Nami Eastside "Healing through Connection" GALA

"The National Alliance of the Mentally Ill" (NAMl) Eastside chapter celebrated its many years of community service October 10th with a GALA dinner event at the Redmond Marriot. The theme was "Healing Through Connection."  Over 100 attended with many stories shared of personal struggles and recoveries.  I connected with several attendees about personal bipolar stigmatization.  

Over ~ $97,000 was raised, mostly during an energetic auction.  The auctioneer, Jonathan West was very entertaining and effective.  He's a radio talk-show host for "warm 106.9."  He was a class act with his own story to tell.  Some of the items auctioned were:  Seahawk vs. 49er tickets, an AirB&B overnighter, Alaska Air tickets, a Woodinville winery taste, Kraken Club ticket seats, restaurant dinners, dinner deserts and mental health wellness baskets.

The event attracted several of our elected officials:  Don Constantine and Sarah Perry were honored and gave speeches. Roger Goodman and Osman Salahuddin dined with the crowd.  

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Text, Call, or Chat)

Contact Nami-Eastside

info@nami-eastside.org

--Bob Yoder, NAMI member

   10/10/24

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Early Learning Center

In 2016, Lake Washington School District received a bond approval to begin renovating the original schoolhouse to be the district’s first early learning center. It technically opened in September of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to celebrate its opening. Instead, a crowd gathered on February 1, 2023 to mark the delayed opening with a presentation, ribbon cutting and a community open house.

Fun fact: Redmond Coucilmember Osman Sulahuddin is in this video. He always wears clean white sneakers😃. Osman is the youngest member on Council and he represents our youth exceptionally well.

posted by Yoder

10/12/2024

Sign Up For Osman's "Youth Board" - Be A Voice For The Eastside.

 

YOUTH BOARD: As a Redmond Councilmember, one of my main goals has been to engage more youth in the political process. That is why I'm excited to announce the launch of my Youth Board, a chance to participate in advocacy, policy initiatives, community events, and more! If you are a middle school or high school student (or if you know of someone who may be interested), this is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in the field and allow you to be a voice for youth all across the eastside! Applications are due on Wednesday, October 16th at 11:59 PM. Apply here: https://bit.ly/os-youthboard,

UPDATED: Plymouth Housing "Lunch & Learn," Together Center

 Rendering of the downtown Redmond
Plymouth project

The Together Center is hosting a Plymouth Housing "Lunch and Learn" event on Tuesday, August 13, 12 - 1:30 PM.  The Together Center is located at 16305 NE 75th Street, Redmond.

The purpose of the event is for the community to:  

1) learn about Plymouth Housing permanent supportive housing services for the chronic homeless.   

2) fulfill the City requirement to develop  community relations plan for the downtown Plymouth - Redmond project and asks for topics of your interest;   

3) organize a "Community Advisory Group" (CAG.)  The event invitation and CAG application is HERE. (RSVP is strongly recommended.)

The CAG will develop operation plans, review the plans, share feedback, and support ongoing community engagement.  

City Council deliberated on the development and importance of the CAG in last week's Study Session meeting.  Councilmember Osman Saladuhhim strongly recommended involving community members in the advisory process even if they aren't formally on the CAG.  Councilmember Steve Fields noted some residents have fears and recommended they apply.

According to Plymouth's website, King County has a "goal of developing 4,000 units of Permanent Supportive Housing by 2050."  Plymouth-Redmond will house 100 chronic homeless individuals.    

-- Bob Yoder, 7/19/2024

UPDATED: Significant Redmond Capital Investment Projects

For years untold, the CIP was short for "Capital Improvement Project."  The Birney Administration changed the meaning of CIP to "Capital Investment Project." 

Public Works Director Aaron Birt reported on several significant capital investment projects in Council's last study session.  Two Directors flanked the Mayor at the table during his presentation.  Mayor Birney took notes and didn't participate other than noting the beautiful the flowers growing along a capital park project.  

Birt reported the following significant capital investment projects (CIP) affecting Council's budget process.

>> Remaining City Hall construction debt service and contractual costs totaling $17,476,484 (2025-2030.) 

>> Redeveloping and expanding the Maintenance & Operation Center (MOC) penciled out six years ago expenditures of  $150,000,000, 2023-2026.  Birt told Council the funds were "already stashed under the mattress" and in the budget.  He then "shocked" council requesting an additional $75,000.  Councilmember (CM) Steve Fields pointed to the Office of the Mayor's office over council's deep concerns six years ago at $150M.  VP Councilmember Jessika Forsythe asked Birt how confident he was with $225M   She noted "decision fatigue" for having to cope with continued new "asks." Forsythe asked for Birt's $225M level of confidence.  He couldn't' promise a hard number; that his estimate would have to be in a range.   

>> Investments in the "Bellewether City Annex" in Overlake were significant.  Director Carol Helland noted a condo was purchased by the city for $618,000.  CM Stuart lives in Overlake and was thrilled about the building's opportunity for affordable housing.  Coumcilmember Osman Salahuddin agreed with Helland about it being a "mini-city hall" for business licensing and a police sub-station.  

Details and a description of the Bellwether Annex are found here.

-- Bob Yoder, 7/15/2024

CITY WATCH - UPDATED: Council / Mayor Salaries and Benefits

Council upped their health benefit premiums to full time rates and kept family rates, as is. They're concerned the mayor's Salary Commission isn't diverse. CM Osman Saladunnin noted the commission was all male. In addition to the $300/month stipend CM Jessica Forsythe suggested a ~ $200 / month stipend for transportation/convention was discussed..  CM Melissa Stuart pushed for additional stipends targeted to councilmember's cost of housing and day care.  CM Fields said the other councilmembers should have a stipend since  they have extenuating circumstances, too. Since their deliberations are being dragged out I will file a public records request in September.  -- Yoder

The mayor's base salary last year was $145,000. After further deliberation this June, Council decided to raise her base to $170,000 in 2025 with COLA's increasing the mayor's salary to $182,100 by 2027.  Council used the Park and IT Director's $228,000 salaries as benchmarks.  Council spent most of their time fussing over the car allowance.  They reached a $500/month number with and .65 milage allowance. Cell phone and ORCA is covered.  Councilmember Anderson did much to tease out and clarify benefit information.  

They make about $2,000/month now I think  and I'm thinking, in addition to enhanced health benefits and stipends their salary will double with COLA's included with some benefits matching staff's.   Each councilmember will receive $300/month stipend and .65 milage allowance.  ORCA card was a big thing.  Council is a part-time job, yet many work almost full-time and expect high compensation. Two members need more affordable housing, another has day-care expenses.  

The State requires an independent Salary Commission to make salary decisions for elected officials.  The commission, assigned by Mayor Birney's office last year was dysfunctional, recommending outrageous salaries, not counting benefits of approximately $8,000/year. - $114,00/year. She expunged the commission and on June 26, 2024 lined up commission citizens with stature:  Arnie Tomac and Hank Margeson (past Council Presidents,) Roy Captain (retired Planning Commission Chair and LWSD volunteer,) Arpit Gupa (council candidate,) Dave Cline (city finance experience,) Mousam Krismues and Dwight Ackerman.

-- Bob Yoder, 7/6/2024  opinion

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

Letter To The Editor: Disabled Residents Shouldn't Be Left Homeless On Our Streets

Councilmember Osman Salahuddin

From the desk of Redmond Councilmember Osman Salahuddin...

Bob, I believe that you and I fundamentally agree that we don’t want our seniors, veterans, and residents with disabilities to be homeless and living on the streets. They deserve to be able to live in their community and have the help that they need to get by. 

Because of this agreement, our Council has spent a great deal of time addressing this decision. Because I take my responsibility to you as your Councilmember very seriously, I have personally been looking directly into the data about our city in guiding my decision. I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned with you to further our discussion about this important issue.

 

What I’ve learned about our City of Redmond (see data links below for verification):

• 3,916 of our neighbors are earning less than $15,000 annually (at or below Federal poverty line);
• 6,401 of our neighbors are living with a disability, some of which impacts their earning ability;
• 7,502 of our neighbors are seniors ages 65+, some of whom cannot afford the rising cost of living;
• 1,913 of our neighbors are veterans, many of whom are part of those earning less than $15,000;
• These are Our community members, who need Our help to stay housed and safe.

 

The intention of the 100 units of permanent supportive housing that Plymouth is offering our community is to house (in the downtown) our seniors, our veterans, and our residents living with disabilities. To add to this, we have an incredible shortage of housing at all levels, so to meet the needs of our own residents – specifically – for safe and healthy places to live, we need to provide housing opportunities for people at or below the adjusted median income of $30,000 annually. The location will be ideal for folks who are experiencing disabilities with its proximity to the Light Rail station. 

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 Council Position No. 1 Contenders - BIO and Priorities

 Redmond City Council Position No. 1 

Contenders

NATE NIEDERHAUSERN

Redmond Council Position No. 1

Priorities and BIO

OSMAN SALAHUDDIN

Redmond Council Position No. 1

Priorities and BIO