REPUBLISHED: New Parks position is approved - Non union city salaries posted

Redmond Bike Park

UPDATED OPINION:  7-9-12  As you know, Redmond has many parks and more are in the making.  In the formative stages are the expensive Downtown Park, the controversial Redmond Bike Park and the creative-art focused *Linear Connector Park following the Burlington Northern corridor and the "String of Pearls Parks" of rural SE Redmond.  Any others you can think of?

City Council voted silently tonight (4/17/12) to create a new Parks position titled "Parks Planning and Cultural Arts Program Manager" to help carry the load.  The Administration is reclassifying a  non union Senior Parks Planner to the new position.  It will pay $108,972 at the top tier. HR Director Kerry Seivers wrote: "The duties of the Senior Parks Planner position will be absorbed by the new manager position as well as other Parks positions.  There will not be any additional positions created."   

Last time I checked, Carolyn Hope (Linked-In) was a Senior Parks Planner managing these massive parks projects. She works very hard and is very bright.   Ms. Hope is worth every penny we pay her and perhaps she will be promoted to this new position. 

Council is also glancing at the non union city employees salaries already approved.  Twenty-five positions and salaries are listed below.  Non union city workers are awarded performance incentives and their benefits package average about 30% of their salary.  I'm quoting top tier since the total increment is only $1-3K and doesn't count incentives.  

City Clerk:  $105,024
Administrative Assist:  $53,616
Communications and Marketing Administrator:  $104,364  Read More >>

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State Auditor reports Marchione Administration improves 2003 "overhead allocation plan"

November, 2011 State Auditor Performance Report shows the Marchione Administration improved upon an outdated 2003 "Allocating Overhead Cost plan" 

According to a Performance Audit by the State Auditor's Office on "Allocating Overhead Costs," 11/28/11: 

"Washington’s cities spend about $500 million per year for overhead costs such as information technology, human resources, accounting and facility maintenance. Approximately one-third of these costs are paid from funds whose use is restricted by law, including water, sewer and other utility funds.

As municipalities increasingly face shrinking revenue, they commonly use utility or other dedicated funds to help pay for overhead services. However, our past audits have found cases in which cities overcharged their utilities for overhead, essentially shifting costs onto utility ratepayers that should have been borne by all taxpayers....

The following cities participated in the audit: Aberdeen, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Monroe, Mukilteo, Redmond, Spokane and Tacoma.   Read More >>

City of Redmond passes 2010 Annual State Accountability Audit with flying colors.

2010 State Audit of City of Redmond, WA. - Report on Accountability

FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE:  "We appreciate the opportunity to work in cooperation with your City to promote accountability, integrity and openness in government. The State Auditor’s Office takes seriously our role to advocate for government accountability and transparency and to promote positive change."

Results: "In the areas we examined, the City’s internal controls were adequate to safeguard public assets. The City also complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined."  

Audit History: "We audit the City annually. The past six audits of the City reported two findings. The 2006 audit reported a weakness in internal controls over financial reporting. The 2007 audit reported a weakness involving compliance with state bid laws. Both issues [occured the Mayor Rosemarie Ives Administration and] have been resolved."  Read More >>

UPDATED: King County Councilmember Jane Hague describes Labor Policy success story to Redmond officials

King County Councilmember Jane Hague

REPUBLISHED:  In a March, 2011 Business Meeting, Redmond City Council heard a startling report from Jane Hague forecasting large bus service reductions in King County Metro for 2012 - 2015. 

Why?  Sixty-two percent of Metro's budget is funded by sales tax revenue and revenues are significantly down in this economy.  Hague, one of two King County Councilmembers representing Redmond citizens gave the city council reassurances.   

The good news?   Read More >>

Hague reverses position and now supports temporary $20 tab charge

"HERE IS SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS FROM JANE HAGUE -- something moved her to change her position..."    --Richard Morris, Education Hill Neighbor, Redmond, 8/12

Dear Neighbor,

Today I announced my support of the temporary $20 “Congestion Reduction Charge.” My support comes as a result of a bipartisan agreement which addresses my primary concerns regarding the future of Metro.

First, the new legislative package preserves service on the Eastside – nearly 120,000 hours which were slated to be cut. Second, it takes critical steps to make Metro more financially sustainable.

This new proposal initiates meaningful reform that protects jobs and reduces waste. Among the elements of the agreement:

 · The preservation of current levels of Metro service on the Greater Eastside. Under the previous proposal, Eastside service would have been cut by 120,000 hours.

· Implementation of “right-sizing” consistent with the Transit Strategic Plan. Rather than eliminating low-ridership routes that serve lower-density areas, Metro will deploy lower-cost, more efficient Dial-a-Ride Transit service (DART), community access transportation services, Vanpools and vanshares, which will make Metro more efficient and responsive to riders.

· A Transit Incentive Program that will provide eight bus tickets, up to $24, in exchange for each car tab renewal. Individuals will be able to use the tickets for bus rides to anywhere within the county. Or they can choose to donate the value of those tickets for distribution by select human service agencies.

· A phase out of the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area in October 2012, which was called for by the County Council’s 2009 Metro performance audit. The elimination will save $2.2 million a year.

· Language consistent with the Transit Strategic Plan that calls for routes which carry more riders due to the effect of highway tolling, including SR-520, as candidates for added service. I’ve always been a supporter of transit in King County. It is critical that we keep people and businesses moving – especially during this tough economic time.

For more information on the agreement see the press release below. I also want to thank the thousands of concerned citizens that wrote me and voiced their concern. I value your feedback.

For More Information on the New Congestion Reduction Charge (CRC) Click Here 

Click Here to see a Comparison Chart

Sincerely,

Jane Hague

King County Council – District 6

Email: jane.hague@kingcounty.gov

Phone: 206-296-1006

http://www.kingcounty.gov/Hague    http://www.facebook.com/kccJaneHague  

LWSD Board approves meeting notification policy for online media

ATTN: Online media serving the Lake Washington School District and district residents,

LWSD is notifying newspapers of meeting agendas and meeting scheduling changes. The Board approved policy in May, 2011 to include online media in the notification process upon request  to Diane Jenkins, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent".  This is a new Governance Process policy voted by consent agenda in May, 2011 and implemented by the District.

Kathryn Reith, Communications Director of LWSD emailed Redmond Neighborhood Blog on June 1:

"On meeting notification, Diane Jenkins is in charge of the [meeting] notification list while I’m in charge of the general media list, which you are on.  I have checked with Diane Jenkins: she faxes agendas and any information on meeting date or time changes [eg. Hearings, 1st Reading of the Budget, Regular Board meetings, and possibly Linkage, and Community meetings] to the Seattle Times, Kirkland Reporter, Redmond Reporter and Sammamish Review [newspapers]. Would you like to be added to the fax list?"

Yes!  The following online media servicing LWSD should contact Ms. Jenkins to be added to the  notification list: Kirkland Views, Kirkland Weblog, KOMO.com, Patch.com, American Towns.com, Seattle PI, TOPIX.com,  My/Northwest.com and others.  Ms. Jenkins' email is:  djenkins@lwsd.org

Reported By Bob Yoder
6/5/11

UPDATED: LW School District "Budget Review Process" up in the air.

UPDATED, 6/21

Don't miss the reader comments at the bottom of this post.  Ms. Reith, District Communications Director responds to a reader's comments.   

"Lake Washington School District Budget Review Process up in the air."

Budget Meeting is planned for August 8 but it's not posted on the website per district process.
Please check the front page of the District website for updates. 
 
Here's the news on the 2011-2012 Budget Review Process for Lake Washington School District.   I'll post any updates I hear about, but please check the front page of the district website .  It's the BOARD'S only method of noticing, other than newspapers and select online media.   RNB is the only media posting these budget meeting notices at this time.    

The Administration's "First Reading of the Budget" on 6/20 and Notice of HEARING still aren't published on the District site or announced on the front website page and summer recess is on June 22.  Very few parents will be going to the webite in August!  The Budget meeting(s) and the Hearing times are verified once they're published on the district website, providing the dates don't change.

I've got three sources of  Budget Meeting information from the District summarized, as follows:

1. Pres. Pendergrass -- 6.20.11- Budget Presentation to Board; August 8- Budget Approval (no times)
2. Administration:  District website (front page) - School Board Meetings - no mention of Budget
3. Administration:  Kathryn Reith - June 20 (First Reading of Budget), August 8-Public Hearing, 7pm

So far, it looks like August 8 is the date for the Budget Hearing, including a public comment period. 

#####
Administration writes the Agenda; School Board President approves it

"from the desk of President Jackie Pendergrass on 6/1"....
Hi Bob,    (read more) >>

Lake Washington School District budget news: Teacher salaries and more

UPDATED:  LWSD Administration is charged with implementing $2 million in employee salary cuts and other budet items, per the 2011 State budget.  If you want a say into how the salary cuts are implemented (or any part of the Budget) the school board invites you to attend and comment at the following district budget *meetings:

"The first reading of the LWSD budget will be...on June 20 at 7 p.m.. The public hearing on the LWSD budget will be at the August 8 meeting, a 7 p.m. meeting."   - Kathryn Reith, 5/26

Questions?  Contact Ms. Reith at:   kreith@lwsd.org or (425) 936-1342.  You may email comments for the record or request information for the Hearing at: kreith@lwsd.org.  *LWSD public meetings are subject to change without notice.  Click here to learn how to find the most current meeting times. 


LWSD Budget press release:
Redmond, Wash. – The proposed joint budget released today by the state House of Representatives and Senate will result in about $5.1 million less for Lake Washington School District’s instructional programs for each of the next two years.

The proposed state budget cuts the remaining funding for kindergarten through fourth grade class size enhancements designed to keep classes in those grades smaller. Two million dollars of this revenue was cut mid-year and the remaining $600,000 will be cut in 2011-12 for a total reduction of $2.6 million. In addition, the state will provide about $2.0 million less in revenue due to cuts to employee salary allocations. These reductions are 1.9 percent for teachers and classified staff and 3.0 percent for administrators. Additional program cuts and pension-rate contribution increases amount to another $.5 million per year impact.

“This additional cut further erodes the funding we receive to provide a basic education to our students,” noted Deputy Superintendent Janene Fogard. Plans for how these reductions will be implemented are yet to be developed.

The state House and Senate are expected to vote on this compromise budget shortly. It must be approved by the two bodies and signed by the Governor to become official. 

LWSD Press Release
5/25/11

Ross to Speak at Redmond Chamber of Commerce June 15th | Ross Hunter

Ross to Speak at Redmond Chamber of Commerce June 15th | Ross Hunter:

"Ross to Speak at Redmond Chamber of Commerce June 15th

Next month’s Redmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon on June 15, will feature State Rep. Ross Hunter, who represents the 48th District, which includes parts of Redmond. Hunter will be discussing the state’s budget.

or more information on Rep. Hunter, the luncheon, or on the Chamber, "click here."

Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce
5/19

Kimball Administration explains Bell, Rush, and ICS school construction plans to Board

Sup. Kimball

In the April 18 Regular School Board meeting the Kimball Administration presented modernization plans for Bell, Rush, and ICS schools (1) to the School Board.  Construction for all three schools is planned for 2011, pending public review.

Dr. Kimball told the School Board, "Construction in the 1970's was shoddy, built quickly and very cheaply."  He said  "These are the schools we are currently tearing down."  Kimball continued, "I think there may be possibly a point in time in Phase 3 and during Phase 4... when 'remodeling' (3) is done more often than tearing out and replacing."   Facilities Director Forest Miller presented the following 'modernization' (tear out and replace) plans for Bell, Rush, and ICS: 

To "Read More" click the blue link >>

Kimball Administration explains construction plans for STEM and High School additions to Board

Eastlake High School Addition Project Site -  Aerial

UPDATED, 5/25/2011:  At the April 18, 5PM Board meeting, LWSD Facilities Director, Forest Miller made a Board presentation on six schools planned for construction in 2011.  Community presentations for the same six schools took place weeks earlier in the form of  self-guided "neighborhood input sessions", land use Hearings, and posted notices.  According to Kimball, the district held a PTSA meeting for ICS totalling "100 members".

This piece reports on the Eastlake and Redmond HS additions and the STEM school.  (Bell, Rush and ICS/Community will follow.)  Rose Hill Junior High construction is planned for 2012 and wasn't addressed to the Board, although a neighborhood meeting, a community meeting and environmental review have been held.

Sup. Kimball praised  Director Forest Miller's department saying "I couldn't be more proud of the work that's being done with this modernization area of the Facilities team."

Forest told the Board, "this is the most number of major construction projects being handled at any one time in the history of the District."  He referred to "12 major school construction projects so far, plus 3 projects from the 2011 Capital Projects Levy."

Forest Miller, District Director of Support Services handles transportation and facilities for the district.  Mr. Miller indicated by email that  his modernization responsibilities "cover the real estate, working with the developer and project manager (VEERY), reviewing the design plans, environmental issues, maintenance, liaison to regulatory agencies, and budgeting."  The District hires HEERY International as developer and project manager for all school modernizations.  HEERY replaces and builds the schools from start to finish. Cities run the permit review process. Below, is a summary of the  Board presentation:

EASTLAKE H.S. ADDITION:   The addition is located on the stand of trees in front of the school.  A two story structure will house 14 classrooms with potential for seven portables in the northern school area.  Extra office space is built for counselors and administrators.  The project calls for auxiliary gym by the football field.   Pres. Pendergrass commented it's for gym class space.  A mezzanine is added to the cafeteria for extra seating.  The City of Sammamish requires a secondary access road so 233rd from the North so 233rd will be widened.  This requires removal of two tennis courts.  Six will remain.  Pending Public Review, work starts in 2011 with completion in 2012.  School Board-member Doug Eglington commented he personally saw the Notice sign: "duly posted" on the property. 

REDMOND H.S. ADDITION:   The two-story, 14 classroom addition is located in front of the Performing Arts Theatre. The plan has potential for up to 7 portables just east of the northern section of the football field.  The construction will include additional parking for the administration.  Space for the administrative office, counsellors, and career center will be built.  The wall in the Commons Area is removed, though the Cafeteria space remains the same.  An auxiliary gym in front of the weight room is planned; 33 new bike racks installed.  The original school architects are contracted for each high school addition.  Construction starts in 2011 pending Public Review.

Annotation:  Dr. Kimball sat before the Redmond Council last year asking for a city endorsement of the Capital Projects Levy.   Council Pres. Richard Cole was hesitant to endorse the Levy since RHS is only about 5 years old; and already an addition is "needed."  Where's the planning, he asked?  Dr. Kimball responded "he wasn't the Superintendent at the time" when RHS was re-built.  Council endorsed the Levy 6-1 (Carson).  This project is actively under review by the public.  Comments?   

Click the blue "Read More" link

City of Redmond assigned a AAA bond rating

S & P Affirms Redmond’s AAA Credit Rating

Redmond, WA – Standard & Poor’s announced February 25 that they assigned the City of Redmond’s 2011 limited-tax general obligation bonds a “AAA” rating, while affirming its “AAA” rating on the City’s outstanding general obligation bonds. “These ratings are consistent with Redmond’s strong institutional financial policies,” said Standard and Poor’s credit analyst Kaitlyn Connors.

LETTER: The Saturday Market shouldn't be subsidized by taxpayers

LETTER:  Why should I be pleased that my tax dollars are subsidizing certain vendors operating in the city? The vendors who operate the stands at the Saturday Market should be paying their own bills as do the other stores in the city. This ‘gift’ of taxpayer funds only benefits the vendors who operate there and siphons business from stores who offer those same products. So how do we justify collecting tax from Trader Joes, PCC, Whole Foods, etc. and handing it to their competitors? Does this create a fair business environment? I’ve also read complaints from those who think that the Redmond Town Center should donate the space to the Saturday Market vendors. Since RTC is in the business of renting space, is it good business sense for them to be donating space to those who compete with their paying tenants? If the city feels compelled to financially prop up the vendors at the Saturday market, perhaps they should consider for them an exemption of city sales tax, business license tax, building permits, etc., etc. The exemption should be afforded to all similar businesses in the city; just to make it fair. Don’t misunderstand my point… I’m not anti-Saturday Market. I’m just anti-bias when it comes to the way my City spends my tax money.

Howard Frazier
Education Hill neighborhood
Redmond, WA.

LETTER: Why vote "Yes" for $65M expansion when District has $200M to spend?

LETTER:  In 1997 the district completed the “Study and Survey of School Facilities” and evaluated each of its existing schools for modernization or replacement. Per WAC 125-25-025, each school facility and its major systems and subsystems were to be evaluated based on the condition of deterioration and the cost of restoration vs. the cost of replacement. As a result, each school in the Lake Washington School District was placed in one of 4 phases for modernization/replacement based on an 8-year cycle. Although the list of schools assigned to each of four phases is still available, the original report detailing the condition of the facilities, the cost analysis, and other factors that determining decisions made by the facilities committee has not been found.

In February 1998, voters approved a bond measure for the “modernization” of the first 11 schools in Phase I. At that time, modernization still meant renovation, and the first two schools on the list, Audubon Elementary and Lakeview Elementary, were remodeled and updated. All schools since then have been torn down and rebuilt.

Phase I – 1998 Bond Measure for $160,000,000:
2000 - Audubon Elementary – $7,000,000 (remodel and updated)
2001 - Lakeview Elementary – $5,000,000 (remodel and expansion)
2000 - Twain Elementary –cost: unavailable
2002 - Redmond Junior High – $23,488,811
2003 - Horace Mann Elementary – $11,683,439
2003 - Thoreau Elementary – $11,052, 075
2003 - Redmond High School – $53,000,000
2004 - Kirkland Junior High – $15,489,298
2005 - Juanita Elementary – $9,666,000
2006 - Franklin Elementary –$9,899,672
2006 - Rose Hill Elementary – $10,712,410

Phase II - 2006 Bond Measure for $436,000,000:

2008 - Carson Elementary – $19,100,000 (New)
2009 - Frost Elementary – $19,100,000
2010 - Finn Hill Junior High – $29,679,028
2011 - Lake Washington High School – $58,700,000+ (final cost: tbd)  READ MORE
2011 - Muir Elementary –Bid: 18,300,000
2011 - Ben Rush Elementary – cost: tbd
2012 – Bell Elementary – cost: tbd
2012 – Keller Elementary – cost: tbd
2012 – Sandburg Elementary – cost: tbd
2013 - Rose Hill Junior High – cost: tbd
2013 – Community Elementary – cost: tbd
2013 – International Community School (ICS) – cost: tbd

It’s interesting to note that the cost of rebuilding an elementary school was about $10,000,000 during Phase I, but the three elementary schools that have been built or bid during Phase II cost nearly twice as much. The Phase II school buildings have become more architecturally elaborate and complex with three-story atriums, catwalks, soaring ceilings, walls of glass, and natural stone. These features are to be expected in a hotel or shopping mall, not in our schools and not paid for with our tax dollars!

The school district wants us to believe that money from the bond measures is for “modernization” while money from the upcoming levy is for “expansion” and somehow these two are separate and unrelated.  READ MORE 

UPDATED: President Pendergrass explains some of the "jobs and duties" of the School Board

"The job of the Board is to represent the citizens and to lead the organization by asking critical questions and by determining and demanding appropriate and excellent organizational performance." (LWSD By-Laws)

January 24, Regular meeting notes: 
In the January 24 School Board Meeting, Jackie Pendergrass was re-elected President and Ravi Shahani was re-elected Vice President by thel Board.

Just prior to the Consent Agenda (passed unanymously), President Pendergrass expressed, "I guess for our pubic", some comments about the jobs and duties of the school board, as follows:

"...none of us really has a power as a Board Director"

"...being President for this organization is really helping to run the agenda, the meetings that we have and then being avaibalble to discuss anything they (the Board members) have that may come up..."

"...we can't make decisions on our own that represent the Board, especially in our business"

"...we certainly represent the community and we listen to the community but we can't make decisions on our own, it takes the majority of the board..."

No one explained how the Board  represents the community as a single entity or as individuals.

Pres. Pendergrass and Dir. Bernard indivdually co-authored a Letter to local media outlets, yesterday advocating the levy.  It wasn't signed by all the Directors.

Watch and listen to President Pendergrass's entire talk (before the Consent Agenda) here

Reported By Bob Yoder
Photo By Yoder
Source:  Regular meeting of the School Board, 1/24 - personal attendence and video archive.

LETTER: "We are facing a very real space crisis. Vote Yes", By School Board Directors, Jackie Pendergrass and Nancy Bernard.

Director Nancy Bernard
Kirkland resident

To the editor:

As members of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors, we urge you to vote yes for the district’s levy measure. We are facing a very real space crisis. It’s just not possible to fit in hundreds more students into the system each year without some cost. With 600 more students this year and 450 more expected each year for at least the next five, we will run out of space by the fall of 2012.

This measure is not about the planned change in grade configuration to a four-year high school system. That change is being made for academic reasons.

It also helps us handle the space problem by moving sixth grade out of our already crowded elementary schools, schools that would be in a crisis without a change that brings us in line with most other school districts in the state and nation.

Pres. Jackie Pendergrass,
 Kirkland resident

 It is not about the school building modernization program, which was approved twice by voters, first in 1998 and then in 2006. That program ensures that our school district has buildings that are suited to the current educational program through a complete update every 30-40 years.



What this measure is about is adding classroom space at the high school level where we will desperately need it very soon. It is about making sure that Redmond and Eastlake High Schools have enough space for the students who enter their doors. An additional small secondary school will reduce those numbers so that those two schools don’t become too large. Because of the great interest locally and nationally in science, technology, engineering and math education, we will focus the curriculum on those subjects. This new school will be open to students from all over the district.

The Lake Washington School District works hard to provide an excellent education for our students, but we need your support. Please Vote yes for our students and mail your ballot by February 8. (The voter’s pamphlet is included in your ballot on the back of the instruction sheet.)

Sincerely,

Jackie Pendergrass, Director, District 1, Board President
Nancy Bernard, Director, District 3

Kay Taylor Named Evergreen's Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Evergreen V.P. Kay Taylor

Kay Taylor Named Evergreen's Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Kirkland, WA – Kay Taylor of Kirkland has joined Evergreen Hospital Medical Center as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. She will be responsible for marketing, communications, public relations, community relations, *community health education and the hospital’s 24-hour Healthline.

Taylor has been a senior marketing executive for 25 years. Most recently she was the Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Exempla Healthcare in Denver. There she directed the marketing for the three Exempla hospitals and its physician network. Highlights of Taylor’s six-year tenure at Exempla include the design, development and implementation of a branding program, introduction of a new corporate identity and revision of existing communications programs. She served as the leader for the group’s Service Excellence task force. She also was Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Maryland, Clarian Health in Indianapolis, the Battle Creek Health System and Oaklawn Hospital in Michigan.

“We are delighted that Kay has joined Evergreen. Her experience and creativity will be an incredible asset to the organization as we serve the health needs of our community,” said Bob Malte, CEO of Evergreen Healthcare.

Taylor received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alma College in Michigan and is a member of several national health care organizations. She has volunteered for numerous community organizations throughout her career. In her spare time, the mother of four enjoys biking, hiking and windsurfing.

Press Release, 12/22

####

RNB Editor's Note:   According to Evergreen Administrative Director, Laurene H. Burton,"Vice President of Marketing and Communications" is a new position.  RNB will publish the Administration's new Organizational Chart after CEO Bob Malte hires a new Chief Operating Officer.  Kay's responsibility over "Community Health Education" may involve interfacing with Evergreen Community Advisers, LWSD, and indirectly with District taxpayers.   B.Y.

City Takes Time to Educate Citizenry on The Good And Bad Of Red-Light Safety Cameras

UPDATED:  Just before Christmas, Commander Shari Shovlin of the Redmond Police announced a new start date for their Safety (Red Light) Cameras.   The Red-Light camera activation date is now changed from New Year's Day to February 1.  

THE RED-LIGHT PROCESS:  For the month of February, citizens are sent a warning of their infractions. Citations will be issued starting March 1 and can be challenged in court.  However, the city may give you an opportunity to review your infraction on their new website to help save you and the courts some time.

Some good news:  Red-Light violations will be cited "non-moving" so your driver's insurance company won't ding you; and the $124 fine is less than a "moving" violation.  Driving habits change and fewer accidents have been reported over time. 

Some bad news:  Red-Light cameras are controversial in some cities, because they've been reported as a Cash Cow.  KING-TV featured a report on Lynnwood, WA with claims Lynnwood generated 10% of it's total budget from red-light fines.  The reporter interviewed citizens who claimed revenues create a revenue habit for installing ever more red-lights   Also, watch out for rear-end bumps as drivers get used the Pilot.

I alerted City Council to an education, yet alarming 12/5  KING-TV video in early December.  Councillor Hank Myers, Chair of the Council Safety Committee responded with a Letter to RNB a few days after. The 12/5 KING-TV video has since been removed, though text remains. 

Finance Chair Hank Margeson Explains Why "Budgeting by Priorities" Works

I have a high very high opinion of Hank Margeson:  Councilmember Hank Margeson is presently Chair of the Public Administration and Finance Committee, with councilmembers Hank Myers and Kim Allen.  Hank presided in over 10 Budget meetings, and three Hearings.  In 2008 - 2009  Margeson Chaired the challenging Planning & Public Works Committee.  In addition, Hank holds the prestigious position as the city's Suburban Cities representative.  Hank lives with his wife Patti and their family on Education Hill, works full time in the insurance business, "lives to umpire!", and occasionally joins the Mayor and Parks & Trails Chair in a ball game.   Hank's letter is written in response to an email about the budget's cost-of-living adjustment.  Bob Yoder 

Finance Chair Hank Margeson

Dear Bob,

Thank you for your continued interest in the Budgeting for Outcomes (or Budgeting by Priorities) process. During the process of reviewing each of the citizen's priorities it was clear that in spite of challenging economic times, the City of Redmond's process was working. First, the budget offers were well prepared with an improved level of detail that enabled the results teams to rank offers. Second, the leadership team made some very difficult decisions while staying focused on the outcomes provided by each offer. The key to the BP process is to look for an outcome and then select or scale an offer to achieve the desired outcome.

Every budget offer was reviewed for scalability and where appropriate the offer was reduced to ensure a balanced budget was presented to Council. I can't say enough about how difficult this was as each department had positions eliminated. Read more....
READ MORE

UPDATED EDITORIAL: City staff reins in Council on salary decisions.

UPDATED EDITORIAL ON 11/29:  One thing I've learned about city council is their dependence on staff  for the information they need.  The influence staff  has over Council can make a councillor's job run smoothly and with respect, or run rough.

So, it doesn't take a new councillor long  to accept the bridle on salary decisions.  (66% of the general operating fund pays for Staff compensation expenditures)

READ MORE >>