Downtown Center offers: volleyball, billiards, pickleball, ping pong, horsehoes, and Wii !

The Redmond "un-Senior" Center slideshow

UPDATE: First in a Series on the Senior Center. While bicycling the Sammamish Trail this week I noticed some well-kept Pickle Ball Courts next to the Redmond Senior Center. H E L L O !!! I had no idea the "Senior Center" had this kind of quality, active recreation facility. So I came back the next day with my camera and quizzed the attending staff to learn more!

The most important piece of information I found was about access to the Center.

• A "senior" is considered 50 years or older and is welcome anytime.
• Youth 18 years of age and older may use the facilities when accompanied by a "senior".
• Residents living outside Redmond city limits may use the facilities.

After walking around the Center for 40 minutes I became very excited about the active recreational opportunities of the Center for my entire family:

During my 3:45 -4:30pm "snapshot" visit,

• 5 ping pong tables(Table Tennis) were in use!
• Three seniors were playing WII golf. (A WII bowling league meets weekly).
• No one was on the Pickleball Court. (2 courts)
• One lady came back to the Center after a group trip to La Conner.
• No one was playing volleyball.
• No one was playing billiards (3 tables!)
• No one was was working the green house soil.
• One bike was in the rack.
• 19 people had signed-in for the day

What a wonderful active recreational opportunity the City has given us and so few appear to use it. The Sammamish Bike Trail is only a few yards away, so it's not like citizens don't know about it. My guess is, most passersby think the facilities are a private club or are meant exclusively for "Seniors" (over 55). Some may may dwell on the "age stigma".

Any way you slice it, this place has some cool stuff going on.... See you at "the Center" for a game of pool? ping pong? pickle ball? volleyball? horseshoes? My daughter turns 18 in weeks!

Sign-in at the Front Desk (and introduce yourself to the staff on your first visit) & put your tax dollars to work!! OPEN: M,T,W,Th 8:30am-9pm. F 8:30 - 4:30pm CLOSED: on weekends for weddings, private parties, etc. Pickleball and volleyball may or may be available on weekends?

The Center is managed by the City Parks & Rec. Department. Contact: Wanda Sweeney, Program Coordinator, Senior Center, wsweeney@redmond.gov , 425-556-2365 or Terri Burke, Manager, tburke@redmond.gov , 425-556-2342 or kphillips@redmond.gov, Rental Coordinator. The Center is located next the Public Safety Building, 8703 16oth Ave. NE. Ask about the Citizen (Senior) Advisory Committee. City Web Page.

King County Election endorsements & resources

OPINION: According to a county candidate running in the Primary election, only 4% of the completed ballots have been mailed in, as of August 7. This is the first year all voting will take place by mail, with ballots postmarked by August 18.

Below, is a listing of the entire King County Voter's Guide, for your convenience. I urge you to vote; and even if you are short a penny or two on stamps, I believe your ballot will be counted. I am endorsing all the county candidates you see in bold. My endorsements are founded on: King County Muni League recommendations, Seattle Times endorsements, The Voter's Guide and my personal study and experience with candidates.

On our local level, I have a special fondness for Ross Hunter from the action he took as State Finance Chair to press for funding the restoration of Bear Creek during SR520 widening. Ross coordinated funding with the City of Redmond, W.S.D.O.T., and King Conservation District to fund the State project. The result: Severe flood hazards on SR520 and to Redmond's commercial flood plain are mitigated, and Federally Listed Chinook salmon protections are sustained. In addition, Ross is a fiscal conservative and just the person we need to find answers to the County's debt crisis. (scroll down for my his "Top 10 numbers...." story). His pragmatism makes room for passing and funding critical programs that, for example, improve public safety and health safeguards for those involuntarily committed for brain disorders....something near and dear to me.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to vote this week. I hope the resources on this blog help you.

Regards,
Bob Yoder

Watch the entire Video Voters Guide or watch portions of the Guide:

Introduction

King County Executive Introduction
Larry Phillips Fred Jarrett Stan Lippmann Alan Lobdell Susan Hutchison Dow Constantine Ross Hunter Goodspaceguy

Metropolitan King County Council Introduction
Council District 9 Mark Greene Beverly Harison Tonda Reagan Dunn (not in Redmond's District)

Port of Seattle Introduction
Commissioner Position No. 3 Rob Holland David Doud Al Yuen
Commissioner Position No. 4 Juan Paraiso - was unable or chose not to participate Max Vekich Tom Albro Robert Walker

NO on I-1033
YES on Charter Open Space Amendment #4

Closing

If you have not received your ballot, or need a replacement sent to you, contact King County Elections right away to have your ballot mailed with enough time for you to vote and return it by the August 18 deadline. Voters with questions about their registration or the August 18 primary can call 206-296-VOTE or visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections

My source for the King County Voter Guide is Rob Butcher's "KirklandViews".

King County Video Voter Guide for August primary now available online & on TV
Posted using ShareThis

City's Land Use Map informs neighbors about "what is going on"?

OPINION: Significant neighborhood residential land use projects are underway, despite the current state of our distressed real estate market (and new downtown condos and apartments). This is the first of a series of entries addressing land use development in Redmond.

The Neighborhood "Land Use" Map is one of the more popular links to redmond.gov on this blog site. It contains a lot of interesting and helpful information to "find out what's going on" in your neighborhood and in other communities in Redmond.

The Neighborhood Land Use Map link is: http://redmond.gov/intheworks/intheworks.asp

A few projects of interest from the Neighborhood Map are listed below. As of today, all of these projects are under review and the public may participate in them by contacting the City Development office. Jim Roberts jroberts@redmond.gov or Steve Fischer sfischer@redmond.gov might be of assistance.

LAND USE APPLICATIONS:

Costco - L080457 188th Ave. NE and NE 76th St (one of 3 applications)
Vicinity Map; Notice of Application; Process Flow Chart (NEW!) Public Hearing is required.

Site Plan - Initial submittal 11/18/2008
Tree Preservation Plan - Initial submittal 11/18/2008 (NEW!)

Additional Project Notices:

Notice of Public Hearing - Hearing Examiner Notice of Public Hearing - City Council

DOWNTOWN:

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP): View projects which use tax dollars to implement

Development Updates:

Downtown Projects: Connecting Community & Status Reports on Planning Projects

Traffic Cameras: Select a live view for your area
Transportation/Connecting Redmond:

Downtown transportation projects & Downtown Redmond Parking Study

Greystone Manor PRD :

142 Single Family Homes, 8 Duplexes, 77 Cottages - Approximate 5 acre footprint on a 43.66 acre parcel in N. Redmond, Zoned R-4

A Public Hearing is required and is not yet scheduled. (To sign up or comment contact Steve Fischer, Principal Planner, sfischer@redmond.gov)

L090099, Preliminary Plat - L090100, Planned Residential Development SEPA File #L090101 16020 NE 116th Street

Vicinity Map; Notice of Application; Process Flow Chart (NEW!)
Site Plan submittal 03/30/2009
Tree Preservation Plan submittal 03/30/2009 (NEW!)

Government Guide

The City of Redmond Government Guide (pdf) is available to help answer some of the questions of how the City's government works including duties and responsibilities of Boards and Commissions, the City Council and the Hearing Examiner. The Guide also defines land-use terms and the Public Hearing process. Select these links to view the website pages for the City Council, Planning Commission, or the Hearing Examiner.

---- Kimberly Allen, councilmember and past planning commissioner, co-edited this Guide with staff. (Kim is currently employed as a Kitsap County Hearing Examiner. )

draft

King County Awards Nine Redmond Businesses "Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction"

Redmond Businesses and Organizations Recognized

Redmond, WA – King County’s Solid Waste Division has named nine Redmond business and organizations to the third-annual Best Workplaces for Recycling & Waste Reduction, a list of 65 organizations this year. These King County workplaces are recognized for strong internal recycling programs and for their commitment to reducing the amount of waste their companies produce.

To qualify as a "Best Workplace", organizations must meet at least 10 out of 33 good business recycling practices—choices that range from placing recycling bins by every desk, to collecting food scraps for on or off-site composting, to having internal ‘green teams’ supporting the businesses’ programs.

The businesses and organizations in Redmond recognized for 2009 are:

City of Redmond
Accents Et cetera
Emerald Heights
FCS GROUP
Honeywell International
Lake Washington School District
Noetix Corporation
PCC Natural Markets
Thinkspace

“King County is pleased to see the list of Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction grow from year to year,” said Sharon Aller, King County program manager for the campaign.

Mayor John Marchione added, “These businesses and organizations put extra effort into reusing, reducing and recycling, which helps keep Redmond and the Puget Sound cleaner and greener. We are proud they do business here in Redmond.”

To learn more about what these businesses are doing to improve recycling programs, visit www.kingcounty.gov/recyclemore.

C.O.R. Press Release, 8/4: CONTACT: Marta Gronlund Voice: 425-556-2427

BIKE BOX !!

Updated, 8/5: The City Council and staff briefly discussed BIKE BOXES at their last meeting. Could they be persuaded by public opinion to try a demonstration BIKE BOX? I don't know.

The BIKE BOX is an intersection safety design to prevent bicycle/car collisions. The main goal of a BIKE BOX is to prevent collisions between motorists turning right and cyclists going straight. It's all about visibility and awareness. At a red light, cyclists are more visible to motorists by being in front of them. At a green light, the green bike lane through the intersection reminds motorists and cyclists to watch for each other. Click the page title for a fun instructional video.

Portland has extensive experience with BIKE BOXES. Find Portland's tips, literature, videos here.

In high drama, this video clip describes how it works. (click the page title "BIKE BOX!!" for a more conventional, instructional video). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx5D5CtmvTk&feature=player_embedded

According to Joel Pfundt, City Principal Transportation Planner, the BIKE BOX concept is being considered by staff but Mr. Pfundt feels Redmond doesn't have enough cyclists to justify this safety measure. If you think it's a good concept and would like to see a BIKE BOX demoed and at work on an intersection in Redmond contact the Chairman, Arnold T. of the PED/BIKE Advisory Committee or jpfundt@redmond.gov

Also contact kallen@redmond.gov , hmargeson@redmond.gov, or hmyers@redmond.gov . They are three councilmembers who ride bikes or have a relationship with the PED/BIKE Committee.

SUMMERTIME BREAK !!

An overdue Summertime Break from this Blog and the Heat....

"Sun Screen" commencement address, narrated in English.


Rated "totally cool" on FaceBook by a distiguished Redmond councilmember.
.
Thanks to my nephew, Tucker Dearth, for posting this on FaceBook.

Become a "FACEBOOK FAN".

The Man behind the Numbers (besides his boss)

Opinion: The City Council Meeting of 7/28 had some interesting moments, even though I had to watch it "On Demand" at http://www.redmond.gov/ . A few of the issues discussed were:

• How to prepare for a $656 Million shortfall (over 50 years) for constructing and repairing new municipal buildings e.g. for the Police, the Senior Center, the Old Redmond School House and others. YES! if you don't believe the number, contact mayor@redmond.gov.


• Deciding if the revenues from the "sales tax on construction" will be deposited into the General Operating fund (Mayor's choice) or the Capital Improvement fund. (Council's choice).


• the "Biddy" tax. It's a tax on businesses for making required transportation improvements. I can't spell the "Biddy" acronym so I won't jabber on.


• Increase transfers from the General Operating to Capital Fund beyond the traditional 5% amount? Most say, yes.

MEETING DYNAMIC: During the Council and Mayoral conversations and presentations by staff, an interesting dynamic was observed. Since most of the meeting was about the Capital Improvement Fund (CIP) the Finance & Information Services Director (Mike Bailey) gave the initial presentation. It was his usual "wonkish" delivery where he endlessly "fumbles" and "mutters" about his data and the process. But, then, oddly, the Mayor acted wonkish, too. He had glasses on (glasses?) and got really technical with the financials. Normally, Mr. Mayor doesn't take on a defined administrative role....the Mayor is usually quiet, may reinforce the main points and doesn't get involved with Council's deliberations. At the end of deliberations Mr. Bailey didn't mumble, fumble or bumble. Rather, Mr. Bailey summed up council's main points with stunning conciseness, clarity, financial acumen and pointed attention to council politics. He recommended Council not make a decision tonight but send the CIP topics to "committee". Richard Cole's "Council committee", said the Mayor. Done.

THE TAKE HOME: How refreshing to observe the Finance Director's intelligence in action, LIVE on camera. And Mr. Mayor's presence was anything but diminished. Transparency is enlightening. The Finance Director is NOT the bumbling, muttering bureaucrat wearing the green visor of a bean counter we may think. He's an ACE and we thank MR. MAYOR for hiring him. Let it shine, oh, let it shine!

New Street Stormwater Drain Markers Warn Against Dumping.

NEW CURB MARKER? DO WE WANT THESE ON OUR CURBS?

Opinion: Have you seen these environmental "curb markers" next to your street storm drains? I found them on three street drains on NE 100th Street. The City may be doing a test market or complete citywide campaign to improve warning signage. I don't know which, but I like what they are doing so far. Would you like these?

When I first moved here, I had no idea that street drains dumped their stuff into Bear Creek and the Sammamish River! I thought it all went into the sewer. Some of the more common bad stuff is: non degradable car wash soaps, lawn fertilizer, insecticides, weed killers, and even gas and engine oils and paint. The curb markers are a good reminders to keep these nasty chemicals away from street drains.

I think the best "no dumping" public announcement the City has done (besides these markers) is the hilarious advertisement they show on RCTV - Channel 21. They show a guy washing his car with soapy water and then superimpose the image over a rushing stream. The idea being: washing your car in your driveway is synonymous to washing it in stream. The City then recommended going to a car wash instead of washing at home, because it's less polluting and uses less water. I almost felt guilty, but then made sure I was washing with non-phosphate soaps all the time. I'm sure the 8 car wash businesses in Redmond like the TV promotion.

The Curb Markers are made by a company in the USA. (800-549-6024). The company posts success stories on how their markers are installed by students for educational and scientific gain. I wonder if a Redmond teacher or PTSA Board would pick up on this?

The Curb Markers come with a FROG or FISH design. Do you have any preference? It took me a while but I decided I like the frog 'cause they used to live in street drains when I was a kid.

Curb Marker website: http://www.dasmanufacturing.com/stories.html

Redmond Car Washes: http://local.yahoo.com/WA/Redmond/Automotive/Car+Washes

Hunter Outlines 10 Numbers Every Voter Should Know Before They Vote.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2009 For More Information Please Contact: Cynara Lilly 206.915.7821

Video release: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySk8wiHo8dQ
"Seattle Times" endorsement editorial.

1) $42 million. King County wasted $42 million on a failed accounting system.

2) Ten. King County could provide ten times the amount of bus service for the taxes collected for the King County Foot Ferries.

3) $25 million. The cost of providing services to King County's unincorporated areas inside the urban growth area exceeds the revenue from those areas by $25-30 million dollars a year.

4) 22 percent. Metro’s cost per revenue service hour in 2005 was $120.30, compared $114.80 for the average of the 15 largest transit agencies in the country and $98.70 for the average of all transit agencies nationally. Metro’s cost per hour is 22% above the national average

5) 38 percent. The cost per boarding for Metro was $4.10 in 2005, compared to $2.50 among the 15 largest agencies and $2.97, the national average. Metro’s cost per boarding is 38% above the national average.

6) Eleven. Eleven cities have a B&O tax. Those cities each have different rates and different rules, requiring a separate tax return for each city in which an owner does business.

7) 1.4 million. Nearly 1.9 million people currently live in King County and the Puget Sound Regional Council predicts that by 2040 we’ll be home to 1.4 million more people and 1.1 million more jobs.

8) $1.8 billion. The Brightwater treatment plant is now expected to cost $1.8 billion — roughly double what the Metropolitan King County Council was told when it first approved the project.

9) 100 percent. King County currently pays 100 percent of employee health care unlike most employers in the county, state and country.

10) 2 million. The amount King County charged local school districts to run an investment board above and beyond the cost of administering the program.

-- Cynara Lilly 206.915.7821

Muni League Rates Candidates

SEATTLE - The Municipal League of King County today released its nonpartisan evaluations of 113 candidates running for dozens of local offices. Below, are some evaluations of local interest:

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE Dow Constantine: Very Good Ross Hunter: Very Good, Susan Hutchison: Good, Fred Jarrett: Very Good, Goodspaceguy Nelson: Not Qualified, Larry Phillips: Very Good, Alan Lobdell: GoodStan Lippmann: Not Qualified

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION Pos. 3 David Doud: Good Rob Holland: Very Good Al Yuen: Good

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION Pos. 4 Tom Albro: Outstanding Juan Paraiso: Insufficient Info Robert Walker: Adequate Max Vekich: Good

KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 1 Joan McBride: Very Good Martin Morgan: Insufficient Info KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 3 Brad Larssen: Very Good Penny Sweet: Outstanding KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 5 Matt Gregory: Very Good Karen Tennyson: Very Good Amy Walen: Good KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 7 Tom Hodgson: Good Doreen Marchione: Outstanding

SEATTLE MAYOR Elizabeth Campbell: Not QualifiedJames Donaldson: Adequate Jan Drago: GoodKwame Wyking Garrett: Insufficient Info Joseph Mallahan: Outstanding Michael McGinn: Good Greg Nickels: Very Good Norman Sigler: Adequate SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD Pos. 5 Mary Bass: Adequate Joanna Cullen: Adequate Andre Helmstetter: GoodKay Smith-Blum: Very Good

REDMOND CITY COUNCIL: No Rating. No Primary Election for any candidate. (Allen, Chen, Stilin, Vache'). Ms. Kim Allen was rated "very good" in the 2005 elections. (see comments)

The ratings are available online at www.munileague.org. The ratings are based on four criteria: Knowledge, Involvement, Effectiveness and Character. They assess each candidate's potential to be effective in office and ability to serve the community. Political affiliations or stands on specific issues are not considered and candidates are not rated against each other. This year's ratings are the result of the work of 65 citizens from throughout King County who volunteered for the Municipal League's Candidate Evaluation Committee. They studied the public record, reviewed candidate questionnaires, checked references and conducted live interviews with the candidates. Each rating was carefully reviewed by the Municipal League's trustees. "The League's rating process is similar to a job interview for candidates, with a diverse group of citizens serving as hiring managers," said Brad Meacham, Municipal League Chair. "This result is a useful tool to help voters make decisions." Candidates received one of six ratings: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Adequate, Not Qualified, or No Active Campaign. The Municipal League attempted to contact every candidate. Candidates were rated even if they declined to participate in the process. This year's Candidate Evaluation Committee conducted interviews in Seattle, Bellevue and Renton, and was led by Gabe Meyer, Chair of the Candidate Evaluation Program

Lake Washington High School receives $6,495,672 in new funding for modernization.

Updated: Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District will receive over $6 million from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) towards the Lake Washington High School (LWHS) modernization project, now underway. Lake Washington School District is one of 22 to receive funds. The goal of the OSPI program is to modernize school buildings every 30 to 40 years.

The Lake Washington High School project will receive $6,495,672. These funds will be added to funds from the 2006 voter-approved bonds for the modernization and school construction already underway.

Construction on the new Lake Washington High School began in spring 2009: the new building is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Students continue to attend school in the old building, which will be torn down once the new building is completed.

Five districts in King County will receive funds for different projects, including Seattle, Federal Way, Bellevue, Northshore and Lake Washington. Districts receive approval for this funding based upon a number of factors. The district must have passed a local bond and it must have applied to OPSI for the project. Funds received from the state come from state funding assistance grants.

LWSD Press Release excerpts, 7/21, Contact: Shannon Parthamer, 425-702-3300.

District Website: Lake Washington High School District Page
School Website: Lake Washington High School Home Page

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Approximately one third of Lake Washington High School students live in Redmond, WA. B.Y.

Hunter raises $250,000 in less than three months: "I am excited that there is so much support for a change in King County government."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2009

Bellevue--The Ross Hunter Campaign for King County Executive announced that Hunter has raised $250,000 since he declared his candidacy on April 27, 2009. Hunter has consistently raised more than his democratic opponents, including having raised $31,000 last week (week of July 13).

"I really believe that it is time for a change in King County government, " Hunter said. "We are facing drastic cuts this year because for too long we've allowed the executive and council to mismanage county functions and money. The level of support that I've received shows that people are ready for government that is strategic about providing essential services like transportation, public health and public safety."

Hunter was the first candidate in the race to begin running television ads on Monday. His first spot is available to watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC0_HtiEP7c

Hunter also recently released a 16 page strategic policy document outlining his plan for King County 2.0 if elected. It can be downloaded at http://www.rosshunter.com/

Former Microsoft Executive Ross Hunter is a four-term legislator from the 48th Legislative District on the Eastside. He is Chair of the Finance Committee in the Washington State House of Representatives.

You can learn more about the campaign at http://www.rosshunter.com/