Redmond To Open First Electric Vehicle Charging Station January 13 - Bellevue Has Two Operating Stations.

Coulomb EV Charging Station

Redmond Opens its First Electric Vehicle Charging Station; Bellevue has two operating stations at Belleuve City Hall. 

Bellevue opened two Free Coulomb Technologies, Level II charging stations at Bellevue City Hall 450 - 110 Avenue, NE. on November 19, 2010.  In the Bellevue and surrounding areas, Coulomb’s ChargePoint America program is now offering hundreds of free EV charging stations for public and home charging to individuals and businesses. The installation of the City Hall ChargePoint station was provided by Coulomb distributor Charge Northwest.  Editor's Note B.Y.

City Press Release:

Redmond, WA – The first Level II charging station in Redmond for electric vehicles will open with a brief ceremony on Thursday, January 13 at 1pm in front of Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street.

This charging station is one of four to be built in Redmond by Coulomb Technologies, Inc under the ChargePoint America Program. This $37 million program is funded in part through a grant from the United States Department of Energy as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

Redmond is one of the first in the region to offer use of these public electric vehicle charging stations. Two stations will be located at City Hall and two will be at the City’s Maintenance and Operations Center, 18080 NE 76th Street.

City partners to build a "rain garden" at NE 40th & 172nd Ave. By John Reinke

Installation Site on NE 40th and 172nd Ave.

This report and photographs are contributed by John Reinke of Education Hill, Redmond.

With great excitement, two weeks ago I joined three staff members from Stewardship Partners and two local citizen volunteers, in constructing a "rain garden" on city land near a busy intersection at NE 40th Street and 172nd Avenue.

The purpose of a "rain garden" is to divert rainwater runoff into a temporary "holding pond" where it can be absorbed and retained in the soil, rather than ending up in Puget Sound via the stormwater runoff system. This benefits the land by replenishing groundwater and it benefits the Sound by keeping out heavy metals.

Plants and gravel outflow area positioned on site

The idea for the rain garden came from Stewardship Partners, which obtained funding for it from the King Conservation District. Stewardship Partners is a local nonprofit that specializes in helping landowners to preserve the environment. The City of Redmond partnered on the project, and provided the necessary permits, as well as scooping out a depression in the ground for the rain garden and modifying the curb to permit rainwater to enter from the road. Planning for the garden was done by Zsofia Pasztor of Innovative Landscape Technologies. See the slide show of the installation. 

Stacey Gianas of Stewardship Partners oversaw our planting efforts. She explained how different species of plants were chosen, depending upon which of 3 levels they would occupy in the garden. Plants at the bottom level have to tolerate having their roots wet for extended periods of time. On the other hand, plants at the top level should be somewhat drought resistant. Plants in the middle level need to be somewhere in between in their water requirements.

READ MORE >> about the installation

City may revisit the backyard chicken ordinance

Redmond resident, Ms. Dennis, asked the city last night to take a second look at our "backyard animal ordinance".   She spoke during the public comment period to City Council, specifically about the value of backyard hens to sustainability and health. 

Ms. Dennis reminded Council of the widespread salmonella contamination to chicken eggs nationwide this year.  According to a New York Times article of 8/27/2010 more than 1500 infections have been tied to bad eggs since May - the highest incidence since FDA studies began in 1973. 

Ms. Dennis trumped many of the common objections to backyard chickens.  Salmonella contamination is uncommon with organic eggs.  Referring to neighboring city ordinances, she proposed council approve up to three backyard hens, no roosters; saying noise is limited in the absence of roosters.  She said rats and insects follow people.  People will dogs and cats must clean up; just as one does for hens.  

Councilwoman Allen  agreed completely with Ms. Dennis saying she is aware of the widespread outbreak of salmonella in eggs and has always endorsed the sustainability concept.  Ms. Allen was Chair of the Safety Council Committee.  Council Finance Chair, Hank Margeson agreed wholeheartedly with Ms. Allen and Ms. Dennis.  Council Safety Chair Meyers was positive, as well.

The Council needs four votes to proceed with an ordinance change and they've got three now.   Who do you think is a 4th aye?   Senior Councilman Richard Cole used to have backyard horses.  Councilman Carson said his wife would vote for the hens, but that he still needed to think on it.  You can lobby council.  Email: council@redmond.gov.

Reported By Bob Yoder
Photo from Google images

Click:  "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Facebook page for comments.

Updated: Cindy Jayne - An extraordinary Redmond community leader and volunteer.

This strory was authored by Bob Yoder

Cindy Jayne is an amazing Redmond community leader and volunteer.  I first met Cindy reporting on a Parks & Trails Meeting.  I wanted to write her story.  Cindy has taken the summer off and is "working" full time on a backyard landscaping project right now, but she kindly offered a little of her time to share the biography of her volunteer life in Redmond.   Hold your hat, here goes: 

1992  Moved to Redmond - Lives west of Marymoor Park, in the View Point Neighborhood.
2004  Joined Northwest Earth Institute.  http://www.nweiseattle.org/
2005  Steering Committee member for Seattle Northwest Earth Institute
2006  Joined City of Redmond Trails Commission
2007  Joined City of Redmond Pedestrian-Bicycle Citizen Advisory Committee
2007  Laison between PED-Bicycle Advisory Committee and Parks & Trails Commission
2009  Vice Chair of City of Redmond Parks and Trails Committee
2009  Forest Land Steward (with husband Jeff) for Westside Park.
2009  Derby Day Redmond-Green booth volunteer and parade participant.
2009  Starting up "Sustainable Redmond Group",  http://www.scallopswa.org/

Northwest Earth Institute's Sense of Place course is part of what prompted Cindy to join the Trails Commission.   This course focuses on one's knowledge and commitment to the local community. The Institute is giving a presentation of their "discussion courses" for those who want to learn more, Thursday,  September 17, from 7-8 at the Redmond Library, Room. I.   Say hi to Cindy!

Professionally, Cindy worked for 13 years for Physio-Control in Redmond, designing medical devices.  She has a Bachelor's and Masters in Electrical Engineering, and an MBA.  She switched to consulting work in 2008. 

"I had the perfect commute for many years - 5 miles each way, most of which was along the Sammamish River trail. I would ride my bike to work typically twice a week, year round, which both reduced my carbon footprint, and gave me a good workout and fresh air."

Cindy Jayne's personal mission and philosopy on life:

"As I have learned more about climate change, I came to view that as the most critical issue that affects our planet today. It impacts so many other aspects, including poverty, disease, forests, and wildlife. I feel it is a moral responsibility that we all have to try to leave the planet in better shape than we inherited, for the sake of all the world's children (of all species) and future generations.  I am hopeful that not only can we change course, but that doing so will improve our lives by helping bring communities together, and shifting our culture away from consumerism and toward meaningful relationships. As the saying goes, the best things in life aren't things."

Thank you Cindy Jayne for all you do for our community!  

Cindy would love to hear from anyone interested in being part of "Sustainable Redmond".  She can be contacted at cindy@nweiseattle.org.   

by Bob Yoder

A creative approach to sustainability in the 'hood.

My neighbors, Richard and Eileen are confirmed UNDRIVERS. They 'hitch a ride' from our 'hood whenever they can find one, take the bus over a car, and other stuff good UNDRIVERS do. It's a state-of-mind they've adopted. At first it sounds silly, but sustainability is catchy. Eileen emailed the following story:

Victoria's Undriving Success Story:

“The Undriving program has been far more successful than I thought it would be. I pledged to give up driving on Thursday for a month. Not only did I fulfill that pledge, but I wound up taking the bus for almost all my trips - to work, to concerts, to friends' houses. I found it fun to research how to get places both here and in other towns. I've enjoyed riding the bus; it gives me time to read a lot. I also have had fun striking up conversations with strangers. Extra walking has been a great result; I'm feeling fitter than I did in March. Friends of mine have started to think about ways in which they could reduce their car use; one has activated her old bike which has been sitting in her garage for years. I had no idea that one small pledge would open the door to changing such an entrenched habit.” - Victoria

A NEW WAY TO UNDRIVE!

Next Saturday, July 18, Undriving will be celebrating the launch of Sound Transit’s new Link Light Rail line, from Westlake to Tukwila! Ride the rails for free all weekend. Undriver Licensing will be at the Othello Station (MLK & S. Othello) – tell your friends!

The UNDRIVING Licensing Station (MLK & S. Othello) is open July 18 to get licensed and help shape your pledge (no cost). 9:30am-1:30pm, and 1:30-5:30pm. Questions? Email julia@undriving.org, or call 206-605-5910. Liscencing is available online.

Next up:• Rainier Heritage Festival & 'Celebrate Summer Streets' event - August 8, 11am-3pm Join us for the celebratory street closure and parade.

Thanks to Transportation Choices Coalition and Sustainable South Seattle for sponsoring the Undriver Licensing Station!

Website: http://www.undriving.org/

CONTACT: Julia@undriving.org

"Sometimes, the only available transportation is a leap of faith." -Margaret Shepard

LINKED TO MY FACEBOOK

05/2007, TENT CITY-4 Observations & recommendations for a better Tent City

OPINION:  I have experience with alcoholism in my family and I sold psychotropic medication for five years to psychiatrists for bipolar, OCD, Depression, and ADHD. I have been a Board Member of NAMI-Eastside.

It is evident alcohol use will never be totally eradicated from Tent City even with the "zero tolerance" Code of Conduct policy. Under the Share/Wheel nonprofit policy, residents are "disbarred" by their own members (escorted out of camp by their peers to a bus stop) when caught drinking in camp.

TC4 evictions for alcohol and disorderly conduct are enacted by tent city residents, staff, and parishioners; that's the **policy. During eviction, the police department is rarely, if ever, called to assess the evictee for health & safety needs, counseling, escort, or even incarceration. I strongly encourage and recommend a policy where the police be called during evictions so professional , objective assessment can be taken. Yes, police intervention may cost taxpayers more money short term, but it is safer for citizens, more humane for the afflicted and probably more cost effective long term. 

About 23% of tent city homeless (NAMI) are afflicted with a serious mental illness and likely need medical attention, medication adjustments, and social support. NAMI-Eastside and the Hero House members (for social/vocational rehabilitation) should have greater awareness and presence in Camp.

Safety & health assessments during evictions, ideally, should not be the responsibility of Tent City resident peers. Peer support should be primarily dedicated to spiritual, caring, and informational needs. Phone communications are an option for follow-up by a resident or neighbor who cares. Upon entering TC ("the Hilton) and departing, some Tent City evictees need to "bottom out" from alcohol and they often need medical attention and psycho-pharmaceuticals. **Alcohol and other drugs are commonly used to "self-medicate depression, mania, and other mental illnesses.

My brother died from the isolation of co-occurring mood disorder & alcoholism. He was isolated in an apartment, unemployed, miserable from brain damage associated with medication dis-continuance. He could no longer cope. One day he stopped his medication and died. Had Rick not been isolated he might still be living. Thus, my recommendation for the humanity, kinship, and social support of a Hero House and a Tent City.

One final thought before listing support services. Why couldn't Alcoholic Anonymous conduct meetings at TC4 encampments?  (Update: 7/1/12: They started AA meetings in 2011 - including road signage on 166th). Progress in attending to TC resident mental health-care needs probably will not occur until Share/Wheel and host facilities take mental illness and substance abuse out of their closet. ShareWheel's FEAR that permits will be denied when admitting a high presence of mentally ill is unfounded.

Precedent has been set over and over for TC permit approvals. Community tent cities are here to stay - with or without community awareness of the high incidence of mental illness.
ShareWheel and host facilities should no longer feel a need to "shelter" the mentally ill from neighborhoods and their chance for better health.
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***SHARE/WHEEL - Operator and Manager of Tent Cities of Puget Sound
Call 206-448-7889 [ask for AA, Hero House, and peer support]
Website: http://anitraweb.org/homelessness/faqs/tentcities.html
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HERO HOUSE - psychiatric and vocational rehabilitation and support. 9-5PM. computers for job hunting and training. subsidized lunch. van pick-up. must apply with proof of diagnosis. confidentiality secured. CALL: 425-614-1282. 14230 NE 21st Street, Bellevue, WA. 98007. http://herohouse.org/
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A.A. - Bellevue - 1299 - 156th Ave. NE. #160. CALL: 425-454-9192. http://alcoholics-anonymous.org/