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Monday, November 24, 2025
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Redmond Encourages Residents to Apply For Vacant Council Position
Redmond Encourages Residents to Apply for City Council Position #1 Vacancy
The City will host an optional Council Information Session at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. for community members to ask questions and learn more about the responsibilities of being a Councilmember. Meet in Council chambers.
REDMOND, WA – The City of Redmond today announced the official process and expected timeline for filling City Council Position #1, encouraging community members interested in public service to apply for the role, which is vacant following the resignation of Councilmember Osman Salahuddin.
The vacancy will be filled by a replacement voted on by members of the current City Council; Mayor Angela Birney will cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie. The City Council reviewed recruitment procedures at last night’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
The application is currently open and can be found here.The application period will run through noon on Friday, Jan. 2, with Council reviewing applications on a rolling basis.
Councilmembers serve as the legislative branch of the City of Redmond’s government, providing direction to the Mayor on policy goals and objectives for long-term vision based on community values and needs. Council is responsible for adopting the City’s budget, setting fees, accepting grants, and overseeing financial and performance measures; adopting codes, zoning, and standards in city law and regulations; approving contracts, real estate transactions, claim settlements, and interlocal agreements; approving pay ranges and union contracts; advising the Mayor to support staff implementation of policies; and representing the majority position of the Council to the public.
The first round of in-person interviews will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 13, followed by final interviews with the top 4 candidates and Council voting on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Should a majority vote be reached on Jan. 20, the final preferred candidate will be sworn in that evening.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Redmond Lights Returns To Downtown Park
Redmond Lights Returns to Downtown Park, Expands to Overlake
REDMOND, WA - Redmond Lights, the City of Redmond’s annual winter celebration of art and light, will illuminate Downtown Park once again this year and, for the very first time, will expand its footprint to the Overlake neighborhood’s Esterra Park, as well. The community can enjoy the free, month-long art installations at both locations from Dec. 6, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026. A Kick-Off Event will take place from 4 – 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Downtown Park.
“I look forward to joining our community in experiencing the wonder of Redmond Lights again this year,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “This year will be especially magical with new art and light exhibits at Esterra Park, in addition to the beloved traditions that bring us together this season.”
Sunday, November 16, 2025
NEWS FLASH!! Council Passes Motion To Rebuild Teen Center At Same Location
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Council decided on November 19, 2025 the OFH will be rebuilt. |
"After an extensive community engagement process, study of financial and other implications of different options, and reviewing the stakeholder group recommendation and focus group results, the Council passes the following motion to provide formal direction on the Old Firehouse Teen Center facility:
Rebuild the teen center on the same location. Prioritize expedience in construction, centering teen voices in the design process, and including music performance space and a dedicated recording studio to continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center legacy."
SOURCE: AM No. 25-184 Business Meeting Agenda, 11/18/2025
| AM No. 25-184 |
| Type: | Consent Item | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| File created: | 10/14/2025 | In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 11/18/2025 | Final action: |
| Title: | Approval to Rebuild the Teen Center on the Same Location. Prioritize Expedience in Construction, Centering Teen Voices in the Design Process, and Including Music Performance Space and a Dedicated Recording Studio to Continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center Legacy |
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Saturday, November 15, 2025
UPDATED 11/21: 2026 Redmond Executive And Non-Union Compensation Plan
In all the Council and Mayor meetings I've watched never once did they deliberate on staff salaries and benefits. Perhaps they don't want to "cut off the hands (staff) that feed them?"
2026 Executive Pay Plan not counting, COLA , bonuses, merit increases, health insurance, retirement, perks. Staff broke this link on 11/19/25:
Effective January 1, 2026. Maximum annual band is quoted:
Chief Operating Officer: $312,579.17
Deputy C.O.O. $273,238.11 (+bonus?)
Fire Chief: $273,328.24
Deputy Fire Chief: $244,740.55
Police Chief: $273,328.24
Deputy Police Chief: $244,740.55
City Attorney: $273,328.24
Deputy City Attorney: $244,740.55
Supervising Attorney: $202,982.98
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney: $155,857.02
Paralegal (NEW): $112,714.38
Total annual salaries, $1.1M + benefits
Public Works Director: $255,958.34, Deputy Public Works Director: $244,832.88,
Parks & Recreation Director: $255,958.24 (promotion)
Deputy Parks Director: $218,863.34.
[Title and salary of the second Deputy Parks Directer (D.T.) isn't quoted]
C.I.O. Director: $247,745.68, Deputy C.I.O. $224,832.88
Finance Director: $247,745.68, Deputy Finance Director: $218,863.64
Human Services Director: $247,745.68,
Deputy Human Services Director $218,863.34
HR Analyst, $140,682.28
HR Generalist (NEW) $138,241,91
HR Manager, $171,008.42
Consultant
Total Annual Salaries: $890,000 + benefits
Planning and Community Director: $247, 745.63 (This is an understated salary because this Director "runs the government" in a large way. A significant bonus and merit increase and the maximum band salary is expected.)
-- Deputy Planning and Community Development Director: $218,863,34.
-- Deputy Development Director [The title and salary for this position is not quoted]
Mayor is Chief Executive Officer: $173,914.
--Deputy Executive Director: $218,863.34 (runs "Office Of The Mayor")
7 Directors
14 Deputies
4 Attorneys
SOURCES: AM 25-1814 (altered by the city to AM 25-188)
Non Union Pay Plan not counting health insurance, COLA, merit increases, retirement, and perks and more. (City staff broke this link on 11/19)
Effect 2026 effective January 1, 2026. Maximum annual pay band quoted:
For the complete list of "non represented" employees go HERE (City staff broke this link on 11/19.)
City Clerk: $171,088
HR Analyst, $140,682.28 (consultant was hired)
HR Generalist (NEW) $138,241,91
HR Manager, $171,008.42
Police Captain: $223,697.30
Police Support Civilian Commander, $202,982,98
Police Support: $161,480.77
Police Sergeant: $161,257.54 (Teamsters Local Union No. 117)
Police Corporal: $140.695.24 (Teamsters Local Union)
Police Officer: $122,158.48 (Teamsters Local Union) mid-point
City Engineer Manager: $211,794.58
City Engineer: $211,794.58
Security Compliance Manager: $211,794.58
Chief Policy Advisor: $202,982.98
Supervising Attorney: $202,982,98.
Construction Manager $180.412. 01
Managers (16) Parks, Finance, Utilities ($189,811,79) Emergency Preparedness, Project, Planning, and more.
Supervisors (12) Attorney: $202,982,98. In general: $138K - $180K
Paralegal: $112,714.38 (NEW)
DEI Program Advisor, $140,684.20
Behavioral Health Professional, $132,248.11
Administrative Assistants (secretaries): $70,758,38, (minimum annual band) $83,141 (mid-point annual band) $95,524 (maximum annual band)
SOURCE, AM 25-1814. Council Business Meeting Agenda, 11/18/2025. (altered to AM 25-188; link broken by staff on 11/19/25.)
| AM No. 25-188 These links were broken by staff on 11/19/25 |
| Type: | Staff Report | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| File created: | 10/29/2025 | In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 11/18/2025 (compensation subject to Council approval.) | Final action: |
| Title: | Proposed Updates to the 2026 Pay Plans |
UPDATED 11/15: Redmond Elected Officials Compensation, The Budget
| Labor and benefits constitute ~ 75 - 80% of the general budget. Council's primary responsibly is budget policy so why don't they deliberate more fully on labor and benefit expenses? Perhaps they don't want to "cut off the hands (staff) that feeds them." by Effective January 1, 2026: Council Member Monthly salary $2,352.90, Annual $28,234.80. Council President* Monthly salary $2,352.90, Annual: $28,234.80 salary: *Council President receives an additional $200 premium per month. (Premiums don't include health insurance, COLA (2%) travel, phone, educational conferences, community events.) Mayor Monthly Salary: $14,495.84 Annual Salary: $173,914. (not including COLA, health insurance, retirement, phone, transportation, education conferences, community programs, and sundry perks.) Source: Altered from AM No. 25-1814 to AM No.25-188, 11/18/2025 Exhibit 14: 2026 Elected Official Pay Plan. (Staff broke this link on 11/19/25.)
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Thursday, November 13, 2025
EvergreenHealth Earns National Safety Award
EvergreenHealth Earns 14th Consecutive ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
KIRKLAND, WA—EvergreenHealth has been awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the 14th consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard for excellence in patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.
“This recognition honors the collective work and vigilance of our physicians and staff and affirms the trust our patients place in us,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP. “EvergreenHealth remains one of the very few hospitals in our region to receive consistent ‘A’ grades. This distinction reflects our leadership in patient safety and our dedication to delivering care our community relies on.”
Thursday, November 6, 2025
UPDATED: Pat and Kitty Vache' Food Bank
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| Redmond Market Volunteers |
Trace, the Redmond Market manager said food insecurity from the SNAP cuts brought in twice the normal traffic. Even with Trump reducing program funding from 50% to 30% the pain will persist.
Pat Vache', retired Councilmember of 16 years, circulated around the work spaces including the produce line and managing the grocery carts. The produce is fresh and abundant: bib & romaine lettuce, eggs, tomatoes, oranges, apples, rosemary, sage, chives, onions, carrots, cabbage, celery, fresh grapes, potatoes, bananas, radishes, cucumbers, squash, avocadoes, and more!
Caned goods, rice, cereal, are stocked on all the shelves throughout. The bagels and baguettes are popular. A holiday section is in the works. Diapers, aspirin, soaps and other sundries are available. Food donations are accepted.
The deli was stocked with frozen salmon steaks, frozen strawberries, fresh raspberries, smoothie mix, sandwiches, vegetable trays, beef & pork steaks, decorated cakes and more! Much of the deli food came from "rescuing it" from grocery stores before they threw it out.
Pallets of the bulk food arrive from commercial companies and are stored in the deep freeze and expansive refrigerator. It's all an amazing coordinated effort; and a true blessing to work with Trace, and Zola in produce.
Our "customers" and their children always leave with an appreciative smile on their face. Thank you Pat Vache' for all that you do, including finding the site for Hopelink Services and this market!
-- Bob Yoder, 11/5/2026
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
UPDATED 11/16: King County Election Outcomes Affecting Redmond
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| credit KIRO |
STATE 148th LD
Osman Salahuddin 10,974, 68.24%
Dennis Ellis 5,078, 31.58%
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE
C. Zahilly 133,804, 51% Winner
C. Balducci 129,459, 49%
KING COUNTY REPRESTATIVE
Sarah Perry 21,438, 66.8%
Bob Wotton 10,545, 32.9%
REDMOND CITY COUNCIL
Melissa Stuart 4,431, 75%
Kay Asai 2,796, 25%
REDMOND CITY COUNCIL
Vivek Prakriya 3,971, 62%
Steve Fields 2,405, 38%
REDMOND CITY COUNCIL
Menka Soni 7,590, 56.82%
Jeralee Anderson 5,679, 42,52%
LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT DIRECTOR #4
Aspen Richter, 19,408, 72.99%
Kim Martin, 7,092, 26.58%
EVERGREEN HEALTH HOSPITAL COMMISSIONER #5
Robin Campbell 54,680, 73,65%
Gary Harris 18,936, 25.75%
Candidate names in red are projected winners. Votes are counted every day with results posted on the King County Elections website at 4:30 p.m.
Monday, November 3, 2025
National "Take a Hike Day", Redmond Contains 59 Trail Miles
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| Redmond Watershed Preserve |
Monday, Nov. 17 is National ‘Take a Hike Day’, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by exploring Redmond’s lush trails and natural spaces! Cooler temperatures mean fewer bugs, quieter trails, and colorful landscapes that will brighten your winter spirit.
Our top winter hike picks to celebrate ‘Take a Hike Day’ in Redmond include the 800-acre Redmond Watershed Preserve, a nature preserve (accessible by bus) with beautiful fall foliage and diverse habitats, the Farrel-McWhirter Loop that connects to Juel Park for a post-hike picnic or round of disc golf, and the Redmond Powerline Trail for those looking for a full day adventure. If the idea of hiking in November is new to you, check out the packing list and other resources for trail safety from the Washington Trails Association.
Redmond contains 59 miles of public trails, of which 39 miles are owned and operated by the City. Learn More About Every Trail.
-- City of Redmond, 11/3/25
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These visits allowed us to share our role as a public hospital district, highlight our services, and discuss community investments.
Like many hospitals across Washington, EvergreenHealth faces significant financial challenges due to recent state and federal policy changes. We appreciate the opportunity to engage with our elected leaders on these issues and are grateful for their continued support and commitment to quality care."
Pictured: 48th LD Representative Osman Salahuddin, CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, Director of Women's & Children's Services Tessie (Hughes) Foley, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer Chris Bredeson, MBA, FACHE, and Chief Financial Officer William Howe