Council interviews Jane Hague on county happenings.

Back row (left to right): Pete von Reichbauer (R), District 7, Vice Chair Dow Constantine (D), District 8, Kathy Lambert (R), District 3, Bob Ferguson (D), District 1 Front row (left to right): Larry Phillips (D), District 4, Jane Hague (R), District 6, Larry Gossett (D), District 2, Chair Julia Patterson (D), District 5, Vice Chair Reagan Dunn (R), District 9

Redmond City Council & Mayor Marchione met with King County Councilmember Jane Hague at City Hall on January 29 to learn about a variety of exciting, new county programs. Jane Hague is county Vice Chair of the Growth Management Committee. She's been a county council member since 1994. Redmond officials asked for input on the following:

1. A "Misqueto Fleet" of foot-ferries will have three new routes - a) Eliot Bay water taxi, b) Vashon - W. Seattle, and c) run from Kirkland to Seattle. The run includes dock improvments and will provide emergency service if the Evergreen Bridges breaks down. A 5.5 cent property tax per thousand dollars was passed for funding.

2. The new county mental health sales *tax will be collected in April. Jane Hague said it will help with earlier intervention "which we all need." Redmond council gave conditional support of the tax not knowing how the monies would be dispersed. Vache and most councilmembers felt Eastside cities should administrate the funds. Redmond councilman Hank Myers is Chair of the Human Services committee (hmyers@redmond.gov) and wanted to be certain the funds were put to best use for Redmond. *1 penny/$10,000 property

3. Bus Rapid Ride Linkage between Bellevue - Overlake - Redmond is scheduled for 2011! Boy, do we need that and ANY improvements Metro can bring traffic-weary residents!

4. The BNSF railroad corridor is being actively considered for "best use". Redmond is the site of a BNSF spur that used to service T&D Feed store and a passenger station. Hague indicated the council may allow the spur rails to be pulled. If so, Redmond could create a "mixed use park" that would greatly enhance our downtown! Mayor John Marchione is counting on this.

Ms. Hague was very gracious and helpful and offered to revisit council on future updates. King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert is Redmond's other representative and it is hoped Kathy will visit council, as well. Kathy is a Redmond resident on Education Hill. Her jursidiction includes Union Hill, Novelty Hill, Redmond way traffic corridors. Ms. Hague indicated a willingness to assist Ms. Lambert in trying to find traffic solutions.