Letter to the Editor: UPDATED: Mayor Birney Has Too Much Power

Unlike its neighboring cities, such as Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, and Sammamish, which ALL have a council-manager form of government, City of Redmond has a strong mayor-council form of government. Under the strong mayor form of government, mayor has too much power: while the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power; the mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power. We have all witnessed the damages done allowing downtown homeless housing in Redmond and the entire Eastside when the mayor has too much power yet free from checks and balances.

Safe Eastside

Posted, 10/9/2024

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

LETTER : LWSD is behind neighboring school districts in SAT and ACT scores.

LWSD issued a press release on October 4th celebrating LWSD's SAT and ACT scores--touting that they were above state and national average.  With a closer look, LWSD actually scored below Bellevue, Mercer Island, and Issaquah....not too impressive in my book.  

Bellevue:  610 (Reading/Writing)  623 (Math)
Issaquah 608 (Reading/Writing)  610 (Math)
Mercer Island 641 (Reading/Writing)  652 (Math)
LWSD 600 (Reading/Writing 598 (Math)
Northshore 590 (Reading/Writing)  597 (Math)

 -- This letter was submitted by a reader wishing to remain 
anonymous.  

LETTER: What happens when the elementary students burst into Evergreen Middle and Redmond High?

LETTER:  Regarding the suggestion to use the Redmond Ridge East parcel [intended for a new elementary school if a bond passes] for a new 6-12 campus, I agree!

With the addition of 9th grade, Redmond High School has now reached an enrollment of 1900 students. There are not enough lockers for the students, assemblies must be held in "shifts" and the hallways are almost impassable between classes. I know of no plan to address the overcrowding issue at the 6-12 level when the HUGE population of today's elementary kids enter middle/high school.

Adjusting the attendance boundaries to move kids to Wilder is the obvious short-term solution to address the overcrowding issue at Rosa Parks. But what happens when these kids leave elementary and spill into Evergreen Middle and Redmond High School?

By Julie
 ..in response to a comment listed listed below this post...

LETTER: Setting the record straight on the overcrowding public input sessions

LETTER:  Let me set the record straight on the Redmond Reporter article from two years go. That article was written when the district was seeking public input into the bond measure to be put on the ballot in February 2010. As a result of that public input, funding for a new school for Redmond Ridge East was part of the measure. The measure failed: had it been passed by voters, we might have been celebrating the opening of a new Redmond Ridge East Elementary School.

My comments concerning possible solutions “to ease overcrowding at elementary schools” was a general list of possible solutions for overcrowding at any elementary school.  It was not a list of solutions under consideration for Rosa Parks Elementary School: a second elementary school on Redmond Ridge was under consideration for Rosa Parks.

The actions the district has taken over the last two years regarding Rosa Parks Elementary School are:
·        Ran a bond measure that would have built a new school in Redmond Ridge East. Voters did not approve the measure.
·        Completed a grade reconfiguration program that moved an entire grade out of all elementary schools, including Rosa Parks. That move also opened up space at Wilder Elementary that was not available last year.
·        Added portable classrooms to meet increasing need.
·        Added staff and budget to handle the increasing numbers.

There have been significantly more children per household enrolled in the school than the average development in our district. That factored into an enrollment this year about 80 students higher than projected. That higher than expected growth has outstripped the district’s efforts. As a result, we have committed to working with the community to develop a plan for the fall of 2013-14.

Kathryn Reith
Communications Director, Lake Washington School District

In Response to Nancy Shen's LETTER: http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2012/09/letter-lwsd-administration-sought.html

LETTER: LWSD Administration sought public input on overcrowding two years ago - the problems still persist

LETTER: 

Nancy Shen said...

2 years ago the LWSD sought public input into ways to fix overcrowding problems.

Here is the article from the Redmond Reporter on September 22, 2010

http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/103545154.html

Short term strategies were already considered back then including eliminating full-day Kindergarten programs or setting new boundaries to balance enrollments.

Directly from the article "The district could also bus students from overcrowded schools to others that are less crowded and/or add more portables, up to the state limits."

So 2 years later the only action the district has taken was to add additional portable classrooms.

These actions certainly did nothing to ease overcrowding at Rosa Parks

LETTER: President Pendergrass appreciates Dr. Pierce's efforts to ensure all voices are heard at Rosa Parks

LETTER:  As president of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors, let me state that I do not agree, nor do I believe my fellow school board members agree, with this characterization of our reaction to the district administration's efforts concerning Rosa Parks Elementary School.  I believe the message Chris Carlson was trying to get across is that issues like this are complex , involve many different views and families and therefore take time to get to a resolution that is best for all students.

In fact, I appreciate Dr. Pierce's efforts to ensure that all voices are heard in this situation. I also appreciate that it takes a little time to gather all the information and the public input that is needed to get to the right decision . That is what I expect of Dr. Pierce and I am confident that she will deliver.

Jackie Pendergrass
jpende47@gmail.com

In response to:   http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2012/09/rosa-park-parents-and-school-board.html

LETTER: Hartman Park is out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

LETTER:   Before the city spends $278,000 on new turf for the baseball field, they should figure out how much it will cost to update Hartman Park so that it is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maybe it would be a better idea to use the funds earmarked for the new turf to instead make Hartman Park ADA-compatible.

Most of Hartman Park is very difficult if not impossible for visitors/athletes in wheelchairs to access. There is only one handicapped parking space for the entire park and it's located in the lot next to the play set – far from the upper Little League fields. The main restroom building has a handicapped stall but the door is not automatic and is too stiff for most wheelchair users to open. Getting to fields 5 & 6 is next to impossible because the hills are too steep and there are fences in the way.

The Parks Department staff might want to review the US Dept of Justice agreement with the City of Milton, Washington (http://www.ada.gov/milton/milton.htm) to determine just how much work the park needs and then they should make a plan and start the upgrades before someone files a complaint with the DOJ.

 - Anonymous reader






 

LETTER: Call them what you will, Redmond has an abundance of convenient emergency services

LETTER:  As a recent visitor to the Swedish/Redmond facility, I can say that while this facility is not a Hospital in the purest sense of the word, in capabilities it is everything you would need in a hospital except for the cranky night nurse. ;)

True, it is not a long-stay hospital (who wants to stay more than a day anyway?) and does not have an ICU or CCU, but they do have a surprising number of services available. The same is true for the Evergreen facility in Bella Botega as I've also had the need to go there several months back.

I haven't had the "opportunity" to visit the Overlake facility, but in my estimation going from zero to 3 (2 short-stay 24 x 7 hospitals and another urgent care 7x 16h) facilities over the course of two years is a huge improvement for our community.

Call them what you will, Redmond now has a bevy of emergency medical services available. It beats the heck out of driving to Bellevue or Kirkland to get stitches in your knee.

By David Carson
    ....in response to "Swedish/Redmond campus opens urgent care clinic - explains wayfinding signs."

LETTER: Kimball Administration callous in not allowing student to participate in graduation ceremony.

LETTER:  The high school graduation ceremony is an academic and social event for students, friends, and family members to celebrate the completion of more than 12 years of education. For most teenagers, the high school graduation ceremony is a special, exciting milestone in their lives that is held only once for each graduating high school class in May or June.  Student “R.S.” (diagnosed with a mild mood disorder) wanted to be included in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration - he didn’t request that he receive his diploma without completing all of the requirements.

The two credits that he was short could have been made up during summer school, but there is no way to recreate the graduation ceremony and celebration with members of his class. This was obviously very important to him and to his family and the callousness of the Lake Washington School District in denying him the opportunity to participate in the graduation ceremony with his class is disturbing and unforgivable.

He could have walked and received an empty diploma envelope, as was the practice at my high school and at my college for students who were within 2 credits of graduation.

By Susan Wilkins, LWSD parent and PTSA volunteer
  ...in response to:  "Parents' request to let student "RS" participate during graduation ceremony is denied."

WHY WE SHOULDN'T RAISE PROPERTY TAXES IN REDMOND NEXT BUDGET: "REDMOND REPORTER : LETTERS"

This Letter from Redmond Councilmember Hank Myers (truncated by Yoder) was published in the Redmond Reporter's July 20th edition (this weekend).  The Letter wasn't published in Reporter's online edition:  www.Redmond-Reporter.com.  To read the entire Letter which includes a compliment to the Marchione Administration, please read the newspaper edition delivered to your home.  The Redmond Reporter is available from newspaper dispensors at bus stops, apartments, Redmond Town Center, the post office, at select businesses, the Redmond library, City Hall and Old Redmond School House Community Center.

WHY WE SHOULDN’T RAISE PROPERTY TAXES IN REDMOND NEXT BUDGET, By Councilmember Hank Myers,  Redmond Reporter, 7/21/2012

At Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting, Finance Director Mike Bailey outlined the state of the current Redmond budget as we passed the 75% mark of the biennial period. The highlights are that Redmond’s cash on hand position is $9.5 million better than projected for this point in time. Even excluding a $4.0 million sales tax special payment from the State, we are still well over $5.0 ahead of our own projections. This strong cash position is due to our recovering sales tax revenue, as well as property tax collections that are about $1.5 million better than projected. On the expenditure side, Mayor Marchione and his Director team are under-spending the budget by 7.63% (compared to 7.08% last quarter). The City Council is the most frugal department, under-spending its budget by over 23.5%.

Last week Mr. Bailey presented an analysis of overall economic trends which show a strengthening recovery, particularly locally. If sales taxes follow the economic trends, we should see significant improvement in our single largest revenue source. Unlike other cities in our area, Redmond continued to raise property taxes in each of the last four years of the great recession. In dollar terms it is not a big amount, but it is not the only tax increases our residents have had to pay, and it came during a time when real income was declining.

Looking at all this, there are three excellent reasons why we should not raise property taxes in the next budget.

First, we don’t need the added revenue. We are looking at a budget-end cash surplus approaching $12 million. This is the third cash surplus in three budgets. At the end of the last budget we added a new multi-million dollar reserve fund that puts our reserve capacity well above city averages in our state. At the end of 2008 we created an innovation fund to encourage more efficient service delivery out of that surplus. By contrast, increasing property taxes the allowed 1% raises just under a million dollars for the biennium. Our residents rate city service delivery at impressively high levels. Conservatism is a laudable virtue in budgeting, second only to accuracy.

Next, how a government considers its citizens is vital. Except for a small amount of development services, all of the general fund revenue comes from taxing the productivity of the community. There are easy rationalizations for tax increases: “it’s not a lot of money” or “other governments are raising taxes more”. The bottom line is that any government that puts its own needs ahead of those of its citizens is not worthy. Besides, the property tax is the only general tax within the direct control of the city.

Third, the budget will be structurally balanced without a tax increase. We did not need the property tax increase in the current budget to assure a six-year structurally balanced budget, nor did we need it in the previous one. The question is how do we use our current surplus to create the most sustainable benefits for our residents? We have spent the last two surpluses creating innovation funds and super-safe reserve levels. Now is the time to use our surplus outside of city hall, almost literally putting it on the streets for the benefit of everyone.

My suggestion is....(please read the newspaper edition for Mr. Myers's closing remarks). 

Hank Myers
Redmond City Councilmember
P.O. Box 7151
Bellevue, WA  98008-1151
(425) 892-4820

LETTER: Why does the City ban small driveway sparklers and fountains on Independence Day?

LETTER:  I have lived in The City of Redmond, WA for 12 years now, and despite the endless reiteration of questionably applicable fire statistics, I still don't understand the ban of all fireworks in our great city. As someone who grew up with "safe and sane" fireworks as a unique and memorable part of our 4th of July celebration, I dislike the fact that my community's attitude to our most patriotic holiday seems to be "Have a great 4th...as long as you don't have it here." I am in no way arguing for the proliferation of M-80's, M-100s and and Disneyland style mortars, but it seems to me that there can and should be a compromise in Redmond which would allow our kids to experience the same wonder of sparklers and driveway fountains that I enjoyed in my youth, and which our neighbors just up the road enjoy as well. - Steve Holetz, Redmond Resident. on Fireworks Prohibited in Redmond - Where do you go for fun?

King County Library System is the busiest in nation - Redmond Library thanks community, taxpayers

Bob:  Thank you again for publishing and thank you for voting for the last levy! I think it's really important for everyone to understand that King County Library System (KCLS) is funded through property tax revenues, and when needed, capital improvement bonds.

We can't thank our community enough for passing the levy lift in February 2010, despite the economic conditions. It was a vote of support for the valuable services that the library provides. The KCLS Foundation and each library's Friends groups also provide grants and donations for many programs that the library system offers. So, a special thanks goes to everyone that buys donated books from their local Friends as well.

In 2010, KCLS surpassed the busiest library in the U.S. (Queens NY) with 22.4 million items checked out. Libraries from all over the world visit KCLS to see the Preston Distribution Center and learn about their operations. In 2011, King County Library System was honored as the Library of the Year by the Gale/Library Journal.

We are also very proud of the Redmond branch, it's almost always the second busiest library in terms of circulation month over month. The staff and volunteers are amazing and the programming offered every month is phenomenal. Hopefully you are able to attend events held there on occassion!

Regards,

Jaime Weber
Trustee, Redmond Library
The board meets on the first Wednesday every month at 7:00 pm at the Redmond Library. The public is invited to attend.

LETTER: Group Health developer should buy own property to mitigate tree clear-cut

LETTER:  It's easy to assume the four listed parks would have received new trees regardless of the developer's actions. So, while this might reduce costs to the city, it won't result in offsetting trees removed from the Overlake property.

The developer should be required to purchase their own property, plant trees, and gauantee the survival of those trees for a reasonable period of time -- 99-years for example. Such a requirement has been place on developers in the past, in other areas of the U.S., and isn't unreasonable to expect here.

Letter by Douglas Burchard
Source:  Comment posted on:  "City identifies four locations for Group Health's clear-cut tree mitigation..."

ATTN:  Redmond Ombudsman-of-the-month, Councilmember Pat Vache'

LETTER: What are the School Board's requirements for their superintendent?

LETTER:  Does the Lake Washington School District have a list of the minimum requirements for the next superintendent?

The LWSD website listed the results of the survey and how people ranked the importance of instruction, operations management and management style;  but those were just opinions of the survey respondents based on predetermined survey questions.

What are the exact REQUIREMENTS that the superintendent candidate must meet in order to be considered for the position?

We need to know what the school board is really looking for so that we'll know if they're truly looking for the best candidate or have simply already decided on someone from within the district and are just pretending to conduct an internal search.

--By a Reader's comment to RNB story:  LW School District board looking for "internal" superintendent candidates.

LETTER: Expression of hate in city park angers resident




swastika taped to park tag wall

LETTER:  I was at the Redmond Edge Skate Park this week during one of the beautiful summer-like afternoons.  The park was in full use with teens on skateboards, scooters and bikes.  As I was watching the activity I noticed five teens placing duct tape on one of the graffiti walls.  (For those that don’t know, these graffiti walls are provided by the City for legal street art or “tagging”.)  As the pattern took shape I could tell what it was – a swastika. I was flabbergasted by this behavior and I immediately called 911 because I thought they just committed a hate crime of some sort.  The teens noticed I was calling the cops and they were laughing and skating around the park taunting me with various hand gestures.  Ultimately they tried to blend into the crowd when they saw I wasn’t intimidated or backing away.

Redmond PD did respond with two officers and they pulled the duct tape boys to the side.  I asked one of the officers if this was some kind of hate crime, especially since it was on public property.  Unfortunately I was told the expression was protected by the Constitution.  I was frustrated and angry but I understand that even ignorant punks have rights to express themselves, even if I don’t agree with the form of expression of speech.  The responding officers gave a very stern lecture to the boys.  I’m not sure exactly what was said and any other action such as informing their parents. Read More >>

LETTER: City of Redmond delighted to have HCL become a part of the community

from the desk of Jane Christenson, Deputy City Administrator, City of Redmond, WA...

Hi Bob, Just a quick follow-up on this with a few more details. HCL held its Inauguration Ceremony last Wednesday. As is customary, the business organized the logistics and publicity, including press release, for its opening event. As a major international company, with offices in Redmond, as well as in Raleigh, NC and Rochester, NY, the company’s growing presence in the United States has been a national success story for its innovation and its capacity for job creation. In addition to your blog and the Seattle Times, HCL’s move to Redmond was announced in the Wall Street Journal, Puget Sound Business Journal’s Tech Flash, Redmond Patch and numerous other media venues. The City is delighted to have HCL become part of the community and looks forward to a long and thriving relationship. On your last question, HCL located at 14980 NE 31st Street, Suite 300, here in Redmond. I hope this is helpful.
 
Jane Christenson, 9/26
Deputy City Administrator
Blog post on HCL-Redmond

LETTERS: Pro & Con Comments on Redlight Cameras

LETTER (Pro): I went from being a person against the red light cameras to being fully supportive of them. I was afraid I'd be rear ended several times as I slammed on brakes to avoid getting tickets (yes, I admit to cutting it close on occasion). But after attending the public meeting on the red light cameras, and seeing how people were speeding up and ENTERING the intersection after the light was red, well, I would give them a ticket too. Slowing down just a bit so that you can approach the light at a safe enough speed to avoid being rear ended and getting a ticket is easy. It's not too much to ask.

-- Comment By Anonymous1 on OPINION: "Redmond Initiative 1" moves closer ... on 8/30/11

LETTER (Con):  I think cameras are a great idea. We should have them everywhere, not just red lights. Like on the highway, so we can ticket all you slow drivers in the passing lanes. And in our houses (and bedrooms), so we can make sure there’s no wrongdoing going on there. Let’s not forget every church, synagogue and mosque. Can you imagine the juicy sedition we could uncover? Last, I’d like to put a webcam in almost every room at Redmond city hall, so we can see what really drives the behavior, decisions, and results that have so many of us puzzled. It seems we have the right and obligation to constantly monitor each other to ensure we protect society from our collective bad behavior. We’ll, count me all in. If you’re not doing anything wrong, you won’t object, right?

  --Comment By Anonymous2 on OPINION: "Redmond Initiative 1" moves closer... on 8/30/11

The Council Public Safety Committee meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month (4 PM at City Hall).  Councilmembers David Carson (candidate for Nov. election), Hank Myers (uncontested candidate) and John Stilin are committee members.  The meetings are open to the public; the Redlight camera program and videos are often reviewed.  

The April - June public safety committee report on Redlight cameras is here.  Redmond Way/148th Ave NE intersection has the most citations/month.   B.Y.

LETTER: Government subsidies to the Saturday Market add value

LETTER:  I have to disagree [with Mr. Frazier's Letter on the Saturday Market]. The Saturday Market provides value to the community, making the donations from government an investment in that same community. The market brings people out of their personal spaces, and brings them together. It provides them inspiration. It's not just a temporary store, but a community center.

Retailers like Trader Joes don't look at the market as a competitor, but rather a draw (like a sale they don't have to pay for). When was the last time you bought everything you needed for a dinner at the Saturday Market? You don't. Instead, you find and purchase an inspiring ingredient, perhaps several. Then you go to Trader Joes, or QFC, or Whole Foods, and purchase everything else you need for the meal.

This sort of thing is exactly what government is there to accomplish. Provide what people and business can't, for the betterment of all.

Douglas Burchard