City moves forward on plan to re-locate Evans Creek

Evans Creek headwaters are in East King County along the Old Red Brick Road.  The creek continues north and west through SE Redmond industries, past Keller Farm, before it's confluence with Bear Creek.   Bear Creek flows into the Sammamish River which flows into Lake Washington and Puget Sound.

On May 1, the Redmond city council approved land acquisitions to relocate Evans Creek north and east and away from SE Redmond industries. (See map).  If negotiations to purchase the property are unsuccessful the Council approved  use of eminent domain.

The benefits of re-locating Evans Creek are many.  Relocation: 1) improves habitat for wild salmon and wildlife, 2)  increases the land values and opportunity for redevelopment of industrial properties, 3) encourages clean-up of hazardous waste and further safeguards the city aquifer 4) improves flood water conveyence, 5) enhances Bear-Evans Creek Trail recreation with restored riparian habitat.

Evans Creek is an important and valuable stream in SE Redmond that's been heavily impacted by industrial development and permiting violations, as has "AWR."  Read More >>

Brown's Garage Liquor License auctioned for $281,660



Bidder wins state liquor license for historic Brown's Garage

 According to Washington State Liquor Control Board records, Jeffrey Roh won the state auction for and rights to the downtown Redmond liquor store license, located at 16389 Redmond Way.

Roh's winning bid was $281,660. Roh used a Milton, WA. mailing address in the auction. He was also the successful bidder for the stores at Mukilteo and Issaquah.

The store, an attractive brick building once housed a 20-car repair shop owned in the 1920's  by Redmond's Mayor Bill Brown.  Known as "Brown's Garage"  this historic landmark is protected by laws governing historic buildings.

Several small businesses active in the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce were also involved in the auction process.

Reported and Photo By Bob Yoder

Opinion:  "Mayor Sits on 20-day Notice," April, 2010
Opinion:  "The City's New Liquor Store - You can't miss it."  April, 2010

Soul Food Book's "Sustainable Redmond" forum for tree preservation in Overlake a success.

City Council approves plan to strip out ALL 1,000  trees on this 28 acre Group Health site
Sustainable Redmond files lawsuit at Superior Court.

"Sustainable Wednesday" at Soul Food Books to feature Sustainable Redmond - Group to Speak for Tree Preservation in Overlake Village Redmond, WA

OPINION:  On Wednesday, March 28, Sustainable Redmond will be featured at the Soul Food Books’ monthly Sustainability Wednesday series.The program begins at 7pm and all are encouraged to attend. The discussion will focus on plans for the 28-acre Group Health hospital site in Overlake.  Read More >>

UPDATED: Councilmember Pat Vache' responds to neighborhood tree hazard

Sidewalk roped off from a tree hanging on wires

UPDATED:  In late January, mothers walked their children down this hill to school, many unaware of the blue spruce leaning over their heads, balanced on utility lines.

Yes, the third wave of our January snow, ice and rain storm was hard on neighborhoods.  It took four days to close this sidewalk on Education Hill and seven days to remove the tree hazard.  Fortunately, neighbors pressed; and no one was hurt.

City and utility companies were slow to respond, despite the imminent danger.   Various distraught neighbors called 911, the mayor's office and utility companies.  Public Works identified the wires as "harmless phone lines" owned by Comcast saying, "it is their responsibility to remove the tree."   Two Pubic Works employees and a police officer looked it over and "walked on," according to an Education Hill resident, John.
 

 Frustrated and upset, John emailed city councilman and Ombudsman Pat Vache' on January 31,   John wrote Pat, "I cannot believe how hard it's been to get Redmond's attention on this."  (John had called 911 twice, PSE and several neighbors on January 27.)  Another neighbor called Comcast and walked them to the site.  The tree was finally removed February 2 after city Ombudsman-of-the-month Pat Vache' stepped in and had the sidewalk barriers installed.  Mr. Vache' went out of his way to help us.  Read More >>

'Sustainable Redmond' Files Petition with Superior Court on Group Health Clear-cut Decision

Group Health 28-acre site to be clear-cut

January 25, 2012

Sustainable Redmond Files Land Use Petition

Redmond, WA – On January 24, Citizens and Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond filed a land use petition in King County Superior Court, seeking review of the City of Redmond’s decision to approve Group Health’s request to clear cut a 28-acre urban forest within the Overlake neighborhood so as to facilitate the development of a master planned mixed use development. This includes 65 landmark trees, estimated to be 150 to 250 years old, and 985 significant trees, up to 150 years old. Sustainable Redmond was joined in the appeal by Friends at Overlake Village, Villa Marina Condominium Association, and Rosemarie Ives, former mayor of Redmond, 1992-2007. In support of the appeal are the Eastside Audubon Society, Sherwood Forest Community Club (a nearby Bellevue neighborhood), and Techies for Trees (workers in the Overlake neighborhood).

Members from Sustainable Redmond, along with many local citizens and several groups, had urged the Council to reconsider the Group Health Overlake Village development agreement at public hearings in November and December. On December 13, the City Council approved, 6 to 1, the Group Health Overlake Village Master Plan and Development Agreement, with councilmember Allen dissenting.

While Sustainable Redmond supports transit-oriented development, Read More >>

Overlake Continues to Expand Clinic Network; Overlake Urgent Care Opens in Redmond

Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Creekside Crossing Shopping Center across the street from Safeway. 

Overlake Hospital Medical Center is continuing to grow its network of clinics on the Eastside.  Its brand new Urgent Care Clinic at Overlake Medical Clinics Redmond opened January 9, 2012. The clinic is located at Creekside Crossing Shopping Center in Redmond and will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“Overlake is an independent, community-focused hospital that is driven by the key objective of best serving the Eastside community,” said Craig Hendrickson, Overlake’s President and CEO. “The continued expansion and opening of this Urgent Care Clinic in Redmond allows us to continue to provide our patients with excellent care and our signature attention to detail, quality and patient safety.”

Disclosure:  Good journalistic practice requires I disclose our family experienced unsatisfactory service,  charges and medical care at Overlake Urgent Care Clinic of Redmond and Overlake Hospital Emergency Room.

 Read More >>

Satire on Redmond issue, video clip

"Portlandia on IFC" by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein.

Portlandia TV series begins Friday, January 6, 8PM Pacific.

Pretty funny! Can you identify three Redmond cultural issues in this clip?

Posted By Yoder

UPDATED: Letters: Delaying impact fees is a bad deal, except for builders.

LETTERS:  I recall that in the late-70s, early-80s, interest rates rose to nearly 20% and nobody could afford to buy a house. Entire housing developments that had been built were moth-balled for 6 or 7 years because there were no buyers. (Example: Forest Rim in Issaquah) From 1978-1983, inflation caused prices of most commodities to double and triple. The price of a pound of hamburger went from $.69 to $1.49 in less than a year.

If builders are allowed to postpone their impact fees for many years, will the impact fees be indexed to inflation? The price of building roads, sidewalks, sewers, parks and schools will continue to increase, while the impact fee will be set when the builder first applies for the permit. The school impact fee for a single family residence today is about $3,000. If a building permit is issued today, and the house isn’t completed and sold until 9 years from now when school impact fees have increased to, say, $15,000 per house, will the builder be required to pay $3,000 or $15,000? Allowing builders to pay impact fees when the house finally sells sounds like a bad deal for everyone, except the builders.
--By RNB Reader, 11/22
--submitted to RNB by comment under "Council considering impact fees to time of closing."

UPDATED:

from the desk of Councilmember John Stilin, Ombudsman for the month of November, 2011.

"....The scenario your letter writer [above] presented may be the case in Issaquah.  But here in Redmond impact fee amounts are calculated on the day the fee is paid, not the date the permit is issued.   If impact fees increase after a house is built and the fees have not been paid, the builder will need to pay the higher fee.  So in some cases, it might behoove the builder to pay the fee early to avoid a fee increase..."
  --Councilmember John Stilin, 11/22

Evergreen Healthcare and Virginia Mason Announce Strategic Partnership

 

Evergreen Healthcare and Virginia Mason Medical Center's boards announced today their intent to form a stragegic partnership. 

SEATTLE - KIRKLAND (Nov. 2, 2011) — Evergreen Healthcare and Virginia Mason Medical Center's boards announced today their intent to form a strategic partnership.

A letter of agreement is expected to be signed in mid-November. Through this partnership, Virginia Mason and Evergreen will collaborate to provide patients with the highest quality, cost-effective health care.

As partners, the two integrated health systems will remain independent while collaborating on wide-ranging initiatives from the shared use of medical services to the development of new treatments and technologies.

"In Evergreen, we've found a partner whose values and commitment to quality, innovation and superior outcomes at the lowest possible cost mirror our own," said Gary S. Kaplan, MD, chairman and CEO of Virginia Mason.

"This partnership is a platform from which both organizations will grow in ways that make clinical and economic sense for our patients, our communities, and each of the partners without costly duplication of services," said Kaplan.   Read More >>

Source:  Virginia Mason Website

Seattle Times article, 11/2

Stewart - The choice on Nov 8th

Stewart - The choice on Nov 8th



Sue Stewart

 As the days of the campaign draw to an end, some may be wondering what are the differences between Sue Stewart and my opponent. Is the incumbent a safe bet or is Sue Stewart the better candidate for Redmond?

For 15 years I have served the community of Redmond, often in partnership with representatives of our business community. My opponent, through his endorsements, would have you believe that he is the only pro-business candidate in this race. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that I understand and value the role of business in our city and the benefits these entities bring to our community. In recent discussions about the neighborhood commercial process, my opponent resisted the additional requirements for community input. Neighborhood Commercial has great potential for bringing small businesses to the edge of our neighborhoods but I believe that the size, scope, and esthetics of these establishments have to be thoroughly vetted with the neighbors.  Read More >>

Mayor John Marchione to attend ribbon-cutting ceremony for Deana Hale, November 4.

Mayor John Marchione attends many ribbon-cutting ceremonies throughout the year
 to welcome small businesses.  This one was for The Orchard & Pea Patch preschools.
On Friday November 4 the Mayor will welcome Deana Hale of Edward Jones.



Deana Hale
Edward Jones office
Whole Foods Marketplace

UPDATED:  On Friday, November 4, Mayor John Marchione will welcome Deana Hale and the Edward Jones office to Redmond at a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Whole Foods Market Place, 17887 Redmond Way, Suite 125. The celebration begins at 4pm with the ribbon cutting at 4:30pm.

According to the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce, the Edward Jones office is now led by Deana Hale, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones since December 2009. Deana is active in the community through her involvement in the Redmond Rousers Rotary, the Redmond Chamber of Commerce and the Eastside Women in Business.

“As Redmond continues to grow its economy, I want to personally welcome new businesses to Redmond,” stated Mayor Marchione.  Read More >>

UPDATE: 60 shoppers turn out for School District Surplus sale

UPDATE, 11/10 -- We stopped by the warehouse at 11:30, just before closing out of curiosity and to see if there was anything good for the pickings. Not.

George Walker - the friendly and helpful warehouseman gave us the complete run-down, as follows: 35 shoppers were lined up outside the warehouse before opening at 7:30AM. One person camped out the night before. (Confirmed by two LWSD warehouseman). Just over 60 purchases were made.

According to state law - outlying school districts and private schools get first dibs on the merchandise. Sutlan School District picked up all the netbooks and carts. Seattle School district was the number two buyer, followed by Faith Lutheran School on Ed. Hill. The Kimball piano was picked up by an LW district el. school. Most of the many remaining desktop computers will go to Mars Recycling. Book brokers will bid on the thousands of remaining books. Most of the kitchen and workshop stuff was junky and remained.

Auctions were held up until about 6 years ago (though auctions still take place for LWHS and Finn Hill JH). George said, "I hold items before the sale that I think the district could use."  (folding tables, etc.)

B.Y.

View Larger Map

SURPLUS FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT, & MATERIAL SALE

This Sale is Open to the General Public

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Preview 7:30 - 8:00

Sale Hours  8:00 - 12:00 Noon
Warehouse Annex
15130 NE 95th Street, Redmond, WA.

Goods must be removed between 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM

Please Contact George Walker, Warehouse Manager if you have any questions.

425-936-1140

A flyer with this Surplus Sale announcement was distributed a couple of days ago to school facilites by the Administration.  There's no announcement on the district website, at this time.   I'm publishing this for the community so they can plan for the sale, too.   Share this news with your friends!  B.Y.

Redmond Council Candidate Sue Stewart works to make Redmond a livelier place.

Challenger Sue Stewart
Education Hill Neighbor

from the desk of Sue Stewart, Redmond  City Council Candidate, Pos. 7...

"I recently participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. We were asked to respond to four questions, and I wanted to share the questions, and my answers with you over the next week here as well.

How would you help make Redmond a livelier place?

Redmond is a great place to live, work, and play – we know that, but we can do better. The City of Redmond can help to promote places and activities that the community wants, like more dining choices, recreation, and entertainment. This is something that I have heard from my neighbors and friends who have suggested places like..>>

UPDATED: LWSD School Board announce date and location for "Surplus Sale" of obsolete school items.

The date of the sale is November 5.
Find the Sale announcement and map to the warehouse here:  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2011/10/school-district-surplus-sale-is.html

####

On September 27th, the School Board approved Resolution 2111 declaring a long list of obsolete school items as surplus.  Superintendent Kimball is now authorized to "distribute, transfer, sell, and dispose" of these items.

District Director Kathryn Reith writes, "the district warehouse manager determines the sale date and time and the sales price for each item."    Ms. Reith wouldn't give the month or year for the sale.  In the past they've had Surplus Sales in February, March, and April.  UPDATE:  The Sale is November 5th. 

According to Communications Director Reith:

"Items at our surplus sales are sold as is.  Potential buyers are encouraged to come to the sale, when it is scheduled, to see the items for themselves.   "They [the sale items] are open to everyone [the public] on the same basis – staff do not get preference."

A list of some of the items for sale, transfer, disposal, distribution:
1 ea.   Piano (Kimball brand)
1 ea.   Pickup, 1991 GMC K2500
1 lot   Gymnastic Equipment and mats
1 lot   PE Equipent (bats, golf clubs, balls, racquests, badminton nets, etc.)
1 lot   Hand tools (hammers, wood planes, files, vices, lathe, cutters, drills, shop equipment, etc)
1 lot   Glazing/Glass Shop Equipment, fire extingisher, heat lamps
3 lots  Bookcases, chairs ,cabinets, carts, desks,
3 lots  Microwaves, kitchen mixers, kitchen stove (household), kitchen smallwares, ovens, refrigerators
33 ea  Digital Camera, Assorted;  26 ea  Camcorder, Assorted; 1 lot  PDA's, Assorted
1 lot   AV Equipment (VCR's O/H Projectors, Speakers, etc.) and Editing Equipment (editing decks, etc.)
110ea LCD Projectors, Mitsubish and Philips
443ea Netbooks, Assorted Models;  390 ea Computers, HP Model D510, DC530,DC5000
467ea Monitors, Compaq and HP 2700,S710,S720

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

LETTER: Commercial development in our neighborhoods? Enough is Enough.

LETTER:  "The Planning commission writes, "We certainly understand the need to keep residential development and rendering plants separate, but do not see the immediate incompatibility of a corner coffee shop, produce store or bakery with the needs of residents who might walk to such an establishment." This kind of "planning" seems very out of touch with reality. The reality is that development in each zone is largely complete. We already have plenty of coffee shops, produce stores, and bakery shops in Redmond. We folks moved out to the suburbs (Redmond) and fell into the State Growth Management Act (1990). A tension was established that pits constant development with a desire for open space, and quality of life. Enough is enough. Let us live in peace, without commercial development in our neighborhoods."

By Richard Morris

Education Hill

This opinion is an excerpted, signed comment written under the post about 'Two planning commissioners Minority report on micro-level neighborhood commercial.'   Your Letters and Opinions are welcome.  Please send them by comment or to my email.   Include your name if you are comfortable doing so.  B.Y.

Planning Commissioner Tom Flynn co-authors Minority Report to council urging "micro-level" neighborhood commercial

Six Neighborhood Commercial zones have been approved  for large

 grocery store-type developments, like "PCC" at Avondale &amp

 116th Ave and "Bridle Trails" at 132nd Ave. NE and Old Redmond Road.

One development is allowed per zone.  CLICK 2X TO ENLARGE

"We certainly understand the need to keep residential development and rendering plans separate, but do not see the immediate incompatibility of a corner coffee shop, produce store or bakery with the needs of residents who might walk to such an establishment."

-- Redmond Planning commissioners Phil Miller and Tom Flynn's Minority Report to City Council on "Neighborhood Commercial," as follows: 

"We need to remind ourselves that one of the principal justifications we have been given for the establishment of the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) classification is to improve “walkability” in our neighborhoods. [  ] We have not seen to our satisfaction that forcing neighborhood residents to walk an extra ½ mile accomplishes anything but encourage the use of automobiles for even very short trips. ½ mile excludes a large number of people in Redmond from convenient commercial. [  ] It isn’t the intent to force car trips downtown, but this certainly is the effect.  Read More >>

Redmond's Ben Wobker - owner of Lake Washington Physical Therapy - "Gives Back" to Eastside community

Ben Wobker and Mandie video-tape client running on the treadmill   during "gait analysis"  Ben and Mandie evaluate and video client walking Ben Wobker, P.T., community leader and owner of Lake Washington Physical Therapy, performed a free "gait analysis" for 30 Eastside residents on Saturday morning.  The event was advertised on the clinic's facebook page and word of mouth. UPDATED:  If you've been to any Redmond High School basketball, football, or cross-country sporting events you've probably heard of Ben Wobker.  Ben, the son of  Horace Mann teacher David Wobker, graduated from RHS with seven letters in Football, Cross-country and Leadership honors.   Ben is an award-winning* physical therapist and runs a successful eastside therapy business.  To me, three words describe him best: Ben Gives Back...to his community!   Ben analyzes gait with client and makes recommendations Every year Ben councils Coach Villineuve's highly ranked Cross Country teams with free "gait analysis" and discounts on shoes. Once the co-owner of Redmond Physical Therapy, he offered free fittings and discounts on knee and ankle braces for Mustang teams. You'll also see Ben at high school career fairs and mentoring students in his clinic. But, Ben's food drive efforts with HopeLink may be his biggest community contribution. Two years ago, Ben started "March Can Madness" -- a competition between Redmond businesses -- to collect the most food from their customers for HopeLink. To this day, Ben still waives the $30 fee for missed appointments with a food donation!  Next year, Lake Washington Physical Therapy will sponsor HopeLink's "Turkey Trot" fundraiser.   After eight years service as co-owner at Redmond Physical Therapy, Ben decided to expand his brand to Kirkland. Last month he celebrated his first year as owner of Lake Washington Physical Therapy.  Already he plans to hire a 4th therapist! Mandie Majerus, PT worked with Ben for years in Redmond. Both graduated from University of Montana. (Mandie's entering the Iron man in Canada; she worked as a therapist in Antarctica for a year!)  Some trivia:  In Washington, many insurance companies don't require a physician referral to see a physical therapist.     Brooks, Mizuno, Asics track shoes fill the display windows. Ben contracted "Everyday Athlete" to sell the shoes. "Even though Kirkland's downtown vacancy was 22% last year we still had to meet "non-medical retail" zoning requirements," said Ben.  *Ben Wobker was voted "2010 Best Physical Therapist" by the readers of Eastside's "425 Magazine". Ben's Bio,  Address:  209 Kirkland Ave., adjacent the Heathman Hotel. 425-629-3502.  Directions. Opinion and Report By Bob Yoder Photos By Yoder

City celebrates $107,755 renovation of historic Anderson Park shelter - Rotary Club hosts event

from the desk of Pam Mauk, Executive Director, Together Center... 

Anderson Park shelter is located in Redmond's first park

Rotary Club of Redmond hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate renovation of historic Anderson Park

Rotary Club of Redmond, a key partner in the renovation of a 1938 Anderson Park shelter, will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the renovation on Thursday, August 25, at 1 pm. The newly-renovated park shelter is located in the north-east corner of Anderson Park in the heart of Redmond at 7802 168th Ave NE.

All are welcome to join the club for the ribbon cutting and cake. The gathering will last about a half hour.

The Anderson Park shelter is one of the city’s most popular shelters and is often reserved for family barbecues or birthday parties. The Rotary committee chose to participate in this project because of the historical significance it has in Redmond and the shelter acts as a gathering place for individuals in the community.  Read More >>

Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane and Simulator visits Bella Bottega Shopping Center

 J. Michael Kelly's "Degree" Hydroplane, courtesy Reinke

UPDATED:  If you happened to be shopping at Bella Bottega, Tuesday the 26th, you may have notices one of Seafair's unlimited hydroplane's in the QFC parking lot.  Visitors were invited to test out their skills behind the wheel in a Nascar Simulator. 

B-Reporter John Reinke observed  Seafair racer "J. Michael Kelly's signature scrawled across the hatch" of the trailered hydroplane.

Kelly resides in Bonney Lake, WA.  He's started in 45 races during his six year career driving unlimited hydroplanes. The 31-year-old Kelly was named 2004 Rookie of the Year  He will race for the Chevrolet Cup at Seafar, August 3-7.

Find the informative Seafair calendar of events here!