UPDATED 3/25: Redmond Council Is Shaking Their Governance

Redmond City Hall

A previous budget discussion triggered Council to review municipal forms of government during their study session last night. For years, the City has been governed in the "Strong Mayor" format and still is.  Like Council, our Mayor is elected to a four year term but also serves as the CEO and Chief Administrative Officer. For 12 years "Strong Mayor" John Marchione assigned Jane Christianson as Deputy Administrator Officer to carry out operations. Jane Christianson was terrific, a real pro, the best. He later hired two co-Deputy Administrators, and just before retiring promoted the Parks Director to COO, a new position.  Mayor Angela Birney then replaced this COO with the Finance Director (a past City Clerk) who is a numbers and strategic person; less a manager and people person.  

In the council-business manager (CB) form of government the manager prepares a budget for the council's consideration. He/she also recruits, hires, terminates, and supervises government staff; serves as the council's chief advisor; and carries out the council's policies.

Characteristics of the “strong” mayor form of government are: The mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power. The mayor directs the administrative structure, appointing and removing of department heads. While the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power. The council does not oversee daily operations.

"The most significant differences between Strong Mayor and CB stem from the location and distribution of authority between the legislative and executive officials." - MRSC

The "Council - business manager" form of government is growing in popularity, especially in small/medium sized cities, according to Councilmember (CM) Steve Fields. Large urban cities like Seattle usually have a Strong Mayor.  Kirkland, and a few other surrounding cities use CB.  Fields claims CB's serve 100M people nationwide and the numbers are growing.  In CB, Council shares policy and decision-making equally. Steve says the CB format is less political than the Strong Mayor form of government. 

Green Rooftop And Vertical Garden Building Incentives

Overlake Medical Center Pavilion

Note the patio furniture and benches

Redmond is committed to initiatives that preserve our natural resources and enhance the long-term environmental sustainability of our community. The City’s environmental programs and initiatives are concentrated in four key areas to cultivate a thriving environment; two of which are: *stormwater runoff management  and preserving and enhancing green space, the tree canopy and *natural habitat.  

Despite being a biologist and knowing the benefits of green rooftops Mayor Birney states "staff are not presently advancing policy or code development work specifically related to green roofs. The staff are focused on updating the Comprehensive Plan in its entirety....)  2/17/2021  Why is the Mayor leaving green roof policy up to staff?  Doesn't the Council set policy?  With each passing year, projects are developed in Redmond yielding literally acres of rooftop that will never be green. For a City that prides itself in environmental sustainability, the Administration is leaving the citizens behind as it races to accommodate growth. 

Incentives:  Just as we use art, height, courtyard architecture, trees and other features for project incentives we can do the same for green rooftops and vertical gardens. In the Quadrant/Proctor 10-minute community site on Willows & 124th, the Administration offered four Green development incentives.  The four options offered:  1) electric vehicle charging, 2) green roofs, 3) solar panels on the townhomes, and 4) solar panels on the community buildings. Quadrant was required to use two of the four options. If green incentives can be used at this development why not others?

It's my hope our Mayor will support Green policy guidance from our representatives and not leave everything up to the Development and Engagement office.  

-- Bob Yoder, 3/4/2021

   Sources:  Note from Mayor Birney, 2/17/2021

   Blog piece on Proctor development

   redmond.gov 

   Photo, Bob Yoder

Updated: The First Inhabitants Of Redmond

In meetings, Redmond City Council, led by CM Vanessa Kritzer and CM Jessica Forsythe, are recognizing the Salish tribe as being the original inhabitants of Redmond. CM Varisha Kahn came up with the idea.  I'm not sure what this has to do with governance but I certainly find this honorable and a kind acknowledgement of our indigenous.  Below, is some background on the Salish tribes in our area -- we have many:  Sammamish, Squak, Snoqualmie, and Duwamish. The Lower Bear Creek restoration identified the presence of  Muckleshoot, Tulalip and Stillaguamish tribes. All are Salish. 

It appears the Sammamish tribe may have been named after the Great Blue Heron - "our species of local importance."

-- Bob Yoder

The Coast Salish is a group of ethnically and linguistically related Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, living in British Columbia, Canada and the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon. ... The Coast Salish are a large, loose grouping of many tribes with numerous distinct cultures and languages. The Sammamish (/səˈmæmɪʃ/; indigenously, [t͡saˈpaːbʃ]) people were a Coast Salish Native American tribe in the Sammamish River Valley in central King County, Washington. 

Their name is variously translated as ssts'p-abc ("meander dwellers", a group residing around Bothell),^[2] s-tah-PAHBSH ("willow people") or as Samena ("hunter people"), which was corrupted into Sammamish.^[3] According to Hitchman, it does not mean "hunter people", the name is derived from samma, meaning "the sound of the blue crane" and mish, meaning "river." The name may have originated with the Snoqualmie—some tribal members once lived along the lake near the bottom of Inglewood Hill—but this has not been verified.^[4] They were also known to early European-American settlers as "Squak", "Simump", and "Squowh.",^[5] Squak is a corruption of sqwa'ux, meaning Issaquah Creek, which was a village site on Sammamish Lake. They were closely related to the Duwamish, and have often been considered a Duwamish sub-group as part of the Xacuabš ("People of the Large Lake") who lived near Lake Washington. Like the Duwamish, the Sammamish originally spoke a southern dialect of Lushootseed.

Salish Indian religious beliefs focus chiefly on guardian spirits. Guardian spirit, supernatural teacher, frequently depicted in animal form, who guides an individual in every important activity through advice and songs; the belief in guardian spirits is widely diffused among the North American Indians.

Wikipedia, 12/8/2020

Opinion - Labeling Councilmembers

I recently wrote a post where I labeled three councilmembers harshly and I want to apologize. Below are my changes:  

In cultural, religious situations Varisha Kahn is an effective activist. She's a very good speaker and deeply concerned about the community.  Jessica Forsythe is a kind, soft-spoken councilmember in the Fields camp. She cares a lot about the environment. Mr. Fields is hard working, assertive, ambitious, a driver and cares about the environment too.  An accountant, he brings much to the table during the finance and budget process.  

Bob Yoder, opinion, 9/28

UPDATED OPINION: MAPS-AMEN Should Unclench Their Teeth

In a Facebook Forum Aneela Afzali of Maps-Amen mildly attacked four members of council (Padhye, Anderson, Kritzer, and Carson.)  She was after them to approve a Resolution supporting her cause. (AWWPP) related.  

Fields threw me under the bus when I challenged him about Aneelah's "bridge building."  In cultural religious situations Varisha Kahn seems an activist; Jessica Forsythe is kind and soft-spoken, in the Fields camp. Redmond has a strong interfaith community!  What makes the Muslims so special?  Let's treat all faiths equally!  Let's focus on the rich diversity of religions we enjoy in our city!  - Bob Yoder, 9/17/2020

                     Aneelah Afzali

                               Executive Director

Aneelah Afzali is Executive Director of MAPS-AMEN. She is also on the board of the Faith Action Network, and on the Steering Committee of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network.  A graduate of Harvard Law School, Aneelah left her legal career in 2013 to serve as a community activist and interfaith leader.  Since then, she has worked on addressing the growing divide in our nation by building bridges of understanding and unity to advocate for justice together.

Redmond Bar And Grill Opens Redmond's First Eatery

Mayor Birney in white - social distancing

Mayor Birney joined the GRTMA, (Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association) OneRedmond and the community to celebrate Redmond’s first outdoor streatery at Redmond’s Bar and Grill last Friday. Redmond businesses that apply for a free temporary use permit can utilize public space to maximize customer seating capacity during Washington’s Safe Start Plan.

Two parking spaces were marked off to create 4 table spaces. Two other businesses are in the permitting process.

Several councilmembers were in attendance:  Tanika Padye, Steve Fields, David Carson, Vanessa Kritzer and Jessica Forsythe.  

Photo and report:  Bob Yoder

City Works To Improve Restaurant Seating Capacity

Cafe Seating ($620 permit)

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening our restaurants and taking them down. The Council and Mayor are doing something about it by improving seating capacity.  Sara Pyle, Planning and Community Manager, gave an exhaustive presentation to Council to this endeavor as outlined below.

Off street "cafe seating" is available to all restaurants and non-eateries (dentists, salons, etc.) with a $620 permit.

191 spaces are available on the street. A minimum of 34 on street parking spaces are available by permit ($1000,)  There is a two stall maximum for on street parking. Four stalls/block maximum for on street parking. Elevated barriers are required. 

DOWNTOWN PARK:  Tables and seating will be provided to support take out.  

In addition, 5-10 parks have been identified to provide space for 10-20 businesses.  Some business examples  are:  fitness, small kids camps, music and art instruction, photography, coffee stands with bistro outside.  

Opportunities for improved seating capacity are expected in 1-2 weeks.  Staff is expedizing.

City-run activities:  art walks, live music, food drive, mask sewing,

The Opportunity Building has an abundance of parking; it was suggested the lot could be used for take out and art.

Councilmembers Kritzer, Carson and Forsythe had questions about the permit costs.  Ms. Kritzer suggested scholarships for strapped businesses. Sara recommended One Redmond for support. Mr. Carson was "shaking his head" over the permit costs saying some are barely getting by.  

In light of our dire economic situation I think $1000 and $620 (cafe seating) permits are unsettling, if not outrageous. 

-- Bob Yoder, opinion. 
   Internet photo

Councilmember Jessica Forsythe, Position 3

Jessica Forsythe is an award-winning Creative Director and owner of a small graphic design studio which works primarily with clients who seek to better their community. Ms. Forsythe is a thoughtful, creative thinker who takes a holistic approach to every project. She believes strongly in being involved at the local level and knows first-hand the impact one person can have on their community.

Originally from Northeast Ohio, Jessica graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design with a concentration in Environmental Design. She has worked in environmental design, architecture, branding, and was the Art Director for the Seattle Symphony. She has volunteered with numerous community and charity organizations, most notably her decade-long involvement with Help Portrait International for which she is the Founder of the Redmond, Washington Chapter. Jessica has also served on various non-profit boards including the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County Executive Board and as the c3 Treasurer.

She enjoys hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, skiing, and rock climbing.

Jessica upset Hank Margeson in the 2019 election. 

-- redmond.gov

City Of Redmond Swearing In Ceremony

l-r Angela Birney, David Carson, Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe, Vanessa Kritzer

In a ceremony during Redmond City Council's December 17th meeting, newly elected Redmond residents Angela Birney (Mayor), Varisha Khan (Council Position No. 1), Jessica Forsythe (Council Position No. 3), Vanessa Kritzer (Council Position No. 5), and David Carson (Council Position No. 7) were officially sworn in. Their terms are effective January 2020 through December 2023.

Thirteen different council/mayoral candidate signs were staked.  Amazingly, most were removed within a day following the election. (click to enlarge)

Mayor-elect Birney was elected to City Council in 2015 and served as Council President from 2018 to 2019. She currently represents Redmond on several regional boards and committees and previously served on the Parks and Trails Commission. Angela grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to Redmond in 1998. Formerly a middle school science teacher, she earned a Master of Education from Heritage University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Education from Eastern Washington University. She lives on Education Hill with her husband and daughters.

The Myers - Kahn Race

History is happening. Women now have a total of 6 seats on the Dias, including the mayor. Varisha Kahn secured 6666 votes winning by 66 votes.

Credit/ Redmond Reporter

VARISHA M. KAHN

Voters' Pamphlet:
https://www.electvarishakhan.com/meet-varisha

Education:  Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication journalism, University of Washington.
Occupation:  Community Organizer; Former Political Action Committee Director, OneAmerica Votes.
Statement:  As a proud Redmond resident, I running to make Redmond a leader in solving issues we share across the region.  If elected, I will prioritize environmental sustainability solutions to reduce our carbon pollution an the face of climate change, and advocate for better, accessible transportation options so residents can get around with less traffic.  I pledge to make Redmond a more affordable place to live, work, and play and will up uplift our diverse vibrant communities through meaningful collaboration and inclusion. We need new leaders with the courage to put people's needs first,and that's why I'm the only candidate this race rejecting money from developers,  Proudly endorsed by: National Women's Political Caucus; King County 45 and 48 LD, KC Young Democrats; Planned Parenthood; State Senators Patty Kuderer and Mona Das; State Representative Vandana Slatter; City Councilmember Tanika Padye.  I would be honored to earn your vote.  Thank you!

HANK MYERS

Voters' Pamphlet:
 https://www.HankMyers4Redmond.com

Education:  Bachelor of Arts, English, California State University.
Occupation:  Transportation consultant.  Past clients include Microsoft's Award-Winning commute program.
Statement:  Hank Myers brings together the best of Redmond and is an energetic voice for compassion and fiscal responsibility. He is Redmond's advocate for salmon recovery and clean water in our region.  A leader in reducing the cost of government, he fights to keep property taxes affordable.  As former board chair for the Together Center, Hank served those in our community who need help.  From volunteer days in Redmond's parks events to events supporting our police officers, Hank is out with the public, listening to concerns and solving our problems.   Call him at 425-830-4265 and see for yourself. That approach earned him the support of police officers, environmental activists, small business owners, seniors, education advocates, and leaders in our diverse communities.  Redmond is changing and facing new challenges. Hank will represent what is best about our community today and for the future.

The Myers-Kahn race was possibly the closest recorded in Redmond history. Ms. Kahn is only 24 years old which could be a record as well. So what contributed to this loss?  For one, probably the rapid change in our demographics.   

Myers conceded November 25, 2019:  "With only 52 votes in doubt against a 64-vote lead, it is time to concede. My 15 years as a King County poll judge made that decision easy."  

  

31,140 registered voters.  46.92% ballots counted.     

Of Note:               
Angela Birney vs. Steve Fields. Birney won the mayoral position with 60.04% of the votes.
Vanessa Kritzer defeated Eugene Zakhareyev for the open seat with 70.98% of the votes.
Jessica Forsythe challenged Hank Margeson for Position 3 and won with 54.67% of votes.
Varisha Khan challenged Hank Myers for Position 1 and won with 50.15% of the votes.
Incumbent David Carson defeated Carlos Jimenez for Position 7 with 53.02% of the votes.
Steve Fields, Tanika Padhye, and Jeralee Anderson remain on Council.

-- Reported by Bob Yoder, December 6, 2019

Sources:  King County Official Local Voters' Pamphlet, November 5, 2019
               Public Disclosure Commission (PDC)  
               Candidate websites

Women Rule In Redmond Politics

Angela Birney / Facebook / November, 2019

Well, the votes are certified with Angela Birney winning the coveted mayoral position. Four women won Council positions this election, add in two sitting women councilmembers (Tanika Padhye and Jeralee Anderson); in total, six women officials will represent the citizens of Redmond. Steve Fields and David Carson remain.

Angela Birney vs. Steve Fields. Birney won the mayoral position with 60.04% of the votes.

Vanessa Kritzer defeated Eugene Zakhareyev for the open seat with 70.98% of the votes.

Jessica Forsythe challenged Dayle "Hank" Margeson for Position 3 and won with 54.67% of votes.

*Varisha Khan challenged Hank Myers for Position 1 and won with 50.15% of the votes.

Ms. Kahn secured 6666 votes vs. Mr. Myers' 6600 after a machine recount.  Mr. Myers lost by 66 votes...the closest Redmond race in memory. The final count was officially certified by King County Elections on December 6th. 27 write-ins. The Seattle Times wrote an excellent article on Varisha, December 6th. I encourage you to read it!

Councilmember Tanika Padhye's Seat #4 will expire on 12/31/21. Councilmember Jeralee Anderson's Seat #6 will expire then as well.

Reported by Bob Yoder
12/6/2019

2019 Candidate Contributions

Hank Myers

"Campaign Funds For Community," Hank Myers  Redmond Reporter, 11/14/2019

"Thanks to all the Redmond voters that made this election energetic and the best reflection of public values in 12 years. I sent the following message to all 10 candidates for city offices and hope they will join me.

As we close down our campaign accounts, perhaps you have some money left over. There are several things you can do with the money. I am hoping you will join me by donating any money left to nonprofit operations that benefit Redmond and its residents.

My first give is to the Green Redmond program. One-gallon Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees cost the city $3.50 each. I am hoping to donate $350 to plant 100 trees. If all 10 candidates do that, we can reforest a couple of acres at least.

My second choice is The Sophia Way women’s shelter. They have had a rocky time recently with organization and management. Additional money should help stabilize them and help them hire a permanent executive director.

Third on my list is the Landing, the young adult shelter operated by Friends of Youth at the Together Center in Redmond.

If I have any money left over, it will go to Union Gospel Mission, which is ramping up its Eastside efforts. You may know Jason Dick, a Redmond resident who is their development director. By next Tuesday, I should know how much I have left, and will again encourage candidates to put any leftover funds into community good."

Hank Myers

Redmond city council candidate

Candidate Contributions:

Hank B. Myers $19,575.00   Varisha M. Khan $38,175.98

David M. Carson $9,730.00   Carlos S. Jimenez $4,595.00

Vanessa E. Kritzer $30,804.51   Eugene Zakharaeyev $1,839.95

Jessica G. Forsythe $13,530.98  Dayle "Hank" Margeson $16,460.58

Angela E. Birney $105,636.00   Steven J. Fields $22,524.40

Reported by Bob Yoder

12/6/19

 PDC

Green Roof Benefits

Overlake Hospital Medical Pavilion Rooftop

Increases the feeling of well-being

Living and working in a green environment has a positive effect on the well-being of people. Greenery offers relaxation and reduces stress.  

Offers healing environment

Greenery encourages faster recovery for patients, resulting in a shorter hospital stay. A persons tolerance of pain is higher  in a green environment. This is also known as a ‘healing environment’.

A green roof protects the roofing material from external influences such as the sun, rain, wind and temperature fluctuations and doubles or triples the life span of the roof to up to 60 years or even longer. You will recoup the investment in your green roof within 8 to 21 years.

Plants absorb sunlight, 50% is absorbed and 30% reflected; so green roofs help to create a cooler and more pleasant climate. For the indoor climate this means that the air conditioning doesn't have to work so hard, which in turn means energy savings. And this too has an extra positive effect on the climate in the immediate vicinity of your building and on the temperature in the city. Overall, it means a 3°C temperature reduction in the city.

The Sedums, herbs, grasses or host plants that are included in a green roof promote the habitat of birds, butterflies and insects, especially in the city environment which is mainly concrete and asphalt.

A green roof absorbs rain water by the water buffering in the plants, substrate and drainage layer. This delays the discharge of rainwater to the sewage system, purifies the rainwater, and water also evaporates through the plants. This all helps to stabilize the groundwater level, reduces the peak load on the sewage system and reduces the risk of flooding.

The natural and sustainable appearance, combined with a reduction in energy costs and extension of the life span of your roof, means an increase in value of your property.

Source:  https://www.sempergreen.com/en/solutions/green-roofs/green-roof-benefits