UPDATED: Citizen interviews Councilmember Candidate Angela Birney

Paige Norman, a Redmond activist and blogger, interviews Councilmember Candidate Angela Birney.  Her race was uncontested.  Angela's term if elected begins on January 1, 2016.

Why are you running for Redmond City Council?
As a 17-year resident of Redmond, I understand what makes Redmond an exceptional place to live, work, and play.  I am excited about our future and am committed to making wise investments throughout our city.
2.What do you think the main obligations of Council members are?
The City Council members are the representatives of the citizens of Redmond.  They establish laws and policies, give input and adopt the city budget, oversee the spending of taxes, and ensure that the city is working for its citizens.
3.What will you bring to the council position?
I am the current chair of the Parks and Trails Commission and I have served in many volunteer roles in the city and community.  I have experience working with many community groups and have a collaborative approach to leading.  I want to find new ways to include the residents in decision-making processes.
4.How will you stay connected with the people in the City of Redmond?
I plan on doorbelling this summer.  I also plan on having regular times to meet with citizens about their concerns.  I welcome communication from residents and will continue to use social media to keep the citizens informed.
5.What projects are you excited about?
I am very excited to see Downtown Park progress. The City has been working on this plan for many years and the project will begin to take shape soon.  The Redmond Central Connector Phase two is also in construction and I think residents and commuters will enjoy its completion.  I am also looking forward to businesses filling in throughout downtown.  The improved walkability is making it easier for businesses to be successful.  Read More >>

City Council and Mayor meet with Parks and Trails Commissioners to study the proposal for a new pool, community center, teen center and senior center

The City Council (minus Stillin and Allen) met with eight Parks and Trails Commissioners to study "The Recreation Master Plan" composed of a proposed new city pool, recreation center, teen center and senior center (Community Center).  Past Parks Chair Tom Sanko ran down a list characteristics as to why the Community Center should be located in the downtown core ie. contribution to economic vitality, walkability, reduce congestion, more transit options, near trail connections, multiple car routes. 

Mayor Marchione asked if we needed a new pool.  Parks Chair and future councilmember Angela Birney said Hartman Pool can be expected to fail in 3-5 years and it will be down for one week of repairs this year.  Mayor Marchione said "it was hanging on by a thread."  Others said there were not enough places in the area for swim lessons and a new pool would be a good recreation center especially in the winter months.  They see the pool as muli-purpose and not just for competitive swimming.

Council President Margeson said it was urgent that the city needs a new pool and community center.  He said the Old Redmond School House Community Center is owned by LWSD and they may have plans to take it back.  Mayor Marchione said Council met with the City of Kirkland about their plans for a new pool and said "I don't find anything that gets city council excited" about going in with them on a new pool. 

Most all at the table agreed it would be good to look into a Metropolitan Park District to include taxpayers in the 98053 zip code to help with funding.  Residents on Union Hill and Redmond Ridge use Redmond recreation programs now and could be expected to use a new "Community Center". Mayor Marchione said he talked with King County about siting the Community Center in Marymoor Park but they wanted nothing to do with it plus Council wanted the center to be downtown.  Belleuve and Kirkland are both looking to build new pools and Councilmember Carson suggested we try to work with them to cut costs. 

Councilmember Hank Myers said "we've been wrestling with this for four years and seem to be going in circles."  He asked the commission for better guidance and was disappointed they were not making more progress.  Angela Birney suggested a Steering Committee. 

Mayor Marchione said there were four sites under consideration and asked each member to list their favorite site.  Seven members (Myers) liked the largest and most expensive "West Park" site (South of 85th and east of 154th).  Carson liked the North West Park site where the city owns some land.
Flynn, Margeson, and Shutz like the site across from City Hall on 85th.  Four members like the fire station/skate board park site, including Shutz as his second choice.  The Mayor didn't state a preference but Shutz usually always represents what the Mayor wants.

Reported by Bob Yoder 






 

LWSD Facilities Planning Task Force seeks input on community values for school facilities

Online survey and in-person meeting to gather community views

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force has been working since December to find ways to address the district’s aging school facilities and its need for classroom space to serve a rapidly growing population. The Task Force is now asking the community for input on the community values it should use to evaluate potential solutions. Later in June, the Task Force will ask for input on specific strategies.

Input is being gathered on values the Task Force should use to evaluate their recommendations through an online open house May 26 to June 2. A survey on the open house site will be open through midnight on June 2.

Community members are also invited to attend the Task Force’s June 3 meeting. That meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Rose Hill Middle School, 13505 NE 75^th St., Redmond. The Task Force will work with community members to select community values for evaluating potential solutions. At that meeting, the Task Force will also discuss how to address aging facilities in combination with expanding classroom capacity.  Read More >>

2015 Movies at Marymoor

2015 Movies at Marymoor Lineup

Posted on May 15, 2015 by parksmonkey

 

 

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Admit it. It’s become a family tradition. Load the fam, grab whatever inflatable, bean bag, or foam based furniture you have and trek over to Marymoor. Bond with your “blanket neighbors” over their dog/kid/outdoor movie furniture/film knowledge. Watch the sun set. Loudly quote the movie. We provide the massive open air theater that smells of the outdoors, sunset, popcorn and awesome.
“I am Groot.”
2015 First Tech Movies@Marymoor
Wed., July 8: The Goonies
Wed., July 15: Dirty Dancing
Tue., July 21: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Wed., July 29: Big Hero 6
Wed., Aug. 5: Top Gun
Wed., Aug. 12: Grease
Wed., Aug. 19: Tangled
Wed., Aug. 26: Guardians of the Galaxy

LETTER: Nokomis Building needs to be saved

LETTER:  My name is Doris Townsend and I am a member of the Nokomis Club of Redmond.  Alexa Munoz, our president, has asked me to contact you to see if you are willing to include information about the Nokomis Building (Redmond's first library) in your blog. We are trying to save the building from being torn down.

The Nokomis Building remains one of the most historic properties within the city of Redmond.  The building was inventoried in historic surveys conducted in 1998 and 2005, and both surveys recommend listing it in the Local and National Register of Historic Places.  "In view of this recommendation, the association of the building with Redmond, early to mid-20th century history, and the association of the Nokomis Club with the Women's history, this proposal (five story building ) would appear to have a negative impact on this historic property," writes Gregory Griffith, Deputy State (Washington) Historic Preservation Officer, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, in a letter dated February 26, 2015.  Griffith concludes "As a result, we recommend that alternative designs/site planning be explored that result in the building's preservation/reuse on site."

Invest in retention of community use and preservation of the historic Nokomis Building with you contribution to REDMOND'S HISTORIC FIRST LIBRARY.

Donations can be made through Crowdrise under "Find an Event" - redmonds historic first library or under our website at Nokomis Club of Redmond (PayPal).  Checks can be sent to Nokomis Club of Redmond at P.O. Box 7012  Bellevue WA 98008-1012.  For more information, contact info@nokomisclub98052.org

 The proposed project for the property is a six story building that will include 96 sleeping units with 29 parking spaces.  In addition to saving the building for community use, we do not feel that the proposed project on that site is a good use of the property.

By Doris Townsend

St Jude's Annual Blood Drive is Tuesday, June 9

St. Jude’s Annual Blood Drive is coming up, and we hope to see you!  Your prior donations on behalf of the Redmond community remain GREATLY appreciated. J   This is an opportunity to continue your donating tradition!

 

Tuesday, June 9

 

Location   

St. Jude Parish

10526 – 166^th Avenue NE … corner of 166^th and NE 104^th Street

Downstairs in the Parish Hall … follow the signs!

 

Times

Between 12:30 – 6:30 PM 

(closed 2:30 – 3:15)

 

Reminders

·         Donating usually takes less than an hour, and includes a health check and refreshments!

·         Eat a healthy meal and drink fluids at least 5 hours prior to donating.

·         Those who are at least 18 yrs old weighing at least 110 lbs may donate blood every 56 days!

·         Those 16 and 17 yrs old weighing at least 114 lbs may donate with a signed Blood Center permission slip (provided).

·         Only sterile disposable equipment is used for each donation. 

·         You can NOT get AIDS or any other disease by donating blood.

 

Save Lives This Summer

Every 2 minutes, someone in Western Washington needs a blood transfusion.

Volunteer donors are the ONLY source of blood for our community supply.

Giving Blood Gives Life … simply and easily!

 

Appointments

Julie Hess  -  425-466-4011

StJude-Red@hotmail.com

 

Lake Washington School District saves taxpayers $17.3 million through bond refinancing

District receives S&P upgrade to share highest rating for school districts in the state

 

Redmond, Wash. – The Lake Washington School District locked in a savings of over $17.3 million on May 14 by lowering the interest cost on $167.8 million of its debt through issuing refunding bonds.

 

The District recently received a Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Rating Services upgrade from ‘AA’ to ‘AA+’ for its existing debt and for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2015. The rating has a stable outlook.  The refunding bonds were priced by the District’s bond underwriters May 14. Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) assigned its highest possible rating, ‘Aaa,’ to the bonds.

 

Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent, said, “One of our goals is to use resources effectively and be fiscally responsible. We seek these kinds of opportunities to save taxpayer dollars.” Read More>>

Fields to challenge Marchione in mayoral election--Redmond Reporter

by SAMANTHA PAK,  Redmond Reporter Reporter 

May 18, 2015 at 10:00AM updated May 20, 2015 at 2:25PM

Steve Fields

— image credit: Courtesy photo

Steve Fields has challenged John Marchione in the upcoming City of Redmond mayoral election. Marchione will be seeking his third term in the Nov. 3 general election.
Fields, a 62-year-old Redmond resident, told the Reporter that he is choosing to run because he has seen a lot of changes in the city and is concerned with the use of city money and how it is being managed.
He added that Redmond is starting to become too costly to live here, and if elected mayor, Fields said he wants to maintain the city's livability as it grows.
"I love Redmond," Fields said, adding that the city has been a great place for him and his family to live.
He said it would also be good to bring a new face and perspective into the picture. If elected, Fields said he wants the city government to be more effective and inclusive to include more citizen input as they have a stake in what happens in town.
“The current mayor talks about the importance of city government living within its means. But are city leaders making decisions that would allow small businesses, retirees and working families to live within their means?” he said in a press release. He added that parks and recreational facilities are deteriorating, and neighborhoods are being ignored while the city focuses its investment on downtown changes.
Currently, Fields is co-owner of Down Pour Coffee Bar in Redmond. According to his resume, he has also worked as a strategic adviser/business analyst for the City of Seattle. He has also held a number of positions with King County, including business and finance manager for the Public Health Department, project manager for the Department of Executive Services and budget manager for the Office of Management and Budget.
According to the press release, Fields is a government efficiency guru who designs and implements systems to bring public budgets under control, making them more transparent and understandable for the citizens they are meant to benefit.
During his “Field campaign,” he will meet with voters on their doorsteps.
“I’m ready to listen, something that’s become a lost political art," he said in the press release. "I’m also ready to hear new ideas and build community engagement that’s real, not contrived meetings and overused ribbon-cutting ceremonies that lack spirit and authenticity."
Fields is married to his coffee shop partner, Ronni Fields, and has lived in Redmond for almost 25 years. He has three children and is a local sports, tennis and health advocate and coached basketball, baseball and soccer in Redmond’s recreation leagues.

Steve Fields Linked-In

 

LETTER: Assistance League of the Eastside meets at the LWSD resource center

Thank you for your very informative neighborhood blog.  My husband and I are raising four children here in Redmond and we love this community.  

 

I am also a member of Assistance League of the Eastside, an all-volunteer nonprofit that serves children, women and families right here on the Eastside.  Although we serve the whole Eastside area, we are based in Redmond and meeting in the LWSD resource center.  Since 1992, Assistance League of the Eastside has returned over $4 million to the community through our philanthropic programs - our largest of which is Operation School Bell®  Through this program we provide new school clothing to local students in need.  So far this school year alone we have provided new school clothing to over 4,000 students in Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore School Districts.  We raise and spend our funds locally and have opportunities for local businesses and community members to get involved or partner with us. 

We would love to be listed on your organizations page under nonprofits.  We are a human service nonprofit dedicated to "making a positive difference in the lives of children and adults touched by hardship and violence."

 

Jen Mayo

President

Assistance League of the Eastside
Cell phone: 425-445-0416

Caring and Commitment in Action

We’d love to connect with you on Facebook and You Tube.

Preserve Wayne Golf Course land for recreation, education, and fish and wildlife habitat

Preserve the Wayne Golf Course land, situated along the Sammamish River and Burke-Gilman trail, for recreation, education, and fish and wildlife habitat.

All residents of Washington need to act now. Wayne Golf Course front 9 is for sale. The back 9 is under a binding purchase-and-sale agreement with developers. The golf course faces two possible futures. It can become yet another housing development, or it can become the site of a recreation and restoration project that will contribute to the recovery of endangered species.

 Email your legislator

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 OneBothell is dedicated to uniting neighbors and friends of Bothell to address important community issues. 

• Our mission is to preserve the Wayne Golf Course land, situated along the Sammamish River and Burke-Gilman trail, for recreation, education, and fish and wildlife habitat. 

• We are working with the public, the golf course owners, the City of Bothell, King County, and the State of Washington to purchase Wayne Golf Course land for the community. 

To learn more about the Wayne Golf Course land click here.

How you can help. 

By signing the petition, your vote will be submitted to the City of Bothell against any future development of the Wayne Golf Course land. Your comments also get emailed to state legislators. They need to hear from the public how important it is to preserve this land. Every petition signed makes a difference.

Sign the petition

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OneBothell consists of volunteers from the community. Even a small amount of your time is valuable to us. To learn about the different ways you can help click the button below

Helping

Annual vegetation maintenance alongside Sammamish River Trail will require "rolling closures"

Annual vegetation maintenance alongside King County Parks’ Burke Gilman and Sammamish River trails will require several weeks of “rolling closures” with delays of up to 15 minutes for trail users as crews perform the work.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26 at approximately 7:30 a.m., crews using tractor mowers will start clearing vegetation along the Burke Gilman Trail at the Seattle-Lake Forest Park boundary near Northeast 145th Street.
Working Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., crews will continue their work until reaching King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond. The clearing is expected to be completed by June 19.
Trail traffic will be controlled by flaggers in both directions through the active work area to ensure safety while the work is underway.
The mower will be operated in 15-minute intervals, then driven off the trail and shut down to allow traffic to pass, before resuming for another 15-minute stretch of work.
Clearing vegetation from the trails’ shoulders and ditches helps keep these popular routes safe for the public by maintaining open sightlines and improving drainage.

Redmond Police: Car vs Motorcycle Collision with critical injuries

 

Redmond, Wash. -  On May 19, 2015 at 6:14 PM, A Redmond Traffic Officer observed a motorcycle involved in a possible road rage incident in the downtown area.  The Officer attempted to stop the motorcycle however the suspect fled at a high rate of speed.  The Officer did not follow.  Minutes later, several 911 calls were received reporting a motorcycle versus car collision on Bear Creek Parkway.    Officers responded and observed a motorcycle off the roadway in the grass.  Preliminary information reveals several witnesses reported seeing the motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision.  The rider appears to have lost control of the motorcycle and struck the rear bumper of the victim vehicle.   The motorcycle was the same one observed by the Officer earlier.   The rider, a 28 year old male Kirkland resident, was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained head injuries.  He was transported to Harborview Medical Center where he was last reported in critical condition. The victim was uninjured.    The collision is being investigated by the Traffic Division.  Bear Creek Parkway has been closed while the investigation is being conducted.  If you witnessed the collision please contact Officer Shone at (425) 556-2500.

Are Redmond's City Council members doing a good job?

"Are Redmond's City Council members doing a good job?"  This was a "question of the week" in the Redmond Reporter's May 15th edition.  The answer to the poll was Yes:  36.8%  No: 63.2%. 

I was surprised that nearly 2/3 of those polled felt Redmond City Council members were not doing a good job.  That is a significant number of people!  So how do you think the Council could do better?  Re-look at the city's growth policy?  Are we growing too fast?  Establish greater efficiencies within the government?  Should Council have to ask us for more levy money?  Pay more attention to neighborhood issues?  Is Council over-involved in regional issues?  City Council follows Mayor Marchione in lock-step.  Should they be more outspoken?

What do you think is right or wrong about the City Council?  The City is always posting favorable results on the many surveys they take on citizen satisfaction.  This Redmond Reporter poll is a true eye-opener.

Opinion by Bob Yoder

 

Redmond Mayoral Candidate Steve Fields Resume

" I am not a career politician but my experience in local government is extensive. In the positions I have worked, I have had the chance to see King County and City of Seattle operations from all perspectives. I worked with all department heads, elected leaders, finance manager, and all levels of staff and external partners. I want to bring that experience to Redmond as Mayor. I want the people who live here to have an efficient, effective and transparent City government that people can trust and rely on."

STEVE FIELDS RESUME
16909 NE 105th St.  Redmond, WA.  98052
C:  425-444-3188  H:  425 881-7106  E:  Website  Linked-In  Twitter Facebook

Down Pour Coffee Bar LLC                                                                                2014-Present
Co-Owner/Project Manager

• Planned, designed, and managed construction of 1303 Square Foot Facility
• Co-founded a highly successful, profitable, and popular coffee shop

City of Seattle, Seattle WA.                                                                                  2013-2014

Strategic Advisor/Business Analyst-City Budget Office

• Project Manager for Citywide Budget System Implementation
• Provided leadership in process improvement for budget preparation for City Budget Office
• Prepared a strategic guideline to implement city-wide Performance Management capabilities

King County, Seattle, WA.                                                                                    2003-2013

 

Business and Finance Manager - Public Health Department                                 2013-2013

• Established business process improvement program
• Coordinated activities of divisional finance managers

Project Manager - Department of Executive Services                                             2009-2012

• Managed implementation of countywide budget system
• Managed development of countywide Performance Management solution
• Managed Benefits Realization plan for $84M Program to update County-wide business systems    

Budget Manager - Office of Management and Budget                              2003-2009                              

• Managed professional staff supporting the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation
• Oversight on behalf of Executive Office on Capital and Information Technology projects
• Governance Finance Committee chair supporting, Strategic Technology Plan, IT Business Plans, policies, procedures and guidelines

Prior Accomplishment in Telecommunication and Aerospace Industries

• Developed Program Management Office to oversee standardize project management methods for large wireless engineering department
• Developed and managed a system of performance metrics for wireless company including call center data, system-wide performance, and asset management
• Business Manager for Aerospace customer solutions including United State Space and Defense Programs
• Negotiated vendor agreements resulting in multi-million dollar savings
• Business development and project management consultant for business delivering advanced technology solutions

EDUCATION

• B.S. Accounting, San Diego State University
• Graduate Courses, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
• Training in Project Management, Government Financial Management, Contracts Administration and Negotiations, Certified Government Manager and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

A photo of Steve Fields was provided but unfortunately I'm having technical difficulties posting it. B.Y.

 

 

 

 

Steve Fields contests John Marchione in run for Mayor

Steve Fields: A New Voice with the Right Experience for Redmond

REDMOND, WA – You can find him early every morning with his wife at Down Pour Coffee Bar in Redmond, serving up some of the best cups of coffee – and community conversations – on the Eastside. But for the next six months, you will most likely find Steve Fields walking to homes and businesses in his beloved Redmond as he today filed his official paperwork to run for Redmond Mayor.

Steve Fields, 62, is a government efficiency guru who designs and implements systems to bring public budgets under control, making them more transparent and understandable for the citizens they are meant to benefit. For more than 30 years he has worked to improve the performance of businesses and government, helping King County and the City of Seattle become more financially accountable for the services people expect their governments to deliver.

Why is Steve Fields running for Mayor?

“Redmond is changing very fast. We are building everywhere. We have endless traffic congestion. Our parks and recreational facilities are deteriorating, and our neighborhoods are being ignored while we focus our investment on the changes in downtown. We’re losing the beauty that is Redmond; we are losing confidence in leadership that is promoting growth, but does not have a plan on how to manage this growth so it works for everyone.” he said.

“People are frustrated and feel powerless. There is a sense we will just have to endure the consequences of haphazard growth and in the end pay more to cover costs of the infrastructure, parks, and transit improvements for development projects that have not been well planned. The current request for a bond and levy increase this year should have already been included in our budgets. The question I asked myself when I decided to run for Mayor is “How did we get here?”

“The current Mayor talks about the importance of city government living within its means. But are city leaders making decisions that would allow small businesses, retirees, and working families to live within their means?” he said.  

Fields will take on two-term Redmond Mayor John Marchionne. “John has been a good caretaker Mayor and completed a number of city projects during his term, but Redmond needs new leadership focused on efficient government and inclusive growth. We need to find ways out of a bureaucracy that requires constant tax dollar increases but still doesn’t address Redmond priorities.”

Fields is promising a “Field campaign” – one where most of the voters will meet him on their doorstep as he goes to them. “I’m ready to listen, something that’s become a lost political art. I’m also ready to hear new ideas and build community engagement that’s real, not contrived meetings and ribbon cutting ceremonies that lack spirit and authenticity.”

Steve Fields, married to his coffee shop partner, Ronni Fields, has lived in Redmond for almost 25 years. His three children attended Redmond schools and his youngest child, Jackson Fields, will graduate next year from Redmond High School. Steve Fields, a local sports, tennis and health advocate, coached Redmond kids in basketball, baseball, and soccer in Redmond’s recreation leagues. Steve loves living in Redmond. “Redmond needs to keep its heart and soul. It needs to be a livable city for everyone. We can’t let unmanaged growth and government inefficiencies destroy the community we have built and love he said.

Steve Fields Linked-In    Facebook

Small Business Owner and Charity Advocate Hank Myers Announces Redmond City Council Reelection Campaign

              Small Business Owner and charity advocate Hank Myers today announced  he will run for re-election to the Redmond City Council. A diverse group of supporters lined up behind Myers, reflecting his work in Redmond to promote responsible tax policy and regulation, reduced traffic and his caring voice in support of community organizations.

“What makes Redmond great is the way we combine the innovative spirit of business with a sense of community and caring,” said Myers. “To have leaders in business and local non-profits supporting my reelection means a great deal and it reflects my efforts to keep the tax burden on families and businesses down while lifting up those who are in need.

In addition to serving on the Redmond City Council, he also represents the city’s salmon recovery efforts on the local watershed council and served on several transportation advisory groups.

“Working with business and non-profits demonstrates that in many ways they both need the same thing – the freedom and encouragement to solve the problems in the way that works for those they serve. That is the spirit I bring to the council – the recognition that solutions come from the community to City Hall if we listen,” said Myers.

Myers used his successful business background to improve the finances of Eastside Friends of Seniors as Director and help guide Redmond’s Together Center into more direct client services, despite the challenges of the economic downturn.

“I met Hank Myers as part of a Leadership Eastside project I organized to refurbish a Friends of Youth facility for homeless teens,” said Stu Linscott. “Hank worked ceaselessly until the project was complete. His dedication to getting the best results sets him apart."

Hank also earned the respect of regional leaders for his work to make Redmond a great place to live.

“I have known Hank Myers for many years in my work at Metro Transit and my association with the Together Center in Redmond,” says Barb de Michele. “He helped create high speed transit service between Redmond and Seattle. Hank is an advocate with amazing energy who listens and supports the community.”

Hank and his wife Christine have lived in Redmond for nearly 40 years, where they raised two children.

Celebration for Bear Creek Restoration Partnership

Redmond, WA - Come help us celebrate the completion of the newly relocated and restored lower Bear Creek. The project, located between SR 520 and Bear Creek Parkway, behind Redmond Town Center, relocated about 3,000 feet of Bear Creek from the mostly straight, channelized “stream” to a meandering, reshaped, and re-planted channel, in an existing adjacent open space.
The project established stream buffers consistent with the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance and allowed the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) “Stage 3” widening of the SR 520 freeway adjacent to Bear Creek. The parallel path and “side-routes” allow people to walk over to the stream and to view and interact with a much improved Bear Creek.

“This collaboration between the City and State emphasizes how proactively addressing our regional transportation challenges and improving our environment can move us forward together,” stated Mayor John Marchione. “Relocating and restoring this portion of Bear Creek into a productive salmon-bearing stream continues the City’s commitment to protect and improve our environment.”

The grand opening celebration will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 5 - 6 pm on the Bear Creek Trail (adjacent to 168th Avenue NE and Bear Creek Parkway).

For more information about the Bear Creek Restoration, contact Mike Haley, Project Manager, at mhaley@redmond.gov or 425-556-2843. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.

Reprint: Redmond has restored the Upper Reach of Willows Creek

Reprinted from Thursday, August 5, 2010

Redmond is Restoring The Upper Reach of Willows Creek

Willows Creek

Have you ever been to Willows Creek?  Oh my!  It's probably one of the most beautiful, urban natural open spaces remaining in Redmond.   If you look hard you'll find an unmarked trail-head in Willows Creek Park that will take you to it.  We hiked the creek a couple of weeks ago and took a few pictures. 

Willows Creek is good size stream that drains the western "Rose Hill" watershed area.  It flows into the Sammamish River in the vicinity of Willows Golf Course.   According to Tom Hardy of the Redmond Department of Natural Resources Department, (DNR) federally protected Chinook salmon often find "safe harbor" in the cool waters of the mouth of Willows Creek.   Chinook linger in Willows Creek as they swim upstream toward Bear Creek to spawn.   But they no longer spawn in here owing to habitat destruction.

Years ago, the creek forests were severely logged  and the salmon stopped spawning to the upper reaches of the creek.  As you can see, it's a beautiful meandering stream with gravel beds, perfect for salmon rearing.   Tom Hardy's crew has a project underway this summer to restore the creek banks and improve the habitat for fish. 

As we speak, they are placing new logs and fallen trees along 800 feet of the upper reach.  These logs will help shore up eroded banks, control floods, reduce sediment, and create pools.  Tom's crew will plant over 100 trees to shelter the creek and cool the waters.  This is a Department of Natural Resources project funded by our Stormwater rate bills.   Is it possible the salmon and trout will someday swim up Willows Creeks again to spawn?  I think that's the city's hope.   

Bear Creek,  Evans Creek and the Sammamish River encircles Redmond.  They are valuable, wild urban salmon bearing streams which makes Redmond  unique.  Peter's Creek and Willows Creek flow into the Sammamish River from the West.  They are just north of the 90th Street Bridge.           

By Bob Yoder

Photo and slides by Yoder

May 18 Sustainable Redmond Speaker Series on Community Gardens

Eastside Community Gardens Topic of May 18 Meeting:

Sustainable Redmond Spring Speaker Series Continues at Old Redmond Schoolhouse

 

Sustainable Redmond will hold the third of its Spring Speaker Series at 7pm on Monday, May 18^th at Redmond’s Old Schoolhouse Community Center – a change from past meeting venues.  This meeting will highlight community garden initiatives in Kirkland and Bellevue as well as Redmond.  The meeting is open to everyone and all are welcome to attend.  Read More >>

City Council approves over $382,454 on projects to improve fish passage in three Redmond creeks

The City Council approved $382,454 on projects to improve fish passage in Juel Creek, Peters Creek, and Seidel Creek.  Seidel Creek is in the Watershed Preserve.  Peters Creek is a tributary to the Sammamish River near Willows Road.  Juel Creek is a tributary to Bear Creek.  Read More>>

Executive Constantine speaks his mind about Shell Oils request to establish an Arctic drilling operation at Port of Seattle's Terminal

Executive Constantine today issued a statement in regard to the City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Development denying a request by Shell Oil to establish an Arctic drilling operation at the Port of Seattle's Terminal 5.

Story

"I commend the City of Seattle for ensuring that all rules are followed as Shell Oil seeks to site its Arctic drilling fleet at the Port of Seattle's Terminal 5. We are in a race against time to drastically reduce carbon emissions while preparing as best we can for the impacts of diminishing snowpack and rising sea levels.
"Instead of putting all our effort into real economic development - like highly profitable clean-energy technology and manufacturing - we're being asked to allow our publicly-owned port facilities to play host to Arctic oil-drilling operations, accelerating an already dire local and global crisis.
"This is the wrong direction for any community, but doubly so for King County, with our environmental ethic and our enormous capacity to invent the future. We should be using our resources to support innovative companies that are creating 21st-century energy solutions rather than fossil-fuel operations that threaten both Arctic waters and our entire planet. Let's invest in economic activity that keeps us competitive in the global market and sustains our environment and quality of life.
"And as a state that depends heavily on trade, we should be wary of making container ships compete with fossil-fuel-drilling vessels for space at our ports."

King County News