UPDATED: As we all know, Redmond has great parks and great funding to support them. Just look at the most recent $278,200 plus funding approval to re-turf the Hartman Park Babe Ruth baseball field used for Redmond High home games and practices.
Kirkland is not so fortunate. According to a Parks Board/PTSA member speaking at a recent School Board Hearing, Kirkland has had to reduce funding for parks maintenance by 20% and reduce capital park improvement by 38% between 2008-2011. In the meantime, Kirkland has annexed three neighborhoods including 5 new parks Kirkland has a "YES to Parks" Proposition 2 levy campaign underway to raise $2.35 million/year to fund parks capital improvements and maintenance, including $1 million to upgrade school play fields.
Kirkland Parks Levy Proposition 2, if approved, would increase property tax for an average assessed house ($346,000) in Kirkland by $55.36 annually. The Board voted to endorse the City of Kirkland's Park Proposition 2 unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent). The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013.
The City of Kirkland funding gap doesn't stop with parks. Kirkland, lead by Councilmember Dave Asher asked the School Board to endorse a $3 million/year Proposition One restoration, maintenance, and enhancement levy for their streets and sidewalks: $2.7 million would fund arteriole preservation, $150,000 for city safe walk routes to schools, and $150,000 for neighborhood traffic, bike, and pedestrian safety measures. The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013.
Under the Streets Levy: 50 crosswalks would be upgraded with electronic warning devices. 500 new ADA wheelchair ramps installed. 230 crosswalks re striped.
Kirkland Streets and Pedestrian Safety Levy Proposition I, if approved, would increase property tax for an averaged assessed house ($346,000 value) in Kirkland by $70.58 annually. Redmond School Board member Siri Bliesner was "very supportive" of both measures. Kirkland Councilmember Chris Carlson is a soccer coach and said "they'd be playing in the weeds" without Kirkland's support. Carlson also noted how the bumps on yellow ADA ramps at intersections provide the blind with tactile feedback for safety. The Board voted to endorse Proposition One unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent).
Reported By Bob Yoder
Kirkland is not so fortunate. According to a Parks Board/PTSA member speaking at a recent School Board Hearing, Kirkland has had to reduce funding for parks maintenance by 20% and reduce capital park improvement by 38% between 2008-2011. In the meantime, Kirkland has annexed three neighborhoods including 5 new parks Kirkland has a "YES to Parks" Proposition 2 levy campaign underway to raise $2.35 million/year to fund parks capital improvements and maintenance, including $1 million to upgrade school play fields.
Kirkland Parks Levy Proposition 2, if approved, would increase property tax for an average assessed house ($346,000) in Kirkland by $55.36 annually. The Board voted to endorse the City of Kirkland's Park Proposition 2 unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent). The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013.
The City of Kirkland funding gap doesn't stop with parks. Kirkland, lead by Councilmember Dave Asher asked the School Board to endorse a $3 million/year Proposition One restoration, maintenance, and enhancement levy for their streets and sidewalks: $2.7 million would fund arteriole preservation, $150,000 for city safe walk routes to schools, and $150,000 for neighborhood traffic, bike, and pedestrian safety measures. The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013.
Under the Streets Levy: 50 crosswalks would be upgraded with electronic warning devices. 500 new ADA wheelchair ramps installed. 230 crosswalks re striped.
Kirkland Streets and Pedestrian Safety Levy Proposition I, if approved, would increase property tax for an averaged assessed house ($346,000 value) in Kirkland by $70.58 annually. Redmond School Board member Siri Bliesner was "very supportive" of both measures. Kirkland Councilmember Chris Carlson is a soccer coach and said "they'd be playing in the weeds" without Kirkland's support. Carlson also noted how the bumps on yellow ADA ramps at intersections provide the blind with tactile feedback for safety. The Board voted to endorse Proposition One unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent).
Reported By Bob Yoder
No comments:
Post a Comment
COMMENT HERE - COMMENTS ARE MODERATED