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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting - May 21, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, May 21, 2024

BodyKirkland, Washington

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, May 21, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 5:06:21

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

1:51

Thank you.

1:53

Sorry.

1:54

I would like to call to order this city council meeting of May 24st or 21st, 2024.

2:00

Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting.

2:02

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

2:07

Thank you, everyone, for waiting in this evening.

2:10

There's lovely weather out there.

2:12

City Clerk.

2:13

Council Member Tim Chison.

2:16

Here.

2:16

Council Member Black.

2:18

Here.

2:18

Council Member Sweet.

2:20

Council Member Falcone.

2:21

Here.

2:22

Council Member Pascal.

2:23

Here.

2:23

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

2:25

Here.

2:25

Mayor Curtis.

2:26

Here.

2:27

Um our study session tonight is on two topics.

2:30

The first is the evaluation, the Kraken Ice Plex proposal.

2:34

The second topic is the transportation strategic plan update.

2:38

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30 upstairs in Council Chambers, City Manager.

2:44

Okay, thank you, Madam Mayor.

2:46

So uh we do have two meeting topics.

2:48

We definitely want to reserve at least 45 minutes for the transportation strategic plan update, so I'll be watching the clock and uh helping us get to an end at 45 minutes, but I think we'll be able to make it.

2:56

Um, our first topic, the evaluation of the Kraken proposal.

2:59

It's gonna be led by our deputy city manager of external affairs, Jim Lopez, and he's gonna introduce the groups that interdepartmental team that has been evaluating this, and we're clicking for a council thoughts and action later tonight.

3:11

So with that, I'll turn it over to Mr.

3:12

Lopez.

3:12

Thank you, City Manager.

3:13

I'm told there is a hockey horn that will sound if I go too long, so I will do my best.

3:19

Um so thank you.

3:21

Um I'm going to go through tonight an update for the Kraken Ice Prex Iceplex proposal.

3:27

We are evaluating that proposal.

3:30

And I'll start with a lot of gratitude.

3:33

Let's see, to a lot of people that really belong on that memorandum that I submitted.

3:40

This is a multidisciplinary team.

3:43

Um, and I have everybody's name up on the board.

3:47

We combine to do this memo, and I'm going to talk a little bit about why we need this comprehensive team.

3:54

I think the team is rising to the level of the project, and I'm very very grateful for everybody who contributed here from uh almost every department in the city.

4:02

So thank you very much, staff, uh, for all your great work.

4:07

Okay, so the agenda for our presentation tonight, we'll talk a little briefly about the recommendations, and they're very brief.

4:13

We're looking to update the council and perhaps get approval later tonight in a fiscal note.

4:18

I'm going to talk about the background of the proposal with a review, kind of the nuts and bolts of it.

4:23

A lot of this information is on the website, but it's good to, I think, reiterate what the council has come unsolicited to the city with their interest for this proposal.

4:32

And then what we're gonna do, and I'll give you as much insight as I can about the proposal itself.

4:37

And then we're gonna talk a little about why that's why it justifies the city's response.

4:42

We're gonna go into a little bit of a detailed uh evaluation of what we're doing as a city to meet the proposal needs to evaluate it.

4:50

Why is it important to the city?

4:52

Uh we'll talk about the fiscal note and then next steps.

5:01

We're here to give you a briefing on the initial evaluation of this proposal.

5:06

And it is an Iceplex, and we have suggested that a community center be part of it.

5:11

That was not part of their original proposal.

5:14

And then we're going to ask you for a fiscal note, and I'll talk a little bit in detail about why we think the fiscal note is needed.

5:20

It's really, I think important at this point, very early in the presentation to note that this is just a briefing and that the council has decided nothing.

5:28

In fact, kind of the key message of this presentation is that we don't even have the necessary information to give to you yet to make an informed decision.

5:39

And that's going to come from an economist that we have hired CAA icon.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Transportation████████████████16%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Transportation Safety█████████9%

Community Engagement███████7%

Homelessness███████7%

Automated Safety Cameras██████6%

Council Reports██████6%

Economic Development█████5%

Youth Programs█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - May 21, 2024

[The Kirkland City Council met on May 21, 2024, for a study session at 5:30 PM and a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, adjourning at 11:19 PM. The council discussed the Kraken Iceplex proposal, transportation strategic plan, youth council report, water supply negotiations, a private road acquisition, homelessness framework, neighborhood safety projects, school zone camera enforcement, and the Holmes Point overlay.]

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously (7-0). Included: approval of May 7, 2024 minutes; audit of accounts (payroll $4,359,198.66; bills $7,594,334.21); claims for damages; Resolution R-5632 (storm facilities agreement with Lana and Serge Monich); Pride crosswalk update and maintenance proposal (authorizing procurement and long-term maintenance); Public Works Week proclamation (May 19-25, 2024); First Quarter 2024 Fire Department Dashboard; First Quarter 2024 Investment Report; Kraken Iceplex Proposal Fiscal Note (authorizing $247,500 from General Fund balance for exploratory work); March 2024 Financial Dashboard Report; and Procurement Report.

Public Comments & Testimony

Paul Quinn (virtual) urged the city to adopt a "Smart Disposal" program using King County grants to provide residents with personalized waste diversion feedback, noting Kirkland's declining diversion rate (lower in Q1 2024 vs. Q1 2023). He submitted a grant proposal with a May 29 deadline.
Susan Davis (virtual) opposed the Kraken Iceplex proposal, criticizing public financing, tax breaks, and the $7.5M community space cost. She advocated for improved bus service, sidewalks, and crosswalks over the proposed greenway on Slater Avenue.
Scott Morris (Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance) requested that the Holmes Point Overlay amendments be placed on a future work plan with a specific timeline, emphasizing the need for enhanced tree canopy protection while allowing homeowner flexibility. He noted the ordinance was deferred in 2018 pending the citywide tree code.
Troy Deseta (Finn Hill resident) expressed concerns about the city acquiring the Kenmore Ranch private road, noting potential costs for residents, existing infrastructure challenges (wetlands, power lines), and language in the acquisition document that the city may not take financial responsibility for safety upgrades.
Alex Tsimmerman (virtual) made offensive remarks directed at the council. Mayor Curtis issued a statement disavowing the comments and reaffirming the city's commitment to inclusivity.

Discussion Items

Study Session: Kraken Iceplex Proposal – Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez and Financial Planning Manager George Dugdale presented an initial evaluation of the Seattle Kraken's unsolicited proposal to build a two-rink iceplex (75,000 sq ft) and a 15,000 sq ft city-operated community center on the former Houghton Park & Ride site. Key terms: 35-year lease at $1/year, Kraken paying $40M for the rinks, city financing $7.5M for the community center. Staff recommended a $247,500 fiscal note (approved later on consent) for economic analysis by CAA Icon. Councilmembers expressed support for due diligence, emphasizing community benefits (catalytic economic development, sports tourism, physical activity, brand value) and the need for affordable access. Councilmember Curtis cautioned against over-excitement and stressed the importance of ensuring truly accessible programs for low- and middle-income families. No action on the proposal itself.
Study Session: Transportation Strategic Plan (TSP) Update – Transportation Planner Kim Scrivner and Manager Doug McIntyre presented the 20-year fiscally constrained project list totaling $317M, funding the top 12 projects and programs. Emphasis on pedestrian safety, protected bike lanes, and transit. Council discussed the balance between projects and programs, the need for a network vision, and the importance of responding to Metro transit service changes. Councilmember Pascal requested a legislative request memorandum (LRM) to comprehensively review the automated safety camera program (passed later). No formal vote; direction given to staff.
Special Presentation: Kirkland Youth Council Year-End Report – Youth council leaders (Sophie Lymberis, Eleanor Knight, Anna Petregal-LeMay, Shreya Damodaran, Sidh Sridhar) presented their 2023-2024 accomplishments: 57 applicants, 15 new members (total 34 from 13 schools). They awarded $8,500 in mini-grants to 13 youth programs, handled 20 teen traffic court cases, held quarterly meetings with the city manager and school superintendent, and hosted a Youth Summit on mental health and school safety with 75 students. Council expressed appreciation and invited them to future meetings.
Cascade Water Alliance Water Supply Negotiations – Public Works Director Truc Dever and Senior Financial Analyst Grant Raupp recommended directing Councilmember Sweet to vote in favor of pursuing a contract with Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) for a 25-year guaranteed supply (average 24 MGD, peak 35 MGD through 2064) at rates ~20% below Seattle's, saving an estimated $300M versus developing Lake Tapps. The motion passed 7-0.
Kenmore Ranch Parcel Purchase and Sale Briefing – Regional Projects Manager John Starbard reviewed the history of the private road network in Kenmore Ranch (Finn Hill), created in 1964 as a private parcel. The city is considering acquiring the parcel as public right-of-way via Resolution R-5633 (to be voted on June 4). Council expressed support for moving forward, with emphasis on communicating with residents and setting expectations that improvements would be prioritized through normal processes, not immediate commitments. Councilmember Pascal noted this is "good governance" to correct a long-standing issue.
Homelessness Resolution R-5631 – Senior Management Analyst Carly Joerger and Human Services Manager Jen Boone presented a revised resolution declaring the city's commitment to a person-centered homelessness approach. Key revisions: expanded stakeholder engagement, short/medium/long-term funding strategies, and a directive to bring back an action plan by end of 2024. Council generally supported the direction, with suggestions for additional community engagement tools (e.g., town halls) and issue papers on best practices from other communities. Final action set for June 4.
2024 Neighborhood Safety Program Recommended Projects – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager Erika Mascorro presented six recommended projects totaling $225,337, with $124,663 retained for contingency. The motion to approve passed 7-0. Council also discussed the need to evaluate the program's structure and funding levels, leading to a later LRM.
Automated Safety Camera Program – Combined School Speed Zones – Senior Assistant City Attorney Darcey Eilers, Transportation Engineering Supervisor Jennifer Palmer, and Police Chief Cherie Harris presented options for school zone enforcement on 84th Ave NE (Finn Hill) and 132nd Ave NE (Evergreen Hill). Options: (1) status quo (one hour per school), (2) expanded enforcement for all schools in combined zones, (3) additional time for breakfast programs. Council leaned toward Option 2 (combined school zones with expanded times), with Councilmember Tymczyszyn supporting Option 1 pending stakeholder feedback. A motion to prepare an LRM for a comprehensive review of the camera program and signage passed 7-0.
Holmes Point Overlay Briefing – Environmental Program Coordinator Katie Hogan reviewed Chapter 70 regulations, which require 25% protected natural areas and higher tree retention standards (150 tree credits/acre in PNAs vs. 50 elsewhere). Staff recommended no immediate amendments but suggested future work plan consideration. Council agreed to refer to the Planning Commission for the 2025-2027 work program.

Key Outcomes

Consent Calendar approved 7-0, including the Kraken Iceplex fiscal note ($247,500).
Motion passed 7-0 to authorize Councilmember Sweet to vote for pursuing a TPU water supply contract (Cascade Water Alliance Board).
Motion passed 7-0 to approve the 2024 Neighborhood Safety Program projects.
Motion passed 7-0 to direct staff to prepare an LRM evaluating the Neighborhood Safety Program structure and funding levels.
Motion passed 7-0 to direct staff to prepare an LRM comprehensively reviewing the automated safety camera program and school speed zone signage, including speed studies.
Direction given to staff to bring back revised resolutions/plans: Homelessness R-5631 for final action June 4, Kenmore Ranch purchase resolution June 4, and camera program options in June.
Council directed staff to consider placing Holmes Point Overlay amendments on the future planning work program (2025-2027).

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. Sorry. I would like to call to order this city council meeting of May 24st or 21st, 2024. Tonight's meeting is a hybrid meeting. Community members are welcome to join us either in person or remotely through Zoom or by the telephone. Thank you, everyone, for waiting in this evening. There's lovely weather out there. City Clerk. Council Member Tim Chison. Here. Council Member Black. Here. Council Member Sweet. Council Member Falcone. Here. Council Member Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. Um our study session tonight is on two topics. The first is the evaluation, the Kraken Ice Plex proposal. The second topic is the transportation strategic plan update. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30 upstairs in Council Chambers, City Manager. Okay, thank you, Madam Mayor. So uh we do have two meeting topics. We definitely want to reserve at least 45 minutes for the transportation strategic plan update, so I'll be watching the clock and uh helping us get to an end at 45 minutes, but I think we'll be able to make it. Um, our first topic, the evaluation of the Kraken proposal. It's gonna be led by our deputy city manager of external affairs, Jim Lopez, and he's gonna introduce the groups that interdepartmental team that has been evaluating this, and we're clicking for a council thoughts and action later tonight. So with that, I'll turn it over to Mr. Lopez. Thank you, City Manager. I'm told there is a hockey horn that will sound if I go too long, so I will do my best. Um so thank you. Um I'm going to go through tonight an update for the Kraken Ice Prex Iceplex proposal. We are evaluating that proposal. And I'll start with a lot of gratitude. Let's see, to a lot of people that really belong on that memorandum that I submitted. This is a multidisciplinary team. Um, and I have everybody's name up on the board. We combine to do this memo, and I'm going to talk a little bit about why we need this comprehensive team. I think the team is rising to the level of the project, and I'm very very grateful for everybody who contributed here from uh almost every department in the city. So thank you very much, staff, uh, for all your great work. Okay, so the agenda for our presentation tonight, we'll talk a little briefly about the recommendations, and they're very brief. We're looking to update the council and perhaps get approval later tonight in a fiscal note. I'm going to talk about the background of the proposal with a review, kind of the nuts and bolts of it. A lot of this information is on the website, but it's good to, I think, reiterate what the council has come unsolicited to the city with their interest for this proposal. And then what we're gonna do, and I'll give you as much insight as I can about the proposal itself. And then we're gonna talk a little about why that's why it justifies the city's response.

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