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Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Meeting: June 16, 2026 – Housing, Budget, and Pool Updates

City Council — Tuesday, June 16, 2026
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:34:45

Original source
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0:05

Mayor Curtis, would you confirm your microphones on?

0:09

I'd like to call to order this council meeting June 16, 2026.

0:14

Before I ask the clerk to call the roll for tonight's meeting.

0:18

I know that Councilmember Pascal will be absent from our meeting tonight to celebrate his son's high school graduation.

0:25

So congratulations, Grady.

0:27

Is there a motion to excuse Council Mayor Pascal for the case?

0:29

So moved.

0:30

Second.

0:31

All right.

0:31

It's been moved by Council Mayor Fell Cohn.

0:33

Second by Deputy Mayor Black.

0:36

On the question, excuse Council Mayor Pascal.

0:39

All those in favor, please say aye.

0:40

Aye.

0:40

Aye.

0:41

Any opposed?

0:42

Motion carries six zero.

0:44

City clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:47

Yes, Councilmember Tim Chisholm.

0:49

Here.

0:50

Councilmember Arnold.

0:51

Here.

0:51

Councilmember Prem.

0:52

Here.

0:52

Councilman Rafael Cohn.

0:54

Here.

0:54

Deputy Mayor Black.

0:55

Here.

0:56

Mayor Curtis.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Our study session tonight is on two items.

1:00

First, we will have a follow-up briefing from the Cascade Water Alliance on preliminary rates and Cascade Supply Plan.

1:07

Second, the Council will consider alternative delivery for the Peter Kirk Pool project.

1:12

We expect to reconvene our meeting at 7:30.

1:15

City Manager.

1:16

All right.

1:16

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

1:17

Deputy Mayor, members of the council.

1:18

So we're excited we have a special guest.

1:21

Uh very first official visit from the new chief executive officer of the Cascade Water Alliance, John Taylor is here.

1:26

So welcome, John.

1:28

And then also Andy Baker, who's the economist for Cascad Water Alliance.

1:31

They're gonna give you an overview of our projected rates and uh follow up on the discussion you had at the last council meeting.

1:36

Uh Grant Raup, our senior financial analyst is also here to give us some insight as to what it might mean for Kirkland ratepayers.

1:42

So uh with that, I will go ahead and kick it off to Mr.

1:45

Taylor.

1:48

Got it.

1:49

Uh good evening, council.

1:50

Uh thanks for having me here.

1:52

Thanks, Kurt, for the kind introduction.

1:53

You are my official first city council briefing, so in this role, not in my career.

1:59

I wish I could say that, but that is not the case.

2:02

Um so thanks for having us.

2:04

Uh so John Taylor, new CEO.

2:07

Uh, this is week three for me.

2:08

I started on May 29th.

2:10

Um, just kind of getting my arms wrapped around the organization.

2:14

And I think saying that, that probably means that Andy's gonna be doing the lion's share of the actual meaningful talking, but I will try to chime in um where I can to be helpful.

2:24

Um, you know, we're here to do a couple of things tonight, but I think the big message that I want to deliver to all of you is uh, and Kurt and I had this conversation the other day.

2:36

Uh Cascade, and I particularly am very committed to transparency.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████20%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████16%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Homelessness████████8%
Public Engagement████4%
Zoning Regulations████4%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Kirkland City Council met on June 16, 2026, beginning with a study session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., adjourning at 10:51 p.m. Councilmember Jon Pascal was excused (6-0 vote). The meeting covered a range of topics including a Cascade Water Alliance rate briefing, consideration of alternative delivery for the Peter Kirk Pool project, proclamations, a public hearing on affordable housing zoning, consent calendar approvals, and several business items. Key outcomes included a tied vote on affordable housing fee thresholds, approval of state-required lot splitting and fire sprinkler code amendments, adoption of the mid-year budget adjustment, and direction to apply for progressive design build for the pool project.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of prior meetings (May 29, June 1, June 2, 2026), audit of accounts (payroll $7,610,838.79 and bills $3,562,875.45), claims for damages from John Monahan and Marge Rung, and various reports (April 2026 Financial Dashboard, 2026 First Quarter Animal Services, Police Dashboard, Automated Safety Camera Program update, Human Services Commission member resignation acknowledgment, and Procurement Report). Deputy Mayor Black highlighted the 2026 First Quarter Police Dashboard Report showing reductions in crime: sex offenses down 50%, robbery down 20%, burglary down 63%, theft from motor vehicles down 62%, and theft of motor vehicle parts down 78% compared to the past four-year average. Motion carried 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Items from the Audience (before public hearing): Karina O’Malley (safe parking program at Lake Washington United Methodist Church) reported serving over 400 people in the past year and requested council support for parking lot repaving. Alex Tsimerman spoke on unrelated matters, was non-compliant with decorum rules, and was asked to leave.
  • Public Hearing – Affordable Housing Zoning Amendments (Item 6a): Three speakers addressed the council. Veronica Shakotko (Master Builders Association) supported increasing the fee-in-lieu exemption threshold from 2,000 to 2,500 square feet, arguing it reflects the housing market and encourages smaller family-sized units. Alex Tsimerman was recognized but did not address the topic and was excused. Troy Schmeil (local builder) supported the 2,500 square foot threshold, citing market challenges and the need for flexible product types to meet demand.

Discussion Items

  • Study Session – Cascade Water Alliance (CWA) Preliminary Rates and Cascade Supply Plan (CSP): CWA CEO John Taylor and economist Andy Baker presented projected rate increases of 9.5% per year for 2027 and 2028. Kirkland’s increases are lower due to lower peak-season demand growth (5.3% in 2027, 8.2% in 2028). Senior Financial Analyst Grant Raupp noted that by 2035, typical monthly water bills could rise from $57 to $93, with CWA costs driving about 60% of the increase. The council discussed bond funding, governance, and the need for long-term rate mitigation strategies.
  • Study Session – Alternative Delivery for Peter Kirk Pool Project: Public Works Director Julie Underwood and team proposed using progressive design build (PDB) to manage risk and schedule. The project has a tight construction window and complex existing conditions. Lake Washington School District representatives shared their positive PDB experience. Council asked about costs, contractor qualifications, and market interest. The goal was to seek council support to apply to the state Project Review Committee (PRC).
  • Business Item a – Affordable Housing Zoning Amendments (Ordinance O-4937): Planning Director Adam Weinstein presented a proposal to increase the fee-in-lieu exemption threshold from 2,000 to 2,500 square feet for low-density zones. Staff recommended retaining the 2,000 sq ft threshold. Council debated the balance between incentivizing middle housing and generating revenue for affordable housing. The motion to adopt O-4937 (raising threshold) failed 3-3 (Falcone, Prem, Tymczyszyn yes; Curtis, Black, Arnold no). Per council policy, the matter is tabled until the next meeting when all seven members are present.
  • Business Item b – Health Through Housing – Sheila Stanton Place Update: Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez, along with partners from Plymouth Housing and King County, provided an update. The site opened in January 2026, now houses 40 residents. Community engagement included monthly meetings with neighbors. Facilities have experienced a plumbing leak affecting 15 units, causing a pause in leasing. Referrals are prioritized for local homeless service organizations. The council praised the partnership and outreach efforts.
  • Business Item c – Residential Lot Splitting (Ordinance O-4938): Senior Planner Stacy MacGregor presented state-required code amendments to enable administrative lot splitting. Council adopted an amendment (6-0) to clarify the decision timeframe. The amended ordinance passed 6-0.
  • Business Item d – Fire Sprinkler Requirements (Ordinance O-4939): Deputy Fire Chief Gary Smith presented amendments to exempt certain exterior, non-enclosed additions up to 500 square feet from triggering sprinkler retrofits. Ordinance passed 6-0.
  • Business Item e – Telecommunications Franchise with Verta (First Reading): Property Analyst Vitali Pronin introduced the first reading of a 10-year non-exclusive franchise for SQF LLC d/b/a Verta to install small wireless facilities. No final action taken; second reading scheduled for July 7, 2026.
  • Business Item f – 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment (Ordinance O-4941): Financial Planning Manager Kevin Pelstring presented $3.1 million in appropriation adjustments, including $100,000 for consultant review of Cascade Water Alliance rates, $308,000 for city hall mobile office expansion, and recognition of various grants and revenues. Ordinance passed 6-0.
  • City Manager Reports – Safe Parking Program Funding: Mayor Curtis requested $100,000 from the Council Special Projects Reserve to help repave the Lake Washington United Methodist Church parking lot for the safe parking program. Council directed staff to return with a fiscal note (motion carried 6-0).
  • City Manager Reports – Truck-Eating Bridge Mural: Mayor Curtis moved to suspend and remove the mural project from the Cultural Arts Commission work program due to complexity and ongoing maintenance concerns. Motion carried 6-0.
  • City Manager Reports – Peter Kirk Pool Project: Council authorized staff to submit an application for progressive design build to the state’s Project Review Committee (PRC), with a requirement to return for further direction if approved. Motion carried 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance O-4937 (Affordable Housing Fee Threshold): Failed 3-3; tabled to next meeting with all seven councilmembers present.
  • Ordinance O-4938 (Residential Lot Splitting): Amended and adopted 6-0.
  • Ordinance O-4939 (Fire Sprinkler Exceptions): Adopted 6-0.
  • Ordinance O-4941 (Mid-Year Budget Adjustment): Adopted 6-0.
  • First Reading of Ordinance O-4940 (Verta Franchise): No action; second reading July 7, 2026.
  • Safe Parking Program Funding: Council directed staff to prepare a fiscal note for $100,000 from the Council Special Projects Reserve for Lake Washington United Methodist Church parking lot repaving.
  • Truck-Eating Bridge Mural: Project removed from Cultural Arts Commission work program.
  • Peter Kirk Pool Project: Staff authorized to apply to the state Project Review Committee for progressive design build delivery.
  • Cascade Water Alliance: Council will receive further updates and rate information in August 2026.
  • Next Meeting: Virtual meeting on July 21, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Mayor Curtis, would you confirm your microphones on? I'd like to call to order this council meeting June 16, 2026. Before I ask the clerk to call the roll for tonight's meeting. I know that Councilmember Pascal will be absent from our meeting tonight to celebrate his son's high school graduation. So congratulations, Grady. Is there a motion to excuse Council Mayor Pascal for the case? So moved. Second. All right. It's been moved by Council Mayor Fell Cohn. Second by Deputy Mayor Black. On the question, excuse Council Mayor Pascal. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries six zero. City clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, Councilmember Tim Chisholm. Here. Councilmember Arnold. Here. Councilmember Prem. Here. Councilman Rafael Cohn. Here. Deputy Mayor Black. Here. Mayor Curtis. Here. Our study session tonight is on two items. First, we will have a follow-up briefing from the Cascade Water Alliance on preliminary rates and Cascade Supply Plan. Second, the Council will consider alternative delivery for the Peter Kirk Pool project. We expect to reconvene our meeting at 7:30. City Manager. All right. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Deputy Mayor, members of the council. So we're excited we have a special guest. Uh very first official visit from the new chief executive officer of the Cascade Water Alliance, John Taylor is here. So welcome, John. And then also Andy Baker, who's the economist for Cascad Water Alliance. They're gonna give you an overview of our projected rates and uh follow up on the discussion you had at the last council meeting. Uh Grant Raup, our senior financial analyst is also here to give us some insight as to what it might mean for Kirkland ratepayers. So uh with that, I will go ahead and kick it off to Mr. Taylor. Got it. Uh good evening, council. Uh thanks for having me here. Thanks, Kurt, for the kind introduction.

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