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

Notes and Observations Of Light Rail Line 2

Redmond Technology Station Train / credit "Experience Redmond"

The April 27 ribbon-cutting for opening Light Rail "Line 2" was an historic day in Redmond.  The ceremony took place at Redmond Technology Station. Misty, 50-degree temps didn't stop the rush of thousands eager to experience their first ride on the Eastside.  My wife Pam and I had a terrific time!

The 6-mile, 17-minute trip from Redmond to south Bellevue had eight fun-filled station stops.  By far, the Overlake Village Station had the most exhibits, entertainment and food choices.  Unfortunately, we didn't have time to fully immerse, but I do have a few notes and observations to share:   

Redmond To Launch Small Business Resiliency Grant

REDMOND, WA - The City and OneRedmond are partnering on a small business grant fund, which will open for applications on Monday, Oct. 16. The program will offer relief in the form of one-time $5,000 grants to small, for-profit businesses that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and related public health measures.

The City is dedicating more than $500,000 to this fourth round of city-distributed funding, specifically designed for the small business community. The grant is funded by American Rescue Plan Act federal dollars and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) will be required prior to the award.

“The City of Redmond is committed to supporting small business owners,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “These small businesses bring a vibrant and vital energy to our local economy, and it is important that we nurture their success today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

Echoing Mayor Birney, Kristina Hudson, Chief Executive Officer for OneRedmond, said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they have been vulnerable to the lingering effects of the pandemic. OneRedmond is proud to partner again with the City of Redmond on this grant program to help support small businesses who are critical to our community’s economic vitality.”

Eligible businesses must be located within the City of Redmond zip code of 98052 and have 10 or fewer employees. Grants will be awarded through a lottery system performed by an external organization.

"Lodging Tax Advisory Committee" Stimulates Tourism

The community role of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) might be described as a business tourism alliance to "increase heads and beds."  It's funded by a 1% sales tax on participating hotels. 

Dan Angular, General Manager of the Redmond Marriott of Redmond Town Center said LTAC brings Redmond Chambers, Realize Redmond, and Redmond Economic Development Alliance (REDA) together to stimulate tourism.  

Over $337,300 was raised by the LTAC last year from a 1% hotel tax. So far, 50% of the tax revenue pays "Bullseye Creative" to rebrand the "Realize Redmond" website e.g. "Paint the Town" tag was removed. $31,365 pays promoting private and city sponsored events. Councilmember John Stilin recommended allocating more funds towards the events to attract more people and less emphasis on the website.