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Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting Summary - April 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:48:12

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:26

Start over.

0:27

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of April 7th, 2026.

0:32

Before asking the clerk to call the roll for tonight's regular meeting, I'd like to note that Councilmember Pascal is absent from our study session and will be joining our regular meeting.

0:41

Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Pascal from the study session?

0:45

So moved.

0:47

Second.

0:48

The move by Council Mayor Black, second by Count Deputy Mayor Black.

0:52

Second, Count Woo.

0:55

It's not a good start.

0:57

Second by Councilmember Arnold.

0:59

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:00

Aye.

1:01

Aye.

1:01

Any opposed?

1:03

Motion carries five zero.

1:05

I also would like to note that Councilmember Tim Chisholm is absent tonight.

1:09

Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Tim Chisholm?

1:12

So moved.

1:13

Second.

1:13

It's been moved by Deputy Mayor Black.

1:15

Second by Councilmember Falcone to excuse Councilmember Tim Chisholm from tonight's city council meeting.

1:21

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:22

Aye.

1:23

Aye.

1:23

Any opposed?

1:25

Motion carries five zero.

1:27

Now, clerk, will you please roll call for the city council and the human services commission?

1:33

As we will be participating in a joint meeting with them during our study session.

1:37

Of course.

1:38

I will start with the council.

1:39

Councilmember Arnold.

1:41

Here.

1:41

Councilmember Prem.

1:42

Here.

1:43

Councilmember Falcone.

1:44

Here.

1:45

Deputy Mayor Black.

1:46

Here.

1:46

Mayor Curtis.

1:47

Here.

1:48

All right.

1:50

City Manager, I believe I didn't know.

1:52

Well, I'm going to call the roll so the Human Services Commission.

1:55

One second.

1:57

Commissioner Hamilton.

2:00

Commissioner Hamilton.

2:03

Okay.

2:04

Commissioner Chu.

2:05

Present.

2:06

Commissioner Rahimani.

2:07

Present.

2:08

Commissioner Quinn.

2:09

Commissioner Dodd.

2:11

Vice Chair Liu.

2:12

Here.

2:13

And Chair Raja Gopalin.

2:16

Thank you, City Manager.

2:18

Okay.

2:18

Thank you, Member.

2:19

So as you heard, we're delighted today to have the Human Services Commission members here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement██████████████████18%
Planning And Zoning██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting Summary - April 7, 2026

On April 7, 2026, the Kirkland City Council held a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The study session included a joint meeting with the Human Services Commission and a review of Upper Highlands water pressure findings. The regular meeting featured proclamations, public comment, consent calendar approvals, and several policy decisions.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the March 17, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Acknowledged audit of accounts: payroll $8,871,712.61 and bills $9,432,145.70, along with various checks and wires.
  • Acknowledged claims from LeAndra Baker-Lewis and Florencio Ramirez.
  • Awarded a construction contract for 7th Avenue Crosswalk & State Street Improvements to C. Denney Construction of Carbonado, WA for $124,902.00.
  • Preauthorized award of the pump station construction contract for the Upper Highlands Temporary Regional Booster Pump Station (TRBPS), with the award allowed if the bid does not exceed the higher engineering estimate of $450,000 by more than 10%.
  • Acknowledged the National Arab American Heritage Month Proclamation.
  • Adopted Ordinance O-4931 (youth member eligibility for advisory boards), Ordinance O-4932 (residency definition for advisory bodies), and Ordinance O-4934 (Civil Service Commission amendments).
  • Approved Resolution R-5725 (relinquishing public right-of-way).
  • Approved the 2026 Boards and Commission Recruitment Interview Selection Committee reappointment recommendations.
  • Acknowledged the February 2026 Investment Report, February 2026 Sales Tax Report, and Procurement Report.
  • Ordinance O-4933 (Salary Commission) was pulled from the consent calendar for separate action.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mariana Martinez, Executive Director of Centro Cultural Mexicano, highlighted the organization's services for the Latino community across three counties and expressed a desire for future partnerships with Kirkland.
  • Murray McKinney, a Highlands resident for over 50 years, commented on the water pressure peer review, criticized the city's handling of the issue, recommended recognizing Scott Stoneman, and raised concerns about street striping on 112th Avenue NE.
  • Alex Tsimerman made allegations against King County Housing Authority officials and demanded impeachment, using inflammatory language.
  • Joe Kunzler (virtual) praised the autism proclamation, urged the council to adopt rules similar to Redmond's to manage disruptive public commenters, and criticized Alex Tsimerman's behavior.
  • Liz Hunt discussed the Neighborhood Plan Amendment Request (NPAR) process, praising the collaborative nature of the current process and raising questions about the proposed new approach.

Discussion Items

  • Human Services Commission Joint Meeting: The Council and Human Services Commission reviewed the commission's 2025-2026 work plan, community needs, and the upcoming 2027-2028 grant cycle. Commissioners shared priorities (basic needs, housing, critical services) and discussed funding structure options. They requested feedback on the ongoing base budget and a faster rapid-response funding process. Councilmembers expressed support for the commission's priorities and encouraged continued regional collaboration.
  • Upper Highlands Water Pressure Independent Peer Review: Consor Engineers presented the peer review, which validated the city's technical analysis and recommended moving forward with Alternative 1 (reduced 510 zone) while addressing potential residential fire sprinkler risks. City staff updated on outreach to ~70 affected properties and planned bucket testing.
  • Draft 2027-2032 CIP Policy Principles: The Council adopted Resolution R-5726 setting prioritization principles for the Capital Improvement Program, with amendments adding investments in 85th Street Station Area infrastructure, the Transportation Safety Action Plan, and grant-seeking/local match language.
  • Hazard Mitigation Annex: The Council adopted Resolution R-5727, adopting the City of Kirkland Hazard Mitigation Annex to the King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
  • Perrin Property Acquisition: The Council authorized Resolution R-5728 to acquire the Perrin property for $6 million for the Public Works Maintenance Center expansion, funded by REET 1, REET 2, and General Fund cash.
  • Parking Ordinance O-4935: The Council adopted Ordinance O-4935 implementing minimum parking requirements per state law (SB 5184). An amendment by Councilmember Pascal to exempt all uses from parking minimums in the NE 85th Street Station Area was approved 5-1; the ordinance as amended passed 6-0.
  • Draft Resolution R-5729 (Immigration Enforcement): The Council discussed draft resolution R-5729 on responding to federal civil immigration enforcement. Feedback included adding nonprofits to outreach, protecting election drop boxes, considering parks, and conducting targeted community engagement. No action was taken; the resolution will return.
  • Neighborhood Plan Amendment Request (NPAR) Process: Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis briefed the Council on the proposed NPAR process. Councilmembers discussed a pilot approach, timing, and integration with the planning work program. They agreed to consider start year in upcoming work program discussions.
  • Salary Commission Ordinance O-4933: The Council amended and adopted Ordinance O-4933, correcting an error by deleting the word "other" so the commission meets at least every even-numbered year.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent calendar as modified (6-0), with O-4933 pulled.
  • Adopted Resolution R-5726 as amended (6-0).
  • Adopted Resolution R-5727 (6-0).
  • Adopted Resolution R-5728 (6-0).
  • Adopted Ordinance O-4935 as amended (6-0; amendment passed 5-1).
  • Discussed Resolution R-5729; referred back to staff for revisions and future action.
  • Directed staff on NPAR process: develop a pilot, with start year to be determined during planning work program discussion.
  • Adopted Ordinance O-4933 as amended (6-0).
  • Authorized the Mayor to send the Sound Transit letter and advocate consistent with it (6-0).
  • Approved a legislative request memo for a competitiveness study (6-0).
  • Held an executive session on property acquisition; meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Start over. I would like to call to order the city council meeting of April 7th, 2026. Before asking the clerk to call the roll for tonight's regular meeting, I'd like to note that Councilmember Pascal is absent from our study session and will be joining our regular meeting. Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Pascal from the study session? So moved. Second. The move by Council Mayor Black, second by Count Deputy Mayor Black. Second, Count Woo. It's not a good start. Second by Councilmember Arnold. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries five zero. I also would like to note that Councilmember Tim Chisholm is absent tonight. Is there a motion to excuse Councilmember Tim Chisholm? So moved. Second. It's been moved by Deputy Mayor Black. Second by Councilmember Falcone to excuse Councilmember Tim Chisholm from tonight's city council meeting. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries five zero. Now, clerk, will you please roll call for the city council and the human services commission? As we will be participating in a joint meeting with them during our study session. Of course. I will start with the council. Councilmember Arnold. Here. Councilmember Prem. Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Deputy Mayor Black. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. All right. City Manager, I believe I didn't know. Well, I'm going to call the roll so the Human Services Commission. One second. Commissioner Hamilton. Commissioner Hamilton. Okay. Commissioner Chu. Present. Commissioner Rahimani.

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