An important part of the City government's policy-making process is its various boards and commissions, which advise the City Council on vital public policy matters. Recruitments start generally in February or as needed. All of these hold regular public meetings. Positions on all boards and commissions are nonsalaried. Further information regarding appointments to city boards and commissions may be obtained from Kathi Anderson—City Clerk (425) 587-3197.
BOARD OF APPEALS:
The board consists of five members who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction. The appointment is made by the City Manager. Appeal hearings are held on an as needed basis and have averaged one per year over the last ten year period.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION:
The Civil Service Commission, required by law, oversees the hiring and disciplining of City police and fire personnel. It consists of three members, appointed by the City Manager to terms of six years. The regularly scheduled meeting is the second Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall.
Staff Contact: Rod Lank (425) 587-3218
CULTURAL COUNCIL
The Cultural Council, established November 2002, promotes strategic planning and development for arts, culture and heritage in the community. In addition, it advises the City Council on public art acquisitions. The board’s regular meeting is the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the Rose Hill room at Kirkland City Hall.
Staff Contact: Julie Reynolds (425) 587-3012
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
The role of the DRB is to review and make decisions upon proposed development projects for compliance with City of Kirkland design regulations and guidelines in the downtown and Juanita business districts (range may potentially expand to other areas); and to critique existing design policies. The DRB meets on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Jeremy McMahan (425) 587-3229
Click here to view Design Review Board meeting Design Review Board Meeting Info
HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
The Human Services Advisory Committee is an advisory group comprised of four citizen representatives appointed by the City Council to four-year terms, and three City staff representatives. This Committee reviews funding requests from human services providers, reviews Community Development Block Grant applications, and prepares recommendations to the City Council regarding annual funding of the City's Human Services Program. The Committee meets the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m.
Staff Contact: Sharon Anderson (425) 587-3322
LIBRARY BOARD:
The Kirkland Library Board was established in 1951. The purpose of the Library Board is to act as a liaison between the City of Kirkland and the King County Library System. The board actively promotes the use of the library, encourages intellectual freedom by supporting the provision of the widest possible range of materials and promotes special programming that meets and challenges the interests of an inquisitive community. The board meets the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall.
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is appointed by the Kirkland City Council for the purpose of advising the Council on allocating the lodging excise tax fund for tourism promotion and is comprised of seven voting members. Membership terms of the advisory committee are through June 30 of the year following appointment and are reviewed annually by the City Council. The Committee generally meets monthly or as needed.
Staff Contact: Ellen Miller-Wolfe (425) 587-3014
PARK BOARD :
The Park Board advises the City Council on development, acquisitions, and operation of Kirkland's parks and recreational facilities. Its eight members are appointed by the City Council for four-year terms. The board's regular meeting is the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Staff Contact: Michael Cogle (425) 587-3310
PARKING ADVISORY BOARD :
The Parking Advisory Board (PAB) will allow an exchange of information both to and from citizens concerned about parking downtown. The PAB will recommend new policy and policy changes to the City Council. Central to the work of the Board are the Parking Guidelines for Downtown Kirkland (PDF-904 kb) that are codified in the Kirkland Municipal Code.
Staff Contact: Tami White (425) 587-3871
PLANNING COMMISSION:
The Planning Commission advises the City Council on all matters relating to the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan and land use regulations. The seven members are appointed by the Council to four-year terms. The Commission meets regularly on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. It uses the professional staff services of the Planning and Community Development Department.
Staff Contact: Paul Stewart (425) 587-3227
Click here to view Planning Commission meeting Planning Commission Meeting Info
SENIOR COUNCIL The Senior Council, established May 2002, works in an advisory capacity to the City Council. Their role is to study, review, evaluate and make recommendations to the City Council regarding issues impacting citizens age 50 and older. They participate in the advocacy, education, support and creation of programs that meet the needs and advance the well-being of seniors. The Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Kirkland Community Senior Center.
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Staff Contact: Dana La Rue (425) 587-3361
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION :
The role of the Transportation Commission will be to advise the City Council regarding planning and development of those transportation issues referred to them by the City Council. The Commission will also submit to the City Council, through the City Manager, recommendations for such other transportation issues of interest to the Commission, or associated with Council-directed items, as the Commission feels is advisable and meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Staff Contact: Dave Godfrey (425) 587-3865
HOUGHTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL:
The Houghton Community Council is constituted differently and has a slightly different mission than City advisory boards and commissions. It consists of seven members, elected every four years from the area formerly designated as the Town of Houghton, which joined with Kirkland in August 1968. This body exercises both advisory and approval authority over most matters related to zoning regulations and land use within the Houghton area. No other board or commission in the city exercises jurisdictional authority. It meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Staff Contact: Nancy Cox (425) 587-3228
Click here to view Houghton Community Council meeting Houghton Community Council Meeting Info