Neighborhood Meeting March

Meeting Purpose
To hear updates from local organizations and discuss neighborhood initiatives.

Topics
Kirkland Seahawkers Booster Club
Presenter: Terri Fletcher, President
History: Formed in 1976 with the team; the Kirkland chapter was re-established in 2018.
Mission: Raise awareness and funds for charities.
2025 Impact: ~$776k donated globally, with ~$35k from the Kirkland chapter.
Local Charities: Meow Rescue, Old Dog Haven, Pantry Packs, Safe Parking Program, Children's Hospital.
Community Service: Adopted Market Street (Forbes Creek to Central Way) for year-round cleanups.
Membership: $15/year ($25/family) → 10% Pro Shop discount, pre-game tailgate access, field pass opportunities.  https://www.seahawkers.org/chapters/wa-kirkland/

Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of the month at Moss Bay Hall.
5:00–6:30 PM: Social hour & dinner
6:35 PM: Meeting

Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce
Presenter: Kathryn Straub, Executive Director
Mission: Create a sustainable community by advocating for, educating, and promoting local businesses.
Funding Model: A 501(c)(6) non-profit funded by memberships and events.
Does not receive city tourism funds (TCB), a key funding source for most chambers.
Advocacy: Represents business needs to state legislators in Olympia.
https://www.kirklandchamber.org/

Upcoming Events:
Sustainability Luncheon 2.0: March 10, featuring the COO of TerraPower (Bill Gates' nuclear fusion company).
Mayor's State of the City Reception: May 7, Peter Kirk Community Center (free dinner, entertainment).
Golf Tournament: July 23 at Echo Falls.

Kirkland Parks Board
Presenter: Paul Stull, Moss Bay Representative
Role: An 8-member advisory board (no decision-making authority) that acts as a liaison between the city and community on parks and recreation.

Key Activities:
Reviews the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the 6-year Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) plan.
Advises on municipal code updates (e.g., lifeguard enforcement at Houghton Park).
Peter Kirk Pool:
Problem: High demand for swim lessons, especially from non-Kirkland residents.
Recommendation: Extend the season by 2–4 weeks (early June → September) to increase lesson capacity.

Community Concerns:
Waterfront Access: Public access is being lost due to private encroachment and undeveloped city-owned street ends.
Tennis Court Removal: The Parks Department conducted the survey that led to the decision to convert tennis courts to pickleball courts.

Moss Bay Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP)
Presenter: Don Winters, Moss Bay Project Coordinator
Proposed Project: A marked crosswalk on 7th Ave S at State St.
Cost: ~$70,000, primarily for a required streetlight. This high cost is a risk for approval, as the NSP budget is only $350k for 10 city-wide proposals.

Transportation Benefit District (TBD):
Funding: A $20 annual car tab fee.
Impact: The city will install 6 rapid flashing beacons (RFBs) in Moss Bay, including at 2nd Ave S & State St—a project the neighborhood previously proposed.
Process Issue: The city's TBD projects are decided internally and announced after the NSP application period, causing neighborhoods to propose projects already in the city's pipeline.

Business Spotlight: Baby Shoppe
Business: A curated baby boutique (0–5 years) on Central Way, opened in November.
Product Mix: Combines giftable clothing with utilitarian items like strollers and feeding supplies.
Customer Base: Draws customers from across the region, indicating a market need.
https://babyshoppe.us/?srsltid=AfmBOor2A92wIXRHVg6sliH5vIExIBemqpNFiGoV_Pm1pw3KQd1VZFUW