Redmond Natural Resources Dept. hits a home run with their Bear Creek Water Treatment Facility.

Swale behind Safeway parking lot

Bear Creek riparian will be restored

Have you heard about the proposed Bear Creek Wetland Facility behind Safeway?  The facility will treat and clean the dirty stormwater running from the Bear Creek Plaza parking lots and roof-tops (eight acres).  Currently, the filthy stormwater is virtually untreated and piped directly into the Creek!  This trashy, warm water is loaded with toxic heavy metals, asbestos, oils, and chemicals.  The creek's endangered salmon are bothered, to say the least.

When the location of the stormwater facility site was pointed out by a city stormwater manager I felt instant relief.   The facility is long and skinny strip of land, like a sliver, and only three feet deep.  Best of all, it's west of the blacktop 'trail' nowhere near the creek or it's beautiful riparian vegetation!

The new stormwater facility will function like a wetland as it treats run-off by filtration!  It won't be smelly or full of weeds.  It will probably be dry in the summer and most of the year.  The city natural resources dept. (DNR) will enhance and restore the area with plant and trees.  If you drive behind Safeway you'll see a row of large Ceder trees. DNR has found a way to keep all those trees!  They're not hitting home runs on this project.  They're hitting a Grand Slams!

But there's more!  What's the good of a beautiful urban salmon stream habitat if the public can't enjoy and learn from it?   Upon recommendation from Park/Trails commissioners (new and old), a barked foot-trail looped to a large salmon-viewing boulder is planned.  Bear Creek Plaza shoppers can take a break on the trails and learn about the local habitat.

My only regret?  The city didn't involve the public in this environmentally friendly project from the start.  A decent map delineating the Safeway store, parking lots and hard surface trail would have gone a long way towards understanding the site location.  A statement in the Notice or a flyer explaining the use and value of a wetland facility would help.  This DNR project is something to be proud of, not hide from. I hope public education will come earlier on future high visibility City stormwater treatment projects.

In the end, the city was extremely informative and accommodating and I am most thankful!   Our Department of Natural Resources is great!   DNR, thank you for improving Bear Creek water quality!   Does a reader want to comment?

by Bob Yoder    

Part III: Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce: Leadership

The Beaverton and Hillsboro Chambers of Commerce in Oregon push above and beyond  the boilerplate chamber tenets of 1) promoting community, 2) fostering a vibrant local economy, 3) representing and supporting business, and 4) networking and referrals.

The Hillsboro Chamber mission impliments "relevant business education" to youth.  (Part II).  The Beaverton Chamber of Commerce "builds community leaders"..

The Beaverton Chamber of Commerce started "Leadership Beaverton" in l997.  Their mission statement is "To develop a diverse network of visionary civic and business leaders who act in accordance with the principles of community-centered stewardship."   

Leadership Beaverton (LB) grew from a desire for more knowledgeable volunteers, board members, and elected officials in the city.   LB's purpose is to provide training so that better decisions are made in the community.  Topics discussed include:  Beaverton history, government, human services and quality of life.  Twenty-five citizens attend class one full day/month every year from September to May.  Each student completes a community project.  (Their twenty-five graduates per year are substantially greater than either Redmond program.) - Beaverton Chamber website

Two leadership programs are available to Redmond citizens:

1)  A brief  "City College" program taught by staff to whomever signs up.  I think (not sure) the "college" opens every election year.  Topics include lessons on the various city departments:  Planning & Public Works, Parks & Human Services, Finance, Human Resources, etc.  A community service project is not required.  I'm not aware of graduates joining a commission.   If anyone knows, please comment.

2)  Past Leadership Eastside (LE) graduates are Mayor Marchione (prior to council), one councilmember, an arts commissioner and a non-profit leader.  The problem is, the program cannot keep up with the needs of the community.  This year, a commissioner (and future councilmember) and a promoted deputy fire chief signed, but the city still in a very serious crunch for qualified commissioners.  

According to a Beaverton Chamber officer, "Beaverton Leadership" has 287 graduates with at least 50% now serving as boards, commissions, and non-profits in some capacity.  Two graduates sought and won city council seats, and the current Mayor (was on city council) went through the program.  Five graduates ran for state office. One County Commissioner graduated. 

It's quite clear the Chamber of Commerce model for developing and enriching leaders works!  Our Greater Redmond of Chamber Commerce can learn from Beaverton on how to  "promote community" by fostering leadership.

by Bob Yoder

Jeff Johnson’s cartoons add sizzle to the Redmond Reporter

Johnson’s cartoon enhance newspaper 

by Bob Yoder

Sammamish Trails Boy Scouts volunteer on projects to enhance riparian habitat and clean residential stormwater.

Hi John and Bob- The Council’s 100th anniversary team is (finally) beginning to follow up with all the service project requests. We realize of course that this is long overdue, and we are grateful for your patience as the service project team is a work in progress.

It turns out you both requested the same project and I’ve contacted Peter Holte at City of Redmond Public Works and he’s suggested that we wait until early next year and throughout the spring to complete some of these projects including: stenciling and gluing buttons on/near storm drains, a planting/species removal event around Earth Day, and participate in the Cascade Land Conservancy that would involve harvesting, cutting and pounding willow branches near streams (neat project for younger Scouts that cannot glue the buttons).

Thank you both for your participation and encourage you to continue to submit projects as you see the need. Bob, we’d love to get some of these projects, once in action, posted on your Redmond blog of course!

Thanks again,

Darla Sklar
Marketing Director
Chief Seattle Council, BSA
206.902.2353
www.seattlebsa.org

Part II: Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce - the value of Education and Technology in the mix.

Reviewing the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce as compared to Hillsboro, OR and Beaverton OR Chambers of Commerce, it is notable the Redmond Chamber Board is loaded with government-related members and thin on technology and education, as follows:

Government representation:  1) Rob Odle, City of Redmond (COR) Staff Director  2) Richard Cole, COR Councilmember, 3) Pat Vache' COR Councilmember (Kinections), 4) Tom Martin, Evergreen Hospital V.P (public hospital)., 5) Auggie Kempf,  Evergreen Hospital District Board of Directors (Kumpf et al).

Government orientation:  6) William R. Garing is the Chamber's "governmental affairs" (Evans land use) and 7) Gene Wilkstrom (Executive Director of NW Career Colleges Federation).  NW Career College prioritizes governmental affairs and advocacy for private career colleges.

Technology:  Microsoft.   Education:  NW Career College Federation.    

Sidebar:  Not all government is excessive.  Auggie Kemp brings many resources to the table as a small businessman, elected official , and affiliation with Kirkland-based Evergreen hospital.   Pat Vache' has a valuable perspective as an elected official , small business owner and trustee of Hope-link and Lake Washington School Foundation. 

The City of Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce combines technology with education to grow and train their city's present and future workforce.   Their *Technology Center and "School to Work" (STW) programs are twin pillars towards this end.  The Chamber's popular program  has three staff dedicated to STW.  STW recruits business owners to volunteer their time to develop their future workers by:

•  visiting a classroom and talking to students about your career (1 hour investment)
•  inviting a student to job shadow to get an inside look of your job and company. (3 hour investment)
•  site visits to provide a tour of your work-site to a class of eager students. (1-2 hour investment).
•  an internship:  students work on specific tasks in your business on a regular basis related to classroom studies.  (15-30 hour investment). 

Can you think of Education and Technology community leaders that could drive similar programs for the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce?  Washington Voc. Tech.?  Digipen?  LWSD Superintendent?  Nintendo?  Physio-Control?  The Mayor?

A vibrant local economy starts with a vibrant Chamber.  Part III in this series will be on how the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce can help meet community and city needs for leadership.

  by Bob Yoder

OPINION: Part I: How does the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce stack up?

OPINION:  The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce isn't often held under "the looking glass".  I think the Chamber should be reviewed by the public every once in a while.  Here's my try.  Your comments are certainly welcome.

My method  was to study the Redmond Chamber website and compare it with the Beaverton, OR. and Hillsboro, OR Chamber websites to look for patterns and trends.   I selected the Oregon cities for their similarity to Redmond, WA. in demographics, hi-tech businesses (and Nike), transportation, and close location to a major city. 

The Redmond Chamber newsletter is full of articles and resources, many with City of Redmond topics.  
The standard chamber mission statement is found on each site --  promote community, strengthen the economy, representing business to government (city, school district, etc), and networking.  Hillsboro adds "presenting relevant business education".

Of the three Chamber websites, I found the Redmond Chamber (RC) the most lop-sided with city and hospital government representation (almost 25%).  The RC has three city government officials and two hospital government officials on the Board.  Councilmember Cole is an officer, Councilmember Pat Vache' a director (trustee), as is City Planning/Development Director Rob Odle.  Evergreen Hospital Auggie Kempf (Evergreen Board of Directors) and Tom Martin are trustee officers and trustee William Biggs is a Group Health official.  It appears government is representing itself to business rather than the other way around! 

The RC has only one Director in high-tech.  Hillsboro and Beaverton Chambers don't have a single officer, director, or board member associated with their city government.   Notably both include the Superintendent of Schools, Mayor, and Chamber President as  "Ex-Officios".   Hillsboro also includes fire and rescue district officer. Do you think giving more representation to high-tech businesses and less to city and hospital government would energize, renew and bring vitality to our Chamber, the community and our economy?

The Oregon city chambers offer three "added values".  Hillsboro Chamber has an incredibly exciting "School to Work" program (with 3 staff) and Beaverton has "Leadership Beaverton".  I'll post a description of the programs soon.  

As Microsoft is to Redmond so is Intel to Hillsboro.  The Hillsboro Chamber hosts the "Intel Technology Center" to promote the use of advanced technology in the workplace.  The Center has 10 IBM laptop computers with Intel mobile technology.  Chamber members can use the center for staff training and to learn what the latest technology can do for the bottom line.  The total investment was $25,000 to $40,000.

So what's stopping our Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce from moving forward with Greater Redmond's high-tech businesses?   Do you think less government and more high-tech business on the Board would energize our community and economy?

Opinion by Bob Yoder

http://www.redmondchamber.org/
http://www.beaverton.org/
http://www.hillchamber.org/

Education Hill homes have experienced a recent rash of burglaries.

 
Heads up...... I heard there were 2-3 burglaries on the street by the pool..... people posing as landscape workers.....
  --Tracy
 
From the Redmond Police:
We have seen an increase in residential burglaries over the last few months. Most began in the Overlake area, and now they have started on Ed. Hill. I can't stress enough to urge people to file reports when crimes occur. Not doing this only allows this trend to continue. Even if nothing was stolen, the more information we have, the better. We recently had one neighborhood that didn't have any crime in quite some time have a burglary, two vehicle prowls, and a suspicious person knocking on doors. Only one was reported to us.

I encourage you all to communicate with your neighbors and let them know what to be on the lookout for and phone 911 if anything looks suspicious. We did get one solid tip from one of the burglaries where a white "work" van pulled up outside of a house, set up cones as if they were doing landscaping work, and it turns out they were burglarizing the house. I encourage to keep an eye out for this type of activity--it's not uncommon for burglars and prowlers to change vehicles frequently.

The only businesses (not including non-profits, etc.) who should be peddling and have a license to do so are the following companies:

BDW Design and Construction
Edward Jones
Evans Glass
Evergreen Tree Care
TRG Solutions (Verizon FIOS)
Trugreen Landscape

When asked, they should be able to produce a business license, and if they are peddling, EACH INDIVIDUAL should have their own peddler's license.

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach Facilitator
jbove@redmond.gov

--forwarded by Tracy, Education Hill, 11/14

What could it cost taxpayers if the LWSD levy/bond measures pass in the February election?

UPDATED, 12/1/09 Last night Redmond Mayor Marchione asked Council if they wanted to endorse the LWSD Levy and Bond that's up for vote in a Special Election on February 9.  Six councilmembers gave their support to endorse, saying our schools are vital to Redmond neighborhoods and contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in our City.  Councilmember Kim Allen did not want to endorse the measure owing to impact fee issues.  Kim is usually a strong advocate for the neighborhoods.

Council's support for the school levy and bond were positive but conditioned on learning more about the measures.   I've been to several School Board "Work Study" meetings so will try to share what I know.  By the way, I encourage you to attend these Work Study meetings.  Work Study sessions are a close and personal and fun way to get to know our Board Members, Superintendents and Staff and learn how the system works.

The February 9 ballot will have *3 boxes to check:  1) Capital Projects Levy for Facilities and Technology (4-year), 2) Educational Programs and Operations Levy (4-year) and 3) Capital Facility Planning Bond.  Last Monday, Superintendent Kimball gave his recommendations to the School Board, based on extensive in-person, PTSA Committee, and web input surveys and of course, Board conversation.   The School Board will make the final decision.  In my opinion, it's doubtful they would make any substantive changes.  Dr. Chip Kimball was hired by the Board and unquestionably runs the show.  He is likable and extremely capable and effective.  I'm convinced governance could improve with more intra-Board deliberation and leadership.

Superintendent Kimball's Levy/Bond recommendations provide examples of the cost for a home in the District with an average assessed value of $505,000.  Items 1,2,3 below may negligibly differ.

1)  The Facilities and Technology Capital Projects Levies will be combined into one Levy for the Election. Thus, the total Capital  Projects Levy is $83M over four years, or .55 cost / 1000 of assessed value or $278/house in 2011.

2)  The Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&0) is $205.5M over four years, or 1.30/$1000 or $656/house in 2011   Years 2012, 13 and 14 will be adjusted for changes in assessed property values.

3)  Capital Facilities Planning Bond is $234M over four years, or .33 / $1000 of assessed value or $166/house in 2011.

The TOTAL amount for the two levies and one bond up for vote is $2.18/1000 or $1101/house in 2011. The assessed value changes every year so years 2012, 13, 14 are projected roughly $20 - $30
higher per year.

Add in the existing voter approved Debt Service, and the two levies and bond issue, if passed, will total  $1606 in 2011, $1636 in 2012, $1651 in 2013, and $1672 in 2014.   School Taxes for the year 2010 have already been voter approved and are expected to be $1444/house for a house with an average assessed value of $505,000.

Thus, with passage of all levy/bond measures, the average local school tax per home is expected to increase $162 in 2011.   12/01 update:  after a few tweaks by Kimball, the average tax/home is approximately $170 in 2011 and  $294 over 4 years.

Good schools do everything to prepare our children for the future, build good neighborhoods and raise property values.  So, what will the schools and students receive for this property tax increase?  What do you think?  Stay tuned for Part II when the benefits of our hard-earned tax dollars will be spelled out. 

Watch Superintendent Chip Kimball present his levy/bond recommendations on video, 11/9.  View the LWSD Press Release, 11/13 on Dr. Kimball's proposal.

*The LWSD School Board holds their WORK STUDY dinner meeting  and REGULAR Meeting starting at 5:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month..  The Public is invited to both.   Work Study Meetings are unstructured and have no video or audio recording and no Minutes (one sentence) so the meetings can be very interesting!  Look here for the extended agenda for Work Study and Regular Meetings.   

by Bob Yoder

$81,921 DONATED TO LWSD SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER DONATIONS TO LWSD

"and a little bit more"

Environmental & Adventure School PTO to EAS -- $38,100 -- to provide stipend for extra office help for activities ($8,100) and support outdoor education and student supplies.

Juanita Rebels Booster Club to Juanita High School -- $2,331.60 -- to provide coaching stipend.

First Teach to Rosa Parks Elementary -- $2020.20 -- to support building program.

A.G. Bell PTSA to Bell El. -- $1800 -- To provide classroom enrichment at teacher's discretion.

Louisa May Alcott PTSA to Alcott El. -- $2012.60 -- To provide student leadership and assembly stipends.

Elizabeth Blackwell PTSA to Blackwell Elementary --$21,000 -- To provide student and teacher curriculum aids ($11,000); staff development ($5000), purchase library books ($200); and support field trips ($3000).

Rachel Carson PTSA to Carson El. -- $10,039 -- to provide stipends for intramural program ($2013), website administration ($2013), Green Team program ($1006), and Student Council Program ($1006); purchase health room equipment and supplies ($500); and support field trips ($3500).

Juanita Schools Foundation to Juanita Elementary -- $4617 -- to support volunteer program ($1,315) and building program ($1289) and provide outdoor education stipend ($2012).

"a little bit more"

Participation by the community in the LWSD School Board's governing process is lacking:  1) the School Board at large didn't show up for the levy input meetings,  2) citizens aren't attending the Board 's Work Study Meetings. because the BOARD doesn't announce the Topic or times during their Regular Meetings  3) Work Study Meeting Minutes are only one sentence long so we never know what's going on behind the closed doors.  What do you think?  If you want to sit in on a meeting check the "extended agenda" on the sidebar under LWSD links.

by Bob Yoder 

The adventures of Bear Creek's young buck

While exploring the Bear Creek stormwater facility site, I found this young buck foraging for food along Bear Creek behind Safeway.  Grass and shrubs must have been scarce from the flooding. The buck crossed Avondale Way and headed downtown, but then came back.  It was touch and go crossing Avondale Way.  Both lanes of traffic stopped.   Do you see him on the shoulder of the road?  Can you believe it?  (click upper right photo to enlarge). You can see Bear Creek flooding onto the trail that goes under the Avondale Way bridge.  Normally the buck would probably take the safe way North under the bridge, but you can see it's blocked by the flood. When the new stormwater facility on Bear Creek is built, food and shelter will probably be in shorter supply; since  ~ 3,000 sf of riparian buffer will be lost.

by Bob Yoder

Photos taken today when walking the stormwater project site.

Redmond SecondStory Repertory needs $80,000 to stay afloat

Redmond%27s%20SecondStory%20Repertory%20needs%20%2480%2C000%20to%20stay%20afloat

How and Why you should help the SecondStory Repertory.

Donate Today! 

Why should you patronize and donate to Redmond's Second Story Repertory? 

1. Because the repetory is one of the brightest attractions on Seattle's Eastside, with nine Mainstage            and four children's productions this season.
2.Because over 20,000 people depend on experiencing live theatre at SecondStory Repertory.
3.Because you love having live, professional theatre in your community.
4.Because if you love the arts, you should contribute to organizations creating it.
5.Because more than 200 kids take theatre classes here after school and in the summer.
6.Because over 5,000 school kids will be introduced to the magic of theatre here this year.
7.Because we really, really need it - $80,000 is needed by December 31 or the theatre will leave Redmond.
 
DID YOU KNOW
•SecondStory Repertory is a cultural institution with a mailing list of over 5,000 local households, with an average household income of $96,000, according to Redmond Town Center research.

WEB SITE & DONATE HERE:  http://www.secondstoryrep.org/supportssr/donate.html

DROP YOUR KIDS OFF DURING  RTC HOLIDAY SHOPPING
"Drop and Shop"  http://www.secondstoryrep.org/classes/publicclasses.html

This website information and plea for support was posted in response to Holly Plackett's urgent request.  Holly is a past Redmond City Councilmember, Planning Commissioner and community activist.