The Kirkland City Council
Recent comments by a few readers of these pages have revealed that there is some confusion among the electorate as to how the Kirkland City Council is elected and whom they represent. Most of this information is available on the City website, nonetheless, we are providing it here to prevent further confusion.
The Kirkland City Council is elected at large. Well-organized neighborhoods with civic-minded residents have been successful in fostering neighborhood leaders who have been elected to council positions. North Rose Hill is home to four council members, Moss Bay is home to two council members and Norkirk is home to one. Many of our council members were past neighborhood chairs and most have served on city boards. Visit the neighborhood associations’ websites to get a better feel for which neighborhoods in town are actively involved and well-organized. There are noticeable differences in how each neighborhood is managed and that often is reflected in the level of involvement of local citizens.
The Kirkland City Council
Kirkland operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of seven part-time, non-partisan members, elected at large every two years to staggered four-year terms. At large elections result in each council member representing the entire city rather than an individual district or neighborhood.
The City Manager is a full-time position hired to serve the Council and the community in carrying out policies and overseeing the delivery of municipal services.
According to the city website, “The primary responsibility of the City Council is to establish the policies and long-term goals for the City, and to provide the resources and guidance necessary to carry out these polices.”
You can read the Council Philosophy at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/council/Council_Philosophy.htm and the Council’s Mission & Values at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/council/Mission___Values.htm
The current Kirkland City Council members are:
The positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen by vote of the entire Council.
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“The primary responsibility of the City Council is to establish the policies and long-term goals for the City, and to provide the resources and guidance necessary to carry out these polices[sic].”
Many years ago, the City Manager ran Kirkland, and the City Council did about what this quote states. However, over time, Council has become increasingly active in the operation of the city.
To a degree, I think this is a change for the better. Some city managers have taken too much power, with City Councilmembers only rubnber-stamping some sgnificant decisions, if that. But now it has gone too far. Council has gotten involved in so many small details of city business that I would expect to see them debate the best paint color for the inside of a janitor’s closet, and then ask the staff to prepare a report on the subject.
Some very well qualified people won’t run for Council because they see the extreme demands on their time that it requires. Staff spends a large amount of time supporting their needs for extreme detail and debate. Boards and commissions have little confidence that their recommendations will be respected and implemented without a few councilmembers dissecting every detail.
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TGoPK,
I agree. When I was growing up here we had strong forward thinking Council Members. They generally did what was best for the City. That is why we have parks etc. It is my impression that the majority of the current Council Members have their own personal and political agendas and appear to be micro managing. I have heard this from neighbors who have lived here a long time and who won’t apply or serve on any boards or commissions because they feel it will be a waste of their time. It appears that the Council is giving mixed direction to Staff as well as evidenced by the recent rejection projects that wound there way through the public process. In the meantime I watch Counci meetings that are so fraught with tension that can’t possibly be in our best interests. Troubling is the word that comes to mind.
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Gail Reply:
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Robin,
I think you are right about the weirdness in the Council. New people with new perspectives will mix things up and I would love to see someone like you throw give it a go. If several intelligent and involved people ran for office, things could really change.
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robin gentary Reply:
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Gail,
I would consider doing so but am probably another 4 years off. I have 2 kids just starting school. I will get involved in the meantime and continue to voice my opinions here.
The weirdness is perplexing. None of my neighbors appear to agree with the direction this Council is taking. Every blog and publication seems to indicate that the Council is disconnected from the vast majority of the community. I noted that during one of the B of A hearings the Mayor saying something about it not being a good idea for people to get their news from the blogs and tabloids. I thought that a curious statement. It got me wondering where he gets his news?
Robin
[Reply]
Ghost,
When you say the council works long hours do you mean that they aren’t paid enough? I never knew the politics behind the council. Rose Hill seems to really have a political machine running. Civik has been active for several years and if they support Rose Hill candidtes then they have a formidable coalition. The chamber or some other group should form to counter the no growthers. Park Place Shopping Center looks like a prime place to turn back the attacks against Kirkland growth. Make it your Alamo. If you lose Park Place as a shopping center this town is washed up for good. Don’t let that happen. Wake up Kirkland you have been asleep and the city is burning. Count me in for the volunteer fire brigade. We need new ideas and new blood in town. The croanyism will need to be overwhelmed by lots of voters. How you get good people to try for a council spot own the $1000 question. I think it is time to clean house in Kirkland politics and sign me up to your organization to counter the no growthers.
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Serving on a Board I can assure you that you do feel as if your advice and work is often being ignored and that you are simply providing the same information over and over again and if it does not fit within what the Council wants to hear they simply request you study the issue again. Frustrating. However, this does not mean people should give up on serving the community. The only way to implement change is from within.
Also the comment about the neighborhood associations is a good one. There are some strong groups and it is an excellent way to get involved and to find out what issues are impacting your area of Kirkland. There is always much discussion about Downtown, but Kirkland is more than just the Downtown and these groups can help people focus on other issues.
Currently the sad thing is if you read the Values and Philosophy statements the Council is to my mind failing in several key areas including Integrity, Respect for the Individual, and Responsiveness. They are also failing to provide long term financial stability, organizational values, and have warped community involvement into something that perhaps has too much sway.
I think Kirkland has a lot of potential and that the damage is not yet irreparable, but unless some strong leaders who are willing to listen to the high quality staff , members of the Boards and Commissions, and experts they have hired and stop micromanaging then long term Kirkland may really suffer.
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