Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting: October 21, 2025

The Kirkland City Council held a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on October 21, 2025, to address a range of topics including water pressure solutions in the Highlands neighborhood, a review of the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, the 2026 State Legislative Agenda, design review process updates, and the NE 85th Street Station Area development. The meeting included public comments, a special presentation from Cascadia College, and several key votes and directives.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by a 7-0 vote, except item 8.h.(2) (Tourism Development Committee Funding Recommendations) which was moved to the business agenda.
• Approved minutes, audit of accounts (payroll $7,708,312.56; accounts payable $5,329,535.21), claims for damages, award of bid for Trend Lift Station Project to Road Construction Northwest, Inc. ($1,160,583.22), acceptance of public improvements, approval of agreements, and acceptance of various reports (KCF art donation, CIP review, financial dashboard, procurement report).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Berenson expressed concern that integrating design review into the permit process would lengthen permit times and degrade the design review process.
• Gary Bustinduy criticized the city's handling of the Highlands water pressure issue, stating the department was notified in 2019 of potential issues but took no action until residents complained. He questioned the adequacy of the mitigation budget (estimating $600,000-$700,000) and the waiver requirement for assistance.
• Radu Bacioiu argued against lowering speed limits, citing data that suggests traffic accidents are related to human error and traffic volume, not speed limits.
• Scott Stoneman advocated for Alternative Three as the preferred solution for Highlands water pressure, claiming it restores pressure quickly and significantly improves fire flow (from 30% to 82% of hydrants meeting 1,000 GPM). He suggested cost estimates may be overestimated.
• Scott Reusser (owner of Green Knight Nursery) highlighted unique challenges for home-based businesses with booster pumps and noted that many residents are unaware of the assistance program. He asked for the city to provide a list of contractors and address irrigation system issues.
• Alex Tsimermann (speaking out of order) made comments regarding dual citizenship, traffic fatalities, and political concerns, expressing strong opposition to certain local government actions.

Special Presentations

• State of the College Address – Cascadia College President Dr. Eric Murray: Reported a 12% enrollment increase, serving over 1,100 Running Start students, and top rankings in retention and transfer rates. He noted challenges including a 50% drop in international students, federal funding uncertainty, and a pending capital request for a new building. The city's support was acknowledged.

Discussion Items

• Upper Highlands Water Pressure Solutions: Following a study session, staff presented Resolution R-5697 to advance three capital improvement alternatives (costing $3.2M–$8.7M), hire a peer review firm, expand the resident mitigation program (including booster pump rebates, fire sprinkler support, and a December 31, 2026 deadline), and report back by April 2026. Council debated amendments, including allowing additional concepts to be considered, extending the mitigation deadline, and evaluating waiver requirements.
• Review of Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Study: BERK Consulting presented preliminary findings showing that in 2025, $277,000 in city property taxes and $2.1 million total were shifted from MFTE properties. The program is less expensive per median homeowner than a levy lid lift for affordable housing. The annual rent benefit from 210 affordable units is about $2 million. No action was taken; final report expected in November.
• Draft 2026 State Legislative Agenda: Interim Government Affairs Manager Andreana Campbell presented a focused agenda for the 60-day session starting January 12, 2026. Priorities include support for housing and infrastructure funding, transportation safety, noise enforcement technology, and jail flexibility. Council voted to add the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and Cascadia College to the policy organizations list, and added a new general principle: "Support state legislation that protects our residents and businesses from loss of critical assistance programs or civil liberties due to federal actions."
• Briefing on Streamlined Design Review (CAM24-008811): Senior Planner Tony Leavitt briefed council on compliance with House Bill 1293, which requires clear, objective design standards and limits reviews to one public meeting. Staff proposed administrative review for most projects with an alternative compliance process for the Design Review Board (DRB). Council expressed interest in retaining the DRB role for alternative compliance, but noted concerns about workload and engagement. Further discussion with Planning Commission scheduled.
• NE 85th Street Station Area Update: Senior Planner Lindsay Levine updated council on strategies to encourage higher-density residential development near the new BRT station, following a recent low-density townhome project. Six options were presented, from minimum density requirements to prohibiting townhomes. Council leaned toward a temporary "stop sign" (prohibiting townhomes) while continuing to work on incentives and catalytic projects. Economic development efforts, including marketing and branding, were noted.
• Tourism Development Committee Funding Recommendations: Economic Development Manager Jen Davis Hayes presented corrections to the consent calendar item, recommending $223,500 from lodging tax reserves for nine event applications, downtown lighting, web platform, and digital marketing. Council approved the recommendations unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution R-5697 (Upper Highlands Water Pressure): Approved 7-0 with amendments directing staff to: (1) include two alternatives in the 2025 CIP; (2) contract a peer review firm to consider additional feasible concepts; (3) expand the mitigation program with increased thresholds, rebates for drip irrigation and fire sprinkler systems, and acceptance of applications through December 31, 2026, for properties affected as of March 31, 2024; (4) evaluate alternatives to the waiver provision; and (5) report progress by April 2026.
• State Legislative Agenda Updates: Council voted 7-0 to add Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and Cascadia College to the list of policy organizations. Council also voted 7-0 to add a general principle supporting protection of residents and businesses from loss of assistance programs or civil liberties due to federal actions (amended to "our" instead of "Washington state").
• Committee Reports: Council directed the City Manager (7-0) to prepare a letter requesting King County reinstate funding for the Juanita Metro Flex service for 2026.
• Closed Session: The council entered a 20-minute closed session to discuss collective bargaining, adjourning at 11:20 p.m.