UPDATED: Council Office Hours and Committees - Forsythe, Kritzer, Stuart, Parsi

      

Jessica Forsythe 

Position #3

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Jessica Forsythe

Phone: 425-305-7206

Office Hours: By Appointment (feel free to email)

Running for Washington LD 48th

Boards/Committees: AWC Federal Priorities Committee, Eastrail Regional Advisory Committee, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Disability Board
Past Boards/Committees: Council President 2022-2023, PSRC Executive Board Alternate, Growth Management Policy Board, Redmond Senior & Community Center Stakeholder Group, Parks and Human Services Committee Chair, Eastside Human Services Forum Representative
City Council 2024 Subcommittees: Alternative Crisis Response Planning, Multi-Modal Transportation Planning

Vanessa Kritzer

Position #5

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Vanessa Kritzer

Phone: 425-305-9892

Office Hours: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 3-4 pm at Redmond Senior and Community Center Lounge (outside community room)

Running for Washington LD #45

Boards/Committees: Community Facilities District Board of Supervisors, Eastside Transportation Partnership, OneRedmond Board of Directors, Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Salmon Recovery Council (Chair), Lake Sammamish Kokanee Interlocal Agreement Management Committee, King Conservation District Advisory Committee
City Council 2026 Subcommittees: Tenant Protections

Melissa Stuart

Position #4

President, City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/29

Email Melissa Stuart

Phone: 425-588-6550

Office Hours: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Redmond Library.

No office hours: May 14, June 25

Boards/Committees: King County Growth Management Planning Council, King County Regional Water Quality Committee, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee, Association of Washington Cities Legislative Priorities Committee, OneRedmond Government Affairs Committee, Community Facilities Districts Board of Supervisors

Sayna Parsi

Position #1

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Sayna Parsi

Phone: 425-556-5845

Flexible Virtual Office Hours

Sayna Parsi was sworn in as a Redmond City Council Member on January 20, 2026. She previously served on Redmond’s Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission, where she championed outdoor fitness amenities, sustainable park management, and equitable access to public spaces.

Sayna serves on the board of the Washington Native Plant Society’s Central Puget Sound chapter and works with Eastside Audubon on conservation and environmental education. With professional experience across small businesses, nonprofits, and large corporations, she brings a broad, results-oriented perspective. 

Source:  City Council Web page.

UPDATED 12/4/25: Redmond Elected Officials Compensation, The Budget

 

Labor and benefits typically constitute ~ 55% - 70% of the operating budget for a municipality the size of Redmond.  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 12/4 UPDATE:  Council is deliberating on December 9, 2025 with a Consent on January 6th.  Thank you President Kritzer and Councilmember Nuevacamina for initiating the review.      Effective January 1, 2026: Council Member Monthly salary:  Annual $28,234.80. [$27,600 in 2025] Council President* Annual:  $28,234.80 [$27,600 in 2025] salary: *Council President receives an additional $200 premium per month.  (Salaries are not including health insurance with perks, COLA (2.3%) travel, phone, educational conferences, community events.) Mayor Monthly Salary:  Annual Salary:  $173,914. (not including COLA (2.3%,) health insurance with perks, retirement, phone, transportation, education conferences, community programs, and sundry perks.)  [$170,000 in 2005]  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.) AM No. 25-188   Staff broke all these links on 11/19/25 Type: Staff Report Status: Agenda Ready File created: 10/29/2025 In control: City Council On agenda: 11/18/2025 Final action: Title: Proposed Updates to the 2026 Pay Plans Attachments: 1. Agenda Memo, 2. Attachment A: Presentation, 3. Attachment B: Ordinance - 2026 AFSCME Pay Plans, 4. Exhibit 1: 2026 AFSCME Pay Plan “A”, 5. Exhibit 2: 2026 AFSCME Pay Plan “AF-S”, 6. Attachment C: Ordinance - 2026 Executive Pay Plan, 7. Exhibit 1: 2026 Executive Pay Plan “E”, 8. Attachment D: Ordinance - 2026 Non-Represented Pay Plans, 9. Exhibit 1: 2026 Non-Represented Pay [broken]Plan "N", 10. Exhibit 2: 2026 Non-Represented Supplemental Pay Plan “N-S”, 11. Attachment E: Ordinance - 2026 General Supplemental Pay Plan, 12. Exhibit 1: 2026 General Supplemental Pay Plan “G-S”, 13. Attachment F: Ordinance - 2026 Elected Official Pay Plan, 14. Exhibit 1: 2026 Elected Official Pay Plan[broken] , 15. Attachment G: Ordinance - 2026 Police Commissioned Pay Plan, 16. Exhibit 1: 2026 Police  Commissioned Pay Plan “P”

Utility Rates to Increase 9.30% in 2026

"In 2026, PSE is proposing a 9.30% increase in electricity rates, adding about $11.20 more per month for a typical residential customer using 800 kilowatt-hours. Natural gas rates would rise by a smaller 2.07%, or about $1.51 per month for the average customer.

PSE points to several drivers behind these increases, including upgrades to the Baker River hydro project, deployment of advanced distribution systems to support EVs and rooftop solar, new clean energy from the Beaver Creek wind farm, wildfire prevention measures, and rising operating costs.

The result is higher bills for households, but also long-term investments in cleaner energy, safety, and *grid modernization." 

--  Puget Sound Energy, 10/11/2025

Sewer / stormwater rates in Redmond will increase, as well.  In addition, *AI requires a tremendous amount of power with no end in sight. Federal funds for relief can't be expected, with Trump.  At a recent City Council meeting President Kritzer noted King County is organizing all their cities to meet on this problem. Living in Redmond is unaffordable for many. Now this.    

-- Bob Yoder, 10/31/2025

City PRIDE Month Celebration Goes Dark

As you know, it's PRIDE month with many celebrations around town.  However, in Council's June 3 Businees meeting during the public comment period, PRIDE went dark.

It all started with the first 3-minute testimony by Aeron H.  He's a Redmond transgender and gave an horrific story of humiliation and death threats. He reported it to the police "with a picture, message, and name and the police did nothing, they did NOTHING!"  Fearful, "I stayed locked in my apartment for two months. No wonder PRIDE doesn't trust the police."  

At this point pro tem mayor, President Kritzer stated "in conclusion," signifying that Aeron's allowable 3-mintute speaking time was up.  Councilmember Fields made a motion to suspend the rules and extend the time.  It was seconded by CM Forsythe. 

After 13 minutes of  Council rules discussion and advice from the city attorney, they decided to suspend the 3-minute rule for this one meeting and allow 4-minute testimonies. Councilmember Stuart thanked Aeron for his patience.  Aeron was annoyed, and then went on for over a minute about "targeted hate crimes" and his distrust for the police. 

-- Bob Yoder, 8/13.25 

Source:  6/3/25 Business meeting video of testimonies  (Aeron's testimony starts at 8:00 min.)

(Historically, the comment period at Business meetings had been 4- minutes but the present council reduced it to 3-minutes; Councilmember David Carson had strong objections to this limitation.) 

UPDATED OPINION: Tree Loss Is Severely Changing The Character Of Redmond

 I've lived in Redmond 44 years and have witnessed the severe tree loss. Fortunately, neighborhoods like Education Hill and Grasslawn have retained most of their character.  Loss in the urban centers and outlying developments is severe. - Yoder

OPINION:  When tree loss from city mitigation is combined with tree loss from  private development the impact to our environment and city character is severe.   A case in point is the Chelsea Square II project of two-eight story downtown buildings.  Its Tree Preservation Map shows all trees will be stripped including most lush street trees.  (NE 83rd Street, 164th Street.)  Especially damaging, Tree Regulations protecting our canopy haven't been upadated in over 26 years.  Good for the developers, bad for our environment and city character. 

   

Canopy provides  cooling, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, raises property values, improves mental health, lowers blood pressure and more.                

City Tree Mitigation Update, 2025:  

The City will remove, top or limb ~ 271 trees by late 2025 with more to come in 2026. 

BACKGROUND:  In 2023 the city assesseed 18,000 city-owned trees for health in parks, right of ways, open spaces, and street trees, to ensure public safety while preserving our urban forest. The assessment focused on trees that were 12” or greater in trunk diameter [significant and landmark trees] located within striking distance of a target, near streets, parking spaces, buildings, or structures. 

In 2024 the 35 the city's highest priority trees were mitigated for health risks.  Council Presisident Kritzer was unhappy when she heard of this and planned to look at them before they were cut.    

David Tuchek, a Deputy Parks Director said about a third of the trees would be removed, a third would be topped into snags for wildlife habitat, and a third would be limbed or pruned.  After hearing Tuchek's report, Council President Kritzer reneged stating the mitigation plan was a good for the city and wildlife habitat. 

In 2025, the city will focus on the next 50-60 highest priority trees with additional funding for mitigation in 2026.  That's a total of  ~ 271 trees that will be mitigated (removed, topped, limbed, pruned) by 2025 with more to come in 2026.  After a query by CM Fields the Parks Director listed several projects in place like Green Redmond for planting tree replacements. 

-- 3/25/25 Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Services

Kritzer Elected Chair Of Salmon Recovery Council

 

Redmond Council President Vanessa Kritzer Elected Chair of WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council

REDMOND, WA - City Council President Vanessa Kritzer was elected to serve as chair of the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA 8) Salmon Recovery Council, a partnership working to protect and restore salmon habitat in the region, including Redmond’s streams. The watershed is also referred to as Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 and covers an area of Puget Sound near the shore and inland from the north end of Elliott Bay to south Everett and east to the Bear Creek basin, the Issaquah Creek basin, and the upper Cedar River basin.

“It’s inspiring to see what we can accomplish when we work together, and I look forward to leading on this vital salmon recovery work. I encourage all residents to join in by learning about what you can to support our salmon and a healthier ecosystem,” said Council President Kritzer.

The WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council is composed of elected representatives from 29 local governments in the WRIA 8 watershed, plus partners and representatives from community organizations, business, environmental interests, and state and federal agencies. The council oversees the implementation of the science-based Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan, a response to the listing of Puget Sound Chinook as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Our watershed is home to multiple species of salmon, including Chinook, coho, and sockeye, as well as kokanee, a small red landlocked species native to Lake Sammamish. Salmon are an important environmental and cultural resource for our region, and their survival depends heavily on our choices. Recovery efforts seek to restore salmon runs to levels that would consistently support sustainable runs for tribal and recreational fishing year-to-year.

CITY WATCH: Updated Community Notes

NOTES ON THE STORM:    

Lots of comments at tonight's Council meeting on the severe cyclone wind storm.  

One lady complained that the warming stations closed at 8pm.  The community center closed at 8pm.  There was no place to go; no plan.  

Redmond AM 1650 emergency radio wasn't updated or current.  (It's available only in vehicles.) 

I'm a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer and saw no others during my trek outside.  I had to wave a woman with her toddler away from a downed power line.  She couldn't speak English. 

I was shocked to hear from a reader the City discontinued the CERT program.  He thought Councilmember Forsythe might know why.  Over 35 - 8 week CERT classes were held, now unorganized and unrefreshed.  When the next "Big One" comes our neighborhoods we will be unprepared. 

NOTES ON PLYMOUTH HOUSING and SILVER CLOUD:  

Plymouth Permanent Supportive Housing is expected to open late 2026.  Evan Sexton, the Plymouth marketing employee said Plymouth will hold open public office hours at the Together Center the second Wednesday of each month, 11am-2pm.  He said they've already had one Advisory Committee meeting. 

The county's Silver Cloud permanent housing staff are looking for community volunteers for the 15 residents housed there. 12 staff members work there!  Staff leaders give me the go-around when I try to help.  

ELECTRIC FIRE ENGINES:   Council President Kritzer prided the city about including the e-fire engine equipment on the budget.  Redmond is the first city on the west coast to pay for one. It was a race with Bellevue.     

CITY ISSUES $100 GIFT CARDS for select citizens participating in a 2-hour workshop on EV infrastructure and EV experiences.  The workshop will be held at the Senior & Community Center where charging stations are located.    

The Mayor purchased 5 new gas-powered snow plows and gave them names.  

-- Bob Yoder, 12/3/24

Disenfranchised Citizen Gripes About The Little Things

This is my edited Letter of gripes written to the Council Ombudsperson.

Council lining up to receive the Salary Commissioners
I will report their salaries, stipends and benefits when they are available.

Council, 

I know you work hard and I hope the salary commission gives you what you're due, including the stipends and benefit improvements you and HR are giving yourselves.   

The city is wealthy from construction income yet you are nickel and diming us with fees:  Utility fees, Park fees, Recreation fees, Senior & Community Center fees.  Are fees at Perrigo, Meadows, Hartman courts next?  Fees are so many and scattered all over the Community/Senior Center that I can't sum them up. 

Your action of charging residents and commercial a $15 fee on automatic utility payment looks ridiculous considering our city wealth. After 40 minutes of trouble shooting with utility staff I learned "a Director" acted too soon and now the fee must be reversed "until Council makes a decision on what to do."  Should COO Files get involved?  

I didn't appreciate CM Stuart calling me out in public after the Hearing on Initiative 2117.  Amongst your new procedural rules that limit public participation, you should look at yourselves. Vice President Jessika Foresythe gave a good report on the specifics of the Climate Commitment Act as it relates to city monies.  

Finally, Council President Vanessa Kritzer's participation during King County Councilmember Perry's "Town Hall" was excessive, shortening Ms. Perry's Q&A significantly. Other's felt so too. She IS a good speaker and does a lot of it.   Perry's Community Engagement manager (and city councilmember) Osman Salahuddin generated a good turnout with great speakers.  

 

Thank you for your interest and representation.  

Sincerely,

 

Opinion Bob Yoder, 9/9/2024

Redmond resident

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Downtown Plymouth Homeless Project A Ticking Time Bomb

I want to share my thoughts regarding the Plymouth Housing project for chronic homeless in downtown Redmond and the city council’s actions to discourage public comments.

The Redmond City Council rushed and acted recklessly when they decided to award the expensive public land and high-impact project to Plymouth Housing after less than one hour of discussion (a 30-minute behind closed doors executive meeting on February 6th, and a 30-minute special meeting on February 13th). Basic questions asked by the Kenmore City Council, such as those regarding “set aside” for local placements, “low barrier” and public safety, compliance, tenant screening, and Plymouth’s application process, etc. were never asked by the Redmond City Council.

Plymouth Housing’s troubled reputation: The recent overdose death of Mike Matzick inside the Plymouth Housing run Scargo and Lewiston Apartments in Belltown. Mike “had been deceased for three days when he was discovered.” The lived experience at the Plymouth Housing run Pat Williams Apartments in South Lake Union that “newcomers who move in & WANT to become or stay clean and sober” “get preyed on by the toxic residents.” 

Additionally, the concerning 911 call records at the Plymouth Crossing in Bellevue show incidents of death, VUCSA, disturbances (including harassment), behavioral health issues, assault, fire, indecent exposure, etc. Yet, the city council rejected the proposal to go through an open RFP to select the best qualified operator. Led by Council 

President Kritzer and Planning Director Helland, they openly misled the public on this project both in council meetings and through communications and set up barriers to prevent the public from getting critical information in a timely manner. Many questions remain unanswered. They want to quietly move forward to avoid public scrutiny.

Led by Council President Kritzer, the Redmond City Council has refused to allow public input. No public comments were allowed before the council cast their votes. Despite the public’s repeated requests, the City Council refused to hold any public hearings or two-way dialogue meetings.The public was left with no choice but to attend council meetings and raise their concerns during public comment time. The Redmond City Council later voted to curb public comment during council meetings on May 7th.

The Redmond City Council has been completely ignoring the public’s safety, drug use, and drug trafficking concerns. What is happening in Factoria, where the Plymouth Crossing is located, is a clear warning. A local developer told the city, “The landscaping around his Eastgate location has been damaged over the last 8 months, people doing drugs, police called daily.” Yet, the Redmond City Council continues to turn a deaf ear to those concerns and pat each other on the back for being the heroes and picking up the project that the City of Kenmore deemed would hurt its community and denied. 

The skimping on parking space at the Plymouth Housing building in order to “be as cost-effective as possible” under the guise of being “green” will worsen the already challenging parking situation in downtown Redmond near the Anderson Park area. By Redmond zoning code, Plymouth Housing is required to build 120 parking spaces for the 100-unit building. Yet, Plymouth Housing is asking for “NO RESIDENTIAL PARKING BE PROVIDED” and “A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARKING STALLS.” This is absurd! 

In comparison, the King County-owned and Salvation Army-operated Redmond Silver Cloud has 140 parking spaces for its 100 units, and its Safety and Security Plan states, “Residents are prohibited from parking along the street or in other areas alongside the HTH Redmond facility.”

The Plymouth Housing project to house 100 chronic homeless in downtown Redmond is a ticking time bomb.  I'm counting on State Representative Amy Walen and our leaders to help save our city from turning into Seattle. 

KATHY LAMBERT

Redmond, WA.  

July 31, 2024

2024 State of the City

Some of the leaders and staff I saw in this video:

  

John Oftebro, President of Redmond Historical Society

Arnie Tomac, retired Council President and co-founder of Redmond Town Center (RTC)

Pat Vache', OneRedmond Foundation Board Treasurer, retired Council President, co-founder of RTC, and Founder of Redmond Kiwanis Club.

Vanessa Kritzer, OneRedmond Board, Council President (and a future Mayor?😇)

Mary Nelson Morrow, OneRedmond Board President, OneRedmond Foundation Board.

Tom Markl, OneRedmond Board, CEO Nelson Legacy Group

Laureen Hamilton, Redmond Parks and Recreation Director

A retired city planning commission chair and LWSD facilities advisor 

Malisa Files, CEO, City of Redmond

Brian Coats, Police Captain

Police Chief Darrrell Lowe

Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard

Siri Bliesner, retired LWSD Board President, Centro Cultural Mexicano Board Vice Chair.

Aspen Richter, LWSD Levy Committee, Facilities Advisory Committee, PTSA Sustainability Chair

This was a Hybrid meeting...

-- Bob Yoder, 6/3/2024

Redmond Senior & Community Center Ribbon Cutting

 

(L-R) John Marchione, former Redmond Mayor; David Carson, former City Councilmember; Jessica Forsythe, City Council Vice President; Keri Pravitz, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon on the Eastside; Loreen Hamilton, Parks and Recreation Director; Senator Patty Kuderer; Redmond Mayor Angela Birney; Vanessa Kritzer, City Council President; Senator Manka Dhingra; Cari Scotkin, Redmond Arts and Culture Commissioner; Angie Nuevacamina, City Councilmember; and former City Councilmember Tanika Padhye. Photo: City of Redmond

UPDATED 5/16/24: Council Review Of "The Homeless Hotel" And Plymouth Housing

Video of Council's "Safety & Human Services Committee Meeting." 8/16/2024 (Mayor Birney didn't participate.)

Notable viewing stops:  

Min 18:15 - Police Chief's Quarterly Activity Update (hyperlinked topics)

Min 40:00 - Start of the Permanent Supportive Housing Update (hyperlinked topics)

Min 45:35 - Emergency role of the HTH Overlake Homeless Hotel.

Min 47:50 - Community Advisory Group

Min 56:55 - Council Policy 

Min 1:14:10 - Councilmember Steve Fields' dialogue with Planning Director Carol Helland:  

Helland said, as the Administrator carrying out Council's policy, "there is no Hearing required" by State law.  Background information is included in the Plymouth Housing - Redmond FAQ's.

Downtown Homeless Housing Controversy, City Hall Is Packed / Video

One of Many Signs Staked in Downtown Redmond 

 Video-link to the March 19th Redmond City Council Meeting 

https://redmond.granicus.com/player/clip/2809 

The video shows a packed house at City Hall with demonstrators peacefully holding SafeEastside signs -- "Demanding a Say on Low Barrier Housing in Downtown Redmond."  40 citizens commented.

Pro and Con Comments Of Note:

 

Aspen Richter  39:43m

Al Rosenthal 43:36m

SafeEastside activist

Kiki Montgomery 53:43m

Dennis Ellis 59:43

Ramon (from China) 1:10:23

Cynthia Young 1:14:19

Paul Stephano 1:19:45

Linda Yang 1:22:20

SafeEastside Chair

Lisa Tracy 1:35:14

Karen Rodrigues 1:39:17

HopeLink

Bob Yoder 1:46:36

Redmond Blog

Kyle Parker 1:54:37

Sean Moyer 1:55:30

Kathy Lambert 2:08:03

Retired King County Councilmember 

Yuyan 2:15:14 

Video Sources : redmond.gov  YouTube clip

3/23/2024

SafeEastside Activists Demand "A Say" On Downtown Homeless Housing

 

 

Redmond is in turmoil over Council's decision to allow Plymouth Homeless Housing in our downtown.  Blue signs objecting to downtown "low-barrier" homeless housing (where drugs are allowed in the hotel with conditions) suddenly appeared all over Redmond's downtown today (3/12) including this one at Anderson Park. 

At no fault of their own, Council wasn't transparent in their decision to house100 homeless and low income people in Redmond's downtown.   According to Planning & Community Development Director Helland, a public Hearing wasn't required; and "comment periods" were tabled in the rush to qualify for funding. Thus, SafeEastside activists are demanding "a Say." 

Various ways to have a Say:   

• Phone or email Council President Vanessa Kritzer (and other councilmembers.)  Request an appointment with her. Councilmember Kritzer holds office hours. 425-305-9892.
• Phone or email Councilmember Melissa Stewart. 425-305-9892. She holds walk-in office hours at the library, 3 - 5 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.   
• Every other week on Tuesday's at 7:00 p.m. the public has a 3-minute opportunity (under review) to address the Council and Mayor at City Hall.   
• Email: the Mayor, Council or Carol Helland, Director of Planning & Community Development at MayorCouncil@Redmond.gov.  
• Contact Councilmember Steve Fields, the senior member of Council.  He owns a coffee shop in Redmond and can meet you there. 425-403-9476.
• Reach out to Mayor Birney.  Mayor@Redmond.gov 

-- Opinion by Bob Yoder, 3/12/2024, Updated 4/16/2024  Photo: Yoder

UPDATED: Redmond Locals Wary of Controversial Plymouth Housing Project

This video is eye opening.  

After the Special Meeting closed, Mayor Birney refused to respond to questioning from the media: though a 2/13 agenda memo stated:  "Council's approval gave the Mayor approval to pursue the project contingent on further discussion."    

The housing project is described here. 

-- Bob Yoder, 2/15/2024

Source:  Council's Special Meeting agenda of 2/13/2024

Redmond Mayor and City Councilmembers Sworn In

 

Redmond Mayor and City Councilmembers Sworn In, 12/5/2023

REDMOND, WA - At last night’s Redmond City Council meeting, newly elected Redmond Councilmembers Osman Salahuddin (Council Position No. 1) and Angie Nuevacamina (Council Position No. 7), along with re-elected incumbents Jessica Forsythe (Council Position No. 3), Vanessa Kritzer (Council Position No. 5), and Angela Birney (Mayor) were officially sworn in. Their terms are effective from January 2024 through December 2027.

Birney was re-elected to her second term as Mayor, a position she was first elected to in 2019, after serving on the City Council beginning in 2015, including as Council President from 2018 to 2019. Birney represents Redmond on several regional boards and committees. She grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to Redmond in 1998. Before entering public office, she earned a Master of Education from Heritage University and a Bachelor of Arts in biology education from Eastern Washington University and worked as a middle school science teacher. Birney lives on Education Hill with her husband.

Forsythe is an award-winning Creative Director and owner of a small graphic design studio that works primarily with clients who seek to better their community. Originally from Northeast Ohio, she graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual communication design with a concentration in environmental design. Forsythe has worked in environmental design, architecture, and marketing and branding. She is honored to be elected to serve a second term.

Kritzer has been honored to serve on the City Council for the last four years and is looking forward to continuing to provide community-centered leadership in a second term. She has devoted her career to working for social and environmental justice. Kritzer has experience in the nonprofit, government, and private sectors. In addition to her council work, she is currently the executive director of the Washington Association of Land Trusts, where she works to protect Washington’s lands, waterways, and wildlife for future generations. Kritzer attended undergrad at Vassar College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American and Latinx studies and political science, and obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington Foster School of Business and a Master of Public Administration from the UW Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Before joining Council, Kritzer served on the City of Redmond’s Planning Commission. She lives in Education Hill with husband and two young kids.

Salahuddin is a lifelong resident of Redmond. After graduating from the Lake Washington School District, he earned a Bachelor of Science in neurobiology with a minor in English from the University of Washington, where he also served as the student body president. His career has included management at a medical device research consulting firm and research at both Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and UW Medicine. He has also volunteered as a member of the Fire Corp with Eastside Fire and Rescue, and helped found the BIPOC Health Careers Ecosystem, a nonprofit. Currently, Salahuddin works as the communications and community engagement manager for King County Councilmember Sarah Perry.

Nuevacamina is a longtime Redmond resident. She is a veteran of the United States Navy, where she served as an aviation electrician and studied philosophy and art history at Oakland University. Nuevacamina's career experience includes working as a financial service professional, consulting small businesses, and previous public service experience serving on the City of Redmond Planning Commission. She lives in Redmond with her family.

Video of Swearing-In.

For more information about the Redmond City Council, including meeting times, how to participate, Council’s priorities, and how Redmond’s government works, visit redmond.gov/Council.

Redmond Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer, Uncontested

 

City of Redmond Council Position No. 5

Uncontested

VANESSA KRITZER

Redmond Council Position No. 5

Priorities and BIO

Council Notes: 4th Quarter Finance Report

Video of 4/8/2022 Council Business Meeting:

Interim Finance Director's 4th Quarter Finance Report, minute 19.35

Council comments:  CM Vanessa Kritzer and CM Melissa Stuart minute 29.26

OMBUDS REPORT:  minute 32.

The key financial highlights from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022 include the following:

General Fund 

· Total revenues totaling $250 million are 26.8%, or $52.8 million, above target. 

· Property tax is 0.4%, or $186,000, above target. 

· Sales & use taxes are 75.7%, or $97.3 million, above target primarily due to the high level of development activity. This includes retail sales tax, criminal justice sales tax, and use tax. 

Ongoing retail sales tax is 27.3%, or $13.0 million, above target. One-time retail sales tax, which primarily relates to construction, is $34.7 million through December 31, 2022. 

· Utility & other taxes are 10.3%, or $2.2 million, above target primarily due to an electric and gas utility tax spike. 

· License & permit fees are 38.2%, or $8.4 million, above target primarily due to the high level of development activity. 

· Total expenditures are 2.5%, or $6.1 million. In year 2022, the personnel cost is over the target due COLA at 5%, overtime cost increase for Fire due to vacancies because of vaccination mandate, retirement payouts, rate increases after unions contract negotiations. 

Other Funds · Recreation Activity Fund: Total revenues are 51.1%, or $1.1 million, above target primarily due to increase in both indoor and outdoor recreation programs, field rentals, and donations. · Water/Wastewater M&O Fund: Total revenues are 5.0%, or $3.8 million, more than total expenditures. Commercial water consumption is 2.9% below target. 

· Capital Investment Program: Total expenditures are 71.3% of budget at the 100% point of the 2021-2022 biennium.

-- Source:  Business Meeting memo of 4/18/2022

UPDATED: City Council Meeting Notes, 04 April 2023

 

CM Melissa Stuart
Featured
City Council group picture not available

CLICK THIS LINK FOR VIDEO NOTES OF COUNCIL'S REGULAR MEETING 

OF 04 APRIL 2023:   

https://www.facebook.com/CityOfRedmond/videos/1005053090870596

 (short pause at start of tape)

ADVANCE TO 3:00 for poet Laureate Laura Da's description of her poetry inspired "Nature & City History Walk" around our lakefronts.     

ADVANCE TO 4:52 for Dr. David Morton's "Item From The Audience" suggesting solutions to various city challenges.  

ADVANCE TO 11:53 - Mayor  Angela Birney kicks off Council's OMBUDS report where resident inquiries (positive and negative) are addressed.  As follows: 

CM Varisha Kahn passes the baton to Council VP Vanessa Kritzer. Kritzer mentions a resident's concern about the mayor's salary; resident complaint about "State of the City" recording glitches. Domestic violence. CM David Carson brings attention to businesses coping with simultaneous road construction on 76th and Cleveland Street.  CM Melissa Stuart gives an excellent report of the city's C.E.R.T. program dealing with first responder preparations for an earthquake.  Council President Jessica Forsythe directed the OMBUDS report and city process. Traffic. FBI. CM Jeralee Anderson, QR Codes for park users, "Show and Tell" by Anderson on recycled materials used to build "green roads."  Stuart summarizes Public Works committee report. CM Steve Fields had nothing to say.  

Angela Birney, Carson, Forseythe, Kahn, and Kritzer's terms end 31 December 2023. 

Reported by Bob Yoder, Community volunteer, 04 April 2023

Lake Sammamish Kokanee Salmon Release Celebration

It was special for all of us to join with the Snoqualmie Tribe in celebration of  the Release of the endangered "Little Red Fish." 

l-r, Redmond Council Member and Vice President Vanessa Kritzer, Congresswoman Kim Schreier, Issaquah dignitary and King County Executive Dow Constantine. (click to enlarge)

Steve Laing, President of Trout Unlimited, Three Rivers Chapter, Issaquah.
(click to enlarge)

 Redmond Council Vice President Vanessa Kritzer describes the potential and restoration of Idylwood Creek  (YouTube)

Snoqualmie Tribe and Guests Celebrate the Release of Kokanee (YouTube)

King 5 video of the Kokanee comeback

Kokanee Salmon Work Group

"Spawning Grounds" www.bit.ly/SpawningGroundsFilm

 A film on Saving the Little Red Fish

Lake Sammamish Kokanee

Posting,  pictures and video by Bob Yoder, 10/15/2022