Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – May 7, 2024

The Kirkland City Council held a study session starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on May 7, 2024. The study session covered council operations policies (travel guidelines, special projects reserve, items from the audience rules, and council coin) and a proposed resolution (R-5631) on homelessness. The regular meeting included honors, proclamations, special presentations, a consent calendar, and business items on a sustainability ambassador program, miscellaneous code amendments, support for King County Metro's RapidRide K Line, and the annual striping program. All votes were 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. after an executive session on potential litigation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0) with the exception of item 8.e.(1) (Annual Striping Program 2024 Project) which was pulled for separate consideration.
• Items approved included:
  • Minutes of April 16, 2024
  • Audit of accounts: Payroll $5,738,677.00; Bills $11,176,984.41
  • Claims for damages from Heidi Hiatt, Ameya Karvir, Esther LaMarche, Jessica Stundze, and Diane Wambheim
  • Award of bid for Water Quality Treatment and Infiltration at NE 111th Place/127th Place NE Project to Northwest Cascade Inc. ($842,769.93)
  • Proclamations: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Building Safety Month, Affordable Housing Week, Safe Boating and Paddling Week
  • 2023 Surface Water Annual Progress Report, March 2024 Sales Tax Report, Procurement Report

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ruji Ding (property owner on NE 87th Street) expressed opposition to night construction work authorized by the city, citing severe noise impacts on residents and property values. Requested limiting night work hours.
• Josh Phua (concerned citizen) expressed full support for draft resolution R-5631 on homelessness and urged adoption of the action plan. Also advocated for “missing middle” housing options (duplexes, triplexes) in zoning.
• Jennifer Loy (resident, volunteer with Jubilee Reach) raised concerns about insufficient park maintenance at Caroline Woods Park playground area, stating city policy leads to neglected, unsafe conditions. Urged elevated parks maintenance standards in the Comprehensive Plan.
• Nicole McKenzie (resident) expressed concern about some policies being discussed in R-5631, noting that Kirkland does not have an emergency homelessness crisis (citing 160 unhoused individuals vs. 82,000 population) and urged caution.
• Chuck Pilcher (resident) argued that the root causes of homelessness are mental health and addiction, not lack of housing. Opposed tent cities or pallet homes, stating they do not solve the problem. Questioned the cost of proposed programs versus investments in healthcare (e.g., Evergreen Hospital tower).
• Forest Whitehouse (resident) expressed strong support for a compassionate, person-centered approach to homelessness, emphasizing prevention and affordable housing. Disagreed with oversimplifying homelessness as a crisis of mental health or drugs.
• Laura Blackett (interim senior director, Friends of Youth, Willows Emergency Shelter) and Ron Abram (director, Willows Youth Service Center) reported on the new Willows shelter in Kirkland, thanking the city for support. Provided statistics: since February 2024, drop-in averaged 16 young adults daily, serving 91 unduplicated clients; shelter provided 1,797 bednights to 97 young adults. Highlighted positive collaboration with Kirkland Police and outreach.

Special Presentations

• Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Class #33 Graduation Recognition – Emergency Manager Heather Kelly introduced five graduates present: Scarlett Arnold, Bernard Morgan, Yola Palliswaite, Lane Schultz, and Carla Walker. The 12-person class completed training in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, first aid, and search and rescue.
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Update-at-a-Glance – Capital Projects Manager Rod Steitzer reported that the city is managing 75 active projects worth nearly $200 million (21 in construction at $84M, 54 in design). Highlights: Fire stations ahead of schedule and on budget; Lake Street intersection reopening in ~3 weeks; 100th Avenue improvements; Safer Routes to School projects underway; Sound Transit 85th Connection at 90% design; earthquake-resilient water main installed under I-405. 32 active grants, with $2M grant pending for 85th connection. 22 of 24 CIP process improvements completed.

Discussion Items

Study Session: Council Operations

• Travel Interests & Guidelines – Deputy City Manager Julie Underwood reviewed proposed policy for individual council travel/training budgets (allocated per biennium, unused funds carry over within biennium but not to next). Councilmembers expressed a desire for adequate funding to attend national conferences (e.g., NLC, AWC) and for staff to proactively identify opportunities. Mayor Curtis noted the need for staff support in booking travel and suggested separate funding for dinners/luncheons as city business.
• Special Projects Reserve Guidelines – Staff presented three options: status quo, criteria-based (e.g., no ongoing operating funds), or staff review with recommendation. Council consensus leaned toward a “soft” version of option 2 (establish criteria) while retaining flexibility via supermajority vote. Staff will bring back formal language.
• Items from the Audience Rules – Proposed changes: remove second items from audience (rarely used); allow presiding officer to reorder speakers; possibly restrict comments to “city matters.” Council discussion noted challenges in defining “city matters” and content neutrality. Consensus to retain current rules but continue exploring disability accommodations and visual aids. Item will return.
• Council Outstanding Service Awards (Council Coin) – Ad hoc subcommittee proposed criteria for extraordinary service, nominations by council members, final authority to mayor. Deputy Mayor Arnold suggested requiring majority council approval for awards and consent calendar acknowledgment. Further refinement needed.

Study Session: Homelessness Resolution R-5631

• Discussion of Proposed Resolution – Senior Management Analyst Carly Joerger reviewed revisions made after the April 16 study session: added statement that Kirkland will not become a regional service provider; changed “transitional housing” to “temporary housing”; added task to explore a dedicated phone line for the Homeless Assistance and Response Team (HART).
• Councilmember Positions
  • Councilmember Black expressed strong support for the resolution, stating it represents how government should work (professional staff identifying needs). Emphasized four pillars: make homelessness rare/brief/non-recurring, deliver on existing programs, plan for sudden changes, and use best practices/data. Supported adding businesses to stakeholder list. Suggested paring down detail in final resolution.
  • Councilmember Falcone praised Kirkland for leading on homelessness preparedness, called the current situation a crisis, and supported exploring housing options and funding sources including a possible levy (revised language to allow regional options). Liked adding business community and school district to engagement list.
  • Councilmember Pascal urged careful consideration of details, robust two-way community dialogue (town halls, public hearings). Wanted to first define the problem with Kirkland-specific data before identifying solutions. Opposed premature talk of ballot measures; preferred reprioritizing existing revenues. Supported exploring regional funding but not a local levy. Requested accountability and evaluation of success stories.
  • Councilmember Sweet strongly supported the resolution as proactive and praised staff work. Acknowledged 15 years of council effort on homelessness. Agreed with Councilmember Black’s comments as comprehensive.
  • Councilmember Tim Chisholm expressed concerns about language: “reduce barriers” should be specified as code amendments; suggested striking subsection H (explore levy in 2025-26) and adding “emergency” trigger for temporary housing solutions. Wanted community engagement before further council meetings.
  • Mayor Curtis noted Kirkland’s responsibility to prepare for potential crises, highlighted need for education on solutions (tiny homes, safe parking). Supported moving forward.
• Staff will incorporate feedback and bring resolution back for additional input.

Business: Sustainability Ambassadors – Fiscal Note

• Presentation – Financial Planning Manager George Dugdale proposed a $20,000 fiscal note from the Council Special Projects Reserve to continue the Sustainable Neighborhoods Ambassador Program (SNAP!) for 2024. Program places high school interns on sustainability goals (heat pump, solar, bike campaigns). Ongoing funding to be considered in 2025-26 budget.
• Decision – Approved 7-0. Councilmember Black requested performance indicators; Councilmember Falcone added equity focus; Mayor Curtis requested demographics data and noted concern about staff support burden.

Business: 2024 Miscellaneous Code Amendments

• Presentation – Planning Supervisor Denise Russell and Deputy Director Allison Zike reviewed amendments in three categories: consistency/error corrections (15), clarifications (17), and minor policy updates (e.g., vegetative buffer standards for parks, parking standards in CBD, extension to homeless encampment permits). Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
• Amendments – Councilmember Black noted two scrivener’s errors (item 28 and tree code hedge removal), which staff incorporated.
• Ordinance O-4876 (zoning code amendments) – Approved 7-0 as amended.
• Ordinance O-4877 (code enforcement and subdivisions) – Approved 7-0.

Business: Kirkland Support of King County Metro RapidRide K Line

• Presentation – Transportation Planner Kim Scrivner explained the process to select a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the K Line, a high-quality bus rapid transit. Council was asked to approve a record of support for the Totem Lake alignment on 120th Avenue NE, which requires minor roadway modifications (curb, landscape, parking) to accommodate 60-foot coaches. Potential loss of ~10 parking stalls.
• Council Discussion – Deputy Mayor Arnold sought details on width modifications; Councilmember Pascal urged immediate interim bus operations and parking enforcement. Councilmember Black confirmed no plans to extend the line further north (would require restarting planning). Staff noted Metro’s timeline to LPA by end of 2024.
• Decision – Motion to authorize City Manager to send a letter of support for the proposed 120th Avenue NE alignment. Approved 7-0.

Business: Annual Striping Program 2024 Project

• Presentation – Pulled from consent for discussion. Contract awarded to Specialized Pavement Marking, Inc., Tualatin, OR, for $1,317,434.75, including Neighborhood Traffic Control Program (NTCP) and Safer Routes to School (SRTS) funds ($812,000 fiscal note).
• Council Discussion – Councilmember Pascal raised concerns about adding center lines on Finhill (90th Ave) potentially making it feel more arterial; requested speed monitoring. Councilmember Falcone advocated for a default policy to automatically implement active transportation improvements during roadway overlays, absent council approval.
• Decision – Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 7-0: Consent calendar (as modified), Sustainability Ambassadors fiscal note ($20,000), Ordinance O-4876 (zoning code amendments) with staff amendments, Ordinance O-4877 (code enforcement/subdivisions), Record of Support for RapidRide K Line Totem Lake alignment, Annual Striping Program 2024 contract.
• Study Session Feedback: Staff to return with revised council operations policies (travel, special projects reserve, items from audience, council coin) and an updated homelessness resolution (R-5631) incorporating council direction.
• Proclamations: Older Americans Month, Bike Everywhere Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Building Safety Month, Affordable Housing Week, Safe Boating and Paddling Week proclaimed by Mayor.
• Executive Session: Council entered closed session at 10:08 p.m. to discuss potential litigation, returning at 10:27 p.m. to adjourn.