Kirkland City Council to hold Special Meeting Monday, August 4, 2008

21 Responses to “Kirkland City Council to hold Special Meeting Monday, August 4, 2008”

1. Jilliepgirl

   1 August, 2008, 16:31

   Will this be televised? If so is it live? What channel? Thanx

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2. The Ghost of Peter Kirk

   1 August, 2008, 17:13

   They are always on Comcast Channel 21 and streamed on the Internet as well. However, they don’t have to be broadcast, so maybe they’ll skip this one.

   What will this be? Sounds like some sort of apology coming from Hodgson, perhaps? Or might he resign?

   Th could have plugged it in to the Tuesday night meeting agenda, but they kept it separate, for whatever significance that has.

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3. Robin Gentary

   1 August, 2008, 20:40

   This is such a neat site. I never dreamed the town I grew up in would be so interesting. It looks like I moved back here just in time to see a live soap opera. I have tried to follow this saga and have had a hard time figuring out what is going on. I have read most all the comments, the recall stuff and watched the meeting video. Am I now to understand that there is going to be a meeting devoted to just this one council member giving a statement for concerns raised about the July 1st meeting? It seems odd to me that this would happen when there is a meeting on Tuesday night. I guess it does raise another question of if there was some code or law broken what should be the consequences? My husband, kids and I just moved back from the middle east after a five year hiatus from the U.S. I don’t know if this kind of behavior is the norm and tolerated by the rest of the Council? It did appear that the Mayor was fully supportive of the behavior as was the female council member sitting beside Council member Hodgson. I am looking for some grounding here and there just seems to be so much secrecy on the part of the Council when I hear these same people on the tape talk about how tranparent things are. Am I missing something? Thanks for the opportunity to comments and ask questions.

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4. kirkland busy body

   1 August, 2008, 20:50

   Anybody notice that the agenda for this meeting has the public comment before Mr.Hodgson’s statement? Is it me or do others think this looks a little strange? First the meeting on Monday night. Then the public comments. Then the statement. The “Thank you. You’ve been a great audience”. Tom Clancy can’t write plots that are good as this.

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5. The Ghost of Peter Kirk

   1 August, 2008, 23:43

   kbb, there are always public comments before a Kirkland meeting, so I guess they are just following standard form. One wonders what might be said at the one, though.

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6. Neighbor

   2 August, 2008, 8:49

   Robin,
   Yes you have come home to interesting times. I never thought I would watch a city council meeting on t.v. but I found this situation quite compelling. I may even attend the meetings on Monday and Tuesday.
   I think the Monday meeting was scheduled to clear the air prior to Tuesday at which time th council continues the trial for civic. I think they want to get this mess behind them so they can be fair and not have people from the audience shouting at them!
   I don’t know what the norm is for secrecy but everybody’s so energized I bet there are not many secrets that don’t get out these days. This council is like reading the gossip column. Can’t wait to see what happens next. It is fun to watch these people because they can’t stand each other and it shows. They are acting like my daughter’s pre-school class. Somebody needs a TIME OUT. And no more Juicy-Juice until they clean up your room.

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7. Another Kirklander

   2 August, 2008, 10:55

   This meeting was announced very late, and it is the day before a regular meeting, so I think the Mayor hopes to keep this as low profile as possible. Another point - it is a 7:00 PM meeting, which is 30 minutes earlier than usual. Do Lauinger and Hodgson hope to get it over and done before some people show up at 7:30?

   Throw in that it’s one of the biggest vacation weeks of the summer with a forecast for beautiful weather. I sure hope that it is broadcast on TV and the internet and also archived on the Kirkland website, because this is a meeting that should be memorialized and remembered.

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8. K Jordan

   2 August, 2008, 16:54

   I would urge all of you to attend this meeting, while it is entertaining to watch it on televsion,(that way you can watch with your friends, yell and comment, have a beer) it does not show the council that you care about what happens in your fair city. Attendance at the Monday meeting is key. I would propose that you all come, I certainly would’nt miss it for the world. I hope to see you all there, perhaps you can introduce yourselves by your blogger name. I would love to meet you all.

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9. T. Dawg

   3 August, 2008, 14:11

   Hello Bloggers,
   I have been reading for weeks now, but have not participated in the conversation. I suspect there are many others out there like me. As someone who has been involved in downtown Kirkland for many years, I just can’t stand by the sidelines any longer. These are my observations based on personal experience:

   1. All of the city council are basically wonderful people who care deeply about Kirkland
   2. Council is guided by the city manager and his staff who certainly must take some responsibility for budget shortfalls and the development blunders of the past several years.
   3. The council has directed city staff to gather community input through various boards, councils and organizations for years now, trying to settle on a “vision” for Kirkland. That vision was officially adopted, which in a nutshell supports preserving our unique, charming human scale.
   4. The divisive actions of late stem from some of the council believing they should uphold the adopted “vision” while others do not seem to think they need to. The city staff seems to support the latter. They pretend to listen and then go about their own intended agendas.
   5. Some property owners, many who have been strategically involved for a long time are more interested in maximizing their profits than preserving our downtown and unfortunately have had enough influence to trump the “Kirkland vision” with their own vision.
   6. REALITY CHECK for those of you who think downtown businesses should be of the sundry type. IMPOSSIBLE! With the present rents, you might as well get used to having to drive to the hardware store and start appreciating the wonderful unique businesses that bring people from all of the Puget Sound region to enjoy our vibrant community.

   In closing, regarding Monday’s special meeting, I’m sure there is a lot more to the story than any of us know and I think we should give our council the benefit of our support, until we know the WHOLE story.

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10. kirkland busy body

    3 August, 2008, 15:40

    T. Dawg welcome to the blog!
    #1 Delete the word “all”
    #2 Budget shortfalls rest with Council for being asleep at the wheel. There is a fincance committee who should be reporting this to the whole Council.
    #3 Please read the Downtown Strategic Plan and look at the renderings. Please define what “uniques things” are called out to be preserved by the plan? Also define “charming human scale”?YOu can refer to the DSP as this is an open book test. Then report back to the Blog.
    #4 Uphold the adopted vision”? Please see above homework. After blessing and watching the development over the last several years did these same Council members who can’t define the vision nor the specific items that they so care about have an epiphany? I think you have the players roles reversed.
    #5 Wow what a new idea. Maximize your own property value. What country do you think this is? I think I heard a Council member say something to the effect that if you don’t wan’t someone to build to the maximum height and or size then pay the owner the difference. That is not to say that anything ought to be built. You have to be realistic that the economics not to mention the mine field that anyone wanting to redevelop is going to go through has got to have some significant upside. If not then why bother and we will continue to have the limited goods and services we already have today and I’ll just drive to another City to spend my dollars.
    #6 Paritially covered in #5. You took the words out of my mouth except that those people coming here for the “unique” aren’t helping me not to drive to where they probably came from to get the necessities.
    I look forward to getting the “whole story”. I doubt we will get it but I will remain optimistic until the Mayor brings the gavel down.

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11. unnamedCuriosity

    3 August, 2008, 18:14

    KBB,
    If you disagree with T. Dawg about a few things, please explain why…

    You say:”Delete the word ‘all’ from “All of the city council are basically wonderful people who care deeply about Kirkland”.
    Why? Which on the city council are not wonderful people and why?

    You say: “Budget shortfalls rest with Council for being asleep at the wheel. There is a finance committee who should be reporting this to the whole Council.” Who is asleep at the wheel on the finance committee? Why do you think the council is asleep? What should they be doing differently?

    Why do you doubt we will get the “whole story”? What do you think motivates the “gang of four”? What do you think motivates the “gang of three”?

    Thanks….

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12. kirkland busy body

    3 August, 2008, 20:44

    Unnamed,
    Thank you for reading my post carefully and not asking for any more clarification on the other four points I commented on.
    Since you asked.
    The “all” was in reference to “care”. Care about being fair and honest and ethical. See below comments for follow up.
    Budget Shorfalls and Asleep at the Wheel: All Council assignments are available at http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/council/Meet_The_Council.htmI
    But since you must know it is the Mayor, Jessica Greenway and Joan McBride. I submit that the Budget woes are not new and is the stated reason for denying the annexation. I remind you that this was after a costly 2 year study. I now agree with you that “aslseep at the wheel” does not fully describe the situation!
    Things to do different: Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize! Then economize! This City has so many Boards and Commissions whose members donate their time and expertise too and who have no idea if they are going down the right road or not. I challenge you to contact some people on these boards and get their take. Years ago I applied for a Board. That Board met with the Council twice a year and still it wasn’t enough. I determined that the time committment for me would not work. Now that board meets once a year. I am at a loss as to any orgaization can go that long without some guidance. But let’s add some more boards and find time to meet with them while the real issues like the Budget simmer.
    We won’t get the whole story because we won’t be able to ask the questions in a timely manner. Like how much has this whole B of A debacle cost the City in terms of legal, staff time, Council per diem and most importantly things that had to be put on hold while this circus was in town. I sure don’t expect to get it by attending a Council meeting!
    The gang of four is motivated like any other majority: Staying in Power. I now understand the last election. Go review PDC reports and see who the Campaign Coordinators were, gave the most money and in kind contributions. See if you recognize any of the names that are front and center in todays favorite topic. For the record both my wife and I gave money to “the candidate” who talks into the camera about “transparency” in both of the elections. I am a union guy and because my union gives money to all sorts of candidates I decided to look up the PDC stuff on some and was amazed. Unnamed, I invite you to go look for yourself and report back to the blog about what you find.

    I didn’t invent the term gang of four. I’ll give you a break and ask that you just watch the meetings since the first of this year. Draw your own conclusions. The gang of three isn’t much of a gang. And a pair doesn’t fit either. The three are as different as they come.
    I really do hope for an open and honest discussion about all of the above and most importantly that our Mayor and Council hear and respond to our concerns.
    Finally, for the record I am a big time “D” for what it matters anymore!

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13. unnamedCuriosity

    3 August, 2008, 21:58

    Thank you for your answers KBB. I respect your position and that you have paid far more attention to these issues than I have so I have another question or two for you. What should we do to promote open and honest discussion from our city? What do you think are good questions to ask of our officials to best improve the way things run? There seems to be much wrong right now. Where should we focus?
    I think the current budget is troublesome from what I have read. What do you think would fix it?

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14. kirkland busy body

    3 August, 2008, 23:28

    Unnamed,
    I am no expert just someone who has seen much happen in my time here.
    I believe from what I hear and see that this City is divided down the middle. I see a City Council that is elected to provide leadership tied up in their underwear. One Council faction seems to want to freeze time and act like the nothing need change or only change with today in mind. The other Council folks seem to be more open to the future and trying to find common ground. Would a different Mayor make a difference? I don’t know but it couldn’t hurt.
    What is needed is for this Council to agree and implement a vision for the next 25-50 years. Let’s take the ambiguity out of what we want to be and make a committment to get there. Some of the work has already been done. There are growth management population goals for our City. This means growth will happen here. Other long term issues are centered around how will we stay afloat financially? Today we are having a hard time with our budget. I can’t imagine how we will pay for services without getting larger. I have a co-worker who lives in Bothell. He says that there is great interest in his City to annex the areas that are to our North. He thinks it is because Bothell will gain efficiencies over time that will lower overall costs and benefit their citizens.
    Our Council must be made to answer the above and tells us where we are going and why? This budget crisis is a rude wake up call. We can’t wait much longer or we may very well see an even greater change in demograghics here. The old timers can’t afford to live here now and the ability of young families to find a reasonably priced home here is difficult. Honestly, I don’t know how much longer my family can afford to live here. I have a good job, a home that is 2/3 paid for am see some of my City Council people advocating for a vote on higher taxes. These people must have more than me and not be concerned about the rest of us.
    It is my hope that this blog can be a forum for all of us to give some ideas to our Mayor and Council.

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15. SRM Development requests Disqualification and Recusal of Councilmember Hodgson

    4 August, 2008, 5:18

    [...] Kirkland City Council has scheduled a special meeting on Monday, August 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. to address this issue. The meeting is open to the public and [...]
16. Fleur de mer

    4 August, 2008, 7:03

    I hope your right busy body because as much as I like Kirkland’s parks and waterfront, I don’t think it is ever going to annex us. I actually live closer to the Kirkland boarder than Bothell but if they want us then fantastic. It doesn’t matter much to me I just want the police to show up when I call them. I don’t think that is too much to asak.

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17. kirkland busy body

    4 August, 2008, 21:13

    Wow that was exciting! Good thing I didn’t waste the disc space to record it! Sorry I had to work I would have loved to have seen the faces of the audience.
    Let me recap for those who missed it.
    Meeting starts at 7:07 waiting for Council Member Asher who does show up a few minutes later. Mayor talks about decorum at meetings like this. No applause blah, blah, blah (reminds me of how people behaved at Russian Politburo meetings pre glasnost) 4 members of the audience speak. The first one is a lady who says that the citizens look to the Council for leadership and aren’t seeing any. (She gets it!) Then 3 who have some sort of sticky with words on their chests say things that lead me to think they had Tom’s speech in advance. In a nutshell they say Tom is a great guy, stops his car for kittens in the road and is kind to all these people who showed up to support him in his time of need. He is fair and no matter how illegal his actions may be he is doing the right thing! Mayor thinks all the talking is done but he is wrong. One guy who the Mayor pre-supposes is going to say something nice about Tom who is wearing a button slamms the Council for the McCleod decision and asks them to reconsider before Portsmith falls off the cliff and the people behind them get their view back. The last guy to speak is also wearing a sticky and does make some sense. His advice is similar to what Sternoff had said about the Council not being in touch with the advisory boards. Keep in touch with the Boards even putting a Council member at each meeting.
    Mayor turns the show over to Tom.
    Tom reads a prepared statement saying only that his actions at the July 1st meeting have been a source of concern for members of the City Council” He goes on to say “that my actions did not contribute to the collegiality that we all agree should be the hallmark of our proceedings and that he regrets that. It will not happen again”. He “shall pay $500 to make amends for the thousands of dollars the City has spent on those concerns”. (I may have gotten some of those last words wrong. I’ll add an extra $5 to the collection plate on Sunday for my bad!)
    Then Council member Greenway who doesn’t know when to let someone else have the last word. Says that none of what Tom did bothers her and blah blah blah.
    Council Member Sternoff then says that he was one of the “concerned Council Members and that he does have a problem with what happened because it is basicaly breaking the law! He reminds everyone that every Council Member takes an oath of office to uphold the laws of the State and the ordinances of the City. He accepts Tom’s apology.
    Deputy Mayor McBride says that the Council needs to deal with the pressing issues at hand.
    Mayor Jim wraps it all up by saying something about looking forward to a great meeting in September.
    Deputy Mayor McBride reminds the Mayor that there is another meeting tomorrow night. The Mayor says “oh yeah”. I guess tomorrow nights meeting won’t be so great!
    This “meeting” was a joke. Whoever scripted it did so to make sure that Tom got a slap on the wrist. Oh and was that the lady lawyer for SRM sitting in the front row taking notes?
    Stay tuned tomorrow night for another episode.

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18. Michelle Goerdel

    4 August, 2008, 21:28

    Kirkland Busy Body- thank you very much for the executive summary on the meeting tonight. I too worked late and was about to go onto the city website but came here instead just in case someone had already commented on the meeting. I have been greatly saddened by this incident marring the name of the city I have called home since the early 90s. I’ve been watching the council deteriorate for several years now and hoping it wouldn’t come to this sad state of affairs. Now that it has I and my friends who live and work in the city are prepared to start working for a change in the council next year, although finding someone to take on such a mess could be difficult to say the least!

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19. Hodgson fined by City Council - Recall advocates remain silent

    4 August, 2008, 21:34

    [...] with temperatures approaching eighty degrees, concerned citizens gathered at City Hall to attend a special meeting of the Kirkland City Council. The atmosphere was congenial as people of many political stripes waited in council chambers for [...]
20. The Eastside Sun

    4 August, 2008, 21:38

    Just got back to the office from this evenings whitewash.

    I have never seen that many people willing to allow a law to be broken with a wink and a nod.

    HELL, more than a wink and a nod, they allowed Tom Hodgson to;
    1) break the law
    2) incur a $12,000 debt for outside legal counsel
    3) hogtie the council with his action for an entire month
    and
    4) escape without as much as an apology.

    - “It will not happen again” is not an apology
    - Reading a hashed out agreement with fellow council members is not an apology
    - a $500 fine does not reimburse US for a $12,000 expenditure

    look at the nametages CiViK passed out:

    - We are proud of you Tom
    - Thank you Tom
    - Courage
    - What BS

    OK, the last one was mine.

    
    In 61 BC Julius Caesar divorced his wife because she was present at an event that, it was assumed, a young patrician named Publius Clodius broke a law. Later, when called before the Senate to testify against Clodius , Caeser stated he had no evidence against Clodius. When ask “Why then did you divorce your wife Pompeia? Caeser replied that “my wife ought not even to be under suspicion.”
    
    Please resign Mayor Lauinger.

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21. Rob Butcher

    4 August, 2008, 21:46

    Kirkland Busy Body,
    Thank you for your passionate play by play. My attempt to describe the evening may have a different angle…

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