Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – March 5, 2024

The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on March 5, 2024, beginning with a study session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., adjourning at 11 p.m. after an executive session. The study session covered updates on Cascade Water Alliance water supply negotiations and the 2044 Comprehensive Plan housing element. The regular meeting included honors, public comments, consent calendar approval, and several business items including the Pride Flag crosswalk, debt issuance, purchasing code amendments, legislative update, interview selection committee recommendations, and urban forest progress. All council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes of February 20, 2024, approved unanimously.
• Audit of Accounts: Payroll $5,639,103.85 and bills $10,663,736.27 acknowledged.
• Claims for Damages: Claims from Mai Maki, Ian Joughin, and Sushil Mantri acknowledged.
• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Parks: Authorized use of $71,250 from King County EMS BLS core services grant and $42,750 from 2020 Fire Proposition 1 reserves to install AEDs in parks.
• Civil Service Commission Appointment: Confirmed appointment of Karen Graybeal to a six-year term effective March 6, 2024.
• January 2024 Sales Tax Report, Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Management Report, and Procurement Report: All acknowledged.
• Motion: Approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Benjamin Greschler (Kirkland resident, LGBTQIA+ advocate): Expressed strong support for the Pride crosswalk as a symbol of inclusion, urging continued funding despite vandalism.
• Susan Pappalardo (31-year resident, Splash Forward co-founder): Urged private funding partnerships for a community pool, noting majority support but unwillingness to fund publicly.
• Abraham Willner-Martin (Pride Across the Bridge): Supported crosswalk refinishing, offered community collaboration on design and funding.
• Lisa McConnell: Criticized Resolution 5604 banning electronic presentations by the public, requesting its rescission and a secure submission process.
• Paul Morris (CPR instructor): Praised AED installations, offered free training and additional life-saving equipment.
• Luke Travis: Urged council to allow more housing construction to address rising costs and gentrification.
• Alex Tsimerman: Expressed grievances about free speech and trespassing, making statements council deemed hurtful; Mayor Curtis reaffirmed commitment to inclusivity.
• Liz Hunt (community member): Called for increased housing density to be paired with safer streets, noting current traffic and emergency access issues.

Discussion Items

Study Session: Cascade Water Alliance Water Supply Negotiations Update

Chuck Clarke, former CEO of Cascade Water Alliance (CWA), presented an update on negotiations with Seattle and Tacoma. CWA purchases 33.3 million gallons per day from Seattle under a take-or-pay contract through 2039, with block declining after. Seattle offered a 10-year extension with an additional $14 million extraction, plus two 5-year options for $20 million more, and a conditional 40-year extension with a 25% rate premium that Clarke called a "phantom offer." Tacoma offered a 25-year extension at rates ~20% lower than Seattle's, requiring pipeline construction but allowing delay of Lake Taps treatment facility (estimated $2 billion). Preliminary staff recommendation favors Tacoma, with board decision expected fall 2024. Councilmember Penny Sweet noted excitement for regionalization. Councilmember Jon Pascal asked about relationships: Clarke described Tacoma as cooperative and Seattle as challenging, shifting risk to CWA.

Study Session: 2044 Comprehensive Plan – Guiding Principles and Housing Element Policy Briefing #1

Senior Planner Scott Guter presented draft guiding principles and select housing element policies. Key data: Kirkland has twice as many jobs as housing units; 74% of households at 0-30% AMI are cost-burdened; need for 2,150+ units from community-initiated amendments; studying 50 units/acre density along corridors for EIS. Council provided feedback: Deputy Mayor Arnold and Councilmember Black urged including climate change language; Councilmember Falcone requested equity lens, belonging language, hyperlocal connectivity, and inclusivity for people with disabilities and students; Mayor Curtis noted vision statement not yet revisited; Councilmember Falcone and Black supported deeper housing discussions. Staff will bring back revised principles.

Business Item: Pride Flag Crosswalk Replacement Options

Capital Projects Manager Rod Steitzer reported the crosswalk, installed June 2023, has been vandalized four times (one with car burnout damaging thermoplastic). Proposed repair using more durable MMA material (estimated $35,000-$45,000). Long-term options: city crews, contractors, or combination. City Manager noted Amazon offered $20,000 and Parks Foundation offered fundraising. Council discussion: Councilmember Falcone supported moving forward with MMA and community engagement in design; Deputy Mayor Arnold's original motion to proceed with repairs and bring back payment/maintenance options passed 7-0. An amendment by Falcone to include community collaboration failed 4-3 (Yes: Arnold, Black, Falcone, Sweet; No: Curtis, Pascal, Tymczyszyn).

Business Item: Debt Issuance Ordinance – Second Reading (Ordinance O-4871)

Deputy Finance Director Sri Krishnan presented ordinance authorizing up to $43,900,000 in limited tax general obligation bonds for transportation projects and fire/public safety facilities ($21.5M for fire station 27 and renovations, $21.3M for safe routes to schools). Approved unanimously 7-0.

Business Item: Purchasing Code Amendments (Ordinance O-4861)

Finance Director Michael Olson presented amendments to Chapter 3.85 to improve transparency and streamline procurement. Key changes: contracts over $350,000 for public works go to council; goods/services over $75,000 (amended to $100,000) go to council; pre-authorization for bids under $2 million under certain conditions added via amendment. Two amendments: (1) Deputy Mayor Arnold's pre-authorization amendment passed 6-1 (Pascal no); (2) threshold increase to $100,000 passed 7-0. Final ordinance as amended passed 7-0.

Business Item: 2024 Legislative Session Update

Governmental Affairs Manager Diana Hart reported on day 58 of session. Key wins: behavioral health bills advancing; $300,000 for Everest Park in capital budget compromise. Transit-oriented development bill (2160) stalled; rent stabilization unlikely; three initiatives passed (parental rights, income tax ban, vehicular pursuits) and three going to ballot (carbon tax repeal, long-term care opt-out, capital gains tax repeal). Traffic safety camera bill passed with $145 fine cap.

Business Item: Interview Selection Committee (ISC) Recommendations

Councilmember Falcone reported the ISC (with Black and Tymczyszyn) reviewed applicants and recommends reappointments and interviews at a special meeting March 26. Motion to adopt recommendations passed 7-0.

Business Item: Urban Forest Six-Year Work Plan Progress Update

Environmental Program Coordinator Katie Hogan reported 90% of 27 actions completed or underway. Key achievements: public tree inventory (422 species, 3,000+ trees planted, 200 new planting sites identified); tree canopy data to be updated (2021 data coming, 2023 in fall); $200,000 from forestry account used for restoration. Next steps: update strategic plan (2025), enhance code enforcement. Council discussion: Councilmember Tymczyszyn emphasized maintaining 40% canopy and asked about fines; Councilmember Black asked about tree bank program and code enforcement; Councilmember Falcone supported frequent canopy updates and environmental justice. Planning Director Adam Weinstein noted upcoming code enforcement regulation revisions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved 7-0, including AED funding, Civil Service appointment, and financial reports.
• Pride Crosswalk Repairs: Motion passed 7-0 to proceed with MMA replacement and bring back options for payment and maintenance (community engagement amendment failed 4-3).
• Debt Issuance Ordinance (O-4871): Approved 7-0, authorizing up to $43.9 million in bonds.
• Purchasing Code Amendments (O-4861): Approved as amended (pre-authorization 6-1; threshold to $100,000 7-0; final 7-0).
• ISC Recommendations: Approved 7-0, scheduling interviews March 26.
• Leadership Eastside Funding: Motion passed 7-0 to allocate $10,000 from Council Special Projects Reserve for 2024, with fiscal note to March 19 meeting.
• Pool Exploration: Council consensus to cease 2024 pool ballot exploration; City Manager to bring resolution with next steps including Peter Kirk pool feasibility.
• Kraken Proposal for Houghton Park & Ride: Council agreed to engage proposal and bring back options.
• Council Retreat Items: Postponed items to be scheduled in March/April council meetings.
• Executive Session: Council entered executive session to discuss potential litigation, reconvened at 11 p.m. to adjourn.