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

Councilmember Melissa Stuart's Halfway Term Report

From the desk of Redmond Councilmember Melissa Stuart...

Happy new year! 

This month officially marks the halfway point in my term on the Redmond City Council. I’m stopping by your inbox with a quick moment of gratitude for your trust and support.

 

My first two years on the Council were marked by a steep learning curve, tons of humbling moments, and many opportunities to create excellence in the details. I am so proud to serve in this role and often humbled to be at the table. Thank you for trusting me in this seat.

 

Three Great Moments on Council 2022-2023

·      Winning unanimous adoption of a comprehensive plan amendment to bring a more lively, sustainable, and transit-oriented neighborhood to the town center district

·      Co-authoring a successful budget amendment to bring executive staffing for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

·      Flipping pancakes at Derby Days with the fire department’s benevolent fund (twice!)

 

Coming up this year, Council will finalize a once-in-a-generation comprehensive plan, complete the local roads safety plan, and build the first biennial budget since the conclusion of COVID relief subsidies. There is a lot to do!

 

New in 2024

·      Finalizing building incentives that inform how Overlake’s urban center (my neighborhood!) will play a leading role in meeting our city’s housing, climate, and community goals.

·      I’ll chair the caucus for the Sound Cities Association’s delegation to the Growth Management Planning Board, at the Puget Sound Regional Council (yup, that’s SCA at PSRC’s GMPB, for short!)

·      You’ll see me at the grand opening of the new Redmond Senior & Community Center, the delivery of the state’s first electric fire engine, boarding the first light rail train from Overlake, and as always… my bi-weekly office hours. Please stop by!

 

I hope this mid-term note gives you a glimpse of how I’m working with my colleagues to address the real and present needs of the city, while also having a chance to enjoy this great place we call home.

 

What questions or feedback does this bring up for you? Let me know!

 

With gratitude,

 

Melissa

 

P.S. You might have noticed I don’t do social media. If you are interested in more frequent updates this year, please let me know and I’ll make a point to check-in again soon.

Melissa holds walk-in office hours at the Redmond library the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 3-5PM.  This is a terrific opportunity to be heard and build a relationship with Council.  

UPDATED: City Council Meeting Notes, 04 April 2023

 

CM Melissa Stuart
Featured
City Council group picture not available

CLICK THIS LINK FOR VIDEO NOTES OF COUNCIL'S REGULAR MEETING 

OF 04 APRIL 2023:   

https://www.facebook.com/CityOfRedmond/videos/1005053090870596

 (short pause at start of tape)

ADVANCE TO 3:00 for poet Laureate Laura Da's description of her poetry inspired "Nature & City History Walk" around our lakefronts.     

ADVANCE TO 4:52 for Dr. David Morton's "Item From The Audience" suggesting solutions to various city challenges.  

ADVANCE TO 11:53 - Mayor  Angela Birney kicks off Council's OMBUDS report where resident inquiries (positive and negative) are addressed.  As follows: 

CM Varisha Kahn passes the baton to Council VP Vanessa Kritzer. Kritzer mentions a resident's concern about the mayor's salary; resident complaint about "State of the City" recording glitches. Domestic violence. CM David Carson brings attention to businesses coping with simultaneous road construction on 76th and Cleveland Street.  CM Melissa Stuart gives an excellent report of the city's C.E.R.T. program dealing with first responder preparations for an earthquake.  Council President Jessica Forsythe directed the OMBUDS report and city process. Traffic. FBI. CM Jeralee Anderson, QR Codes for park users, "Show and Tell" by Anderson on recycled materials used to build "green roads."  Stuart summarizes Public Works committee report. CM Steve Fields had nothing to say.  

Angela Birney, Carson, Forseythe, Kahn, and Kritzer's terms end 31 December 2023. 

Reported by Bob Yoder, Community volunteer, 04 April 2023

Melissa Stuart Runs For Redmond City Council Position 4.

 

Melissa is a non-profit leader with deep experience breaking down barriers for youth and families. She

serves as the Director of Individual Giving at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. During the

 pandemic, she’s worked to keep students connected to school and parents/caregivers in the workforce.

 Prior to Boys & Girls Clubs, Melissa worked to create affordable access to behavioral healthcare for all

 East King County families at Youth Eastside Services. She’s also worked to ensure education success

 for youth in foster care at Treehouse, and more. She earned a Masters of Non-Profit Leadership from Seattle University.

Melissa served as a Community and Organizational Development Advisor in Moldova with the U.S. Peace Corps. During her service, she worked with community leaders to strengthen youth development programs and with international NGOs to increase the reach of human trafficking prevention programs to rural areas of the country.

On council, Melissa will be a leading voice for urgent action on climate change. She is a known environmental advocate in the city and has served as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs & Clean Energy, board member at Zero Waste Washington, and volunteer member of a Sound Transit/Metro 520 Connections Sounding Board. Melissa is committed to working with other leaders so that Redmond can be a leader in climate mitigation and resilience across the region.

Melissa and her family have lived in Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood for 10 years. They love their neighborhood’s amenities such as Indian grocery stores, great transit lines, and good schools. They are very eager for the light rail stations to open, and to one day have a park in the neighborhood’s urban center.

WEBSITE