Embedded Files
South Rose Hill-Bridle Trails Neighborhood Association Meeting March 12, 2024 Minutes
President Kagen called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
15 in-person attendees
10 virtual attendees
Board Members present: Chris Kagen, Jim Hoff (virtual), Don Samdahl, Betsy Lewis, Deirdre Johnson, John Marsh, Karina O’Malley (virtual), Martin Morgan.
City Councilmember Penny Sweet attended virtually.
Board member absent: Kayla Kaluna
Announcements: Don Samdahl announced he contacted the City and WSDOT regarding the newI-405/ N.E. 85th Interchange reconfiguration. Both entities have responded to Don’s points.
There is Insufficient queuing distance from new signals to 120th and 114th Ave. Distance is needed to provide the space for construction of the interchange’s new configuration. The City recognized this issue at the design stage but also realized that this is the only option to allow completion of the interchange while continuing to allow traffic through the interchange. To mitigate the impact the City has been coordinating the signal timing on 120th and 114th with WSDOT’s temporary signals and will continue to make changes for further improvements.
The City has been coordinating with WSDOT on improvements such as adding advance lane control control signs or pavement marking arrows farther up the offramp showing which lanes turn in which direction. The City has also requested adding some guide radius striping to the southbound right turn lane and southbound left turn movements from the southbound off-ramp. Since this construction is managed by WSDOT, the City awaits hearing back from WSDOT for the contractor’s decisions on the City’s recommendations.
Martin Morgan announced that Board member elections will be held at the May 14 meeting.
Police Report: Deputy Mike St. Jean shared statistics on crime activity, police transparency dashboard.
Street racing: KPD has issued 13 speeding tickets on N.E. 70th in recent days.
A gun buy-back event will take place in April. Previous events have been very successful.
Guns turned in are melted down at one of two local smelters. The process is observed by Kirkland police and is documented.
Local burglaries target high-end homes. A recent “m.o.” is to feign a florist delivery. If a homeowner answers the door, the “deliverer” apologizes that they have the wrong address. If there’s no answer, the burglars enter the home through a rear door.
Another scam is to pose as a legitimate delivery driver, carry an empty box from a truck to the doorstep, then walk off with a legitimately-delivered package.
Tips: Arrange with a neighbor to pick up any package deliveries or use amazon drop or another service.
Keep doors locked.
Leave lights on
Lock vehicles and do not leave possessions in vehicles.
Questions from the audience:
Speed cameras: speeding data is gathered by third-party; Kirkland police review data before issuing any tickets.
What happens after police “catch” criminals? Answer: Police make a solid case, including past history and closing any legal loopholes. Working with other local jurisdictions to build cases is effective. Then it is up to the King County Prosecutor.
How many people use the police dashboard online–what if you don’t have a computer or know about this tool. Wish we had a newspaper.
What is Kirkland’s crime clearance rate? Answer: above average.
Taylor Fields Amenities coming this summer: Jenna McInnis (City staff) and Chris Stubbs,King County Solid Waste Deputy Director
By June 10, King County will purchase and install 5 garbage cans, 5 dog waste stations with bags, and 5 benches or picnic tables. Post-installation, maintenance, including dog waste bag station refill and regular garbage service will be performed by King County site staff.
Don Samdahl asked what opportunities will the Neighborhood have to give input on future development of the site.
Penny Sweet spoke to Don’s question, saying that Kirkland needs the green space Taylor Fields provides, which is an amazing asset in the middle of Kirkland. The immediate need is to clean up the ballfields. Nothing else can be done until the future of NERTS is determined. Coordination of the City, Kirkland American Little League, and King County will be necessary.
Jenna McInnis stated that further improvements will be a “bigger conversation” regardless of the NERTS location.
Peter Christiansen remarked that the perimeter road is in disrepair and asked if it can be re-graded. Mr. Stubbs will look into it.
Phil Allen noted that the KALL season ends around the estimated installation date and that it would make sense to install the amenities so they are in place at the start of the season. He also suggested that an off-leash dog park be added to the list of amenities. This would give the firefighters back their training area at Snyder’s Corner and relieve parking pressure on the businesses across the street.
Houghton Park & Ride Interim Uses: Jim Lopez, Deputy City Manager
Council will take up this topic at the March 19 meeting. At that meeting, a formal decision on how to proceed following the defeat of Proposition 1 will be made.
Regarding long-term use of the site, in late-breaking news, the Seattle Kraken hockey team has approached the City with a proposal to construct a hockey rink on the site. National Hockey League policy is to create multiple ice rinks in “team communities”.
Respectfully submitted, Betsy Lewis, SRHBT Secretary
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