What's been the best kept secret in Redmond?

Edited, 1/20 August 5th is "National Night Out Against Crime" and 30 neighborhoods in Redmond will be participating this Tuesday. Most will celebrate with a Neighborhood Block Watch party.

So what's the deal about Redmond's big secret? The secret is 1650 AM radio! Redmond Community Radio 1650 AM is our "new" 24/7 emergency advisory radio service. Redmond's emergency radio band will be announced and celebrated in neighborhoods on "National Night Out."

1650 AM was first launched -but never took off - during the Ives Administration following the severe December 2006 windstorm (and earthquake of 2002). Power was out for an average of 4-5 days on Education Hill. Pat Vache', Vice President of Council, moderated a study session last night shedding light on 1650 AM. Mayor John Marchione came prepared with a six-minute video presentation (click the story title to watch it), multiple staff presentations, and marketing tools. 1650 AM was the first digital audio radio station west of the Mississippi but up until last night, no one had ever heard of it!!

1650 AM broadcasts can only be heard from vehicles.  In emergencies, the city will update their website and I'll be posting updates from my home or from the library - as long as power is available.

It's only a matter of time for another local natural disaster. Last time I heard, the Eastside was about 10 years overdue for a 30-year subduction earthquake. Check the local ongoing seismic activity reports here. We've had two severe flood storms in the last 2 years. Serious windstorms with power outages happen and with climate change, probably more so. 1650 AM will be there for us when we need it? (City events are announced in between disasters)

The city video describes Redmond's bustling Emergency Coordinating Center and the Redmond Community Radio. Besides emergency alerts, the radio station broadcasts: city events, Amber Alerts, road repairs and construction, and someday it may broadcast traffic accidents.

Thanks go to council's awareness and the John Marchione Administration for taking the wraps off of 1650 AM!

The city installed signage announcing the Radio station - on RED-WOOD.  9/2012

UPDATE, 7/31/2008, Black Bear sighting in Hartman wetlands

UPDATE, 8/11/2008: LIVING WITH WILDLIFE IN WASHINGTON STATE -- This LINK is the best resource for helping us deal with Bears, Bobcats, Racoons, and on.. The Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife released this Safety Guide as a result of multiple wildlife sightings this year!

UPDATE, 7/31/08 - Precautionary steps here to keep bears out of our neighborhoods. Department of Fish & Wildlife office in Mill Creek is getting a dozen calls a day of sightings from neighborhoods.

UPDATE, 7/29/08 - 3rd Sighting: " The friend I ride with said her neighbour saw a bear in her townhouse outside, on Avondale , the one next to the Starbucks by PCC. That is just down our hill [from the Camwest clear-cut]. He came out of the trees and was just eating and went back again. She said he was really big! - Sigmunde


UPDATE, 7/29/08
Quote from Eric O'Neal, City Parks Department:
"We had a staff member see a relatively small black bear coming through the park (by fields 3 & 4) and move south towards the wooded area. We put up about twenty paper notices throughout the park about the sighting, and had our Recreation Department contact the baseball user groups to let them know what we saw. We are currently working on a standard wildlife sign that will be posted at locations where cougar and bear have been spotted."
Opinion: It was excellent the Parks Department would go out of the way to extensively notice and inform the baseball user groups "to let them know what we saw". While informing the public of the sighting, if would have been beneficial had Parks described the basics of how to respond to an unlikely encounter. Perhaps, disclosure is a liability issue for the city? b.y.
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When back from vacation my daughter heard that a black bear was seen on June 25 by some baseball players from field #6 of Hartman Park. It was a smaller bear and was foraging in the forested wetlands of Hartman Park near the Perrigo Woods Trail, at the end of 100th St. NE. Councilman Hank Margeson reported another bear sighting made by a fellow baseball umpire, saying it strolled up a trail next to the High School football field; probably the same bear.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife and police didn't have much to say about it and gave little if any precautionary advice, according neighbors. Two years ago when a "cougar" was spotted near Horace Mann Elementary near Hartman wetlands the Parks Dept. posted a warning sign at Perrigo Woods Trailhead. It's been a month and I haven't seen a sign posted. about the bear.

I'm not an expert, but black bears are pretty shy around people and you can usually "loudly talk them away" while slowly backing away and avoiding eye contact. But, still, I think the city owes it to the public to give some very **basic advice on how to deal with the black bear if you walk into it. (Read this article). Do you think the city should advise neighborhoods about containing garbage and pet food, to keep away critters like rats, squirrels, coons, and....?

Critters who have lost their home and food supply will occasionally forage in residential areas. Ever since the Perrigo Heights clear-cut we've had a pileated woodpecker visit our cherry tree. Some of my neighbors have attributed loss of their small pets to coyotes. Would a black bear be any different? Probably few, if any, Redmond bears have a taste for garbage.

Where did this "big guy" come from? My guess is was driven out of an 18 acre forest by Avondale and 116thst. Camwest recently clear-cut much of this open space to make room for a 76-home "Pearce PRD" development. Black bears had been sighted here before. As per linked article, black bears prefer forested wetlands, dense vegetation, and riparian habitat. "Pearce PRD" open space had 9 wetlands, a stream and over 500 trees and is close to the Power Line Trail. Hmmmm.

Hartman Park is a forested wetland. My guess is the "big guy" is holing up in Hartman Wetlands and the adjacent 10 acre forested easement that runs all the way to Nike Park. It would have to cross Avondale Rd. to get into the Bear Creek corridor. Greater Woodinville may be it's ultimate destination, but anyone knows. The Dept. of Fish and Wildlife probably knows it's whereabouts. I hope they don't have to put the "big guy" down.

I'm going to be careful (and noisy!) when I hike for a while. Recently, I hiked across the Hartman wetlands from the row of cedar trees on Perrigo Woods Trail due north. I won't be doing that for a while.....lots of salmonberry and blackberry. Even the network of soft trails between Perrigo Woods Trail and the Hartman baseball fields is an area to be wary. I hope the city and WDFW keeps us informed of the whereabouts of the bear.

The bear in the photo is not from Redmond, WA.

Redmond's Great Blue Heron and "Riparian" creek habitat -- Regulate or Celebrate?

I was obsessed with this bird, probably because I did my senior project on it in college. My present thinking is it should be "proclaimed" a Species of Local Importance, not regulated.  - B.Yoder, 7/17/2022.

.....most future blog entries will be significantly shortened, for your convenience.

Opinion: Our city Great Blue Heron was regulated by the City Council under the Ives Administration three years ago to elevate their protections to the status of *endangered species. Despite these protections, all of the city's heron's rookery nests are inactive, according to city environmental planner Beam. When land use decisions are made by city council - as in the recent Bear Creek Parkway Extension decision - council was more concerned about the rookery trees then the heron. In fact, the bird itself was never mentioned. Redmond no longer has active nesting rookeries. Our "Heron Rookery" near Leary Way is simply a forest remnant across from the Saturday Market. The few herons we do see are migratory foragers.

Please consider asking council to revoke this "Species of Local Importance" ordinance and replace it with a symbolic Proclamation by which we can proudly celebrate our honored species....and ICON. Our rookeries have not been restored. The heron ordinance has no teeth.

Councilmember Nancy McCormick recommended 3-years ago our city consider symbolic PROCLAMATIONS for our "species and habitat of local importance"; rather than laws. Council is in the process of updating our Critical Area Ordinance and Shoreline ordinances and now would be an excellent time to support Nancy and tell council and Mayor Marchione what you think! Email: city council at council@redmond.gov. Or, if you'd rather keep the ordinance tell them.

Three years ago I and a few others nominated "riparian habitat" be designated and protected as locally important under the ordinance. The planning commission vote was split and it wasn't passed. I now understand the council's decision.

Today, I urge you email our council asking they symbolically PROCLAIM "Riparian habitat as city habitat of importance". Riparian habitat is the green band of vegetation that grows along our creeks and streams. Riparian habitat is critical for flood and erosion controls, stream water quality, endangered salmon and wildlife habitat and valued as a city asset.

In fact, a recent Berger Partner's parks consultant identified the "green ring" surrounding our city a unique city asset for tourism and our quality of life. The green ring consists of the riparian vegetation of Sammamish River, Bear Creek, Evans Creek and our northern green hilltops. In addition, a "string of pearl" park & trail system is planned for the Eastern Bear Creek and Evans Creek Corridor. Five parks will "touch" the riparian habit of these salmon bearing creeks! Great Blue's find food and shelter in the green riparian vegetation of our creeks - a symbiotic relationship.

Developers and landowners are now using riparian habitat as an amenity. And city development code helps protection and sustain of our riparian habitat. Take a drive through Camwest's Tyler's Creek. They did a tremendous job enhancing and restoring the creek and wetlands. I know, because I walked and studied the parcel before development.

Riparian wetlands and Perrigo creek was recently protected by the city and developer in the controversial Perrigo Heights development adjacent Hartman Wetlands. The city purchased 3 acres of greenway forested riparian habitat to help buffer the wetland and stream from excessive sunlight, enhance wetland water recharge, drying winds and preserve a greenway amenity. All this without a law.
I hope you will write Nancy McCormick, Council, or Mayor John Marchione to ask them to deny and revoke the Great Blue Heron regulations and PROCLAIM our beautiful wader bird as our symbolic species of local importance. And will you ask Nancy McCormick, council-at-large or Mayor John Marchione to PROCLAIM Redmond's #1 natural natural asset -- "Riparian" as habitat of local importance?

It's all up to you. 'We' have to tell 'them' what is important to us!

Postscript:  Riparian Habitat was proclaimed Redmond's Habitat of Local Importance by Mayor John Marchione in his first term.

*This statement should be verified by the Department of Fish and Wildife.   Beam told me years later there are no protections for the bird.

Where is this Old Pole?

Where in Redmond is this Old Pole?

Place your entries by emailing redmondblog@gmail.com or by commenting below.

If someone physically takes me to the Old Pole and touches it I will give them The Grand Prize and post their picture next to the Old Pole on this page!

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1st hint: no telephone or power wires were attached to the pole

Editorial - the Magic of Mayor Marchione

The pace of change and events in Redmond has increased exponentially since John Marchione was elected Mayor, joined the Sound Transit Board and began his work. Enhanced transparency of government operations and a well oiled council machine move city actions and events faster than can be reported. To be frank, it's impossible to keep up as a 1-man nonprofit neighborhood reporter.

Mayor John Marchione is off to a fast start. Just off the top of my head, I can think of many positive actions and events of the first seven months of the John Marchione Administration. Of course, there are bumps along the road and a mayor's work is never done, but Mr. Marchione is generally doing a fantastic job. Here are my thoughts about Mr. Mayor's progress:

1. Improvement and transparency of Open Meeting policies, Public Records Requests, Council Committee activities, participation of commissions in Council Meetings, and increased public participation by staff members previously unseen. Council meetings are efficient, productive and documented online for the public.

2 Reaching out to citizens to engage our neighborhoods by: promoting Neighborhood Block Watch potluck gatherings and looking into "Neighborhood Associations", keeping a watchful eye on the Redmond Neighborhood Blog, enhancing Derby Days with extra support from Microsoft, Geni Industries, and small businesses, providing a Neighborhood Land Use map on the city website, and yes, team building with fire and police during the First-ever Dodgeball tournament at Redmond High School!

2. Making the Budget process more palatable and participatory for the neighborhoods by prioritizing citizen needs. Providing document links to the online Consent Agenda to expose budget decisions.

3. Improving traffic and pedestrian safety by problem solving controversial road projects like the Bear Creek Parkway Extension, Redmond-Woodinville widening idea, 166th Ave rechannelization and RJH stop light project and on. At a recent Conference of Mayors Mayor Marchione demonstrated leadership for bicycle commuting. John is an influential member of the well connected Sound Transit Board.

4. Proving to be as "green" -if not more so - as previous administrations by: Bringing out the best of our already top-notch Natural Resources staff to upgrade our stormwater management systems with state of the art regional plans for Overlake, Downtown, and SE Redmond urban centers. Funding reforestation programs with the Cascade Conservancy to remove riparian invasives, recruit youth for stream restoration, hire a geologist and "aquifer team" to sustain the quality and affordability of our drinking water. Work with inter-local governments, like county councilmember Kathy Lambert to improve our Evans and Bear Creek shorelines and safeguard our aquifer; and converse with Rep. Ross Hunter to assist Cole and Allen secure SR 520 widening species protections and flood mitigation.

5. Swift and open acknowledgment of serious needs for affordable housing. John invited Art Sullivan, Manager of ARCH eastside affordable housing, to present solutions to council. Funding was quickly approved to help service-workers, teachers & young adults of Redmond families afford a place to live in Redmond and reduce fuel consumption.

6. Parks are expanding. A string of 5 rural parks along historic Bear Creek East of Avondale will be developed and connected by a trails. Environmental education and heritage centers will occupy the park's historic buildings.

7. I have never seen staff happier or more empowered. John wasn't afraid to identify and cull the few "bad apples" early in his administration. City Hall staff was downtrodden by stalled salary and benefit negotiations under the prior administration for over a year. John and council swiftly dealt with the problem and re-energized the staff.

8. Mr. Mayor has put the exterior art "crystals" back on the city hall building RCTV. This, small act is a loud symbol of city pride and transparency. John has revitalized the Arts Commission with new goals to attract tourists and commuters with nationally renknowned art, like the coming Digital Arts Festival!

9. John's accomplished all this and he's only into 1/8 of his first term! I've reported on Mr. Mayor for over a year, including councilwork, 5 months of his mayoral candidacy and 7 months in office. And, he's been more active than I can report!

10. The reason for John's success? He doesn't let his ego get in the way of a good idea. He is willing and open to bend or change course when he sees a good thing. He listens, respects and values citizen and staff opinions and ideas, and responds! John is not afraid to put his ego aside and to achieve the best, consensual decision for the city. John will make you chuckle. John understands the numbers. And, he is bright.

As with all my opinion stories, your comments are welcome and encouraged by posting them below or emailing. For this Opinion, I will publish Letters submitted by citizens.

As I said, I just can't keep up with the pace of the Administration and our council! My neighborhood reporting is falling behind. Volunteer Kay Taraposli ("kid's topics") and Richard Morris ("parks & trails") and others gave me more work than I could review. Thus, I'm looking for funding to keep this non profit weblog, or a non-political version, running. If you can help with funding please email me at redmondblog@gmail.com. Thank you! Bob Yoder

Council passes the Bear Creek Parkway Extension construction project!

OPINION: Council conversations and the ensuing vote on the $23 million "Bear Creek Parkway Extension" construction project on 7/15 was interesting, yet challenging to follow. I had to contact the City Clerk to confirm the final 4-2 vote FOR the project.

All councilmembers (Mr. Vache was absent) wanted the construction project approved, but two councilmembers Allen & Cole were seriously upset with the proposed alignment. In the beginning Councilman Carson went along with Mr. Cole's original stance against the project. By the end of the debate only Carson and Allen voted against the project. Cole reluctantly voted for it.

Allen and Cole (Carson agreed) were serioulsy disappointed with the road route and the small number of trees that would have to be removed at the Saturday Market and Heron Rookery. (According to Planner Cathy Beam and a city consultant the herons have been scared away by crows and eagles and the nests aren't active). Most thought the route more costly than the other two options. After confusing conversations by most councilmembers Mr. Cole decided to change his vote at the last minute to favor the alignment. The construction project passed 4 -2.

Mayor John Marchione shared his opinion after the vote:

"Regarding the Bear Creek Parkway route decision, it was made more than
two years ago. [The below PHASE 1 and 2 aerial photos show the Bear
Creek Parkway alignment]. You can see that a few trees to the north of
the rookery and a few to the west of the Saturday Market are removed. The
option that was not selected was cutting through the open space to the west
of RTC (or extending 159th on the attached photo). In my judgment, this route damaged wetlands, reduced wildlife habitat and produced less traffic improvement. Reasonable people can disagree which route was better. Either way, it was a tough choice for Council, but it is time to more on."

I am excited the project passed owing to Ms. McCormick's firm statement, we would be in total gridlock without the extension. The city will have to plant new trees to replace those removed. When completed, the new Bear Creek Parkway extension will feature a street connection from Redmond Way through Leary Way to Redmond Town Center. This project is the first of several City projects to enhance transit, vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle movement in downtown Redmond.

The roadway will include one travel lane in each direction, a center turn lane, street parking, and bicycle lanes. Pedestrian features include a 14 foot wide sidewalk with street trees and
pedestrian plaza and lighting. Landscaping amenities will add connections to the wooded area south of 161st Street and at Redmond Town Center. A new bike/pedestrian trail through the wooded area will connect the 520 and Sammamish River trails to the 161st Street to the Park and Ride.

The project also includes the first segment of the new downtown sewer and an upgrade to the Leary Way storm treatment pond. The total $23M transportation and stormwater package will be funded from Capital (CIP) funds. Every year 5% of our General Operating Fund transfers to the Capital CIP fund. Thus, this expensive project will be paid by "today's dollars" for use by future citizens years from now. I recall Mr. Marchione (as councilman) once recommended borrowing as a tool available to fund the Extension & other big projects since costs would be spread out to future generations of users.

The economic vitality of Redmond's Downtown will be reinvigorated. Click on the links to see the November 2007 color, aerial photos of the proposed project layout, Phase 1 and Phase 1 and 2, for the Bear Creek Parkway extension.

Construction for the Bear Creek Parkway Extension will likely occur in phases. Click on the link to view the proposed schedule for the Bear Creek Parkway Extension construction timetable. With the passage of this project the "proposed schedule" needs to be updated and I hope will be posted on the front page on the city website.

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Additional Project Information:
Project information
Key environmental issues
State Environmental Policy Act

Redmond Saturday Market - Kid's Day

This upcoming Saturday, July 19th, the Redmond Saturday Market will be hosting a Kid's Day. This particular event happens twice a summer with the next one slated for August 16th. On this special day, children come out and get a chance to sell their handcrafted items. Therefore not only can you buy your weekly fruits, vegetables and flowers at the Market, but now you get a choice to shop for crafts from not only adult vendors, but also some kids! Due to health department rules, no food items may be sold by the young ones and all craft items must have been made by the kids selling them.

The Redmond Saturday Market is the oldest Eastside Open Air Market and the sixth longest running in the State of Washington. It has been in continuous operation every summer since 1976 and is located at 7730 Leary Way. This year will mark its 33rd season with a membership of 130 vendors and an average attendance of 80 vendors per week.

I've done a few vendor booths in my day for my craft business, but I've never taken my kids with me, so this will be a first for them. They actually will get a chance to see what it's like for me to sit in one spot from 9am to 3pm and talk to people about crafts. They have always begged to come, but I've said no because it's work for me and they do tend to be a handful. So this Saturday, instead of "Take Your Daughter's to Work Day" my daughters will get to call it "Take Your Mom to Work Day" since young vendors must be accompanied by a guardian while selling at the Market.

So be sure to stop by the kid's crafts area and support a young artisan starting to make their way in the craft vending world!

Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi
Co-author, Overlake Neighborhood

Splish Splash at Grasslawn Park

Our family lives fairly close to Grasslawn Park and we've been waiting with baited breath for it to open its new kid's area. So this week we walked over to see what the hoopla was all about and boy was it worth the wait!

There is a great little water area, a much smaller version of the Waterfront Park in Portland (okay, a much much smaller version), three new climbing walls to keep the older ones happy, two huge swings that kids can lay in to swing and the crème de la crème? A merry go round that is much safer then the traditional ones of days past. Plus to help put my mind at ease, there is a beautifully safe fence next to the area. This great addition is to keep the kiddos out of traffic’s way, something that is missing from other water features in our area.

For adults, I loved that there was plenty of spaces to sit, not that I got much sitting done. I had to chase after one of my girls that has just discovered walking, while running in circles to help my other girl on the merry go around and then go from one climbing rock to the next to watch the third girl. Let's just say that I'm glad I took plenty of water because I had quite the workout by the time we walked home.

As much as we love the new water park in Bellevue at Crossroads, with gas prices soaring through our car roof, we can walk to our newly reconstructed neighborhood park. Not only that, it really felt like we moved our bodies more. Once the playground on the other side of Grasslawn Park finishes getting its facelift, I'll have a hard time convincing the girls to go home at all. Now if the city adds a water feature to Westside Park, we’d just go ahead and pitch a tent.


Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi
Co-author, Grasslawn Neighborhood

Marchione Administration to ask for citizen input on environmental land use practices and possibilities!

It is rare the Redmond Blog gives public Notice of city meetings; after all, thorough public notice is the job of the city. But, in this case I wanted to pass on an email that was sent by planner Jeff Churchill (Redmond High School graduate). Jeff is announcing a city proposal and citizen "brain-storming opportunity" for improving land use environmental practices! Youth are encouraged, too.

Dear Redmond Neighbor,

We need your ideas and feedback! The City of Redmond is considering changes to residential development regulations to encourage sustainable development and natural stormwater management.

Imagine new home construction that:
Preserves Redmond’s drinking water
Reduces homeowner maintenance costs
Promotes energy efficiency
Is safer for local salmon

When: Monday, July 28th, 5pm-7pm
What: Community Open House
Where: Redmond City Hall Lobby, 15670 NE 85th Street
Why: Get your ideas and feedback!
RSVP suggessted: By July 23rd to Jeff Churchill at 425-556-2492 or jchurchill@redmond.gov

Visit www.redmond.gov/Green for more information & survey.

Sincerely,

Jeff Churchill, Associate Planner
City Hall
PO Box 97010
Redmond, WA 98073-9710
(425) 556-2492
jchurchill@redmond.gov

* minor edits, b.y.

SE Redmond Industries Pollute Evans Creek, A Review

Industrial septic stormwater pond 60 feet from
salmon-bearing Evans Creek

CONCLUSION: 

Evans Creek is salmon bearing according to the City yet a grandfathered 50 foot buffer is all that separates polluting industries from infiltrating dirty septic stormwater. Current code requires a 200 foot buffer.    

King County Environmental Health Manager Fay reassured me that fecal coliform bacteria issues should probably not be a big concern from the old SE Redmond city septic systems. Many thanks to King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert (and Redmond resident) for her assistance in this matter. Dave Garland of Ecology also reported inconsequential fecal bacteria in Evans Creek.

It appears the industries & City will achieve a workable solution by re-routing Evans Creek 500 feet to the south to widen the buffer.  County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, and Redmond Councilmembers Hank Myers, Dave Carson and Jon Spangler (Redmond DNR) toured of the Evans Creek county shoreline with me to study the Evans re-route and the industries proximity to the creek.  The city is working with the polluting RICE industries on a regional stormwater plan while the old sewers on 197 Ave. NE are replaced. 

BACKGROUND:   7/14 - 

Two unintended consequences arose today during my meeting with staff:

1) The inaccurate city-county "zoning jurisdictional city web map" caused undue strain and waste of staff and citizen time during this fact-finding process. 

2) Presently, no planner is assigned to the SE Redmond industrial district to review permit applications on site for either conforming or nonconforming uses. Photos are not required by permit to identify the "creeping" of uses like oil trucks onto the Evans Creek buffer in SE Redmond. 

Councilman Hank Margeson, Chair Public Works Committee noted at a council meeting I was concerned about the integrity and safety of the county septic systems in SE Redmond. This is inaccurate and a misunderstanding; and probably attributed to the outdated & confusing jurisdictional map on the city website.  

 I've since edited my article to clarify my concern is about city septic systems. Mr. Jon Spangler, DNR, was aware of my intentions and concern about aging city septic in SE Redmond at: Cadman Gravel 'Olympian PreCast,' Skanska, Rainier Welding and most likely Genie Industries. I may be requesting public records to identify & confirm the location of these septic systems (and the newer sewer lines partially servicing 192nd Ave. Ne ) city industrial. In talking to the Redmond Department of Natural Resources (DNR) East Redmond Properties, LLC (Watson Asphalt Co.) appears hooked up to the sewer line on 192nd Ave NE, though the department was unsure if All Wood Recycling, Inc. (AWR) was hooked up to sewer...hmmm.

UPDATED, 6/26 - after a 30 minute conversation with Jon Spangler of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) I was told the SE Redmond city septic systems are safely operating and probably good for at least another five years.

During the June 17 council meeting, Public Works presented a proposal to install the regional city stormwater facility for SE Redmond. The facility would service over 300-acres in the vicinity of Union Hill and 192th Ave. NE adjacent Evans Creek. 

Below are excerpts from the staff report:

"Stormwater infrastructure in the area is primarily characterized as uncontrolled flow of stormwater from paved surfaces into sandy gravel areas where the water seeps into the ground to enter groundwater flowing towards the City’s municipal drinking water wells." !

"With minimal stormwater infrastructure, this contaminated stormwater can flow into the City’s groundwater (drinking water supply) and into Evan’s Creek, jeopardizing water quality for both of those resources." !

"In response to the need to end the practice of infiltrating potentially contaminated stormwater in this area, and in response to three currently proposed projects (Costco, extension of 188th Ave NE, and Union Hill Road Phase 3) City staff have worked to identify and size potential regional stormwater facilities to meet the current and future needs in this watershed."

In review of the archived tape of the 6/17/08 Council meeting, it sounds like most of SE Redmond's untreated stormwater currently flows slowly towards Wellhead #5. According to the Public Works director Jon Spangler Wellhead 5 is our most productive well and very important to our supply for affordable drinking water and is some places the aquifer is only 6 inches deep.  

According to Jon Spangler of the Redmond Department of Natural Resources, within the last two years SE Redmond city businesses have partially converted to city sewer. In past decades the city businesses relied exclusively on city septic tanks and septic drain fields to treat wastewater. The drain fields are decades old and are buried near the shallow aquifer.

"R.I.C.E" businesses on the 192nd Ave. NE sewer line  ("East Redmond Properties." "Cadman Gravel' Olympian PreCast,' Skanska, Rainier Welding  All Wood Recycling, Inc. (AWR) )and possibly Genie Industries lobbied Council to water-down the proposal (against new municipal code) to continue infiltrating and not improve the 50-year flood capacity of the facility.  SE Redmond city businesses are located in a 100-year floodplain above a very shallow aquifer

Think about the benefits of sewer and regional stormwater when you look at the filthy industrial stormwater pond. This detention pond is the only one I'm aware of in SE Redmond. It's located adjacent Evans Creek on 42nd Street on city property. 

Take a quick look at the Department of Ecology's "Citizen Guide to Monitoring Streams - fecal coliform bacteria". Does this answer some of your concerns? Click this link to read my last story on "Evans Creek - what went wrong?"

And not to forget, the City of Redmond "2007 Water Quality Report" has city contact information. This 2007 report was printed & delivered this summer of '08. The city's new slogan is: "Safe Drinking water is our highest priority" ... sure looks like they are working hard towards that end. Thank you, Department of Natural Resources & Council for your efforts!

-- Bob Yoder, 2007 Opinion, Edited 9/29/2024

cc: city council, mayor, city clerk, Redmond Code Enforcement Officer. WDOE.

Our drinking water quality then...and now

After Nao Hardy co-founder of the Redmond Historical Society read my earlier story about aging SE Redmond city septic systems, she submitted the following newspaper article printed 75 years ago in the East Side Journal. The Journal reporter is almost as entertaining as the county nurse! 

Nao says:

"Frank Buckley's garage was at the northeast corner of 164th Av &
Redmond Wy. Buckley's was combo gas station, auto repair garage, bar [yep,
beer for the road]. This intersection was the hub of the traffic wheel
planned by Mayor Brown to bring all roads to Redmond, and thus, the busiest
stretch of road in town."

"That testing showed the water to be excellent, despite gas
and oil spilled, splashed and dripped at the site, makes one wonder if, back in
the day, our aquifer was so pure and deep that it could drink anything without
indigestion, or if perhaps the County nurse did her testing at the bar. "

--Contributed by Nao Hardy
Co-founder and past President of the Redmond Historical Society
Compiler and Editor of "Redmond Reflections, settlers to software"
To order Nao's "Redmond Reflections" soft cover, call 425-885-2919

Redmond Derby Days

This Saturday is one of our family’s favorite days in Redmond possibly for the entire year. It's the best day for meeting our neighbor's, making new friends, getting to vote on important issues (which brand of peanut butter at PCC is better) and be a part of a parade.

That's right, it's Derby Days! Every year, our children take part in the Kid's Parade, but this year, we're doing things a bit different. In the past their favorite thing is that they feel they have a job, since they get "paid" by Kempf & Co and Clark Raymond & Co to walk in the kid’s parade, so this year we'll need to explain that they don't get paid for being in the Grande Parade. It’s all part of being a good ambassador of this great city we live in!

I'm actually organizing an entry in the parade and have been feeling all the joys of trying to get 50 people to agree to come together for one morning and walk in a semi-group. A few months ago, I organized a parade entry for the Dalai Lama at Quest Field, but considering the entry in the Derby Days Grande Parade involve much more children, I can already tell it's not going to be as easy as trying to impress His Holiness.

After the Parade, my kids love going into the activity area and creating some crafts from local vendors and vote at the PCC booth. Meanwhile, we adults love to listen to the music at the Microsoft stage. My husband tries to sneak over to the bike races later in the day while we enjoy the food and drinks vendors.

Then afterwards we head over to the Redmond Community Center for the Carnival before finishing off our perfect day with the Fireworks. We go home an exhausted and happy bunch, our countdown already started for next year's Derby Days.

Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi
Co-author, Overlake Neighborhood