Kirkland’s City Hall was buzzing with activity on Oct. 6, as the city opened its doors to residents who wanted to talk about timely topics, meet city staff and councilmembers or just file the paperwork they couldn’t get to during the week.
This was the second year Kirkland hosted its City Hall for All event, which is free, family-friendly and open to all.
“City Hall is always open to everyone Monday through Friday, [but] this special event will provide members of the Kirkland community an interactive experience with their local government on a weekend day,” Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen said in a press release.
The four-hour open house featured a town hall on the city’s bike share pilot program, along with other workshops on tree regulations, waste management, volunteering, off-leash dog areas, accessibility, policing and more. There was a KirklandTalks discussion on “American” cultural identity and pluralism, and a Kirkland Reads presentation on its city-wide reading program.
Residents were also able to access utility billing, pet licensing, passport services, business licensing and the Parks Department counter.
The focus was on making Kirkland a safe, inclusive and welcoming place for all people, highlighted by the participation of Kirkland’s neighborhood associations, the city’s human services commission, King County Elections, the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition, Indivisble Kirkland, KirklandSafe, the Kirkland Women’s Club and the Welcome Eastside Center, among others.
See www.kirklandwa.gov/cityhallforall for more.
Mayor Amy Walen chats with residents at Kirkland’s City Hall for All on Oct. 6. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Kirkland city staff members help attendees at City Hall for All find what they’re looking for. Photo courtesy of the city of Kirkland
Residents peruse a selection of informational brochures at Kirkland’s City Hall for All. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Kirkland Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold talks to residents and city staff at City Hall for All on Oct. 6. Photo courtesy of the city of Kirkland
