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

The notes from the May 11, 2021 meeting of the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association are provided below. 

As noted at the meeting, the Houghton Community Council (HCC) recently approved Resolution 2021-3 to put the continuance of the Houghton community municipal corporation to a vote of the people that reside within the boundaries of the former Town of Houghton. Every four years, Houghton residents are asked to vote on whether the HCC remains part of our government process. 

The Community Council, which is part of Kirkland’s city government, resulted from an agreement made in 1968 when the voters of the former Town of Houghton agreed to consolidate with the City of Kirkland. One of the conditions of the consolidation was that Houghton retain a council with land use jurisdiction applying within the HCC boundaries. The Community Council has approval or disapproval (veto) authority over the Kirkland City Council decisions on certain types of land use decisions within the corporation boundaries. These include comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, conditional use permits, subdivision ordinances, subdivision plats, and planned unit developments. 

The November ballot also will include elections for seven Councilmember positions, who will serve four-year terms if the continuance of the HCC is approved. If you are a resident within the HCC boundaries (see map), you can file to run for one of these Council positions. The filing period runs from May 17 to 21. King County has produced an elections Manual with the necessary information on filing, including dates and forms. The Manual and other election information can be accessed here. More information on the HCC can be found on the City’s web site - Houghton Community Council. 


We also have open Board positions which we would love to fill to help bring more ideas to the Association on how to improve our role in informing the community and hopefully making Central Houghton and all of Kirkland a better place for all.

If you are interested in a Board position, volunteering to help on our grant projects, or have any other questions or comments, please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com.


Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

To All- 
 
With the Washington State Stay Home Stay Healthy policy in effect, we will not be able to assemble in person for our May 12 CHNA regular meeting. The following provides a summary of some relevant current topics - related to COVID-19 resources, City Council and Houghton Community Council actions, transportation project updates, and potential activities for neighborhood associations moving forward. 

In addition, we also holding a short (30-45 minute) Zoom meeting on May 12 at 7:00 pm as a test for use in the future.  The Zoom meeting will allow those attending to ask questions and provide comments on topics that they are interested in. The Zoom meeting also cover business activities required by the CHNA Bylaws, including Board Reports and election of officers.
 
The following provides the link to the May 12 Zoom meeting. It would be very helpful if you could email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com if you plan to join us on the Zoom meeting.


Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72351956594

Meeting ID: 723 5195 6594
 

As always, please forward to others that may need this information. If you know of anyone else that would like to be added to our Central Houghton Neighborhood Association distribution list, please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com. Also email us if you have any questions/comments or are interested in helping out our neighborhood association.

Thanks.  Wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay safe. 


Larry Toedtli, President

Central Houghton Neighborhood Association


Covid Connections   
The City has pulled together resources to support people and businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources can be found using the following links/phone numbers. If you see a comment on social media, hear about a neighbor or friend, hear someone express a concern during a Zoom hangout, or get a call about someone seeking support or looking to help out, please direct them to theses resources.

• Kirkland Food Hotline (425-207-4777), which is a program the City created with Sound Generations to help ensure homebound residents don’t go hungry during this challenging time.  Spreading the word about that program is our priority message right now. Over the coming weeks, we will send you updates as our priority message changes.   

 

• Resources for Residents Impacted by COVID-19
• Ways to Help During COVID-19 
• ​Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
  
  

In addition to the above resources, the City has assembled other links related to the COVID-19 response.

• Information on the City’s small business and nonprofit eviction moratorium can be found here: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/BusinessSupportCOVID#moratorium
• Contributing to the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund contribution: https://kirklandchamber.org/relief/
• StartUp425 Restaurant Takeout Map: https://re.startup425.org/restaurants/
• Kirkland Parks & Community Foundation donation opportunities: https://kpcf.org/

Survey on Potential Fire/EMS Ballot Measures

The City is really trying to learn from our community, so the City has asked us to share the survey link so you can complete it and provide input to the City's decision process. 

As you may know, the City’s community safety advisory group, formed last October, recommended that the Council place two property tax measures on this year’s November ballot.  The first measure would build a new fire station and seismically retrofit and renovate our existing fire stations. The second measure would hire new firefighters, who are also emergency medical technicians. These recommendations were made in February, just before the virus outbreak in Kirkland. 

The Council recognizes that COVID-19’s economic impact makes this a difficult time for new taxes. So, the Council’s asking our community whether the City should keep exploring these ballot measures. No final decision has been made. The Council is asking for our community’s input to help guide their decision. Please help us by filling out this 5-minute survey:

 https://www.research.net/r/FireEMSKirkland
This survey closes on Friday May 15

City Council and HCC Activities

• Tree Code -The City Council will continue working through the pending Tree Retention Codes of Kirkland Zoning Code Chapter 95 once the state lifts the restriction of hosting open public meetings.
  
  At its May 5 meeting, the City Council approved the amendments to the Tree Code Enforcement regulations.  The updated codes are intended as deterrent to illegal tree removal or damage.  The amended codes are needed to prevent long-term damage to the City’s urban forest by strengthening code enforcement of tree regulations and increasing civil penalties for illegal tree removal or damage.  The urban forest provides important public safety benefits such as improving air and water quality and helping prevent flooding, erosion and landslide risks. The adopted changes include:
  • Increase civil penalty fines for illegal tree removal or damage based on tree size and location within protected areas. 
  • Address situations where a tree has been illegally removed and attempts are made to conceal the evidence.
  • Adds the authority to assess treble damages for illegal public tree removal or damage per RCW 64.12.030
  • Clarifies the definition and fines for “repeat violations,” with fines increasing with each repeat violation.
  • The ANSI Standards were included in the proposed code to provide clarity on pruning limitations.  
  • Clarifications and adjustments were made to the restoration and replacement standards, taking into consideration the availability of native trees from local plant nurseries.
    
    
• You can find out more about the Tree Code Update on the City's web site - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Code_Updates/Projects/Tree_Code_Updates.htm
  
  

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) - The City Council adopted Ordinance 4715 (https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/031720/Ord+4715_Line+No.pdf) at its March 17 meeting. The Houghton Community Council (HCC) approved the ordinance at its April 27 meeting. The ordinance allows for up to two accessory dwelling units on single-family properties. It also increases the allowable size of ADUs to 1,200 square feet, eliminates the requirement for owner occupancy, and reduces parking requirements. 
  
  
• Missing Middle Housing – At it's March 17 meeting, the City Council approved Ordinance 4717 (https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/031720/Ord+4717_Line+No.pdf ) related to Missing Middle Housing. The ordinance allows cottages, duplexes and triplexes to be constructed in single-family zoned areas. It also allows addition of ADUs in addition to the various housing types on single-family zoned properties. The ordinance also changes the limits on the maximum size of the units, reduces parking requirements, and other yard and design requirements. The Houghton Community Council (HCC) vetoed the ordinance at its April 27 meeting, so it will not apply within the HCC jurisdiction. The HCC concern and associated veto was based on allowing up to ADUs in addition to the duplexes and triplexes on single-family zoned properties. The HCC noted that that could result in up to 9 dwelling units on properties zoned for single family uses and associated parking and other potential impacts.
  
  
• Rooftop Appurtenances – City Council discussion and action on rooftop amenities and appurtenances is on hold due to the state direction on public meetings. A public hearing was held on February 13 by the Planning Commission and HCC. The HCC made recommendations to the Planning Commission on February 13. The Planning Commission developed its recommendations to the City Council at its February 27 meeting. The following links provide the latest information on this topic.
  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Public+Notices/Rooftop_Appurtenances+_PC-HCC_2-13-2020_Joint_Hearing+WEB+-+CAM19-00502.pdf
  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/Rooftop+Appurtenance+Amenities+2_27_20+PC+Packet+-+CAM19-00502.pdf
  
  
• Sustainability Master Plan - The City Council calendar indicates that the Council will discuss the Sustainability Master Plan at its June 2 meeting. Check the meeting agenda  which should be available by May 29. For more information, please refer to the City's web page. https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/Sustainability_Master_Plan.htm
  
  
• City Council Meetings - Please see the City's Planning Calendar for possible topics for upcoming City Council, Planning Commission, Houghton Community Council and Hearing Examiner. Other topics also may be included on the agendas. The HCC is not scheduled to meet again until June 22; topics to be determined. The Planning Calendar can be found at - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Calendar/Planning+Public+Meeting+Calendar.pdf
  
  

Transportation Projects

• Phyllis Needy Park Crosswalk Flashing Beacon - This project was approved as part of the neighborhood safety program at the City Council's March 17 meeting. This past week, contractors started doing some preliminary work. The City hopes to have the flashing beacon installed and operating by the end of this summer.  This is a project that CHNA supported for over two years. Thanks to Marylee Tyler for her work in getting the project approved. Also thanks to Kari Page and other City staff and to the City Council - we really appreciate it. 
  
• 
  
  • 108th Avenue NE Sewer and Water Main Replacement Project - The contractor has started working on this project. It will include lane and intersection closures over the next 9-12 months. 
    See the project web page for ongoing information - http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Construction_Projects/108th_Avenue_Northeast_water_and_sewer_upgrade.htm
    Contact Senior Outreach Coordinator Christian Knight, cknight@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3831if you have any questions, concerns, or positive input.
  • Safer Routes to Schools – At the April 21 Study Session of the City Council, City staff presented the latest on the Safer Routes to School study that is currently underway. The video of the study session presentation can be found on the City Council Web Site https://kirkland.granicus.com/player/clip/4229?view_id=54&meta_id=173325 and the meeting packet can be found at this link https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/042120/3a_Study+Session.pdf

Neighborhood Association Activities Moving Forward in the Near Term

• Matching Grant Activities – In 2019, CHNA received a grant for several projects including developing a Communication Mailer and participating in the Crossing Kirkland event in September. Due to the focus on the COVID-19 response, these projects are all on hold. Once they start up again, we would appreciate and welcome any and all levels of support.
  
  
• Map Your Neighborhood – The City has previously developed a program and associated materials to engage the community in being better prepared for emergencies. The Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) noted that the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to remind people and neighborhoods of the program. City staff hopes to be working with neighborhood associations to adjust and augment the Map Your Neighborhood . In the meantime, the following links provide more information about the program. Please contact the City at the associated links or let us know if you are interested in pursuing the program for your immediate neighborhoods. Being better prepared at the smaller neighborhood level can be a positive outcome from the pandemic.
  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Emergency+Management/PDF/MYN+Overview.pdf
  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Fire_Services/KirklandEM/GetInvolved/MYN.htm
  
  
• Neighborhood Association Zoom Meeting Support – The City Manager's Office is looking into licensing options for Zoom or other online portals to support virtual meetings of the Neighborhood Associations. CHNA will "test" drive a Zoom meeting on May 12 at 7 pm. See above or below for link.
  
  

• CHNA Zoom Meeting for May 12 (limited agenda and 30-45 minute time limit)
  
  
  
• ​Please join us for a short Zoom Meeting (Tuesday May 12 7:00 PM) using the following link.
  https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72351956594
  
  Meeting ID: 723 5195 6594
  
  
  • Introductions
  • Check in on people’s concerns, acts of kindness, and topics of interest for the CHNA to explore, etc.
  • Board Reports – Treasurer report on expenditures and need to get matching grant reimbursement
  • Board Elections – We have open positions
  • Adjourn

In November, Kirkland residents will be asked to vote in races for three Kirkland City Council seats. To learn more about the candidates and their positions, the Juanita Neighborhood Association and Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance are hosting a forum on Tuesday, September 29th, from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. at the Kirkland Justice Center, 11750 NE 118th Street, behind Fred Meyer’s.

Hear the candidates speak out on the issues important to the Juanita and Finn Hill neighborhoods, and the greater Kirkland community. Everyone is invited to attend.

All of the candidates for November’s City Council seats will be there: Jason Chinchilla and Shelley Kloba for Position 2, Toby Nixon for Position 4, and Martin Morgan and Dave Asher for Position 6.

Questions will be presented that have been submitted by members of the community. There’s still time to recommend a question. Questions can be submitted via email to Ken Albinger at ken.albinger@gmail.com.