What's going wrong with Redmond's Commissions? What's right?

2/6, UPDATED OPINION: Commissioners are mostly Redmond residents who volunteer their time to participate with staff, elected officials and citizens in decision-making and city planning. They are appointed by the Mayor with the blessing of the Council and sworn in. Their terms vary and vacancies are hard to anticipate so it's best to put early word into the Mayor's office. Commissioners are some of my most favorite citizen volunteers. I love them dearly. Read this story about long-time commission Chairs Martin Snodgrass and his spouse, Lori.

But, this 'sermon' is about city problems with the management of Commissions by our one-year old Administration. According to the Parks & Trails commission website Chair Sue Stewart of Parks and Trails has been a commissioner for almost 6 years. Ms. Stewart likes to make oral presentations at council meetings and I could swear remembering her quoting a much longer Parks commission term than 6 years. Peter MacDonald, Vice Chair of Parks and Trails and friend and political ally of the Mayor and according to their website has been a commissioner for about five years. Peter would be an excellent citizen to get to know if you want to be a Parks & Trails Commissioner or Youth Advocate. A Youth Advocate position is open. Council blessing of the non-resident commissioner appointee is soon.

Unfortunately, it's too late to apply for the Parks & Trails vacancy. The Commission went outside their normal selection standards (see comments - non-residents are allowed) and got permission from the Mayor to appoint a citizen not residing in Redmond. The Parks Director justified it by claiming the nominee lived near a trail the city was interested in acquiring. I don't think non-resident commissioners are good policy. Redmond has plenty of tax-paying citizens who would probably love the opportunity to give input on our many splendored parks. I don't believe parks commissioners should enter the commission with a special interest, especially, when they live outside the city.

A serious problem for the Parks & Trail Commission in 2008 has been the loss of the "public record" for the last six months of their regular meetings. The commission is required to tape their regular meetings for the public record. Weeks ago, I asked the Parks Secretary for two meeting tapes. I found NOTHING taped on their digital recorder or analog recorder for the last six meetings. The council Ombudsman-of-the-month's answer was "we all learned from the experience." No public Ombudsman report was given. No commitment to fix the problem was promised. To this day, I haven't received an apology or even acknowledgment from the Parks Director or Parks Commission Chair or the Mayor. Loss of 6 months public record is serious.

I knew I did something good for the city during this discovery, as follows: 1) I actively participated in the governing process by attempting to listen to meeting tapes and catch up on P&T meetings for the Eastern Park Corridor Program and Downtown Park, 2) I spent 3 hours of my personal time trying to help the city trouble-shoot and quantify the lose of public record. 3) I reported the problem through proper channels -- didn't jump to my blog. What resulted? Not one genuine thank you from the city nor promise the recorder would be fixed.

In my five years of active participation and reporting on the city, I've found a dysfunctional governing pattern -- The city's approach to a citizen reporting errors and omissions is to brush them under the carpet rather than give them even hushed appreciation. Such apathy and disregard for constructive citizen participation results in mediocrity and public dis-engagement within our government.

Redmond sponsors 9 Commissions. None are paid. Of the commissions I'm most familiar with, the entire Planning Commission is dedicated and professional, giving much of their time in meetings every week. Presently, they are looking to expeditiously fill one position. They are my favorite commission because I learn the most from them. They conduct Public Hearings, make Land Use decisions, and set land use policy.

The only problem I have with the Planning Commission is staff - NOT the commissioners! Last week staff interfered and discouraged my public testimony, at times. The Principal Planners gave me help when I didn't want it and didn't give me help when I needed it. During the Stream Map Hearing, to prepare, I asked as week in advance for known Stream Maps from three planners and an engineer. We used these maps during a tour with Kathy Lambert. Twenty minutes before the Hearing a Principal Planner told me flatly that they "didn't get them all". I'm guessing the Mayor was taking a stand on "the Rock of public records."

The map they gave me was so large it couldn't be projected on an overhead. Despite this, a second Principal Planner barged onto the podium, unannounced, interrupting my testimony while he was trying to position the large map! He interrupted me just when I was starting to talk about some observations of the lay of the land near our aquifer. For me, his abrupt, unasked for "help" confirmed the city may still have quality issues with our aquifer. My testimony was unscientific and anecdotal and I had rights to be fully heard. The principal planner's subtle interference was uncalled for. Some of these planners are paid over $95,000 for services rendered to taxpayers.

My last beef with staff at the Planning Commission Hearing was their lack of professional courtesy. I wanted to familiarize myself with the overhead projector before the meeting but a second Principal Planner brushed me aside saying they were too busy now and to come back. Three staff proceeded to huddle around the projector, blocking me off, until the Hearing started. Once I got to the podium various staff were all over me in front of the camera - interrupting, correcting me and fixing the projector, adjusting the microphone, putting unwanted maps on the projector, and mostly trying to give me the help I needed before my testimony. This behavior is a sorry example of poor service to a rare citizen with guts and time enough to approach the podium...... It would have been one thing if said staff were interns, associates, or even senior planners. But two highly paid Principal Planners were "helping me". I've seen other citizens fumbling at the start of their talk, also. It would not take much to fix this and so encourage citizen participation.

Not to forget, the Arts Commission is one of my favorites, too. They are looking for two new commissioners and one Youth Advocate. They hold three public meetings on RCTV. The Planning Commission is on RCTV most every Wednesday night at 7PM. The Parks & Trails Commission NEVER conducts their meetings on RCTV. Their website is incomplete and innacurate. What does this tell you? All said and done, I absolutely adore, admire and appreciate the commissions and every hour of volunteer work our commissioners give to our city. I love going to their meetings or listening to them. I think staff should do a better job servicing, acknowledging, recognizing, and empowering our invaluable human resources of caring citizens - espectially sworn volunteers.

Apply and sign-up for a commissioner or youth advocate position here.

Apply and sign-up for the nonprofit Water Tenders Youth Advocate position at the web site.
Water Tenders is a small group of passionate citizens compelled to sustain and protect local Bear Creek Basin habitats in Redmond. My daughter is a youth advocate.

CC: Mayor John Marchione ; Redmond City Council; City Clerk, OMBUDSMAN
RAC@redmond.gov, planningcommission@redmond.gov, parksandtrailscommission@redmond.gov

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Comments are encouraged below or by emailing me at REDMONDBLOG@GMAIL.COM for posting on this page.

Savvy builder is proving that "Green sells".

Sometime within the next 2-3 years a mixed-use "residential-business" complex could well be built in SE Redmond adjacent Marymoor Park and the Sammamish Trail. (6089 - 6213 East Lake Sammamish Park.) "Marymoor Park Place" will be 2 buildings, 4 stories tall, with business use on the 1st floor and 50 multi-family residential units on floors 2-4. 10% of the units will be "affordable". A photo and vicinity map of the triangular project site is found here. The triangular site is south of Les Schwab.

But the Peter Chee landowners/developers have a few hurtles to overcome before they can build:

1. They are asking the City to change the zoning for that area from Manufacturing Park (MP) to Business Park (BP). This zoning change is precedent setting for the city.
   
2. In April 2007, the Council voted 5-2 against the Chee's proposal for R-18 zoning. Council's reasons were a) economic diversity loss, b) use incompatibility, c) housing was not needed.
   
3. Council and Planning Commission must approve both the zoning change and the mixed-use project.
   

The Chee family are savvy developers. To sell their program, the Chees are taking full advantage of the city's "Residential Green Permitting Program" and community recognition for the values of sustainable living. They are focusing on a sustainable site, as follows:

1. "Hardscapes" (impervious surfaces) are reduced by building underground parking.
   
2. Drought tolerant plants will be used. Leyland Cyprus will buffer noise from the manufacturing zone.
   
3. Solar PV panels will be installed on the roofs - 30% power will be conserved.
   30-40% energy consumption will be saved by using LEEDS approved light fixtures and occupancy sensors.
   
4. Over 90% of construction debris will be recycled. Extra insulation and laminate windows will reduce sound and energy waste. Less toxic and volatile glues and paints will improve air quality.
   
5. The Chee's property will achieve a LEED'S Gold Award for sustainability -- one level higher than City Hall's Silver rating.

Taking advantage of their proximity to the Lake Sammamish Park Trail, the Chees expect residents to bike to work and play. The Chees plan for locked storage of bicycles to encourage trip reduction.

MP will have to be rezoned to BP to make the project work. Manufacturing (MP) is not attractive in Redmond. Rents are two times less expensive in Kent and Auburn. The Chee's BP zoning will allow for a wide variety of choices for businesses and bring new jobs into Redmond. The Chee's Marymoor Park Place will be right at the Gateway into SW Redmond. They say their BP mixed-use buildings will be more attractive for our Gateway that manufacturing. Who could doubt that?

The Chee's project seems a no-brainer. The City and it's leadership has changed since Council's decision two years ago. Existing manufacturers in Redmond have had plenty of time to lobby for preservation of Manufacturing zones. But, land costs are high in Redmond. Rezoning to BP is a compromise where almost everyone wins. The Chee family appear model citizens and developers who have a lot of pride in their work. We are fortunate to have them.

See how Council and Planning Commission voted two years ago.

Our Planning Commission really cares

The Planning Commissioners held a Public Meeting last week on "Home Business Licencing" requirements. I caught the tail-end of the meeting on RC-TV21 and wanted to tell them about a home-based food re-packaging business that was attracting rats in my neighborhood. Guess what? It wasn't too late! They "heard me" even though the Public Meeting had closed!

Usually, citizens can only "comment" before or during Public Meetings. That's changed. At times, they will extend the comment period for a few days after the Meeting. It's clear our commissioners go the extra mile to "listen" to us and encourage participation during their important city decisions.

The planning commissioners can be reached at planningcommission@redmond.gov . We are very lucky our commissioners will often "hear us" after a Public Meeting and before they make their decision. At present, comments made by email are not accepted during Public Hearings or Study Sessions. Hopefully, this policy will change. Usually, several planners sit at the table with the commission with their computers. It would be beneficial to keep this line of communication open.

Below, is the email comment I sent during last week's Public Meeting on business licensing. I learned later, a Redmond resident had already contacted our code enforcement officer, Carl McArthy and these businesses are now shut-down.
Dear Commissioners -

I have a comment on home business licensing for "food repackaging" businesses. Recently, Carl McCarthy had to make a visit to a home in our neighborhood that repackages dated food items and then sells the food at discount prices. The business is messy. It's operated out of the garage, multiple refers and freezers are used. Recently, a neighbor reported a large rat infestation in a nearby home and a few other homes. Lots of food waste is left on the curbs in over packed garbage barrels.

I hope these types of food businesses are shut down. The business is not a charity. It is a money making business. Public health is also a question mark.

Thank you,
[leave name and address]

Bob Yoder
C0-author, Ed. Hill neighborhood

My favorite budget priority: "I want a sense of community and connection with others."

The council and Marchione administration are trying a new tack to involve the public in creating a respectable budget for the next two years. It's called "Budgeting by Priorities". [video clip of Mayor Marchione & Pres. McCormick at bottom.]

I went to the first public meeting last Thursday. It was kinda fun. The focus of the meeting was to learn about 6 Budget Priorities that were picked by a Focus Group of 40 citizens and Council. The council chambers were almost full at the meeting. We all had a chance to pick our favorite Priority and talk about it in group breakouts.

I selected the priority group: "I WANT A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION WITH OTHERS". I look at my blog as a way to connect the neighbors with each other and the city and schools. I also like the network of trails that connect developments to parks and schools and roads. With a good trail system, fewer cars (& less congestion) are needed for student commutes; more bicycles are used for errands. And especially, trails and parks are synonymous with lower health costs & increased productivity.

Korby Parnel, a planning commissioner, has been a long-time advocate of city-wide WI-FI. I like the concept too, for convenience, more opportunities to connect with others, and less commuting "home" or to the office to get "hooked in". Some citizens recommended a more comprehensive web site to connect the neighborhoods. Later, I discovered Communications Program Manager, Ms. Gronlund just built-out a Neighborhood site (here)!

My final strategic thought was to keep families connected by expanding housing choices. "Mother-in-law" housing -- also known as ADU's help to keep handicapped or dependent families under one roof. Seniors and boomerang kids is another group that benefit. One citizen reminded us that affordable housing is more likely when buildings are allowed to add an extra story.

It appeared the bulk of the folks in my group were interested in arts and theatre and culture. Many arts commissioners were present,including Tom Flynn, Chair of the arts commission and Mary, the arts staffer. I thought the best idea we agreed upon as a group was one recommended by Tom. He suggested an indoor gathering place similar in concept to the Crossroads Mall. Every weekend live music is played by a different group, kids and adults dance (my favorite attraction), "sidewalk" chess is played, large food court, and a New York style open newspaper rack and bookstore. Tom suggested a public-private partnership. A developer savvy citizen said the X-Roads mall worked, in part, because it was surrounded by high density residential. Good point. Several Arts commissions had brought up Cleveland Ave. for a location idea. With several 6 story residential buildings going up on Cleveland Avenue soon, commissioners may have hit the mark for a mall location?!! Promenades came up briefly, too.

One gentleman recommended we add a 7th Priority addressing aspects of "CIVIC PRIDE". I think it's a great idea! Do you? The 6 Priorities are listed below:

Priorities:
1) I want a well-maintained city whose infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
2) I want to live,learn,work, and play in a clean and green environment.
3) I want a sense of community and connection with others.
4) I want to be safe where I live, learn, work and play.
5) I want a diverse and vibrant range of businesses in Redmond.
6) I want a city government that is responsible and responsive to its residents and businesses.

Is there a place for "civic pride" here? What's our city signature? "Who are we"? How do we budget for it? Is our city "signature" the bicycle capital of the NW? Digital art? Parks & trails? Natural areas? What are we proud of in Redmond and how do we express it?


4 minute clip of Council President Nancy McCormick and Mayor John Marchione talking it up at the 3/4 meeting. The next, last and most important meeting is April 24.

Do we want "tall buildings" in Redmond?

Today's Seattle Times article about some residents in Kirkland resisting tall buildings, brings attention to our land use plans for Overlake and Downtown Urban Centers. (On the left is Redmond's first "skyscraper", the downtown 6-story Cleveland Building condos.)

Kirkland has a lot at stake in their decisions about building heights. They are blessed with the beauty of Lake Washington views from hillside neighborhoods, lakeside parks, waterfront businesses, and their harbor charm. Yes, Kirkland must cope with GOOGLE moving into downtown with their 640 parking spaces. But GOOGLE is no Microsoft.

At present, most everyone in Redmond agrees that Overlake Urban Center is "no spring chicken". Actually, the only views we might have in Overlake would come from building tall buildings!

A quick look at the approved Overlake Urban Center plan map gives a concise summary on how Overlake will grow. Months of planning took place. Citizens participated in design and visual preferences conferences. Planning commissioners, led by Tom Hinman and staffer Jame Jonas jjonas@redmond.gov , worked tirelessly to build a thorough, indexed planning document; everything you'd want on the Overlake Urban Center plan is here.

So what was decided about building height, design and visual preferences? Take a look at the links above, but in short, it looks like the city will take "baby steps" in the "build-up". The premier Group Health site will be built on rolling topography where a proposed 12 story building will blend with the land. Concerns for building heights over 5 stories centered around adequate lighting, view preservation, and enclosed courtyards.

In one sense, scenic waterfront and territorial views in Overlake are rare so building-up is less challenging than Kirkland. Equally fortunate, Overlake is ideally located next to Microsoft! Workers will have easy access to their employer and many may walk or ride bicycles! Thus, building high density with taller buildings (and underground parking lots) in Overlake is a natural.

Two other amenties exist for the area: 1) access to 520 and future high capacity transit and 2) the international cultural flavor of the center. If you want to eat international cuisine, some of the best is right here.

As long as we follow Mayor John Marchione's lead to "take small steps" as we build "up", I think we are on the right track for a visually appealing and functional Overlake. Don't you?

And then, there's our downtown! I've heard about shorter heights there -- up to 6 stories?

Planning Commission hears the new mayor

One of the Planning Commission's most important jobs is to be "a hearing body" for the City Council on land use issues.

But, rather than the public, they heard from Mayor John Marchione. "Mayor John" made a visit to the Planning Commission this week (1/16) to introduce himself and bring them his top three priorities:

1) "Budgeting for Priorities" - John and council's new program is a plan to prioritize and measure for the best uses of city funding BEFORE money gets spent. Public input up front is a key component.

2) "Customer Service" training -- to promote safety and courtesy -- will take precedence over "efficiency" e.g. better to be safe, than efficient.

3) "Achieving greater predictability of our Permitting System" for the betterment of the whole community --- to help speed the process and improve results.

To improve the permitting system John plans to re-write our outdated "Community Development Guide". It's not readable or workable as it stands now.

This Guide governs Public Notice and Reviews (7) of land use permits ranging from felling hazardous neighborhood trees to plating major land use development projects and annexation. Last year, it was used to guide the city on Tent City permits....and not very well at that.

When a commissioner asked Mayor John which issues the people were most interested in, John smiled: "traffic, traffic, and growth" and not all in that order. He said the electorate understood the relevance of Redmond's two urban centers in offering a variety of housing choices for all generations. Plus, land east towards the Cascades is "saved" from sprawl.

On regional issues John said neighboring cities were frustrated with Redmond in the past because our council and mayor were fractured and couldn't decide amongst ourselves. So we were easily dismissed by Bellevue, Kirkland and others.

The Planning Commission welcomes public comments by email at planningcommission@redmond.gov or during their 7pm Wednesday night meetings in City Hall. They are citizen volunteers and receive no remuneration.

Our "Western Gateway view corridor" is harmed by a new project

Redmond's Western Gateway view corridor and "wooded hillside" assets are blocked off by the new "ElementRedmond" townhouse project. 15-20 foot setbacks don't help the look.

"Gateway View Corridors" are a similar yet different issue from "Shoreline View Corridors." Have you seen the "ElementRedmond Townhome" project just west of Willows Road on Redmond Way? For affluent Redmond, WA. they look "affordable" but at $400,000 and up? Though not near a "shore", this project seriously harms Redmond's Western Gateway view corridor. I gag every time I drive down Rose Hill and see this massive cluster of "mega-town homes". We need new housing and ElementRedmond has nice amenities, but at this 'price'? Click on the link above to learn more about them.

These tall, angular structures, seem to jut out at you. Worse, they completely block the views we once had of the green wooded hillsides of Education Hill and North Redmond. Thin setbacks leave virtually no room for vegetative buffering. These structures, "3-deep" with garaged parking, appear to be set-back only 15 feet from Redmond Way sidewalk! Prepare for increased traffic congestion on Rose Hill a year from now.

The above pictures tell the story...or take a drive down Rose Hill. How on God's Green Earth could we allow this "WALL" of structures blocking public the scenic views of our wooded hillside city asset? (ref: Guy Michaelson, Berger Partners, Seattle)

Is it time for the city to amend zoning and design standards to protect our public view Gateway and Shoreline corridors from mega-projects and mega-homes?

Or would you prefer just to leave public view corridors unregulated, with the market deciding how far property owners will go with obstructive, intrusive buildings?

What are your thoughts? Any comments?

Marchione shouldn't be fingered for Redmond's skyscraping growth

As of this writing, John Marchione is 16% ahead of Jim Robinson with 45% of the registered voting and all precincts reporting. John has it in the bag.

From the day John pulled ahead I've heard a number of Jim's supporters state concerns that "Marchione will turn Redmond will be another Bellevue"; "Marchione will assert the values of Bellevue upon Redmond"; "Marchione will draw in businesses and grow tall skyscrapers".

These accusations about Marchione are emotionally charged and not sound. Our "strong mayor" form of government doesn't empower Mayor-elect Marchione to set growth policy. Land -Use policy decisions shaping our growth resides with Council and the Planning Commission, not the mayor.

The Council listens to the mayor, city staff, planning commission, and citizens about growth issues. Council then decides on their growth policy, by vote. Mayor Marchione won't vote. John will supply information to Council needed to make their decision. And, he will carry out the Council's growth policies. The advantage of Marchione for Mayor are his regional relationships with Bellevue, Kirkland and other neighboring cities. John will be able to facilitate our council's policy with greater alacrity and effectiveness than our tenured, home-spun Jim Robinson.

Rosemary Ives' appointed commissioners have already recommended a 10 + story skyscraper at the Group Health site on Overlake. It appears our Council is all for giving the free market room to grow taller buildings (skyscrapers) in the Overlake Urban neighborhood. By growing "up" planners figure more open space can be saved for urban parks.

In short, many major decisions about how Redmond will grow and look have already been made by our council (including Robinson) under the Ives administration. The wheels are already in motion to urbanize Overlake with or without John as mayor. A major, $40M regional stormwater facility for our downtown has already been approved for Redmond Way and NE 8oth Street. $30M Bear Creek Parkway is approved by council. Robinson voted on all of them. When the streets get torn up and traffic staggers, don't blame John. The entire council voted on the plan under the assistance of Mayor Ives.

So, what do you have to say about that?!

Lake Sammamish neighbors storm City Hall about "view corridors".

In the last two weeks over 40 citizens living along the west bank of Lake Sammamish have approached the Planning Commission to be heard about the proposed Shoreline Master Plan update and View Point Neighborhood plan. THEY ARE NOT HAPPY!

"View corridors" 30% of lot-width are proposed to allow the passing public views to the lake. It limits the height of new construction and would necessitate falling older trees. Mostly, the residents complained about poor public notice. They felt the Administration was trying to push this through to limit citizen input. What do you think?

Many West Lake Sammamish residents argued eloquently for their 5th Amendment rights protecting private property owners from "taking" their land without just compensation. The Shoreline Master Plan HERE requires review by a state regulatory agency, the Department of Ecology.

The story is still unfolding. Ongoing developments can be found on the commission's & candidate video archive HERE and on RCTV-21 at Wednesday on 7pm commission meetings. Mail your comments to planningcommission@redmond.gov

Some of this issue is about is BUFFERS. We create buffers to protect our steams, wetlands, lakes, flood zones, and hazardous slopes. The Shoreline Act and city administration want to mitigate the buffers from the regional traffic on W. LK. Sammamish Parkway. Residents of the West Lake Sammamish Association (WLSA) say they need the buffers to protect the slopes from erosion, protect the lake wate r quality, buffer from traffic noise, and bicycle safety...and most of all, protect their property rights.

This is an interesting twist. Lake residents are the custodians of the lake. They care for it. They live in a natural habitat that's protected by buffers now threatened by government regulation.

According to a citizen, it is RUMORED that the view corridor must be granted to the City of Redmond as an easement and there is no plan for compensation to the property owner. Vegetation would have to be cleared and the view maintained by the property owner. Most lots in this segment of shoreline are valued in excess of $1m each, taking 30% of that property and converting it to public use with the property owner responsible for maintenance is a huge imposition on private property rights.

Sidebar: If a Redmond resident had to vote for Mayor just on this one issue would he/she choose Marchione or Robinson? Robinson lives in the View Point neighborhood but he has voted down buffers in the past. At the Critical Area Ordinance Public Hearing of 5/17/2005, Jim Robinson motioned to amend the Critical Area ordinance "to retain the existing [small] buffers". The motion died for a lack of a second. Trees help to buffer street noise and anchor slopes from erosion and filter run-off along the Lake Sammamish shoreline.

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FROM: KIM ALLEN:

Bob - Just a reminder of what happened at the meeting you mention above. "Robert S. Yoder, 10019 169 Avenue NE, asked the Council to designate riparian habitat as a Habitat of Local Importance, since Redmond is a green city, with lakes, rivers and streams with fish and wildlife. He said the habitat protects against erosion and protects water quality.Councilmember Robinson suggested that the Council consider including the term “Riparian Habitat of Local Importance” in the Definitions section of the Critical Areas Ordinance."Minutes of 5/17/05 Council meeting, pp.198-200.As to the final vote on the Shoreline Plan, including the buffers, here was the final vote:"Ordinance No. 2259, adopting Findings of Fact, amending the Natural Environment Element of the Redmond Comprehensive Plan in order to update the city’s goals and policies relating to critical areas, adding and amending various definitions in Chapter 20A.20 of the Redmond Community Development Guide relating to critical areas, amending Chapter 20D.140 of the Redmond Community Development Guide in order to update the city’s critical areas regulations and incorporate the Best Available Science, providing for severability and establishing an effective date, was presented and read.Upon a poll of the Council, Cole, Marchione, McCormick, Paine, Resha, Robinson, and Vache voted aye. Motion carried unanimously (7 – 0)."5/17/05 Council meeting minutes p.200
Sunday October 14, 2007

FROM BOB YODER

10/14Hi Kim - In friendly response to your above comments. 1) Robinson suggesting Riparian HOLI be relegated in the CAO solely as definition, is almost an insult, though it was one crumb more than the rest. A definition is far from a symbolic gesture. Nancy McCormmick's suggestion during the same public hearing that the Planning Commission vet the issuance of a proclaimation that Riparian be our Habitat of Local Importance. Riparian is truly proving to be one of our cities most valuable habitats for monitoring our water quality. It's just very unfortunate that Mr. Robinson was the only counclmember motioning to reduce riparian zones from the CAO plan. Yes, of course all candidates voted FOR the new Critical Area Ordinance. Wouldn't it be nice if council voting records were duly recorded for easy access by the public...tabulated on a spreadsheet. Unfortunately, the Administration hasn't provided this critical assessment service. Finally, Kim, I want to thank you again for the tremendous support you gave me during my presentations for Riparian HOLI. Unfortunately, the administration wrote a C.3 report to council killing this wonderful idea which had potential to attract many citizens and students into the process of sustaining our natural resources and environment. Regards,Bob

8/28/07, Martin "Marty" Snodgrass - long-time Planning Commission Chair retires

Martin "Marty" Snodgrass

This year celebrating 60-years young; a Redmond resident since 1976; married to Lori Snodgrass; father of two children [Erin and Jeff], step-father of two [Robert and Heather], and very proud grandfather of two [Eleanor and Calvin].

Graduate of the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington School of Law.

Marty has been practicing law since 1976, and his practice currently emphasizes commercial litigation and bankruptcy on behalf of both debtors and creditors.

He has authored Collection Law and Enforcement of Judgments in Washington, as well as two chapters in Washington Law Deskbooks for Lawyers; and, has been selected by Washington Law & Politics Magazine as a Washington State "Super Lawyer".

Marty strongly believes in giving back to his community, volunteering many hours in various programs: sitting on the City's Conference Committee panel, providing legal advice at the Eastside Legal Assistance Program and the WSBA's Debt Clinic, and for over 8 years a member of Redmond's Planning Commission.

- Lori Snodgrass, spouse & retired Redmond Parks Chair.
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BOB YODER:

During my "Items from the Audiance" presentations to the commission on the Critical Areas Ordinance, I developed a deep admiration for Martin's expertise, finesse, smarts and engaging personality as he Chaired the Planning Commission. And oh boy, does he know how to run a city meeting! Marty's retirement creates a certain void on the commission that probably will never be filled.

Thank you, Marty, for caring and giving so much to our city community! You are a highly respected and appreciated citizen volunteer and will be noticably missed during chamber proceedings --- and always remembered for your work & dedication to the City of Redmond.