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Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026: Marina Park, Eminent Domain, School Zone Signing, and Legislative Updates

City Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:22:32

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:15

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of March 17th, 2026.

0:20

Happy St.

0:21

Patrick's Day, everyone.

0:22

City Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:25

Yes, Councilmember Tim Chizon.

0:27

Here.

0:28

Councilmember Arnold.

0:29

Here.

0:29

Councilmember Prem.

0:30

Here.

0:30

Councilmember Falcone.

0:31

Here.

0:32

Councilmember Pascal.

0:33

Here.

0:33

Deputy Mayor Black.

0:34

Here.

0:35

Mayor Curtis.

0:36

Here.

0:36

All present.

0:37

Thank you.

0:37

Our study session tonight is on two items.

0:40

First, a project update on the marina park dock and shoreline renovation project update.

0:45

And a proposed marina park parking lot improvement project.

0:49

Second, we will have a first briefing on the 2027 comprehensive water system update.

0:57

There's going to be an acronym for that eventually, isn't there?

1:00

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30.

1:02

City manager.

1:04

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

1:05

So I will say a better term would have been potential parking lot project.

1:09

We're not necessarily proposing something.

1:10

We want to have a discussion with the council about whether the council wants to see a project move forward into the CIP.

1:17

But we're going to start with an update on the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline project.

1:21

We have an August panel here to walk you through all your topics of the study session, but uh to take this one off is Brian Baker, our CIP supervisor.

1:29

Thank you, City Manager.

1:31

Thank you, City Council.

1:34

Let's see.

1:38

There we go.

1:40

So tonight we have about 26 slides.

1:42

We're going to walk you through.

1:43

I'll be discussing the park improvement project.

1:47

I'll also be talking you through the construction work zones and staging area.

1:52

Rica will be talking about the public impacts and outreach, and then Rob will be discussing the introduction to the parking lot project.

2:03

There we go.

2:04

Talking about the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline Project.

2:08

So funding and timeline.

2:10

The project has 6.3 million dollars.

2:13

It includes $825,000 in contingency to address possible contaminated soils and construction impacts that will be occurring on the site.

2:28

The timeline of the project is we're expecting to start shortly after the July 4th, 2027 celebration.

2:36

And the reason for that is the in-water work that has to be happening for the shoreline and some of the pile driving is only allowed to occur between July 16th and March 15th of any given year.

2:50

And we're expecting to be complete by spring of 2028.

2:57

So let's talk a little bit about kind of the improvements we'll be getting on the south of the project.

3:02

It's essentially in two different areas.

3:05

There's an upland portion and also a rear portion.

3:09

So for the upland portion, there is two ADA compliant parking stalls we're going to be renovating as well as uh ADA compliant pathways to the pier and the beach.

3:19

We'll be doing some new picnic table seating and some stabilized sheet pile shoreline with the concrete cap, then some areas that are being undermined currently, and also some mitigation planting.

3:32

This picture that I have right here is kind of showing a little bit of the challenges with the ADA access due to differential settlement of the concrete paving that we're looking to improve.

3:45

Jumping over to the pier, we have 12 replacement piles.

3:49

We'll also be doing some additional structural joists to support the decking and also some steel cross bracing.

3:57

We'll also be improving the fascia boards and replacing an aged electrical system.

4:04

So in this left picture here, this is what the pier looks like currently a few days ago.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety████████████████████20%
Procedural███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Water And Wastewater Management██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Planning And Zoning████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Kirkland City Council met on March 17, 2026, in a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The agenda included updates on the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline Renovation Project and a proposed parking lot improvement, the 2027 Comprehensive Water System Plan, proclamations, a public hearing on eminent domain for the Overlake Oil property, a WSDOT update on the I-405/NE 85th Street project, Sound Transit 3 delivery updates, a consent calendar, and multiple business items. The council voted on several resolutions and fiscal notes, and provided direction on various projects.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (7-0) by roll call vote. Items included approval of minutes (February 27, 2026 special and March 3, 2026 regular meetings), audit of accounts (payroll $7,281,941.09 and bills $6,516,376.03), claims for damages (Peter Horne and Lindsey Larsen), preauthorization of a bid for Check Valve Stations for the Upper Highlands Temporary Regional Booster Pump Station (not to exceed $475,000 plus 10%), and acknowledgment of fourth quarter 2025 reports: police dashboards, animal services, automated safety camera program, financial management, January 2026 financial dashboard, and procurement report.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ingrid Salmon (Winnifred-Finn Hill neighborhood) requested the city consider signage at unmarked intersections to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way to cross at any intersection, citing state law.
  • Wolfe Adriatico (non-Kirkland resident) emphasized the importance of safe third spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, noting the closure of the Redmond Firehouse Teen Center and its impact.
  • Alex Tsimerman voiced frustrations with the King County Housing Authority, alleging discrimination and lack of response to his complaints regarding Section 8 housing and a trespass order.
  • Murray McKinney (Highlands resident since 1976) requested an update on the temporary booster pump station for water pressure issues, asking if the mid-June deadline would be met. He also inquired about documentation for a water mitigation rebate program.
  • Erin Hamilton (transgender athlete and advocate) reiterated the need for safe spaces for transgender youth, expressed excitement for Kirkland Pride, and commended the city's efforts in supporting marginalized communities.
  • Liz Hunt (Kirkland resident) critiqued the proposed algorithm for selecting the Interview Selection Committee (ISC) for boards and commissions, noting its complexity and potential imbalance. She suggested a simpler process based on tenure and time since last service.
  • During the public hearing on the Overlake Oil eminent domain (Item 6A), no testimony was provided.

Discussion Items

  • Study Session: Marina Park Dock and Shoreline Renovation Project Update and Proposed Parking Lot Improvement – Capital Projects Supervisor Brian Baker, Parks Events Manager Maryke Burgess, Capital Division Manager Rob English, and others presented. The council discussed two construction staging options for the beach area: Option A (full closure) and Option B (partial closure keeping beach open). Most council members expressed support for Option B to minimize impacts on summer use and downtown businesses. Councilmember Pascal suggested contractual incentives for early completion. On the parking lot improvements, three options were presented: Option 1 (overlay with spot repairs, $2M), Option 2 (modernization, $6.2M), and Option 3 (comprehensive redesign, cost TBD). Council feedback leaned toward Option 1 in the near term for safety and mobility fixes, with interest in pursuing a longer-term Option 3 as part of a future unfunded CIP after robust community engagement.
  • Study Session: 2027 Comprehensive Water System Plan Update – Briefing No. 1 – Utility Operations Manager Tom Chriest presented the first briefing. Council members asked about integration with the sustainability plan, coordination with North Shore Utility District and Woodinville Water District, water conservation, climate and emergency resiliency, impacts of growth on lower density neighborhoods, and ensuring downstream impacts are vetted. The council was supportive of the proposed schedule for updates.
  • Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation – Councilmember Falcone read the proclamation. Erin Hamilton accepted and spoke about the challenges facing the transgender community and the importance of visibility and education.
  • César Chávez Day Proclamation – Removed from the agenda without objection due to recent allegations against César Chávez and the United Farm Workers' decision not to participate this year.
  • Public Hearing on Eminent Domain for Overlake Oil Property – Facilities Services Manager Lee Ann Skipton and City Attorney Eilers presented. The public hearing was opened and closed with no testimony. The council later approved Ordinance O-4930 authorizing condemnation.
  • Special Presentation: WSDOT I-405/NE 85th Street Project and ST3 Update – WSDOT Project Engineer Steve Beadle gave a detailed progress report, noting major milestones such as traffic shifts to the lowered 85th Street configuration in April-May 2025. Deputy Public Works Director Sarah Olson provided an update on Sound Transit 3, including a $5B funding gap and the Enterprise Initiative. Councilmember Arnold requested staff to explore rescoping the Cross Kirkland Corridor HCT study to focus on a Redmond-to-Totem Lake connection.
  • Emerson Campus Master Plan Amendment – Senior Planner Tony Leavitt presented the Hearing Examiner's recommendation for approval. The council suspended rules to vote that night and approved Resolution R-5724 (7-0) to issue a Process IIB permit for a new education building, increasing enrollment from 268 to 435 students.
  • Kraken Iceplex and Community Center 2026 Professional Services Expenses – Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez requested $733,389 for project management, permit review, legal, design, and construction inspection services. Approved 7-0.
  • 2026 Boards and Commissions Recruitment – Selection of ISC Members – City Clerk Anastasiya Warhol conducted a drawing by lot. Deputy Mayor Black, Councilmember Falcone, and Councilmember Prem were selected. The council also approved the boards and commissions application form as amended (striking

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of March 17th, 2026. Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone. City Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, Councilmember Tim Chizon. 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, a project update on the marina park dock and shoreline renovation project update. And a proposed marina park parking lot improvement project. Second, we will have a first briefing on the 2027 comprehensive water system update. There's going to be an acronym for that eventually, isn't there? We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30. City manager. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So I will say a better term would have been potential parking lot project. We're not necessarily proposing something. We want to have a discussion with the council about whether the council wants to see a project move forward into the CIP. But we're going to start with an update on the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline project. We have an August panel here to walk you through all your topics of the study session, but uh to take this one off is Brian Baker, our CIP supervisor. Thank you, City Manager. Thank you, City Council. Let's see. There we go. So tonight we have about 26 slides. We're going to walk you through. I'll be discussing the park improvement project. I'll also be talking you through the construction work zones and staging area. Rica will be talking about the public impacts and outreach, and then Rob will be discussing the introduction to the parking lot project. There we go. Talking about the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline Project. So funding and timeline. The project has 6.3 million dollars. It includes $825,000 in contingency to address possible contaminated soils and construction impacts that will be occurring on the site. The timeline of the project is we're expecting to start shortly after the July 4th, 2027 celebration. And the reason for that is the in-water work that has to be happening for the shoreline and some of the pile driving is only allowed to occur between July 16th and March 15th of any given year. And we're expecting to be complete by spring of 2028.

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