OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - February 20, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, February 20, 2024
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 20, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:55:56

Transcript — Verbatim
0:55

Thank you.

0:55

We're live, Mayor.

0:58

Hi, everybody.

0:59

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of February 20, 2024.

1:05

Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting.

1:07

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

1:12

Councilmember Tim Chisholm will be joining us remotely.

1:16

Clerk, will you please call a roll?

1:19

Councilmember Tim Chisholm.

1:24

Here.

1:24

Councilmember Black.

1:26

Here.

1:26

Councilmember Sweet.

1:28

Here.

1:28

Councilmember Falcone.

1:29

Here.

1:30

Councilmember Pascal?

1:31

Here.

1:31

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

1:33

Here.

1:33

Mayor Curtis.

1:34

Here.

1:35

Our study session tonight is three topics.

1:38

The first is on the operating options for Kirkland Teen Union Building, otherwise known as K-Tub.

1:44

Second is a downtown parking study update.

1:47

And third is a discussion on East King County Regional Water Association water right applications.

1:54

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30.

1:57

City manager.

1:59

Okay.

2:00

Uh thank you.

2:02

So uh the first discussion item, the uh Kirkwork Union and Building.

2:06

Um, as council knows the teen program for funding and uh proposition one, which did not pass last November.

2:12

So the reason we're here in front of the council is talk about what next for KTUB and especially to inform the budget process is coming up for 2526.

2:20

So here to walk you through those options and get your feedback as our uh parks and community services director, Lens Wagstra and our recreation manager Sarah Sellerberger and our human services manager Jen Boone.

2:31

So welcome.

2:33

All right, good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Council.

2:37

Um, as City Manager Triplett just mentioned, we're talking about next steps to operating the Kirkland Teen Union building.

2:43

Uh this is information that you've heard before, so we were planning on talking to you about the primary option that has been under consideration, but also understanding that funding would not be available from the ballot measure.

2:56

There are other options to consider as well.

2:59

So you'll hear from Sarah Schellenbarger, our recreation manager, Jen Boone, our human services manager, and I will be here to answer questions, as will John Lloyd, our deputy director.

3:12

So thank you.

3:13

I'll pass it over to the code.

3:14

I do not have audio.

3:16

Oh, we should be good.

3:19

We found out the podium was muted.

3:40

So tonight we have 12 slides for you.

3:43

Um it's about a 15-minute presentation before we'll open it up for discussion.

3:47

So let's jump in.

3:50

So tonight we are asking you to consider three operating options for KTUB.

3:54

The first is option A, which was presented to you last year in January of 2023.

4:00

This includes a year-round drop-in teen center with services and daytime activation operated by the city.

4:06

Option B is a new option for consideration.

4:09

This includes school year drop-in teen center with limited services that's also operated by the city.

4:15

And then finally, we have option C, which would be to release an RFP for a third-party operator to support the space.

4:50

At the study session, staff presented two concurrent models.

4:54

One was the top external proposal that came as a result of the city's RFP process.

5:00

That was the Boys and Girls Club proposal.

5:01

The second was a model where the city's recreation and human services divisions join forces to combine their expertise to offer a city-run teen center with both teen programs and services.

5:13

At that meeting, we heard council's preference for the city model or the sports car model, as Councilmember Black suggested, based on the tremendous benefits that proposal had to offer.

5:24

We heard being able to respond to changing needs and priorities for youth was a huge factor for consideration in the city's proposal so we could be agile.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████12%
Parking Management███████████11%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████11%
Youth Programs████████8%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Planning And Zoning██████6%
Procedural████4%
Neighborhood Planning████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - February 20, 2024

The Kirkland City Council held a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on February 20, 2024, in the City Council Chamber, presided over by Mayor Kelli Curtis. All seven councilmembers were present. The study session covered KTUB operating options, the Downtown Parking Study update, and EKCRWA water rights. The regular meeting included a county update, public comments, consent calendar approval, legislative session update with votes on HB 2114, debt ordinance first reading, planning work program adoption, neighborhood plan updates, reports, and an executive session.

Study Session

  • Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) Operating Options: Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra, Human Services Manager Jen Boone, and Recreation Manager Sara Shellenbarger presented three operating options following the failure of Parks Proposition 1: Option A (year-round, six days/week, comprehensive services, estimated $268,683 for 2024 partial year and $431,094 for 2025 full year), Option B (school-year, five days/week, reduced services, $124,631 for 2024 and $21,171 for 2025), and Option C (third-party RFP). Staff recommended Option A. Councilmembers Pascal, Falcone, and Sweet strongly supported Option A; Deputy Mayor Arnold favored starting with Option B and ramping up. No formal vote; staff was directed to bring funding options for the budget process.
  • Downtown Parking Study Update: Transportation Planner Kim Scrivner presented data from July 1–December 31, 2023. Occupancy often exceeded the 80–85% target in waterfront lots (high 90s at dinner), on-street parking hovered around 80%, Park Lane around 85%, and the garage upper level was full while the lower level was only 40% occupied. Council directed staff to explore pricing, time-limit changes, garage conversion, enforcement of move-by rules, wayfinding, bike parking, ADA/EV data, and dynamic pricing, with more discussion at the May 2024 Financial Retreat.
  • East King County Regional Water Association (EKCRWA) Water Rights: Interim Public Works Director Truc Dever and RH2's Michelle Campbell briefed on Kirkland's 8.3% equity interest in joint water rights applications for the Snoqualmie River/Aquifer. The opt-in/out deadline is March 15, 2024; development could cost Kirkland $8.3 million (rising with opt-outs) and yield about 5.19 MGD (more than 13 MGD with opt-outs). The supply is interruptible and may not meet summer peaks. Council questioned value, reliability, and Cascade Water Alliance implications; a vote is scheduled for March 5, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Debbie Lacy (Eastside for All) expressed strong support for KTUB and the city-run model.
  • Lani Brockman (retired Artistic Director, Studio East) and Carolyn Agan (new Artistic Director) thanked the city and announced Studio East's upcoming move.
  • Matthew Davis, attorney for owners of two South Juanita parcels, urged removal of restrictive zoning that bars restaurants/taverns/neighborhood retail, arguing the comp plan provision is outdated.
  • Paul Quinn, a Sammamish resident, presented recycling data: two-thirds of landfill waste is recyclable/compostable; Kirkland's diversion rate is only 46%; many businesses (805) and multifamily sites (1,117 of 1,399) lack food-scrap collection.
  • Ken MacKenzie requested a specific list of projects for the upcoming bond.
  • Rex Remple spoke in favor of density and growth to meet population needs.
  • Sharon Sato complained about an ADU's reflective window overlooking her bedroom and asked for relief.
  • Alex Tsimerman made inappropriate, hurtful comments; Mayor Curtis condemned them and reaffirmed the city's commitment to inclusivity.

Special Presentation

  • King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci (District 6) updated the council on county budgets ($100 million deficit), Stride BRT, K-line funding, East Link light rail opening April 27, regional traffic safety, affordable housing targets, crisis care centers, the DOORS Open arts program, and investments including the Friends of Youth Willows Center.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 7-0: minutes of February 6, 2024; audit of accounts (payroll $4,499,708.37; bills $8,549,329.76); claims for damages; award of Goat Hill Drainage Ditch contract to OMA Construction, Inc. for $1,999,150.32; 2022 GHG report; Q4 2023 Fire Dashboard; Fire Station 26 artist Damon Brown; Q4 Planning Implementation Report; Human Services Commission resignation; Public Records report; Investment report; December 2023 Financial Dashboard; Procurement report; and $7,000 for Eastrail Leadership Summit.

Business

  • 2024 Legislative Session Update: Government Affairs Manager Diana Hart provided status. After debate, Council voted 3-4 to reject a motion to take no position on HB 2114 (rent stabilization), then voted 4-3 to approve a motion supporting HB 2114, allowing the city to sign in/testify in favor. Note: raw transcript mentions "Councilmember Tim Chisholm," but official minutes list Councilmember John Tymczyszyn; the tally follows the minutes.
  • Debt Issuance Ordinance (First Reading): Finance Director Michael Olson presented Ordinance O-4871 authorizing up to $43.9 million in LTGO bonds for transportation ($21.3M) and fire facilities ($21.5M). No action taken; second reading March 5.
  • 2024-2026 Planning Work Program Adoption: Deputy Planning Director Allison Zike, Planning Commission Chair Scott Reusser and Vice Chair Rodney Rutherford presented. Resolution R-5621 passed 7-0. Council discussed school-site housing capacity, moving it up; directed staff to return with options via an LRM (below).
  • Juanita and Kingsgate Neighborhood Plans Update: Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis presented outreach findings and land-use change requests for the Michael and Goodwill sites. Council expressed support for staff recommendations to continue studying the requests, including height increases (Michael to 70 ft, Goodwill to 75 ft) and housing, and for the Juanita Public Pathway concept.

Council and City Manager Reports

  • Councilmembers gave regional reports. A motion by Councilmember Falcone, seconded by Tymczyszyn, passed 7-0 directing staff to prepare an LRM with options to expedite Planning Work Program Task 34 (increasing development opportunities on school sites) and to convene/educate/advocate with stakeholders.
  • City Manager discussed the upcoming Council Retreat (moved to 9:00 a.m. start) and presented LRM #010224A on volunteer background checks. After discussion, Council approved Option A (7-0): only Level 2 volunteers with access to sensitive info/locations or vulnerable populations require background checks; staff will classify roles and develop a one-time policy.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent calendar 7-0.
  • Approved pro-HB 2114 position 4-3.
  • Adopted Resolution R-5621 (2024-2026 Planning Work Program) 7-0.
  • Directed staff on KTUB toward Option A but no formal vote; parking study next steps; water rights vote on March 5.
  • Passed LRM on school sites 7-0.
  • Passed volunteer background check Option A 7-0.
  • Executive session on employee performance; meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. We're live, Mayor. Hi, everybody. I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of February 20, 2024. Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting. Community members are welcome to join us either in person or remotely through Zoom or the telephone. Councilmember Tim Chisholm will be joining us remotely. Clerk, will you please call a roll? Councilmember Tim Chisholm. Here. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Sweet. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal? Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. Our study session tonight is three topics. The first is on the operating options for Kirkland Teen Union Building, otherwise known as K-Tub. Second is a downtown parking study update. And third is a discussion on East King County Regional Water Association water right applications. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30. City manager. Okay. Uh thank you. So uh the first discussion item, the uh Kirkwork Union and Building. Um, as council knows the teen program for funding and uh proposition one, which did not pass last November. So the reason we're here in front of the council is talk about what next for KTUB and especially to inform the budget process is coming up for 2526. So here to walk you through those options and get your feedback as our uh parks and community services director, Lens Wagstra and our recreation manager Sarah Sellerberger and our human services manager Jen Boone. So welcome. All right, good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Council. Um, as City Manager Triplett just mentioned, we're talking about next steps to operating the Kirkland Teen Union building. Uh this is information that you've heard before, so we were planning on talking to you about the primary option that has been under consideration, but also understanding that funding would not be available from the ballot measure. There are other options to consider as well. So you'll hear from Sarah Schellenbarger, our recreation manager, Jen Boone, our human services manager, and I will be here to answer questions, as will John Lloyd, our deputy director. So thank you. I'll pass it over to the code. I do not have audio. Oh, we should be good. We found out the podium was muted. So tonight we have 12 slides for you. Um it's about a 15-minute presentation before we'll open it up for discussion. So let's jump in. So tonight we are asking you to consider three operating options for KTUB. The first is option A, which was presented to you last year in January of 2023.

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