OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – October 3, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, October 3, 2023
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 3, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:41:22

Transcript — Verbatim
0:35

I'd like to call to order this city council meeting of October the third, 2023.

0:40

Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting.

0:42

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

0:49

Clerk, will you please call the role?

0:52

Madam Mayor.

0:55

Oh, that's right.

0:56

I'll have to make the motion.

0:58

If you would, please.

0:59

I move that we excuse Councilmember Black who would move by Councilmember Nixon, second by Councilmember Curtis.

1:07

Excuse Councilmember Black.

1:09

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

1:11

Aye.

1:12

Aye.

1:12

Opposed.

1:14

Motion carries unanimously.

1:15

Thank you for that.

1:16

Clerk, will you now call the roll?

1:19

Councilmember Nixon.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Councilmember Curtis?

1:23

Here.

1:25

Councilmember Falcon.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Councilmember Pascal.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

1:30

Here.

1:30

Mayor Sweet.

1:32

Here.

1:33

Thank you.

1:34

Our study session tonight is on three topics.

1:36

First is a King County Regional Homelessness Authority five-year plan update.

1:42

The second is a King County Health Through Housing Project update.

1:46

And the third is a coordinated response to homelessness initiative briefing.

1:52

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

1:56

City manager, you want to kick us off.

1:58

Okay.

1:59

So thank you, Madam Mayor.

2:01

Uh Deputy Mayor, members of the council.

2:02

Um, as you mentioned, we have three related topics that we wanted to talk with the council about.

2:07

Each of these is about how can we help those experiencing homelessness in our community find a path to stable and safe housing.

2:14

Um we have about a half an hour for each topic, so we're gonna keep you on task, although these are very complex topics that can each take their own hour and a half.

2:21

Uh to walk us through the beginning is Jim Lopez, our deputy city manager of external affairs, and he's gonna introduce our guests as they all come up for their presentations.

2:31

Good evening.

2:32

Thank you, City Manager.

2:34

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council.

2:37

Um, as the city manager noted, I'm Jim Lopez, one of two deputy city managers here at the city, and it's my pleasure tonight to introduce you to the three presentations, outlining critical activities that the city and our partners are engaging in as part of a systemic approach to addressing it to addressing this generational challenge of homelessness in our region and on our local community.

3:04

The first presentation is from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority regarding their five-year plan.

3:11

This work builds on important foundation for our work here in Kirkland.

3:16

The KCRHA's role is to unify and coordinate funding policies and programs of 39 cities in King County into a single efficient responsive system for those experiencing homelessness.

3:35

Next up is an update about our work with King County regarding the Health Through Housing Initiative, the program that's underway regarding the former Larkinta Hotel.

3:48

In this presentation, you will see what the county has accomplished to date, a timeline for upcoming projects and milestones, as well as the work we are doing together to build the essential referral networks that will help populate the facility with the members of our local community when it's completed.

4:12

And finally, you will receive a presentation on the critical work we are doing here internally with the city's coordinated response to homelessness initiative.

4:24

Here you will hear about the heart team.

4:29

A dedicated group of highly skilled individuals who come from the several departments in the city.

4:35

Who have come together to provide safe, humane, effective, and extremely responsive action.

4:48

It's an approach to working with the unhoused population in their immediate needs in the community.

4:56

Taken separately, each of these programs would be considered an impressive body of work.

5:02

Taken together, however, as a coordinated interdependent series of activities, each designated to build off the resources, information, and learnings of the other.

5:14

This work rises to the level of the challenge before us.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness████████████████████████████████32%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Public Health█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Technology and Innovation███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Public Services████4%
Affordable Housing███3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – October 3, 2023

The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on October 3, 2023, beginning with a study session from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. focused on homelessness initiatives, followed by the regular meeting from 7:30 p.m. to 9:46 p.m. The agenda included proclamations, public comments, special presentations, consent calendar approval, business items, and council reports. All formal votes were unanimous (6–0).

Study Session

  • King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) 5-Year Plan Update – Nigel Herbig and Mallory Van Abbema presented the approved plan, which includes 77 activities and an East King County sub‑regional implementation plan. Councilmembers asked about collaboration among the five core east‑side cities, integration with King County’s Health Through Housing program, and how lessons learned since KCRHA became fully operational in 2022 have shaped the plan. Councilmember Falcone emphasized the importance of engaging human services commissions.
  • King County Health Through Housing Project Update – Human Services Manager Jen Boone and Coordinator Amanda Judd, joined by King County staff Simon Foster and Drew Zimmerman (virtually), provided a timeline for converting the former La Quinta Inn into permanent supportive housing. Key milestones: construction start in Q1 2024, operator selection via RFP in November 2023, and projected move‑ins in Q1 2025. Councilmembers expressed frustration over the two‑year timeline and urged expediting work, especially given that 65% of units will be reserved for local referrals. Drew Zimmerman noted that phasing kitchenette installation could allow earlier occupancy.
  • Coordinated Response to Homelessness Initiative Briefing – Senior Management Analyst Carly Joerger introduced the new Homeless Assistance and Response Team (HART), an inter‑departmental team that has made contact with 99 individuals in six months, with 42% moving to shelter, housing, or treatment. City Manager Kurt Triplett reported on a site visit to Vancouver, Washington, which operates pallet‑home communities and a safe‑parking program. Councilmember Falcone asked for future updates on prevention and emergency shelter strategies.

Honors and Proclamations

  • Disability Awareness Month Proclamation – Councilmember Falcone read the proclamation, received by Listen and Talk Executive Director Maura Berndsen.

Public Comments & Testimony

Seven speakers addressed the council during the first Items from the Audience period:

  • Jessica Roe (land‑use attorney) introduced a comprehensive plan amendment submitted by the owner of the Michaels property on Juanita Drive, requesting height increases (to 70 feet) and removal of density limits to allow seven‑story residential development.
  • Karina O’Malley urged urgent action on homelessness, noting that 45 people were enrolled in Kirkland’s safe‑parking program in early September and 31 new requests came in September alone; she emphasized that people are suffering now while the Health Through Housing facility will not open until 2025.
  • Lisa McConnell commented on the Kirkland Transportation Plan, advocating for improved bike parking, secure charging for e‑bikes, and prioritizing projects based on potential use rather than only crash data.
  • Frank Frost asked the council to consider allowing tiny homes on private property, streamlining permitting for boarding houses, removing barriers to affordable housing, ensuring public safety at the supportive housing site, and switching to district‑based council elections.
  • Taylor Oiness thanked the council for their decision on downtown business issues, praising their responsiveness and collaboration.
  • Heidi Hiatt (Christian Coalition for Safe Families) thanked the council for the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation and cited WASPC statistics showing 45.9% of all crimes against persons in Washington are domestic‑violence related.
  • Alex Tsimerman made political remarks.

A second Items from the Audience period at the end of the meeting had no speakers.

Special Presentations

  • Smart City Master Plan Update – Planning Director Adam Weinstein and Resilience Officer Xiaoning Jiang presented the plan’s vision, governance framework, and five key initiatives (e.g., data governance, fiber expansion, AI for city services). Councilmember Arnold emphasized the need for a clear data governance policy and public communication on projects like downtown parking.
  • North King County Crisis Response Center Update – Sara Lopez (Connections Health Solutions) reported that demolition is complete, permitting is underway with the city and Department of Health, and the facility remains on schedule for a mid‑2024 opening. She shared 3D renderings showing a warm, secure design with separate entrances for the public and first responders, a 23‑hour observation unit with 32 recliners, and two 16‑bed crisis stabilization units. Councilmember Falcone asked about serving youth; Lopez confirmed the facility serves adults 18+ and will connect children to appropriate resources. Transportation access for follow‑up care was identified as a gap.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (6‑0). Items included:
    • Approval of September 19, 2023, meeting minutes.
    • Audit of accounts: Payroll $5,394,536.35; Bills $7,857,450.17.
    • Acknowledgment of claims for damages from Dave Kessler and Seawest Investments Associates, LLC.
    • Award of construction contract for the 5th Avenue South/8th Street South Watermain Replacement Project to Strickland and Sons Excavation for $1,988,665.58, with additional funding of $174,000.
    • Approval of Cultural Arts Commission change to Park Lane Outdoor Gallery Exhibit 2023‑2025.
    • Acknowledgment of proclamations for Indigenous Peoples Day, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Walk and Roll to School Month.
    • Receipt of August 2023 Sales Tax Report and Procurement Report.

Discussion Items

  • 2023 Juanita and Kingsgate Neighborhood Plans Update – Senior Planner LeAndra Baker‑Lewis presented the engagement process, demographic data (Kingsgate has higher racial diversity and a $24,000 lower median income than the city average), and two property‑owner requests: the Goodwill site (height increase from 35 to 75 feet, 500–600 units) and the Michaels site (height increase to 70 feet, elimination of density limits). Councilmembers emphasized daylighting these proposals early, avoiding displacement, preserving existing businesses, and ensuring affordable housing requirements are clearly communicated.
  • Council Policies and Procedures Update – Items from the Audience – City Manager Triplett introduced Resolution R‑5604 to disallow electronic visual aids (e.g., PowerPoint) during public comments, citing cybersecurity and meeting efficiency. After debate, the council adopted three amendments: (1) replace “PowerPoint” with “digital media”; (2) add an exception for persons with disabilities who request an accommodation in advance, at the presiding officer’s discretion; (3) direct staff to consult with the disability community and bring back revised language as soon as possible. The amended resolution passed 6‑0.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar – Approved 6‑0.
  • Resolution R‑5604 – Adopted as amended (6‑0). Staff will consult with disability stakeholders and return with further revisions.
  • Neighborhood Plans Update – Council provided guidance to proceed with community engagement, including outreach to priority populations (people of color, low‑income residents, renters, youth, LGBTQ+, disabled individuals) and to clearly present the proposed land‑use changes early in the process.
  • Study Session – No formal votes; council received information and provided direction on homelessness initiatives.
  • Reports – Councilmembers shared updates from regional committees: Clean Buildings Symposium, dinner at Camp United We Stand tent city, Active Transportation Safety Council meeting, Lake Washington School District coordination, tour of Redmond’s Together Center, King County Growth Management Planning Council, legislative workgroup, Attain Housing luncheon, and Cascade Water Alliance update. City Manager announced an open house on Proposition 1 (Aquatics, Parks and Recreation) on October 5 and that Parks Director Lynn Zwaagstra will meet with PTSA leadership. Councilmember Pascal requested information on tree removals along NE 124th Street and 100th Avenue NE.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order this city council meeting of October the third, 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 role? Madam Mayor. Oh, that's right. I'll have to make the motion. If you would, please. I move that we excuse Councilmember Black who would move by Councilmember Nixon, second by Councilmember Curtis. Excuse Councilmember Black. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you for that. Clerk, will you now call the roll? Councilmember Nixon. Here. Councilmember Curtis? Here. Councilmember Falcon. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Sweet. Here. Thank you. Our study session tonight is on three topics. First is a King County Regional Homelessness Authority five-year plan update. The second is a King County Health Through Housing Project update. And the third is a coordinated response to homelessness initiative briefing. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at approximately 7 30. City manager, you want to kick us off. Okay. So thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh Deputy Mayor, members of the council. Um, as you mentioned, we have three related topics that we wanted to talk with the council about. Each of these is about how can we help those experiencing homelessness in our community find a path to stable and safe housing. Um we have about a half an hour for each topic, so we're gonna keep you on task, although these are very complex topics that can each take their own hour and a half. Uh to walk us through the beginning is Jim Lopez, our deputy city manager of external affairs, and he's gonna introduce our guests as they all come up for their presentations. Good evening. Thank you, City Manager. Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council. Um, as the city manager noted, I'm Jim Lopez, one of two deputy city managers here at the city, and it's my pleasure tonight to introduce you to the three presentations, outlining critical activities that the city and our partners are engaging in as part of a systemic approach to addressing it to addressing this generational challenge of homelessness in our region and on our local community. The first presentation is from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority regarding their five-year plan. This work builds on important foundation for our work here in Kirkland. The KCRHA's role is to unify and coordinate funding policies and programs of 39 cities in King County into a single efficient responsive system for those experiencing homelessness.

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