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

UPDATED: A Tribute to Council Member Steve Fields

OPINION:  I occasionally watch Redmond City Council members deliberate.  I've seen a complete turnaround in Council member Steve Fields' demeanor with the Mayor. He's polite, respectful, always agreeable, yet holds his own.  And, the Mayor is reciprocating. 

Mr. Fields' more peaceful approach may be attributed to his post on the Council Finance, Administration and Communications Committee.  He's the  Presiding Officer so in control of the budget meetings and with humility has earned a satisfying amount of power.  And rightly so.  Mr. Fields' career and Council experience is indispensable on budgetary matters and Mayor Birney knows it.  Steve's in his wheelhouse, with Council and Mayor in tow.  He's respected by all.  

Steve ran for Mayor twice and lost;  impossible to stomach for most. Over time his resentment and bitterness wore off.  His ego healed and he found his true place on Council.

I've never seen a public official so resilient and driven.  I know Steve well from supporting him in three campaigns.  I've heard Steve may not run again, yet he's still giving his all.  Thanks to Council member Fields for all that he does.  Steve's good works on Council are surely appreciated and won't be forgotten.  

 -- B. Yoder  11/10/2022

FB Comment:

He worked on the County budget and was a great voice of reason and fiscal responsibility in a sea of people who were not so concerned about unintended consequences or bow wave impacts of some expenditures. He knows budgeting well and will do a fabulous job as he approaches this with the utmost of integrity.  -- Kathy Lambert, 12/2

Teens invited to join King County Youth Advisory Council

Teens invited to join Youth Advisory Council

Councilmember Lambert hosts session on January 5

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert invites youth in Northeast King County to become more informed and involved with public issues and government. Her Youth Advisory Council will review the topics of cyber bullying and cyber security in January.

Middle school- and high school-age youth who live in King County Council District 3 can join Councilmember Lambert at the next meeting of the Youth Advisory Council for an information and discussion session. The program is scheduled for Saturday, January 5, from10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fall City Library. To register, please call (206) 296-1003.  Read More >>

Kathy Lambert's Newsletter

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert's Newsletter
February 2010

In Kathy's newsletter:
• Budget trivia question
• New Council committee assignments
• Animal control
• Solid waste planning
• Zoonotics regulations
• Regional Transit Task Force
• Retired van donations
• Pasture management workshops

OPEN KATHY'S NEWSLETTER

Kathy Lambert gives her insight into Dow Constantine and endorses Susan Hutchison

In the King County Executive race primary there were many excellent candidates. I have worked with Fred Jarrett in the legislature and Larry Phillips on the council, and I find them both fine and intelligent men who are a pleasure to work with. But instead Dow Constantine won the second position.

Dow has rarely been helpful on the projects important to this district. Example - He sponsored the CAO – Critical Areas Ordinance – and there were many times I asked him to reconsider and to listen to the citizens at town halls. Often, he left early. Several years later the court found a part of it unconstitutional. Four years later when the update was done to the CAO, Larry Gossett chaired the committee. Larry was wonderful and went out with me to see various issues first hand and talk with citizens who were facing the problems created by the CAO. Larry listened to citizens and worked with me to make the rules better.

Last year the citizens voted to make the council and executive positions nonpartisan. I was eager to see the “system” change and made several proposals on how the council could work in a nonpartisan manner. This plan would rotate each week who met for briefings – so that each member of the council would be with every other member of the council in a caucus at least once a month to share ideas, needs and concerns. Under Dow’s chairmanship it is unfortunately still the same members meeting in Republican or Democrat caucuses that have been changed to Formerly Republican or Formerly Democrat caucuses. That is the only change…..

Last October I wrote a new labor policy. The Seattle Times Editorial Board supported my idea and said it was a “good first step”. Unfortunately, some of my peers thought it was too controversial and would not let it come up for a hearing. The bill says that employees do not automatically get a minimum of 2 % raises in a year of recession. Without this bill, the employees of the county will get an automatic 2% raise unless they are already at the top of their pay scale. We cannot afford those kinds of raises in this economy and when citizens are facing a nearly 10% unemployment rate. So imagine my surprise when Dow said in the televised debate that he supports the labor policy change to reduce the 2%. Where has he been for the last year?

This gives some insights on how our district and county have been treated by an executive candidate and some issues that have not been handled in ways that show good leadership in my opinion.

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
Redmond, WA.
by email, 10/24

UPDATED: Citizens comment on the limited user-group deal for 60 Acres South Park

Webcam shot of 60 Acres North (click pic) ............................................Defibrillator located between Field #8 and #12

UPDATE, 10/30 From Larry Phillips, KC Councilmember-* "Mr. Yoder, I wanted to be sure that King County, which owns the park on behalf of taxpayers, remains informed and able to intervene should irresolvable issues arise at any time during the 30-year agreement. Thus, I sponsored two additional amendments as follows:

1. King County Parks is required to alert the King County Council of any unresolved issues at Sixty Acres Park via quarterly reports;
2. King County retains the right to intervene to resolve any disputes that may arise between LWYSA, other user groups, and the general public.
   
   More information about this legislation (Ordinance 2008-0475) can be found at the following link: http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/detailreport/?key=8936
   Click on documents in the “Attachments” window for details"

*entire correspondence in comments

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Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association (LWYSA) has a new Beta website (here.) At the site, you can register for a field (oh really?!), watch webcams of 60 Acres, get a weather report, and read up on the new King County Council 60 Acre Park decision. In short, the county plan authorizes LWYSA as the leasee and "property manager" of 60 Acres South - giving the soccer organization singular control over field management. Councilmember Hague sponsored the plan.

Scott Odle, is one of many Redmond soccer parents who opposed the recent King County Council decision that virtually gives a monopoly to LWYSA over how 60 Acres South Park will be used. Mr. *Odle posted one of the most persuasive arguments opposing the pro-LWYSA-King County Plan on this blog. Click HERE (then scroll down) to read Scott's comments.

The following excerpts from LWYSA indicates other user groups will be accommodated to some degree. That's great, but how motivated can the soccer association be to rent out their fields when they complain (and claim) that about 300-400 soccer kids turned away from Spring leagues? Yes! pressure from lacrosse, cricket et al for field usage in King County is high; and county oversight will probably be necessary to bring fair rationing of use to user-groups.

LWYSA states in the Q&A of their Beta website:

"King County was responding to challenges in meeting the athletic field needs of LWYSA and other user groups. Developing additional athletic fields not only helps LWYSA with their field needs, but also, to some degree, helps to relieve pressure on other user groups. "

We "will pay for all construction, upgrades and maintenance of 60 Acres. To develop the new fields on 60 Acres South, LWYSA plans to invest approximately $1 Million. LWYSA currently spends about $250,000 per year to maintain the soccer fields on 60 Acres North, and will continue to incur this maintenance burden as well as the additional cost of maintaining 60 Acres South."

"In return for development and maintenance, LWYSA will get priority (but non exclusive) scheduling of the facility. LWYSA may also rent the facilities to other users, at prevailing King County rental rates, and retain these rents to help defer construction and maintenance."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IN CONCLUSION: Owing to budgetary shortfalls, King County has to find ways to reduce operating costs of their parks and save taxpayer money. LWYSA is the easy solution. LWYSA has deep pockets and resources to develop 60 Acres South and maintain both North and South parks. LWYSA also sold acres of cherished fallow agricultural land for $1M to the county and an association of farmers. Thus, the county jumped on the proposal LWYSA take authority of leasee and property manager role over 60 Acres South. I understand and accept this plan. My problem is with the monopoly one sports association now has over a magnificent county park. It is incumbent on citizens to ask, encourage, and insist on King County Council oversight to assure the southern fields are used without exclusivity and with fairness and balance to user groups. Do you agree?- BY

Special thanks to Scott Odle for reporting the 60acres.org site, webcams, defibrillator and, of course, his comments.

UPDATED, 10/22 - King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert comments on 60 Acres South Park. - Council's decision, 10/20

King County Council's final decision, 10/20 "King County partners with Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association in adjusted-use plan that complements multiple activities at Redmond-area field "

The following is a comment made 10/19 on this blog (here) by Councilmember Kathy Lambert about the pending 60 Acres South decision:

"This is a lease agreement NOT a transfer as was originally proposed several
years ago. The county/citizens maintain ownership and have input on how it is
managed. There will be regular meetings and input to the council on how the
shared usage is being administered. All along the process there have been many
changes to respond to citizen input. In fact there are six more amendments
proposed for Monday's vote that reflect input from the citizens of Valley
Estates. It is difficult to find the balance between countywide usage of an
asset and local usage. The Parks Department does not have the funds to maintain
and improve all the wonderful parks and open space in the county. So they have
developed agreements with many groups to share in the efforts to keep our county
green and open for public usage and exercise. The goal is that the final
agreement is one that will balance all the needs. This ordinance should be
posted online by Wednesday so all can see the many aspects of this agreement. I
hope that soon we will see that with cooperation and teamwork we can all enjoy
the wonderful area of 60 Acres."

-This comment was made on a recent 60 Acres posting to the Redmond Neighborhood Blog on October 19, 2008 11:51 AM , by Kathy Lambert

Kathy's King County Home Webpage is here.

Kathy represents District 3, comprised of: North Bend, Snoqualmie, Issaquah, Sammamish, Redmond, Carnation, Duval, Woodinville and rural county towns and cities.

Ron Sims August 21, 2008 proposal for 60 Acres South Park solution and returning Muller Farm back to active organic farming.

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Looking at the issue from a citizen's perspective -

“King County and the soccer association will use 34 acres of open space to destroy Sixty Acres South as we know it. Instead, they could provide as much soccer play by taking just six (6) acres and building one lighted FieldTurf field and one grass field.” - by Stew Konzan, 10/20

King County Council to decide on how 60 Acres South Park is used and enjoyed.

Written by Lawrence Doan, 10/15

The King County Council met on the issue this past Monday, Oct. 13. 24 people spoke against the lease of 60 Acres South vs. the 2 from LWYSA. The council postponed a vote until this coming Monday, Oct 20. They are taking the time to review the proposed agreement and the comments.

The public comment period is closed; that is, no further testimony will be heard before the council in person. However, King County Council encouraged concerned citizens to write, call or email them this week, October 15 - 19.

If they vote on Monday, that's the end of the line, so make yourself heard now. At the very least they should be taking more time to review something that will last 30 years.

I myself oppose this LWYSA (soccer association) agreement in part, because:

1) 60 Acres South is one of a kind in the county and no replacement has been offered.

2) The agreement also promises "50% shared use", which one might take to mean something like "Monday, Wednesday, Friday and alternate Saturdays" are open to the public. However, what it actually means is that half the fields could be scheduled all day, all summer and still be "50% shared" while making the park unusable to others.

Write or call the Council Member(s) of your choice by October 19:
Bob Ferguson (D)District 1206-296-1001 bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
Larry Gossett (D)District 2206-296-1002 larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov
*Kathy Lambert (R)District 3206-296-1003 kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
Larry Phillips (D)District 4206-296-1004 larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov,
Julia Patterson (D)Council Chair, District 5206-296-1005 julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov
*Jane Hague (R)District 6206-296-1006 jane.hague@kingcounty.gov
Pete von Reichbauer (R)District 7206-296-1007 pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov
Dow Constantine (D)Council Vice Chair, District 8206-961008 mailto:8206-961008%20dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov
Reagan Dunn (R)Council Vice Chair, District 9206-296-1009 reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov

Posted by Lawrence Doan to Redmond Neighborhood Blog at October 15, 2008 9:01 AM

Minor edits by Bob Yoder, 10/15

SE Redmond Industries Pollute Evans Creek, A Review

Industrial septic stormwater pond 60 feet from
salmon-bearing Evans Creek

CONCLUSION: 

Evans Creek is salmon bearing according to the City yet a grandfathered 50 foot buffer is all that separates polluting industries from infiltrating dirty septic stormwater. Current code requires a 200 foot buffer.    

King County Environmental Health Manager Fay reassured me that fecal coliform bacteria issues should probably not be a big concern from the old SE Redmond city septic systems. Many thanks to King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert (and Redmond resident) for her assistance in this matter. Dave Garland of Ecology also reported inconsequential fecal bacteria in Evans Creek.

It appears the industries & City will achieve a workable solution by re-routing Evans Creek 500 feet to the south to widen the buffer.  County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, and Redmond Councilmembers Hank Myers, Dave Carson and Jon Spangler (Redmond DNR) toured of the Evans Creek county shoreline with me to study the Evans re-route and the industries proximity to the creek.  The city is working with the polluting RICE industries on a regional stormwater plan while the old sewers on 197 Ave. NE are replaced. 

BACKGROUND:   7/14 - 

Two unintended consequences arose today during my meeting with staff:

1) The inaccurate city-county "zoning jurisdictional city web map" caused undue strain and waste of staff and citizen time during this fact-finding process. 

2) Presently, no planner is assigned to the SE Redmond industrial district to review permit applications on site for either conforming or nonconforming uses. Photos are not required by permit to identify the "creeping" of uses like oil trucks onto the Evans Creek buffer in SE Redmond. 

Councilman Hank Margeson, Chair Public Works Committee noted at a council meeting I was concerned about the integrity and safety of the county septic systems in SE Redmond. This is inaccurate and a misunderstanding; and probably attributed to the outdated & confusing jurisdictional map on the city website.  

 I've since edited my article to clarify my concern is about city septic systems. Mr. Jon Spangler, DNR, was aware of my intentions and concern about aging city septic in SE Redmond at: Cadman Gravel 'Olympian PreCast,' Skanska, Rainier Welding and most likely Genie Industries. I may be requesting public records to identify & confirm the location of these septic systems (and the newer sewer lines partially servicing 192nd Ave. Ne ) city industrial. In talking to the Redmond Department of Natural Resources (DNR) East Redmond Properties, LLC (Watson Asphalt Co.) appears hooked up to the sewer line on 192nd Ave NE, though the department was unsure if All Wood Recycling, Inc. (AWR) was hooked up to sewer...hmmm.

UPDATED, 6/26 - after a 30 minute conversation with Jon Spangler of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) I was told the SE Redmond city septic systems are safely operating and probably good for at least another five years.

During the June 17 council meeting, Public Works presented a proposal to install the regional city stormwater facility for SE Redmond. The facility would service over 300-acres in the vicinity of Union Hill and 192th Ave. NE adjacent Evans Creek. 

Below are excerpts from the staff report:

"Stormwater infrastructure in the area is primarily characterized as uncontrolled flow of stormwater from paved surfaces into sandy gravel areas where the water seeps into the ground to enter groundwater flowing towards the City’s municipal drinking water wells." !

"With minimal stormwater infrastructure, this contaminated stormwater can flow into the City’s groundwater (drinking water supply) and into Evan’s Creek, jeopardizing water quality for both of those resources." !

"In response to the need to end the practice of infiltrating potentially contaminated stormwater in this area, and in response to three currently proposed projects (Costco, extension of 188th Ave NE, and Union Hill Road Phase 3) City staff have worked to identify and size potential regional stormwater facilities to meet the current and future needs in this watershed."

In review of the archived tape of the 6/17/08 Council meeting, it sounds like most of SE Redmond's untreated stormwater currently flows slowly towards Wellhead #5. According to the Public Works director Jon Spangler Wellhead 5 is our most productive well and very important to our supply for affordable drinking water and is some places the aquifer is only 6 inches deep.  

According to Jon Spangler of the Redmond Department of Natural Resources, within the last two years SE Redmond city businesses have partially converted to city sewer. In past decades the city businesses relied exclusively on city septic tanks and septic drain fields to treat wastewater. The drain fields are decades old and are buried near the shallow aquifer.

"R.I.C.E" businesses on the 192nd Ave. NE sewer line  ("East Redmond Properties." "Cadman Gravel' Olympian PreCast,' Skanska, Rainier Welding  All Wood Recycling, Inc. (AWR) )and possibly Genie Industries lobbied Council to water-down the proposal (against new municipal code) to continue infiltrating and not improve the 50-year flood capacity of the facility.  SE Redmond city businesses are located in a 100-year floodplain above a very shallow aquifer

Think about the benefits of sewer and regional stormwater when you look at the filthy industrial stormwater pond. This detention pond is the only one I'm aware of in SE Redmond. It's located adjacent Evans Creek on 42nd Street on city property. 

Take a quick look at the Department of Ecology's "Citizen Guide to Monitoring Streams - fecal coliform bacteria". Does this answer some of your concerns? Click this link to read my last story on "Evans Creek - what went wrong?"

And not to forget, the City of Redmond "2007 Water Quality Report" has city contact information. This 2007 report was printed & delivered this summer of '08. The city's new slogan is: "Safe Drinking water is our highest priority" ... sure looks like they are working hard towards that end. Thank you, Department of Natural Resources & Council for your efforts!

-- Bob Yoder, 2007 Opinion, Edited 9/29/2024

cc: city council, mayor, city clerk, Redmond Code Enforcement Officer. WDOE.