OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – January 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, January 7, 2025
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:03:31

Transcript — Verbatim
0:29

Are we ready?

0:33

Happy New Year, everyone.

0:34

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of January 7th, 2025.

0:40

Um before asking the city clerk to call the role for tonight's regular meeting.

0:44

Is there a motion to excuse Council Mayor Pascal?

0:47

So moved.

0:48

Second.

0:49

Move by Councilman Falcone, second by Council Mayor Sweet to excuse Councilmember Pascal.

0:53

All those in favor, please say aye.

0:55

Aye.

0:56

Any opposed motion carries five zero.

1:00

Um may I also have a motion to excuse Councilmember Black.

1:04

He's unable to attend the beginning of tonight's meeting.

1:07

Um when he weren't returns from King County Council meeting.

1:10

Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Black?

1:12

So moved.

1:13

Uh motion has been moved by Council Mayor Sweet, second by Council Mayor Falcone.

1:17

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:19

Aye.

1:19

Aye.

1:19

Aye.

1:20

Any opposed?

1:21

Motion carries five zero.

1:23

City clerk, will you please call the roll?

1:25

Councilmember Tim Chizin.

1:27

Here.

1:27

Councilmember Sweet.

1:29

Here.

1:29

Councilmember Falcone.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Count Deputy Mayor Arnold.

1:32

Here.

1:33

And Mayor Curtis.

1:34

Our study session tonight is two items.

1:37

First, we'll have an update on the Houghton Village development.

1:40

Second, we will have a briefing on the Washington State middle housing compliance.

1:44

I want to say missing middle.

1:45

We're calling it middle housing.

1:47

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

1:52

City manager.

1:53

So thank you, Mayor.

1:54

Deputy Mayor, members of the council.

1:57

So just a reminder this was a presentation that was supposed to happen on November 19th.

2:01

You had a lot on that calendar, uh, the comprehensive plan as well as the budget.

2:04

So that presentation was postponed till today.

2:07

Today this is uh our opportunity to get feedback, so we're not looking for any final decisions on the development plan.

2:13

This is our your chance to provide us with input.

2:15

So first turn us over to our deputy city manager of external affairs, Jim Lopez.

2:19

He's also going to be joined following that by our deputy planning and building director Alison Zike, who's also running the show.

2:25

Um, our DE IB manager Erica Pascal.

2:29

2025, folks.

2:33

Um, as well as our Berthun consultants Heidi Oyan and Eco Northwest consultants Leon Ryan and Tyler Bob Corral Virtual, who will join in the presentation.

2:42

So with that, I would like to turn it over to Mr.

2:43

Lopez.

2:44

I'm wondering if that's my effect on the lights.

2:47

Second time.

2:49

That is thank you very much, and thank you, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council.

2:53

It's really my uh privilege to be before you tonight, talking about the Houghton Village Development Plan along with um the staffers and architects and economists who have been working so hard on this project.

3:04

We're deeply grateful for their time.

3:06

So I'm gonna jump in and basically give a quick overview and then turn it over to Heidi from Methoon to take the balance of the narrative.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████17%
Community Engagement█████████████████17%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural█████████9%
State Requirements█████████9%
Active Transportation████████8%
Transportation Safety████4%
Transportation████4%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – January 7, 2025

The Kirkland City Council met on January 7, 2025, for a study session and regular meeting. The council discussed the Houghton Village development update, received a briefing on state-mandated middle housing compliance, adopted the 2025-2030 Transportation Improvement Program, amended the International Fire Code, and considered updates to council policies and procedures. Public comments addressed development heights, traffic safety, bike valet, and park maintenance. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from December 10, 2024 (special), December 18, 2024 (special), and other consent items including audit of accounts ($4,863,289.82 payroll, $11,538,706.94 bills), claims for damages, Resolution R-5667 (surplus fire pumper truck donation), Resolution R-5668 (right-of-way relinquishment), Transportation Benefit District 2024 annual status report, confirmation of Civil Service Commission re-appointment (Suzanne Frindt, term through 2031), and procurement report.
  • The December 10, 2024 regular meeting minutes were pulled from consent for separate consideration (later approved as substitute).
  • Motion to approve consent calendar carried 6-0 (Councilmember Pascal excused, Councilmember Black absent for study session but present for regular meeting).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennifer Ohayon (virtual): Opposed five- to six-story height at Houghton Village (former PCC site), urging three or four stories maximum. Supported after-school programs and childcare at the site. Expressed concern over traffic safety on NE 68th Street and Lakeview Elementary capacity.
  • Susan Davis (virtual): Opposed extending the bike valet program and opposed paying Livable Kirkland (aka Kirkland Greenways) $50,000 for sponsorship. Criticized the program's cost-effectiveness.
  • Kurt Dresner: Discussed car dependency and safety, citing a recent incident where two students were hit by a driver near Finn Hill Middle School. Advocated for alternative transportation options.
  • Kyle Sullivan: Referenced the same student-involved collision, highlighting unsafe street conditions (painted bike lanes, lack of sidewalks). Urged the city to prioritize and fund safety improvements.
  • Jennifer Loy: Continued complaints about Caroline Woods Park maintenance, alleging city staff failed to follow park plans and that the park is neglected despite volunteer efforts.
  • Tarney Navarro: Presented 10+1 New Year's resolutions for civic engagement, including enjoying public spaces daily, supporting density and affordable housing, using alternative transportation, and voting in municipal elections.
  • Ken MacKenzie: Urged the council to adopt only minimum zoning changes required by state law for middle housing compliance, cautioning against adding extra local regulations.
  • David Haynes: Addressed traffic congestion at Juanita Drive and 98th Avenue, suggesting traffic signal adjustments. Also commented on building heights and construction impacts on neighborhoods.
  • Nicole MacKenzie: Supported the bike valet concept but recommended prioritizing permanent bike racks throughout the city over event-specific valet service.
  • Alex Tsimerman: Made political statements supporting former President Trump and criticizing Democratic governance; also complained about interruptions during public comment.
  • Cindy Claypool: Recommended secure bike lockers as an alternative to bike valet, citing theft concerns with locks.

Discussion Items

Houghton Village Development Update (Study Session)

  • Deputy City Manager James Lopez, Planning Director Allison Zike, ECONorthwest consultants Tyler Bump and Lee Ann Ryan, and Mithun partner Heidi Oien presented Option B for the former PCC site. The design includes two buildings with up to five stories, 145 affordable co-op ownership units (affordable at 100% AMI), 26,000 sq ft of ground-floor commercial/community space, 230 parking stalls, a central courtyard, connection to the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC), and improved safety on NE 68th Street.
  • Council feedback emphasized: wanting flexibility in ground-floor uses rather than prescriptive assignments; concern that too much specificity could deter developers; interest in exploring a three-story option (Heidi Oien noted removing stories would reduce units by 26% for four stories, 52% for three stories); desire to move forward with a development partner rather than further refining the plan; support for housing as the primary goal but also for community amenities.
  • Council directed staff to prepare a next iteration of the development plan with built-in flexibility and to begin engaging potential developers.

Briefing on Washington State Middle Housing Compliance (Study Session)

  • Senior Planner Scott Guter outlined state bills (HB 1110, HB 1337, SB 6015, HB 1293, HB 1998) requiring updates to Kirkland's zoning code by mid-2025. Staff recommended a phased approach: first adopt minimum state standards by June 2025, then pursue optimization later with broader public engagement.
  • Key requirements: allow four units per lot citywide (six if two are affordable at 60% AMI rental/80% ownership), adjust ADU standards, reduce parking mandates, and permit co-living (residential suites) near frequent transit.
  • Council supported the phased approach and agreed on the need to manage public expectations about limited flexibility. Councilmember Falcone urged keeping the optimization work on schedule.

Bike Valet Presentation (Special Presentation)

  • Program steward Lisa McConnell reported on the 2024 pilot: 283 volunteer hours, 73 bikes parked over 14 recorded events, estimated 130 lbs of carbon savings. The most successful event was the Harvest Festival (38 bikes). She requested integrated promotion, dedicated equipment storage, and expansion of the volunteer base (including high school interns).
  • Council praised the program and discussed potential for youth involvement and sustainable funding.

International Fire Code Amendments (Business Item)

  • Assistant Fire Marshal Jason Chappell presented Ordinance O-4889, adopting 2021 International Fire Code with local amendments, including: code compliance agency designation, operational permits for positive alarm sequence and gates across fire access roads, and civil infraction enforcement for fire safety violations.
  • Council asked about impacts on single-family home gates; staff clarified annual permit fee (~$140) and minimal response time impact. Ordinance approved 6-0.

Proposed Updates to City Council Policies and Procedures

  • Deputy City Manager Julie Underwood presented revised language for "Items from the Audience" (allowing more than three minutes for persons needing accommodations, at presiding officer's discretion) and "Regional and Committee Reports" (expanding reporting topics).
  • Council generally supported the changes. Councilmember Falcone flagged potential future discussion on broader disability accommodations. Deputy Mayor Arnold raised but did not pursue a proposal to limit comments to "city business" (similar to Redmond's policy); the city attorney noted workability issues. Mayor Curtis opposed such limits, emphasizing free speech.
  • The policy updates will be brought back for adoption on the consent calendar.

December 10, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes (Substitute)

  • City Attorney Darcey Eilers presented substitute minutes adding clarifying notations about commendation recipients and the comprehensive plan adoption vote. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution R-5666 (2025-2030 Transportation Improvement Program) adopted 6-0. The TIP prioritizes capacity and maintenance projects; staff will transmit to state/federal agencies.
  • Ordinance O-4889 (International Fire Code amendments) adopted 6-0. Local amendments include operational permits for gates, positive alarm sequence, and civil infraction enforcement.
  • Council Policies and Procedures updates approved in concept; will return for formal adoption on consent calendar.
  • Houghton Village development: Council directed staff to refine the development plan with flexibility and initiate developer outreach.
  • Middle housing compliance: Council endorsed staff's phased approach: adopt minimum state standards by June 2025, with future optimization phase.
  • Bike valet program: Council expressed support and will explore expansion, including volunteer recruitment and storage solutions.
  • Executive Session: Council held executive session from 9:03 p.m. to review public employee performance and discuss litigation, extended to 9:50 p.m. Closed session for collective bargaining from 9:50 p.m. to 10:12 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Are we ready? Happy New Year, everyone. I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of January 7th, 2025. Um before asking the city clerk to call the role for tonight's regular meeting. Is there a motion to excuse Council Mayor Pascal? So moved. Second. Move by Councilman Falcone, second by Council Mayor Sweet to excuse Councilmember Pascal. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed motion carries five zero. Um may I also have a motion to excuse Councilmember Black. He's unable to attend the beginning of tonight's meeting. Um when he weren't returns from King County Council meeting. Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Black? So moved. Uh motion has been moved by Council Mayor Sweet, second by Council Mayor Falcone. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries five zero. City clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Tim Chizin. Here. Councilmember Sweet. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Count Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. And Mayor Curtis. Our study session tonight is two items. First, we'll have an update on the Houghton Village development. Second, we will have a briefing on the Washington State middle housing compliance. I want to say missing middle. We're calling it middle housing. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30. City manager. So thank you, Mayor. Deputy Mayor, members of the council. So just a reminder this was a presentation that was supposed to happen on November 19th. You had a lot on that calendar, uh, the comprehensive plan as well as the budget. So that presentation was postponed till today. Today this is uh our opportunity to get feedback, so we're not looking for any final decisions on the development plan. This is our your chance to provide us with input. So first turn us over to our deputy city manager of external affairs, Jim Lopez. He's also going to be joined following that by our deputy planning and building director Alison Zike, who's also running the show. Um, our DE IB manager Erica Pascal.

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