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| Filthy stormwater treatment pond at All Wood Recycling 60 feet from salmon-bearing Evans Creek. B. Yoder/2006 |
I’d like to discuss a critical land use issue that affects Redmond's drinking water aquifer, and may cause PFAS contamination in Wells 1 and 2. PFAS is a man-made toxic chemical that never breaks down. It once was used to manufacture firefighting foam.
Last week, I testified before City Council about PFOS levels exceeding EPA's 4 ppt standard in these wells. Tonight, I want to focus on the land use aspect of this problem—specifically, the Evans Creek Relocation Project and the DTG Recycle site, formerly All Wood Recycling.
The DTG site sits within Redmond’s Critical Aquifer Recharge Area I (where groundwater contamination can reach municipal supply wells in under five years. In August 2013, a massive fire at All Wood Recycling required multi-day firefighting efforts. (See here, here, here, and here.) A former Redmond Natural Resources Manager informed the City Council that firefighting foam was used to extinguish that blaze and that about 1900 fish in Evans Creek were killed. *
The concern is straightforward: the foam likely contained PFAS, and those "forever chemicals" may have infiltrated Redmond’s aquifer. Bob Yoder's research suggests additional historic contamination sources at this industrial site—oil spills into Evans Creek, failing detention ponds, and septic systems that may have channeled PFAS-contaminated water underground.
Here's the land use policy problem: the Evans Creek Relocation Project will disturb soil on the DTG property. When the Department of Ecology sampled soil there in 2022, they did not test for PFAS. This is a significant gap in the environmental review process, especially given the site's MTCA contaminated cleanup status and location in Redmond’s CARA I (see the image below).
Since the Planning Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on land use policies, I urge you to recommend that the City require PFAS testing at the DTG site before any ground disturbance occurs. Identifying and remediating contamination sources is essential to prevent ongoing pollution of Redmond's drinking water.
With a 2029 EPA compliance deadline and costs for treatment of Wells 1 & 2 potentially in the tens of millions, Redmond cannot afford to overlook potential contamination sources in its CARAs. Sound land use policy demands testing before digging.
I ask that you advise Council to strengthen Redmond’s critical area protections by requiring PFAS assessment before approving projects in CARA zones, particularly on properties with known environmental violations or firefighting foam use.
* See the archived video of the Aug. 27, 2013, City Council Study Session beginning at 1:30:12. The comments about the fish kill and the firefighting foam use begin at 1:31:47.
-- David Morton, PhD, 2/11/2026
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| Industrial district abused stormwater run-off pond 70 feet from Evans Creek Photo, Bob Yoder / 2006 |
Forty percent of Redmond drinking water comes from five wells, the remainder from surface waters like the Tolt River. At a recent Council meeting, the Director of Public Works Aaron Bert, announced Wells 1 & 2 in Anderson Park were contaminated with a man-made chemical called PFAS, coined a "forever chemical." It doesn't break down and can compromise immunity, lead to cancer, affect pregnancy and other health problems if consumed over a long period of time.
Council hired Hazon consultant ($284,000) to plan a pre-design of filtering infrastructure for Wells 1 & 2. Bert says the estimated cost will be $25-$30 million with projected completion by 2029.
Bert's scientist stated in a February 3 year council meeting they know the source was "historic." but haven't identified the site. Extensive community research concludes the source is likely from fire foam used in 2013 to extinguish a massive debris fire in the neglected SE Redmond industrial district. Jon Spangler, the Redmond Natural Resource manager saw fire foam floating in nearby Evans Creek and 1900 dead fish. Fire Captain John Stockman remembers fire foam was used.
Fire foam is highly concentrated with PFAS; and per "aquifer hydrology studies" the contaminated water reached Education Hill and the North Redmond water supply by 2018, at the very least. My family ordered a "reverse osmosis" water filter from an online merchant and are VERY happy with the clarity and smooth taste of our water; and knowing it's PFAS free!
Two Redmond Neighborhood Park Forest Restoration Projects
NOW
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| Photo with Article by John Rienke |
TWO (not one) "Massage," "Head Spa" and a "Handyman" sandwich board signs are "tented" on 85th St. near 166th Ave. NE. Across the street are two others. They are distracting drivers and proliferating almost daily. If this keeps up, our city will be tacky and visually polluted, yet small businesses need to advertise -- maybe not this way.
According to Code Enforcement Officer Rob Lewis, the city attorney is working on a sign code amendment. "We want to ensure the city is clean and presentable but also must ensure we're not infringing of constitutional free Speech rights while doing so."
A good start in the amendment process would be limiting the businesses to one sign on a street and give fines to those who don't.
Our right to free Speech is violated during elections when only candidates may post their signs. During elections, almost always ugly signs from one or two business are staked everywhere.
WA - Christine Himes passed away peacefully in her home in Monroe, Washington on
December 30, 2025. She was born on April 6, 1929 in Washington DC. She was
married to Jack Himes for 46 years. As long-time Eastside residents they raised five
children. She is survived by Craig and wife Barbara, Valerie and husband Ron Bennett,
Donna and husband Dave Bender, Carole and husband Brian Strong; 13 grandchildren
and 18 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Darlene;
and her brother Georg B. Tennyson.
Christine was an active volunteer for local schools, church and community
events. She served on the Redmond City Council from 1975-1977 and later
served as the first full-time woman mayor from 1980-1984. She is known for
balancing growth and encouraging business while preserving open space
and creating and preserving 19 parks and a trail system in Redmond.
She continued to be involved through the Redmond Historical Society where she
served as President for six years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM
at the Monroe Community Senior Center, 276 Sky River Pkwy, Monroe, WA 98272
Remembrances may be sent to:
Redmond Historical Society -redmondhistoricalsociety.org
Service Dogs for Veterans Bellingham, WA paveusa.org
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Christine,
please visit our Tree Store.
Published on February 1, 2026
I have fond memories of chatting and giving hugs to Chris💕 at Redmond Historical
Society meetings. May she rest in peace. - Bob Yoder
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| LWSD Levy Committee campaign sign |
Redmond detectives are actively investigating the assault. Anyone who was on or near Bear Creek Trail between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Jan. 24, has dash-cam footage, or recalls seeing someone matching the suspect’s description is encouraged to please call 425-556-2500 and ask to speak with a detective.
--RPD. 1/3/2025
Forty - five percent of our clean potable water is supplied by five water supply wells; and they are compromised. Very recent sampling efforts have detected "PFAS" contaminating Anderson Park's two water supply wells (#1 and #2.) PFAS - are found in paint, cleansers, fire extinguisher foam, other man-made chemicals and *historic spills. Public Works Director Aaron Bert said in a staff report, "the City doesn't know the source."
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| 2006 photo of the district's stormwater treatment pond connected to Evans Creek / Bob Yoder |
Sayna Parsi was appointed by Council to finish Osman Salahuddin's term; who was elected State Legislature, District 48th. Sanya's term ends in two years.
Saina Parsi — Identified in the interviews as having experience on the Parks and Trails Commission, private-sector program work and community organizing; she emphasized environmental stewardship, inclusive community outreach and using planning documents such as Redmond 2050 to guide decisions.
Council Roles and Responsibilities:
Join the Redmond Historical Society and volunteers from the Little Masters Club (小大师聚乐部) as they kick off a new digital exhibit, powered by the curiosity and passion of local high school students who researched, and documented stories from our Chinese American Community.
This FREE event celebrating Chinese culture will include hands-on crafts, activities, snacks and more! Enjoy live music from the CHIME Band, originally formed by a group of Chinese Microsoft Employees. Plus, an opportunity to preview portions of the exhibit, and learn how to explore the full project from home
Redmond Library
1:00 PM Opening Ceremony
1:40 PM CHIME Band live performance
2:35 PM Traditional Chinese Painting presentation by YongEr Liu
3:15 PM Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Demo
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| Photo/ Bob Yoder |
"Redmond is growing faster than many of us imagine, especially in the Overlake Urban Center. A 14-acre Urban Village coined "Seritage" will transform Sears Plaza into office space, a hotel, residential, commercial, retail and a large park. High rise buildings are probable.
· There will be 2,300 parking stalls (vs. around 1,000 today). 
As if Seritage is not enough, read about the Overlake East Master Plan:
https://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-redevelopment-of-sears-plaza-is.html
-- Bob Yoder, 1/12/26
Four EvergreenHealth administrators served on health care and economic boards in 2025
Kirkland, Wash.—Last year, four of EvergreenHealth’s administration team were invited to serve on advisory boards throughout the region. These health system leaders give their time, skills and insight to organizations involved in health care and economic development across the state.
Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, EvergreenHealth CEO, was elected to the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) Board of Directors effective January 2025, having previously served as the Chair of the Clinical Excellence Committee from 2023 to 2024. He also sits on the board of the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the Steering Committee for the Washington Department of Health Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care.
Dr. Palazzo joined EvergreenHealth in 2003 as a hospitalist, and he held various roles before becoming CEO in December 2023. He is responsible for the leadership of all aspects of EvergreenHealth's purpose, mission and vision.
Christopher Bredeson, MBA, FACHE, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer, has been invited to sit on the boards of Washington Hospital Services (WHS), the Washington Health Alliance (WHA)—both statewide
de organizations focused on quality and value in health care delivery—and OneRedmond, a public-private economic development partnership.
Bredeson has held positions in health care leadership and community advocacy for more than three decades. In his role at EvergreenHealth, he supervises all facets of health system operations and planning.
Jessika Groce, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Chief Human Resources Officer, was appointed to the Cascadia College Foundation Board effective July 1. The Cascadia College Foundation plays a crucial role in offering scholarships and grants to students needing financial support also backing key college initiatives. The board works to support the college’s mission of delivering accessible, equitable and superior educational experiences to inspire every person to achieve their educational and career goals.
