After two listening sessions Council still hasn't made a decision on saving the Old Fire House Teen Center. Councilmenbers Steve Fields and Jessica Forsythe see the 50-year old builidng as a city treasure. 5/19.
Background: It took years of deliberation on funding and design for "rebuilding" and expansion of the Senior Center. Council actually considered a $17,116,000 "councilmanic" bond fundiing that doesn't require a vote of the people. Later, they decided to discard and replace this funding with "one-time money" (funds from retail construction excise taxes.)
Thus, I agree, Council could find the money to renovate the Old Fire House Teen Center, but Mayor Birney would have to work with the One Redmond Foundation, with backing from the historical society and Director Helland to make it happen. According to historical society President John Oftebro, the building isn't safe.
The Mayor has to conclude the Old Fire House a totally unsafe while taking heat from the development community. The Center is used primarily by a tiny, vocal segment of the city in a time with affordable housing is at a premium.
The unwelcome alternative to renovating our cherished firehouse is tear down the entire Old Fire House (including the basketball courts) and expand to 5-6 stories for affordable housing with the lower 1-2 stories reserved the for the teens. The teens would have final say on the programs there, as per listening sessions.
-- Response to a reader's comment, by Bob Yoder, 6/19/2025
EvergreenHealth, Kirkland Your Community - Owned Hospital
EvergreenHealth will continue to use levy funding to help support free and low-cost community education classes, programs, and events on a wide variety of everyday and specialized health and wellness topics, developed by experts and available to everyone in our community.
LEVY FUNDED PROGRAMS:
The Community Healthcare Access Team(CHAT) is probably EvergreenHealth's flagship levy-funded community service:
If you have a loved one looking for quality long-term care CHAT will help you. Trust me, this is a great service. We were "left on our own" when my mother in California desparetly needed a decent long-term home.
CHAT also offers financial assistance, insurance coverage "navigators", and assistance for low-income and underinsured.
CHAT partners with Hopelink for psycho-social asistance and transporting patients.
The EvergreenHealth levy invests in our youth and seniors:
They provide four social workers at LWSD for help during a mental health crisis.
The North Shore School District hires levy-funded mental health therapists to provide access to mental health providers. They held 2,961 visits in 2024.
Levy provide access to "Paliative" support for you and family members facing serious illness; and Hospice care.
There's off-site access to geriatric care for seniors with demenia and behavioral health problems.
EvergreenHealth offered access to 114 community-funded educational health classes in 2024, including the "Youth Suicide Emergency Kit."
If the lid lift passses outpatient behavioral services will be provided in primary care clinics. I hope this levy information is helpul in deciding your vote on the August 5th levy lid lift measure.
As you know, it's PRIDE month with many celebrations around town. However, in Council's June 3 Businees meeting during the public comment period, PRIDE went dark.
It all started with the first 3-minute testimony by Aeron H. He's a Redmond transgender and gave an horrific story of humiliation and death threats. He reported it to the police "with a picture, message, and name and the police did nothing, they did NOTHING!" Fearful, "I stayed locked in my apartment for two months. No wonder PRIDE doesn't trust the police."
At this point pro tem mayor, President Kritzer stated "in conclusion," signifying that Aeron's allowable 3-mintute speaking time was up. Councilmember Fields made a motion to suspend the rules and extend the time. It was seconded by CM Forsythe.
After 13 minutes of Council rules discussion and advice from the city attorney, they decided to suspend the 3-minute rule for this one meeting and allow 4-minute testimonies. Councilmember Stuart thanked Aeron for his patience. Aeron was annoyed, and then went on for over a minute about "targeted hate crimes" and his distrust for the police.
(Historically, the comment period at Business meetings had been 4- minutes but the present council reduced it to 3-minutes; Councilmember David Carson had strong objections to this limitation.)
I chatted almost an hour with Sarah Dickmeyer today in her Together Center office. Sarah is the "Exterrnal Affaires Manager" for Plymouth Housing. They plan to open permanent supportive housing for 100men and wowen,mostly seniors with disabilities.
I wanted to know why the ground isn't yet broken for construction; late April was the target month. Sarah thinks August is the likely start time. The large AMLI apartment project is still under construction and is interfering. Sarah said the delay had nothing to do with finances, at this time.
Federal money accounts for 25 - 30% of their system-wide funding! The funding goes through the county first (a jursidiction in the hole.) Of course, Trump has cutting federal, homeless funding on his list (along with everything else.) Ms. Lee, the Plymouth CEO, is very concerned and is planning for the worse. Sarah was worried Medicaid is on the chopping block as well. CONNECTIONS Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Kirkland offers hope. Plymouth's dual diagnosis individuals can be treated for free. EvergreenHealth is also close by.
Los Angeles, New York and then Seattle have the highest homelessness in the Nation, according to a study in the Seattle Times. The cities that do the best for homeless focus on shelters. Shelters give immediate care. It can take almost a decade to construct and fully develop a permanent suportive building. In the meantime, individuals die in the streets unsheltered. It's happening in Seattle and with light rail, Kenmore, Redmond and Kirkland will follow.
After participating in the Marymoor "Listening Session" and talking to the Parks Director and historical society, I see little hope of saving the Old Fire House (OFH) for the teens.
Affordable housing is desparately needed. Rebuilding and enlarging the firehouse to 6-stories may be the best solutionl. The two lower floors could be used for teen programs; the top four floors for work-force housing.
A resident gave testimony at the last council meeting, recommending re-opening the outside areas of the OFH center this summer until council takes action. The chairs, tables and 2 basketball courts could be put to good use for performing arts and social space.
I have been following EvergreenHealth for years on behavioral health issues -- speaking at many of the Commissioner/CEO meetings urging outpatient treatment services. Years ago, my wife walked the NAMI parade with three Redmond councilmembers to advertise Evergreen's community support for an out-patient mental health clinic.
EvergreenHealth treats at least one behavioral health patient per day in their Emergency Department. They remodeled the department with 2 rooms equiped with sound supressing materials dedicated to behavioral health patients.
You may not have heard about CONNECTIONS in Kirkland. They're a crisis center for behavioral health treatment. They have 32 beds, 18 observation chairs, psychiatrists, and case managers. EvergreenHealth is partnering with CONNECTIONS to treat patients in crisis and those seeking out-patient care.
Finally, EvergreenHealth is proposing a Levy Lid Lift in the August 5th, 2025 election. Some proceeds will fund outpatient telehealth and in-person mental health treatment in their twelve integrated primary care practices. They hired a Behavioral Health Director to run the program. ("Treatment" is: medicine-management, with some therapy.)
Unlike Overlake Medical Center, EvergreenHealth is a Community-Owned Hospital, backed by our community. I hope this update will help you in your levy vote!
Photo on Redmond City TV (RCTV - Comcast 21) Is the Mayor barricading Council from the public? Council members' email addresses aren't hyperlinked, as well. 😖
UPDATE: Additional text was added on June 3 describing Redmond's form of government as being Strong Mayor with 7 elected councilmembers. (Note the 7 pillars.)
After attending the Marymoor "Listening Session" and talking to the Parks Director and historical society, I see little hope of saving the OFH just for the teens. Affordable housing is desparately needed. Rebuilding and enlarging the firehouse to 6-stories may be the best solution. The ground story could be used for teen programs. The top 5 floors for work force housing. - B. Yoder, 5/18/2025
NOTICE
Please join Redmond's teen community at City Hall this Tuesday, 4/29, 7PM to speak to the council and mayor about saving the Old Fire House (OFH) Teen Center. This historic building is now shuttered and Mayor Birney and her staff say they haven't decided what to do with it. Park Director Loreen Hamilton talks it up as a hazardous waste site.
Teens are now forced into using the distant multi-use Marymoor Community Center. While OFH is vacant, the city could be renovating and upgrading it for future use, not scrapping it for another cookie-cutter apartment building.
I certainly agree with the teens (and a few councilmembers!) the OFH is symbolic and worthy of landmark status. Please bring your families and friends to City Hall Tuesday, 4/29 to show your support. Plan to arrive early to sign-in if you plan to speak (up to three minutes.)
Cottages in Kirkland / photo Master Builders After removal, replacement trees must be planted on and *off-site.
The City of Redmond is refreshing their Environmental Sustainable Action Plan (ESAP) and wants Redmond 2050 input on trees, EVs, heat pumps and more. Click ESAP to participate.
OPINION: The city has not updated their tree regulations in over 26 years. They are procrastinating to accomodate much-needed housing. The removed trees are replaced with saplings but at numbers that can't reach Redmond's 40% canopy goal. Off-site planting sites for replacement trees should be identified by Parks, Planning and Public Works to broaden canopy cover. The replacement trees are supplied by the developer and installations financed with one-time money and CIP funds.
*Suggested off-site planting sites: Parks, trails, Keller Farm (forested) wetland tree mitigation bank, streets, sidewalks and by-ways, urban growth easements, Light rail stations, M&O Center and other large city projects, the Heron Rookery and western open space, schools, "plant a tree" neighbohood programs, Hartman forested wetlands, Green Redmond, RTC open space, mouth of Bear Creek, and more.
According to the Master Builders Association"A good tree code responsibly maintains or grows the level of tree coverage in a city while also allowing much-needed housing for current residents. newcomers and future generations."
The city has a 40% canopy goal. Canopy provides cooling, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, raises property values, improves mental health, lowers blood pressure and more.
In my opinion, the following 2019 tree regulation modifications would improve code to accomodate need for balancing trees with much-needed housing. It's a compromise:
For every one Landmark tree (30 inches or more) removed, six "replacement saplings trees" (rather than three) must will be planted either on-site, off-site or fee in-lieu. ($2,000.) in that order.
For every one "Significant" tree (6 inches in diameter at breast height) removed three saplings (rather than one) must be planted either on-site, off-site, or fee in-lieu ($500) in that order.
For each tree removed illegally by topping the contractor's penalty will be tripled.
On-site tree replacements are aren't required for single family homes.
Council, the Mayor and the Director of Planning & Community Development need to impliment suggested or similar abreviated code to maintain our quality of life while building much-needed housing.
Suzanne Greathouse, a community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience, has been selected to fill the vacant Position #2 on EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners.
Suzanne Greathouse
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners has selected Suzanne Greathouse to serve in Position #2, representing the Kenmore/Kirkland community and all residents of King County Public Hospital District #2. Greathouse was sworn into the position on Sept. 17 and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.
Greathouse is a dedicated community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to support EvergreenHealth's ongoing mission to advance the health of the community.
"We are excited to have Suzanne join the Board, and we look forward to her contributions in supporting the health and well-being of our community," said Board Chair Virgil Snyder. "Like every other commissioner, Suzanne is dedicated to ensuring our community has access to high-quality, safe, compassionate and cost-effective health care."
As the CEO and Co-Founder of REPSVR, a virtual reality skills training platform, Greathouse's diverse experience spans being a business owner, educator/trainer, executive, and consultant. Throughout her career, she has developed and led multicultural and virtual teams and managed complex business environments. She is an expert at applying industry best practices and emerging research to address specific challenges, fostering success, and enhancing performance, motivation, and job satisfaction.
Greathouse's career also includes nearly 20 years at AT&T, where she led efforts in various areas, including construction and engineering, research and development, emergency preparedness/disaster recovery, network security, network operations and IT product development and support. In 2017, after experiencing a family tragedy, Greathouse shifted her focus to serving the community. She has since held roles on the Kenmore City Council, the Northshore Fire District's Board of Commissioners, the City of Kenmore Planning Commission and the Northshore Senior Center Board of Directors.
Currently, Suzanne serves as a Northshore Utility District Commissioner and actively participates in various community organizations, including the Kenmore Heritage Society, Bothell/Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, Kenmore Business Alliance, and the EvergreenHealth Foundation. She is also the founder and president of the Alex Greathouse Foundation, which provides oral cancer support and funding for treatment, research, and other essential needs.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity to join the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with fellow members on ensuring access to the hospital system's vital services in Kirkland, Kenmore and throughout the Eastside," said Greathouse.
Posted by Bob Yoder, 9/20/2024
Comments: 1) Public Notice for the interviews of the Commission nominees was poor. Navigation on their website to find this public meeting was close to impossible. Thus, my wife and I (and others) didn't attend. BY
2) Evergreen Board has the worst notice system out of any public board and they don't do well with publishing information. They don't even record their meetings and publish minutes a month after the meetings happen. Anonymous comment 9/21/2024
I want to share my thoughts regarding the Plymouth Housing project for chronic homeless in downtown Redmond and the city council’s actions to discourage public comments.
The Redmond City Council rushed and acted recklessly when they decided to award the expensive public land and high-impact project to Plymouth Housing after less than one hour of discussion (a 30-minute behind closed doors executive meeting on February 6th, and a 30-minute special meeting on February 13th). Basic questions asked by the Kenmore City Council, such as those regarding “set aside” for local placements, “low barrier” and public safety, compliance, tenant screening, and Plymouth’s application process, etc. were never asked by the Redmond City Council.
Plymouth Housing’s troubled reputation: The recent overdose death of Mike Matzick inside the Plymouth Housing run Scargo and Lewiston Apartments in Belltown. Mike “had been deceased for three days when he was discovered.” The lived experience at the Plymouth Housing run Pat Williams Apartments in South Lake Union that “newcomers who move in & WANT to become or stay clean and sober” “get preyed on by the toxic residents.”
Additionally, the concerning 911 call records at the Plymouth Crossing in Bellevue show incidents of death, VUCSA, disturbances (including harassment), behavioral health issues, assault, fire, indecent exposure, etc. Yet, the city council rejected the proposal to go through an open RFP to select the best qualified operator. Led by Council
President Kritzer and Planning Director Helland, they openly misled the public on this project both in council meetings and through communications and set up barriers to prevent the public from getting critical information in a timely manner. Many questions remain unanswered. They want to quietly move forward to avoid public scrutiny.
Led by Council President Kritzer, the Redmond City Council has refused to allow public input. No public comments were allowed before the council cast their votes. Despite the public’s repeated requests, the City Council refused to hold any public hearings or two-way dialogue meetings.The public was left with no choice but to attend council meetings and raise their concerns during public comment time. The Redmond City Council later voted to curb public comment during council meetings on May 7th.
The Redmond City Council has been completely ignoring the public’s safety, drug use, and drug trafficking concerns. What is happening in Factoria, where the Plymouth Crossing is located, is a clear warning. A local developer told the city, “The landscaping around his Eastgate location has been damaged over the last 8 months, people doing drugs, police called daily.” Yet, the Redmond City Council continues to turn a deaf ear to those concerns and pat each other on the back for being the heroes and picking up the project that the City of Kenmore deemed would hurt its community and denied.
The skimping on parking space at the Plymouth Housing building in order to “be as cost-effective as possible” under the guise of being “green” will worsen the already challenging parking situation in downtown Redmond near the Anderson Park area. By Redmond zoning code, Plymouth Housing is required to build 120 parking spaces for the 100-unit building. Yet, Plymouth Housing is asking for “NO RESIDENTIAL PARKING BE PROVIDED” and “A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARKING STALLS.” This is absurd!
In comparison, the King County-owned and Salvation Army-operated Redmond Silver Cloud has 140 parking spaces for its 100 units, and its Safety and Security Plan states, “Residents are prohibited from parking along the street or in other areas alongside the HTH Redmond facility.”
The Plymouth Housing project to house 100 chronic homeless in downtown Redmond is a ticking time bomb. I'm counting on State Representative Amy Walen and our leaders to help save our city from turning into Seattle.
The Mayor made a precedent-setting exception to RCW #427855 when she opened "Items From the Audience" in City Hall last week. The RCW code prohibits public testimony on candidates, initiatives and measures - pro and con - during Council business meetings. Setting precedent by using a new "tool" Mayor Birney and council agreed a city Hearing was necessary for Initiative No. 2117. Her exception brings up the question of why a Hearing couldn't be scheduled for the Plymouth decision.
Mark your calendars for a potential October 3 Council Hearing in City Hall on ballot Initiative No. 2117 repealing sections of the "Climate Commitment Act." The repeal would increase greenhouse gas emissions throughout the State and forfeit $1M in Supplemental funds. The city already received $2.2M from the Act to advance critical climate mitigation/resilience. (Supplemental funds would be allocated for electric charging stations and transportation infrastructure.)
City Council strongly opposes State Initiative No. 2117. The Hearing will give public an opportunity to learn about the measure and weigh in. In short, the initiative will repeal the market-based "cap and invest" carbon program -- which reduces greenhouse gas emissions -- and will prohibit carbon tax credit trading. It's possible, but doubtful a repeal could increase costs of fuel recipients and fuel suppliers.
Council has a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. In 2020 they declared a "climate emergency" and adopted a 30-year plan for the community to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. They have worked closely with the city Legislative coordinator to make the Hearing happen; and in conjunction with other jurisdictions.
The Climate Commitment Act has already generated $3.25 billion statewide for forest protection, transportation projects, electrification efforts, wildfire prevention, salmon recovery, tribal investments and more.
Source: 7/23 Council Study session and "Council Talk Time" memos.
The presidential assassination attempt brings home the critical importance of drone surveillance. Honorable Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe is staying ahead of the curve with an updated drone technology program. Council recently approved his request to transition to all American-made parts.
Per Redmond's website: "The Redmond Police Department implemented a cutting-edge Drones as First Responders (DFR) program in April 2024 to respond to 911 calls. This technology improves response times and provides real-time information to patrol units on the ground.
About the DFR program: A drone is flown remotely by a commissioned officer as the pilot and dispatched to calls along with patrol officers. The DFR can arrive faster than ground units, providing information about the incident and broadcasting video to any computer, tablet, or phone. Once overhead, the drone pilot can assess the situation and cancel the ground response if appropriate, freeing up emergency vehicles for other priority calls.
The drones provide critical information about an incident to help officers make better decisions and de-escalate otherwise unknown situations. They are used to safely clear the interior of buildings, aid in suspect apprehension, document crime and crash scenes, and search for lost or missing persons.
Public Privacy Policy: The drones are used only as a call response, not for proactive patrols.Redmond’s drone policy prohibits the department from using drones for general surveillance, harassing or discriminating against individuals or groups, or conducting personal business."
Comment: This is a stretch, but it's not out of the question assassins could target local high tech CEOs, not solely high profile politicians and RPD will be ready.
-- Bob Yoder, updated 8/3/24
Additional information on Redmond's Drone Program is here.
Centro Cultural Mexicano hosted the forum. Plymouth CEO Carol Lee sitting far left.
Carol Lee, CEO of Plymouth Housing held a forum on April 27 for Redmond business and community members to learn about Plymouth's homeless services and operations. About five businesses showed up.
Plymouth Housing will build a downtown facility for 100 chronic homeless people. It will be sited in a 6-story building near Anderson Park, with completion expected by 2026
Redmond has three local governments: The City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth Public Hospital. The public has a "right to know" information about their inner workings. Public Record Request forms usually find the information you need. When you don't get good information or it's a hassle finding it, you may feel like the bearded guy in the cartoon!
Below, are helpful links to the Public Record Request forms for each government. In my investigative reporting, I have some good experience with them and their Public Request Offices. I've found the public records office of EvergreenHealth the most professional, the City of Redmond a close second with LWSD in the rear.
OPINION: Redmond is in a turmoil. From the blue "Demand a Say" signs scattered all over our city and numerous City Hall meetings over-flowing with protesters, we all know Council (and indirectly the Mayor) made the fateful "Plymouth decision" to welcome 100 homeless to our downtown.
Some background: The King County Regional Homeless Authority(KCRHA) is promoting a regional approach to the homeless problem and now taking Seattle's severe homeless to the suburbs. Their disorganized 3-Board strategy didn't work in Kenmore and it's not working in Redmond.
Bellevue accepted the first Plymouth Housing building on the Eastside. It opened on July 23, 2023 and is located in a distant 10-acre low income "ecosystem."
At Bellevue's Plymouth, "three staff members will live on-site and a health care clinic will allow these homeless to meet with primary care and psychiatry providers, and have an option for 24/7 telehealth urgent care." Fantastic! I hope this comes to fruition with many residents exiting.
According to Seattle Times, to qualify for a Plymouth studio in Bellevue, potential residents "must have been homeless for at least a year and have at least one disability." Thus, the conditions of these homeless are severe, by far "not run of the mill."
By 2027, Redmond will have a similar building located in our downtown across from Anderson Park. Hopefully, our downtown homeless will have sufficient Plymouth human services to keep their residents stable and our community safe.
Mayor Birney should speak directly to the public to explain why she's accepting severe homeless in our downtown. By reaching out, she will quell miss-information, calm the public, and stimulate productive, community conversations. Until the Mayor speaks up and leads, the disorder and chaos could continue.
A Bobcat's "last stand" in Sigmund and Werner's backyard / credit Sigmund
In 2007, I made two trips to Sigmund and Werner's house to commiserate with them about their severe loss of a forest bordering their property. Losing a neighborhood forest and it's wildlife is close to losing and mourning the loss of a dear friend. It hurts and it takes time. I know this from the Education Hill Perrigo Heights clear-cut. Sigmonde showed their pictures and I listened. She took me on hurried walk through the forest before the clear-cut. It was all over in just a few days.
The photograph of this urban Bobcat was taken by Werner & Sigmund. Their home borders on a North Redmond 18-acre forest. Over 300 mature trees were cleared for 76 single-family homes with lot sizes ***4000 - 22,000 SF, according city documents. The project (178th Ct. NE & NE 116th St.) is known as "Pearce PRD" and is one of many environmentally sensitive projects in Redmond developed by Eric Campbell's Camwest Development, Inc. of Kirkland, WA.
According to a "Wildlife Study Report" filed by wetland , wildlife, and forest consultant Chad Armour, LLC on January 20, 2007 "the site may have the potential to support as many as 68 different species of wildlife".Sigmund has also observed coyotes and deer in her backyard and there have been neighborhood reports of *black bear. Where will they go?
Camwest paid an arborist for a tree preservation plan required by city permit. The arborist reported that 294 significant trees were clear-cut. That's 54% of the 489 significant trees on the project. 39 Landmark trees were presumed removed. Landmark trees are supposed to get special protections. (see Councilwoman Kim Allen's statement, below).
Chad Armour made two brief site visits. Among Mr. Armour's qualifications, he is a "certified wetland delineator" and has a certificate in commercial real estate. He was hired by Camwest to write environmental reports for the city land use permit.
Mr. Armour reported: nine wetlands and 20 State Priority habitat tree snags, ideal for Pileated Woodpecker nesting. He identified a foraging P. Woodpecker, and a Great Blue Heron "in the vicinity". The Great Blue Heron is valued by the State and Redmond as a Priority Species of Local Importance. Nesting P. Woodpeckers are potentially endangered and have protections when nests are present. I was told by a resident Armour spent only several hours during each of his two visits to the site.
Mr. Armour stated a heron rookery is located about one mile SE of the site. City planner Cathy Beam indicated months ago these eastern rookery nests were vacated. Mr. Armour also noted a stream map indicating coho salmon migrate to within a few hundred feet of the project site. A tributary to Bear Creek and two ponds are present.
Obviously, significant and devastating deforestation of "urban open space" has occurred. Habitat destruction was far more extensive than Camwest'sTyler's Creek and Perrigo Heights developments. Fortunately, Camwest does a good job restoring and enhancing their streams, wetlands, and forest buffers. However, according to the neighbors, the development will be setback only 20 feet from their properties and exposed neighborhood trees will be endangered by resultant high winds.
Councilwoman Kim Allen is to be commended for speaking up for the neighborhood during Werner's Landmark Tree Exception appeal. Councilman Richard Cole appeared insensitive during reconsideration of the Landmark Tree appeal stating Werner was slowing down the project. Ms. Allen is a qualified lawyer and is a strong council advocate for "green" protections and standards. ** Ms. Allen's statement urging amendments to city tree preservation standards are below. The city is holding a Community Meeting on Thursday, 7/28 to ask for ideas on how to improve ResidentialDevelopmentpermitting. Contact Jeff Churchill for more information by emailing: jchurchill@redmond.gov.
*** The City Neighborhood Map and Notice of Application quote different lot size ranges.
**'Councilmember Allen read a written request to the staff as follows, 'Tree retention is an expressed value of the citizens of Redmond articulated in the Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, and community meetings. Redmond’s tree retention law reflects that a detailed and thoughtful analysis by the Administrator of what should be a detailed and written account of extraordinary circumstances is required to justify the felling of any landmark tree or drastically reducing our declining canopy. In this case there is no record of that detailed analysis by staff which does both the staff and the citizens a disservice. Our Code Administrators should begin to provide a written and detailed analysis of their reasoning on all of these exceptions to our Tree Retention Ordinance and that the code should be amended to provide notice to adjacent property owners when such a request is made.' - contributed by Werner
###
QUESTIONS: Was off-site mitigation required? It not, how where were they replaced? PRD' appeals are Quasi-Judicial. Was there adequate notice? Tom Hinman, a respected planning commissioner, influenced the city years later to map significant and landmark trees on the Notice of Application. Why did it take so long? In 2022, Tree Regulations were updated to protect/preserve Redmond's remaining trees on private properties. It's 2024 and the updated tree regulations still haven't been implemented owing to legal issues Kirkland is facing. No comment.
Opinion and report by Bob Yoder, ~ 2007, updated 1/29/2024
Additional "land use" articles are found using the blog search engine.
"On November 29, the Peoria Unified Governing Board voted unanimously to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Kenneth Christopher Sommers to serve as the district's next superintendent, pending the result of successful contract negotiations and background check. The Board is expected to official approve him as superintendent at a future meeting."
Though Dr. Holmen didn't get what he wanted we are most fortunate to have him and his expertise on board during these challenging times. -- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 11/30/2023
Angie Nuevacamina defeated David Carson, 53.67% (5937) to David's 46.07% (5097.)
What is the significance of the bisected butterfly?
The meaning of the butterfly is cultural to current day Mexico and Senegal- where I have heritage from. It signals transformation, hope, and are quite a force when moving together. In the design, my name is in the middle- acting as a bridge and being able to hold multiple perspectives. - Angie Nuevacamiona.
The demographics of Redmond have changed dramatically in the last five or so years (~ 50% brown.) Angie ran on "inclusive," "welcoming," and "equity," and it paid off. She also prioritized affordable housing, safety, a healthy community and transparent government. She rallied the voters with a call for "Nothing about Us without Us." Angie is a member of the LBGTQ community, a queer artist, and small business owner, as a financial services professional. She currently volunteers on the City planning commission.
David M. Carson, the conservative incumbent of 16 years placed most of his cards on safety: 1) extra police coverage for light rail users, 2) keeping the county accountable for a drug-free homeless facility in Overlake. 3) he flipped flapjacks for the fire fundraiser at every Derby Days. 4) he served on regional emergency coalitions. As Presiding Officer on the Parks Council he advocated for access to Redmond's seven "String of Pearls" park properties. He is a OneRedmond Board member, Foundation member and Kiwanis member. He praised the Police Department "Sniffer" canine in his political statement. All this, and Marymoor Village, the new fire station, Senior Center and other facility improvements weren't enough to win over the voters.
The voters chose values embracing the Redmond's welcoming culture, over a developer/business centric incumbent valuing safety.
-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 11/25/2023
Find 16 years of articles and opinion on Councilmember David Carson HERE
I'm standing next to one of many Commissioner Jeffrey Cashman's political signs. The number he staked was enormous. I endorsed both Jeff and his opponent, Amber Wise. I supported Amber.
Mr. Cashman planted his campaign signs heavily throughout Evergreen Public Hospital District No. 2 -- Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Mill Creek, Kenmore, Duval, Sammamish, and parts of Snohomish county. Never has a local candidate spread their political signs so far and wide.
If the residents of EvergreenHealth Public Hospital didn't know they lived in a taxing district they certainly do now.
Currently, residents and landlords are levied ~ 2% / $1,000 appraised property value. Total Levy Revenue in 2022 was $28,556,467.
Do you know how this money is spent? 70% goes towards capital projects, 30% towards programs like referral networks, CHATT, and North Shore Senior Center. The commissioners keep this close to their chest. I learned about the 70% / 30% split at a Board meeting. A full report is forthcoming.
Commissioner Cashman defeated PCC meat-cutter Amber Wise, a union worker and mental health advocate, by roughly 58%.
-- Bob Yoder, 11/9/2023
I was struck with Covid a few days before the election; this, after 6 vax. It hit me very hard.
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