagement. CROs would maintain training and respond to school calls but not be stationed at specific schools. The school district would fund half of two officer positions. Council supported the direction and requested a check-back in spring 2024.
  • Future of Park Lane Study Contract Amendment:
    • The council suspended Rule 3.23 to vote immediately. The motion to approve a contract amendment for $11,868 from the Council Special Projects Reserve to support consultant participation in a virtual town hall and follow-up passed 6-1, with Councilmember Nixon dissenting (consistent with his prior opposition to the study).

Key Outcomes

  • Parks Ballot Measure: Staff directed to proceed with the two implementation positions and refine ballot language, including the maximum levy rate of $1.3817 per $1,000 assessed value. Further information on assessed value drop scenarios will be provided for the July 18 meeting.
  • Disability Pride Month: Proclamation read and accepted.
  • Petition G-23-239: Accepted and referred to staff for follow-up as part of the Park Lane study, to be presented in September 2023.
  • Consent Calendar: Approved (7-0) with exception of item 8.h.(1).
  • Park Lane Contract: Approved (6-1) to extend the consultant study with $11,868 from council contingency.
  • Automated Noise Enforcement: Update received; council encouraged continued development and legislative advocacy.
  • SRO/CRO Program: Council supported the transition to CROs; staff to report back in spring 2024.
  • Executive Session: Held to discuss potential acquisition of real property; no action taken.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. We're live, Mayor. Thank you. I'd like to call to order the City Council meeting of July the 5th, 2023. Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting. Community members are welcome to join us either in person or remotely through Zoom or by telephone. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Nixon. Here. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Curtis. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Sweet. Here. Thank you. Our study session tonight is a discussion on a potential parks ballot measure draft ordinance. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at approximately 7 30. City manager. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Members of the Council. So tonight is our last sort of discussion opportunity before we're going to be asking Council to make final decisions on the July 18th council meeting. So we're definitely looking for your final input, suggestions, comments, edits, and so forth on the presentation tonight. She's been extraordinarily working on that getting this through the team, as well as Beth Goldberg. They worked really hard on this over the last two days to get it signed. So we now have that in the packet. While there are certainly things we might tweak on it if we could, we felt that uh since it's not yet binding and is going to be replaced by a purchase and sale agreement, uh, that it made sense to go ahead and sign it. So we at least now have that actual physical document as part of the presentations for the today and July 18th. So very excited about that piece of information. So with that, uh, to give you an overview of where we are now and ask you the qu the final questions we have is Lynn's Wagstra, our parks and community services director. Thank you. Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor and City Council. As you know, we're here this evening to continue our conversation on the parks ballot measure. Presenting this evening would be me as well as Hilary De La Cruz, our management analyst, Shri Krishna, the Deputy Director of Finance, and back by special invitation is Deanna Gregory, our Bond Council with Pacifica Law Group. And she is joining us virtually this evening. So those are our three primary sections. And then at the end, we'll kind of um finish with a little update on the timeline and any next steps necessary for the ballot measure. And on that note, I will hand it over to Shri. Thanks, Lynn. Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council. So we wanted to just take a moment at the very beginning and walk through the base levy for the city and what the impact of the 20% assessed valuation decrease has on it. The table in front of you is also in the memo. And we're gonna walk through it in sort of columns by talking about what has happened in 2023, what we're projecting for 2024 with the 20% reduction and what the changes are. The bottom line is to let you know that uh the impact on the property tax levy itself is roughly 24 cents.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com