Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – March 19, 2024
Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – March 19, 2024
The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on March 19, 2024, starting with a study session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., adjourning at 10:26 p.m. The agenda included a joint study session with the Transportation Commission, honors, public comments, a special presentation from Puget Sound Energy, consent calendar approvals, and several business items. Key decisions included renaming a school access road to "Raven Way," suspending a 2024 community pool ballot measure, authorizing interim uses of the Houghton Park & Ride, approving a $168,000 grant to Attain Housing, and approving a $10,000 fiscal note for Leadership Eastside.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from March 1 and March 5, 2024 were pulled to be considered at the April 2, 2024 meeting.
- Audit of Accounts: Payroll $4,253,716.30; Bills $7,630,339.63.
- Acknowledged a claim for damages from Darin Benson.
- Awarded contracts: 8th Avenue W Sewermain and Watermain Improvements to In Depth Excavation LLC ($2,129,803.95); 83rd Avenue NE and NE 110th Place Pipe Replacement to Kamins Construction ($446,735.96).
- Approved Resolution R-5623 (Tenth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with City Manager Kurt Triplett).
- Acknowledged 2023 Fourth Quarter Police Dashboard, Animal Services Report, Automated Safety Camera Program Update, January 2024 Financial Dashboard, and Procurement Report.
- The Leadership Eastside Fiscal Note was pulled for separate consideration under Business item 9.f.
- Motion to approve consent calendar (with exceptions) carried 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Seven community members addressed the council during Items from the Audience:
- Jon Barbour (Norkirk resident) urged sidewalk installation on 19th Avenue, citing safety concerns for children walking to school and increased traffic.
- Susan Pappalardo (co-founder of Splash Board) supported suspending the 2024 pool ballot measure but called for continued private partnerships and funding for aquatics.
- Jane Ainbinder (Norkirk resident) echoed the need for a sidewalk on 19th Avenue, emphasizing danger from cut-through traffic.
- Kevin Kirkpatrick (19th Avenue resident) reported collecting 100 signatures in three days for the sidewalk petition, noting increased enrollment at Kirkland Middle School.
- Corky Trewin advocated for a Kraken-sponsored hockey/ice facility at the Houghton Park & Ride, highlighting the need for event space and ice time.
- Alex Tsimerman made divisive remarks; the mayor interrupted, stating the council does not condone hateful comments and reaffirmed commitment to inclusivity.
- Paul Quinn (Sammamish resident) urged citywide actions to improve recycling/composting, such as providing free indoor recycling and kitchen scrap containers to all households and businesses.
Discussion Items
- Joint Study Session with Transportation Commission (2024-2025 Work Plan): Transportation Manager Doug McIntyre presented the draft work plan. Councilmembers provided feedback: emphasis on safety (speed limit study), transit (K-line, erosion of bus service), coordination with Planning Commission on missing middle housing, and complete streets ordinance update. The commission chair supported formalizing early CIP project check-ins. The work plan will be revised and brought back for council approval on April 2, 2024.
- Transportation Strategic Plan Update: Staff presented the first cut of the project list (450 projects, 20-year fiscally constrained at $317 million). Council requested a more digestible view (e.g., safety package, transit package), full corridor networks, pilot projects, and consideration of equity (socioeconomic status). Staff will refine the list and return in May.
- Special Presentation – Puget Sound Energy (PSE): PSE representatives explained electrical capacity planning, distribution/transmission systems, and current timelines for new hookups (typical 4-12 months). They noted increased load from infill development and electric vehicles, and ongoing coordination with the city’s comprehensive plan.
- Raven Way Street Name Dedication (Ordinance O-4872): Approved unanimously (7-0) to rename the unnamed access road to Juanita High School as “Raven Way,” led by student ASB members.
- Community Pool Next Steps (Resolution R-5624): Council approved suspending further exploration of a 2024 ballot measure and authorized the city manager to develop options for year-round use of Peter Kirk Pool and alternative uses of Houghton Park & Ride. An amendment added a whereas clause and direction to pursue King County parks levy funding. Resolution passed 7-0.
- Houghton Park & Ride Interim Use Options: Parks Deputy Director John Lloyd presented options for temporary park amenities (pickleball courts, skate park/bike playground, community gardens, events). Estimated capital cost ~$500,000 (eligible for park impact fees). Council supported the concept, emphasizing temporary signage, shade, accessibility, and security. Staff will bring back a fiscal note for next meeting.
- Attain Housing Funding Request (Resolution R-5625): Council approved a $168,000 secured grant to Attain Housing to preserve 29 affordable housing units in Kirkland. The resolution requires a management plan and budget review. Attain announced a partnership with Hopelink for ongoing operations. Passed 7-0.
- Draft 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Priorities: Financial Planning Supervisor Kevin Pelstring presented eight policy principles for discussion. Council requested broader language on concurrency and land use goals, and inclusion of transportation strategic plan priorities. Final resolution to be adopted April 2, 2024.
- Leadership Eastside Fiscal Note: Approved a one-time $10,000 grant from council’s special projects reserve for 2024, with future funding to be considered during the budget process. Passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance O-4872 (Raven Way) approved 7-0.
- Petition G-24-241 (19th Ave Sidewalk) accepted and referred to staff for follow-up, 7-0.
- Resolution R-5624 (Community Pool Next Steps) approved 7-0, with amendment.
- Resolution R-5625 (Attain Housing Grant) approved 7-0.
- Fiscal note for Leadership Eastside ($10,000) approved 7-0.
- Consent calendar approved (with exceptions) 7-0.
- Staff directed to bring back revised Transportation Commission Work Plan (April 2), Houghton Park & Ride interim use fiscal note, and updated CIP priorities resolution (April 2).
Meeting Transcript
We're live, Mayor. Hello. I would like to call to order the city council meeting on March 5th, 2024. This is the first time we've been back on the floor, so we're excited to do this. It's been a while. And hopefully things will go smoothly. I feel a little discombobulated. 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 a role for both the city council and the Transportation Commission? Councilmember Tim Chizon. Here. Council Member Black. Here. Councilmember Sweet. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. Transportation Commissioner. Chair Brian McGee. Here. Commissioner Vu. Here. Commissioner DeVolt. Here. Commissioner Bellamark. Alan Marugan. Commissioner Antrim. Here. Commissioner Trexel. Commissioner Goodman. Here. Commissioner Miller. Here. Thank you. Our study session tonight is on two topics. The first is a special joint meeting with the Transportation Commission. Welcome everyone. Thank you for joining us on this gorgeous evening. The second is a transportation strategic plan update. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30. City Manager. Hey, thank you, Madam Aaron. Welcome, Commissioners. It's a pleasure to have you all here.
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