City of Kirkland leaders used Community Appreciation Night at the Kirkland Performance Center to recognize the work of boards, commissions and volunteers and to present annual awards to long-serving citizens.

Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez opened the community-appreciation portion of the program and thanked council members and city staff for their support. "Everything and everyone is connected," Lopez said while promoting the Kirkland Initiative, the city’s eight-week civic-education program that he described as a path into local leadership.

Council members and commission chairs then introduced work from 2024 and priorities for 2025 across multiple advisory bodies: parks, human services, transportation, planning, library, youth council, design review, civil service, cultural arts, tourism development, senior council and the disability board. Examples of items described onstage included parks staff and volunteer work on the Kirkland Teen Union Building and a possible Peter Kirk Pool enclosure to expand year-round swim lessons; the Human Services Commission’s role in the 2024 grants cycle that produced recommendations funding 76 programs; Transportation Commission leadership on the Transportation Strategic Plan and a citywide Safety Action Plan; and the Planning Commission’s public hearings on the comprehensive-plan update.

Several commission chairs described 2025 priorities and outreach efforts. Amy Ambrosini, parks board chair, discussed the plan to explore an enclosed Peter Kirk Pool to address long wait lists for swim lessons. Gabriela Lopez, Human Services Commission chair, summarized the 2024 grant review process and said the commission recommended funding for 76 programs. Brian McGee, Transportation Commission chair, described recent work on a Safety Action Plan and speed-limit policy. Rodney Rutherford, Planning Commission chair, said the commission is shifting to address state requirements and council priorities following the comprehensive-plan hearings.

The evening also included recognition of outgoing members across commissions and boards and presentations of volunteer awards. The city presented three above-and-beyond awards: Brad Beckman, honored for leading stewardship at Rose Hill Meadows Park and for organizing dozens of volunteer events and plantings; Valerie Higa, recognized for longtime service with the Peter Kirk Community Center Lunch Program; and Michael Lee, recognized for pro bono photography documenting city events.

Discussion versus decision: the program was primarily recognition and outreach. The remarks relayed commission work plans and priorities for 2025 and promoted volunteer recruitment and the Kirkland Initiative; no formal council votes or motions were recorded during the event.