City Council Supports Single $2.3 Million Parks Funding Ballot Measure

Kirkland residents will almost certainly be asked to vote on a single parks funding measure in November after the City Council Tuesday night voiced support for an option that if approved would cost homeowners 16 cents annually for every $1,000 of their property’s value.

The council directed Parks Department staff to begin preparing a formal ballot measure that would raise $2,345,000 annually to increase operation and maintenance funding of Kirkland’s treasured parks and increase funding for “capital projects,” such as park renovation and acquisition of new green spaces.

About $1.09 million each year would go to regular operations and maintenance, the need for which has increased due to annexation and the addition of parks such as O.O. Denny and Edith Moulton. Another $1.24 million annually would go to capital projects, such as the development of the now called the and, potentially, renovation of and parks, delayed dock and shoreline improvements and replacement of the aging bathhouse.

The council could adjust the levy amounts at its July 3 meeting, but all council members expressed support for the levy as recommended by the city’s citizen (PFEC).

“Let’s go for the full meal deal,” said Council Member Dave Asher.

Added Mayor Joan McBride: “Our parks have suffered mightily (due to past budget cuts). They’re one of the things that make people want to live here and make this city great. I see this proposal as modest, I would support more.”

Left for the council’s July 3 meeting was a decision on whether the levy should be permanent or limited in time, say for nine or 10 years, which appeared to split the council.

The PFEC recommendation represented a change from a previous recommendation that would split operations and maintenance and parks capital funding into two separate ballot measures, and also would have called for the sale of municipal bonds to fund it all up front. PFEC members were concerned about the possibility of competition between three municipal measures on the ballot, since the city council is also considering a measure to pay for backlogged road improvements.

The option now preferred would not involve the sale of bonds, but would spread out capital projects over time in a “pay-as-you-go” scenario. For a look at all three options PFEC has considered, see the attached PDF file (Option C is now the recommended option).

The council must make a final decision at its July 17 meeting in order it to make the King County Elections deadline of Aug. 7 for November 6 ballot measures.

In other action, the council:

• Unanimously approved a package of less restrictive development regulations in the city code for the Totem Lake neighborhood, along with a simplified permitting process, part of the and stimulate economic activity. The new rules ease requirements that a certain amount of ground floor space be for retail use, increase the maximum building heights and reduce the design review process. During the public comment period of the council meeting, a local developer urged the council to approve the code amendments, saying they would spur new business.

• Extended for another six months a moratorium on the establishment of medical marijuana collective gardens and dispensaries, citing uncertainties in a bill passed last year by the state Legislature, an initiative that will likely be on the November ballot that would clarify the issue, and federal opposition. Council Member Toby Nixon cast the lone “no” vote, saying medical marijuana patients should be allowed access to pot and pointedly criticizing the U.S. Department of Justice for its opposition to state and local laws passed on the issue. Other council members asked that the issue be sent to the city’s Public Safety Committee for prompt deliberation, saying the issue needed to be dealt with. Council Member Penny Sweet said before the vote, “I’m only going to kick this can down the road one more time.”

• Approved special funding requests of $7,000 each for two downtown civic events this summer. They are Celebrate Kirkland’s annual and festivities, and the first-ever SummerFest Aug. 10-11, which will feature art, music food and family activities. Opposed to the allocations were Council Members Asher and Nixon, who both said they support the events wholeheartedly, but feel all city expenditures should be weighed against other needs in the regular budgeting process. Asher mentioned local human services needs that are currently unmet. After the vote Nixon joked, “Am I going to get to ride in the fire truck?” -- a council tradition during the Fourth of July Parade.