Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Kirkland City Council met on April 21, 2026, for a study session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The council addressed a wide range of topics including prosecution services, a potential church property acquisition, zoning code amendments for the NE 85th Street Station Area, the 2026-2028 Planning Work Program, updates to council policies, a resolution on immigration enforcement, and a downtown valet parking pilot. Several votes were taken, with key items postponed or approved with amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0) with the following items: approval of April 7, 2026 regular meeting minutes; audit of accounts (including payroll of $7,826,386.13 and bills of $4,597,134.28); acknowledgment of claims from Maria Mikulak, George J. Papanastasiou, Pickles Playland, Mark Raya, and Vafa Voss Fouroohi; award of construction contracts for the Upper Highlands Temporary Regional Booster Pump Station to Kar-Vel Construction ($536,212.80) and the SCADA Replacement Project to Service Electric Co., Inc. ($1,400,136.96); Resolution R-5730 authorizing a contract with Bridle Trails Apartments LLC regarding a multifamily housing property tax exemption; and acceptance of the 2026 First Quarter CIP Report, 2025 Lake Washington School District Impact Fee Annual Report, February 2026 Financial Dashboard Report, and Procurement Report.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stanley Ho (Kirkland resident) asked three questions about prosecution standards for filing a motion for order to show cause, referencing a specific case.
• Omeed Rameshni (new citizen) praised the council's questioning during the prosecution services study session and asked for clarification on how immigration status is considered in charging decisions.
• Maria Hudson alleged that Kirkland Police failed to properly investigate child sex trafficking and engaged in racial bias, demanding a criminal investigation of the department.
• Kim Faust (Co-president, Main Street Property Group) expressed support for the NE 85th Street Station Area zoning ordinance as proposed by staff and Planning Commission, noting flexibility is key.
• Joe Kunzler (virtual) urged the council to adopt a rule limiting public comment to matters relating to City of Kirkland government, citing models from Bellevue and Redmond.
• David Haines (virtual) thanked the city for addressing an unsafe path near Juanita baseball field and requested debris filtering and sand restoration at the volleyball court.

Discussion Items

Study Session: Overview of Prosecution Services

• City Attorney Darcey Eilers and attorneys from Moberly & Roberts (Lynn Moberly, Blakeley Warbinton, Anjali Tiperneni, Garrett Rutherford) presented Kirkland's contracted prosecution services, covering case timelines, charging decisions, pre-trial negotiations, community court, and trends. The contract with Moberly & Roberts runs through September 2026 with one extension option. Caseloads increased: criminal/traffic up 126% (2023-2025), non-traffic up 40%, traffic infractions up 47%, domestic violence up 17.8%, DUIs up 20%. In 2025, 1,480 cases were filed with 8 jury trials; in 2024, 1,256 cases with 10 jury trials. Approximately 90-95% of cases resolve without jury trial. The council asked about charging decision timelines (target 30 days for DV and DUI) and flat fee contract structure.

Study Session: Potential Church Property Acquisition

• Parks Director Lynn Zwaagstra, Recreation Manager Sara Shellenbarger, and Financial Planning Manager Kevin Pelstring presented the potential acquisition of the LDS Church property at 13220 NE 132nd Street, listed at $7.3 million (3.28 acres, 15,000 sq ft building, 211 parking stalls). The property is in a high-priority underserved area identified in the 2022 PROS Plan. Staff outlined financial options including reprioritizing projects (e.g., Rose Hill acquisition, Peter Kirk Pool repairs, Kamayakin Gym partnership, transportation projects). The council expressed interest and directed staff to proceed.

NE 85th Street Station Area Zoning Code Amendments (Ordinance O-4936)

• Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis presented the Planning Commission's recommended amendments to catalyze development: updates to development agreement language, prohibition of townhomes in most station area zones (with exception for the Rose Hill Town Home project if permits submitted within 9 months), and extension of affordable housing pioneer provisions to end of 2029 (with 624-unit cutoff). Councilmember Jon Pascal moved to strike sections 2-4 (removing the townhome prohibition), seconded by Councilmember Amy Falcone. After debate, Councilmember John Tymczyszyn moved to postpone the ordinance to the May 5, 2026 meeting to allow written amendments. The postponement passed 4-3 (Falcone, Pascal, Prem, Tymczyszyn in favor; Curtis, Black, Arnold opposed).

2026-2028 Planning Work Program (Resolution R-5732)

• Deputy Planning Director Allison Zike presented the Planning Commission's recommended work program, incorporating council feedback from March 2026. Key tasks include: middle housing optimization (2026), citywide affordable housing evaluation (2026-2027, high policy level), implementation of SB 6026, and other projects. Councilmember John Tymczyszyn successfully moved an amendment to add a footnote clarifying that task descriptions provide options and do not reflect final scope decisions; the work program must receive Council approval before initiating high- or medium-policy tasks. The amended resolution passed 7-0.

2026 Updates to Council Policies and Procedures

• City Attorney Darcey Eilers and City Clerk Anastasiya Warhol presented updates. Council selected Option 2 (“Fano Plane Model A – Diversified”) for selecting the Interview Selection Committee (ISC) (motion carried 7-0). Discussion included language to address potential audience disruptions (modeled on Bellevue's approach, allowing exclusion up to 180 days with council override and appeal process). Council provided feedback; a formal resolution will be presented in May. Councilmember Jon Pascal raised concerns about moving to two evening interview sessions (from one) and asked the ISC to explore streamlining. The clerk suggested the ISC could adjust allocation.

Resolution R-5729: Safe and Legal Responses to Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement

• Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez presented the revised resolution, which includes: expedited internal policy review, education/outreach to nonprofits and institutions, evaluation of parks/open space policies, and protection of ballot drop boxes. Staff conducted targeted outreach to community groups (East Side for All, Chinese Information and Service Center, etc.) with no major changes requested. The council adopted the resolution 7-0.

City Manager Reports: Downtown Valet Parking Pilot (LRM031726)

• Economic Development Manager Jen Davis Hayes presented four options: (1) city-managed valet program, (2) city-funded partnership with a downtown organization, (3) provision of city public space (on-street and Wester Lot spaces) for a valet operator, and (4) enhanced marketing of current downtown parking programs. Councilmember John Tymczyszyn moved to approve Option 3 (passed 6-1, Deputy Mayor Neal Black dissenting). Deputy Mayor Black then moved to approve Option 4 (passed 7-0).

City Manager Reports: Local Minimum Wage LRM

• Councilmember Amy Falcone introduced an LRM requesting staff to bring back options for establishing a Kirkland minimum wage beyond the state minimum, including a review of other King County jurisdictions and community/business outreach strategies. The LRM passed 6-1 (Councilmember Jon Pascal dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Church Property Acquisition: Resolution R-5731 authorized the City Manager to submit a letter of intent to purchase the LDS Church property at 13220 NE 132nd Street for $7.3 million (7-0). Council also directed submission of a second letter outlining the city's preferred purchaser status (7-0).
• NE 85th Street Station Area Zoning: Ordinance O-4936 postponed to the May 5, 2026 regular meeting (4-3). The amendment to strike the townhome prohibition was not voted on.
• 2026-2028 Planning Work Program: Resolution R-5732 adopted as amended with the footnote clarifying scope descriptions (7-0).
• Council Policies: Option 2 for ISC selection adopted (7-0); audience disruption language will return as a resolution in May.
• Immigration Enforcement: Resolution R-5729 adopted (7-0), directing staff to implement policy review, outreach, and legislative actions.
• Downtown Valet: Option 3 (use of city public space) approved (6-1); Option 4 (enhanced marketing) approved (7-0).
• Local Minimum Wage: LRM approved (6-1), staff to return with options.
• Council Coin: Motion to award Council Coin to Representative Larry Springer passed (7-0); resolution to be prepared for next meeting.
• Other Reports: Councilmembers provided updates on regional committees (ETP, King County Regional Transit Committee, etc.) and upcoming events: final segment opening of Cross Kirkland Corridor on April 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.; Juanita High School Culture Night on May 1, 2026.