Wednesday, April 17, 2024
UPDATED 4/26/24: Council Review Of "The Homeless Hotel" And Plymouth Housing
Monday, March 11, 2024
SafeEastside Activists Demand "A Say" On Downtown Homeless Housing
Redmond is in turmoil over Council's decision to allow Plymouth Homeless Housing in our downtown. Blue signs objecting to downtown "low-barrier" homeless housing (where drugs are allowed in the hotel with conditions) suddenly appeared all over Redmond's downtown today (3/12) including this one at Anderson Park.
At no fault of their own, Council wasn't transparent in their decision to house100 homeless and low income people in Redmond's downtown. According to Planning & Community Development Director Helland, a public Hearing wasn't required; and "comment periods" were tabled in the rush to qualify for funding. Thus, SafeEastside activists are demanding "a Say."
Various ways to have a Say:
- Phone or email Council President Vanessa Kritzer (and other councilmembers.) Request an appointment with her. Councilmember Kritzer holds office hours. 425-305-9892.
- Phone or email Councilmember Melissa Stewart. 425-305-9892. She holds walk-in office hours at the library, 3 - 5 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.
- Every other week on Tuesday's at 7:00 p.m. the public has a 3-minute opportunity (under review) to address the Council and Mayor at City Hall.
- Email: the Mayor, Council or Carol Helland, Director of Planning & Community Development at MayorCouncil@Redmond.gov.
- Contact Councilmember Steve Fields, the senior member of Council. He owns a coffee shop in Redmond and can meet you there. 425-403-9476.
- Reach out to Mayor Birney. Mayor@Redmond.gov
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Mayor Birney Proclaims October 28th "Green Redmond Day" at Heron Rookery
Mayor Birney with parks staff She's giving her Green Redmond speech and proclamation in front of the Heron Rookery |
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Senior Center "Camp WeGO" Smashing Success
Here we are with our Sports Participation Awards -- We were ALL winners!
Thursday, January 19, 2023
REDMOND BLOG EDITORIAL: Carol Helland, Redmond's Urban Planner Extraordinaire
Carol Helland, Director of Planning & Community Development |
For the Director Helland's job description....
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
UPDATED: Council Member David Carson Urges Access & Enhancement to "String of Pearls" Park Properties
CM David Carson |
Council Member David Carson says....
"When I joined the Redmond City Council in 2008, I fully expected that park properties along Redmond’s eastern edge (collectively known as the “String of Pearls”) would be, at the very least, made available to Redmond’s citizenry to enjoy since they’ve been in our inventory for now more than 50 years. That unfortunately has not happened, and budgets don’t seem to be getting any easier to afford city-developed projects. Leveraging of our civic pride is a way to do this and involve our residents. It would be a real achievement to make these beautiful properties available to our hiking and recreating public.
Below, are David's thoughts:
Monday, January 9, 2023
UPDATED: Mayor Angela Birney's 2022 Year-In-Review
Mayor Birney / credit Hopelink |
Hello Residents,
Different cultures celebrate the start of a new year in very distinct ways. For most, it's a time to rejoice, pause, and reflect on the past and future. A sense of normalcy returned in 2022 and provided an opportunity to build upon the lessons learned over the past few years. We have so much to be thankful for in Redmond, and I'd like to share some of the City’s accomplishments this past year:
Environmental Sustainability: In the area of environmental sustainability, we worked with the community to preserve and enhance our natural environment. And now it’s easier than ever to see that progress through our new Environmental Sustainability Data Dashboard. We completed a Climate Vulnerability Assessment to advise our long-range environmental planning efforts. And we partnered on programs and challenges to bring resources to you, such as the Redmond Climate Action Challenge and Energy Smart Eastside. Together, we planted trees, shrubs, and ground cover to expand and enrich Redmond's natural environment.
Connected Community: Creating connections and opportunities in our community continues to be an ongoing priority. Thousands enjoyed the return of Derby Days and the new elements to Redmond Lights. The City awarded lodging tax funds to over 22 Redmond events, and the Parks and Recreation Department returned to full in-person programming last year. We broke ground and are making tremendous progress on the new Redmond Senior & Community Center, which will soon offer arts, events, and recreational options for residents of all ages.
Infrastructure: City staff continued to work with and support Sound Transit’s light rail project in Redmond, bringing dependable access and connection to the region. And we continued to invest in our infrastructure by completing current projects and being awarded nearly $4.5 million in grant funds to leverage other transportation projects.
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Redmond Police Chief Lowe Elected President KCPCSA
courtesy C.O.R. |
Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe Elected President of King County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association
REDMOND, WA - Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe will serve as the 2023 president of the King County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association (KCPCSA). He served as vice president of the board for 2022.
KCPCSA was founded in 1998 and consists of executive and top management personnel from all law enforcement agencies in King County.
“I’m humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead and be the face and voice of my fellow King County law enforcement executives,” said Chief Lowe. “I look forward to working with local and state politicians in the upcoming legislative session to continue refining our laws for the betterment of the communities we serve.”
Lowe, who has served as Redmond’s Chief of Police since 2019, is also vice president of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs Association (WASPC), which provides services and resources to all law enforcement agencies within the state.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
UPDATED 1/11/2023: The Unsung Heroes of Redmond City Hall
These executives are the unsung heroes who run our government and implement Council policy. Mayor Birney does a little bit of both.
I'm sad to say Chip Corder left the City of Redmond. In my 16 years of following Redmond government, I've never seen a better Director of Finance. He did a fabulous job managing the finances of the Senior & Community Center re-development and this year's bi-annual budget. He was very kind to me. No doubt municipalities and other jurisdictions desired him. Thanks and KUDOS Mr. Corder!
-- Bob Yoder, opinion, 12/14/2022
Friday, December 2, 2022
UPDATED, 3/19/2023: City Salaries Under Review, Bonuses Unknown
The 2023 Pay Plans are being approved by Council this week. Below, is a review of the proposed Pay Plans for the city executives.
EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN (does not include Bonuses, Benefits and Perks)
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) $178,000, $213,000, $250,000 / year - low, middle, high range
Fire Chief, Police Chief, Public Works Director: $223,000 (high-end)
Directors: Human Resources, Finance, Information Officer, Parks, and Planning & Development. $215,000 (high-end.)
Deputy Directors: Fire, Police, Public Works, Information Services. $195,000.
Deputy Directors: Finance, Parks, Executive, H.R, Planning & Development Public Works. $187,000.
Mayor Birney pushed hard for a Deputy Director in every department.
Director Carol Helland |
-- Bob Yoder, opinion, 1/19/2023, updated, 3/2/2023
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
UPDATED: Redmond 2050 Visioning Workshop
This map is the starting point, before participants shuffled Legos according to their perspective of 2050. The white Lego stacks represent existing jobs. Five urban centers including residential neighborhoods were mapped: Overlake, Downtown, Marymoor, SE Redmond, and "NE 90th & Willows" local center. Overlake is slated to accommodate half the jobs in the city. Can you find the "NE 90th & Willows" local center?
The Redmond 2050 "Draft Environment Impact Statement" (DEIS) is much more than visioning the Redmond environment. It's a living story about "how we can accommodate anticipated growth."
I enjoy visioning in general, but was confused by the "DEIS" acronym and so brushed Redmond 2050 aside until Pam and I attended a "Visioning Lego Tabeling Workshop." I was hooked. It was super fun, productive and exceptionally engaging (one if the city's favorite words.) The workshop was organized and managed by thc city's Long Range Planning Manager, Jeff Churchill (Jeff is a Redmond High graduate, with lots of equity.)
Mr. Churchill described the participants' Lego conclusions at a Council Study session, saying the Lego community chose "SE Redmond" for the most job and housing growth as compared to Marymoor, the downtown, residential neighborhoods, and Willows. However, Churchill noted SE Redmond and Marymoor had infrastructure challenges.
Councilmember David Carson was "utterly baffled and confused by the first two slides" of the Lego workshop. Said Carson, "if someone could actually explain it to me...." and "what do I take away from that." Mr. Carson, a 13-year councilmember, probably knows the Development community better than any representative. A Council conservative, David is connected to "One Redmond"...Redmond's Chamber of Commerce "on steroids."
Council's focal points for growth were "Centers" and "Centers & Corridors" Mr. Carson preferred the "Center and Corridor" option. "Centers & Corridors" is defined as:
- highest concentration of jobs near light rail, frequent bus routes (compared to other options)
- higher job growth in Overlake (compared to other options.)
- greater risk of manufacturing displacement compared to "Centers" option.
- low housing displacement / affordability, diversity of housing types (58,179 targeted housing units, second to Overlake)
- need to study potential of new local center at "90th St. & Willows"
- high jobs along Willows.
- can accommodate 27,000 new jobs.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Council Approves Mayor Birney's Director Appointments
Loreen Hamilton, Parks and Recreation Director |
Redmond, WA – At last night’s meeting, the Redmond City Council approved Mayor Angela Birney’s appointment of Loreen Hamilton as the City of Redmond’s new parks and recreation director and Aaron Bert as the new public works director.
“Loreen and Aaron are knowledgeable, energetic, and compassionate team players,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “Both have a passion for public service and leadership skills that will create positive outcomes for our Redmond community.”
Hamilton will immediately begin her new role as the Parks and Recreation Department director. She joined the City of Redmond in 2019 as the Events and Marketing Administrator and, in 2020, was promoted to deputy parks director. She has 12 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector as an executive director for The Salvation Army. Hamilton’s experience encompasses executive leadership, strategic planning, budget management, event and program planning, staff training, capital project management, and facility management. Director Hamilton holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Friday, February 4, 2022
UPDATED, 2/23/2022 Exciting Senior & Community Center Updates
Do you see the black solar panels on the roof? Will there be space for green roof tops? |
Per Business Council meeting of 2/1/2022: Senior & Community Center updates:
1) Vice President Vanessa Kritzer announced the possibility of Green (Roof) Tops at the Center. President Jessica Forsythe has advocated for green roof tops for years. Jessica asked staff for maintenance costs. Eric Dawson, Public Works and project lead estimated a green top would cost about $15,000. He felt it would easily fit in the budget. Hopefully, this will be the first of many green tops on City buildings.
2) Design costs of the Center are increasing with inflation. The cost will be $52,000,000 if Council passes an ordinance to cover a $4,000,000 shortfall. Public Works "value engineered" the project saving $2,480,000.
3) Most of the funding is collected from the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) $17,116,000 and a "councilmanic" bond. The CIP is funded by taxpayers.
Total debt payments on the councilmanic bond are $32,217,000 over twenty years. Cumulative interest over twenty years is $8,264,000. The interest rate is 3%. President Forsythe was concerned about the rate rising. Councilmanic bonds are not voter approved.
Here's some upbeat news. The councilmanic bond can be spent as one-time money for construction of the Center. President Forsythe questioned having enough one-time money to "go around" towards other projects. Parks Director Carrie Hite wasn't too concerned stating the 2022 CIP was "robust." The final decision is expected in June.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, Internet, 2/1/2022
OPINION: Director Carrie Hite was released or resigned from her position just recently. Council decided not to use the councilmanic bond to fund construction of the Senior/Comm. Center. Council may have decided the 2022 CIP was not robust and perhaps didn't like staff making budget decisions. Council President Forsythe was concerned the 3% interest rate would increase with inflation. My guess is she has other places to use the bond in the immediate future. Losing Director Hite is a big loss IMO.
Thursday, November 4, 2021
City Council Approves 5% COLA
Redmond City Council approved a 5% Cost of Living salary increase for union employees Effective January 1, 2022, (Staff quoted 6.5% as the true rate of inflation.) Many thanks to Mayor Birney and Council for their transparency on this topic! The Council took time to ask some very good questions. In the past, union salary plans were buried in the Consent Agenda and never pulled for discussion.
Per employee visibility, the following are a few maximum salaries:
- Planner, $104,232
- Principal Planner, $131,076
- Senior Planner, $118,614
- Communications & Marketing Project Administrator, $109,164
- Senior Engineer, $141,660
- Administrative Assistant, $71,360
- Communications & Marketing Specialist, $97,824
- Environmental Sustainability Program Manager, $101,736
- Senior Building Inspector, $107,376
- Senior Accountant, $99,636
- Senior Purchasing Agent, $109,044
- Recreation Program Administrator, $104,408
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Firefighter Vaccine Resistance At City Hall
The Fire Chief said at last night's Business Meeting that his department is fully staffed. He said he lost some well trained employees but was confident with the replacements. 10/20/2021
Redmond Fire, Facebook |
To watch the firefighters, and homeless hotel protesters on City of Redmond video click HERE. (Advance the tape to 2 hours: 17 minutes.) [Homeless Hotel protests start at 40 minutes.]
NOTE: Firefighter family members visited last night's city council meeting to share their concern that up to 20 employees could lose their job if they do not seek a vaccine by October 18. Many firefighters and their families addressed the Mayor and Council emphasizing that in this pandemic none were ever infected. However, early on before the necessity of PPE was recognized four were sent home to quarantine and one quarantined at a fire station. Later the Fire Chief was let go. -- Bob Yoder, 9/212021
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-- Steve Kiggins, Q-13, 9/21/2021
Family members and firefighters from the **Redmond Fire Department say they jumped through all the hoops to apply for the exemption, but now worry the city might not provide accommodations.
"For us to even contemplate to fire any of these heroes, shame on us," said firefighter mother Sknge Alsin. "We should keep every job intact."
Alsin’s daughter Kayleight is married to a firefighter. Her husband joined the department after spending 10 years as a Redmond cop.
The family joined a group of firefighters and other family members who expressed their concerns.
The City of Redmond says it has 164 full time employees at the department. Firefighters say as many as 20 have applied for a religious exemption asking the city to allow them to continue mirroring the health protocols they have been using since the beginning of the pandemic.
Last week, firefighters say they believed the city would accept their exemption, but now worry the accommodations may not be allowed.
A city spokesperson said the department is following Gov. Jay Inslee’s state mandate on the vaccine.
-- Steve Kiggins, Q-13, 9/21/2021, edited
-- Bob Yoder, cc: Mayor / Council, 9/22/2021
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
June Monthly Finance Report
Redmond Finance Director Chip Corder |
June 27th, 2021 Monthly Finance Report:
Total revenues are ahead of target by approximately 35%, or $16.5 million.
· Sales tax exceeds target by approximately 77%, or $9.1 million. One-time sales tax on construction continues to be the revenue driver at $7.6 million for the year, with $1.3 million received in June.
· Utility taxes are below target by approximately 1.9%, or $113,000. This is an improvement over prior months due to a large payment received for unpaid electric utility taxes.
· Intergovernmental revenue is ahead of target by approximately 73%, or $5.1 million, mostly due to the receipt of the 2021 American Rescue Act Plan allocation.
· License & permit revenues exceed target by 34%, or $2.3 million. · Total expenditures are below target by approximately 8.50%, or $4.3 million.
-- redmond.gov
Thursday, May 27, 2021
The City's "Stay Safe Re-opening Plan"
Mayor Angela Birney at a ribbon cutting ceremony |
A five stage strategy for re-opening city facilities, services, and programs.
The city plans to open in person city hall for meetings by July 6th 2021.
The C.O.O. Malisa Files, Human Resource Director, and the Fire Chief presented Redmond's "Stay Safe Re-opening Plan" at Council's May 27th Study Session. It was well received, however councilmember David Carson noted he has a hard time speaking through a mask and requested this restriction be removed. Ms. Files said mask removals were a possibility.
Reported by Bob Yoder, 5/27/2021
Thursday, March 25, 2021
City Of Redmond Is Awarded Significant COVID-19 Recovery Funding
The Council held a committee meeting last Tuesday focusing on three topics - the first being the American Federal Rescue Plan Act of 2021. COO Malisa Files presented the plan.
As you know, the federal American Rescue Plan of 2021 is a huge $1.9 trillion COVID-19 recovery program. $300 billion is targeted for state and local aid. (including Redmond?) $130 billion will be split equally between counties and cities. (including Redmond?) $65 billion goes to localities. Redmond gets ~$15.6, half by May 10th, the remainder in 2022.
Ms. Files didn't mention King County executive Dow Constantine's $600 million COVID-19 recovery plan. About half of the funds are allocated to public health and rental assistance; some may spill over to cities.
Where's the greatest need in Redmond for COVID recovery funds? Relief for small businesses and nonprofits have been targeted first and foremost. Tourism, travel and hospitality are also in need. Hazard pay for essential workers, local government losses, and investment in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure were identified.
-- Bob Yoder, 3/25/2021
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Bear Creek Enhancement Site
A few years ago he restored Mackey Creek, a tributary on the northern border of Ferrel-McWhirter Park; and years before that he was involved in the restoration of Lower Bear Creek. His next stop is to enhance Bear Creek adjacent to the Keller Farm Habitat Bank using woody debris.
The construction of this 95th Street enhancement project was very involved. Six log jams and "alcoves" had to be anchored into the banks with large woody debris (logs.) 3,000 native plants, trees and willow cuttings were planted. Watch the video to learn more. The project was expensive but a $140,000 "Cooperative Watershed Management" grant from King County more than paid for the design.
Bear Creek has enormous environmental value to Redmond. One could say "it makes Redmond, Redmond." Federally protected Chinook and other salmon spawn here. In fact, on the tour Tom pointed out a spawning area a Chinook used. The vegetation and trees boarding the creek (riparian habitat) provide excellent birding and wildlife opportunities. We saw a young Pileated Woodpecker actively foraging 15 feet away from us!
Bear Creek is part of our culture. Thousands of years ago Snohomish indians lived and fished on its banks. These days, residents view the natural wonder of Bear Creek salmon during "Salmon Seeson."
-- Bob Yoder
2/24/2020
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Updated: Notes On 4/23 Council Meeting
Source: 4/23 Council Study Session & Council Committee of the Whole meeting.