Kirkland council adopts immigration‑response resolution, approves work program and asks staff to study valet pilot and local minimum wage

The Kirkland City Council on April 21 approved several policy actions and staff work directives, including a resolution preparing the city for federal civil‑immigration enforcement activity, adoption of the 2026–2028 Planning Work Program, and directions to study a downtown valet pilot and options for a local minimum‑wage evaluation.

Council adopted resolution R5729 directing the city manager to expedite internal policy reviews, training, and community outreach relevant to civil immigration enforcement; the resolution also asks staff to evaluate legal options to protect public access to parks and ballot drop‑boxes and to reinforce constitutional policing standards and compliance with state law. Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez said staff added targeted revisions after outreach to community nonprofits.

Separately, council unanimously adopted the Planning Work Program (resolution R5732), which sets the department’s priorities through 2028. The program emphasizes implementation of state law Senate Bill 6026, near‑term “middle housing” optimization work, and a targeted set of projects that were prioritized by council and the Planning Commission.

On non‑binding policy requests (legislative request memos), council directed staff to pursue a downtown valet pilot under a public‑private partnership model (Option 3) and to also explore enhanced marketing of the city’s live parking map (Option 4). Council members approved Option 3 to allow a private vendor use of on‑street drop‑off zones and some off‑hour storage with city coordination; staff will return with specifics, including operator proposals, locations, and operational rules.

Council also approved a request to have staff develop options to evaluate establishing a local minimum wage beyond state levels. The motion asks staff to return a menu of evaluation approaches — from lighter‑touch scoping and outreach to a comprehensive study — and to describe community and business engagement plans and resource needs. A majority of council supported the LRM; one member expressed concern about timing and potential business impacts.

Other votes during the meeting included authorizing a time‑sensitive letter of intent to purchase a former LDS church property at 13220 NE 132nd Street (R5731) and postponing action on a station‑area zoning ordinance (Ordinance 4936) to May 5 for further amendment.