LETTER: Regional Transit Task Force member acknowledges Councilmembers Hague and Lambert

LETTER:  As a member of the Regional Transit Task Force (RTTF) I want to acknowledge the leadership of King County Councilmembers Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert on the Congestion Reduction Charge (CRC). To paraphrase the Councilmembers, they didn’t change their mind, they changed the proposal, and they did so in a way that serves their constituents and all the citizens of King County extraordinarily well.

The changes are substantive.

• Accelerating the phase out of the free ride area and implementation of alternative service delivery models honor the recommendations of the Metro audit and RTTF, respectively.
• Complimentary bus tickets for individuals paying the CRC, paired with a ticket donation program, ensure that everyone who pays the CRC will see direct benefit and provides a path for increasing social equity.
• Factoring tolling into service allocation decisions directly addresses the RTTF emphasis on productivity and geographic value.

Each of the changes negotiated by Councilmembers Hague and Lambert move us toward a more vital and sustainable King County Metro - one that better serves the needs of citizens in their districts and throughout the county. In crafting a CRC that includes these provisions the Councilmembers are keeping both our county’s people and its economy moving.

  -Josh Kavanagh 

 Member, Regional Transit Task Force

King County formed the Regional Transit Task Force in March 2010 to consider a policy framework to guide service investments or—if necessary—contraction of the King County Metro Transit system.

Hague reverses position and now supports temporary $20 tab charge

"HERE IS SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS FROM JANE HAGUE -- something moved her to change her position..."    --Richard Morris, Education Hill Neighbor, Redmond, 8/12

Dear Neighbor,

Today I announced my support of the temporary $20 “Congestion Reduction Charge.” My support comes as a result of a bipartisan agreement which addresses my primary concerns regarding the future of Metro.

First, the new legislative package preserves service on the Eastside – nearly 120,000 hours which were slated to be cut. Second, it takes critical steps to make Metro more financially sustainable.

This new proposal initiates meaningful reform that protects jobs and reduces waste. Among the elements of the agreement:

 · The preservation of current levels of Metro service on the Greater Eastside. Under the previous proposal, Eastside service would have been cut by 120,000 hours.

· Implementation of “right-sizing” consistent with the Transit Strategic Plan. Rather than eliminating low-ridership routes that serve lower-density areas, Metro will deploy lower-cost, more efficient Dial-a-Ride Transit service (DART), community access transportation services, Vanpools and vanshares, which will make Metro more efficient and responsive to riders.

· A Transit Incentive Program that will provide eight bus tickets, up to $24, in exchange for each car tab renewal. Individuals will be able to use the tickets for bus rides to anywhere within the county. Or they can choose to donate the value of those tickets for distribution by select human service agencies.

· A phase out of the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area in October 2012, which was called for by the County Council’s 2009 Metro performance audit. The elimination will save $2.2 million a year.

· Language consistent with the Transit Strategic Plan that calls for routes which carry more riders due to the effect of highway tolling, including SR-520, as candidates for added service. I’ve always been a supporter of transit in King County. It is critical that we keep people and businesses moving – especially during this tough economic time.

For more information on the agreement see the press release below. I also want to thank the thousands of concerned citizens that wrote me and voiced their concern. I value your feedback.

For More Information on the New Congestion Reduction Charge (CRC) Click Here 

Click Here to see a Comparison Chart

Sincerely,

Jane Hague

King County Council – District 6

Email: jane.hague@kingcounty.gov

Phone: 206-296-1006

http://www.kingcounty.gov/Hague    http://www.facebook.com/kccJaneHague  

LETTER: King County Councilmember Jane Hague explains position on $20 car tab fee

Jane Hague responds to Richard Morris's "Save Your Bus!" query, on the proposed $20 car tab increase to support METRO.  Richard recommends R-Trip incentives.  Mr. Morris, an Education Hill Neighbor, shares Hague's response...

Incumbant Jane Hague, Pos. 6

King County Coumcilmemmber

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for writing me and voicing your concern over the proposed $20 car tabs fee.

As you may have read, a vote on the “congestion reduction fee” was expected to take place at the July 25th Council meeting. Instead, this vote was unexpectedly delayed until August 15th. I still oppose a councilmanic adoption of the $20 car tab increase. Further, I am concerned by the fact that the $20 fee will still result in a reduction of bus service for the Eastside and that Metro has not fully implemented plans to control its ongoing budget growth.

As a firm supporter of transit, I have said consistently through this debate that I have many concerns about Metro’s future. First, as I mentioned above, significant route eliminations and reductions on the Eastside will occur even if the car tab fee is implemented. These service hours will be allocated elsewhere. Eastsiders will ultimately be paying for service they will not receive. Second, long term solutions for Metro’s future have yet to be discussed. The fee doesn’t solve the underlying issues and uses important reserves to fill-in budget holes.

I don’t think it’s responsible to my constituents in District 6, nor the people of King County, to endorse a weak “band-aid” solution. Again, thank you for writing. Let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. I look forward to continuing this debate.

Sincerely,

Jane Hague

King County Council – District 6

Email: jane.hague@kingcounty.gov 

Phone: 206-296-1006

http://www.kingcounty.gov/Hague  http://www.facebook.com/kccJaneHague

"Save Your Bus Route!", By Richard Morris

King County Council member Jane Hague

3rd from the left

Save Your Bus Route!

LETTER:  If the Congestion Reduction Charge (temporary two-year $20 car tab fee) doesn't pass, several routes are scheduled to be eliminated or scheduled for service reductions and revisions.

Because of the recession, King County Metro's funding from sales tax has plummeted. Metro has already undertaken extreme efficiency measures to keep the buses running, but they are facing a 17% budget gap. Without the temporary $20 car tab fee, King County Metro will have to cut bus service by 17 percent!

This would mean 177 bus routes under King County Metro would be slashed, reduced, or even eliminated. 36% of commuters in King County currently use the bus.

We need transit to reduce commuter gridlock and protect the environment. People rely on King County Metro buses to get to work, school and the hospital. In fact, these cuts will disproportionately affect people of color, immigrants and our elders who make up a large percentage of transit-dependent riders throughout King County.

On August 15, six votes are needed by King County Council to pass an emergency ordinance to put the measure on the ballot or to approve the measure without requiring a public vote.

Please email Council member Jane Hague and urge her to vote YES on The Congestion Reduction Charge on August 15. jane.hague@kingcounty.gov  [and email Council member Kathy Lambert at:  kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov].

By Richard Morris

Redmond, WA.

Photo:  courtesy King County website

"Sustainable Sidewalk", Art by Reinke, Part One

JOHN REINKE / "Sustainable Sidewalk"

"Sustainable" defined:

a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource

 so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged

- Webster's dictionary

City receives $3.3 million grant for pedestrian improvements on Cleveland Street

SEATTLE – Redmond will receive $3.3 million for transportation improvements via action this week by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).

The funding will help construct pedestrian improvements on Cleveland Street from Redmond Way to 164th Ave NE.  “Helping communities secure federal transportation funding is one of the key roles of the PSRC,” said PSRC President, Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown. “This project rose to the top on its merits and can not only deliver improvements for the future, but help grow jobs in the near term.” 

Redmond City Council President Richard Cole is on the Executive Board of PSRC.  Council member Kim Allen represents "Suburban Cities Association" on the PSRC Growth management planning board and chairs the Eastside Transportation Partnership.  Read More >>

City Council gives District go-ahead to remodel Redmond High School; modifies parking plans

Redmond High School 

UPDATED:  City Council modifies LW School District's Redmond High School plan to construct two building additions, three portables, and additional parking.  Passes amended Ordinance 2608  approving RHS remodel. (6-1, Cole opposing).

The district is required to impliment and maintain detailed management plans for "event parking" and "daily operating parking".

It's a known fact, traffic is bad on 104th Street and 166th Avenue when school is in session.  During the July 19th city council meeting on the proposed Redmond High School (RHS) building additions, even Council President Richard Cole said he avoids driving these roads whenever possible.  Richard has this luxury; his kids graduated years ago. 

Susan Wilkins, a mother of two RHS students, unfortunately doesn't have this option.  In the July 26 permit Hearing, she bravely spoke for almost 10 minutes on district traffic study omissions and school project costs. City and district lawyers and officials listened intently.

"With 500 more potential parent drop-offs of 9th graders, traffic will be horrible" Wilkins said.  "I can't even get on 104th Street without making an illegal left turn".  She said her "kids had to walk on Avondale just to get on a bus, just so the District could get paid [for that route]."   Wilkins advised that a state law goes into effect this September giving eligibility for busing only to those kids living outside a one mile radius from school (not counting twists and turns).  She concluded, "It's better to drive my kids".

Ms. Wilkins focused her argument on severe lack of school and Metro bus ridership stating:

"Only 300 ride the bus to RHS, of 1450 students.  That's less than 20% of the population.  At Lake Washington High School almost 1000 students or, 50% ride of the kids ride the Metro bus".   

She said the District needs to provide more buses or give Metro incentives.   Unfortunate for Ms. Wilkins and her supporters, Council didn't address busing.  A traffic planning ordinance (TMP) and lack of documentation appeared to limit Council on the issue.

What the District committed was Read More >>

SR 520 weekend construction of fish ladder - fast motion video

  

On July 9-11, crews closed SR 520 all weekend to install a Fish ladder culvert on the east side of Lake Washington.

Credit to Councilmember John Stilin for mentioning this fascinating video in tonight's Council Study Session.

Four more FULL time weekend closures of SR 520 are planned:
From Montlake to 108th Ave N.E, starting 11 p.m. Friday nights.

August 26-29
September 16-19
October 21-24
November 18-21

North Redmond's sidewalks to nowhere

Sidewalks and bike lanes on NE 116th Street



Crosswalk and bike lane to nowhere 



Sidewalk to nowhere; containers block bike lane

COMMENT FROM READERS:

We've brought up the issue of lack of sidewalks and safe crossings on 116th with city representatives on multiple occasions going back to 2006. The city's position is that developers are responsible for building sidewalks. Unfortunately the city has allowed multiple loopholes allowing developers to avoid their responsibilities. For example, the neighborhood at the SE corner of 172nd is long since completed, but no sidewalk on 116th was ever constructed. Even when sidewalks were built, in many cases they were very narrow strips adjoining the road with no planter strip or other buffer. Meanwhile, the roundabout at the intersection of 116th & 172nd has been pushed out (again) to 2015, leaving us with likely the most unsafe intersection in the city.
     Kudos to Buchan Homes, which built a very nice sidewalk along 116th for Whistler's Ridge.
-Andy Raffman

"...Placing the blame for this "unfinished work" on developers is unacceptable. It is the City that approves plans, and regulates construction projects. We are lucky to have good home builders in Redmond, but we need a stronger handle on "the planning side."
- Richard Morris

Post and Photos By Bob Yoder

June 16 Explosion near Rose Hill - Power outages - Terrible traffic around town

Mike Siegle/Seatle Times

Katie's Facebook photo taken from 200 feet above ground level

 ROLLING NEWS:

Emily's photo sent by Facebook

Scroll down for more photos

See more news and photos at:
Redmond Neighborhood Blog Facebook page  OR Email us at:  redmondblog@gmail.com

ROLLING NEWS:

All power is restored.  PSE, Allison Stanford, ~ 3:46 PM, 6/16

PSE Report:  Mineral oil is used as a coolant and conductor for the substation.  It appears the cause for the  black smoke.  The mineral oil is non-toxic.  A substation fire/explosion has never occurred in the history of Puget Sound Energy.  They've been supplying energy to the region since 1886.
  -- Allison Stanford, PSE spokesperson.  Reported by B. Yoder  4:33PM

Duvall Police, Kirkland Police, and Redmond Police Explorers assisted Redmond Police with initial response and traffic. Kirkland Fire, Redmond Public Works, Redmond Planning, and the Washington Department of Ecology also responded, assuring there was no further damage.
  -- City of Redmond

KING 5:  Redmond Sub-Station Fire Knocks Out Power to 1000's
http://www.king5.com/home/Redmond-WA-substation-fire-knocks-out-power-124022269.html

READ MORE >>

OPINION: The sidewalks on 166th Ave. are dangerously narrow

Sidewalks on 166th Ave NE are so narrow kids have to hike on garden beds

OPINION:  Two weeks ago and a woman running along a road in Chelan was hit and killed by an old man who fell asleep at the wheel.  Could it be a matter of time before a car loses control on 166th and runs into a pedestrian or bicyclist....or worse, a group of kids?  Children may walk in groups to be more visible to traffic and feel safer?  The oldest and tallest child usually walks closest to the street or on the curb. 

The traffic and safety on 166th Ave. has been under the watchful eyes of citizens, city council and administration for years. In the 2007 election one of Brian Seitz's campaign pledges was to slow the traffic and widen the sidewalks and bike lanes on 166th with 4:3 conversion.  The conversion was partially implemented. (Brian lost to Dave Carson by 200 votes).  Objections were concerns of trucks and buses plugging up traffic.   Carson and Cole were particularly focused on freight and buses.  Sue Stewart said Metro bus slowdowns on a conversation wouldn't be significant.  She works for Metro in Safety.  A few weeks ago, Councilmember John Stilin strongly indicated the conversion should be completed.

When you look at the video, picture a bicyclist coasting down the hill between the kids and a car.  No wonder so few bicycle here.  It's surprising to see so many pedestrians using the sidewalks.  Drivers often react by swerving away from small groups.  

Do you think 166th can take the traffic?  Do you think the city should finish the conversion?  The city put in red lights to improve safety at key intersections.  Should the city build safety improvements on 166th with proceeds from red-light tickets?  What do you think?
 

Opinion and photography by Bob Yoder

REPUBLISHED: SR 520 to close during the weekend of June 17-20

Crews will construct the fish passage culverts in a 30 foot
deep trench acrossall lanes of SR 520. Each culvert is
 10 feet tall, 20 feet wide and 150 feet long

REPUBLISHED:  SR 520 Bridge to close during weekend of June 17-20

Full closure begins at 11 p.m. on June 17

WSDOT is planning up to six more complete weekend closures of SR 520 in 2011 to demolish overcrossings, set girders, install more fish passage culverts and complete other work. The next closure is planned for a weekend in July

FAQ and Tools to keep you moving.   Read More >>

LETTER: Rep. Ross Hunter updates: Education, Medical Marijuana, the Budget, and 520 Issues

Rep. Ross Hunter
48th District

 May 15, 2011

LETTER FROM REP. ROSS HUNTER, Ways and Means Committee, Chair

I have not written too often this year – I’ve never been busier in my life. As you may have seen in the press, the caucus tricked me into volunteering to be the budget chairman and I’ve been trying to pull together a responsible budget that does the best job I can do protecting the investments in education, healthcare and the safety net that are important to building a state we all want to live in.

The Budget

We’re in the middle of the budget negotiations now – offers go back and forth between us and the Senate and we’re getting closer. One great break last week was the ending of a tax program we started in December that turned out much, much better than expected. We offered an amnesty to taxpayers: if they’d pay their back taxes we would waive any penalties and interest. We expected to bring in about $25 million and would up collecting over $280 million. Wow. We had already counted some of this in revenue forecasts, but about $200 million is new money that we need badly. 

Click the blue link to "Read More" of Ross's Letter on the State Budget, Education, Medical Marijuana, and 520 issues >>

Redmond Neighborhood Blog: TRAFFIC

Redmond Neighborhood Blog: TRAFFIC:

Transportation costs continue to climb with gas prices in thin air. Bridge cameras take their toll. Red Light cameras pick our pockets!  What's next?

Take control of 'the road'!   Visit the TRAFFIC  on the top of this blog for news, tips, tools, and live intersection cameras (including red light)  The newest updates:

LOWEST AREA GAS STATION PRICES     GAS PRICE TRENDS

Any road warrior stories to tell?  Write me at redmondblog@gmail.com or comment below     B.Y.

Internet photo

Lane Closure on Redmond Way For Three Weeks

Redmond, WA – On Monday, April 18, the eastbound curb lane on Redmond Way between Bear Creek Parkway and 160th Avenue NE (from the KFC driveway to the US Health Works driveway) will close for an estimated three weeks. This closure is necessary to facilitate the lowering of an existing Frontier Communications fiber duct bank in preparation for the City of Redmond’s summer construction of a major storm water trunk line.

The work, performed by North Sky Communications, will take place from 7 am to 7 pm weekdays and Saturdays. The lane will remain closed both day and night.

During the construction period, only one lane will be available on Redmond Way for eastbound motorists. Message boards are in place on Redmond Way in advance of the work zone to alert drivers of the upcoming work. Once the work begins, the boards will advise eastbound drivers to use Bear Creek Parkway as an alternate route.

Drivers are advised to exercise caution and patience through the work zone and take alternative routes when possible.

For more information, contact the City’s construction office at 425-556-2723.

REPUBLISHED: Plan for a bumpy ride to the new US Post parcel pick-up site

Republished, 12/31/11

Need to pick up your mail on-hold from vacation?  An over-sized package?  Certified, returned-receipt letter?  Don't go to the existing post office for these parcel pick-ups; it's a wasted trip.  GO TO:  7241 185th Ave NE, Redmond, WA.  This address is to the US Post's large E. King County Delivery Distribution Center.  (See map).  PHONE:  425-885-0207.  I highly recommend you call first to locate your mail  i.e. carrier delivery and pick-up status. 

In case you didn't find the US Postal Service card in the mail, the Redmond carriers (and Parcel Pickup) have moved from the old post office to this distribution center building.  The center is is not very far east of Home Depot.   Pick-up hours are worse:  M-F, 9:00AM-4:00PM and Saturday, 9:00AM-3:00PM.   TIP:  to avoid the center's 10 speed bumps (!) leave via the southern-most entrance off of 180th Ave. NE. -- especially if you have a small car. 
 
You can still drop off your mail, get stamps and pick up your mail-box mail at the old post office.  But, this, too, will change when the Postal Service sells the post office on 85th and moves to the old liquor store location.   A worker said, "the government needs the money so is shutting down offices across the country and is also trying to lay off the older workers.  They just closed a huge center in Spokane."    

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

Republished, 12/31/2011

Large Metro transit service reductions forecast for 2012 - 2015

Redmond transit but stop

Large Metro transit service reductions are forecast of 2012 - 2015 owing to a drop in sales tax revenues.

During this week's Redmond city council study session some startling statistics for King County's Metro transit were laid out:  

• 62% of Metro's budget is supplied by sales tax
• During 2008 - 2010 sales tax revenue dropped significantly.
• Large service service reductions are forecast for 2012 - 2015.
• A shortfall of 600,000 hours of existing bus service could result in 2012 -2015
• 600,000 lost hours of service is equivalent to all the service provided by Metro buses on the Eastside OR all weekend service in King County.
• Population is expected to increase 42% by 2040 and jobs up by 57%. 
• The average cost per ride is $11-12/ride in King County. In high density areas like Queen Ann service cost drops to ~$2.00/ride.
• King County Metro service hours are approaching 3 million/year.
• King County Metro is in the Top 10 of all transit providers in the country.

Last year, King County Council formed a "Regional Transit Task Force" of thirty members to set-up a policy framework plan for growth and contraction of the Metro transit system.  After seven months of work, the task force recommended new performance measures and follow-up from a 2009 audit.  Social and geographic equity, environmental sustainability, and population density were key factors in their review.

Jim Stanton, Microsoft's representative and member of the Regional Task Force stated bus "transit is an essential public facility" and helps to move 40,000 Microsoft employees to job and education centers.

Mayor John Marchione is a member of the King County Metro Transit Board.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Source:  Redmond City Study Session, 3/8
Internet photo

LETTER: Every elementary school in Lake Washington District needs a "walking school bus"

LETTER:  I'm often surprised at parents who drive their children to school when they only live a short 5-minute walk away. The school district is also guilty of wasting money on school bus trips to deliver kindergartners to their doorstep even if child lives less than a block from the school.  An adult has to be present to receive them from the bus, so why doesn't that adult just walk around the corner and pick them up rather than spending taxpayer dollars and polluting the environment with the bus trips?  This KING 5 News article describes a solution Horace Mann parents are using.  Every elementary school needs walking buses!

 -- Cathy Wittel,  Redmond Neighborhood Blog Fan, 3/4   (Published with Cathy's permission.  B.Y.)

Horace Mann Elementary

"Eastside school launches a walking school bus"
By TERESA YUAN / KING 5 News
updated 3/4/2011 

REDMOND, Wash. – A Redmond elementary school is attempting to buck a growing trend on how parents are getting their children to school these days.

According to a recently released National Household Travel survey, more parents are driving their kids to school even though they live less than two miles away.

That has caused some problems at Redmond’s Mann Elementary School.

READ MORE >>

I-405 to close completely in Bellevue April 1-4 ; more news on "Good To Go"

No fooling: I-405 to close completely in Bellevue April 1 – 4

It’s no April Fool’s joke: We plan to close all lanes of I-405 in Bellevue in both directions the weekend of April 1 - 4 to remove the old NE 12th Street Bridge. The closure, between NE Eighth Street and SR 520, will start at 11 p.m. on Friday, April 1 until 4 a.m. Monday, April 4.

Nearly 450,000 vehicles travel through Bellevue on I-405 on a typical weekend so be sure to plan ahead. The bottom line: take alternate routes, avoid the area unless you plan to go to Bellevue, and plan for delays – even if you’re using I-5.

Removing the old bridge will allow crews to finish building a new, longer, wider bridge over I-405 at NE 12th Street.

Expect a busy construction season in King County

Road crews will be out in force over the next several months as our 2011 construction season gets under way. We just posted a map highlighting the major projects in King County. Check it out to learn how construction will affect your commuting routes later this year

Good To Go! staffing and website improvements underway

Read More >>

LETTERS & COMMENTS: Post your opinions about Redmond light cameras here.

OPINIONS:  1900 red light camera violations have been reported between February 1 and March 1.  Redmond Police start writing $124 fines for red-light camera violations on March 3. 

You're invited to post your Letters and Opinions about Redmond's red light cameras here. All you have to do is write to redmondblog@gmail.com , or leave your name with a comment under any entry to post on this page.  Anonymous are posted as a Comment. 

LETTER:  I pass through the Union Hill/Avondale intersection three times a day/five days a week, and have nearly always seen the [red light camera] flash while I'm passing through. As with the previous two commenters, I have rarely seen any activity there that would have caught the attention of a police officer. It appears that 1,900 number is largely bloated by activity for which no police officer would have handed out a citation.

I'm deeply concerned by how this is going to play out starting Thursday.

Douglas Burchard
Rose Hill neighborhood
March 1, *Ref: 

Read More Letters and Comments >>