Kirkland launches "Conversations with Council" to bring councilmembers into neighborhoods

Kirkland has launched a new community engagement program called Conversations with Council to give residents face-to-face access to city council members outside formal meetings.

Luana Hancock, the city's community engagement coordinator, said the program is intended to be informal and responsive: "it's all about BYOT, bring your own topic," Hancock said, describing sessions where participants can drop in, raise questions and get clarification from council members. The program will run about 12 times a year, with 2–3 council members at each session.

The program was developed in the city manager's office and is part of the city work program, Hancock said, and it grew out of the council's ongoing effort to find more ways to connect with residents. Hancock, who joined the city in a new community engagement role established in late 2025, said the first session drew roughly 10 people and covered a wide range of concerns, from immigration questions to communication preferences, leaf blowers and bus routes.

Hancock described the format as flexible: some sessions may create small-group conversations or one-on-one time with council members depending on turnout and local interest. The city will announce sessions quarterly so it can respond to feedback about locations and timing.

The next two conversations scheduled are Feb. 21 at Kingsgate Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and March 19 at the North Kirkland Community Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hancock said more dates will be posted on the city website and in the show notes for the podcast episode.

Why it matters: the program aims to lower barriers for residents who may not attend formal meetings and to give councilmembers direct exposure to neighborhood concerns. City staff framed Conversations with Council as one part of a broader engagement continuum that includes the city's weekly email newsletter, printed newspaper The Kirkland, project web pages, and the Ask Kirkland chatbot and texting service.

The city did not announce any formal policy changes tied to the program during the podcast; Conversations with Council is a platform for dialogue rather than a decision-making venue.

The city's website lists signup and schedule details and will include links to register and to the podcast show notes for more information.