Evergreen Hospital's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (S.A.N.E.)

UPDATED OPINION:  During last week's Evergreen Hospital's Board meeting, staff presented their "Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners' (S.A.N.E.) program.  S.A.N.E. was established three years ago to provide advocacy for Evergreen's Level III Trauma Center patients. 

Evergreen now has 12 active members on the SANE team, each having undergone 40 hours of training.  In 2010 they've advocated  almost 4 cases/month.  In 2009 they had 42 cases.

Several Commissioners talked about expanding the program beyond the Hospital to include high schools within Lake Washington, North Shore, and Riverview School Districts.  Commissioners also considered serving District-based city police departments with SANE services.

The District high schools are presently served with trained counselors to assist physical, emotional, and sexual assault victims.  For example, District high schools contract with Youth Eastside Services (Y.E.S.) for professional counselors.  If SANE hospital trauma care is required, assault victims can be referred to Evergreen. 

The Commission never suggested or implied that SANE receive levy-dollar funding for outreach services.  The Administration later informed me S.A.N.E. is not levy-funded.

Opinion by Bob Yoder

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Requesting Unmet Community Health Services Is a GOOD Reason To Go To Evergreen's Hearing on 11/12

OPINION:  Do you know Evergreen Hospital has a Net Gain of $12,158,589 in their 2011 Budget?  That's not counting an operating gain of $2,940,851 transfered to the Capital Fund.  Yet, Evergreen is still allowed by law to collect property tax levy-dollars.

Evergreen's website describes the two ways Evergreen spends our levy tax dollars:

1. Debt Repayment
2. Much Needed Community Health Services

THE BUDGET PROCESS:  A "Levy Committee" is formed to offer proposals to the Commission for Levy money allocations.  The levy allocation process isn't complete until the annual November Budget Hearing, at which time the Public has an opportunity to present their own offers and requests of the Commission.

Do you have any requests for community health services that are widely needed but not currently provided by the Hospital with levy monies?  If so, and you feel strongly about it, attend the Budget Hearing this Friday morning and make your request of the Commissioners. 

Obesity prevention and care is a large unmet need in our community.  I'll be requesting levy funding for obesity at the Hearing.  The Obesity Research Journal estimates only 1/3 of the community is in a healthy weight range.  It's estimated that at current trend levels, by 2030, 86.3% of adults will be overweight or obese.  Bring as much research about your community health care offer as possible.

"Open Government Report" on Evergreen Hospital Operations and Governance

http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/p/evergreen-pub-hosp.html

The following information is posted permanently on the Header of RNB blog as "Evergreen (Public) Hospital   

• Evergreen's 2010 report on how taxpayer levy funds are spent.
• 2010 Hospital Levy review.  
• 2008 Executive Compensation and Benefits
• See changes CEO Bob Malte has made since his start in April
• Public Access and Notification procedures identified.
• Letters from Washington State Assistant Attorney General documenting public right to recording and photographing meetings and obtaining current Minutes.

Some of this information was acquired from Evergreen's Public Record Request Officer, Laurene H. Burton.
lhburton@evergreenhealthcare.org and by attending Regular and Study Session Public Meetings.

Click link to read the report:  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/p/evergreen-pub-hosp.html

Research and report by Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Citizen participation in Evergreen Hospital's budgeting process doesn't have to be guarded

Photography at LIVE meetings is forbidden by Staff

 OPINION UPDATED, 11/15:  The Evergreen Hospital Public Hearing on the Budget only comes around once a year.  It's probably one of the most important meetings Evergreen holds for it's District property tax-payers. 

Did you know over 155,142 Evergreen District voters from Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, Kenmore, Sammamish, and Duval elect five commissioners, in part, to oversee the Evergreen budget? 

The total operations levy projection is $15,303,191, once approved by the Commission.  The Capital budget is $27.2 million. Evergreen's operation levy will increase 18% this year over last year's increase, but don't ask me why.  The Commission never once discussed the 2011 Budget or the Levy during their budget "Study Session" last Tuesday evening!   I emailed the Commission and the Administration; they never responded.

Did you know, the 2011 budget is for all practical purposes unavailable to the Public unless you stumbled into the Commissioner's November 2 meeting and asked for a copy in advance?  The budget's not on Evergreen's website, nor are the Commission meeting or hearing agendas.  You might try Ms. Burton lburton@evergreenhealthcare.org, Evergreen Administrative Director.  She may refer you to the public notice section of the newspaper - *published once a week for two weeks.  But, it wouldn't hurt to ask for a copy.  Your best bet is to arrive at this Friday's 11/12 Budget Hearing before sunrise for a quick look before the Hearing starts at 7:30AM.  The Hearing is held in the Public Meeting Room / Tan 250.  

The Administration and Commission certainly don't appear to want the public around.   This old-fashioned belief must end.   To quote planners Duany, Zyberk, and Speck:  "Citizen participation in the planning process -- a horrifying prospect to some administrators -- has proved to be the most effective way to avoid mistakes (unintended consequences".) - Suburban Nation, 2001. 

"Read More" to find the formal Hearing Notice as published in the "Seattle Times" on 11/1.   According to State Statute RCW 70.44.060(6),  Evergreen's Hearing Notice is flawed since the date and place of the Hearing wasn't published twice in the paper for at least two consecutive weeks prior to the Hearing..  The Public is getting only a 12-day notice of the  Hearing.  A second Hearing may be required, in fairness to the Public.

I'm sure the Evergreen staff has every good intention to provide the public with the information they need to participate, it's just that they are not used to the process.
  

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Podcast on Redmond's Linear Park Connector

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Monday, November 15, 6-8:30 pm, City Hall

The City invites you to view the preliminary design ideas for the Redmond Central Connector.
The invitation is on this City website link:

http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrec/parksPlanning/BNSF/PDFs/RCC_postcard.pdf

Redmond City Hall
15670 NE 85th Street
6:00 to 8:30 pm

Evergreen Hospital To Hold Public Hearing on $428 Million Budget November 12

Photography during Ev. Pub Commission Mtgs is prohibited 

UPDATED ON 11/10:  The 2011 Property Tax Levy is budgeted to increase $699,248 or ~ 5% this year to $15,303,191.  That's an increase of 18% over the 2010 levy increase*.  (Redmond's Evergreen Commissioner August Kempf  didn't respond to my request to meet for clarification on the budget.). 

How Levy Funds Are Allocated: 

Each program or service that requests levy funding must annually demonstrate the community need.  Proposals are evaluated based on the need, and whether the overall benefit to the community justifies the resources.

Evergreen's five publicly-elected Board of Commissioners have the final say on distribution of levy funds each year, based on the recommendations of a standing levy committee (and the public). They represent 155,152 District #2 voters in Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Sammamish, Duvall and Kenmore. 

While some levy-supported programs specifically address the special needs of the under-served, the chronically ill, the disabled and high-risk populations, the majority of the programs are for use by the entire community. For instance, if you phone into the Evergreen Healthline referral service or participate in certain health education classes, you have benefited directly from levy-supported services. 

Other health care education classes require insurance payments, a fee or expect a donation. Your levy dollars are not directly benefiting you here.  For example, the 20-hour "Fundamentals of Diabetes Class" costs $1750.00  or $85/hour.  Adult Bereavement donation is $30.00  Cost of four "Baby Care Class" fees total $180.00  Three "Healthy Pregnancy Class" fees total $200.00 Three "Family Maternity Classes total $90.00.  Seven "After Baby is Born classes total $276.00.  Cost of Three "Bringing Baby Home" Classes total $120.000. Your levy dollars are not directly benefiting you here. The total cost for all programs is:  $2646.00.  [Prices are taken from the newly revised 2010 Evergreen website.]
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Education Hill Car Prowler Activity Caught On Security Camera

Hello Ed Hill neighbors!

Randall's Home Security Web Cam shows prowler 

This week, we had a car prowl at our home on 88th Street – nothing taken as far as we can tell, but the person was recorded on surveillance video. So we have some information that may help you and your families.

At 11:26pm on 11/2/10, the person walked up to each of our three vehicles and tested only one door lock on each car. One of our three vehicles was unlocked and the person stood on the outside of the car and reached in to check through the contents of the center console. A flashlight was used. The person climbed into the driver’s seat and checked the contents of the glove box. Then the person carefully closed the door, and went into the rear car door to check out some items in the rear of the vehicle. Our roadside emergency kit was looked through, but nothing appeared to be taken. The person carefully closed the door, and tried the passenger door lock on our other vehicle.

The best description I can give of the person at the time he was recorded: Male, approx 6’ tall, 180-200 lbs, wearing light colored pants that were baggy around the bottoms of the pant-legs, black shoes, and was wearing a backpack. The person was on foot, and no vehicles were passing up or down the street within 10 minutes of the prowl. A police report was filed, so they are aware of the activity.

The person was walking – no vehicle activity prior to the event, leading me to believe he was local and may walk the route regularly.

Dave Randall
Education Hill, Redmond
Read other RNB contributions by Randall

Overlake Squadron Civil Air Patrol Winter Recruiting Campaign Is Underway

click the poster to read it

Hello RNB -

We had a successful recruiting effort in September with 8 new Cadets and one Senior Member joining our unit. I wish that I had better data but I like to think that your article helped us out, thanks.

This poster is going to be the centerpiece of our winter recruiting campaign and it will appear in junior / middle schools throughout the east side.

If you could send that out to your readers we would really appreciate the exposure. Remember to stop by one of our meetings soon so that we can meet and talk about the CAP program.

 Overlake Squadron Facebook Page

Regards,

Lt. Mike Holliday
Commander
Overlake Squadron
Kirkalnd, WA.

Deal gives Microsoft patents on smart airbags, pothole avoidance

Smart airbags, pothole avoidance - from Todd Bishop's Tech Flash

Deal gives Microsoft patents on smart airbags, pothole avoidance:

"Microsoft's agreement to acquire Canesta Inc., confirmed late last week, will give the Redmond company 44 patents and about two dozen patent applications covering various ways of enhancing a computer's senses -- including gesture recognition, depth perception, and real-time camera and sensor calibration. Taken as a whole, they show how Microsoft could give users new ways of interacting with future versions of its PC and mobile operating systems.

And then there's the smart airbag and the pothole-avoidance system."

READ MORE

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash,11/2

Updated: Evergreen Hospital Levy Projections and Update

Evergreen Hospital Commission Public Meeting Room is located in the hospital.  Photography and video-taping during meetings is forbidden by the Commission's lawyer.  

The Proposed 2011 Budget was presented in this Tuesday's Commission meeting: 

• The 5 commissioners listened to Finance Director Yamada's report on the 2011 Preliminary Budget. It is still not known when the Public Hearing will be held when community viewpoints can be voiced. 
• Ms Yamada budgeted for a $699,245 (18%) increase  in "Levy for Operations" in 2011 over prior year.   The proposed 2011 Net Operating Fund is $428,302,036 with a Net Operating Gain of $2,940,851 (allocated to the Capital Fund).   
• Total Net Gain (counting tax and investment revenue) is:  $15,009,440. 

Finance Director Yamada said on 9/21 "She was happy to report that the district is ahead of budget and due to aggressive cost controls, is experienced a positive margin despite lower-than-budgeted volumes."

The Evergreen Hospital District Retirement Plan Draft Resolution 835-10 was studied this Tuesday: 

• The District will match 4% of compensation to Key Executives PLUS 4% of Compensation in excess of Social Security Wage Base towards retirement.
• The District will match 6% of bi-weekly Compensation for Physicians and supervisors towards retirement.  This is a reduction from 8% matching funds (7/1/2005 - 1/1/2011). 
• All other Active District Participants will continue to receive up to 4% matching retirement funds. 

News from October 5, 2010 Minutes :

• "VP Medical Affairs, Dr. Mitch Weinberg,*  has decided to resume his pediatric practice full time and thus has resigned effective October 15."   Per Freedom of Information's Act, the part-time position paid a salary of $299,334.54 in 2008 (includes $55,606.54 incentive bonus).  This was a 75% part-time position. 
• CEO Rob Malte introduced Jason Dick as the new "Major Gifts Officer" for the Evergreen Foundation.  
• Plans for the Leadership Retreat (Commissioners & Executives) were almost complete.  The goal is to "deal with proactive planning for health care reform.".  The retreat location wasn't noted.   
• Dr. Jeff Tomlin* was welcomed as the new Chief Medical Officer. 

According to the Administration today, "the position of Vice President for Medical Affairs (VPMA)*, formerly held by Dr. Mitch Weinberg, will not be replaced.  Some of the VPMA responsibilities have been delegated to Dr. Jeff Tomlin in his role as Chief Medical Officer." (L. Burton).

This concludes my report.  Do you have any comments?  Evergreen Hospital is a Public Hospital supported in part by property tax levies.  A Public Hearing on the Budget and Levy is planned in the near future.  Would you like to know the Hearing date and location?

By Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder (with approval of Sherry Grindeland, Evergreen Media/Marketing and under supervision by a Senior Planner)

Now Playing: "The Wedding Singer" - Dinner and Show

Now Playing: "Redmond High School Theatre Arts presents...

The Wedding Singer

Book and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin & Tim Herl

Music by Matthew Sklar

Directed by Misty Doty

November 4-6, 11-13 & 18-20
7:00 P.M. Dinner & Show

Dinner will be provided by the RHS Culinary Arts Program.

Friday & Saturday shows are $20 a ticket for dinner and the show. Advanced reservations are required for these dates.

Reservations can be made by e-mailing Mrs. Doty at mdoty@lwsd.org  or calling and leaving a message at (425) 936-1820. Please include your name, number in the party, and contact number and/or email. Tickets will be paid for at the door. Each table will seat eight.

All Thursday performances will be $10 a ticket. There will be no advanced reservations for these performances. We will seat the first 128 people.

Dinners will include an appetizer, a main dish (which will satisfy both vegetarians & non-vegetarians), and wedding cake!

Childcare will be provided at all shows by the RHS Child Psychology class. Reservations are required; call (425) 936-1820."

By the Redmond High School Drama Boosters

2011 King County Updated Election Results

BOOKMARK THIS PAGE FOR ELECTION UPDATES

The Next King County Election Report is 4:30 PM Wednesday (today).  The complete schedule for future updates is posted at the end of this post.

KING COUNTY 11/2/2010 8:07:42 PM  
Election Night Final  (see updated results)
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