UPDATED ENDORSEMENT: The Stewart - Carson race for Redmond City Council is one to watch.

For an archive of all RNB Election news, stories, and opinions or to comment, please visit this page.

Bob & Pam Yoder

Dear Friends,

UPDATED ENDORSEMENT:   We're less than a week away from the November 8 General Election!  You may have already cast your ballot in the mail; some are waiting to hear the "rest of the story."   If you're undecided about voting at all, I hope some of the election resources and comments you read here will move you to take a moment and vote.

Wouldn't you know it, November is the beginning of the flood season and  it could rain 'cats and dogs' the day you need to mail your ballot!  Find comfort!  A drive-through Ballot Drop Off  Box awaits your vote at Redmond City Hall and other convenient drive-through locations.  Just pop it in the secure, Green metal box - no need for a stamp!  The good news:  Convenience!  Comfort!  Hardly a wait.  (The Boxes close at 8PM, Election night). 

Redmond Neighborhood Blog (RNB) is not endorsing any one candidate this year.  RNB has no Editorial Board, though as a voting Redmond resident I'm expressing my personal opinion on candidates.

Make your voice heard on RNB.  Please send your comments, arguments, passion, and counter-points to RNB for publication (and take courage and mail a copy to the Redmond Reporter for the broader coverage they provide.)  "RNB Facebook Page" is a good stop, too.

Pam and I are personally endorsing most candidates on their campaign websites, including Sue Stewart, Hank Myers, Tom Flynn, Mayor John Marchione, King County Councilmember Jane Hague, Incumbent Port President Bryant and school district candidates Siri Bliesner,  President Jackie Pendergrass, and Christopher Carlson.  I hope my blog will provide a useful resource for your own decisions.   

I'm posting a series of  reports and arguments, pro and con, on the contested local races for Redmond City Council.  (The school and hospital district races are uncontested).  I watch the Council and School Board meetings almost every week and can't wait to share my observations and opinions with you.

The Stewart-Carson race is the most exciting race for me and I will personally focus on it.  My wife and I favor Sue Stewart for Redmond Council Pos.7.  The "Municipal League of King County", the Cascade Bicycle Club, and small business owners like John James of Instant Imprints all like Stewart.

Sue Stewart #7, Tom Flynn #5 and Hank Margeson are rated  "VERY GOOD"  by the non-partisan "Municipal League." Hank Myers and David Carson #7 rate "GOOD."  Joel Wright #5 rates "ADEQUATE."
On August 8, 2011, Mr. Carson wrote: 

"I did not participate with the Municipal League’s rating interview or their questionnaire this year. I believe them to be less-than-impartial and a complete waste of my time."

Mayor Marchione is trying his hardest to move our blossoming city forward in the right direction.  He needs the support and intelligence of an independent-thinking, balanced council team.  Please help him put it together on November 8th with your vote.

Sincerely,

Bob Yoder
Education Hill Neighborhood
Redmond resident of 30 years

OPINION: Seattle Times article a "must read" on tolling Initiative 1125 controversy

520 bridge

OPINION:   At the Oct. 4 council meeting Redmond Mayor Marchione  OPPOSED Initiative 1125, as he addressed council before their vote on a Resolution on the initiative:   

"520 is an economic lifeline to the city of Redmond. It's in the direct interests of the City of Redmond and our economic development and our community; and the Resolution be opposed and take the leadership required."

The Redmond City Council majority followed the Mayor and voted AGAINST an endorsement Initiative 1125 (5-2).  Incumbents David Carson and Hank Myers made a political vote FOR the Resolution to endorse Initiative 1125. 

David Carson is challenged by Sue Stewart for Redmond City Council Pos. 7.

According to the TIMES, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce is AGAINST Initiative 1125 (which is significant in that "one of Bellevue's most prominent businessmen, Kemper Freeman, is the biggest backer of I-1125, contributing more than $1 million to the campaign.).  

SEATTLE TIMES REPORT:  Local News Eyman challenges state's route on tolls Seattle Times Newspaper

By Andrew Garber, 10/1/2011
Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — Tim Eyman and state officials agree on one thing: His tolling initiative on the November ballot would upend state plans for reducing traffic congestion and financing costly highway construction, including the Highway 520 floating-bridge project.

Eyman says Initiative 1125 would make lawmakers more accountable for raising and spending billions of dollars in tolls, and would make tolling fairer by banning variable-rate tolls that he says hit the state's poorest residents the hardest.

But it also would undermine long-term efforts, state transportation officials say, to find an alternative to gas taxes to help finance highway construction.  READ MORE >> 

Opinion By Bob Yoder
Internet photo - Cascadia

Op-Ed: "Next Steps on Traffic and School Safety Cameras," By Cole and Marchione

Next Steps on Traffic & School Safety Cameras

Redmond Council President Richard Cole & Mayor John Marchione

September 2011 

Pres. Richard Cole

 Op-Ed:  As many residents are aware, Redmond established a pilot traffic and school zone safety program earlier this year. The goals of this program are simple: (1) modify dangerous driver behavior and (2) prevent car-pedestrian accidents in school zones. 

Traffic safety has long been one of our community’s top concerns, and this program promised to be an effective use of technology to affect behavior, reduce the cost of enforcement and improve traffic safety. Much like the shoplifting cameras we see in so many grocery and retail stores, the cameras collect evidence of possible violations. This evidence is then reviewed by an officer to determine if an actual violation occurred. Then and only then is a ticket issued.



Mayor John Marchione

The violation does not go on one’s driving record, and the City Council has mandated that any funds remaining after court costs be dedicated to capital projects that improve traffic and pedestrian safety. By using technology in this way, the City could otherwise put its limited number of police officers to work in schools, in neighborhoods, and around town to address other public safety issues that are important to Redmond’s citizens. From the beginning, the Council and the Mayor committed to review this pilot program after a year.

We have appreciated the many residents we have heard from on both sides of the issue over two years of public process, from emails to conversations at National Night Out events in August to public testimony at Council meetings. Consistent with what we have told residents all along, next month we will review all the data and community input gathered to date to determine the future of the program.

The recent initiative petition will be another important consideration in this discussion, and represents the wishes of some who would like to vote on traffic/school safety cameras in February 2012.

It is worthwhile to note that the petition circulated in Redmond is virtually identical to one in the City of Bellingham that was recently invalidated by the Washington Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals noted in the Bellingham case that a petition to require a vote on traffic and school safety cameras “exceeds the lawful scope of the initiative power; it is not a valid ballot measure.”

Despite the court’s ruling on the petition’s validity, the Council and Mayor have heard the perspective of our residents who signed it, and will consider this along with all the data and other feedback we have received as part of our ongoing assessment.

Our evaluation will be completed by December, well before any referendum can be held. To discontinue this review at this time would be a disservice to our community, and an abdication of the City Council’s duty on an issue which the Court of Appeals has clearly affirmed is its responsibility. As we prepare for these discussions next month, we continue to welcome your thoughts at mayorcouncil@redmond.gov.

Op-Ed By Council President Richard Cole and Mayor John Marchione

September, 2011

Redmond Ranked #1 by Forbes for "Cities with the Happiest Young Professionals"

DanitaDelimon.com, News.com SAMMAMISH RIVER TRAIL


"The Cities with the Happiest Young Professionals"
By Jacquelyn Smith
Forbes, September 9, 2011

"Heading the list of the cities with the happiest young professionals, Redmond earned an overall score of 3.835. Workers there expressed the most optimism in the Benefits category, which scored 4.260."

Its list [CareerBliss] of the 20 happiest cities for young professionals is based on analysis from thousands of employee generated reviews between 2010 and 2011. Young professionals, defined by CareerBliss as employees with less than 10 years’ experience in a full-time position, were asked to rate eight factors that affect workplace happiness, including growth opportunities, compensation, benefits, work-life balance, career advancement, senior management, job security and whether they would recommend their employer others.

“In our research, CareerBliss found that young professionals take career happiness very seriously,” says the company’s chief executive, Heidi Golledge. “Typically, they will continue to keep their résumé active on job boards just in case something more fulfilling comes along, and they are typically two to three times more likely than their parents to jump jobs for more career happiness. In short, they take the right to pursuit happiness to heart and will typically not stay at a job with poor conditions for very long, and they will even relocate to get out of an unhappy work environment.”

If you’re looking to move to a happier place, you might consider Redmond, Wash.  Read More >>

Redmond's John Marchione named "Best Mayor 2011" by Seattle Weekly

Mayor Marchione kicking off the city's "First Friday Coffee Chat"

at Redmond's Senior Center, 2009. 

Redmond Mayor named "Best Mayor" in 2011 by "Seattle Weekly"

The re-election campaign of Redmond Mayor John Marchione began with his kickoff breakfast on May 11 and ended one month later when the Elections Department window closed and nobody had signed up to oppose him. The 46-year-old former director of finance and administration at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center served one term on the city council, then swept into the mayor’s office in 2007 with a nearly 60-percent majority vote. He’s neighborhood-centric in the once-small town (pop. 54,000 today), where he grew up watching its identity fade into the engulfing exurbia, and his business background helps him stay abreast in the place best known as the home of Microsoft. But first the community, then the corporations, says Marchione. “We shouldn’t predict what the next business will be,” he said at his kickoff, “but we should be a place where the next business would want to come because of the high quality of life.” RICK ANDERSON Mayor’s Office, 425-556-2101, redmond.gov

Read the entire Seattle Weekly's "Best of" article here.   

Read RNB story on Mayor's Coffee Chat topic:  "Mayor Marchione gives his vision of  Downtown"

Photo by Bob Yoder

Laughs are on President Richard Cole as Council plans the Centennial

President Richard Cole

Laughs are on President Richard Cole as Council plans the Centennial

UPDATED:  At the end of each Study Session Meeting, Council usually has a "Talk Time" to chat about miscellaneous things not covered in their business session.   The July 12 session was literally one to remember.   It started with chatter about this year's Derby Days event and ended with belly laughs from tales of President Richard Cole's days past.  Here goes:  Read More >>

Who's behind the Redmond Chamber of Commerce? And what are they doing?

UPDATED:  The Redmond Chamber of Commerce is participating in a 'feasibility study' with two city funded, public-private partnerships.  The goal is to coordinate business development fund-raising.   The Chamber also appears to be working on a membership drive. Their Board of Trustee membership is listed below. 

The Redmond Chamber of Commerce attracts organizations from cities outside of Redmond and so is named the "Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce."  A few of  the major outside members are:  Evergreenhealthcare (Kirkland), Puget Sound Energy (Bellevue), Reporter Newspapers (Kent), and *Allied Waste (Lynnwood).  The following  is an excerpt from a Redmond chamber newsletter:   Read More >>

John Marchione's first speech as mayor touches on Derby Days

John Marchione gives his first speech as mayor (1/12/08) to the Redmond Historical Society about Derby Days. Mayors Christine Himes and Rosemarie Ives attended. This video is a snippet from John's talk. Miguel Llanos, today's Senior Vice President of the Redmond Historical Society asks a question about the Centennial.

Video and Report by Bob Yoder

Fire fighters play paddle ball at Redmond Junior High



Redmond Fire and Medic Trucks parked at Redmond Junior High
in the sun late Friday afternoon

  

Redmond fire fighters and medics playing paddle ball on
the tennis courts today. 

I've seen fire trucks parked at Redmond Junior High before and wasn't sure what was going on. Saw em again today. Fire gear was out, but no smoke. No alarms. No hoses. No water. No one flat on the ground getting CPR. Then, Pam waved towards the tennis courts....

Low and behold we saw about eight fire fighters playing paddle ball.  They were good!   Lean and agile and moving quickly, these guys are definitely athletes.  With the short paddles they were really zipping around.

You know how Microsoft is known for their "team building" events where they go bowling or do some other activity in small groups?   I figure this is a team building exercise, a moral booster, and a fun way for our fire fighters to stay fit.   The Redmond Police were out running for the Special Olympics today.  Why not a little team building for Redmond Fire where their fitness is on display!

Next time I see them playing, I'll stop by and say hi.  Perhaps I'll see the new fire chief?  Or even the Mayor?   Mayor John lives only five minutes away!

Opinion by Bob Yoder
IPhone Photos by Yoder

Redmond "Community Indicators Report" is Revealing

John Marchione

Mayor Marchione's April, 2011 cover letter to the 6th annual "Redmond Community Indicators" report is informative, positive and revealing: 

"Dear Neighbors:   Every year we update a variety of indicators to track our progress towards achieving the City's future vision and goals.  These indicators not only help us see trends, but also can help you stay informed about steps we take to advance your priorities"...and are a means of tracking our planning process.  

The Mayor writes:  Salmon count on Bear Creek is up, Parks, Rec, and Cultural event access is now reported and trending up, and "many people are taking greater advantage of city offerings online with more permits issued (63%) and more web visits (6.7M) [*on the old platform] than in previous years." (1)  Digging into the 2010 report, albeit selectively, we find some interesting tidbits: 

• PUBLIC SAFETY:  Firemen's average Response time improved by 3 seconds to 6 min 0 sec.   
• The average emergency medical response times worsened by seven seconds to 6 min 38 seconds, [assuming stop watches were calibrated.]   
• FIRE:  No trend in city fire prevention or mitigation:   0.3 Fires spread beyond room of origin.  6 fire investigations reported damage exceeded $10,000 in 2010. 
• CRIME:  Residential and commercial burglaries (198), identity thefts (202), and motor vehicle prowls (612) are up from 2009.  Violent crimes (51) decreased. 
• COLLISIONS:  The trend is down for vehicle collisions (22) involving bike/peds.  The numbers of vehicle collisions not involving bike/peds are down from 899 (2006) to 767 (2010).  [The downward trend in collisions was recorded prior to the red light safety camera program.]  
• TRAFFIC:  Traffic growth at intersections increased 7.6% in 12 years (1996-2008)
• AM COMMUTE:  36% of employees surveyed (CTR) in 2009 arrived at work by a mode other than driving alone.  The trend is up:  in 2003, 25% traveled in non-single occupancy morning trips.
• SCHOOL BUS:  The trend in student bus ridership is up:  38% of students (9200) rode the bus to school in 2009 vs. 31% in 2008.  (Mass transit included).  Total student population is 24,085. 
• LW DISTRICT SCHOOLS:  The graduation rate for the District as a whole was 87% in 2010.  The graduation rate for Redmond High School was 88%.
• FISH & WILDLIFE:   "While not a long term trend, 65,000 juvenile Chinook were counted in Bear Creek in 2009."  24 spawning Chinook were counted in Bear Creek, 2010.
• Bird watchers at Marymoor Park ID'd two new species in 2010:  Sandhill Crane and Common Poorwill.  Bald Eagle sightings are more common than 10 years ago.  240 Great Blue Heron sightings.
• STREAMS:   50% of stream sites tested for Stream Water Quality are "marginal".  50% of streams are considered safe for human contact and can support fish and wildlife.  (Updated January, 2011).  Starting in 2009, samples are not taken during or after rainstorms when water quality declines.
• Read More by clicking the blue link >>

Marchione Administration holds "networking meetings" for Education Hill and North Redmond residents.

Redmond Neighborhoods (9)

OPINION:  One of Mayor Marchione's goals this year is to improve government transparency in the Neighborhoods of Redmond, including Overlake.  John's Administration is implementing  "The Neighborhood Network" program to build on city government visibility, networking opportunities and awareness of our neighborhoods.

Education Hill and North Redmond Network Neighborhood meetings were held earlier this month.  Per 2010 US Census, the Education Hill neighborhood population is ~12,000 residents; the North Redmond neighborhood population is ~ 4,000 residents.  This census information and the following letter from Kim Dietz was generously provided by the Marchione Administration upon request.    B.Y.

from the desk of Kim Dietz...  

The April 7th Neighborhood Network meeting went quite well.  Approximately 30 neighbors from the Education Hill and North Redmond neighborhoods attended.  Councilmember Cole was also in attendance.   Read more of Kim's Letter >>

Large Metro transit service reductions forecast for 2012 - 2015

Redmond transit but stop

Large Metro transit service reductions are forecast of 2012 - 2015 owing to a drop in sales tax revenues.

During this week's Redmond city council study session some startling statistics for King County's Metro transit were laid out:  

• 62% of Metro's budget is supplied by sales tax
• During 2008 - 2010 sales tax revenue dropped significantly.
• Large service service reductions are forecast for 2012 - 2015.
• A shortfall of 600,000 hours of existing bus service could result in 2012 -2015
• 600,000 lost hours of service is equivalent to all the service provided by Metro buses on the Eastside OR all weekend service in King County.
• Population is expected to increase 42% by 2040 and jobs up by 57%. 
• The average cost per ride is $11-12/ride in King County. In high density areas like Queen Ann service cost drops to ~$2.00/ride.
• King County Metro service hours are approaching 3 million/year.
• King County Metro is in the Top 10 of all transit providers in the country.

Last year, King County Council formed a "Regional Transit Task Force" of thirty members to set-up a policy framework plan for growth and contraction of the Metro transit system.  After seven months of work, the task force recommended new performance measures and follow-up from a 2009 audit.  Social and geographic equity, environmental sustainability, and population density were key factors in their review.

Jim Stanton, Microsoft's representative and member of the Regional Task Force stated bus "transit is an essential public facility" and helps to move 40,000 Microsoft employees to job and education centers.

Mayor John Marchione is a member of the King County Metro Transit Board.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Source:  Redmond City Study Session, 3/8
Internet photo

Redmond council approves $10 million bond for parks and open space land

Redmond City Hall



In their last Regular meeting, Redmond city council voted 5-2 to "approve $8.5M limited tax general obligation bonds - not to exceed $10M - to obtain part of the 2011 funds necessary for park and open space property acquisition."   The Downtown Park will consume most of these funds. Council President Richard Cole stated: 

"I'm not going to vote for this tonight".  "We have $120,000,000 debt in this city - about a half of that is for this building (City Hall); although the cost of financing here is now less than (the principal).  Two years ago we borrowed when the bidding climate was good, but this is above my threshold."

Councillor David Carson was the other vote against the bond "but for another reason".  Carson said " I mean...the bonds should be spent in favor of infrastructure for capital projects, not for land acquisition."

READ MORE >>

Council writes $5,000 check to Saturday Market; plans to move Market downtown someday

THE SATURDAY MARKET

In their February 8, Study Session Council authorized President Cole to write a $5,000 check to the Saturday Market from their 2011 Council Contingency fund . The *36-year old Market had been close to closing two years ago when Market President Jim Hoagland pleaded for support. This is the third check in three years.

President Richard Cole said in the last two years council gave $5,000/year to it's aid.   The Mayor said staff  "looked at the Saturday Market's books the first year (2009) and  found the number of vendors and market shrinking."  So, the $5,000 payments were tied to marketing.  Mayor Marchione said "after this first year the Market had the largest number of attendance and the largest number of booths."

Councillor Hank Myers said lots of other markets are supported by cities.  Councillor Kim Allen said they discovered the Market was paying huge rent when it was supposed to be free according to when the contract was first negotiated with the Redmond Town Center.  Cole said the **$23,000 rent to RTC was "a huge huge amount";  Councillor Hank Margeson shook his head in agreement.  Margeson said other communities have their Market in a downtown park and Cole agreed, saying most markets like Woodinville's and Kirkland's are in public spaces and don't pay rent.  Bellevue and Auburn also have their markets in donated space.

Allen noted the Saturday Market is a huge community builder and important to the city's sustainability goals, with access to local foods.  Councillor David Carson started a talk on parking with his concern for the nearby hotels.  Margeson said RTC has plenty of parking, after a short walk.  Councillor John Stilin suggested the dirt lot across Leary Way.  Mayor Marchione revealed the space "is programed to be developed into a parking lot in five or six years.." 

Stilin talked about closing streets off for a market with street vendors as do other cities. Mayor Marchione said part of the downtown plan allows to close Cleveland Street in 5-6-years to create space for the Market.  "The Park, Redmond Connector, and Market would bring synergy to bring people together" said Marchione. 

Reported by Bob Yoder
Watercolor by Patti Simpson

Read  ** "The Costs of the Saturday Market", 9/19/10. >>>>
Read More >>

Redmond Mayor Joins Nation-wide Civility Accord

Mayor John Marchione
City of Redmond

Redmond Mayor Joins Nation-wide Civility Accord

Redmond, WA – Mayor John Marchione announced Monday that he joined mayors across the country in signing The U.S. Conference of Mayors Civility Accord, pledging his commitment to six principles of civility and exhibiting and encouraging personal qualities emblematic of civility.

The Accord was proposed by Tucson, Arizona Mayor Bob Walkup following the tragic shooting in his city and then presented to the nation’s mayors by the Conference’s leadership at the start of the Mayors’ Winter Meeting, held January 19-21 in Washington, D.C.

During the three-day session, nearly 150 mayors signed the Accord, while 50 more have signed the Accord in the days following the meeting.
The Accord’s six principles of civility are:  

• Respect the right of all Americans to hold different opinions  Read more >>>

UPDATED: Much to do about the Mayor's salary

President Richard Cole
ran the salary review session

UPDATED:  The Mayor's salary for the next four calendar years will be $125,000, up from $106K.  Council made the decision 7-0 in their last meeting.  When you count a $6,000 annual car allowance the Mayor's total taxable compensation is $131,000. 

According to HR Director Kerry Sievers, "The Mayor's benefits package is approximately 30% ($39,300) of total compensation."  So, the mayor's  taxable compensation plus *benefits during the next mayoral term is $170,300/year.  He gets the same COLA as non-union staff.  (Do you think the Mayor is paid enough? to much? to little? Take the poll on the right).

As a reference, Councillor Stilin quoted the current highest paid city director salary at ~ $149,888.  Sievers said up to a 15% annual bonus may be awarded, plus benefits  Next year, this city director's compensation & benefits package could be as high as $224,082.

The Redmond Mayor is a "strong mayor" which means he is an elected representative AND the business manager of the city . The Mayor is Redmond's CEO.   In city council's January 11 Study Session, Councillor Hank Margeson said our mayor must be a professional and have special skill sets to be able to run the government.   Mayor Marchione has a Deputy City Administrator who manages city staff.  But, the Mayor stands at the helm, running regional and city affairs. 

Council President Cole, Carson, Stilin and other members agreed the Mayor's salary must be high enough to attract a professional CEO, but not too high owing to the job's subjective elements of public service and altruism.  (Altruism:  "unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others".)   According to Mr. Cole, the filing deadline for candidates wishing to run for mayor is the first week of June, 2011.  Same for council.  READ MORE >>

Development of the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church

January, 3, 2017 update:   Construction of the Church was completed in 2016.  It's located in Kirkland.  

Background information, 2011:

The recent crisis in Egypt and Seattle rally reminded me of the growing Egyptian resident population in Redmond.  Samiha Korshed is an influential Egyptian resident of Redmond.  She was cited in the Seattle Times:

"An estimated 1,500 - 2,000 Egyptian natives and family members live in the Seattle area, said Samiha Korshed of Redmond, who runs a social-network group for local Egyptians.  Kroshed likened the movement in her homeland  to the American Revolution.  She said the American government should not come to Mubarak's aid.  "I want to ask every American how they would feel if another country told them who their leaders should be."
  -- Josef Federman, AP, Seattle Times, 1-20-11.

###

Below is my November 22, 2009 report of the Christian Egyptians in Redmond.  They were trying to build a church on Rose Hill:  

Over 250 Russian and Egyptian citizens turned-out at the recent City Hall meeting of Nov. 2009

The last City Council meeting (11/17/09) could be labeled "organized chaos," or "history in the making." For Mayor John Marchione it was a home run. Probably, close to 300 citizens showed up. One of Marchione's Budget priorities is to "build a sense of community and connections with others." The Russians had issues with the city about a large office park next to Sears.

Christian Egyptian Church Site awaiting
sewer hook-up to Redmond

More than half of the attendees were from St. George Coptic Orthodox Church - a growing, peaceful community of Christian Egyptians seeking freedom in America from religious prosecution.

The church members came to Council seeking a sewer line extension-exception to service their proposed NE Redmond church. The project site is on county land planned for annexation. The annexation currently has 59% election approval: it needs 60% approval for annexation into Redmond.

Councilmember Richard Cole laid the hammer down referring to Redmond's long-standing urban growth boundary policy denying city sewer extensions into the County.  Mayor Marchione summed up the Council's decision stating:

"We welcome the St. George Coptic Church into the community, but this in not the vehicle in which to do it. The vehicle is through annexation."

Paul bought the lot next door to escape
the intersection traffic and gain better
access to NE 132nd Ave.  He lives
across the street from the church.  

UPDATE:  1/30/2011 -   I talked to Paul Paxhia today. His family lives right across from the church site on NE 100 St.  Church ingress and egress is on NE 100th Street adjacent his home.  Paul said the city annexed the county land  ("by a hair's margin")  about 6-8 months ago and it could take years for a sewer line extension.  In the meantime, without access to sewer, the Coptic church land remains idle.   Paul and three neighbors didn't sign the annexation petition owing to issue with severe traffic congestion on the intersection of 132nd Avenue NE and NE 100 Street. 

Report and photos by Bob Yoder

Updated: Redmond's new (Red Light) Safety Camera Pilot Program begins Tuesday, February 1.

The City of Redmond’s new Safety Camera Pilot Program begins on February 1, 2011 with three red-light cameras and one school-zone camera. Redmond Police will issue warning tickets through February. Citations with fines will begin on March 1. The fine for a safety camera violation is $124.

The program will run for one year after which the City will evaluate its effectiveness and determine whether to make it permanent.

The locations of the three intersection cameras are eastbound at 148th Avenue NE and Redmond Way, eastbound and westbound at 156th Avenue NE and NE 40th Street and westbound and northbound at Union Hill Road and Avondale Road. A study performed in 2009 showed these intersections averaged over 600 vehicles running a red-light per month.

The school zone safety camera is installed eastbound and westbound in front of Einstein Elementary on NE 116th Street in north Redmond. Here the speeding violations (at least 26 mph in a 20 mph school zone) averaged almost 1000 per month.

UPDATED: Redmond Council To Hold Special Meeting on Budget

President Richard Cole (3rd from left)

UPDATED:  This evening, 11/30,  the Mayor is asking Council to review and possibly vote on the proposed budget and the Tax and Fee increases that are budgeted for the next two years (2011 -2012).  You may comment by email.


 PROPOSED TAX AND FEE INCREASES:
>  1% assessed property tax increase of $291,777
>  $2,980,533 Salary, Wages, Benefits increase includes 1% ($680,015) cost-of-living increase.
> 10% Water Rate increase for city
> 14% Water Rate increase for Novelty Hill Service Area
> 28% Wastewater Rate increase for Novelty Hill Service Area (2011 only)
> 4% Wastewater Rate increase for city.
> $240,000 Business License Fee increase (BITI)
> Stormwater Capital Impervious Unit Charges increase to: $8,539 (Overlake) and $5,435 (Downtown)
> Stormwater Capital Impervious Unit Charge for developers increase to $958/unit.
> Impact Fees on LWSD and private developers 1.64% (FIRE), 1.24% (PARKS)
> 50% reduction in the Flower Pot Program (open for reconsideration tomorrow)  Read More.

READ MORE >>

Rain Didn't Blurr "The Redmond Central Connector" Visioning Event




This citizen is totally engaged in her Catbird Seat during her "visioning" interview.   I wonder what she is saying?  

Despite rain, the turnout for the Redmnd Central Connector "Visioning Event" on September 15 was  pretty good.   People clung to their positions under the tents while city planners and consultants answered questions.  The event was held on a large green space separate from the Connector, but close-by.  It was interactive.  People got to leave comments, sketches, and drawings on the exhibit "white board" table paper.  The sandwiches were good.

Lots of questions were answered.   Some were not.  Bev, a Redmond Arts Commissioner has an interest in bringing "green" and "interactivity" into the Art in the Connector (a linear park).  A city arts consultant suggested using art themes to connect the entire linear park.  Another consultant pointed out the nearby "Heron Rookery" as a unique Gateway feature next to the Connector.

One citizen had concerns of the "Wall" effect from the large, boxed apartment buildings.  A Berger consultant agreed that the Connector appears to have it's back to the apartments.  Discussion ensued with an agreement that future buildings near the Connector should blend and flow like a river rather than look as a ditch.

The City Council had a study session on the Central Connector the night before, but many still showed up.  Hank Margeson, Hank Myers, Pat Vache' and Mayor Marchione were all available.

Reported By Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder