OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - November 5, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, November 5, 2025
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, November 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:21:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of November 5th, 2025.

0:06

City Clerk.

0:08

Councilmember Tim Chisholson.

0:11

Councilmember Black.

0:12

Here.

0:12

Councilmember Sweet?

0:13

Councilmember Falcon.

0:15

Here.

0:15

Councilmember Pascal.

0:16

Here.

0:16

Deputy Mayor Arnold.

0:17

Here.

0:18

Mayor Curtis.

0:19

Here.

0:19

All here.

0:20

All right.

0:21

Study sessions.

0:22

Ooh, study session tonight is on two items.

0:24

First, we will review the 2025-2026 mid-by-annual budget update.

0:30

Second, we will discuss the 2025-2030 capital improvement program update.

0:35

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30.

0:40

Okay.

0:40

Thank you, Mayor.

0:41

Deputy Mayor, members of the council.

0:42

So before we jump in, I just want to give a huge thank you to the finance administration team, particularly our budget finance leadership.

0:50

This has been a big process to get to you here throughout the summer and the fall.

0:54

And also a huge thank you to our departments and everyone associated with creating this.

0:58

It's a lot of hard work.

0:59

We're very excited to present it to you tonight.

1:18

As we all know, the federal government is shut down, and we do have the issue of SNAP not being funded.

1:25

So we are going to be proposing to you tonight under the business item that the council consider approving a fiscal note for 100,000 to be set aside for emergency food if necessary.

1:35

So we're going to touch on that person today and bring it back at the end of the day.

1:39

The reason we want to do that is November is kind of unique.

1:46

But with sort of what's going on with SNAP, we thought that having some flexibility and ability to respond would be super helpful over the next few weeks.

1:53

So just wanted to highlight that.

1:56

Yes, sir.

1:58

Is SNAP a federal or state program?

2:00

Federal program.

2:01

Okay.

2:02

Thanks.

2:04

So with that, since I asked Kevin to insert that at the last minute, I wanted to give you an overview as to why I did that, and then I'll go ahead and turn it over to Kevin Pelstring.

2:12

Thank you, City Mayor.

2:14

Welcome, team.

2:16

Thank you.

2:17

Thank you, Kurt.

2:18

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members of council.

2:21

We have a, as Kurt mentioned, an update on the 25-26 mid-by review.

2:26

This is the culmination of uh basically entire summer's work.

2:30

Um, but definitely a lot less work than the full budget development.

2:34

Um I have about 30 slides for you on the budget today, and there's another nine or so for the CIP.

2:39

So some of these can go rather quickly, um, but wanted to provide as much updates as possible and happy to answer questions as we go, as always.

2:46

Um so we'll have some updates on uh some fund balances, uh, go through some recommended service packages and some notable adjustments.

2:56

Um so the agenda first thing is as uh city manager mentioned we have uh uh discussion of emergency food rapid response fund.

3:03

Um we'll talk a little bit about the outlook for uh financial outlook for 2526, uh the general fund forecast, the economic weather forecast, because we won't let that metaphor die.

3:14

Uh and go through the recommended 2026 mid-by service packages and a few other notable adjustments um and finally uh brief update on some of the federal impacts, but um those are change those are changing rather quickly, so we'll do our best to stay atop of it.

3:30

Um so first and foremost, uh we are um proposing, and there's a fiscal note that will come back.

3:36

Staff is proposing a fiscal note um to allocate a hundred thousand dollars of uh the general fund balance from uh to the emergency action fund to support local human services providers uh responding to the increased need from uh the temporary shutdown of of SNAP.

3:51

Uh and uh that will be brought forward for council consideration at the regular meeting under the city manager's report.

3:57

Kurt, are you gonna take questions on it now though?

4:01

Okay, so yes, questions now would be great.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning█████████████████████████████29%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████11%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Procedural█████5%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - November 5, 2025

The Kirkland City Council convened at 5:30 p.m. for a study session on the 2025-2026 Mid-Biennial Budget Review and the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Second Update. The regular meeting began at 7:30 p.m., following an executive session on a public employee performance review. The council addressed a wide range of items including budget adjustments, capital planning, critical area ordinance amendments, a transportation safety action plan, zoning code amendments for the Juanita Business District and North Juanita Center, and the Houghton Village development plan. Key actions included approving an emergency declaration and $100,000 fiscal note for food insecurity related to suspended SNAP benefits, and directing the city manager to proceed with negotiating amendments to the planning commission's recommended zoning for the Juanita sites.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from October 7 and October 21, 2025 regular meetings.
  • Acknowledged payroll ($9,239,746.89) and bills ($10,898,592.71).
  • Awarded a construction contract to Fury Site Works, Inc. for the 124th Ave NE Pedestrian Improvements project at $341,752.82.
  • Approved Resolution R-5698, approving Kirkland's 2026 allocation for the NORCOM budget.
  • Accepted the 2024 Parks and Community Services Annual Report, September 2025 Investment Report, Sales Tax Report, and Procurement Report.
  • Motion carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jessica Roe (Goodwill site owner) supported the Planning Commission's recommendation (option two) for JBD4 zoning, asking council not to rush and to avoid option one (development agreement).
  • Allison Warner (Bobo Retail Partners, Goodwill site) also supported the Planning Commission's recommendation, stating a development agreement would add 12 months and set back progress. She requested collaboration to finalize the zoning code.
  • Alex Tsimerman spoke on a trespassing case and alleged judicial misconduct, but was admonished for not speaking to agenda items; he later testified during the public hearing on transportation, criticizing red-light cameras and speed cameras.
  • Jeremy Eckert (land use counsel for Goodwill site) urged council to work with applicants to finalize PC-reviewed zoning code in a week and to reject the city manager's option one (development agreement), calling it unfair after three years of process.
  • Lisa Berenson opposed the height and massing of the proposed developments at Michaels and Goodwill, arguing housing is not affordable and traffic will worsen; she also raised concerns about losing retail and the Indian restaurant.
  • Heidi Schor expressed mixed feelings, supporting moving forward with what has been hammered out but also liking form-based zoning; she asked for ground-floor retail and CIP funds for park acquisition in Juanita.
  • Meredith Everist (architect for the Juanita site) described development potential on the 52,000 sq ft parcel (52% developable due to wetland buffer) yielding about 150 units and some retail.
  • David Haines (virtual) spoke about the need for legislation to assist Seattle with drug epidemic response, suggested an authorized encampment, and raised traffic safety concerns on Goat Hill and Juanita Beach roads.
  • Kristina Mendieta (Kindering) thanked council for investments in early learning and urged continued support for children with disabilities, noting growing needs among immigrant families.
  • Liz Hunt (resident) commended staff on the budget presentation but encouraged prioritizing fundamentals given projected deficits, and questioned if the "vibrant neighborhoods" allocation was a stretch.

Discussion Items

  • 2025-2026 Mid-Biennial Budget Review & CIP Second Update (Study Session): Financial Planning Manager Kevin Pelstring presented the mid-biennial review, noting revenues are reaching budget but not providing large surpluses as in prior years. The general fund forecast shows a $9.5 million deficit for 2027-2028. Proposed adjustments include $100,000 for emergency food response (SNAP suspension), downtown safety cameras ($100,000), heavy rescue trailer ($46,000), wildland brush truck ($243,000), and other service packages. The council expressed concerns about the safety cameras regarding privacy, data retention, and alternatives like drones. The tool library proposal ($100,000 startup) received mixed support and will return with more details. The CIP update added $26.7 million in funded changes, including synthetic turf fields and adjustments for the Kamiakin gym expansion.
  • Veterans and Military Families Month Proclamation: Councilmember Tymczyszyn read the proclamation, accepted by veteran city employees including officers from Police and Fire departments.
  • Public Hearing on Budget and Capital Planning (Items 6a1-3): The council received testimony from Alex Tsimerman (criticized cameras), Kristina Mendieta (supported early learning funding), and Liz Hunt (encouraged focus on fundamentals). No additional public testimony.
  • Public Hearing on Preliminary 2026 Property Tax Levy (Item 6b): Finance Director Michael Olson presented the levy, including the 1% increase (about $437,000) and new construction ($740,000), totaling $45.3 million. No public testimony was given.
  • Briefing on 2025 Critical Area Ordinance Amendments (Item 9a): Environmental Coordinator Anna Heckman and Senior Planner Jennifer Anderer presented the Planning Commission's recommended riparian management zone (RMZ) approach as an alternative to simply expanding stream buffers. Councilmember Black clarified that doing nothing is not an option due to state law and best available science. The RMZ option balances environmental protection with minimizing impacts on private property (1,326 additional properties would be regulated under RMZ vs. 984 under expanded buffers). Council generally supported the RMZ direction.
  • Transportation Safety Action Plan and Speed Limit Setting Policy Review (Item 9b): Transportation Engineering Supervisor Jennifer Palmer presented the final draft plan, which includes a revised speed limit setting policy with a default 20 mph on local streets and a preferred maximum 30 mph on arterial/collector streets (subject to engineering studies). The plan identifies 10 critical corridors and intersection countermeasures. Councilmember Black and Falcone commended the work; Councilmember Tymczyszyn asked about increased signage. No final action was taken; adoption is scheduled for December 9.
  • Briefing on Juanita Business District (JBD) 4 Zoning Code Amendments and North Juanita Center Zoning (Item 9c): Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis presented two options: (1) a base neighborhood center zoning model (max 60 feet, with potential to reach 75 feet via incentives or development agreement) and (2) the Planning Commission's recommended zoning (75 feet, with specific height transitions and townhome allowances). Council discussion was divided: Councilmembers Pascal, Black, Mayor Curtis leaned toward option one for consistency and ensuring outcomes; Councilmembers Tymczyszyn, Falcone, Sweet, and Deputy Mayor Arnold supported option two to honor the extensive process and applicant investment. The majority (5-2) favored option two. Staff will return on November 18 with direction for amendments, with a final vote expected on December 9.
  • Houghton Village Development Plan Update (Item 9d): Deputy Director Allison Zike and Financial Planning Manager Kevin Pelstring presented three financing/ownership options: (1) sell with a development plan (appraised at $18.25M), (2) sell without a plan ($16.5M), or (3) retain and explore future options. The development plan would allow up to 145 residential units and 26,000 sq ft of commercial/community space. Council directed staff to proceed with the development plan and explore options for sale (option one), with the understanding that development partners may still emerge. A public hearing is scheduled for November 18.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Resolution R-5700 proclaiming an emergency related to acute food insecurity (with section 3 of the proclamation removed), and approved a fiscal note authorizing $100,000 from unallocated General Fund balance for food assistance (both 7-0).
  • Directed that the public hearing on Design Review Board code changes be held by the City Council rather than the Planning Commission (7-0).
  • Directed staff to proceed with the Planning Commission's recommended zoning (option two) for the JBD4 and North Juanita Center zones, with amendments to be discussed on November 18 and adopted on December 9.
  • Directed staff to finalize the Houghton Village Development Plan for a November 18 public hearing and to explore sale of the property.
  • No final action was taken on the Transportation Safety Action Plan and Speed Limit Setting Policy (Resolution R-5699); adoption will occur on December 9.
  • Executive sessions were held to review a public employee's performance and to discuss potential acquisition of real property; no action was taken.
  • The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of November 5th, 2025. City Clerk. Councilmember Tim Chisholson. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Sweet? Councilmember Falcon. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. All here. All right. Study sessions. Ooh, study session tonight is on two items. First, we will review the 2025-2026 mid-by-annual budget update. Second, we will discuss the 2025-2030 capital improvement program update. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30. Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Deputy Mayor, members of the council. So before we jump in, I just want to give a huge thank you to the finance administration team, particularly our budget finance leadership. This has been a big process to get to you here throughout the summer and the fall. And also a huge thank you to our departments and everyone associated with creating this. It's a lot of hard work. We're very excited to present it to you tonight. As we all know, the federal government is shut down, and we do have the issue of SNAP not being funded. So we are going to be proposing to you tonight under the business item that the council consider approving a fiscal note for 100,000 to be set aside for emergency food if necessary. So we're going to touch on that person today and bring it back at the end of the day. The reason we want to do that is November is kind of unique. But with sort of what's going on with SNAP, we thought that having some flexibility and ability to respond would be super helpful over the next few weeks. So just wanted to highlight that. Yes, sir. Is SNAP a federal or state program? Federal program. Okay. Thanks. So with that, since I asked Kevin to insert that at the last minute, I wanted to give you an overview as to why I did that, and then I'll go ahead and turn it over to Kevin Pelstring. Thank you, City Mayor. Welcome, team. Thank you. Thank you, Kurt. Good evening, Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members of council. We have a, as Kurt mentioned, an update on the 25-26 mid-by review. This is the culmination of uh basically entire summer's work. Um, but definitely a lot less work than the full budget development. Um I have about 30 slides for you on the budget today, and there's another nine or so for the CIP.

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