Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - May 6, 2025
Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - May 6, 2025
The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on May 6, 2025, starting with a study session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., adjourning at 10:33 p.m. Councilmember Amy Falcone was excused. The council addressed a wide range of items including legal challenges to King County's Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station (NERTS), a wildflower meadow pilot project, affordable housing investments, a major ice-skating facility development, public safety initiatives, and legislative updates. All votes were 6-0 unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from April 9, 10, 11, and 15, 2025 special and regular meetings.
- Audit of accounts: Bills $4,414,904.14; Payroll $4,623,998.41.
- Acknowledged claims for damages from MHD Karim Altabbaa, Jolene Barker, Nancy Markham, and Omid Nakhjavani.
- Awarded construction contract for 2025 Slurry Seal Project to Doolittle Construction, LLC in the amount of $447,000.
- Accepted proclamations for Affordable Housing Week, Bike Everywhere Month, and Older Americans Month.
- Accepted resignation of Cultural Arts Commissioner Vivian Liu and appointed Hend Alhinnawi as alternate.
- Adopted Ordinance O-4899 relating to International Fire Code and fire-extinguishing systems.
- Acknowledged 2025 First Quarter Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Accepted Projects Review, March 2025 Sales Tax Report, March 2025 Investment Report, and Procurement Report.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Haines (virtual) expressed concerns about the Vue Kirkland project, calling it a "1970s era slum," and criticized policies allowing repeat offenders to impact public safety.
- Paul Quinn (virtual) advocated for a "Smart Disposal" pilot program to weigh refuse, arguing current container-based pricing is unfair and discourages diversion.
- Michele Meston presented a photo of industrial ladders at Kirkland beaches, requesting flat ladder steps for safer access, especially for seniors and children.
- Kyle Sullivan supported the Kraken Iceplex project but urged the city to negotiate hard and integrate the site with the station area. He also supported funding all six NSP projects (Option 2) and promoted a bike ride for the new light rail extension.
- Carl Vander Hoek urged approval of Option 3 (fund all six NSP projects at $411,500), arguing that a 60% contingency inflated costs and that deferring the Norkirk project would harm student safety.
Discussion Items
- Study Session: NERTS Legal Challenges: Staff presented updates on administrative appeals and a Superior Court challenge regarding King County's selection of Alternative 1B for a new transfer station. Council discussed inadequate transportation analysis, hazardous waste risks from landfill excavation, and procedural errors. City Manager noted ongoing talks with King County.
- Study Session: Juanita Bay Wildflower Meadow Pilot Project: Staff reported on converting a mowed lawn into a native wildflower meadow, supported by a $34,500 grant from Waste Management for seed and bulbs. Council praised the project and asked about expansion opportunities.
- WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council Interlocal Agreement Briefing: Salmon Recovery Manager Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz presented the proposed 2026-2035 ILA, highlighting over $40 million in projects in the last decade. Council discussed predation, tire dust toxicity, and shoreline restoration.
- Extension of Parkplace (Kirkland Urban) Planned Action Ordinance and Development Agreement: Senior Planner Tony Leavitt presented Ordinance O-4898 to extend the PAO and Development Agreement to June 1, 2030, to allow completion of the East phase. Council expressed concern about prolonged vacancy and asked the city manager to encourage interim activation.
- Scope of Work for Dedicated Sexual Assault Legal Advocate: Senior Management Analyst Andreana Campbell presented the scope for a pilot program with King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KSARC). Council amended the scope to include support for survivors' networks.
- 2025 Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) Recommended Projects: Community Engagement Coordinator Daniel Lazo presented three funding options. Council discussed cost overruns and the need to re-evaluate the program budget, selecting Option 2 (full funding of all six projects at $411,500).
- Public Works Maintenance Center Facility Expansion Plan Update: Facilities Manager Lee Ann Skipton updated on property acquisition, appraisals, and negotiations. Council was briefed on potential condemnation proceedings if negotiations fail.
- Proposed Updates to Tourism Development Committee (TDC) Membership and Voting Policies: Diana Hart proposed aligning terms with other boards (two four-year terms) and clarifying conflict-of-interest rules. Council adopted an amendment allowing reappointment after one year off.
- 2025 Legislative Session Update: Diana Hart reported on successful capital budget allocations ($515,000 each for Kamikin gym and Peter Kirk pool), REET extension, and extended producer responsibility for packaging. Other bills on noise cameras and jail standards are pending. Council lauded staff efforts.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance O-4898 (Parkplace extension) adopted 6-0.
- Resolution R-5861 (BRIDGE Housing contribution for Vue Kirkland) adopted 6-0 with amendment requiring the city manager to negotiate that current households will not be required to vacate based on income ineligibility.
- Resolution R-5862 (Selecting Seattle Hockey Partners/Generator Studio as developer for ice-skating facilities, restaurant, and community center) adopted 6-0.
- Scope of Work for Sexual Assault Legal Advocate approved with amendment to add support for survivors' networks (motion carried 6-0).
- 2025 NSP Projects approved to fund all six projects under Option 2 ($411,500 total) (motion carried 6-0).
- Ordinance O-4900 (TDC membership and voting policies) adopted 6-0 as amended to allow reappointment after one year off.
- Legislative Request Memorandum approved to explore options to accelerate sidewalk gap completion (motion carried 6-0).
- Council directed staff to schedule a public hearing on supporting the King County Parks Levy.
- Council expressed interest in a special presentation from the Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency.
Meeting Transcript
All right. I'd like to call to order the city council meeting May 6th, 2025. Before asking the clerk to call a roll for tonight's regular meeting. Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Falcone? So moved. Second. It's been moved by Councilmember Sweet, seconded by Council of Black to excuse Councilmember Falcone. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries seven zero. Hello. All right. City clerk, will you please call the roll? Uh for the record, I'd just like to say six zero for the vote. Thank you. You're welcome. Try to remember that for the rest of the night. All right. Councilmember Tim Chisholm. Here. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Sweet. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. And Mayor Curtis. Here. Our study session tonight is on two items. First, we'll have an update on the city's legal actions related to the King County's Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station. Second, we will receive an update on the Juanita Bay Wildflower Metal Pilot Project. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30. City Manager. Okay. Thank you. Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members of the Council. So a lot has happened since the county announced that they were citing the nurse transfer facility in Kirkland with option one B. And so a lot of staff analysis and legal analysis has gone on. I want a chance to tell the council and the public uh what has been happening since then. So today is a chance to just provide all that information. Uh here to give that presentation. We have our just a what do we got going on here? Ah, hold on more. Technical difficulties. We shall pause. All right, there we go.
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