The Kirkland City Council held its regular meeting on May 21 with several projects including an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) study session, the final approval of the Parks Maintenance Center and the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) Historic Depot Site Project on the agenda.
With an overall goal to minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides within the city, council members held a study session to examine the background on current city IPM policies, evaluate current vegetation and pest management strategies and consider alternatives at a future meeting.
The study session comes as city staff begin their adaptive approach to control pests such as insects, rodents, weeds and plant diseases. Specifically, vegetation management is increasingly visible as the weather warms and council members are evaluating the city’s use of some products that contain glyphosphate, an herbicide that has seen conflicting reports on whether or not it is carcinogenic.
While this debate is ongoing, the city uses products approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington State Department of Ecology. Additionally, as the EPA assesses the risk of glyphosphate, the city will comply with state and federal agencies if they issue a ban or warning against the use of the herbicide.
The Parks Maintenance Center saw final approval, after the IPM study session, as council awarded a $2.2 million contract to Klinge and Associates of Kirkland. The bid was awarded and the funding was authorized as council approved the consent calendar.
The 25,000-square foot Parks Maintenance Center in Totem Lake, located at 12006 120th Place Northeast and formerly housing an Office Max, hosted a ground breaking celebration on May 22. The project will officially begin construction in June.
City staff also briefed council members on the CKC Historic Depot Site Project, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kirkland. The project is the first master-plan-inspired project involving community volunteers, outside agency grant funding and private donations, according to the city.
Overall, the Rotary Club raised $28,914 for site improvements — $22,600 in funds and the value of $6,314 in volunteer labor — and raised $32,400 for a proposed picnic pavilion.
Council examined three options to enhance the city’s original Northern Pacific Railroad station with a CKC Central Station Picnic Pavilion. As of the Reporter’s Tuesday deadline, council had not decided whether or not to contribute to the project or how to contribute to the project.
The options range from a Country Lane Gazebo, which would cos the city an estimated $33,744; a DC Structures option that would cost the city about $82,308; and a custom deign that would employ a local architectural firm and cost an estimated $108,381 in city contributions.
Locals can view the meeting in its entirety on the city’s website at tinyurl.com/y6tuffax.
