OPINION: Four Mayors and a Clerk - The duties of our City Clerk

City Clerk Doris Schaible's retirement party on 3/22/1995: Selwyn "Bud" Young ('68-'79; d '99), Christine Himes ('80-'83), Doreen Marchione, ('84-'91), City Clerk Doris Schaible, Rosemarie Ives ('92-'07)

That's quite a picture of retired City Clerk Doris Schaible (in green) with Redmond's four most recently retired Mayors. Doris Schaible was our City Clerk for 25 1/2 years and she worked with everyone of these Mayors.  

Did you know that the City Clerk is the oldest of public servants in local government, along with tax collectors?  A case in point is our first mayor, Frederick A. Reil, 1913 -1918. He was Redmond's first postmaster and town clerk before running for mayor, unopposed. (1)

My personal experience with the Office of City Clerk began about four years ago. A large group of Education Hill neighbors were trying to appeal the Camwest, Inc. Perrigo Heights plat Steep Slope and Landmark Tree Exception. We needed ordinances and code information and we discovered the Clerk's office was a big help.  Today, I like to copy the Clerk on important emails to help my correspondence get circulated to the right people and "for the record".  When I want a public record for some information on, say, SE Redmond septic tanks and our aquifer - I submit my written request to the City Clerk.  cityclerk@redmond.gov.    

Our city clerk is the "hub of government" and direct link between "us" and city government. Probably no one knows more about what's going on in the city then the City Clerk. At a 2008 council meeting, Mayor John Marchione likened the Office of City Clerk as "a rock to stand on".  (I'm not sure what this means).  Since then, public records request service has improved dramatically.  Over time the Clerk's knowledge of the city's recorded history builds. The Clerk is highly respected and a certain amount a power comes with that knowledge.

According to various sources, (3) a City Clerk needs to be highly diplomatic, apolitical, unflappable, patient, versatile, and alert. I might add careful and assertive. One understands why a city clerk has these traits when reading their job description, as found on the city website, as follows:

1. supports the Mayor and City Council, oversees the Hearing Examiner function,
2. coordinates City elections and monitors state legislative actions.
3. responsible for coordinating and distributing agendas and information in support of City Council meetings.
4. is the official Public Records Officer of the City and maintains official City records including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and titles.
5. In conjunction with the Police Department, the Clerk's Office oversees and responds to public records requests.

This old website description barely describes the duties of the Office of the City Clerk. In  2010, Mayor John Marchione added additional work load to the City Clerk's job.  The Office of the Clerk (3 FTE's) is now responsible for updating the Council portion of the City Web site.  The Clerk is also Program Manager for the new City Hall  Volunteer Front Desk Program.  As the Administration has grown, so have the number of meetings needing a Record by the Clerk.  The record at meetings is taken by notes, recordings, email, and video.

When City Clerk Malissa Files was promoted by Mr. Mayor to Finance Manager, Michelle McGehee was promoted to City Clerk.  I think Michelle was hired by Mayor Rosemarie Ives.  

Our new City Clerk, Michelle McGehee, is a "Certified Municipal Clerk". She is extremely well qualified, friendly, and committed. Michelle moved from Alaska to take the job.  Michelle, or her deputy clerk Liz, can be reached at 425-556-2190 and by EMAIL: CityClerk@redmond.gov.

Michelle's job has definitely grown from the clerking days of Doris Schaible! (2) In 1969, the population of Redmond was 9,213. There were 60 employees. 1 Parks employee. 5 firefighters. 10 police. 1 traffic light (Redmond Way & 164 Ave. NE).  Today, the population is over 50,000 by night and 90,000 by day. 

References:

(1) "Redmond Reflections...from settlers to software", Naomi Hardy, 2006; (2) Doris Schaible, Community Relations, Redmond Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Doris Schaible; (3) Wikipedia - (click title page).

Posted:  June, 2008.  Updated:  5/28/2010

By Bob Yoder
Photo donated by Doris Schaible

The new downtown "Street Art" bicycle racks - how do you use them?

Redmond's new "Street Art Bike Racks" have made their debut! "Ain't she a beauty"?

PART ONE: What is this Street Art? And how is it used?

The city's original pilot rack was placed outside the Library for over a year before the city launched their Bike Rack program big-time this year. This one in front of Redmond Physical Therapy and the original library pilot now have the company of numerous others downtown. Perhaps someday they'll vary the theme with a High-Wheeled bike rack like the Historical Society's Logo or the one pictured in this storefront window; or another design or color?

According to the city, "The rack allows both wheels and frame to be secured using a u-style bike lock, an anti-theft device that is significantly more effective than traditional chain or cable locks. Two to four bikes can easily be locked parallel to the rack, leaving the sidewalk clear for pedestrian traffic." U-Locks can be purchased at Target, Sammamish Valley Cycle and other bicycle retail outlets.

When the city launched Street Art racks I wasn't too surprised no one was using them. (Have you seen a bike hooked up?) Probably a combination of factors limit their use: 1) bicyclists not knowing this green street art has function and 2) the downtown core is hollow designed for pass-though traffic rather than business, residents, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and 3) the price of gas is still too low. In any event, I decided to try the racks out for myself and give you a critical review.

The first two racks I found were near the 80th Street & 164th Street intersection by Victor's Coffee. I hooked my bike up to the first one (right) with a U-lock. It was easy to hook up because I could lean my bike against the street tree.


But soon I realized my bike gears and chain were chaffing the street tree and over time I was concerned the tree could get girdled or diseased.

The other Rack I tested was right on the intersection close to a bus stop by Banner Banka. See below photo. Unfortunately, again another tree was in the way AND flower pots. A time may come (gas is $8/gallon in Europe now) when rack space is hard to find. Obviously, it's unsafe. A far better location for the rack is to the left and right of the bus stop and back a few paces. Bicyclists and pedestrian commuters using the bus would find the Rack more convenient and be safer. I don''t know who in Public Works installed these racks but it's evident beauty and visibility ranked higher than safety, function, and location.

Finally, on the left is a picture of the favorite...."hitching post" at Victor's Coffee on Gilman, across the street from the bus stop. The city could have looked more carefully for location clues when making placement decisions. One may notice the bikes hitched to deck railing partially obstruct the door and could possibly impede passage during an emergency. A great place for a rack is on the sidewalk seen in the foreground. Victor's and three other businesses on Gilman Street are well buffered from arteriole traffic. This is a wonderful "mid-block connector" street. One day it could redevelop and become a vibrant gathering place for pedestrians and bikes. Gilman Street is a great place for bike racks!

This is the only "hitching post" I found on Gilman Street. "Redmond Vacuum," a basket store, re-sale maternity and children clothing store are just down the street. With 7000 people expected to be living in downtown Redmond in the next 10 or so years, Gilman Street could someday be a core asset for revitalizing our downtown. I'd like to be a property owner here!

Guidance on how bicycle funds are spent in Redmond is provided by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. -- dedicated citizen volunteers.

Redmond's excellent & undiscovered "Bike-Ped" web site on bicycle resources is HERE.

PART TWO: a critique of the Bike Rack review process:

During their 10/8/07 committee meeting, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee conducted a final review of the bike racks, according to the 10/8 Minutes on record. The Minutes show Staff made the decision to implement the "bike bike rack" program on a larger scale in 2008. The Arts Commission was not included in the formal decision-making process. The actual installation and larger implementation of the program took place at the beginning of Mr. Mayor's term.

The Ped-Bike Citizen Advisory Committee's final decision to "go ahead" with the project city-wide was made after an on-site visit with staff to the library pilot rack. Specific site visits to planned placement locations may have been left up to the Public Works staff. On-site visits by the Advisory Committee were not recorded in the 9/10/07 Minutes./p>

The "Bike Bike Street Art" Public Works project is under the guidance of the Ped-Bike Citizen Advisory Committee and management by the city transportation staff. So far, the only time the public has directly been engaged in this project was during the Ives Administration via 1) a press release survey when the pilot project was announced, 2) by a city website survey, and 3) citizens driving or walking by the library Pilot rack.

CONCLUSION: On-site vetting and observation by staff , advisory committees and commissions is recommended especially during the implementation of a project, however small in scope. Urban design and implementation decisions are lasting and deserve on-site scrutiny. The downtown rack project can be improved with better rack placements, a press release and public education. The project has merit and motivates us to think about our urban design and the importance of on-site vetting. These are my opinions; your comments are always welcome.

My first 11/07 story with comments is: "Redmond's new hybrid bike - bike rack or street ornament?" and it can be found by clicking on this link and then scrolling down or clicking on the title of this story and scrolling.

Bike rack made by Dero

Tips on Redmond's #1 crime - short video clip

Did you know Car Prowls are the #1 crime in Redmond and GPS units are the #1 car theft on the Eastside? "Smash and Grab" GPS thefts are up 360% from 2006. Visit Herb Weisbaums's KOMO NEWS 4 short video clip HERE on Redmond's problem and learn what to do about it. Herb interviews Redmond Police.

Notice:

On June 25, Redmond Police are giving a free clinic on personal safety for women, ages 15 and up at the Public Safety Building (Police Dept.) -- 1-block north from the library adjacent City Hall. DATE & TIME: Wednesday, June 25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Redmond's Saturday Market culture (and fresh food source)

This is a picture of Duane at his vegetable market. A young child is admiring one of his cucumbers. Duane is one of 80 vendors at the "Redmond Saturday Market" open from 9 -3pm every week from May 3 - October 25. Duane's friendly smile and table of his fresh, locally grown tomatoes & large display of a variety of potatoes drew me to his "shop". I was hungry, too! Duane farms his organic produce on leased land and greenhouses in Sultan, Snohomish, and Puyallup. Tomatoes ($2.50/pd) have to be kept warm and waist-high to propagate.


Duane's wide variety of potatoes are $1.25/pd. He told me his shallots ($3.00/pd) taste good "caramelized". What's a caramelized shallot? Guess I'll have to pull out a cook book and see what he means. I told Duane my grandfather Yoder's two brothers started up a tomato greenhouse in Ohio that eventually grew into an international crysanthumum propagating business & fresh mushroom business. We had an instant connection.

So, just what is the "culture" of this Market? For starters, Redmond Saturday Market is the "Oldest Open-Aired Market on the Eastside". It's celebrating 33 years! All fresh produce, farm products, high quality crafts and specialty foods sold in the Market must be locally grown or made in Washington. Joanne Westlund's "Market Thymes" semi-annual newsletter has some wonderful news about the Market revealing market culture:

1) Food vendors Jim and Martha and their
children collect fresh produce donations at the market and donate it to a nonprofit, faith-based food bank called "Love, INC". Jim and Martha provide other human services for rent and utility assistance, car repair and clothing. Stop by their Hawaiian Ice and Hot Dog stand and say hi.

2) "Kids Day Selling" is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial or creative child to experience creating a craft and then presenting it to the public for selling! The dates this year for Kids Day Selling is July 19 and August 16. Stop by Joanne's information booth to learn more.

3) Have you ever had a question about what was killing off your plants, getting rid of gophers, or what plant to buy for a special place in your garden? The Redmond Saturday Market has "Master Gardeners" who can help you!

4) Eleven days with music!

You can't miss the Saturday Market (Downtown Redmond, on Leary Way next to Redmond Town Center). Ever since the Marriott Residence Inn closed their parking lot, the hard part is finding parking. Joanne purchased 5 new garden carts to help transport heavy purchases to the Leary loading dock. The best parking is the LWSD and RTC lots.

President and Treasurer of the Saturday Market, Joanne Westlund is a busy lady. But she still finds time to participate on the Redmond Historical Society Board. Her phone is 425-556-0636. Stop by and say hi to her.

Nostalgia for Baby Boomers; insight for their kids.

THOSE BORN 1920-1979

To all the kids who survived the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!

> First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
> They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
> Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
> We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
> As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
> Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
> We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
> We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
> We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
> WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
> We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
> No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.
> We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
> We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms.......
> WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
> We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
> We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
> We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
> We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
> Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
> The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
> These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
> The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
> We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
> If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
> While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

A quote from Jay Leno:

'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

-- contributed by my friend, Bill Brouseau, founding Eastside Catholic Boys Lacrosse Coach and teacher.

Summer Reading in Redmond

Books are big in our house. We have shelves upstairs devoted to board books, paper books, princess books, books in the shapes of animals and even books in the bathroom about poop. Downstairs in our house, I'm always being asked for tape from my daughters who put together books they have written. Some are LOL funny about stuffed animal adventures, some sad about our cat that went to go visit her sister far far away *sniff* while others are historical, depicting trips we've taken. Every night the girls get to take turns picking one long and one short book to be read by their dad.

So were do you go in Redmond to quench a thirst for books? Half-priced books (7805 NE Leary Way, 702.2499) is always great for little allowances. And it's healthy for the earth to buy books that have been read before. McDonald's Book Exchange (16415 NE 83rd St, 885.4773) is another place that's been around forever selling used books. Plus, you can teach your kids about the old way of exchanging their books for new ones!

Soulfood Books (15748 Redmond Way, 881.5309) has a really terrific story time every second Saturday starting at 11am. I love this groovy place because while you're ordering your tea in the cafe or browsing the store, you can keep an eye on your kids in the children's book area.

Borders in Redmond Town Center (16549 NE 74th St, 869.1907) is another one of our favorite place for buying books. My oldest daughter still remembers being read to by Beryl at their story time but now Todd and Stephanie have taken over on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Stephanie's story time involves head bobbing and is not to be missed. There used to be two story times, one at 10:30am and one at 11am, but now there is only one at 10:30am each day, so it gets very crowded and loud sometimes.

But the very best place in Redmond to find books? Our awesome Redmond Library (15810 NE 85th St, 885.1861) of course! They have various story times throughout the week for different ages and cultures. And after the story time, you can check out the books that were just read, head over to the children's area for your own personal puppet show (well, I usually get my own at least) or find CDs or DVDs to rent for a month. Can't locate something on the shelf? Then you can request them to bring it to you from another library! I once had a book from Oregon sent to me through the interlibrary loan system. Plus starting June 16th, the Summer Reading Program begins.

So happy reading!
Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi
Co-author, Overlake Neighborhood

UPDATED: Evans Creek - Where is it? Where does it go? What went wrong?

OPINION:



click on the pics to enlarge









Can you guess where Evans Creek is in this picture?

Find a graphic satellite map HERE of Evans Creek running through the industrial park and connecting with Bear Creek. Can you find the confluence of Bear & Evans Creek on Keller Farm on the left of the map? Zoom in. Can you can find the stream culvert and creek banks?

Evans Creek is a important salmon-bearing stream located in SE Redmond. The picture on the right is the beginning of Evans Creek near the county - city border. This photo was taken on the historic Red Brick Road looking west. See the beaver dam? You pass over Evans Creek everytime you drive on Union Hill Road near 192nd Avenue NE, just south of the Red Brick Road. Another good landmark is Legacy Roofing.

In the photo on the left, Evans Creek is further downstream into the industrial park running through a pipe (culvert) under the gravel road. A small bridge over Evans Creek is marked by orange posts. The creek flows left (west) under the tiny bridge & parallel to NE 84th Street through this industrial business and several others. About a half mile downstream adjacent Millennium Park it connects with Bear Creek on Keller Farm.

Bear Creek and Evans Creek are state and city protected salmon-bearing streams. Federally endangered wild Chinook salmon run through the Evans Creek industrial area on their way to spawn upstream. I don't know how far they make it. Evans Creek is supposed to have a 150 -200 foot buffer but the industrial businesses on 84th Street have been grandfathered for scores of years with a 25 foot buffer. As you see from the left photos the 25-foot buffers have been ignored by the landowners and city. Trucks, junk and debris sit directly on top of the bank.

Without a buffer, the salmon and other in-stream critters and wildlife lose the natural "riparian" food and protections they would have received from trees, shrubs, logs, and spongy earthen banks. Every truck, car, and piece of junk on the stream bank contributes to polluted run-off into Evans. The city's Department of Natural Resources has a distant goal to re-locate Evans Creek north and away from the industrial park. The stream banks could be restored with 200 foot buffers. The business owners land values on NE 84th Street would increase, too, and redevelopment would be possible. If you want to send a message to the city about Evans Creek buffers contact Code Enforcement Officer Carl McArthy or Mayor John Marchione. "What went wrong" with the buffers was not Mayor John Marchione's doing. (In this photo, the creek runs right to left between the trucks/cars and the trees).

6/3/08 Planning Commission's report (currently under review by Council): "[The Planning Commission] did however, discuss the issue of how to address existing industrial users along Evans Creek and the Sammamish River. The Planning Commission acknowledged lands zoned for these users are limited, and it is appropriate to allow these structures to continue to operate and possibly expand under certain circumstances."
- 2007 Shoreline Master Program Update staff report is (here)
At the 6/3 council meeting, Councilman Cole mildly reasserted the Planning Commission's recommendations. Councilman Myers said he wasn't interested in the Shoreline plan going to court. Councilwomen McCormick & Allen discussed holding multiple study sessions. The Department of Ecology Hearing and final decision will be made by December 1, 2009. Comments can be sent to Cathy Beam, Redmond Environmental Principal Planner and David Pater, State Ecology Shoreline Planning Manager. A statement by Mr. Pater is under "comments".

State Department of Ecology Website: Shoreline Master Program (SMP)
King County Website: Evans Creek Natural Area
If you or your friends and family are interested in taking a closer look at Evans Creek, the Water Tenders (a local nonprofit that cares about Bear Creek Basin), is sponsoring a car tour of the Evans Creek riparian corridor this Sunday afternoon, June 8. Please contact Bob Yoder (me) for details.

Lacrosse & Basketball Summer Camps & Events

Scroll down for Boys & Girls Basketball

WALAX May 3rd Newsletter
2008

LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP FOR SUMMER LEAGUE.

SUMMER LEAGUE STARTS JUNE 16th

Summer league starts on Monday 16th June and there are only a few more days left to sign up. We are still accepting individual and team signups for our girls and boys leagues in Seattle and Redmond.

Check out the sessions we have available and just email us if you have any questions. It promises to be a great summer of lacrosse and we're exciting to introduce you all to some great players we have coaching summer league this year.

Click here for the summer league schedule and links to sign up online.

Remember if you've not signed up before you'll need to set up a username on the registration site (not the walax website)

2008 Washington Lacrosse Games

If you haven't heard of the 2008 Washington Games it's only a matter of time. Organised by the Seattle Sports Commission, the games are taking place from July 10-20th throughout WA. Lacrosse is one of 22 sports taking part in this olympics type games.

Walax is working with the SSC to host a youth tournament to celebrate the growth of youth lacrosse in a festival type atmosphere. 16 teams will come together in a one day tournament on July 12th at Marymoor Park.

To learn more about the Washington Games and to learn how to register your team for the tournament, just click on the links.

USA U-19 Team Comes To Seattle

The men's US U-19 team are stopping off in Seattle prior to travelling to Vancouver for the World Games taking place from July 3-12th. Hosted by the WA State Chapter, the U19's will be holding a youth clinic and playing a Washington All Star team on Sunday June 29th at Mercer Island Stadium.

The 2 hour clinic is open to players from 3-8th grade with participation being limited to 250 players. The U-19 team and coaches will be running the clinic so it's going to be a great opportunity for all youth players to get some amazing coaching. Pre-registration for the clinic is now open so make sure to reserve your spot early.

In addition to the youth players clinic, there will be 2 exhibition games. The US U-19 team will take on the NW College All-Stars and later in the evening Team Washington will take on Team British Columbia. Here are some cool guys coming to the camp this year:

Jamison Koesterer 2x NCAA Champion from Johns Hopkins, Face-off Midfielder
Steven Brooks 2008 NCAA Midfielder of the Year, All-American National Champion Syracuse
Nathan Kinney 2005 NCAA Champion Virginia, semi-finalist Syracuse
Jesse Schwartzman 2x NCAA Champion goalie, Johns Hopkins, 2007 Tournament MVP

For the schedule or to register for the clinic click here

Recaps from the Spring Season
It was a great season that came together on May 17th at Memorial Stadium. To read the regular season and championship recaps just click the links below.
High School Boy's
High School Girl's

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REDMOND H.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP - REGISTRATION

Redmond H.S. Girls Basketball Camp (grades 3-9) M-TH, June 23-26, 1-5. Varsity players assisting. To register call Varsity Coach Dennis Edwards at 425-885-0782 or "click here"

Redmond H.S. Boys Basketball Summer Camp - Registration (grades 3-7) M-TH, June 23-26, 9-12:30pm. RHS Gym. Register with Varsity Coach Jeff Larson, jlarson@lwsd.org or visit http://www.redmondmustangs.com/