Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – March 4, 2025

The Kirkland City Council met on March 4, 2025, for a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., adjourning at 10:41 p.m. The study session included briefings on streamlining design review, a concept plan for a potential Kraken Iceplex Community Center, and the Peter Kirk Pool Facility Assessment and Feasibility Study. The regular meeting covered proclamation of National Safe Place Week, public comments, consent calendar, and business items including a property donation, middle housing code compliance, King County Metro K-Line support memos, surplus equipment declaration, a sexual assault advocate pilot, legislative updates, and board appointments. Key decisions were made on all items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of February 18, 19, 24, and 26, 2025 meetings.
• Approved accounts: bills ($6,879,893.59) and payroll ($5,864,004.75).
• Acknowledged a claim for damages from Audrey Matthews.
• Awarded contracts: Everest Park playground (KCDA Purchasing Cooperative), public art concept by Martha Spak for Stores to Shores greenway, 132nd Ave NE/Slater Ave crossing improvements to OMA Construction Inc. ($1,139,229.50) with a fiscal note transferring $250,591 in REET 2 funds, and NE 85th Street Eastbound Third Lane project to CR Construction LLC ($2,129,496.21).
• Ratified the 2025-2027 AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Acknowledged 2024 Q4 reports: automated safety camera program, police animal services, police quarterly dashboard, January 2025 sales tax report, and procurement report.
• Motion to approve carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

Fourteen members of the public addressed the council:

• Liesl Olson expressed support for the K-Line project elements (queue jumps, BAT lanes), stating faster light rail connections are critical for renters in Houghton.
• Nives Stanfelj opposed the K-Line, citing lack of transparency, fiscal irresponsibility, and public safety concerns on 108th Ave NE, arguing the proposal does not address traffic bottlenecks at 68th/70th.
• Julie Freeman criticized Metro's planning as ignoring neighborhood needs, claiming transit time savings targets can be met without BAT lanes on 108th.
• Susan Pappalardo (Splash Forward) encouraged exploring Peter Kirk Pool winterization and a future indoor aquatic center, highlighting partnerships with LWSD and Wave Aquatics.
• Kim Bentz (representing Houghton Plaza retail center) opposed K-Line plans for a BAT lane and station on their property, citing loss of parking and lack of outreach.
• Tom Markl (Nelson Legacy Group, Houghton Starbucks) opposed the BAT lane and station, arguing it would force closure of the Starbucks and create a safety hazard at driveway merge.
• Kyle Sullivan praised the Kraken community center concept but questioned uncertainty over the term sheet and competing funding needs for aquatics.
• David Haynes complained about bus frequency and public safety issues, urging improved enforcement and policy changes.
• Lisa McConnell thanked the council for proclamations and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Nicole MacKenzie supported pool winterization, emphasizing the city has already spent $24M on property and the $25M option is achievable.
• Alex Zimmerman made political statements supporting Trump and criticizing public spending; the council issued a statement disavowing his hurtful comments but allowing him to speak.
• Jill Stoddard raised concerns about King County's low-barrier housing model at La Quinta, citing safety risks near schools and urging accountability.
• Alex Fratila (neighbor of proposed Kraken site) polled neighbors and raised concerns about traffic, noise, loss of pickleball courts, and suggested improving transit rather than building for cars.
• Deepa Garg (renter and property owner) supported housing density but worried about traffic from the Kraken facility and questioned K-Line routing and coordination between projects.

Discussion Items

• Streamlining Design Review (Study Session): Senior Planner Tony Leavitt briefed the council on proposed code amendments to comply with state HB 1293, including consolidating design guidelines, limiting public meetings, and retaining the Design Review Board. Council provided feedback to focus on state compliance deadlines and defer non-mandated changes to a phase two.
• Kraken Iceplex Community Center Concept (Study Session): Parks Deputy Director John Lloyd and architects (Opsis Architecture, Counsilman-Hunsaker) presented a concept for a 12,000 SF second-floor community center (10,000 SF usable) with flexible multipurpose rooms, a fitness area with views of the ice sheets, universal restrooms, and a rooftop recreation area (track, parkour, fitness garden). Council asked about elevator redundancy, community branding, and operational costs, expressing enthusiasm but noting the city would need to fund the rooftop.
• Peter Kirk Pool Facility Assessment (Study Session): John Lloyd and consultants presented options: short-term repairs ($4.3M total), enclosure options (open-air ~$20M, sprung ~$10M, air-supported dome ~$7M), plus a bathhouse addition (~$1.9M) and waiting pool conversion to activity pool (~$3M). Council discussed affordability, phasing, and community need; some favored a comprehensive long-term solution (open-air option), others a winter dome only. The city manager will propose adding the pool to the work program at the March 18 meeting.
• Donation of Real Property (Larry E. Miller Estate): Parks Director Lynn Zwaagstra presented a donation of a residential property adjacent to Rose Hill Meadows Park for community gardens (pea patches) and park expansion. Resolution R-5674 and a fiscal note for $73,500 in site opening costs were approved 7-0. Council expressed gratitude and noted plans for a memorial sign.
• Middle Housing Code Compliance: Senior Planner Scott Guter briefed the council on proposed zoning amendments to meet state HB 1110 requirements. Council directed staff to proceed with phase one compliance (adopting six housing types by June 30 deadline) and defer inclusionary zoning and additional housing types to phase two. Staff was asked to return with a recommendation on which sixth housing type would be most appropriate.
• King County Metro K-Line Record of Support Memos: Transportation Planner Kimberly Scrivener presented three memos for the RapidRide K-Line project. Councilmember Tymczyszyn recused himself. The council approved memos on Access to Transit (6-0) and Passenger Facilities (6-0). For Speed and Reliability, an amendment by Councilmember Pascal was approved 6-0 to add language requesting a cost-benefit analysis, time-of-day restrictions, and specific mention of Central Way BAT lanes. The amended memo was then approved 6-0.
• Declaring LED Screen Surplus Equipment: Parks Deputy Director John Lloyd explained the need to trade in the current 33-foot, 13,000-pound LED screen trailer for a lighter, battery-powered model with a single-piece screen, reducing noise, fumes, and setup time. Funding ($77,500) is available from the 2023-24 service package. Motion to approve surplus and trade-in carried 7-0.
• Proposed Two-Year Pilot with KCSARC: Senior Management Analyst Andreana Campbell presented a pilot with the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center for a dedicated legal advocate in Kirkland ($200,000 fully funded). Council provided feedback: locate the advocate at City Hall, include duties such as early support, civil protection orders, outreach to schools and vulnerable populations, and establish success metrics. Staff will incorporate feedback and return with a draft agreement.
• 2025 Legislative Session Update: Government Affairs Manager Diana Hart reported on session progress, noting key bills on REIT and PRIA are advancing. Council expressed support for SB 5775 (public safety funding) and SB 5184 (parking reduction) with staff-proposed amendments.
• 2025 Boards and Commissions ISC Recommendations: Administrative Services Manager Elizabeth Adkisson presented the Interview Selection Committee's report. Council first voted unanimously to suspend rules 8.11 and 8.12 to allow four candidates (including late applicant Justin Robbins) to be interviewed for the Planning Commission vacancy. Then approved the full slate of reappointments and interview recommendations 7-0. Interviews are scheduled for March 13.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Miller Property Donation: Resolution R-5674 and fiscal note approved (7-0).
• Middle Housing: Council directed staff to pursue phase one compliance (six housing types) by June 30, defer other options; staff to return with a sixth-type recommendation.
• K-Line Support Memos: Access to Transit (6-0), Passenger Facilities (6-0), Speed and Reliability as amended (6-0).
• LED Screen Surplus: Approved (7-0) for trade-in.
• KCSARC Pilot: Feedback to be incorporated; draft agreement to be brought back for approval.
• Legislative Support: Supported SB 5775 and SB 5184 with amendments.
• ISC Recommendations: Suspended rules and approved recommendations (7-0); interviews March 13.