May 12th, 2026

Presentations Notes and links

Kirkland Senior Council (Susan Harris-Huether , Former Chair)

• 21-member council (ages 50-90+) works with city on accessibility and senior programming
• Monthly meetings: Second Tuesday, 1:30 PM at PKCC
• Upcoming events:
• Decluttering workshop: Thursday May 14th https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Whats-Happening/Community-Events/Parks-and-Community-Services/Senior-Council-Presentation
• Art show: June 5th -12th at Merrill Gardens Senior Center
• Summer initiative: Partnering with AARP on citywide livability survey at farmers markets
•  VivaVolunteers (volunteer fair discontinued due to low turnout)

City Events & Tourism (Christian Lash, Special Projects Coordinator)

• 2026 funded events: $110,000 allocated (up from typical $60K), with most events downtown
• 2027 applications open until June 1st for Tourism Development Committee funding
• https://canva.link/ksvxvx0p2vx9dtk
• Event discovery: ExploreKirkland.com with monthly email newsletter reaching 16,000 people
• Marina Park construction (2027): Will limit larger events like Uncorked and Witch's Market
• July 4th: Volunteer opportunities available, road closures and parking restrictions downtown
• Umbrella Fringe Festival: Second year of Kirkland Arts Center's fringe art event featuring spoken word, live murals, and experimental performances

Our Kirkland Service Portal (David Wolbrecht, Communications Program Manager)

• Primary reporting tool for non-emergency city issues
• Access: Website portal or iOS app for submitting requests with photos and location pins
• Process: Requests auto-route to appropriate city teams; anonymous submissions accepted but limit follow-up capability
• Average volume: ~500 requests per month
• Known issue: Portal closes requests when handed to Public Works crews, causing confusion about actual completion status

Moss Bay History (Loita Hawkinson, Kirkland Heritage Society)

• 1888 origins: Named after Peter Kirk's Moss Bay Steelworks; original mill site (now Urban/Post Office) abandoned due to annual flooding 2223
• Lake Washington lowering (1916): Dropped 9 feet, stabilized flooding, enabled business district expansion
• Oldest business site: Collins & Son building (now Lake Street Nail Bar) from 1914, still on original pilings
• WWII contribution: Ballinger Boat Works built 68 Coast Guard picket boats with 100 employees, largest Coast Guard contract
• Museum location: Heritage Hall, 203 Market Street, lower level. Open Wednesdays 10 AM-12 PM, Tuesdays 2-5 PM

Kirkland Main Street (Sheila Clooney, President)

• Mission: Coalition of businesses, property owners, and community leaders promoting historic district while supporting economic development 2930
• Recent work:
• Coordinated Central Peak project (old U.S. Bank building) impacts with Park Lane businesses for parking and alley access
• Awarded Chesmore Buck architects for Rock Creek Building preservation
• Second annual Santa Breakfast fundraiser with Moss Bay Hall; funds support downtown plantings
• Current challenges: Increased shoplifting, petty crime, and unhoused individuals in doorways affecting downtown businesses
• Circle the Block: Weekly volunteer program for litter pickup and sticker removal

Neighborhood Safety Program (Don Winters, Coordinator)

• Project: Crosswalk across 7th Avenue South at State Street intersection ($71,280)
• Scoring: Ranked 8th of 12 projects with 95/200 points; cumulative cost through project 8 is $361K vs. $350K budget
• Decision pending: City Council vote May 17th on three funding options (projects 1-7, projects 1-9 for $395K, or alternate mix)
• Concurrent improvements independent of NSP:
• State Street/7th Avenue South rapid flashing beacons starting summer construction
• Five additional rapid flashing beacon locations via Transportation Benefit District: First/Central Way, Peter Kirk Park, 2nd Avenue South/State, 2nd Avenue South/Lake, 5th Avenue South/Lake 3839

Parks Board (Paul Stull, Board Member)

• Summer sidewalk project (June-September): Dozen trees removed and sidewalks replaced along Kirkland Avenue, Lake Street South near 2nd Avenue
• https://www.kirklandwa.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/public-works/cip/folio-kirkland-ave-sidewalk-web.pdf
• Kraken Iceplex: Second-floor community center; city soliciting programming ideas ahead of 2027 opening
• https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Managers-Office/Kraken-Iceplex-Community-Center-Project)

Community Engagement Opportunities

• KDA Clean Sweep (May 17th, Sunday): Two shifts (9 AM-12 PM, 12:30-3:30 PM), check-in at Sotheby's Realty; Main Street sponsoring
• Kirkland Main Street volunteers: Circle the Block weekly cleanup program seeking participants
• Heritage Society volunteers: Museum seeks additional docents for expanded hours

Next

• Next happy hour: Monday, June 8th
• Summer break: No neighborhood meetings June-August
• Next neighborhood meeting: September 14th