OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024: Human Services Grants, Houghton Village, Kraken Iceplex, and Opposition to State Initiatives

City Council — Tuesday, September 17, 2024
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:02:03

Transcript — Verbatim
0:35

Mr.

0:36

Jim Chison.

0:42

Well, if I said I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of September 17th, 2024.

0:51

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:53

Councilmember Tim Chisholm.

0:55

Here.

0:56

Councilmember Black.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Councilmember Sweet.

0:58

Here.

0:59

Councilmember Falcone.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Councilmember Pascal.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Mayor Curtis.

1:05

Here.

1:06

All right.

1:06

Our study session tonight is on two items.

1:09

First, we will review the 2025-2026 human services grant funding recommendations.

1:15

Second, we'll receive an update on the Houghton Village Development Plan.

1:19

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30.

1:23

And thank you, Human Services Commissioner, for joining us this evening.

1:29

So thank you, Mayor.

1:37

And then to give us any feedback and thoughts.

1:39

This is obviously coming to you as part of the budget process later in the year.

1:42

So right now we're not looking for action, but we are looking for questions, comments, feedback.

1:47

I'm actually going to turn over to Jen Boone, our human services manager, and I think she's gonna help introduce all of our special guests.

1:52

So good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members of the council.

1:56

It's good to see you.

1:58

We're here tonight to discuss the 25-26 human services grant recommendations.

2:02

We are going to start with some introductions, so I'm gonna pass it to Annie.

2:09

Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council.

2:12

My name's Antoine Annie Smith, one of the human services coordinators here at the city with the my position has a focus on equity.

2:23

Hi I'm Sri Ran Raja Gopalan.

2:25

I'm one of the commissioners in the Human Services Commission currently serving as the vice chair.

2:30

And then we do have our chair, Gabriela Lopez Vasquez online.

2:34

She currently is battling an illness and does not have a voice, but she is here and present for the participation.

2:40

Hi Gabby.

2:43

Good afternoon, everyone.

2:44

My name is Gabriela Lopez.

2:47

And I'm the chair of the commission.

2:48

Thank you very much.

2:50

Thank you.

2:51

Gabby without a voice.

2:52

Yeah.

2:57

Also note that we do have Lynn Zastra, our director of parks and community services.

3:01

Also here to answer questions if you have any.

3:04

So as the city manager mentioned, staff and the commissioners are here tonight seeking your direction and input on the proposed recommendations that have been developed.

3:14

It's really helped to inform the development of the city manager's budget for 25-26.

3:20

So no formal action is being requested tonight.

3:23

However, based on council discussion, it could impact the grant recommendations, in which case staff would take them back to the commission to do a review again before approving them and returning to a meter to a meeting later this fall.

3:37

So we do have about 15 slides this evening before we'll open it up for discussion.

3:42

We'll start with a history of human services grant funding and the different funding sources that have contributed to the budget over the last few bienniums.

3:51

We'll take a look at the estimated base budget for 2526.

3:55

And then Annie is going to take us into a closer look at the human services landscape, what the commission has learned, which has led them to the development of their priorities, which was a pretty big factor in the development of the recommendations in front of you this evening.

4:20

So when we look at human services grant funding, we really put it into two different buckets.

4:25

So we have what's considered base budget funding, which since 2013 has gradually increased over time.

4:36

Currently, we have 969,237 in general funds available.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Climate Change██████████████14%
Human Services████████████12%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Procedural███████7%
Urban Planning██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Public Safety███3%
Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024

The Kirkland City Council met on September 17, 2024, beginning with a study session at 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., and adjourning at 11:25 p.m. The study session reviewed the 2025-2026 human services grant funding recommendations and the Houghton Village Development Plan. The regular meeting included proclamations, public hearings, approval of the consent calendar, and votes on key business items, including resolutions opposing two statewide initiatives and establishing a negotiation framework for a Kraken Iceplex.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar was approved unanimously (7-0), including:
    • Approval of September 3, 2024 meeting minutes
    • Audit of accounts: Payroll $4,668,137.76; Bills $4,695,450.91
    • Claims from Margo Engberg, Conny Jolie McDermott, Project Resources Group a/b/o Comcast, Clary Ann Smith, and Steven M. Smith
    • Resolution R-5641: Deferring development of the Homelessness Continuum of Care Action Plan until 2025
    • Resolution R-5644: Allocating 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
    • Resolution R-5646: Approving updated interlocal agreement for hazardous materials response, adding Shoreline as a party
    • Transportation Commission resignation acknowledgment and recognition letter
    • 2024 Second Quarter Police Department Dashboard, Animal Services Report, and Automated Safety Camera Program Update
    • 2023 Impact Fee Report, 2024 Second Quarter Investment Report, July 2024 Financial Dashboard Report, and Procurement Report

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Items from the Audience: Thirteen speakers addressed the council on various topics. Speakers expressed concerns about the city's growth planning (Jackie Mendez, Joe Kunzler, Liz Hunt, Jill Stoddart), planning department errors at 422 6th Street South (Carrie Oliver), stormwater and engineering qualifications (Paul DeVries), tree removal at Caroline Woods (Jennifer Loy), traffic and construction impacts on Juanita Beach (David Haines), and a traffic ticket dispute (Alex Tsimmerman). Many speakers urged a more inclusive and data-driven growth process.
  • Public Hearing on Initiatives 2117 and 2066: The council held a combined public hearing. Nineteen speakers testified in support of the resolutions opposing the initiatives, citing climate crisis, funding for transit (free youth transit), public health, and the need to maintain the Climate Commitment Act. Two speakers opposed, citing concerns about costs and government overreach. The council received the testimony.
  • Public Hearing on 2025-2026 Budget Revenue Sources: No public testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

  • Study Session: 2025-2026 Human Services Grant Funding Recommendations: Human Services Manager Jen Boone and Coordinator Antoinette Smith presented three funding options (A, B, C). Council feedback indicated strong support for funding Option A (base budget $1.9M/year) and stretching to Option B (additional $634,000/year). Councilmembers added $2,500 for Pride Across the Bridge (LGBTQIA+ support) and directed staff to explore including the Human Services Reserve ($20,000) and a Brazilian community RFP. The city manager noted Option B is a stretch goal; Option C is unlikely. Council signaled interest in increasing the base budget long-term.
  • Study Session: Houghton Village Development Plan Update: Mithun presented three design options (A, B, C) for the former Houghton Park & Ride site. Council expressed a preference for Option B (two buildings with a pedestrian mews, medium commercial/community spaces). Discussion highlighted feasibility concerns (parking requirements, market analysis), the importance of affordable housing/cooperative homeownership, and integration with adjacent parcels. Council directed staff to continue refining the plan with community input.
  • Business: Proposed 2025-2026 Utility Rates Briefing: Senior Financial Analyst Grant Raupp presented final proposed rates, which were lower than preliminary rates due to a calculation correction. Water and sewer rates remained unchanged; surface water increased by 5.5% annually (down from 8.0% and 7.5%); solid waste rates had minor adjustments. Council praised the thorough presentation. Final adoption is scheduled for October 15, 2024.
  • Business: Kraken Iceplex Update: Deputy City Manager James Lopez presented Resolution R-5645 establishing a guiding framework for negotiations with the Seattle Kraken. Key provisions include city ownership, Kraken paying debt service via lease payments, high design standards, guarantees against team relocation, community benefit (free/subsidized access for low-income families via One Roof Foundation), and naming rights provisions. Council adopted a substitute resolution with amendments: striking “a variety of” and inserting “the” in section 10a (community programming), adding “restaurant facilities that meet or exceed standards set at the Kraken’s Northgate facility” (section 9a), and incorporating other clarifications. The substitute resolution passed 7-0.
  • Business: Interview Selection Committee (ISC) Recommendations: The ISC presented candidates for board and commission vacancies. The recommendations were approved unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution R-5642: Approved 7-0 – opposing Initiative Measure No. 2117 (carbon tax credit trading).
  • Resolution R-5643: Approved 7-0 – opposing Initiative Measure No. 2066 (natural gas and electrification regulations).
  • Kraken Iceplex Framework: Substitute Resolution R-5645 approved 7-0, authorizing staff to negotiate a term sheet with the Seattle Kraken.
  • Human Services Grants: Council directed staff to incorporate feedback into the city manager’s budget, aiming to fund Option A and as much of Option B as possible, with additions for Pride Across the Bridge and a Human Services Reserve.
  • Utility Rates: Final adoption scheduled for October 15, 2024.
  • Kroger/Albertsons Merger: Council expressed interest in receiving more information and possibly supporting the Attorney General’s opposition to the merger.
  • Low-Income Discount Update: City manager confirmed an update will be brought to council for discussion.
  • Public Records Act Rules: Staff will bring finalized amendments to the October 1 meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Mr. Jim Chison. Well, if I said I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of September 17th, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Tim Chisholm. Here. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Sweet. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. All right. Our study session tonight is on two items. First, we will review the 2025-2026 human services grant funding recommendations. Second, we'll receive an update on the Houghton Village Development Plan. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30. And thank you, Human Services Commissioner, for joining us this evening. So thank you, Mayor. And then to give us any feedback and thoughts. This is obviously coming to you as part of the budget process later in the year. So right now we're not looking for action, but we are looking for questions, comments, feedback. I'm actually going to turn over to Jen Boone, our human services manager, and I think she's gonna help introduce all of our special guests. So good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members of the council. It's good to see you. We're here tonight to discuss the 25-26 human services grant recommendations. We are going to start with some introductions, so I'm gonna pass it to Annie. Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council. My name's Antoine Annie Smith, one of the human services coordinators here at the city with the my position has a focus on equity. Hi I'm Sri Ran Raja Gopalan. I'm one of the commissioners in the Human Services Commission currently serving as the vice chair. And then we do have our chair, Gabriela Lopez Vasquez online. She currently is battling an illness and does not have a voice, but she is here and present for the participation. Hi Gabby. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Gabriela Lopez. And I'm the chair of the commission. Thank you very much. Thank you. Gabby without a voice. Yeah. Also note that we do have Lynn Zastra, our director of parks and community services. Also here to answer questions if you have any. So as the city manager mentioned, staff and the commissioners are here tonight seeking your direction and input on the proposed recommendations that have been developed.

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