OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 3, 2026
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:32:01

Transcript — Verbatim
1:04

I would like to call to order the city council meeting on March 3rd, 2026.

1:09

City Clerk, will you please call a roll?

1:11

Certainly.

1:12

Councilmember Tim Chisholm.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Councilmember Arnold.

1:15

Here.

1:15

Councilmember Prem.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Councilmember Falcone.

1:17

Here.

1:18

Councilmember Pascal.

1:19

Here.

1:19

Deputy Mayor Black.

1:20

Here.

1:20

Mayor Curtis.

1:21

Here.

1:22

All present.

1:22

Thank you.

1:23

Our study session tonight is on two items.

1:25

First, the Kirkland Municipal Court will provide an overview of probation services.

1:30

Second, we will review the status of the 2026-2027 planning work program and consider updates for the 2026-2028 planning work program.

1:42

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

1:46

City Manager.

1:47

Okay.

1:47

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

1:48

Deputy Mayor, members of the council.

1:50

Once again, I have our special guest, the presiding judge from members of the court, John Wilson.

1:55

We also have Callie Owen, our assistant court administrator, and Sarah Olsen, our probation supervisor here at turn over to the judge, but we also have Juliana de Cruz's now in the city manager's office as our management Alice, and so she'll be running the show from the computer.

2:08

So welcome all.

2:09

I'll turn it over to you, Your Honor.

2:11

Thank you again for having us here.

2:13

I brought the A team today.

2:15

I've talked to most of you about our probation department before.

2:18

I'm very, very happy with the things they do, and uh every day I I see the impact that they have.

2:24

So they're very committed.

2:26

Uh Callie has been with the court.

2:28

Uh when'd you start?

2:29

Fifth grade.

2:31

She started as as a court um was a phone operator answering phones.

2:36

She's she's done everything.

2:38

I don't think she's worked anywhere else.

2:39

We won't let her go anywhere else.

2:41

She's now the assistant court administrator working with Aaron.

2:44

Uh she was a probation supervisor prior to that.

2:48

And Sarah, my little sister next to me here, has been with us since about 2010.

2:54

Yeah, yep.

2:55

She's done everything in the court as well.

2:57

From a clerk, uh, she's been in probation as a uh first as a uh probation clerk, probation clerk, and then a probation officer, and then she just stepped into the probation supervisor role.

3:10

Um both of them are very committed to the to what they do, um, and that's good for the people.

3:15

Uh it's gonna it's tough for me sometimes because they they're not afraid to tell me when judge I think you made a bad decision.

3:21

So with that, I'll turn it over to them.

3:28

So thank you.

3:32

Um we wanted to say thank you.

3:34

Umor uh Curtis and Deputy Mayor Black, Council members, City Manager, um, city attorney, deputy city manager.

3:42

We are very excited to be here today and talk to you about what we do in probation services.

3:48

Um tonight we are going to give you an overview of what we do.

3:53

So um, what is probation?

3:55

Specific training for our probation staff.

3:59

Microphone on.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning███████████████15%
Immigration Policy████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Pending Litigation███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Urban Forest Management███████7%
Probation Services██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

This meeting included a study session on probation services and the planning work program, followed by the regular business meeting. The council adopted multiple ordinances, approved funding for tourism events, discussed the urban forest management plan, and directed staff on a resolution regarding federal immigration activity. All votes were 7-0.

Study Session

  • Kirkland Probation Services Overview – Judge John Olson, Assistant Court Administrator Callie Owen, and Probation Supervisor Sarah Olson presented an overview. They highlighted the shift from strict enforcement to a restorative justice approach, offering in‑house programs like the Domestic Violence Moral Reconation Therapy (DVMRT) program (146 graduates since 2018) and an Anger Management MRT program (27 graduates). Councilmembers expressed gratitude and emphasized the empathic, person‑centered model.
  • Planning Work Program (PWP) Status and 2026‑2028 Update – Deputy Director of Planning Allison Zike reviewed completed projects (e.g., critical area ordinance, middle housing implementation, impact fee reform) and presented a draft 2026‑2028 PWP. Council discussed priorities, policy level designations, and potential scheduling changes. While no formal decision was made, consensus emerged to remain with the draft but consider moving items such as missing middle housing optimization earlier, pending further information.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ingrid Salmon – Urged community attention to water quality, particularly litter and cigarette butts that enter Lake Washington and Juanita Creek.
  • Loita Hawkinson – Discussed replaced mail drop‑boxes and noted historical women leaders in Kirkland’s early days.
  • Valentina Mantilla – Spoke as a peer specialist for the Recovery Navigator Program, describing services that connect individuals with behavioral health needs to reduce arrest interaction.
  • Maria Ann Hudson – Alleged that Kirkland police failed to respond to child sex trafficking at Juanita Beach and that evidence was mishandled by Bellevue Police. She requested case reopening.
  • Kyle Sullivan – Expressed concern that housing production outcomes have not kept pace with effort and urged the council to maintain aggressive action on housing.
  • Scott Reusser (Planning Commissioner) – Advocated for prioritising sign code and curb management updates, and suggested using paid consultants for design review to reduce staff burden.
  • Alex Tsimerman – Criticized King County Housing Authority for alleged mismanagement of Section 8 housing and raised concerns about immigration‑related issues.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (7‑0) including:
    • Minutes of February 17, 2026
    • Audit of accounts (payroll $8,891,015.79; bills $8,082,437.70)
    • Claims for damages from Michael D. Ferguson and Jennifer Frances Frazier
    • National Safe Place Week Proclamation (March 15‑21, 2026)
    • Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation
    • Resolution R‑5723 ratifying rescission of emergency proclamation for King County ESI 14 repair
    • O.O. Denny Park Bridge emergency replacement and CIP fiscal note
    • Annual Public Records Performance Report
    • January 2026 Investment and Sales Tax Reports
    • Procurement Report

Discussion Items

  • State of Urban Forest and Urban Forest Management Plan Update – Environmental Program Coordinator Anna Heckman presented the urban forest status and three update options. Council favored Option 2: develop a new plan incorporating best available science and existing comp‑plan data, while accelerating a six‑year work plan. Key metrics: 700 ash trees in public inventory, potential $1M cost to remove/replace if emerald ash borer arrives; 40% canopy cover goal.
  • Tourism Development Committee Recommendations – Special Projects Coordinator Christian Lash proposed $20,000 in lodging tax funds for activating key destination events: Junior League Softball World Series welcome rally, Umbrella Fringe Festival, and FIFA World Cup business workshops. Despite a lodging tax rate reduction from 1% to 0.8% (estimated $50,000 less in 2026), fund reserves remain healthy. Motion carried 7‑0.
  • Vacation and Management Leave for Non‑Represented Staff – Labor Relations Manager Lauren Knox presented two ordinances: O‑4927 gives the city manager discretion to include prior governmental/non‑profit experience for vacation accrual; O‑4928 updates management leave rates. Both passed 7‑0.
  • Judge Pro Tem Compensation Update – City Attorney Darcey Eilers presented Ordinance O‑4929 raising the hourly rate from $70 to $75 (with a 3‑hour minimum) and authorising cost‑of‑living adjustments. Passed 7‑0.
  • 2026 Legislative Session Update No. 4 – Interim Government Affairs Manager Andreana Campbell reported on bills: ESHB 1604 (body searches) passed Senate and will go to the governor; ESHB 2266 (STEP housing) amended; progress on 6026, 6027, and other bills. Council expressed cautious optimism on 6026.

Key Outcomes

  • Immigration Response LRM – After debate, council voted 7‑0 to adopt Option 2: develop a council resolution affirming local authority to protect constitutional rights and providing policy direction to staff, while the city manager continues internal preparedness work.
  • King County Transportation Benefit District – Council adopted a policy position (7‑0) that any new revenue model must include a direct local share, and empowered councilmembers to advocate at regional meetings.
  • Middle Housing Study – Council did not direct moving the item up from 2028 but agreed to receive additional staff options on targeted improvements before making a final decision.
  • Adjournment – Regular meeting adjourned at 10:19 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the city council meeting on March 3rd, 2026. City Clerk, will you please call a roll? Certainly. Councilmember Tim Chisholm. Here. Councilmember Arnold. Here. Councilmember Prem. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Black. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. All present. Thank you. Our study session tonight is on two items. First, the Kirkland Municipal Court will provide an overview of probation services. Second, we will review the status of the 2026-2027 planning work program and consider updates for the 2026-2028 planning work program. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7:30. City Manager. Okay. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Deputy Mayor, members of the council. Once again, I have our special guest, the presiding judge from members of the court, John Wilson. We also have Callie Owen, our assistant court administrator, and Sarah Olsen, our probation supervisor here at turn over to the judge, but we also have Juliana de Cruz's now in the city manager's office as our management Alice, and so she'll be running the show from the computer. So welcome all. I'll turn it over to you, Your Honor. Thank you again for having us here. I brought the A team today. I've talked to most of you about our probation department before. I'm very, very happy with the things they do, and uh every day I I see the impact that they have. So they're very committed. Uh Callie has been with the court. Uh when'd you start? Fifth grade. She started as as a court um was a phone operator answering phones. She's she's done everything. I don't think she's worked anywhere else. We won't let her go anywhere else. She's now the assistant court administrator working with Aaron. Uh she was a probation supervisor prior to that. And Sarah, my little sister next to me here, has been with us since about 2010. Yeah, yep. She's done everything in the court as well. From a clerk, uh, she's been in probation as a uh first as a uh probation clerk, probation clerk, and then a probation officer, and then she just stepped into the probation supervisor role. Um both of them are very committed to the to what they do, um, and that's good for the people.

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