Comments on: Kirkland’s 2009-2010 Budget Gap: $13.8 million in the hole http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/ Kirkland's Blog for News and views on life in the City of Kirkland, Washington Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:12:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Goodbye Kirkland, Hello Bothell - King County promotes annexation of PAA by Bothell http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-1169 Goodbye Kirkland, Hello Bothell - King County promotes annexation of PAA by Bothell Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:24:29 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-1169 [...] need to be addressed before it can even consider almost doubling in size through annexation. The current budget strategy proffered by the City will lower service levels and raise taxes in Kirkland — in part, an [...] [...] need to be addressed before it can even consider almost doubling in size through annexation. The current budget strategy proffered by the City will lower service levels and raise taxes in Kirkland — in part, an [...]

]]> By: Downtown Condo Dweller http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-1056 Downtown Condo Dweller Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:59:38 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-1056 For the latest on the budget (no real new information, just a new publication) you can check out this City Newsletter that will be arriving in your mailboxes soon. http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/__shared/assets/City_Update_Special_Edition_Summer_089556.pdf One suggestion I have to save money is to have an opt-out for print mailings. I found out about this newsletter from an e-mail from the City telling me the hard copy would be mailed shortly. I hate print and I would love to save them the mailing, printing costs and trees and tell them I would prefer all my communications electronically. If enough people did that it could make a slight difference. For the latest on the budget (no real new information, just a new publication) you can check out this City Newsletter that will be arriving in your mailboxes soon.
http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/__shared/assets/City_Update_Special_Edition_Summer_089556.pdf

One suggestion I have to save money is to have an opt-out for print mailings. I found out about this newsletter from an e-mail from the City telling me the hard copy would be mailed shortly. I hate print and I would love to save them the mailing, printing costs and trees and tell them I would prefer all my communications electronically. If enough people did that it could make a slight difference.

]]> By: Thoughts of mine http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-683 Thoughts of mine Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:01:03 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-683 We need to make a list as someone else has said. The list needs to have our priorities listed clearly so that when Councils vote the have our list in their hands and not just the priorities of the city manager. I'll start with police, fire, sidewalks, park lawn care and a PARKING GARAGE DOWNTOWN. We need to make a list as someone else has said. The list needs to have our priorities listed clearly so that when Councils vote the have our list in their hands and not just the priorities of the city manager.
I’ll start with police, fire, sidewalks, park lawn care and a PARKING GARAGE DOWNTOWN.

]]> By: Some Kirkland City employees take issue over budget gap article http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-681 Some Kirkland City employees take issue over budget gap article Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:57:07 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-681 [...] recent Kirkland Views article, Kirkland’s 2009-2010 Budget Gap: $13.8 million in the hole has caused some concern, confusion and even consternation on the part of a few of my friends [...] [...] recent Kirkland Views article, Kirkland’s 2009-2010 Budget Gap: $13.8 million in the hole has caused some concern, confusion and even consternation on the part of a few of my friends [...]

]]> By: new2kland http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-642 new2kland Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:19:16 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-642 As my name implies I am relatively new to this town. Various times in my career I lived in the area and really enjoyed it. I have worked for the big M for going on 18 years and have had the opportunity to live and work in various places around this country and the world. I have been commuting our here for the last few years while my family was in the midwest and after finally selling our home there have bought and settled here. Wherever I have been I try to stay tuned in to the vibe of the community. I think this blog is helpful in doing that and also in stimulating some thoughts. After having read all the different categories on this site and being bored last night skimming the City website I have concluded that this place is in deep need of some group therapy. My view is an outsider who was dropped in to this planet and so I may have some things wrong. If so accept my apologies up front and I will take my beating later. It appears to me that your politicians sans a couple of them as well as some special interest groups and individuals are living in the last century. Nothing unexpected as it happens everywhere I have been. It is obvious that none of these people have read any history and certainly recent history of what is happening in other parts of this state or this country. If they did they would know that staying static is not an option. Our society is fast paced and you grow or you perish. I know this is Seattle and you are the home to all these great smart people who started and run great companies so you may think that this area is immune to what happens elsewhere. You are sadly mistaken and will pay the price for having not taken advantage of things like annexation and redevelopment now. Having read about the annexation while looking for a home in the greater Kirkland area I can't understand the opposition to annexation. We did eventually buy within the City limits but understood had we bought in the annex possible area that we would assume debt and get less services than current Kirkland residents get for several years. That would have been ok with us. The City as I understand it would have gotten State money to help too. I understand the budget crisis but can tell you from experience that these things I have read the rants on the City budget and while there may be some nomimal savings in the shortrun, I would be concerned with the longer run as to whether these savings can be enough to avoid the inevitable. Having come from the midwest and before that New England I can tell you that you are on a very slippery slope. Without economies of scale that only come from consolidation or from adding new folks to the tax rolls you are setting yourself up for the inevitable failure. I personally love your taxation here as I don't have to pay state income tax anymore. Add to that the 1% annual property tax increase and I am in the promised land. On the other hand though I know that the amount of money collected at the City level to even maintain basic services has to come from somewhere else. With inflation and general cost of living increases more money has to be raised. Where will it come from? Having read some of the City's own propaganda about maintaining a small town feel and having a diverse community, I can tell you from experience that when the coffers run dry this will continue to be a small town but look much more like a Medina or Hunts Point in terms of residents than the place we just moved to. I wonder if anyone has done a calculation of what the newest B of A proposal with only a partial 5th floor will cost the residents of this City over time? My hope is that the folks that run this place get their act together very soon because if they don't that light at the end of the tunnel will not be sunlight! My 2 cents worth on a less than sunny day here. As my name implies I am relatively new to this town. Various times in my career I lived in the area and really enjoyed it. I have worked for the big M for going on 18 years and have had the opportunity to live and work in various places around this country and the world. I have been commuting our here for the last few years while my family was in the midwest and after finally selling our home there have bought and settled here. Wherever I have been I try to stay tuned in to the vibe of the community. I think this blog is helpful in doing that and also in stimulating some thoughts. After having read all the different categories on this site and being bored last night skimming the City website I have concluded that this place is in deep need of some group therapy. My view is an outsider who was dropped in to this planet and so I may have some things wrong. If so accept my apologies up front and I will take my beating later.
It appears to me that your politicians sans a couple of them as well as some special interest groups and individuals are living in the last century. Nothing unexpected as it happens everywhere I have been. It is obvious that none of these people have read any history and certainly recent history of what is happening in other parts of this state or this country. If they did they would know that staying static is not an option. Our society is fast paced and you grow or you perish. I know this is Seattle and you are the home to all these great smart people who started and run great companies so you may think that this area is immune to what happens elsewhere. You are sadly mistaken and will pay the price for having not taken advantage of things like annexation and redevelopment now. Having read about the annexation while looking for a home in the greater Kirkland area I can’t understand the opposition to annexation. We did eventually buy within the City limits but understood had we bought in the annex possible area that we would assume debt and get less services than current Kirkland residents get for several years. That would have been ok with us. The City as I understand it would have gotten State money to help too. I understand the budget crisis but can tell you from experience that these things I have read the rants on the City budget and while there may be some nomimal savings in the shortrun, I would be concerned with the longer run as to whether these savings can be enough to avoid the inevitable. Having come from the midwest and before that New England I can tell you that you are on a very slippery slope. Without economies of scale that only come from consolidation or from adding new folks to the tax rolls you are setting yourself up for the inevitable failure. I personally love your taxation here as I don’t have to pay state income tax anymore. Add to that the 1% annual property tax increase and I am in the promised land. On the other hand though I know that the amount of money collected at the City level to even maintain basic services has to come from somewhere else. With inflation and general cost of living increases more money has to be raised. Where will it come from? Having read some of the City’s own propaganda about maintaining a small town feel and having a diverse community, I can tell you from experience that when the coffers run dry this will continue to be a small town but look much more like a Medina or Hunts Point in terms of residents than the place we just moved to. I wonder if anyone has done a calculation of what the newest B of A proposal with only a partial 5th floor will cost the residents of this City over time? My hope is that the folks that run this place get their act together very soon because if they don’t that light at the end of the tunnel will not be sunlight! My 2 cents worth on a less than sunny day here.

]]> By: kirkland busy body http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-633 kirkland busy body Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:17:13 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-633 Ghost, You are correct there was a park bond. It had many components all outlined at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/__shared/assets/Parks_Bond_Highlights7635.pdf I believe that the this bond is about to expire. The maintenance portion continues. I have heard rumblings of another Park Bond being proposed. In this case this was voted on by the public and the bond money appears to have been well spent. As for sidewalks in Downtown I think everyone can agree that they are not in good shape. This is a good opportunity for people to weigh in on whether or not this should be one of the priorities? Perhaps we could start an online list for consideration by the Council. Ghost,
You are correct there was a park bond. It had many components all outlined at http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/__shared/assets/Parks_Bond_Highlights7635.pdf
I believe that the this bond is about to expire. The maintenance portion continues. I have heard rumblings of another Park Bond being proposed. In this case this was voted on by the public and the bond money appears to have been well spent.
As for sidewalks in Downtown I think everyone can agree that they are not in good shape. This is a good opportunity for people to weigh in on whether or not this should be one of the priorities?
Perhaps we could start an online list for consideration by the Council.

]]> By: The Ghost of Peter Kirk http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-632 The Ghost of Peter Kirk Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:20:46 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-632 I am not exactly clear on how Parks funding works, but let me put some things out there which should help explain things, and perhaps someone else can verify, amplify, or (I hope not) disprove them. There is income from a Parks bond that was put in several years ago. Kirkland citizens voted to pay extra property tax levy to fund this. Money from this funded the Heritage Park development that's mentioned here. I am not sure if any operations and maintenance funding comes from this. The downtown sidewalks are in sad shape, but little has been done. There was a Sidewalk Bond Exploratory Committee a few years ago, but it was focused on residential areas. It may still exist, though this City of Kirkland web page shows they last met in 2005: http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/Public_Works/Committees___Commissions/Sidewalk_Bond_Exploratory_Committee.htm Maybe the city will put put a bond issue before us on a ballot to fix the downtown sidewalks. I am not exactly clear on how Parks funding works, but let me put some things out there which should help explain things, and perhaps someone else can verify, amplify, or (I hope not) disprove them.

There is income from a Parks bond that was put in several years ago. Kirkland citizens voted to pay extra property tax levy to fund this. Money from this funded the Heritage Park development that’s mentioned here. I am not sure if any operations and maintenance funding comes from this.

The downtown sidewalks are in sad shape, but little has been done. There was a Sidewalk Bond Exploratory Committee a few years ago, but it was focused on residential areas. It may still exist, though this City of Kirkland web page shows they last met in 2005: http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/Public_Works/Committees___Commissions/Sidewalk_Bond_Exploratory_Committee.htm

Maybe the city will put put a bond issue before us on a ballot to fix the downtown sidewalks.

]]> By: kirkland busy body http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-629 kirkland busy body Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:44:51 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-629 DCD is right about Heritage Park. Park Lane will be another study that costs staff time and money. Like many other studies and projects like Lakeshore Plaza few on the Council will endorse and fewer will vote to fund. It is hard to believe that this is the same City whose previous Council members bought the vast waterfront we enjoy today. Maybe it's just me but it seems that these budget meetings revolve around things the City Staff wants. After watching the tape again I hear the Mayor and a couple others talk about saving a penny here and dollar there. The Mayor even offered up (I don't think he told the rest of the Council beforehand) 10% of his and the Council's pay. Someone told me that it would amount to about 11k over 2 years. Later at another Council meeting the Mayor wants to establish a Sustainability Board. Wonder what that will cost? Maybe that is where the pennies saved will go! Redmond is a strong Mayor city. The Mayor has much more power because he is voted in by the residents to run the City. Priority based budgets are great and if you notice the first line of input is from CITIZENS then Staff! Kirkland however has a weak Mayor (no pun intended!) form of government where the Mayor is elected from the Council. The City Manager serves at the whim of a minimum of four votes of the Council. He is in effect elected and therefore political. This never ending B of A fiasco and all the theatrics that surround it have cost the City money they don't have. Thanks DCD for providing the link to yet another cost of this debacle. Let's see, where else could the City have spent the 12k and all the staff resources they burned up? How about starting with the Park Lane sidewalks! DCD is right about Heritage Park. Park Lane will be another study that costs staff time and money. Like many other studies and projects like Lakeshore Plaza few on the Council will endorse and fewer will vote to fund. It is hard to believe that this is the same City whose previous Council members bought the vast waterfront we enjoy today.
Maybe it’s just me but it seems that these budget meetings revolve around things the City Staff wants. After watching the tape again I hear the Mayor and a couple others talk about saving a penny here and dollar there. The Mayor even offered up (I don’t think he told the rest of the Council beforehand) 10% of his and the Council’s pay. Someone told me that it would amount to about 11k over 2 years. Later at another Council meeting the Mayor wants to establish a Sustainability Board. Wonder what that will cost? Maybe that is where the pennies saved will go!
Redmond is a strong Mayor city. The Mayor has much more power because he is voted in by the residents to run the City. Priority based budgets are great and if you notice the first line of input is from CITIZENS then Staff!
Kirkland however has a weak Mayor (no pun intended!) form of government where the Mayor is elected from the Council. The City Manager serves at the whim of a minimum of four votes of the Council. He is in effect elected and therefore political. This never ending B of A fiasco and all the theatrics that surround it have cost the City money they don’t have. Thanks DCD for providing the link to yet another cost of this debacle. Let’s see, where else could the City have spent the 12k and all the staff resources they burned up? How about starting with the Park Lane sidewalks!

]]> By: DowntownCondoDweller http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-628 DowntownCondoDweller Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:50:26 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-628 John Gilday asks if anyone walks in Heritage Park and if anyone has tried to walk on Park Lane. I do both on almost a daily basis. I love walking in Heritage Park and almost always see other people there walking their dogs, playing Frisbee or football on the grass or playing on the tennis courts. In addition Heritage Hall is being used for events. For example the Moss Bay Neighborhood Association used it Monday evening for their first BBQ which was attended by over 85 people including most of the City Council. So while it may not be as popular as Marina Park or Peter Kirk Park it is used. As to Park Lane I will agree it seriously needs work. The City has recently formed a task force to explore how to best renovate the street. Always assuming there is money to do so. But they are studying the problem. It appears from the comments I am reading here that people would like to see the city refocus what it is spending money on. I do think Redmond has the right idea with the new Budget by Priorities method they are using this year. I encourage people to read the overview here http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/bp/pdfs/BPOverview.pdf and see if they think it is something that could work here and if so think about how we could persuade the Council to implement this process. Obviously it is probably too late to do the whole program this year, but maybe components of it could be used to start. I do think a serious review of what Kirkland is spending its money on is needed – which apparently now includes up to $12,000 in outside legal fees for the Council incident on July 1st: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/kir/news/25731304.html is needed. John Gilday asks if anyone walks in Heritage Park and if anyone has tried to walk on Park Lane. I do both on almost a daily basis. I love walking in Heritage Park and almost always see other people there walking their dogs, playing Frisbee or football on the grass or playing on the tennis courts. In addition Heritage Hall is being used for events. For example the Moss Bay Neighborhood Association used it Monday evening for their first BBQ which was attended by over 85 people including most of the City Council. So while it may not be as popular as Marina Park or Peter Kirk Park it is used.

As to Park Lane I will agree it seriously needs work. The City has recently formed a task force to explore how to best renovate the street. Always assuming there is money to do so. But they are studying the problem.

It appears from the comments I am reading here that people would like to see the city refocus what it is spending money on. I do think Redmond has the right idea with the new Budget by Priorities method they are using this year. I encourage people to read the overview here http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/bp/pdfs/BPOverview.pdf and see if they think it is something that could work here and if so think about how we could persuade the Council to implement this process. Obviously it is probably too late to do the whole program this year, but maybe components of it could be used to start. I do think a serious review of what Kirkland is spending its money on is needed – which apparently now includes up to $12,000 in outside legal fees for the Council incident on July 1st: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/kir/news/25731304.html is needed.

]]> By: kirkland busy body http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/07/23/kirklands-2009-2010-budget-gap-138-million-in-the-hole/#comment-626 kirkland busy body Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:18:48 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=500#comment-626 FDM and John are on point about priorities. The items mentioned are a good start and worth looking at. What is maddening is that when I watch the Council meetings (I work those nights but watch the streaming) it never seems that anyone challenges the Council. Bob Style "the citizen moderator" is entertaining but his analysis and numbers never add up. His attacks are more personal than factual. Nonetheless he is a voice of dissent and more are needed. I think it was Coucil member Sternoff that first said that the City couldn't continue to do business as usual. He is right and my observation is that it will take a huge public outcry to change the way that this City does its business. As I am in the tech industry I watch the tech investments this City makes. Most are good and greatly needed but I wonder where the tradeoff in efficiency and lower labor costs are? I heard a Council member ask that question and I don't think the Staff gave a definitive answer. I really shouldn't be surprised when there wasn't an answer given. I don't remember any of the Staff seen or heard on TV that night offering personel reductions in their Departments! I hope that the Council reads this blog although I think I heard the Mayor comment that one shouldn't get their news from the National Enquirer! Of course our local rags the Reporter and the Times don't seem to want to dig too deep into the morass of this City. FDM and John are on point about priorities. The items mentioned are a good start and worth looking at. What is maddening is that when I watch the Council meetings (I work those nights but watch the streaming) it never seems that anyone challenges the Council. Bob Style “the citizen moderator” is entertaining but his analysis and numbers never add up. His attacks are more personal than factual. Nonetheless he is a voice of dissent and more are needed. I think it was Coucil member Sternoff that first said that the City couldn’t continue to do business as usual. He is right and my observation is that it will take a huge public outcry to change the way that this City does its business. As I am in the tech industry I watch the tech investments this City makes. Most are good and greatly needed but I wonder where the tradeoff in efficiency and lower labor costs are? I heard a Council member ask that question and I don’t think the Staff gave a definitive answer. I really shouldn’t be surprised when there wasn’t an answer given. I don’t remember any of the Staff seen or heard on TV that night offering personel reductions in their Departments!
I hope that the Council reads this blog although I think I heard the Mayor comment that one shouldn’t get their news from the National Enquirer! Of course our local rags the Reporter and the Times don’t seem to want to dig too deep into the morass of this City.

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