Meeting Notes - September 20, 2010

​Don Winters called the meeting to order. 
Kurt Triplett, Kirkland's new City Manager, was our first guest. Kurt was selected by the City Council and took office on June 28. He previously spent 17 years working for King County, serving as Ron Simm's Chief of Staff and most recently as interim County Executive. Kurt described what he sees as focus areas for Kirkland:

• Economic development and job creation.
• Annexation and the 33,000 new residents it will bring on June 1, 2011
• Totem Lake enhancement
• Burlington Northern rail line and it's future use
• Tolling on SR 520 and how it could be a boon for eastside business if less people use the bridge
• Budget:
  • Kirkland passed its most recent audit
  • There will probably be a need to cut the budget by 5% to reduce expenditures by $3 million. Cuts will most likely impact parks and may impact public safety.
  • Sales tax revenue for Kirkland was at its peak 3 years ago at $16 million, and now is about about $11 million
  • Growth in Totem Lake and Park Place could increase tax revenue.

Kurt was asked about housing and mentioned that the Eastside has a joint housing commission to pool dollars for low / middle income housing.
Our Moss Bay business presenter was Kathy Evans, with a newly located Kathy Evans Beauty Studio at 138 Central Way in the Marina Heights building. Kathy's studio was previously located at Carillon Point, and she is excited to be downtown.
Bea Nahon gave us a KAN (Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods) update. KAN is working with Hopelink on food collection and is looking for volunteers on 9/25 and 10/9 for Eastside’s Month of Concern for the Hungry, which will take place from September 25 through October 23. Residents can find a full list of donation dropoff points – including grocery stores and fire stations – at www.eastsideforum.org/fooddrive. 
On Sept 28 the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church is hosting a 45th District legislative forum.
Don Winters gave brief reports on several issues. Phase I of the Hector's project -- the Waterfront Market building renovation, should be completed by the end of the year. The new Mexican restaurant will be called Milagro and will be operated by Stuart McLeod, the owner of the property. Preliminary work has begun on Phase 2 of the project with the demolition of the old World Wraps building. Some pollutants were found as a result of a dry cleaning operation in the building years ago and the contaminated soil has been removed. Phase 2, which entails a new 2 story building that will be attached to the old Hector's building, may get started early in 2011.
The Transit Center rebuild should be finished by the end of the year. The Metro sewage pump station at the corner of 3rd St. and Park Lane be rebuilt in 2011-12 and will result in improved sidewalks.
Game developer Bungie has moved to Bellevue and their old building on Kirkland Ave. will be occupied the 343 Industries, another game developer owned by Microsoft. Some renovations to the building are taking place before they move in.
It was mentioned that Google has informed the city that it is increasing employment by 500 at their 6th St. S. complex. Google has enquired with Kirkland Planning Dept. about the feasibility of using the former Pace Chemical site on 7th Ave. S. for parking.
Don mentioned that the Argosy cruise boat MV Kirkland, a historic ferry which burned at the Marina Park dock, will not be rebuilt and that a new boat will be assigned to Kirkland.
Our next meeting will be Nov 15, 2010 7PM at Heritage Hall, 203 Market. St.