CITY WATCH: Additional Water Storage Space Needed For Overlake, $24M Price

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Councilmember Stuart asked: what steps are needed to plan for the anticipated water storage deficit in Overlake, especially in light of anticipated growth in the area. CM Stuart expressed the importance of addressing potential storage shortfalls ahead of growth. 

Staff Comment:   Given the ability to move water supply within the system as needed, the needs identified in Overlake can be met by adding storage in multiple locations in Rose Hill and Overlake. The well service area (including the Education Hill Tanks) can be fed by the higher Rose Hill/Overlake pressure zones but the higher Rose Hill/Overlake pressure zones cannot be fed by the well service area. 

Additional storage in Rose Hill will directly benefit the Overlake area. The WSP specifically identifies adding a third storage tank on Education Hill.   The total estimated cost to add the needed storage is $24 million (in 2023 $). 

To provide the total volume identified in the current plan, a new reservoir site will be needed to meet the 20-year demand. 9/16

Source:  10/8 Council memo:   Councilmember Comment Councilmember Fields requested information on the key risks facing Redmond’s water distribution and storage system and asked how the Water System Plan addresses or mitigates such risks. READ MORE:

CITY WATCH: The City Council Will Hold Hearing To Oppose I-2066

 Vote "yes" on I-2066.   Washington residents and restaurants deserve a choice on using gas and/or electricity.  It's estimated the average consumer would have to pay ~$35,000 to convert all their appliances from gas to electric.  If I-2066 passes gas won't be banned from use by restaurants and households.  

Washington State has placed a ballot measure before the voters. Initiative Measure No. 2066 concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification. Initiative 2066 is scheduled to go to the voters at the General Election on November 5, 2024. 

The City Cou  the Council to take action on the resolution to declare its official position in opposition to I-2066. 

 "COUNCIL TOOL"   RCW 42.17A.555(1) authorizes the Council to take action to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as (a) the agenda includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members.

(Same Tool used by Council to validate their I-2117 Hearing)

Source:  10/8/24 Study Session "hopper." 

Council will hold a hearing at the October 15th, 2024 Business Meeting for the Council to take action on the resolution to declare its official position in opposition to I-2066. 

"COUNCIL TOOL"   RCW 42.17A.555(1) authorizes the Council to take action to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as (a) the agenda includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members.

(Same Tool used by Council to validate their I-2117 Hearing)

Source:  10/8/24 Study Session "hopper." 

Bob Yoder, Opinion:  10/17/2024

UPDATED: Redmond Police Update, 2021

 

Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe

In a March 14th City Hall meeting, Police Chief Darrell Lowe gave Council an overview of 2021 activities, as follows:  

• 78 commissioned staff, with 8 vacancies; 38 professional staff, with 4 vacancies
• Mental health specialist:  376 response calls, 1,127 total contacts (follow-up with families, courts, health systems and other services.)
• 25,000 calls for service in 2021; a 2.8% increase over 2020.
• 1,171 arrests in 2021; 294 fewer arrests than 2020.
• Crimes per day, down 2.3% from 2020.
• Public Record Requests up 6.8% from 2020

Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer asked if violence picked up during the pandemic.  Chief Lowe said domestic violence increased but it was "yelling" rather than physical. Arrests occurred.  Councilmember Carson asked for a breakdown of the levels of crime and citations of 2021.  Chief said the statistics will be released monthly.  

Councilmember Melissa Stuart asked about the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Chief said the trend is low for citations, that the job is primarily "relational." Last year the policy changed to a "community response model" where SRO's don't work at just one school; they float.  

The Chief explained the problem with retail shoplifting.  Councilmember Fields asked about catalytic converter theft. Redmond police and other jurisdictions organized a task force to respond. He mentioned an engraving program.

Councilmember Jeralee Anderson and the Chief emphasized the importance of locking your car.  Years ago I learned the hard way.  I won't go into the details, but my company car was stolen and returned two days later by a Redmond officer.  She said youth will steal cars for a joy-ride. I had no idea how she found it.  What an angel!

-- Bob Yoder, 3/19/2022

   Source:  Safety, Council Committee of the Whole meeting, 3/14/2022

To learn about the 2007 Levy and see total costs per household of the 2022 Levy click:  https://www.letsconnectredmond.com/safety

Dennis Elliss Is Out Of Touch, Vote Melissa Stuart For Redmond Council Position 4

 

Campaign literature:  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.

-- Malissa Stuart

Candidate for Redmond Council Position 4.  

Malissa's opponent is Dennis Elliss. In his literature Mr. Elliss complains about
"mayoral discussions being focused on how soon the earth was going to burn up and how walking paths and bike lanes were gridlock soluctions."

Mr. Elliss is out of touch.  Vote for Melissa Stuart!

-- Bob Yoder, 7/12/2021