​CHNA Members and Guests-


The agenda for the May 10, 2022 (7:00 PM) regular meeting of the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association (CHNA) is attached below. The meeting will be held virtually using the Zoom platform. The Zoom meeting link and passcode provided below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85429788946?pwd=UkZYVWpDL1BwWnNESnpsbWYzOUtSQT09

Meeting ID: 854 2978 8946
Passcode: 397136
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The meeting will begin with brief reports from the City of Kirkland Police Department and Northwest University. Attendees will be able to ask questions.

A key part of our meeting will be discussing strategies for our communications program, possible changes to the CHNA Bylaws (redline version attached), and election of CHNA Officers for the next 12-month term.

We have four Board/Officer positions - President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. We will be losing one of our two current Board members and I will be stepping down from being President within one year. We need members to join our Board, otherwise our neighborhood association will not be able to function to serve our community. CHNA will be even more important as a group with the imminent sunsetting of the Houghton Community Council.

The remainder of the meeting will include updates on our planned Neighborhood Summer Celebration on Labor Day and other ongoing topics.

The other topics include items that have upcoming public meetings, including:

• The La Quinta Inn Homeless Housing - Public Town Hall on May 9 
• Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Siting Project (to replace/upgrade the Houghton Transfer Station) - Public Meeting on May 12 

Please join us to add to the discussion and help CHNA add value to our broader neighborhood and to the City of Kirkland.

Please let us know if you have any comments, questions, or ideas for future meeting topics.



Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

The notes from our March 8, 2022, regular meeting are provided below. We covered a lot of current and ongoing topics including the Sunsetting of the Houghton Community Council, the La Quinta Inn homeless housing proposal. We also reported on the proposed mailer and 2022 Celebration Event.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday May10. We will be electing Board members and also discussing proposed changes to our Bylaws to engage younger residents in the neighborhood association.

Please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com if you have any questions, ideas for meeting topics, or want to find out more on how you can get involved.

Larry Toedtli, president
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

CHNA Members and Guests:


The agenda for our regular meeting on March 8 (7:00 pm) is attached. We will have updates on several topics including:

• State Legislation on Sunsetting the Houghton Community Council -HB 1769
• La Quinta Hotel Homeless Housing Proposal
• CHNA 2022 Mailer and Event Planning
• Potential Changes to Our CHNA Bylaws (see attachment)
• Various City Code and Plan amendments

A couple of the topics will likely evolve between now and the date of our meeting.

1. State Legislation on Sunsetting the Houghton Community Council
HB 1769 (web link above) has passed the State House and is now on the floor of the State Senate. The bill could be voted on any day.. The Legislative session is scheduled to end March 10. 

The bill, as currently written, would effectively sunset the existence of the Houghton Community Council immediately. This would ignore the overwhelming (76%) vote of Houghton residents on November 2, 2021 to extend the HCC until December 31, 2025. You can contact any of the Senators to share your thoughts to express your position on the bill. Senators (wa.gov)

2. La Quinta Hotel for Housing 


I want to make sure that you are aware that the Houghton Community Council Meeting on Monday February 28 includes discussion of the proposed purchase of the La Quinta Hotel for use as a permanent supportive housing facility.


The Chair of the Houghton Community Council has asked for representatives from King County and the City of Kirkland to attend the Houghton Community Council meeting occurring Monday, February 28, 2022, at 7 p.m. via Zoom and provide information on the potential purchase of La Quinta Hotel by King County for permanent supportive housing.  
To view the agenda, including Zoom webinar information, please visit the City's website. 



You can read more about the program at - King County's Health Through Housing Initiative in Kirkland – City of Kirkland (kirklandwa.gov)

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting next week. As always, please let us know if you have ideas for topics for future meetings or would like to be part of our Board.

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

To all-
​
Thanks to all of the people that attended our meeting last week. some really good discussion on several topics.

A focus was on the proposed legislation moving forward at the state to sunset the Houghton community council (and East Bellevue Community Council).  We discussed how people can track the bill and provide comments. This information and web links are summarized in the meeting notes. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com. 

We also discussed current activities related to our 2021-2022 Matching Grant. If you would like to assist on any of these, please contact us (centralhoughton@gmail.com).

At the end of the meeting, we also discussed possible changes to our Bylaws to allow high school students to be members. We also noted a need for more people to assist CHNA as Board members or volunteers.

Sincerely

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

CHNA Members (and neighbors):

The notes from our October 12, 2021 virtual meeting are attached. We had some very good presentations and discussions. 

Hope that you will join us at our next meeting scheduled for Tuesday November 9 at 7:00 PM. The November 9 meeting also will be virtual via Zoom. 
The agenda and meeting link will be sent out about a week in advance of the meeting. We will be finalizing the decision on our submission for the 2022 Neighborhood Safety Program, which is due December 3. We also should have a member of the Parks Board in attendance to update us on what's happening with Parks and Open Space Plans and projects. 
Please let us know if you have any topics that you would like to be added to the agenda.(email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com).

We also want to alert you to the following online engagement event related to the Active Transportation Plan update. 
​
Active Transportation Plan Engagement Event!
 
Do you have ideas on how the City of Kirkland can become safer and more accommodating to people walking, rolling and bicycling? Please make sure your voice is heard by attending our online engagement event 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 20! All are welcome at this community meeting, which will be used to gather feedback and inform our process as we work to update our Active Transportation Plan. 
 
The update to this plan will focus on completing connections, seeking opportunities and innovative solutions to create more comfortable and safer environments for people walking and rolling, and will consider technologies that can both facilitate travel by walking and bicycling and also help the city better evaluate how many people are walking and bicycling in Kirkland.
 
For more information on the Active Transportation Plan update, please visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Transportation/Plans-and-Studies-Transportation-Division/Active-Transportation-Plan. If you can’t make the meeting but would like to submit an online comment, please use this form: https://us.openforms.com/Form/37c47062-166e-421a-94ad-ef1b830415a7 or continue to check out or website for next opportunity to share your thoughts.  Another on-line engagement opportunity will also be scheduled for November 3rd.
 
We hope to see you there and we are excited to hear your ideas!

Thanks

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

To All-

A reminder that our September meeting was rescheduled to next Tuesday (October 12) starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The agenda is attached. The Zoom link and passcode is: 
 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84585428624?pwd=UnVSOXRpQmtWcWNtajdtZWtTQkJIUT09
 
Meeting ID: 845 8542 8624
Passcode: 044554
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It's been a few months since we met and we have lots of topics to discuss and provide updates on.
We will have Lt. Goguen of the Kirkland Police Department as a guest to answer questions about safety and crime activities and changes in the Police Department.
 
Much of the remainder of the meeting will focus on transportation planning and projects. Kimberly Scrivner of the City's Transportation Department will provide a presentation on the City's update of the Active Transportation Plan. The update to this plan will incorporate new innovative solutions that are designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities for residents and visitors to feel more comfortable when choosing to walk or bike. It will also focus on completing connections, improving bike parking and considering technologies that can both facilitate travel by walking and bicycling and also to help the city better evaluate how many people are walking and bicycling in Kirkland. 
 
The Active Transportation Plan will lead into CHNA's initial discussion of potential projects to submit for the 2022 Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP).
 
John Jordan from Northwest University (NU) also will join us. He will provide an update on the University's current activities and on the implementation of the NU Master Plan. 
 
We will then provide updates on several topics including the NE 85th Station Area Plan and Houghton Transfer Station Siting Project. 
 
As we previously noted the November 2 election includes 4 City Council positions. It also includes a ballot measure on whether to reauthorize the Houghton Municipal Corporation (Houghton Community Council) for four more years. The seven HCC member positions are also on the ballot and they would be elected if the HCC ballot measure is approved.
There is still time to register to vote or make changes (such as addresses) before the election. The King County Elections web page can be accessed here.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com if you are interested in joining our Board, want to help with any of our initiatives,  or have ideas for future meeting topics. 
 
Please forward this to others so they can contact us if they want to be added to the distribution list.
 
Larry Toedtli, president
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

​Members and Neighbors-
 
The attached agenda and zoom link for our May 11, 2021 Virtual Meeting are provided below. 
 
The meeting will provide updates on a full range of topics, including:

• Completion of the 108th Avenue NE Sewer and Water Main Project 
• Northwest University 
• Neighborhood Safety Program
• 2021-2022 Neighborhood Matching Grant
• NE 85th Street Station Area Plan
• Siting of a Replacement of the Houghton Transfer Station
• Tree Code Amendments
• Upcoming Dates/Information Related to the November 2021 Election on Whether to Continue the Houghton Community Council

In addition, we will be electing officers/board members for the CHNA. 
In order to successfully continue the neighborhood association we need more people to join the Board. It really doesn't take much time and will add new voices and ideas on how to enhance our community and address community needs and concerns. Please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com to find out more about the Board positions.
 
Thank you and hope to see you at the meeting, even virtually.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
 
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association 
May 11, 2021 (7:00 PM) Virtual Zoom Meeting Links
 
Larry Toedtli is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81584217602?pwd=VVp1RzMwdlhBblBVRG5NQjltT0twQT09

Meeting ID: 815 8421 7602
Passcode: 42iCJB
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​To All-
 
The notes from the January 12 Central Houghton Neighborhood Association (CHNA) meeting are attached below. We covered several timely topics at the meeting.
The notes include links to several websites about current projects, such as the Tech City Bowl and NE 85th Station Area Plan.
 
In addition to the meeting notes, we want to alert you to two projects where you can provide input on major current planning and development projects.
 
NE 85th Street Station Area Plan
The City of Kirkland is studying potential changes to the land use designations and zoning along the NE 85th Street corridor. This has the potential to greatly change the heights of buildings and the intensity and type of allowed development. The city has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Comments on the project and DEIS can be made through February 19. The DEIS and instructions for submitting comments can be found on the City's project webpage. NE 85th Station Area Plan
 
 
Northeast King County Recycling & Transfer Station



King County is leading a site selection process for the new Northeast King County Recycling & Transfer Station. The results of this project will either close and relocate the existing Houghton Transfer Station, or result in revising/upgrading the existing site on NE 60th Street. Over the last several months, King County has considered a long list of potential sites for the new station. This winter, they narrowed the list to four sites. These potential sites will be evaluated using community criteria developed by an Siting Advisory Group and other technical measures.
 
They are asking for community input and knowledge on each of the four sites. Input on what is most important to the community is also being solicited. Community members are able to view each site and share their thoughts by taking a short survey, open through February 9. 
King County Project web page  - https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/facilities/northeast.aspx
 
Please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com with any questions, comments, and ideas for future meeting topics.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

​To all-
 
Last year, CHNA moved to a schedule of meetings approximately every other month. We have regularly scheduled meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in September, November, January, March, and May. As needed, we may schedule additional meetings based on specific topics that are more imminent than our regular meeting schedule allows.
 
We also periodically send out emails to the distribution list to provide updates on topics and notices of upcoming events that may be of interest.
 
The following highlights upcoming events and activities over the next couple of months. Please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future meeting topics.
 

• Community Safety Advisory Committee -  The City is looking for neighborhood representatives to serve on the the Community Safety Advisory Group to help review a list of potential projects for a ballot measure for November 2020. Please contact CHNA (centralhoughton@gmail.com) or apply on line from the City's web page  -  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Residents/Public_Safety/fire-2020-ballot-measure.htm 
   
  "The Community Safety Advisory Group (CSAG) will meet for the duration of October 2019 to March 2020 to review a menu of major investments for fire station seismic renovation, expansion, additional firefighter staffing, potential training facilities, and funding mechanisms for a November 2020 ballot measure for Fire and Emergency Medical Services. The CSAG's recommendation to the Council will be presented March of 2020. The Council will then have until July 21 to approve the ordinance placing the measure on the ballot for the November 3, 2020 General Election. 

• Saturday October 19 - Green Kirkland Day Planting event -- https://www.kirklandwa.gov/NewsRoom/Kick_off_the_planting_season_with_City_Council_on_Green_Kirkland_Day_s3_p27206.htm  
• Thursday October 24 (7 PM) - Planning Commission (PC) Public Hearing City Initiated Comprehensive Plan Amendments (see attached notice) Latest PC packet can be found here:https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/Comprehensive+Plan+Annual+Amendments+09_26_19+PC+Packet+WEB+-+CAM19-00537.pdf
•  Tuesday November 5 (7 PM) - Joint Planning Commission (PC)/ Houghton Community Council (HCC)  Public Hearing  - Tree Code Amendments -Official notice not yet published, Project Wed Page including links to prior meeting packets is available here:  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Code_Updates/Projects/Tree_Code_Updates.htm 
• Wednesday November 6 (7:30 PM) - City Council City Council Meeting Agenda - Northwest University Master Plan Review and Decision on Hearing Examiner and Houghton Community Council recommendations.
  The HE and HCC recommendations packet is attached.
  Past materials on the Northwest University Master Plan can be found on the project web page:  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Development_Info/projects/Northwest_University_Master_Plan_Zoning_Permit.htm  
• Tuesday November 12 (7 PM) - Central Houghton Neighborhood Association Meeting at Fire Station 22 (on 108th Avenue NE) Topics include - status of above public hearings/meetings, Kirkland Downtown Association, 2020 Neighborhood Safety Program projects, accessory Dwelling Units/Missing Middle Housing, and others. Please let us know if you have any topics you would like us to include.
• 2020 Neighborhood Safety Program Schedule Project Ideas Due: Monday, December 2, 2019    - CHNA will be discussing project ideas at our November 12 CHNA meeting - come and share your thoughts with us at that meeting or send them to us in advance.- centralhoughton@gmail.com 

 
Please take advantage of the opportunity to provide input to the above programs and projects.
 
Larry Toedtli. President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association