City may revisit the backyard chicken ordinance

Redmond resident, Ms. Dennis, asked the city last night to take a second look at our "backyard animal ordinance".   She spoke during the public comment period to City Council, specifically about the value of backyard hens to sustainability and health. 

Ms. Dennis reminded Council of the widespread salmonella contamination to chicken eggs nationwide this year.  According to a New York Times article of 8/27/2010 more than 1500 infections have been tied to bad eggs since May - the highest incidence since FDA studies began in 1973. 

Ms. Dennis trumped many of the common objections to backyard chickens.  Salmonella contamination is uncommon with organic eggs.  Referring to neighboring city ordinances, she proposed council approve up to three backyard hens, no roosters; saying noise is limited in the absence of roosters.  She said rats and insects follow people.  People will dogs and cats must clean up; just as one does for hens.  

Councilwoman Allen  agreed completely with Ms. Dennis saying she is aware of the widespread outbreak of salmonella in eggs and has always endorsed the sustainability concept.  Ms. Allen was Chair of the Safety Council Committee.  Council Finance Chair, Hank Margeson agreed wholeheartedly with Ms. Allen and Ms. Dennis.  Council Safety Chair Meyers was positive, as well.

The Council needs four votes to proceed with an ordinance change and they've got three now.   Who do you think is a 4th aye?   Senior Councilman Richard Cole used to have backyard horses.  Councilman Carson said his wife would vote for the hens, but that he still needed to think on it.  You can lobby council.  Email: council@redmond.gov.

Reported By Bob Yoder
Photo from Google images

Click:  "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Facebook page for comments.

Redmond Council confirms Ron Gibson for City Police Chief

At its April 27 meeting, the Redmond City Council confirmed Mayor John Marchione's choice for City Police Chief, Ron Gibson, currently the Deputy Chief of Colorado Springs, CO (population 418,076).

"Throughout the interview process, Ron displayed the characteristics and traits required of a director on my management team," stated Mayor Marchione. "His leadership and management skills, along with excellent interpersonal skills, will make him a valuable addition to the City's Police Department and the community."

Councilmember Dave Carson said,  "The thing I took away from our first meeting was you are just personable and I think people really want to see that.... We were just really impressed with your demeanor your skills and background....and your personality."

Councilmember Hank Margeson said, "This police force you are about to take over is one of the elite, in my mind, not only in the state but in the nation.  I couldn't think of a better candidate to help lead those many, many leaders that we have on the streets making critical decisions every day...."

Councilmember John Stilin said:  "I like to make things pretty personal for me, and I would want to work for you.  When I heard you talk about how you would grow people -- it's something that I heard from a former boss that I had.  He called it "Sandbox Theory":  you give people a place to play, you tell them to kinda go and do the best they can do and you come up with solutions and you let them run."

Councilmember Pat Vache' appreciated Ron's "inclusiveness, openness, and getting community involved -- I think that matches well with the department we have now... and  learning how to get continuously better."

Councilmember Hank Myers is Chair of the Public Safety Committee and will interact with Chief Gibson extensively over the next 20 months. Mr. Myers commented about Gibson's "history of interaction with the community, human service agencies,  non profits,  civic agencies community agency to help  broaden the appeal and the cooperation between police department and community."

After the Council confirmation, Richard Cole, City Council President remarked, "The process to hire a new Police Chief took just over one year and has been well worth the time."

Mr. Gibson holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Colorado State University, a Masters of Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Center for Creative Leadership.   Mr. Gibson will relocate to Redmond and begin his position as Redmond's Police Chief in June.

By Bob Yoder
Source:   Council Meeting tapes & city press release

Seattle Times announces more local news partners

Seattle Times announces more local news partners

The Seattle Times is expanding its partnerships with local news Web sites with the addition of eight more sites today. That brings the total number of partner Web sites to 19. (See the complete list, along with their latest headlines.) complete story.

--Seattle Times staff, 1/20

The Redmond Neighborhood Blog and Kirkland Views are two new Eastside web sites partnering with the Seattle Times.  I'm excited my readers and their contributions and comments will have wider exposure!   Bob Yoder

Updated EDITORIAL: I'm taxed out.

Updated, 12/4:  As the holiday season comes upon us, so does the tax season.  Unfortunately, all of our local governments but Evergreen Hospital District  (presently $.24/ 1000) will have their hands out to the taxpayers, at a terrible economic time when we can least afford it.  For perspective, one in four children and one in eight adults are living on food stamps in America.

Watch Redmond citizen J.P. Panesko's forceful 4 minute challenge to the council and mayor requesting spending cuts. The Mayor was noticeably shaken. (advance the video to minute 5:50).

The Lake Washington School District levies and bond measure would raise taxes on an average assessed home by $294 over four years (2010 - 2014); the remainder of the bond ($234 million) is paid down like a mortgage.  The King County Redmond Library would lift the lid on taxes about $40/year for the average home in the school district ($505,000).  If this isn't enough, the Redmond City Council last night approved an ordinance levying a 1% property tax increase commencing January 1, 2010!   My cup has overflowed.  (Though the Evergreen Hospital levy is not a measure this year, taxpayers  currently pay $121.20 for a  home  per year within the LW school district.)

Councilmember Cole claimed the levy funds ($13.25/year/house) were "necessary to keep the city running, especially public safety."  OMG.  The Mayor claimed the city's "long range slow and steady position is Redmond's salvation".  Like a squirrel stuffing his cheeks for a winter?   Councilmember Myers even joined the herd, claiming the ~ $360,000 levy was a very small increase but it can be used to "attract the best and brightest" employees. (In THIS economy?)  Thousands of of qualified workers in Redmond are hungry for work, myself included. 

Councilmember McCormick claimed the $359,198 levy is "tiny", then went on to strike every nerve in my body.   Ms. McCormick  implied the city uses the money to cover rising costs of employee health insurance (!), buy $200,000 traffic signals, and pay employee salaries.  My Oh My!  Many citizens don't have even  basic health insurance.  Some none.  Others, pay $1000/month just for premiums.  Enough said.

Madam President. Mr. Mayor. Have you ever considered implementing salary freezes where you can or cutting COLA's til the worst is over?   It happens all the time. Here's a kinder choice than salary cuts:  One percent of all public works projects goes to pay for art installation on city construction sites -- whether it's a new manhole cover or under a bridge! 

Yes, you now have cap measures on Executive performance bonuses. But, are they implemented?  Yes, the Mayor's salary is substantially below market compared to LWSD Superintendent Kimball and CEO Brown of Evergreen Hospital.  But, does the Mayor's "salary freeze" justify uninterrupted, slow and steady annual salary increases for your employees?   Yes, you've cut 19 jobs, four of them yesterday.  But weren't over nine of them contracted Microsoft workers?  

Praise to the three councilmembers voting against the levy ordinance -- Pat Vache', Kim Allen, and David Carson.  Councilmember Pat Vache' is truly attuned to the business and neighborhood communities.  Vache' commended the Mayor on achieving $2.6M in 'innovative' cuts.  Yet, he claimed the dire state of the economy changed everything and "what is nice to do is not really necessary" under the circumstances.  He wisely noted procedures were in place to tap money in response to an "event".

(NOTE, 1/2/11 - Vache voted FOR the 1% property tax this 2011-12 budget cycle and Myers voted against it). 

While I am not against most of these measures,  I'm taxed out.  How about you?

by Bob Yoder

Redmond Councilmember Kimberly Allen speaks on the environment

Dear Redmond blog readers: 

As your councilmember, I have been a vocal champion of tree preservation and sustainability in Redmond. I helped craft the last Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Management Plan, both of which set ambitious goals for growth in Redmond while protecting the natural environment and moving toward transit oriented urban centers. I also work hard to make sure that Redmond is one of the leaders in adopting its critical areas and shoreline regulations.

As an elected official, I have endorsed the Wild Sky and Alpine Lakes Wilderness Addition, as well as the Roadless Rule Resolution. I also support Redmond’s partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy to restore acres of our urban forest to health.

We are now beginning work on a Green Sustainability Initiative for the city to celebrate Redmond’s upcoming centennial. It will involve ambitious goals for energy conservation and carbon reduction, waste management and resource conservation, sustainable development and green infrastructure, and ecosystem conservation and stewardship. One thing I learned from the new Budgeting By Priorities process is that if you don’t measure progress with goals and metrics, you generally don’t get any progress. This initiative holds us accountable to deliver a sustainable city to our children and I want to spend my next term in office keeping the momentum on this critical work.

by Kimberly Allen

Kim Allen
Redmond City Councilmember, #4
kim@kimonthecouncil.com
www.kimonthecouncil.com
425-894-8237

Longtime Redmond Commissioners Lori and Marty Snodgrass support the re-election of Kim Allen for Council.

Lori Snodgrass was Redmond Parks Board Chair for many years.  Marty Snodgrass was a Chair and on Redmond Planning Commission for over eight years.  They emailed the following endorsement to re-elect Kim Allen for Redmond City Council. (At this time, I don't have a photo of Lori.)  

Dear Bob,

"Kudos to Council President McCormick for her strong endorsement of Councilmember Allen. We have been observers and sometimes participants in Redmond politics for nearly thirty years. Never has the City faced such a confluence of adverse circumstances as it does today. To steer the City through these hard times requires steady, experienced hands at the wheel of government. Compare these days to the crash of the US Airways flight in the Hudson River: those fortunate souls survived only because they were in the hands of a mature and experienced pilot.

Kim Allen belongs in that category. She has years of experience and a maturity shared by few in government. Hers is a steady hand. She is the type of person we can trust at the wheel. These are not just words. We have known her (Marty worked with her on the Redmond Planning Commission), and observed her sterling performance on the City Council for years. She is the real deal and we are lucky to have her. We certainly commend Ms. Chen for her interest in good government. However, now is not the time and the City Council is not the place for a beginner. When Ms. Chen has put in years learning the ropes and demonstrating her competence, we would then consider her for a position on the Council, but not now and certainly not as a replacement for someone of such demonstrated competence, intelligence and experience as Kim Allen."

Marty & Lori Snodgrass
Redmond, WA
E: help@snodgrasslaw.com
by email on 10/23
photo by Lori Snodgrass

Redmond City Council President Nancy McCormick endorses Kim Allen

"I have known Kim Allen since she joined Redmond’s Planning Commission in 2002 and we have served together on the Redmond City Council for the last 4 years. I have watched Kim quickly learn her way around the issues in the areas of transportation, planning, growth management and environmental stewardship and we have gone together to carry Redmond’s needs and concerns to our state legislators, many of whom have endorsed Kim’s reelection—as have I.

Kim and I represent Redmond’s interests in transportation as voting members of Eastside Transportation Partnership where we have worked to secure more buses and transit for Redmond. She has promoted Council’s presence in the community and I look forward to working with her as Council lead as we rewrite Redmond’s zoning code. Her background and connections to the Redmond community give her an understanding of our city’s interests and have made her an effective Councilmember for Redmond. That’s why I am supporting her campaign for the chance to serve another 4 years."

Nancy McCormick
nmccormi@halcyon.com
by email, 10/22

Kim Allen
Redmond City Councilmember, #4
kim@kimonthecouncil.com
http://www.kimonthecouncil.com/
425-894-8237

Attn Readers! Post your election endorsements here!

Post your endorsements here!   You are invited to email your endorsement to Bob Yoder at  redmondblog@gmail.com for posting on this page.  (please include your address for verification purposes)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have gotten to know Susan Hutchison over the last few years. She is a woman of integrity, a hard worker, a collaborator and one that is willing to look for new and better ways to do things. It would be so refreshing to work with an executive that cares about all the citizens in this county.

Kathy Lambert
Education Hill neighborhood
Redmond, WA.
10/24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bob,

"Kudos to Council President McCormick for her strong endorsement of Councilmember Allen. We have been observers and sometimes participants in Redmond politics for nearly thirty years. Never has the City faced such a confluence of adverse circumstances as it does today. To steer the City through these hard times requires steady, experienced hands at the wheel of government. Compare these days to the crash of the US Airways flight in the Hudson River: those fortunate souls survived only because they were in the hands of a mature and experienced pilot.

Kim Allen belongs in that category. She has years of experience and a maturity shared by few in government. Hers is a steady hand. She is the type of person we can trust at the wheel. These are not just words. We have known her (Marty worked with her on the Redmond Planning Commission), and observed her sterling performance on the City Council for years. She is the real deal and we are lucky to have her. We certainly commend Ms. Chen for her interest in good government. However, now is not the time and the City Council is not the place for a beginner. When Ms. Chen has put in years learning the ropes and demonstrating her competence, we would then consider her for a position on the Council, but not now and certainly not as a replacement for someone of such demonstrated competence, intelligence and experience as Kim Allen."

Marty & Lori Snodgrass
Redmond, WA
E: help@snodgrasslaw.com
10/23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have known Kim Allen since she joined Redmond’s Planning Commission in 2002 and we have served together on the Redmond City Council for the last 4 years. I have watched Kim quickly learn her way around the issues in the areas of transportation, planning, growth management and environmental stewardship and we have gone together to carry Redmond’s needs and concerns to our state legislators, many of whom have endorsed Kim’s reelection—as have I.

Kim and I represent Redmond’s interests in transportation as voting members of Eastside Transportation Partnership where we have worked to secure more buses and transit for Redmond. She has promoted Council’s presence in the community and I look forward to working with her as Council lead as we rewrite Redmond’s zoning code. Her background and connections to the Redmond community give her an understanding of our city’s interests and have made her an effective Councilmember for Redmond. That’s why I am supporting her campaign for the chance to serve another 4 years."

Nancy McCormick
nmccormi@halcyon.com
10/22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Most of you probably skip voting for Hospital District Commissioner like I usually do because you don't know any of them. I have known Charles Pilcher for 25 years, he was my boss for several of those, is a good MD, headed the emergency department at Evergreen for many years, supports health care reform and is a good person. I think he would do a great job for us and Evergreen."

Terry Lavender
10/20

Councilmember Kim Allen begins doorbelling the neighborhoods

Kim Allen - Redmond City Council Position 4.

"I'm doorbelling like mad--and really enjoying catching up with the folks in Redmond's great neighborhoods. So far, the Downtown Park is a general thumbs up and there is a cautious optimism for the growth in Downtown. Careful planning is the key."

"I am proud to report that I have just received the endorsement from Redmond Police!"

          Kim's Election Website, 

           

            Excerpts from FaceBook, 9/21 

            by Bob Yoder

LETTERS - Councilmember Allen urges use of Facebook and Twitter during emergencies.

Social Media urged for notifications during city emergencies.

Hi Bob,

Thanks for bringing this issue forward on your blog. One of the most precious commodities during any emergency is information and it has always been one of my top priorities to keep it coming. My husband and I rode through the Northridge California earthquake near the epicenter with a four year old so and 2 dogs so I have a few "lessons learned" that I have brought forward from that experience. Over the past several years, Redmond has expanded its options to keep in touch with the public during an emergency, including acquiring our own AM radio frequency, expanding use of our website and developing a network to get information out to local businesses where folks are likely to head during an emergency(like Victor's and QFC).

Your suggestion about the use of social networking, like Facebook and Twitter, is an excellent one-especially when the emergency does not involve a power outage. I'm going to urge that we should add that to Redmond's emergency notification "toolbox".

Kim Allen
Redmond Public Health Committee
Redmond City Councilmember
August 28, 2009 8:03 AM

Redmond is being proactive and in-the-ready for the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.

Mayor John Marchione and Councilmember Kim Allen (on right) breakfast with key Fire and Police personnel in the kitchen of Fire Station #12 on 148th Avenue.

UPDATED: I took this photo during the August 20 Public Safety Committee Meeting. This is the second meeting they've held outside of City Hall. The Council Safety Committee is composed of David Carson (Chair), Kim Allen, and Pat Vache'.

Councilmember Kimberly Allen had requested discussion of two timely items: School Resource Officers (SRO), and Redmond's emergency preparedness for a pandemic swine flu outbreak. Kim was "spot on". One day after the meeting the frightful news of likely widespread Swine Flu outbreaks hit our Nation! Note: Sebelius: Closing schools wouldn't ward off virus - Boston.com   Read More >>

BREAKING NEWS: School Resource Officer Program coverage expands in Redmond.

UPADATED: Breaking news from Councilmemeber David Carson's Public Safety Committee Meeting. - Attended by Bob Yoder

Dave Carson, Chair of the Council's Public Safety Committee held his monthly meeting Thursday morning, 8/30, at Fire Station #12 on 148th Ave. Mr. Carson okayed Councilmember Kim Allen's request to put School Resource Officers (SRO) on the agenda. I attended the meeting.

Mr. Carson and the Mayor announced Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has authorized a third SRO for better coverage of Rose Hill JH, Redmond JH, and Redmond High School. SRO coverage will no longer be split between Rose Hill and Redmond Junior Highs. Each junior high school will now have their own officer. Redmond High School will continue to have their own SRO.

Mayor Marchione said "internal redeployment" within the Police Department will not require hiring an additional employee. Citizens approved funding for these three SRO's in the last Public Safety levy but LWSD only recently gave the green light to staff both Junior Highs. According to Councilmember Allen, it will take a month or so to re-order Redmond officers to make it happen.

As last year's Chairman of the Pubic Safety Committee, Ms. Allen has been pushing for additional SRO coverage at Redmond's schools. Allen stated yesterday, "I want us to get out ahead on these things because the community will want to know as school starts up."

Ken Wong, staff director of the Teen Center, works closely with he SRO's. A third SRO will add continuity and better connection of students with their SRO's.

Ms. Kim Allen is running for re-election of her Council Seat #4 in November. (Ms. Chen filed for the position on the last day of registration.)

CONTACT:
Kim Allen
Redmond City Councilmember, #4
kim@kimonthecouncil.com
http://www.kimonthecouncil.com/
Website: Cops for the Cure, Register: to join and or donate to Kim's Team.
425-894-8237

City's Land Use Map informs neighbors about "what is going on"?

OPINION: Significant neighborhood residential land use projects are underway, despite the current state of our distressed real estate market (and new downtown condos and apartments). This is the first of a series of entries addressing land use development in Redmond.

The Neighborhood "Land Use" Map is one of the more popular links to redmond.gov on this blog site. It contains a lot of interesting and helpful information to "find out what's going on" in your neighborhood and in other communities in Redmond.

The Neighborhood Land Use Map link is: http://redmond.gov/intheworks/intheworks.asp

A few projects of interest from the Neighborhood Map are listed below. As of today, all of these projects are under review and the public may participate in them by contacting the City Development office. Jim Roberts jroberts@redmond.gov or Steve Fischer sfischer@redmond.gov might be of assistance.

LAND USE APPLICATIONS:

Costco - L080457 188th Ave. NE and NE 76th St (one of 3 applications)
Vicinity Map; Notice of Application; Process Flow Chart (NEW!) Public Hearing is required.

Site Plan - Initial submittal 11/18/2008
Tree Preservation Plan - Initial submittal 11/18/2008 (NEW!)

Additional Project Notices:

Notice of Public Hearing - Hearing Examiner Notice of Public Hearing - City Council

DOWNTOWN:

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP): View projects which use tax dollars to implement

Development Updates:

Downtown Projects: Connecting Community & Status Reports on Planning Projects

Traffic Cameras: Select a live view for your area
Transportation/Connecting Redmond:

Downtown transportation projects & Downtown Redmond Parking Study

Greystone Manor PRD :

142 Single Family Homes, 8 Duplexes, 77 Cottages - Approximate 5 acre footprint on a 43.66 acre parcel in N. Redmond, Zoned R-4

A Public Hearing is required and is not yet scheduled. (To sign up or comment contact Steve Fischer, Principal Planner, sfischer@redmond.gov)

L090099, Preliminary Plat - L090100, Planned Residential Development SEPA File #L090101 16020 NE 116th Street

Vicinity Map; Notice of Application; Process Flow Chart (NEW!)
Site Plan submittal 03/30/2009
Tree Preservation Plan submittal 03/30/2009 (NEW!)

Government Guide

The City of Redmond Government Guide (pdf) is available to help answer some of the questions of how the City's government works including duties and responsibilities of Boards and Commissions, the City Council and the Hearing Examiner. The Guide also defines land-use terms and the Public Hearing process. Select these links to view the website pages for the City Council, Planning Commission, or the Hearing Examiner.

---- Kimberly Allen, councilmember and past planning commissioner, co-edited this Guide with staff. (Kim is currently employed as a Kitsap County Hearing Examiner. )

draft

BIKE BOX !!

Updated, 8/5: The City Council and staff briefly discussed BIKE BOXES at their last meeting. Could they be persuaded by public opinion to try a demonstration BIKE BOX? I don't know.

The BIKE BOX is an intersection safety design to prevent bicycle/car collisions. The main goal of a BIKE BOX is to prevent collisions between motorists turning right and cyclists going straight. It's all about visibility and awareness. At a red light, cyclists are more visible to motorists by being in front of them. At a green light, the green bike lane through the intersection reminds motorists and cyclists to watch for each other. Click the page title for a fun instructional video.

Portland has extensive experience with BIKE BOXES. Find Portland's tips, literature, videos here.

In high drama, this video clip describes how it works. (click the page title "BIKE BOX!!" for a more conventional, instructional video). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx5D5CtmvTk&feature=player_embedded

According to Joel Pfundt, City Principal Transportation Planner, the BIKE BOX concept is being considered by staff but Mr. Pfundt feels Redmond doesn't have enough cyclists to justify this safety measure. If you think it's a good concept and would like to see a BIKE BOX demoed and at work on an intersection in Redmond contact the Chairman, Arnold T. of the PED/BIKE Advisory Committee or jpfundt@redmond.gov

Also contact kallen@redmond.gov , hmargeson@redmond.gov, or hmyers@redmond.gov . They are three councilmembers who ride bikes or have a relationship with the PED/BIKE Committee.

2009 Redmond "Cops for the Cure" 3-Day Walk.

2009 Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day
9/11-13

Join Redmond Cops for the Cure on an amazing journey in the fight against breast cancer! The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important research.

Cops for the Cure is a team of police officers and support personnel that walk to raise money for a cure. This will be our 5th walk. We are a team from Redmond Police Department but welcome law enforcement personnel from all over and civilians to join us in our walk to stomp out breast cancer. We walk for our loved ones who have survived, for your loved ones that have survived and in memory of those who lost the good fight!!!

-- "Cops for the Cure" website

Cops for the Cure - Register to join team
**Shari Shovlin (pictured in photo - Sheri is a Redmond Police Commander)
Kim Allen
Jim Bove
Paul Edwardsen
Sande English
Allegra Licata
Haley Shovlin
Jill Steele
Craig Werre
Kristi Wilson
**Denotes a Team Captain
Cops for the Cure 2008 Team Goal was: $23,000.00. Achieved: $10,626.00

Comment: Kimberly Allen, Councilmember, City of Redmond first told me of this event. She is one of Redmond's citizens walking with Cops for the Cure. (Kim is also "running" for re-election). I'm thinking of registering since #1 walking is a great "soft" exercise and I need it, #2 my mother died of three cancers, one of which was breast cancer and #3 I want to support Kim. Do you want to register, too? Click the link!

Website: Cops for the Cure (learn more - event headquarters.)
Register: to join and or donate to Kim's Team.
Website: Kim Allen's Page.

The new Sammamish Rowing Association BOATHOUSE is approved.

Sammamish Rowing Association Club is on County land and is open to the Public

The Sammamish Rowing Association (SRA) is a fantastic public asset for city and county residents wishing to take up the sport. Hundreds of youth and adults take classes every year to learn how to scull and crew on beautiful Lake Sammamish.

This popular and growing sport has needed more boathouse space for its "shells". exercise equipment and operations for years. Unfortunately, land use permitting by the county and city have delayed the project for many more years!

On June 2 the City Council held a restricted, closed public hearing so SRA and an opposing citizen could explain their case. The opponent did most all of the talking as Council had to decide if they would deny the city use permit based on the citizen's complaints. Ms. Dickson lives across the street from SRA and her primary motivation was traffic and adequate parking. She also tried to make a case for environmental damage from wetland destruction.

SRA was well prepared: 1) a left hand turn lane will be installed on Lake Sammamish Blvd. My whole family rowed at SRA and we know this improvement is critical for safety. 2) at least 15 more parking spots will be installed. 3) traffic mitigation is required, including car pooling, 3) the 12,000 sf boathouse footprint remains 150 feet from the lake, 4) a smaller wetland would be upgraded to the highest level of importance and value - Category One, and 5) hazardous wastes would be self-contained. Council approved the use permit, 7 - 0. A credit to the Mayor, it was the most professional and fairest closed-record Hearing from Council I've seen in five years. But, the appeals process is unfair.

Comment: Council's land use appeal policy : The City Council's land use appeals process (read this story & "comments") is outdated and has been abandoned by almost every city around us. The Boathouse permit is a case in point, as follows: 1) Council was not allowed to walk the site or talk to anyone about the SRA project; yet, Councilman Cole informed me last week he has known Ms. Dickson for years. 2) Neither parties involved nor the community was fully heard or represented by this rigid Review. 3) The code is confusing. Ms. Dickson, the opponent, missed out in filing a "Letter of Reconsideration" to Council and lost a rare opportunity to be heard by Council. She received no representation or assistance from her elected representatives during the Review. Almost all cities leave the judging up the to the justices of county court and free Council to represent and assist their elected. Redmond Council policy is an outlier, leaving them vulnerable to law suit.

The Sammamish Rowing Association website: http://www.srarowing.com/

Diagrams and description of the new Boathouse: http://www.srarowing.com/newboathouse/newboathouse.aspx

This Ordinance was approved by City Council to permit the use of a new Boathouse by the Sammamish Rowing Association. This document shows a map of the project.

Read over 11 comments (some from Councilmembers Carson and Allen) on the city's controversial land use appeal process.

Councilmember Allen to campaign and train

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kimberly Allen
16804 NE 92 St.
Redmond, WA 98052
425-894-8237
kim@kimonthecouncil.com

Councilmember Allen to campaign and train

Councilmember Kim Allen welcomes the chance to hit the campaign trail and meet as many Redmond residents as she can. Allen remarked:“I think those of us who hold public office should have to explain what we have accomplished and why we should be returned for another term. I welcome the debate.

This fall is especially exciting for me because of 2 big events: The election and my first Seattle Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk with a team from the Redmond Police Department. The team is named ‘Cops For The Cure’ and I am privileged to be a part of such a great group of people walking for such a great cause. The walk is 60 miles over the course of 3 days. My teammates who have done the walk before recommend training by walking Redmond’s hilly neighborhoods so I am going to combine my training with campaigning this summer, as I get out to talk to folks. My longest walk so far was 7 miles but I hope to stretch that to 10 or 12 miles before the big day.”

For more information on the campaign, go to http://www.kimonthecouncil.com/.
The website for Cops For The Cure is www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/SeattleEvent?pg=team&fr_id=1300&team_id=51350.

OPINION Part Two: Thoughts on Council's Land Use Appeal Policy

UDATED OPINION, 6/13, Opinion: Councilmembers Kimberly Allen and Hank Margeson recently proposed taking the legal land use appeal component out of council's hands and into King County Superior Court. As Mr. Margeson stated, it's the Council's job to write policy, not to interpret it. Citizens would still maintain their right to appeal the Hearing Examiner's decision. In addition, Council could hold a secondary, legislative appeal to address code issues brought up by citizens. 

Most area cities choose to take the lawyering out of their Council's job description and give it to the county superior court i.e.  Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Woodinville, Edmonds, Seattle, Everett, and Mercer Island.  We should, too.  Only Redmond and Bothell land use appeals remain "judged" by city councils. 

After trying to participate in the review of three deforestation projects by CAMWEST, the Shauhanessy deforestation project, and Tent City review process, I agree it's time for a change. In fact, Council President Nancy McCormick described her frustration, if not agony, while presiding over the TC-4 and 172nd Ave extension appeals. The 42-lot Shauhanessy Plat/PRD drew a similar response from Nancy when an appeal to Council was remanded by Council back to the Hearing Examiner for a second Public Hearing. Shauhanassy is the longest land use review in the history of Redmond and the project still isn't built.

After thanking Ms. Allen for articulating the Shauhanessy case so well, Council President Nancy McCormick movingly stated:

"The public process may not have been violated but it was twisted. I can't keep from thinking about that couple who appeared at the Tent City public meeting and signed up to the Party of Record only to be denied on appeal to be heard.

The public needs accurate information and timeliness of an appeal, otherwise we make a mockery out of Public Hearings and caring about public involvement."

It is clear recent land use cases have demonstrated that our present public process needs fixing. The public has not been getting accurate information because their elected representatives are not allowed to represent or inform them. Conversely, staff gives full support and guidance to developers who already know the system and what questions to ask.

Councilmember Pat Vache' (and Cole, Carson, Myers) openly support the present quasi-judicial appeal process. They prefer not to give up their lawyering power in judging land-use policy. Rather, Mr. Vache' (and Mr. Myers) look at the present process as a "learning experience to get the feel for the impact of how code impacts the stakeholders". What Mr. Vache' doesn't learn about are his constituents' feelings and their understanding the project during the Review. Thus, mistakes get made (that could have been fixed in legislative appeal to council). Mr. Vache' says the Q-J process is more efficient. Shauhanssey PRD lasted years. Tent City-4 was a breath away from the State Supreme Appellate Court. Perrigo Heights,  The 172nd extension, Pearce, and Tyler Creek land use actions all took valuable time from Council policy-making duties while stressing the neighborhoods and landowners on code issues. No wonder Council work has become a full-time job.

Interestingly, Mr. Vache’ voted for the CAMWEST Perrigo Heights Plat Steep Slope Exception concluding "where else are we going to put the homes"?  Mr. Vache’ lives right off of NE 116th Street behind what later became Mosaic Meadows plat and sown 116th from CAMWEST'S huge Pearce PRD. 

Over time,  part of the issue is Council gets too close to the stakeholders and their judgment becomes affected, despite the appearance of distance and objectivity.
Part One: "Moving Redmond forward on Land Use Appeals"

Councilmember Kimberly Allen will seek reelection this fall.

Part One of Kimberly Allen's 5/12/09 Press Release:

Redmond City Councilmember Kimberly Allen announced today her intention to seek reelection this fall. Allen is completing her first term in position 4 on the Redmond City Council where she has served as the chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, and has been a member of the Parks and Human Services Committee and the Planning and Public Works Committee.

“Redmond continues to grow and change all around us, even with a downturn in the national economy,” stated Allen. “As a member of the city council, I’d like to continue to help guide the growth that will continue to come, in a way that preserves Redmond’s character and environmental beauty while promoting green building practices. I also want to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for neighbors to be heard and for them to see their perspectives reflected in the important decisions we make as a city.”

Contact: kimonthcouncil@yahoo.com
Phone: 425-894-8237

Council and Mayor "rap" about the Budget

Last night, the Council and Mayor held a long rap session on the City budget.

Of the General Operating Fund and Capital Fund, which do you think is the most political in our community? According to Council President Nancy McCormick, the Capital fund wins. Hmmm. She must be thinking about our newer $50M City Hall. Mayor Marchione would prefer to put large Capital expenditures out to vote.

Marchione's staff also suggested simplifying transfers to the Capital fund from the General Fund. Staff asked to limit transfers from six "bucket" allocations to 3 buckets. The three proposed capital buckets are: 1) Parks, 2) Transportation, and 3) General Government. As compared to the present transfer method, "Parks" allocation would increase by 20%, the "Transportation" bucket would increase by 20% and "General Government" (Fire, Police, Government) decreases 35%. No decisions were made.

Halving the buckets would cut out council's cherished "Council Contingency" bucket. Eliminating this bucket suggests of a Council "working consensus" and trust in the Marchione Administration, qualities that were lacking in the prior Administration. Ostensibly, the Marchione Administration would have greater flexibility and control.

Much talk centered around establishing a "sinking fund" to plan for replacement of the Public Safety Building (PSB) and Senior Center. Mr. Cole considered the PSB a legacy building and wanted to start storing away money for its eventual replacement in 20-30 years. Councilmember Kimberly Allen was cautious about creating "silos" to store biennium surpluses. Councilmember Pat Vache' went with the flow of the conversation speaking in generalities. Both are up for re-election.