Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2024

The Kirkland City Council held a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on October 15, 2024, adjourning at 11:55 p.m. The study session was a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss the draft 2044 Comprehensive Plan. The regular meeting included public comments, petitions, special presentations on homelessness and equity, consent calendar approvals, and business items on the 2025 state legislative agenda, utility rate ordinances, and council policy updates.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0): Minutes of October 1, 2024; Audit of Accounts (payroll $4,593,490.17, bills $4,998,365.45); Award of bids for Neighborhood Safety Program ($518,089.58 to Blackfish Civil Infrastructure, Inc.) and Landscape Median Retrofit Pilot Project ($224,431.30 to Kamins Construction, Inc.); Arbor Day Proclamation; Resignations and appointments for Cultural Arts Commission, Planning Commission (Justin Robbins), and Library Board (Lee Kraft Cressman); Capital Improvement Program 3rd Quarter report; Teen Traffic Court annual report; August 2024 Financial Dashboard; Procurement report.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Kunzler criticized the council for not curtailing anti-Semitic outbursts by Alex Tsimerman, noting Bellevue had excluded him for a month, and expressed concern that Tsimerman is driving on a suspended license.
• Jennifer Loy detailed concerns about Caroline Woods Park, alleging the Parks Director misrepresented the park's classification and that maintenance decisions are being made without proper policy input.
• Nicole MacKenzie argued the council's appointment of alternates to boards/commissions violated its own policies requiring an open process; criticized the comprehensive plan process for limited early public outreach; and stated the SEIS did not provide adequate options beyond a no-growth and high-growth alternative.
• Kyle Sullivan expressed general support for the comprehensive plan, urged continued community outreach during zoning phases, and emphasized finding common ground.
• Tara King Whiteside encouraged the city to use land acknowledgments during meetings of the Kirkland Initiative and to be mindful of how such acknowledgments affect attendees.
• Ken MacKenzie voiced distrust between residents and city government, alleging that most public input on the comp plan was ignored, and objected to the history section as divisive.
• Michael Brockkan urged slow, careful zoning changes with thorough research and resident input.
• Bea Nahon advocated for modernizing the Items from the Audience process, proposing a three-prong test (purpose, reasons for attendance, effective management) and opposing short time limits.
• Loita Hawkinson requested incentives for affordable homeownership (not just rental apartments) and criticized developer practices like automatic sprinklers and non-native landscaping.
• Jill Stoddart accused Councilmember Black of leading questions in the study session; called for an outside facilitator for the comp plan retrospective; and argued livability requires not concentrating high-needs individuals in one area.
• Alex Tsimerman made anti-Semitic and hateful statements. Mayor Curtis responded that the council does not condone such comments but that items from the audience provides opportunity for all views. Council indicated they are researching Bellevue's exclusion action.

Discussion Items

• Special Joint Meeting with Planning Commission (Study Session): Planning Commission presented recommendations on the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, focusing on land use policies (transit corridors, 10-minute neighborhoods, grocery stores) and housing policies (affordable housing targets, neighborhood livability). Council heard minority perspectives from commissioners and gave staff direction to bring moderated growth options for November study session.
• King County Health Through Housing Update: King County and Plymouth Housing (selected operator) provided updates on converting the former La Quinta into permanent supportive housing. Construction permit submitted August 2024, aiming for partial occupancy July 2025. Community engagement planning underway.
• Plymouth Housing Introduction: Plymouth Housing presented their model (permanent supportive housing, 95% retention rate, services integration) and shared contact for community feedback (KirklandPSH@plymouthhousing.org).
• DEIB 5-Year Roadmap Annual Update: DEIB Manager reported 42 objectives complete, 17 over 50% complete, 9 less than 50% complete. Highlighted community survey showing 75% of Hispanic/Latino residents feel more informed; workforce diversity rose from 15% (2021) to 20% (2023). Council expressed interest in deeper discussion at 2025 retreat.
• Draft 2025 State Legislative Agenda: Staff reviewed eight priority areas (affordable housing funding, behavioral health, local transportation revenue, noise camera enforcement, NPDES funding, packaging EPR, gender equity for inmate searches). Council adopted option 3 on rent stabilization/tenant protections (monitor and report back). Added discussion on business license late fees and ballot initiative implications.
• 2025/2026 Utility Rate Ordinances: Adopted four ordinances (solid waste, water, sewer, surface water) setting 2025-2026 rates. Approved 7-0 via single motion.
• Proposed Updates to City Council Policies and Procedures: Council discussed changes to Items from the Audience (45-minute total limit, 3 minutes per speaker, six speakers per topic, randomized order but with presiding officer flexibility to group similar perspectives); agreed to pilot digital presentations for public hearings; directed staff to research Bellevue's exclusion of disruptive speakers and to bring options for disability accommodations.

Key Outcomes

• Petitions: Petition G-24-243 (relocating RVs near Northlake Academy) accepted and referred to staff 7-0. Petition G-24-244 (against neighborhood densification) accepted and referred to staff 7-0.
• Utility Rates: Four ordinances (O-4883, O-4884, O-4885, O-4886) adopted 7-0, establishing 2025-2026 rates for solid waste, water, sewer, and surface water.
• Letter of Support: Approved 7-0 for Connections Health Solutions’ application to King County’s Crisis Care Center RFP.
• Property Acquisition: Resolution R-5651 approved 7-0, authorizing purchase of Dragon Realty parcels (2.67 acres) for $1.5 million to expand Juanita Heights Park and complete Green Loop Trail segment.
• Executive Sessions: Council held closed sessions for potential real estate acquisition (11:00-11:15 p.m.) and collective bargaining (11:20-11:55 p.m.). No action taken.
• Next Steps: Legislative agenda finalized at November 19 meeting; budget study session October 24; council holiday exchange proposed for December 3 or 5; staff to return with policy procedure options based on discussion.