Author: Jeff Hoerth

Learn what’s what at Kirkland City Hall in presentation at Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance public meeting

Posted by | Feb 29, 2012 | , , |

Feeling lost on where to go or who to talk with regarding matters related to your new Kirkland jurisdiction? Wondering what information is even available or what questions can be asked? The Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA) will host Kirkland Communications Program Manager Marie Stake at a public meeting on Wednesday, March 7 at 7pm in the Finn Hill Junior High cafeteria. It will be the first public meeting held since Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance adopted a new name and mission statement in order to become the neighborhood association recognized by the City of Kirkland. Stake will explain the ins and outs of the Kirkland city website which contains a wealth of information regarding the goings-on at City Hall, permitting, business rules, neighborhood issues, and too many other things to be able to list here. Mike Cogle, city Assistant Parks Director, will also be on hand to explain an initiative to create a voter-approved park bond for the November ballot. Finn Hill residents may be directly affected if a decision is made by the city to take over maintenance of O.O. Denny Park. A Finn Hill Park & Recreation District commissioner will explain what’s up with the Northshore Utility District sewer line project at O.O. Denny Park. And FHNA Board member Ellen Haas will discuss an April event that encourages people to get outside with the resulting videos and...

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Volunteers sought for path repair at Big Finn Hill Park

Posted by | Feb 10, 2012 | |

On Sunday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 am, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) will be working on a Big Finn Hill Park trail section just south of NE 138th Place, where there is a crosswalk and the kiosk built by EMBA years ago. That’s on the west side of Juanita Drive adjacent to the residential neighborhood. They are going to use concrete rubble, plus crushed rock provided by King County Parks to build a masonry turnpike thru one or two perpetually wet low spots. They will be hauling the rock and rubble in from the street, so they need wheelbarrows and shovels. Everyone helping out should wear long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves, etc. Bring some water and snacks. Park on NE 138th just off Juanita Drive, or on 72nd Ave NE just around the corner from the kiosk. There will be a sandwich board or two out for markers. Congregate at the kiosk to start hauling...

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Fire station public hearing on Feb. 8th

Posted by | Jan 31, 2012 | |

The City of Kirkland wants to hear from residents on the process that will lead to the siting of a new fire station in the Finn Hill Neighborhood. An Open House will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8 at Finn Hill Junior High School, 8040 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland. The Open House was originally scheduled for January 18 and was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. City Fire and Capital Improvement Program representatives, as well as the City’s architectural planning firm, will present background information and receive ideas from citizens and businesses about site identification and evaluation. Ideas can also be submitted online http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Capital_Improvements/Comment_or_Ask_a_Question_About_a_CIP_Project.htm and will be shared with the City’s Project Team. The Holmes Point Fire Station (#25) and the Finn Hill Fire Station (#24) are located within the Finn Hill neighborhood. The Holmes Point Station #25 is a full-service facility that provides responses for emergency medical, fire suppression, and hazardous-materials. It also provides technical rescue, such as vehicle, confined space, water, and trench rescue. The station is staffed by professional fire fighters, who are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and are equipped to respond to emergency medical calls with an Aid car and a fire engine to respond to fires and rescue calls. The current Finn Hill Fire Station #24 had been the home base of the former Reserve Program and will soon be housing the...

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Finn Hill fire station public hearing for January 18 is postponed due to weather

Posted by | Jan 17, 2012 | |

The City of Kirkland is postponing the public hearing originally set for Wednesday, January 18, intended to discuss siting a new fire station on Finn Hill. With snowfall of 5-10 inches predicted, and other meetings on the calendar in the next few weeks, Kirkland will reschedule for mid-February. We’ll post details when they become available. When the community forum does take place, Fire Chief Kevin Nalder, City Manager Kurt Triplett, and the City’s architectural and design consultant will present information on the need for a new station, the criteria for selecting the site of a new station, and the public review process for evaluating potential locations. For more information, see the City’s web page regarding the new Finn Hill station: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Fire_and_Building/Fire___Medical_Services/Proposed_Finn_Hill_Fire_Station.htm. Locating a station in Big Finn Hill Park, a proposal which generated considerable interest last year, continues to be an option, so we urge you to attend the meeting in February and advise City officials of your concerns and preferences. The focus of the meeting will be on alternatives for a new station, but City officials will also address the status of Fire Station 24. (See separate article on more details regarding station...

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City reminds us of snow plow strategy

Posted by | Jan 17, 2012 | |

The City of Kirkland offers this reminder that the first priority for snow and ice removal is given to roads that are near Evergreen Hospital and lead to and from I-405, transit routes, schools and fire station.  Second priority is given to arterials that have above normal traffic use.  Steep and hilly public roadways that are difficult to maintain will be closed.   The  following link shows the map of first and second priority roads. http://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/IT/GIS/SnowRoutes.pdf To sign up to receive storm updates via email, subscribe to the “News Room” list serv at http://www.kirklandwa.gov/ebulletins . Road hazards can be reported by calling the 24 hour City of Kirkland Public Works Maintenance Line at...

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