Koeppen asks Council for new pool

Mr. Koeppen was a little late here.  Last December, before Mr. Koeppen's speech, the City Council adopted the 2019-2020 budget to include the pool remodel.  

Pool system repairs and improvements will occur in two phases over two years.  Phase 1 is under contract to complete approximately $5.4M in system repair and replacement that will improve the overall pool facility efficiency and operation. This work will result in lower utility use and costs along with improved building system performance and occupant experience. The budget for Phase 2 is $6M.   
-- Bob Yoder

LWSD reduced electricity by 30%, water usage by 30% since the 2005-2006 school year

Redmond, Wash. - The U.S. Department of Education announced today that Lake Washington School District (LWSD), is among the 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardees.

Lake Washington School District was nominated by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Since the 2005–06 school year, we have reduced electricity usage per square foot by 30 percent. Domestic water usage has been reduced 30 percent per student.

LWSD integrates environmental literacy into school culture. For example, a waste audit at Peter Kirk Elementary School, in partnership with King County Green Schools, found that the school recycles correctly 96 percent of the time. Natural outdoor spaces enhance curriculum, like during Wetlands Week at Emily Dickinson Elementary. Students remove invasive plant species and learn about the important role wetlands play in the ecosystem. Students at Emerson High School learn about green sustainable design technology in a career and technical education course. They built a hoop house and raised beds for the school's urban garden. 

LWSD is teaching today's students about sustainability, while using green building practices to construct the schools of tomorrow. By 2020, 27 percent of the district schools' heating will come from high-efficiency geothermal, including 75 percent of heating in its high schools. LWSD has the largest solar energy capacity of any district in the state at 615 kilowatts. School building projects must meet detailed requirements to receive funds from Washington State's School Construction Assistance Program, including the incorporation of natural lighting, which reduces electricity costs and enhances student learning environments.

East Link Light Rail nears 50% completion

Photo Credit: Sound Transit 

Earlier this week the Bellevue City Council received an update from Sound Transit that the East Link Light Rail project has neared 50 percent completion.

Some of the highlights from the project progress include: tunnel excavation work under 110th Ave NE that has recently been completed, significant progress on the South Bellevue station and Bellevue Way Southeast parking garage, as well as the close to finished elevated guideways.

The East Link Light Rail project is anticipated to be completed and open in 2023. The length of East Link is over 14 miles that spans from all the way from Redmond, through Bellevue and onto Mercer Island. During peak travel time the service will be available every six minutes. It’s projected that there will be 43,000 – 52,000 daily riders by 2026.

For more information on the East Link Light Rail project visit the Sound Transit website.

 -- East Link Light Rail facebook site

EvergreenHealth receives safety award

EvergreenHealth Receives “A” Rating for Hospital Safety

Kirkland, Wash. –The Leapfrog Group, a leading nonprofit watchdog organization on hospital quality and safety, has announced that EvergreenHealth once again received an “A” rating for patient safety. Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades score hospitals across the country on how safe they keep their patients from medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

UPDATED: Graffiti Wall Art in "Edge Skate Park"

Credit Bob Yoder/ Redmond Neighborhood Blog 

Is this a salmon?  Do you see bubbles?  Gills?  An Eye?  Fins?  What's the significance of the bee?  ...to guard the art?  Does the flag indicate water flow....or if the fish is not swimming?  Is the artist integrating letters into the art?  Do you see two barbed hooks?  Anything else?

The Edge Skate Park graffiti walls are open public space.  Anyone can spray or roll art as long as it's civil.  The Fire Department House is next door and firelighters keep an eye on it.

Redmond Councilmember Hank Myers says he enjoys going the Edge Skate Park (next to the Park & Ride) every six months to view the ever-changing outdoor "graffiti" art. This is just one of four painted walls.

Factoid:  The walls have been painted so many times there's over an inch of paint layers.

-- Bob Yoder

The Rebirth of Redmond Lacrosse

Coach Rob was nominated as one of the eight nominees for "Washington State USLacrosse coach of the year." This was his third nomination in the past three years. "I am deeply honored and humbled given everything we have collectively accomplished this year as a team."

The Redmond High School Lacrosse program was founded in 2008. In the first few years of existence the team had some success and a few very strong seasons playing in the division two Washington high school boys lacrosse association (WHSBLA). After six seasons as a Division two team, the number of players in the program had dwindled to a level that forced the team to revoke their varsity status and field only a junior varsity team in 2014. While Redmond was rebuilding, the sport of lacrosse was growing rapidly throughout the State and by 2015 there were over 80 teams that represented their high schools in the WHSBLA. 

Redmond lacrosse returned to varsity status in 2015 and over the next two seasons fielded a thin division two roster. At times, the team required players to play without substitutes, and while they had fun and played heroically, the team struggled in the wins category and achieved a 2-31 overall record and were ranked 79^th out of 81 teams in the State by one independent online lacrosse site.

In 2017, Redmond lacrosse began a transformation. Rob Eidson, a former assistant coach at Bellevue High School, was hired and asked to help rebuild the program. Coach Eidson recruited and hired a new coaching staff, developed a year round rhythm for competing, focused on growing the youth program from kindergarten, through elementary and middle school, and established and communicated a new vision for an aspire to culture. 

The “Gold Standard” culture that was communicated at all levels of the program focuses on building the program through Teamwork, Dedication and Managing the Details. As an example of how these cultural pillars weave throughout the program, at Redmond there are no MVP awards, or best offensive and defensive players, etc. Instead, for example, the high school players receive awards for Teamwork, for being the most Dedicated, or for improvement through managing the details and playing fundamentally sound. One player also receives the Gold Standard award, which essentially is the coaches award.

Now, after three seasons, the Redmond Mustangs program has come a long way. In 2019, the K2 program has nearly 20 participants and growing, the 34 team was undefeated (8-0) in their league play, the 78 team was undefeated (7-0) in its league play, the high school junior varsity team (yes, RHS has two teams now) finished their season 7-1 and the Varsity Team won the division two KingCo regular season with an 11-3 overall record. At the end of the season, the Mustangs were ranked as one of the top 25-30 teams in the State out of 90. The team has come a long way from 79th in 2016.

The High School Varsity team secured their first division one playoff birth in school history. In addition to going to the playoffs, the team defeated Bothell high school in early May, achieving the first division one KingCo victory in program history as well. Six players from the Mustangs were just named to the All Division 2 KingCo All-Star team, and the Mustangs were informed that they have earned the right to be elevated to division one in 2020. Next season, the Mustangs will compete against the strongest schedule in the State and compete for one of five 4A division one playoff spots. 

2019 has been a special year for the Mustangs, and what makes it even more remarkable is that the young team only graduates one senior this year, so hopefully will be primed for the challenge as 2020 approaches.   

"The team has come a long way and through the journey they had this year, they've built a tremendous amount of confidence and developed into the lacrosse team I always believed they could become. If the team continues to believe in themselves, half as much as I do, they will be successful." said Coach Eidson.

 -- Redmond Lacrosse Club
 -- Photos by Adam Lu  (click to enlarge)

EvergreenHealth receives five-star rating from Medicare and Medicaid

EvergreenHealth Earns Five-Star CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating

The health system is one of only two in the Puget Sound region to receive high rating

Kirkland, Wash.— EvergreenHealth recently became one of only six hospitals statewide and two within the Puget Sound region to receive a five-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), based on a report published in early 2019.

 

"RE-elect LWSD School Board Director Siri Bliesner"

I believe that an excellent public education is a right for all individuals. A strong democracy requires an active, engaged community, and we achieve that with excellent public education. My extensive experience and the relationships I have built throughout the community combine to give me a strong voice to continue moving forward with the District’s initiatives and advance new, innovative opportunities for all of our students.

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is an outstanding public school district with talented staff, teachers, and an involved community supporting the opportunities and achievement of our students.

It has been a pleasure to serve on the school board for the last eight years in a variety of roles – Legislative Representative, Vice President, and President. This has provided an opportunity to deepen my understanding of school organization and funding, as well as issues surrounding educational equity.

Jessica Forsythe challenges Hank Margeson for Position 3

Meet Jessica Forsythe 

---

Ms. Forsythe is challenging Mr. Hank Margeson for Position 3.  

"I have been a small business owner and Creative Director of a design studio since 2006. I work primarily with non-profit organizations and clients whose core values revolve around serving and improving the community. My work has ranged from domestic and international LEED-certified large scale mixed-use architecture projects, like the ones popping up in downtown Redmond, to establishing the brand for the Seattle Symphony’s Grammy Award-winning record label. Being a creative thinker in these industries means taking a holistic approach and putting people at the forefront of all decisions; I hope to bring this kind of thinking to the Redmond City Council. 

Dayle ("Hank") Margeson BIO

Mr. Margeson holds Position 3 seat and is being challenged by Ms. Jessica Forsythe. Margeson lost.

Hank was honored to be elected to represent his fellow residents on Redmond's City Council in November 2007 and is now serving his third term. He has represented the City at the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee (SCA PIC) since 2009. During his tenure he served a term as the Vice-Chair and chaired the SCA PIC Nominating Committee until 2015. In December 2017 he was reelected to represent the Northeastern King County cities on the SCA Board of Directors for another two years, where he's served on the Finance Committee and Board Nominating Committee. Hank is in his seventh year on the Puget Sound Regional Council's Growth Management Policy Board, serving as the Board's Vice President and as the SCA Caucus Chair. He was appointed as a member of the King County Regional Transit Committee in 2018 after serving two years as an alternate representative. He currently represents the City on Redmond’s Disability Board, and he has represented the City and SCA on numerous other committees and boards during his tenure as Councilmember. 

He also serves as President for the Northwest Baseball Umpires Association board and is a former president of the Eastside Timebank board. Prior to election to the City Council he served on the Parks and Trails Commission and was the Vice-Chair for the Education Hill Citizens Advisory Committee. Hank works for Liberty Mutual (Safeco) Insurance as a Senior Compliance Analyst and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation from the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters in 2003. 

Hank is married to Patti and they raised their two adult children in Redmond over the past 25 years. They recently completed adding an accessory dwelling unit onto their Education Hill home where their son, daughter-in-law and wonderful grandson now reside. He and Patti also own acreage in the Sammamish Valley where they keep their three horses. Active in local sports, he coached youth soccer, baseball, basketball and currently umpires local high school, youth and adult baseball games.

-- redmond.gov

City Council candidate Vanessa Kritzer celebrates

Elect Vanessa Kritzer for Redmond City Council:  "Yesterday, I celebrated my first mother's day with my amazing daughter and today I showed her how we make change as I filed to put my name on the ballot for the first time. We're officially on our way to bringing energetic, collaborative, and innovative leadership to the Redmond City Council!"

UPDATED: Willowmoor, Lake Sammamish - Sammamish River floodplain

A member of the task force, Susan Wilkins of Redmond said implementing either option would only reduce the lake level by 1 inch.  When Bear Creek is in a the flood stage the Sammamish River backs up reducing out-flow.  5/31/19 

The "Willowmoor transition zone" connecting Lake Sammamish to the Sammamish River is under scrutiny by environmentalists and recreational boaters.  Willow trees were planted years ago in the transition zone to provide salmon and bird habitat.  Since then, they've grown causing the outgoing water to back up, raising lake levels to the point boat docks are submerged. To compensate, the willows were cut down to lower lake levels for the boaters.  But the wildlife habitat was once again challenged.  So you see, restoration of the transition zone is complicated and has been studied for over five years.  For an enlightening, full summary of the "Willowmoor Floodplain Restoration Project "READ MORE."

Cinco De Mayo Downtown Park festivity

Three school board members are up for election - May 17th is the last day to file

If you have thoughts about running for a school board position May 17th is the last day to file.. You have to live in the District in which you want to run.  Questions?  Contact sparthemer@lwsd.org, Director of Communications and Community Engagement.

Mr. Carson, Mr. Lilabarte and Ms. Bliesners's terms end this year.

Chris Carson - DISTRICT 2  Kirkland area / West Lk. Samm. Blvd./ No. Bridal Trails (tan district color)

Christopher Carlson, Ph.D., was elected to the school board in November 2007. He is a faculty member in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Division of Public Health Sciences. His lab focuses on identifying correlations between genetic variation and disease risk for cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases, then identifying the biological mechanism responsible. Carlson is also an affiliate assistant professor with the University of Washington School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology. He holds a B.A. in molecular biology from Pomona College. His Ph.D. is in genetics from Stanford University.

Marymoor Village Visual Preference Survey

Survey Statistics • Survey Period – two weeks between April and May
 • Total Respondents – 279  [Redmond's population is over 60,000]
 • Outreach Methods (19,828) – invitation and several reminders during the survey period
          o Facebook = 5,074
          o Twitter = 6,350
          o Enews = 7,065
          o Press Release = 1,172
          o Emails = 167
          o Webpages

Outcomes and Patterns
• Favored separation of the residential building frontage from the public realm such as through raised porches and private lawn areas
• Preferred wide-variety of multi-family designs and architectural treatments
• Emphasis on activated pedestrian realm including a mixture of hardscape and landscaping

To take a peek at the colored visual renderings of preferred buildings, designs, and pedestrian walkways Click this link:

https://redmond.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=7220739&GUID=527DB4E5-E765-4486-8559-8D7DF84FB633

-- Bob Yoder

Laurene Burton, EvergreenHealth Executive Director, Governance & Community Affairs retires after 27 years

Laurene Burton has shared her plans to retire from her position as Executive Director, Governance & Community Affairs. After 27 years working on behalf of our patients and community, she looks forward to traveling, kayaking, spending more time with her family and reading a good book or two. For a while, she says she’ll enjoy “every day being Saturday.” Laurene’s last day with EvergreenHealth is July 5.

Since Laurene joined EvergreenHealth in 1992, she has been widely recognized for her commitment to building relationships in our community. Initially hired to write curriculum for Community Health Education, she quickly acquired additional skills and was selected to become Director of Community Health Education in 1998. In 2005, she joined our administrative team, where she developed an affinity for governance activities and enjoyed working closely with our Board of Commissioners, whose work she deeply admires. Laurene continued her practice of active community-building through oversight of EvergreenHealth’s art program, volunteer program, community service programs and levy-funded programs – and carried out our organization’s commitment to transparency in her role as EvergreenHealth's Public Disclosure Officer.

It was EvergreenHealth’s culture that first appealed to Laurene. “It’s what drew me and what kept me here,” she says. With our origins and history of sustaining strong community ties, Laurene could freely follow her own natural instincts: “When I saw areas where we needed to have a connection, I tried to make one; I looked for needs in the community that EvergreenHealth could fill and pursued partnerships. In my experience, good relationships are crucial to any achievement. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many wonderful people in my role here, and I value every single one of them.

Laurene’s proudest achievements, not surprisingly, involve partnerships and a sense of satisfaction in helping these relationships grow and thrive:

Redmond Technology Station

Rendering of the "Redmond Technology Station."  Note the bus thoroughfare on the left.  I believe the pedestrian/bicycle bridge is right of the train.

Redmond Technology Station rendering

Source:  Facebook, East Link Light Rail.

Council considers renaming a Hartman Park sports field

Credit:  Redmond Reporter

Les Dow, a long time Redmond baseball coach and supporter passed away August 22, 2018. Les spent 46 years as a coach, sponsor, and administrator in the Redmond baseball community. He was instrumental in many improvement projects at Hartman Park and made substantial impacts through his volunteer work.

A community group led by Redmond resident, John DeVore, has made a formal request to name a sports field at Hartman Park after Les Dow. The renaming request was presented to the Parks and Trails Commission on December 6, 2018. A motion was passed by the Parks and Trails Commission recommending renaming the sports at Hartman Park to Les Dow Field pending proper due diligence, and to waive the two-year waiting period. Due diligence has been completed.

Les Dow’s contributions in Redmond span 46 years of service as a coach, sponsor and administrator. Mr. Dow was Redmond Little League (RLL) Adult Little Leaguer of the Year in 1980, Regional Director of National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) and NABF Man of the Year in 1988, City of Redmond Park and Recreation Person of the Year in 2010, and the NW Baseball Umpires Association (NBUA) Customer of the Year in 2006. Next year the NBUA will recognize Les with a Lifetime Customer Appreciation Award. The request letter details additional contributions made by Mr. Dow.

Source:  Council Parks and Human Services Committee
              5/9/2019
              Redmond Reporter, by Andy Nystrom, 9/5/18

Mayor Marchione's Biography

Mayor John Marchione

Mayor's Biography

Term: 2016 - 2019

First elected in 2007, John Marchione is now in his third term as mayor of Redmond, a thriving city 16 miles east of Seattle. The community of over 65,000 is home to a variety of industries such as aerospace, high tech, video gaming production, and biotech, as well as several thousand small businesses where over 85,000 people are employed.

As Mayor, he is the executive leader of a full-service city, overseeing eight departments consisting of over 660 employees. The Mayor partners with the City Council to set a strategy, vision, and policy direction for the City of Redmond. To date, the City has adopted Budgeting by Priorities, completed the downtown street grid, and purchased the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line and converted it to the Redmond Central Connector.

Accomplishments

Mayor Marchione’s accomplishments include the implementation of an “Organization of Excellence” program, improved overall financial performance and operational efficiency at the City by 18%, and fostered relationships with city, state, federal, and tribal governments to create environmental investments to improve fish habitat, stormwater storage, and water quality.

EvergreenHealth Foundation raises $1.2 million

Kirkland, Wash. – Guests of EvergreenHealth Foundation’s annual gala came together on Saturday, April 27, to raise $1.2 million to support the health system’s Neurological Surgery Program. EvergreenHealth Neurological Care is part of the EvergreenHealth Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute, a multidisciplinary practice that provides leading-edge diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for neurological and orthopedic conditions, conveniently from one location on the Kirkland hospital campus.

The annual Spirit of Giving award is given to an individual or family who represents the very best in community philanthropy. This year, the Phil and Katie Carter Family were bestowed this much deserved honor. Phil and Katie Carter have been an active and vital part of the community for over five decades, beginning with the original formation of King County Public Hospital District No. 2. Phil passed away in 2016 but his legacy and commitment to the community lives on through Katie and the entire Carter family. Members of the Carter family accepted the award at the Evergreen Gala.

UPDATED: Scott family's Spark Pizza is a hit

The Scott family with Mayor Marchione

A few weeks ago the Scott's celebrated their new establishment Spark Pizza with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Mayor John Marchione did the honors with the large red scissors, held by Will. The family, (left to right) is Tony Scott, Will (11), Carolyn Scott, Kate (13) and Donna, Carolyn's mother.  Tony and Carolyn own Spark Pizza and are great parents. Will and Kate pitched right in keeping the festive table loaded with good eats!

The establishment is in an historic home, circa 1907.  That's 5 years before the City was founded!  It's been completely renovated  but don't miss the ceiling for a taste of days past.  Speaking of taste I love the "Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice" pie.  And there's 11 others to choose from!  Here's the menu.

Spark Pizza hours Mon-Thurs 5-9 pm | Fri - Sun 4-9 pm  Located at 8114 - 164th Ave, NE.  425-898-4021.

-- Bob Yoder