WA State Legislature passes $78 B budget; rent cap; gun permits
Ferguson levy $9B new taxes to fund state budget
Seattle Times, 5/21/2025
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| Governor Bob Ferguson photo Seattle Times |
OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session:
“I want to thank our legislators, staff and my team, for all their hard work this session as we faced a $16 billion budget shortfall. I look forward to carefully reviewing the budgets line by line over the next few weeks. When that review is complete, I will share my thoughts with the public in greater detail.
“Beginning with my inaugural address, I’ve emphasized that we must use realistic revenue projections, preserve our Rainy Day Fund reserves, find billions of dollars in savings and efficiencies, include a $100 million grant program for more law enforcement officers, increase investment in affordable housing, and increase the percentage of our budget devoted to K-12 education. The budgets adopted by the Legislature accomplish those goals.
I really liked Deputy Park Director Dave Tuchek's presentation last night: His naturalized meadow growing efforts will develop this Priority habitat! His short explanation and education of pollinators was really interesting and brought things into a worldly perspective. Amazing in-house construction and design of the Anderson Community Gardens! And, Redmond wild flower seed packets to boot. ☝
Please join Redmond's teen community at City Hall this Tuesday, 4/29, 7PM to speak to the council and mayor about saving the Old Fire House (OFH) Teen Center. This historic building is now shuttered and Mayor Birney and her staff say they haven't decided what to do with it. Park Director Loreen Hamilton talks it up as a hazardous waste site.
Teens are now forced into using the distant multi-use Marymoor Community Center. While OFH is vacant, the city could be renovating and upgrading it for future use, not scrapping it for another cookie-cutter apartment building.
I certainly agree with the teens (and a few councilmembers!) the OFH is symbolic and worthy of landmark status. Please bring your families and friends to City Hall Tuesday, 4/29 to show your support. Plan to arrive early to sign-in if you plan to speak (up to three minutes.)
-- B. Yoder, 4/25/2025
Earth Day has been celebrated April 22 every year since 1970
"This year's Earth Day theme at EvergreenHealth is Our Power, Our Planet. We're encouraged to take action, protect and preserve our planet. Here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, our own efforts – in concert with others around the world – will help protect our shared island home.
One of the purposes of Earth Day is to celebrate our natural environment, so let me share some of my personal story.
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| Cottages in Kirkland / photo Master Builders After removal, replacement trees must be planted on and *off-site. |
OPINION: The city has not updated their tree regulations in over 26 years. They are procrastinating to accomodate much-needed housing. The removed trees are replaced with saplings but at numbers that can't reach Redmond's 40% canopy goal. Off-site planting sites for replacement trees should be identified by Parks, Planning and Public Works to broaden canopy cover. The replacement trees are supplied by the developer and installations financed with one-time money and CIP funds.
*Suggested off-site planting sites: Parks, trails, Keller Farm (forested) wetland tree mitigation bank, streets, sidewalks and by-ways, urban growth easements, Light rail stations, M&O Center and other large city projects, the Heron Rookery and western open space, schools, "plant a tree" neighbohood programs, Hartman forested wetlands, Green Redmond, RTC open space, mouth of Bear Creek, and more.
According to the Master Builders Association "A good tree code responsibly maintains or grows the level of tree coverage in a city while also allowing much-needed housing for current residents. newcomers and future generations."
The City may close down the Old Fire House Teen Center "for safety reasons" despite over 3,400 signatures to keep it open. Ironically, the Nelson Legacy Group (NLG) headquarters is directly adjacent to the Teen Center. NLG the largest landowner and developer in Redmond.
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| photo Bob Yoder |
From the COR Marketing Department: "Redmond is planning for the future of Redmond’s younger residents and wants to understand how to best serve the community of teens (approximately 13 to 19 years old), now and in the future.
Throughout spring 2025, the City will engage with the community to learn more about what Redmond teens need, how the City can best serve their interests, and where services are needed the most.
For more information on the project and the history of teen services in Redmond, visit redmond.gov/TeenServices."
-- redmond.gov 4/8/2025
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On 04/15/25, twenty-two teens spoke pasionately to Council of the importance of the Redmond Fire House Teen Center, comparing it to how "sterile" and unwelcoming the Marymoor Community Center is. Hear their passionate testimonies at this link:
https://redmond.granicus.com/player/clip/3096?view_id=2&redirect=true
-- Bob Yoder, 4/18/25
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| "HAND OFF" DEMONSTRATION IN REDMOND DOWNTOWN PARK, photo Matt Loschen |
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| I've lived in Redmond 44 years and have witnessed the severe tree loss. Fortunately, neighborhoods like Education Hill and Grasslawn have retained most of their character. Loss in the urban centers and outlying developments is severe. - Yoder |
City Tree Mitigation Update, 2025:
The City will remove, top or limb ~ 271 trees by late 2025 with more to come in 2026.
BACKGROUND: In 2023 the city assesseed 18,000 city-owned trees for health in parks, right of ways, open spaces, and street trees, to ensure public safety while preserving our urban forest. The assessment focused on trees that were 12” or greater in trunk diameter [significant and landmark trees] located within striking distance of a target, near streets, parking spaces, buildings, or structures.
In 2024 the 35 the city's highest priority trees were mitigated for health risks. Council Presisident Kritzer was unhappy when she heard of this and planned to look at them before they were cut.
David Tuchek, a Deputy Parks Director said about a third of the trees would be removed, a third would be topped into snags for wildlife habitat, and a third would be limbed or pruned. After hearing Tuchek's report, Council President Kritzer reneged stating the mitigation plan was a good for the city and wildlife habitat.
In 2025, the city will focus on the next 50-60 highest priority trees with additional funding for mitigation in 2026. That's a total of ~ 271 trees that will be mitigated (removed, topped, limbed, pruned) by 2025 with more to come in 2026. After a query by CM Fields the Parks Director listed several projects in place like Green Redmond for planting tree replacements.
-- 3/25/25 Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Services
Start date: Tuesday, April 1 2025.
Schedule:
Every day, 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Open: April 1, 2025 until October 31, 2025
Anderson Park Community Gardens
Resource person: Cindy Johnson (This program is run by the city.)
Location: Anderson Park Community Gardens | 7802 168th Avenue Northeast, Redmond, WA, 98052
Description:
(Ages 18+) Do you love to garden, but need a space to call your own? You’re in luck – purchase a plot at a community garden! Having a garden plot is a great way to meet your neighbors, beautify our community, and harvest fresh food. All community gardens are open to the public to enjoy.
Note - Plots 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A are all Accessible (ADA) Raised Beds and you should only register for one of these beds if you need a raised bed or if no other plots are available. These plots are not eligible to renew for multiple years.
Garden Requirements:
Attend the Mandatory Kickoff Meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the "Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village."
Contribute a minimum of 8 service hours towards the common areas of the garden
Practice only organic gardening
Actively garden plot beginning April 15 and put plot to bed by October 31
| Automated Speed Safety Cameras, Amended City Ordinance, and Camera Vendor Service Agreement |
Redmond is a welcoming city, with a strong commitment to cultivating an inclusive community, where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. The City actively creates an environment where all residents can fully access city services, influence local policy, and feel a sense of belonging and safety. In 2017 and 2020, the City Council passed resolutions No. 1465 and No. 1534, respectively, affirming its commitment towards a culturally inclusive community, as well declaring Redmond as a hate free zone.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Redmond Police Department would like to provide some clarification after recent inquiries from residents concerned about immigration enforcement and possible future interaction with immigration officials.
What is the Redmond Police Department’s role in immigration enforcement?
The Police Department does not enforce immigration violations. State law and department policy prohibit Redmond Police officers from asking or collecting information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status, unless there is a connection with a state or local criminal investigation, and officers may not detain a person solely to determine immigration status.
Will the police report me or give my information to immigration authorities?
Under state law and policy, the Department is restricted from sharing information with immigration officials, except under certain circumstances as required by law, such as a valid court order.
Will the police help immigration officials with raids or other operations?
The Redmond Police Department would not typically be involved in federal immigration operations at all. If requested, the Department would provide only support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts for public safety reasons.
What should I do if immigration officials approach me or knock on my door and want to talk to me?
Review these Northwest Immigrant Rights Project materials.
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REDMOND, WA – Mayor Angela Birney joined city leaders from around the country in Washington, D.C. as a member of America’s Housing Comeback Advisory Group, led by the National League of Cities. This group is an initiative for the Housing Supply Accelerator, which Mayor Birney has served on, and is part of a national consortium of leaders developing and advancing solutions for housing supply challenges at the local level. Together, group members will improve and accelerate the growth of public-private partnerships focused on locally driven housing solutions and pioneer new approaches that elevate the potential of housing financing now and into the future.
“I am honored to join this advisory group to address the housing challenges within our communities,” said Mayor Birney. “Every person has a right to safe and affordable housing, and I am confident that we will find innovative solutions to help both our residents here in Redmond and those across the U.S.”
As a member of this group, Mayor Birney will meet with the advisory group; participate in work group meetings; and co-develop and adopt the America’s Housing Comeback Advisory Group’s principles for federal-local partnerships, public-private partnerships, and the federal housing supply agenda.
This work aligns directly with Redmond’s commitment to being a regional leader in addressing the housing crisis. Redmond 2050, the City’s Comprehensive Plan update that was adopted in 2024, increases the types of housing for community members, such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes [in neighborhoods.] It also supports increasing the supply of housing units by 20,000 from 2019 to 2044. About 11,000 of these are needed for households earning equal to or below 50% area median income (AMI). In 2020, the City also completed a Housing Needs Assessment, which informed the Housing Action Plan, both of which were approved in early 2021.
3/13/2025
click "comment" to leave them...
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| Massive cherry tree specimen |
A view from my desk to our backyard cherry tree. You can't see, but it's a grouping of 2 landmark trees and 2 others (cabled) reaching over our fence. Can you find the bird house we nailed to the trunk years ago without use of a ladder? Yes, it's grown tremendously in our 36 years here. All kinds of wildlife live in this tree, including racoon families. On the downside, it's a garbagy tree. In the Spring, faint blossoms and copious pollen falls on our windshields for weeks, then in the summer and Fall a multitude of sepals, inedible cherries and leaves must be swept from the patio. Though this monster is my "therapy tree," I'll be glad to leave it behind when I move out of Redmond this year.
-- Bob Yoder, 1/25/2025
For personal reasons, I'm taking a break from this blog. I may be back in several weeks or so. [Most of the "Popular Posts" on the sidebar are dated.]
Award reflects District’s goal of fiscal responsibility
Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) 2024-25 Budget has earned the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA). This award promotes and recognizes excellence in budget development, communication, and presentation in school districts. LWSD has received this award eight years in a row. LWSD is the only district in the state of Washington to receive this award.
Exciting life update: I’ve been appointed to serve in our WA State House of Representatives for the 48th Legislative District!
I’m humbled by the outpouring of support from my community. Thank you to the King County Council and the 48th LD PCOs for entrusting me with this responsibility. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who have been a part of this journey — THANK YOUI’m excited to continue my path of public service and representation of our diverse Eastside communities and all Washingtonians. More importantly, I’m ready to get to work (starting Monday!)aH
(I’ll be sharing a longer post to recognize all the amazing people, labor unions, organizations, and community champions who supported me in this process!)Read about the appointment process here and how this vacancy came about: https://www.nwprogressive.org/.../king-county-council.../amp"-- Osman Salahuddin, Facebook, 1/09/2025
Monthly Senior ENCORE Newsletter. - a must read - online or in print.
Register for Senior Center Activities and Special Events HERE ("Winter Whimsey" tickets are going fast.)
You may have seen Redmond folks wearing blue Kiwanis shirts and hats around town. Or, seen their name on the Senior Center donation plaque. They don't have a sign on the road but they are here and very active. I was once a member when the Club was founded by retired Redmond Councilmember Pat Vache'.
According to their Board, "the Redmond Kiwanis Club remains committed to serving our local community with a focus on reducing food insecurity, supporting youth programs, and engaging in outreach activities that foster connections within the area."
If you're interested in learning more about them or want to join I recommend you reach out to Nika Kahhna. Her email is: President@redmondKiwanis.org; or visit their website. Membership is $160/year, an application with BIO and informal interview is required and you need a sponsor.
