​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

​Welcome to 2021. Even though we changed the calendar, we do not get to meet in person.


Our first meeting of 2021 will include updates on several ongoing projects and programs, including the 108th Avenue Sewer and Water Main Replacement Project, development projects, and the NE 85th Street Station Area Plan.
We also will report on our 2021 Neighborhood Safety Program application. 


A focus of the meeting will be on discussing potential projects for the City's 2021-2022 Matching Grant Program
We would like to hear your ideas for projects that will help improve the quality of the Central Houghton Neighborhood, either through physical improvements or community activities.

The meeting agenda is provided below (it also can be downloaded using the link).

The Zoom meeting information, including passcode are provided and highlighted below.

If you have any comments or ideas for future meeting topics, please let us know

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
central houghton@gmail.com
web site - houghtonlives.com


CHNA January 12, 2021 Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, January 12⋅7:00-9:30pm
Location:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84805929443?pwd=ZjRhcndaVlMyK2R5c1lTZ0RaVndIQT09

Description:Central Houghton Neighborhood Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84805929443?pwd=ZjRhcndaVlMyK2R5c1lTZ0RaVndIQT09 Meeting ID: 848 0592 9443 Passcode: BS7LqK One tap mobile +12532158782,,84805929443#,,,,*734934# US (Tacoma) +16699006833,,84805929443#,,,,*734934# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) Meeting ID: 848 0592 9443 Passcode: 734934 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbxj6IQ41

CHNA submitted our application for the City's 2021 Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP). The NSP is focused on identifying and prioritizing neighborhood pedestrian and bicycle safety issues. As part of the 2021 program, Neighborhood Associations were encouraged to build from the recently adopted Safer Routes to Schools Action Plan. Links to the NSP and Safer Routes to Schools Action Plan web pages are provided below.

• Neighborhood Safety Program Web Page
• Safer Routes to Schools Action Plan Web Page
  ​

CHNA submitted a project at the intersection of 106th Avenue NE/NE 55th Street. The project idea was  identified by one of our members at our November 2020 virtual meeting. The primary concern at this intersection is the speed of north-south traffic at the intersection which does not need to stop at NE 55th Street. This intersection serves as pedestrian routes to Carillon Woods Park which is used by children of all ages. 106th Avenue NE also serves as a school walk route (as a quieter option to 108th Avenue NE) for several schools located two blocks to the north,

Our application is provided below. Staff and the NSP review panel will work over the next couple of months to review and rank projects, as well as evaluate and develop costs for addressing the specific issues identified in the applications. Projects will then be reviewed and funded by the City Council in mid-April.
​

The notes from our November 10 virtual meeting are attached. We had some really good discussions.
 In addition, the city wants the neighborhood associations to pass along the following.
 
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
 Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
 

​CHNA held its September 8 meeting virtually using the Zoom platform. We had several speakers and presentations.

The notes from the meetings are attached. 
 
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future meeting topics, please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com
 
We also have openings on our Board that we would love to get filled to help generate ideas on how CHNA can best serve our neighborhood and overall City.
 
Our next meeting will be held virtually at 7:00 PM on Tuesday November 10. Hope to see you then.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

 I hope you all had an enjoyable summer, even with the Covid-19 pandemic.
City facilities remain closed, therefore we will be hosting a virtual meeting using Zoom.

The meeting agenda is provided below and also can be downloaded.
​
We have several visitors/presentations on the agenda, covering a range of topics:

• Police Lt. Brouelette
• 108th Avenue NE Water and Sewer Main Replacement
• Northwest University 
• Tech City Bowling Alley Redevelopment process
• City of Kirkland Fire and Emergency Medical Services Ballot Measure

In addition, we will provide information on upcoming City Council, Houghton Community Council, and Planning Commission topics.

Please note that the City Council is scheduled to take action on the Safer Routes to Schools program at its virtual meeting tonight  - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/090120/9b_Business.pdf
Please forward this email and agenda to others that may be interested in these topics.

Thanks and hope to "see" you next Tuesday.

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
centralhoughton@gmail.com


The Zoom meeting link and passcode are provided as follows:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84930777067?pwd=WkhIUjBHeWRqTE53VitKWEk3QW52dz09

Meeting ID: 849 3077 7067
Passcode: 979166
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,84930777067#,,,,,,0#,,979166# US (Tacoma)
+16699006833,,84930777067#,,,,,,0#,,979166# US (San Jose)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kew2BNx7X8
​

​To CHNA Distribution List-
 
Similar to many of Kirkland's neighborhood associations, CHNA does not typically meet during the summer months. However, there are several items that the City is moving forward with.that we wanted to inform you about.
 
These items include ongoing planning activities, transportation construction projects, and City code revision proposals.
 
The following provides a short summary of these activities; we also have included links to the City web sites where you can get more detailed information.
 
Please let us know if you have any questions, input on possible topics of interest, or if you would like to join the CHNA Board or assist CHNA in other ways. We can be reached at centralhoughton@gmail.com.
 
Please forward to others that may be interested. To be added (or removed) from our distribution list, please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com.
 
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
 
 
 
July 7 City Council Meeting Public Hearing - Affirming Black Lives Matter and Establishing a Framework for Kirkland Becoming a Safe, Inclusive and Welcoming Community 

• City Council to Hold Public Hearing on a Draft Resolution Affirming Black Lives Matter and Establishing a Framework for Kirkland Becoming a Safe, Inclusive and Welcoming Community 
  City Council Agenda and Packet can be found here - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda_070720.htm
  
  

Rooftop Amenities Code Revisions 

• Potentially allows increased height of buildings to allow for outside space and possible common rooms.
• Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission (PC) and Houghton Community Council (HCC) on February 13, 2020 
• HCC made its recommendations to PC on February 13, 2020
• PC reviewed HCC recommendations and made its recommendations to the City Council on February 27, 2020
  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/Rooftop+Appurtenance+Amenities+2_27_20+PC+Packet+-+CAM19-00502.pdf
• City Council presentation at its June 16 meeting - packet https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/061620/9g_Business.pdf
• City Council provided input /direction to staff to review options related to public amenities, addressing impacts to adjoining low density residential areas, and application based on building height 
• City Council Schedule lists the topic for City Council review (and possible action) at its June 21 meeting

• Following action by the City Council, the ordinance will return to the HCC at a future date for approval or disapproval within its jurisdiction
  
  

Survey Related to New City Website
 
The City of Kirkland is seeking input from the community to help guide the development of a new City website.
Community members are invited to take a short survey to share their experience with the current City website, and assist staff in developing a new City website that better meets the needs of the public.


City Traffic Cameras
 
The City of Kirkland is pleased to announce that City traffic cameras are now available to the public on the City website at https://trafficmap.kirklandwa.gov/.
Community members can visit the webpage and click a camera icon to display an image from the traffic camera at that location. Visitors to the page can then click on the image, or use the maximize window button at the top of the pop-up, to open a larger version of the image. The images are refreshed approximately every minute.
“We hope that this new feature on our website will be a helpful tool for community members looking to plan their trips to avoid traffic,” said Councilmember Jon Pascal. “We also believe that this will be a valuable tool for community members to check road conditions during winter storm events.”
The traffic map is currently live and available to the public at https://trafficmap.kirklandwa.gov/.
 
 
 
 
 
Phyllis Needy Park Crosswalk Flashing Beacon
 
Construction is well underway for the installation of a new flashing beacon at the crosswalk near Phyllis Needy Park (on 108th Avenue NE just north of NE 46th). This is a neighborhood safety project that CHNA has pursued for several years. It hopefully will be completed by the end of summer.


108th Avenue NE Water and Sewer Main Replacement Project
The City's contractor is well underway on this project to replace the 50plus year old sewer main (NE 53 to 68th) and water main (NE 60th to 68th).
If you have driven the corridor you have seen the construction and traffic control and flaggers. Please be safe and slow down as you approach and travel through the construction site.
The project will likely last until December, with possible repaving next spring.Project web site  can be found here:
http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Construction_Projects/108th_Avenue_Northeast_water_and_sewer_upgrade.htm



Safer Routes to School

• The City developed a potential list of pedestrian system improvements to improve safety and connectivity to schools throughout the City.
• City staff held a series of Zoom public meetings with each neighborhood association  throughout June.
• CHNA recommended adding a project on 111th Avenue NE near NE 48th Street
• The City also invited people to vote on their top three projects through the end of June.
• The city's web site for the project can be found here - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/Safer_Routes_to_School_Action_Plans.htm
• The map of projects is available through this link - https://kirklandwa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=925be3c9d0b5494cafeae6086a13ec07
• The results of the voting are being tabulated in July

• Final recommendations are tentatively scheduled to go before City Council in early August (check the agenda when it comes out).
  
  

Active Transportation Plan
The City of Kirkland is updating the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) based on the 2009 Active Transportation Plan (PDF 8MB) 
The plan update is being coordinated with the Safer Routes to School project. It will address pedestrians, bicycling, and access to transit and community centers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting budget constraints, the Active Transportation Plan community engagement and recommendations will be put on hold while the city slowly reopens and recovers from budgetary constraints. The plan will seek to implement the proposed strategies and innovations and with that comes budget requests which will be unlikely to be approved at this moment in time. However, the City is still moving forward with opportunities to make it safer to walk and bike such as seeking grant funds to implement high-priority safety projects, completing Kirkland's first two neighborhood greenway projects and designing and building Kirkland's first protected bike lanes. ThC city also received funding for a third greenway project. Please stay tuned for more information about this planning effort.

Visit the City's web page for more information https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Transportation_and_Traffic/Active_Transportation_Plan.htm

 

You are invited to participate in an upcoming virtual event related to the City's SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL project.
 
The Central Houghton Zoom meeting on the project will be held Monday June 8 at 6:00 PM. Meeting info is as follows.
You can participate in the discussion at the zoom meeting. You can also provide input on projects via the City's web page (see info and links  below)
 
If you are interested in potential projects in other neighborhoods you can also attend the zoom meetings for the neighborhoods - see note 1 below for a link to the meeting schedule.
 
As always, please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or ideas on how CHNA can better serve our neighborhood.
 

Central Houghton
Zoom Conf1 is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
https://kirklandwa-gov.zoom.us/j/92401490805?pwd=Y01YVjVta08vK3cwdll5aGd0b3l4QT09
Meeting ID: 924 0149 0805
Password: 695775
Dial by your location
+1 213 338 8477 US
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
 
 
More information on the program and zoom meeting is provided below.
 
Kirkland Residents:
 
Safer Routes to School – YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED
The City Council directed staff to work with Kirkland neighborhoods, parents and PTAs to develop a prioritized list of walk and bike improvements to make it easier and safer for children to walk and bike to the bus and school.
 
The walk recommendations resulted from a year-long public engagement process and engineering analysis of Kirkland’s transportation network.  More than 550 suggested projects were reviewed and analyzed by both City engineering staff and an independent engineering consultant.
 
Voting: In June, the City wants to get your input on the preliminary list of walk recommendations. Which ones do you think are most important for your school/neighborhood? Anyone can vote, even if you don’t have school age children. There are three ways to provide input.
 

1. Neighborhood Zoom Meeting: The walk recommendations and instructions for online voting will be presented during neighborhood zoom meetings. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, get clarification on specific projects, and learn how to vote. Click here to see when your neighborhood zoom meeting is scheduled.

 

1. Online: You can access information regarding Safer Routes to School Action Plans online.  After June 1, you can vote for your top three walk recommendations online. 

 

1. Email or phone: Voting can be done by contacting Kari Page at KPage@kirklandwa.gov or (425) 587-3875.

Larry Toedtli, CHNA President, had previously sent out an agenda noting that due to the Covid -19 pandemic, the CHNA meeting would have a limited agenda using the Zoom software platform. As part of the agenda, CHNA also included extensive notes on various topics of interest to the neighborhood association. These include the following topics and can be accessed using this link:
http://www.houghtonlives.com/home/may-12-2020-information-and-virtual-meeting

• Covid Connections – A listing of resources that the City has pulled together to assist residents and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Fire/EMS Ballot Measure Survey – The City Council is asking for input on two potential ballot issues covering fire stations and hiring of fire fighters. The survey closes May 15. https://www.research.net/r/FireEMSKirkland
• City Council and Houghton Community Council (HCC) Actions and Schedules – The City Council and HCC have proceeded with work on some prior topics, such as the Tree Code, Missing Middle Housing, and Accessory Dwelling Units.
• Transportation Projects - Updates on the flashing beacon at Phyllis Needy Park on 108th Avenue NE, 108th Avenue Sewer and Water Main Replacement, and Safer Routes to Schools Program Study.
• Neighborhood Association -Updates on the Matching Grant activities, Map Your Neighborhood, and potential options for virtual meetings in the future.

 
1. Introductions/ Comments from the Audience
Virtual meeting attendees introduced themselves and shared their areas of interest and other comments. They also were asked to share any acts of kindness or other types of activities related to the Covid pandemic.

City Council member Kelli Curtis noted that the City Council have been busy with Covid and other topics. She noted that the Council was going to discuss plans for opening parks and recreation facilities at their May 19 meeting.

2. ​​Board Reports
Larry Toedtli, as acting Treasurer, reported that the CHNA had just over $1900 in the CHNA account. He noted that this is approximately $400 less than last August. The decrease was associated with costs for the 2019 Crossing Kirkland event, November 2019 renewal of the web site hosting, and filing of the Washington State Annual Report. These funds will be reimbursed through the City Matching Grant probably near the end of 2020. It is unlikely that additional expenditures will be made for the 2020 Crossing Kirkland event that were planned for in the approved CHNA grant application.

Larry also noted that he had filed the Washington State Annual Report in February and the IRS Form 990 in May, as required as a non-profit.

3. Board Elections
The CHNA Bylaws include provisions for election of Board positions at the May annual meeting. Four positions are available – President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The following officers were elected for the 2020-2021 CHNA calendar.

1. President/Chair – Larry Toedtli re-elected
2. Vice President – OPEN
3. Secretary – Lisa McConnell re-elected

Treasurer – OPEN - Larry Toedtli appointed as acting Treasurer