Recently, I was asked why Kirkland City Council members spend time on regional boards and committees. It is a fair question and the answer for me is quite simple.
Since I began to serve on the city council 12 years ago, it’s been my experience that having Kirkland represented on regional committees brings benefits to citizens because of the critical influence city officials have on regional decisions that impact our town and because of the state and federal funding Kirkland receives for transportation improvements and environmental protection.
The city’s business doesn’t end at the city limits. Kirkland council members are sworn to do their very best for Kirkland and that includes making sure that our region advances as well. Being involved regionally allows us to bring an important voice for Kirkland to King County’s Advisory Solid Waste Committee about recycling, the Sound Transit Board about reliable mass transit, Enterprise Seattle about economic development efforts on the Eastside, and the WIRA 8 Salmon Recovery Council about environmental protection.
A regional issue that has a significant impact on Kirkland is the State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) improvement plans for the I-405 Corridor. While serving on the I-405 Executive Committee, Kirkland Councilmember Dave Asher and I challenged the original plans to only widen freeway lanes through Kirkland to include a complete rebuild of the Northeast 116th Street interchange in Totem Lake, including bicycle lanes and pedestrian amenities. WSDOT has completed the first phase of the interchange rebuild and the full project is expected to be completed in three years. This project brought $16.1 million of transportation improvements to Kirkland. I am convinced that without Kirkland’s seat at the table, the result would have been only wider lanes through our town and nothing else.
When our region flourishes, we flourish as a city. This would be enough of a reason to participate in regional committees but an important benefit is that often these committees offer programs and funding for our city. Examples include:
• Sound Transit: Increased funds for the new Kirkland Transit Center and sidewalk extension along the 85th Street Corridor from $5 to $13 million.
• St. Andrews Housing: Preservation of 60 affordable housing units in Kirkland.
• King Conservation District: Received $300,000 in funding since 1994 for the Green Kirkland Program and habitat acquisition and restoration.
• King County Flood Control District: Received $100,000 per year for 10 years to address storm water and flooding issues.
These are real projects with real regional money behind them. And all of them were championed by Kirkland elected officials who served on regional boards.
Kirkland has a long history of being seated at critical regional tables and an equally long history of making sure that regional, state and federal funds flow into our town for projects that benefit our citizens. We are always looking for sensible ways the region can invest in our hometown.
Your city council members serve you on the following regional boards and committees and you are encouraged to contact any member with concerns or questions you have about a particular issue:
• Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet: Cascade Water Alliance
• Councilmember David Asher: Eastside Transportation Partnership and 520 Bridge Team
• Councilmember Jessica Greenway: King County Solid Waste Committee
• Councilmember Bob Sternoff: Jail, Enterprise Seattle, Suburban Cities Board of Directors, Puget Sound Regional Council
• Mayor Joan McBride: WIRA 8 Salmon Recovery Council, King Conservation District Advisory, Flood Control Advisory, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Eastside Human Services Forum
• Councilmember Amy Walen: Suburban Cities Public Issues Committee
Joan McBride is the mayor of Kirkland. Contact information about the city council is available at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us.
