UPDATED: Redmond's Evolving Economic Development Plan

Mayor John Marchione
Coordinating economic
development

UPDATED, July 12:  The City of Redmond's Centennial Celebration in 2012 is becoming the rallying point for jump-starting economic
development in the Greater Redmond Community.  Healthy, economic development is deemed critical to the future of the City for job growth, a robust business climate, and quality neighborhoods.   Four community organizations are being re-deployed to fund-raise and move economic and community development forward, as follows:

• "Redmond Economic Development Alliance"  (REDA)
• "Redmond Foundation", now known as "Realize Redmond" (RR).
• "Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce" (CC)
• "Redmond Lodging Tax Advisory Committee"  (RLTAC)
• Mayor Marchione of the City of Redmond is taking a leadership role in the process.

On May 19, 2009 city council authorized $105,500 payment to Texas-based Angelou Economics "to develop a strategic plan for economic development."  In addition, Council approved $200,000 to create a public-private partnership between the City and REDA.  This "seed money" was intended to jump start REDA fund-raising activities.   During the May public meeting Councilmember Pat Vache' asked council to step off the Dias and extend a hand of partnership and welcome to attending Chamber members.   REDA member, Jim Stanton of Microsoft spent over 15 minutes talking with Chris Hoffmann, the Chamber CEO. The first $50,000 of $200,000 was spent funding the office of Larry Williams, Executive Director, REDA.

Who's in REDA?  Read More >>

Community greets Swedish/Issaquah at opening celebration : The Issaquah Press

Evan Jackson, 3, rides on the shoulders of his dad Kyle as the Issaquah Highlands
 residents and thousands of others attend Swedish/Issaquah’s public open house Saturday. By Greg Farrar

Issaquah Press
By Warren Kagarise

Community greets Swedish/Issaquah at opening celebration : The Issaquah Press

"Hospital executives and designers spared no expense to create a Swedish Medical Center campus to connect to the surrounding community and, on Saturday, curious residents from Issaquah and across the Eastside embraced Swedish/Issaquah as the $365 million hospital opened for a whirlwind of public tours.

Organizers estimate 22,000 people descended on the 18-acre campus during the daylong event. The hospital’s opening celebration served as the centerpiece at Highlands Day, a neighborhood festival in the Issaquah Highlands."  Read More>>

Arts in the Park free summer performances at City Hall

The City of Redmond’s Arts in the Parks summer performance series is in full swing at Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street. This season showcases a variety of free performances for children and families from rock bands for kids to Shakespeare for the whole family. Tuesdays at noon are reserved for performances specifically for children and caregivers, while Fridays at 7pm are performances for all ages.

Located on the green space behind Redmond City Hall, Arts in the Parks free performances are a great way to celebrate the summer with family, friends and neighbors. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic and a low-backed chair or blanket and relax with an entertaining hour of music, theater or dance.   First performance is Tuesday, July 12 at Noon.  Read More >>

71ST Annual Derby Days - See What's Happening!

CLICK HERE FOR EVENTS!

Lake Washington School District teachers dodge pay cut, extend year

Lake Washington School District teachers dodge pay cut, extend year : The Sammamish Review

"Lake Washington School District teachers dodge pay cut, extend year

July 6, 2011
By Caleb Heeringa

Lake Washington School District teachers will dodge the pay cuts coming to thousands of teachers around the state, but local taxpayers will be footing the bill.

The district has reached agreement with the Lake Washington Education Association, which represents the district’s teachers, to maintain current salaries despite a 1.9 percent cut in the state’s contributions to teacher pay. That money will be made up in part by an estimated 10 cents per $1,000 in assessed value increase in the district’s maintinence and operations levy – money that had been approved by local voters but until recently had been limited by state school funding law." Read More >>

REPUBLISHED: My tenant had a serious kitchen toaster fire -- what to do?

OPINION:  Several years ago a tenant in my Education Hill rental  experienced a serious, $6,000 "pop-tart" toaster fire.  He was very fortunate to put it out himself  but  he burned his hand and was shaken.  He said, if it wasn't for the smoke detector, the house would have burned down.  As it was, smoke damage was severe.  (I'll write a sequel some day.)  

According to the Bellevue Fire Department, most residential fires start in the kitchen and are caused by inattention.   Last year in Bellevue, 25% of all structural fires started in the kitchen.  I can't remember what my tenant did to put it out.  Here's what you can do:
 

1.  Cover the pot or pan with a lid.  Don't move the pan or the fire could spread!  (10 second video recommended by Redmond Fire Dept )

*2.  If you can't find a lid, cover with a wet cloth or towel.  Don't splash with water or a fire ball could rise.  (dramatised 30 second video emailed from my sister; requires G-Mail) 

3. Sprinkle baking soda on the grease fire and don't move the pan. (Redmond Deputy Fire Marshall Jim Underwood)   Fire extinguishers work but they can spread the fire, too.  (Bellevue Fire Dept.).

4. Close doors of burning microwave and oven grease fires and turn off the electricity.  Don't splash with water.  (Bellevue Fire Dept.)

* Disclaimer:  John Underwood, Redmond's Deputy Fire Marshall, neither endorsed nor denied the effectiveness and safety of using a water-rung towel to snuff out kitchen grease fires.  (Personally, I wouldn't hesitate using a wet towel on a toaster fire if I couldn't find baking soda or a fire extinguisher).

Do you know someone who's had a kitchen fire?  I hope the city will provide some kitchen fire prevention education on RCTV or their website. 

Opinion by Bob Yoder
Photo on City of Bellevue web site.
Republished from an earlier posting. 

Safety Alerts: Redmond Police give out bike helmets and flashing reflectors. Sign up your 'hood for "National Night Out Against Crime!"

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Outreach

from the Desk of Jim Bove, Redmond Police Community Outreach

1.  Beginning this Friday, July 8th, our Redmond Town Center Police Substation will be closed.  We are consolidating our resources to the Redmond Police Department/Public Safety Building at 8701 160th Ave NE.  This includes our popular bike and ski/snowboard helmets!  (Now’s a great time to remind you to protect your melon and your child’s!  To schedule an appointment for custom fitting, contact Nicole Rogers at 425-556-2632….this has been a public service announcement.)  

2.  Beginning this weekend, officers will be handing out flashing red reflectors so walkers and bikers can be seen easier.  So don’t be alarmed if it’s getting dark and an officer makes contact with you – it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, it’s just to make sure you can be seen.  

3.  Time is ticking if your neighborhood would like to participate in the 2011 National Night Out Against Crime on August 2!  Find more information by clicking here and RSVP your party no later than Tuesday, July 26th.   That’s all, folks…quick and (mostly) painless….feel free to share….

Be safe!
Jim Bove
Redmond Police Community Outreach
jbove@redmond.gov )
(425) 556-2545

Plan a trip to the beach with Ecology's new online tool.

Ruby Beach - Olympic National Park

Plan a trip to the beach with Ecology's new online tool

OLYMPIA - Anyone interested in visiting one of Washington's public beaches now has a great new online recreational planning tool, thanks to the Department of Ecology (Ecology).

A new Public Beach Access feature on Ecology's Coastal Atlas website (www.ecy.wa.gov/coastalatlas ) provides detailed information on where to legally access the state's public beaches - including those owned by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, counties and cities, or another agency.

Dr. Kathy Taylor of Ecology's Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program said, "Especially with the high price of gas, no one wants to spend a day driving only to find a beach is closed for swimming or there is no legal access close by. Now, you check that before you leave, make sure the campsite you picked has the features you want, and even view photos of the beach and trail heads."

The website includes interactive maps and photos of trail heads, viewpoints and signs. This is especially helpful for access points that aren't well marked or are located some distance from the beach.

Users can enter a beach name or a general location, or hover a computer mouse over a map and click to zoom in. The site includes information on:

* Whether beaches are closed to swimming, with links to advisories and monitoring reports.
* Public boat launches, docks, piers and marinas.
* Campsite availability, accessibility, hours of operations, fees.
* Amenities such as bathrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, barbeque pits and whether pets are allowed.
* Hiking trails.
* Links to weather and tide information.  Read More >>

Lake Washington School District Announces Nine Administrative Changes

Lake Washington School District Announces Administrative Changes for 2011-2012

Redmond, Wash. – The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) announces a number of changes in school administrators.  Five new principals will serve in district schools while four other principals will have different or additional assignments.

Karen Barker has been selected to serve as the principal at Dickinson Elementary and Explorer Community School in Redmond. Karen interned at both Maywood Hills Elementary in Northshore School District and at Odle Middle School in the Bellevue School District. Karen has taught in Oak Harbor School District and Northshore School District for the past ten years, serving as a math and reading instructor as well as a health and fitness teacher and curriculum developer. Karen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Washington University and her Masters’ degree from Emporia State University. She graduated from the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership Program in June.

Matthew Livingston has been selected to serve as the principal of International Community School (ICS) and Community School, both in Kirkland. Matthew comes to LWSD from San Francisco Read More >>,

Swedish comes to the Plateau, tour it before it opens | Photos - seattlepi.com

Much of the Swedish Issaquah Hospital gets natural light from the courtyard during the day.
CELESTE GRACEY, ISSAQUAH REPORTER 

Swedish comes to the Plateau, tour it before it opens Photos - seattlepi.com:

"Swedish Hospital Issaquah was so confident in its ability to get patients in and out of its emergency room, it didn't bother to build a waiting room.

Don't ask for a clipboard either, all that paper work can be done by a nurse at the bedside.

Swedish is just two weeks away from opening in its new hospital, and the administrators couldn't be more proud to show off the shiny new facility during Issaquah Highlands Day on July 9.

The free tours will run continually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

While most of its outpatient clinic space has already been swept up by physicians and family doctors, its inpatient care brings something the plateau has never had before, a full-fledged hospital.

Unlike its established Capitol Hill location, which is composed of continual expansions and a maze of elevators, the staff took the opportunity to plan its dream space with efficiency and beauty."

Read More >>

Redmond Derby Days Dash

The Evergreen Orthopedic Center presents the 2nd Annual Redmond Derby Days Dash. Organized by the City of Redmond and the Dr. John K. McCormick Foundation as the concluding event of Redmond's summer Derby Days Festival, the Dash is a 5k walk/race for non-competitive and competitive participants of all age groups. The participant registration fee is $25 and 100% of net proceeds go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  Register online here.

LWSD Audit Finds No Issues

Lake Washington School District Audit Finds No Issues
Clean audit available on state auditor’s website  Read More >>

John Marchione's first speech as mayor touches on Derby Days

John Marchione gives his first speech as mayor (1/12/08) to the Redmond Historical Society about Derby Days. Mayors Christine Himes and Rosemarie Ives attended. This video is a snippet from John's talk. Miguel Llanos, today's Senior Vice President of the Redmond Historical Society asks a question about the Centennial.

Video and Report by Bob Yoder

Police Safety Alert for Redmond adults, youth and international residents

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Outreach

from the desk of Jim Bove, Redmond Police Community Outreach.... 

With 4th of July coming in, oh, about four days, please remember that the sale, personal possession, and use of all fireworks within the city limits of Redmond are prohibited by City ordinance.  See city’s press release regarding fireworks and the locations of firework shows in the area.

ATTENTION:  International residents!  Extra! Extra!  Do you know, a great international resource is available for you on the city website?  Translations to over 30 languages are available!   Go to any city webpage like www.redmond.gov/police.  On the top right-center find a “language” tab—click on that and choose your language to read up on emergency response and more!

A couple quick, informative articles:  Child Predators: The Online Threat Continues to Grow (FBI) Stop ID thieves from stealing your kid's credit (MSNBC.com)  Feel free to pass along to others….Be safe!

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach Facilitator
(425) 556-2545
jbove@redmond.gov

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

Redmond Town Center - 2nd Annual Sidewalk Sale & Arts Festival!

Redmond Town Center - 2nd Annual Sidewalk Sale & Arts Festival.

Sunday, June 26 is the last day.  11-5

"When the sun is out you can't beat this place! Very lively. Lots of  fun, food, music & people!"  

Musician stations are scattered throughout the Arts Festival.  Luke, the guitarist singing at the fountain, is from Gig Harbor.  On Saturday, we found one musician from Redmond and others from Woodinville, Bellevue and Darien, Wisconsin.

Macy's
Even the anchor stores pitched tents

By Bob Yoder

Rotary Club of Redmond awards Jerome Jin "Community Partner of the Year".

from the desk of Pam Mauk, Executive Director, Together Center....

City of Redmond's Jerome Jin receives award
 from Rotory Club of Redmond's David Markley

City of Redmond’s Jerome Jin receives first-ever
Community Partner Award from Rotary Club of Redmond

The City of Redmond’s Jerome Jin received Rotary Club of Redmond’s Community Partner of the Year Award at Thursday’s club meeting. President David Markley made the presentation.

Rotary Club of Redmond established the award this year to recognize a non-Rotarian who partners with the club to leverage the goals and ideals of Rotary in the community.


David Markley said,

 “For eight years, Jerome Jin, Program Administrator in the Public Works Department, has been our partner to further our work at Redmond’s Recycle Day. Everything from computers to old tires, light bulbs to scrap metal, and tons of other discarded items are recycled that would most likely end up at the solid waste facility or on the side of the road, without this program. Yearly, we obtain bicycles that our club refurbishes for children locally and people around the world. Working with Jerome Jin’s help, Redmond Rotary refurbishes and then gives bikes to Eastside Baby Corner, Bikes for Humanity (which go to various African locations), and Bikes for Ghana.”  Read more >>

Redmond police tracks down teenage suspect with social media

Jim Bove
Redmond Police

from the desk of Jim Bove, Community Outreach, Redmond Police....

UPDATED:  A male juvenile approached a group of kids near the BMX bike park last night, 6/22.   He asked one of the kids if they wanted to purchase an IPOD he had stolen.  Read More >>

UPDATED: To maintain teachers salaries: Local levy dollars are used, LWSD 2012 calendar shuffled

Dr Chip Kimball

Local levy dollars used

Lake Washington School District 2011-12 school year extended

UPDATED:  Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s school year calendar for 2011-12 has been extended to 181 days from 180 and the last day of school moved from June 20 to June 22. May 25 will become a non-student day.

These changes result from an agreement with the Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA) to maintain current salaries, in spite of the state salary cuts, through the addition of two workdays.

The state legislature cut funding for teacher salaries by 1.9% in the recently completed session. Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent, noted that teacher compensation affects retention and recruitment of good teachers, a priority that he shares with district parents.

“Teacher salaries, in real dollars adjusted for inflation, have been declining for 30 years,” noted Kevin Teeley, LWEA president. “Despite that fact, the legislature is asking teachers to take another cut in pay.”

Dr. Kimball proposed to the LWEA keeping teacher compensation at the same level as 2010-11, using local levy dollars to make up the difference. As part of the proposal, teachers would work two additional days, focusing the time on preparing for the district’s change to a new grade configuration in the fall of 2012. Teachers voted overwhelmingly to accept this change to their contract.   READ MORE >>

2011 post: Neighborhood Commercial: Grocery Stores in Neighborhoods?

This is an old 2011 post

Grocery stores in neighborhoods? Coffee shops? Supermarkets?  Retail? Fruit and vegetable markets?  Will our neighborhoods be rezoned someday to allow for these businesses?  

On June 14, 2011 Redmond City Council spent another of many "study sessions" reviewing "neighborhood commercial" (NC) rezoning.  Planner Kim  Dietz's goal was for council to decide on where NC can be situated in the community and how to prevent "commercial creep."

The NC rezone method agreed upon by council includes certain requirements :

• no more than one commercial development concentrated in each of six different neighborhood areas spread throughout the city.
• rezones are no larger than 1-acre and predominantly near residential.
• development must be in close proximity to one of  the following three concentrations: a business, home, or recreation e.g. park. 

Vice President Pat Vache' noted this criteria will keep development on NE 116th only at both ends of the road, east and west. Councilmember Hank Margeson commented earlier this year that the "PCC" development on 116th and Avondale was an example of a good neighborhood commercial development.  Councilmember David Carson was concerned NE 116th could turn into a strip mall.  Vache' reminded Carson only one NC rezone was allowed per neighborhood area.  

Councilmember Kim Allen said "from an historical perspective NC has always been around." Councilmember Hank Margeson said, NC "is more open today but, is not wide open". 

Planner Kim Dietz reminded council that "none of our neighborhood plans (citizen advisory committees) say 'no' to neighborhood commercial.  Some were silent or speak to general support or a higher level of support..."   The Bear Creek neighborhood had a high level of support.

Margeson referred to his experience on the Education Hill Neighborhood Advisory Committee when citizens were committing to keeping an open mind.  He said  "The advisory committee was asked: do you want to encourage NC more?,,, find a spot where it might fit?,,, vs. a simple 'yes' or 'no' question." 

Councilmember  John Stilin wanted to understand what "keeping an open mind meant."   The Idlewood Neighborhood process requires a land use review in addition to a rezone. When pressed, Planner Dietz said neighbors could "opt out" of a project but, the final decision rests with Council. President Richard Cole clarified that when a developer applies for a project in any neighborhood, it would have a "review panel" (composed of neighbors and staff).  Vice President Pat Vache' concurred and the entire council,  agreed in silence.   
 
Council's final review was centered on concerns of 7/11 type convenience stores. Cole is extremely outspoken against these stores in our neighborhoods, as is Allen.  Councilmember Allen, a land-use hearing examiner in Kitsap, said these types of stores would be "regulated out" by hours and large signage.  Stilin said the focus should be on "aesthetics".  "7/11's" have a limited line of goods.  The types of projects allowed by council are:  supermarkets, fruit and vegetable markets, retail, cafeteria, restaurants, take-out, coffee shops.  Councilmember Hank Myers said all commercial projects would be subject to the Design Review Board.  Council will review the development criteria every five years.   

Citizens may comment at the Hearing scheduled for July 19.  Council has a final study session on August 9 and will vote on it September 6, 2011.
 
 Bob Yoder

July 19 Hearing - document

Great Blue Heron with fish




JOHN REINKE / REDMOND NEIGHBORHOOD BLOG

"Great Blue Heron with fish." By John Reinke

John Reinke's heron is foraging under the Leary Way Bridge.  Painting or Photo?  Great Blue Herons are celebrated as Redmond's "Species of Local Importance".  They forage in the riparian habitat of Redmond's streams, wetlands and the Sammamish River. Redmond heron raise their young in the trees of  Issaquah rookeries and Marymoor Park cottonwoods.

Picture by John Reinke
Source:  Cathy Beam, Principal Environmental Planner, City of Redmond.