We Need Your Voice!

Bring Transit to the Eastside!
Our Eastside communities are stuck in a chicken and egg debate with King County Metro and Sound Transit. Are routes being cut because of low ridership or is ridership low because of limited route options? As a daily transit user, my opinion is firmly in the "we need better routes" camp.

King County Metro and Sound Transit currently have a transit survey open from September 13th - October 18th. Please log in and let the County and Sound Transit know your thoughts on the proposed 2022 route and service updates.

Additionally, two virtual information sessions are planned. The first is this Saturday, September 18th from 10-11. The second is Wednesday, September 29th from 6-7. The link to the survey and to register for the virtual events is on the East Link Connections page.

Please don't miss the opportunity for your voice to be heard.

Health through Housing
Housing is a fundamental human need. We are currently facing a housing crisis in King County that requires us as a community to commit to action and to be willing to take risks and be uncomfortable while we explore solutions to this crisis.

​The Health Through Housing Initiative is a regional approach to address chronic homelessness at a countywide scale.
By the end of 2022, King County will partner with local jurisdictions to create up to 1,600 emergency housing and permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Onsite 24/7 staffing will include:
  • Case management
  • Employment counseling
  • Access to health and behavioral health services
By acquiring existing facilities, such as former hotels, nursing homes, and other similar properties, HTH immediately creates housing units that are dignified, protective, and service-enriched. King County is committed to working with local cities and communities to identify suitable properties, and then participate in planning and community engagement together.
September 2nd @ 6:00PM
Virtual Town Hall with King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci
Attend this town hall to learn about the on-going effort in Redmond to transform the former Silver Cloud Inn to transitional and emergency housing as part of the Health through Housing program.
Claudia Balducci hosted a very informative event on September 2nd. For those who may have missed the Town Hall and want to learn more, please visit the county website for updated information and a summary from Council Member Balducci.

85th Street Station Area Plan
The zoning overlay being discussed for the 85th Street Station Area Plan is one of the most consequential discussions we will have as a Community over the next 4 years. The plan will impact the future of transit, jobs, and housing in Kirkland for years to come and will fundamentally shape who we are as a city. 
May 26th @ 7:00PM     
Kirkland City Council - Special Session
Let the Kirkland City Council learn from you regarding the planning related to the 85th Street Station Area Plan
​June 10th @ 7:00PM 
Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting
​For anyone unable to speak at the Special Session or wanting to make underline the message delivered on May 26th, I strongly encourage you to attend the Planning Commission Meeting to let your voice be heard. Public Comment is accepted at the beginning of the meeting. ​
June 15th @ 5:30PM 
Kirkland City Council Study Session
​The Planning Commission will be presenting two modified options for consideration by the City Council. Please attend to learn more about this project. There will be time for public comment during the normal City Council Meeting at 7:00.
October 26th @ 7:00PM 
Kirkland City Council Special Session
​The Kirkland City Council will be reviewing the Fiscal Impacts and Community Benefits report for the 85th Street Station Area Plan

Stand and Support Our BIPOC Neighbors

The City of Kirkland currently has several initiatives in progress to address institutional racism, barriers, and biases within government. It is a critical time for us all to stand up and let our voices be heard that we support an inclusive community and that we will make the difficult decisions as a community to make equity a priority. While the City has made some great first steps, it is critical for the City to hear that this is a community priority.
R-5434 Community Safety Initiative
This resolution puts in place measures to begin addressing institutional and systemic racism within the City of Kirkland. This resolution is wide ranging and includes everything from addressing law enforcement policies and oversight to hiring and procurement policies. There are continuing opportunities for the public to engage in this process. The more momentum there is behind this change, the more impactful it will be.
School Resource Officers
One of the key issues raised during community outreach during the discussions with the black community around R-5434 was related to the unintended consequences around the introduction of SROs in the schools. While SROs appeared to be the easy and best choice to protect our children following the horrible mass shootings in schools over the past 10 years, the national conversation around the introduction of armed officers in our schools has changed. The current feeling is that spending that funding on counseling resources rather than law enforcement will be more impactful and that the introduction of officers within the schools has created a path into the criminal justice system for many youth who may otherwise go the path of counseling and stay out of the system. Please contact the Kirkland City Council and encourage them to engage with Redmond, Sammamish and Lake Washington School District to elevate this critical discussion as a priority.
Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination, Equity & Inclusion
The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors recently took a firm position on focusing on removal of institutional barriers that are impacting graduation rates of BiPOC students as well as low income students. The focus of this operational expectation is being done in recognition that we live in a community where ALL students should be graduating and should be able to achieve their highest potential. 

Please reach out to LWSD Board of Directors to voice your support for OE-14.
City of Kirkland Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report
The City of Kirkland recently reviewed the DEI report presented by the outside consultant. The report highlighted distrust from City staff and the public related to leadership within the City of Kirkland. We have a lot of work ahead of us to create a safe and welcoming work environment for our great city staff members.

Please reach out to the City Manager and to Kirkland City Council to ask them to prioritize this work.
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