What a Look

 

She looks quite ravishing, what with her 'flower power' eyes and festooned with a striking fuchsia scarf around her shoulders.  She is certainly a cheery addition to our otherwise drab winter scene.  -- John Reinke, 2/17/2021, Sammamish River.

COVID 19 Has Not Affected Home Values

 -- Mr. John Wilson, King County Assessor, 2/17/2021

King County Mails First Tax Bills Since the Beginning of the Pandemic: Some Areas Will See Increases Due to the Passage of Special Levies 

COVID 19 Pandemic Has Not Affected Home Values, but Some Commercial Businesses Have Taken a Major Hit 

Overview of 2021 Property Taxes 

Voter approval of special levies, in conjunction with a strong housing market, will generate a 4.03% general increase in King County property tax collections for 2021 – although some jurisdictions will see double digit increases. 

Overall, countywide property tax collections for the 2021 tax year are $6.6 billion, an increase of $256 million from the previous year of $6.3 billion.  Total County property value increased by 2.65%, from $ 642.5 billion to $659.5 billion between 2020 and 2021. 

“This year’s tax bills reflect the complexity of our property tax system,” said Assessor John Wilson.  “Taxes are going up for many county residents, but not all. And the pandemic which has affected all our lives has hit the economy hard but has not dramatically affected property values.” 

King County Treasury began sending out the annual property tax bills February 16. King County collects property taxes on behalf of the state, the county, cities, and taxing districts (such as school and fire districts) and distributes the revenue to these local governments. 

About 57 percent of 2021 King County property tax revenues pays for schools. Property taxes also fund voter-approved measures for veterans and seniors, fire protection, and parks. King County receives about 17 percent of your property tax payment for roads, police, criminal justice, public health, elections, and parks, among other services. 

Property Values Largely Unaffected By the COVID-19 For 2021 Taxes 

The King County Assessor has been monitoring the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  While residential housing values have remained steady, some commercial sectors are being heavily impacted. It is important to note, however, that, by state law, values are set as of January 1 each year. Taxes collected this year are based on the value of the property on January 1, 2020. Therefore, any changes in commercial values caused by COVID will be reflected in the 2021 assessed value for taxes payable in 2022. 

“The world today is radically different than it was on January 1, 2020 when state law has us set assessed values for this year’s taxes,” said Wilson. “While residential values have been steady, many businesses have been either temporarily closed or their operations dramatically constrained. And thousands of workers have been laid off or furloughed.” 

 Local Levies Lead to Property Tax Increases 

By state law, property taxes are calculated on values set January 1, 2020 – well before the economic impacts from COVID-19. During 2020, many local special levies, particularly for schools, were passed by voters. Taxes to fund those levies will be collected for the first time this year, leading to property tax increases in many parts of the county. 

For example, the four largest increases are in Pacific, up 13% over 2020, Enumclaw, up 11%, Maple Valley, up 15%, and Algona, up 18%.

Input is requested on the Senior and Community Centers

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond invites community members to give their input on the program and design process for the future Redmond Senior and Community Center. The community is invited to join a virtual public meeting on February 24 from 1-3 p.m. for seniors and 6:30-8:30 p.m. for all ages. In addition to this meeting, an online questionnaire is available through March 10. To RSVP for this meeting or to complete the questionnaire, visit the project webpage at www.redmond.gov/RSCC.

Thousands of citizens have been polled on the Senior Center in recent years.  With the Centers not opening in a few years from now; I won't be participating in this survey.  I'll wait for the next one. -- B. Yoder, 2/16/2021

King County Representative Balducci Addresses Vaccine Shortage

I'm 70 with pre-existing conditions  - the vaccine shortage is really hitting me hard. This short survey and what Claudia does with it is very empowering.  You'll feel better after taking it. -- Bob Yoder

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Take my vaccine appointment survey On Tuesday, representatives from Public Health - Seattle & King County (Public Health) provided an update to the King County Council on the status of vaccine distribution and their plans to use more doses quickly when supply finally ramps up. During the update I remarked that getting a vaccine has been frustrating and, frankly, upsetting for far too many who must search around the internet hoping to get lucky by finding an appointment for a vaccine. It doesn’t have to be this way. We need a unified and easily accessible vaccine appointment system. I am working to voice these frustrations to leaders, including the Governor, and I need your help. Take my survey about securing a vaccine appointment >>> With your valuable feedback, I hope to convey your concerns and elevate the voices of District 6 constituents to make getting COVID-19 vaccines easier. The biggest part of the vaccine problem remains that not nearly enough doses are available to meet the demand. The following Public Health graphic illustrates the limited number of doses we have received since mid-December and that the number of vaccine doses has fluctuated wildly, which makes planning for appointments even more challenging.

Redmond Historical Society Moving Back To Old Redmond School House

Press Release. 2-3-2021 

John Oftebro, President Redmond Historical Society

Redmond Historical Society Returns to Old Redmond Schoolhouse The Redmond Historical Society is pleased to announce that the organization is finally moving back into the Old Redmond Schoolhouse.

Having resided there since its founding in 1999, the Society was asked to move out temporarily in March 2018 so that the Lake Washington School District could remodel the building for its preschool program in Redmond, which opened in September 2020. 

The Society is grateful to Robert Pantley of Natural & Built Environments, and Wayne Morse of Bellegrove Medical Supply, for generously providing temporary office space over the past three years.

During February and March 2021, Board members and staff will be organizing the Society’s office and collections, and then developing the new display and exhibit space for eventual opening of its office and museum sometime in 2021. “We are excited to be returning to the schoolhouse—our home for many years,” said John Oftebro, Society President. “We are also engaged in planning innovative museum space. We will open when we are ready, and public safety measures allow.” 

King County To Relax Some COVID Restrictions On Businesses

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced King County will soon be able to relax some COVID-19 restrictions on businesses as it enters Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington plan.

Beginning Monday restaurants may reopen indoor service at 25% capacity through 11pm. Indoor entertainment venues — including museums, gyms, bowling alleys and concert halls — can also reopen to 25% capacity. Bars that don’t serve food, however, will remain closed for the time being.

While these changes are possible due to modest reductions in King County’s COVID-19 rates, the confirmed arrival of the new COVID-19 variant provides another reminder that our work is not done. We must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread of the disease by following these common-sense public health practices: wear masks, keep physical distance, implement good ventilation and stay home when possible.

Read the latest Public Health blog post on the steps we can take to respond to the new variant >>>

-- Claudia Balducci, King County Chair, Position 6

1/30/2021

COVID Puts The Squeeze On LWSD Schools

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) holds an open enrollment period once each year for parents who want their children to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. Parents may apply between February 1-26 for a change to their school assignment for the 2021-22 school year for their student in grades K-12. This option is also known as an In-District Variance.

This open enrollment option only applies to neighborhood schools that have space available (and are designated as “open” or “limited”). The list of schools that are open or limited to students outside their neighborhood will be available on the district website on February 1 at: http://www.lwsd.org/students-families/registration/transfer-options/in-district-variance-options. Schools are closed if current and projected enrollment shows that students who live within their attendance boundary will fill the school’s capacity. District enrollment has increased rapidly over the last 12 years and due to COVID impact on space requirements, it is likely that very few, if any, schools will be on the list of open or limited schools.

-- LWSD Press Release, Excerpt, 1/29/2021

Affordable "Micro Suite" Apartments?

UNDER REVIEW:

Pixel Apartments: Overlake Urban Center -  with three levels parking. Location: 15424 Bel-Red Road.  3360 SF rug warehouse torn down. 179 units; 374 SF per unit.Paid parking/107 stalls. Eight stories. Construction begins early 2022.  500 SF commercial space.

Harmony: Downtown Description:  The parcel is located on 164th Avenue NE and NE 87th Street and borders a mix of residential and commercial uses. An office building will be torn down. Affordable housing is not required.

If approved, the five-story project will be two blocks from the Redmond Transit Center and within 0.5 miles from Bella Bottega.  The developer proposes a mixed-use building with approximately 250 square feet of commercial, 584 office,*91 residential suites and eight apartment units.  The 91 residential micro-unit suites will be 200 square feet. The studio apartments will range from 400 to 700 square feet. The ground floor includes an open space open to the public which includes covered and uncovered seating areas and landscaping. Forty-four stalls of paid parking will be provided to commercial and residential users. Parking won't be subterranean.  The developer is aiming for LEED Platinum status.

* Harmony residential unit numbers may increase to 104 units. 

-- Bob Yoder, 1/19/2021

Sources: DRB memos/ City staff/redmond.gov, Internet

An apartment building in Downtown Redmond advertises their 186 SF units at $905- $1200.  Parking is an additional $45/month. The apartments have a prime location close to the transit center and restaurants. Affordable for Redmond?  You could say so.  

Emerald Heights Expansion Is Close To Approval

The approval of this 2/3 story redevelopment has been in the works for years. Construction of a new 42-unit Independent Living Building and a new 54-unit Assisted Living Building within the existing Emerald Heights retirement community is involved.

 A HOA led by retired CM John Stilin took their case to the Washington Superior Court.  Their objections were NIMBY in nature. i.e. too many trees removed, incompatible with existing neighborhoods, traffic, etc. -- Bob Yoder 

Design Review Board memo:

Site & Background: The Emerald Heights campus currently includes: 333 independent living units, 56 assisted living/memory care units and 32 skilled nursing units, which total 421 units.   

The proposed project is located within the Education Hill neighborhood, in the Emerald Heights Retirement Community, which is located at 10901 176th Circle NE. The Emerald Heights community is located on 38.0 acres and was approved in November 1988 as a Planned Unit Development. 

The existing campus consists of 33 buildings, which includes 12 independent living duplex cottages to the west of the campus, an independent living apartment building to the south, a series of connected apartment buildings in the center of the campus, and various amenity and service buildings.

Redmond Mayor Angela Birney Elected Vice President Of Sound Cities Association

 Redmond Mayor Angela Birney has been elected Vice President of the Sound Cities Association (SCA), which represents 38 King County cities and provides a regional voice for more than one million people.

“Mayor Birney is a dynamic and well-respected regional leader,” said SCA Executive Director Deanna Dawson. “We are excited to have her in a leadership role at SCA.”

Mayor Birney’s colleague Councilmember Ed Prince of Renton was elected to be 2021 President of SCA. He echoed the praise for Birney, stating “Angela is one of the brightest and hardest working elected officials I know. She always comes to the table prepared to tackle challenges with common sense and compassion. I can think of no one I’d rather have by my side at the helm of SCA this year.

“I am honored to represent all of the sound cities in my new role as Vice President,” stated Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “I am excited to work with our new president, Ed Prince, as well as the rest of the board and am looking forward to broadening my work with SCA.”

Mayor Birney was elected to the SCA Board in 2020. In addition, she serves as Redmond’s representative on the SCA Public Issues Committee (PIC) and on the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, and as an SCA representative on the Regional Policy Committee (RPC) and the Governing Committee of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.  She also serves on the Boards of Hopelink, the Cascade Water Alliance, and OneRedmond among her many volunteer activities.

Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman Is Spectacular

  2017 National Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman delivering her spectacular poem at President Biden's inauguration 1/20/2021

Redmond Community Space History

 History of community space in Redmond

From 2000 through 2017, the City of Redmond operated 72,300 square feet of community center space through the Old Redmond Schoolhouse, Old Firehouse Teen Center, and Redmond Senior Center. The Old Redmond Schoolhouse was the City's main community center through an inter-local agreement with Lake Washington School District. Annual usage of this 40,000 square foot space included 170,000 annual visitors, 125 large-scale rentals for cultural celebrations, dances and milestone moments, 35 ongoing community rentals, and a variety of recreation services.

In December 2017, the City relocated from the Old Redmond Schoolhouse to the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village (leased from the Lake Washington Institute of Technology), decreasing available space to 50,600 square feet. While many services, rentals and activities were relocated to the new community center, some ongoing community rentals, sports programs, and partnerships were canceled due to space limitations.

City Of Redmond Outdoor Covid Signs Are Well Done

The City does an excellent job on their Covid signs....professional, easy to understand and in good locations.  The yellow banner is hung at the Hartman Park soccer fields. (The pretty lady is my wife, Pam!)  Perrigo Park also has a field banner.  There were three "Sports Fields Open" sandwich boards surrounding Hartman Park sports field. The "No Gathering" sign is next to the Perrigo Park playground.  The Bike Park has a sign which includes "no gathering." Double click pics to enlarge them.

-- Bob Yoder, 1/18/2021

UPDATED: LWSD Covid-19 Outdoor Signage Needs Some Work

I found these LWSD notices on 1/18/2021 tied to the Redmond High tennis court fencing. They appear confusing and need updating. Redmond Middle School doesn't post any notices. Not to pick, but according to Governor Inslee's new restrictions (or guidelines?) there is no Phase 3.   King County is in Phase 1 as of January 11, 2021. According to King County's restrictions, it appears the tennis courts shouldn't be open until Phase 2.  I don't know why we can't consider them guidelines! I personally find the restrictions ridiculous, though do agree with 6-foot distancing and not crowding.  In Phase 2, up to 200 players and spectators are allowed on fields - but no tournaments. Geez. It appears LWSD closes their playgrounds at times but playgrounds are open in the City of Redmond.  My only ask is the District improve their signage and locations.  The C.O.R sets an outstanding example.  Posting professional outdoor signage would give confidence and calm to parents and the public. Dr. Holmen informed me of difficulty in posting outdoor signs at all their schools.

-- Bob Yoder, 1/18/2021, opinion

    Photos, Yoder

UPDATE: The State is currently (4/1/2021) in Phase 3.  Governor Inslee ordered Middle and High School to open school doors by April 19th for full or part-time learning.  But according to a 4/3/2021 Seattle Times article cases are up, including K-12.  A partial rollback is possible.

Un-named City Trail Is A Gem

One of the great things about Redmond is its neighborhood trails!  Lately I've been extremely stressed by the insurrection, pandemic and my personal health care issues.  Hiking on this forested trail, and others, is my "best personal practice" for dealing with stress and improving my mental health.  

 I was on a trail today leading me to this forest. Highly recommended -  birds flitting in thickets, no bikes, few hikers, greenery - a gem.  It's a mile or so.  The trailhead is at 104th / flashing crosswalk. It first parallels the western fencing of Redmond High School.  The forest  thickens as you approach the Emerald Heights western fencing.  Buffered residential properties are on the West.  

About two days ago we had blustery rain storm that dropped a tree on the trail; I had to turn back.  (I was surprised the trail was in Redmond's jurisdiction.)  Had it not been obstructed one can hike to the street, take  about 60 steps up the hill, then jag off the street to the trail on the right. The trail ends at 111th Street.  From there I walk to 166th and home.  

The trail is still closed owing to tree removal.  - 1/29/2021. It's taped off at 104th now too. 

Happy hiking!  Bob Yoder, 1/15/2021

New Sign Unites Our Community

A new trilingual sign staked at the entrance to Redmond Police Department headquarters comforts our community.  The sign was staked on January 9th, three days after the insurrection in our nation's Capital. 

Photo by John Reinke, 1/9/2001

Superintendent Jon Holmen Lays Out Plans For In-School Services

 Redmond, Wash. – At a live event on the evening of Wednesday, January 6, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Superintendent, Dr. Jon Holmen, announced Pathway Forward, LWSD’s plan to return students to in-person learning for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

In-person services will begin on Thursday, February 4 for Kindergarten and first grade students, on Thursday, February 18 for second and third grade students, and on Thursday, February 25 for fourth and fifth grade students. Middle school and high school students will have in-person start dates in March. More details on the in-person model for secondary students will be released as they are developed.

Families will choose fully-remote or in-person services. 

This pathway was developed using the latest orders, proclamations and guidance from: The Governor’s Office, the Washington State Department of Health, King County Public Health, the Department of Labor and Industry, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

To view a live recording of the event, click here.

For more information, visit: https://www.lwsd.org/pathway-forward.

-- LWSD Press Release, Shannon Parthemer

King County To Spend $7 million For COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

 King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove issued the following statement Friday after Executive Dow Constantine announced that King County will spend $7 million stand up mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics and mobile clinics with the first sites to be located in South King County where residents have been hard hit by the virus:

“It has saddened me every day to see people in my district, in South King County, take the hardest hit from COVID-19 during this pandemic. It is absolutely critical that we put our resources where our need is greatest.

“I applaud Dow Constantine’s investment to prioritize vaccinations in the south end, and to lay the groundwork to ensure that King County delivers the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as we can get doses.”

--King County Press Release

Violence At U.S. Capital

 

NEWS: Executive Constantine statement on violence at U.S. Capitol

King County Executive Dow Constantine issued the following statement on the violence today at the U.S. Capitol: "The scenes from the U.S. Capitol are an utterly predictable manifestation and culmination of the anti-democratic, anti-American fraud perpetrated by Donald Trump over the last four years. "This is a sad, dark moment in our nation's history. I urge leaders at all levels of government and across the political spectrum to stand together in support of our nation, our constitution, and the peaceful transfer of power that these traitors are seeking in vain to disrupt." -- King County Press Release

Redmond's Woonerf

This Living Street abuts Mr. Pantley's artfully painted Apartment Building "162-TEN." The street runs south on 162 Ave NE towards the Downtown park from 81st Street.

A Living Street is a street designed primarily with the interests of pedestrians and cyclists in mind.  Robert Pantley, an Eastside developer, built Redmond's first Living Street. These roads are still available for use by motor vehicles, however their design aims to reduce both the speed and dominance of motorized transport.  Vehicles drive at the same speed as pedestrians walk. This is often achieved using the shared space approach, with greatly reduced demarcations between vehicle traffic and pedestrians. These street design principles first became popularized in the Netherlands during the 1970’s, and the Dutch word “woonerf” (Living Street) is often used as a synonym for living street.

Living streets protect water quality in rivers and streams by removing up to 90% of pollutants. They replenish groundwater supplies, absorb carbon, improve air quality and neighborhood aesthetics, and provide green connections between parks and open space.  An abundance of rain gardens and trees on this street remove pollutants.  Vegetated curb extensions improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, and calm traffic. 

###

Robert Pantley is a Pacific Northwest native and deeply focused on making the region a better place for all people to live. He is a strong supporter of neighborhoods and has a focus in expanding the affordable housing options on the Eastside.

He served as a Kirkland City Council Member, Kirkland Park Board Chair, on the Redmond Code Rewrite Commission, is the past president of OneRedmond and currently focused on how to help small business recovery from Covid-19 challenges while helping current residents with the “We Care Team” that has them working on site to help cover rent and buy food while they make each property shine more from new flowers to painting doors and helping to deep clean each community. The benefits are more together communities with residents able to get to the other side of this pandemic ‘debt free’ with pride in their hearts and more smiling faces than one could imagine.

Robert’s companies, Natural and Built Environments LLC, and Muse Management have grown into a front runner in green building, becoming the Eastside’s key sustainable building company with expertise in transit use and parking realities as integral parts of successful Ten Minute Communities-TM. His companies built the Eastside’s first residential suite communities in Redmond – Tudor Manor and Vision 5, which brought very needed affordable housing to the city. Arete community that was honored to be the LEED Multifamily Project of The Year (Worldwide) in 2017, has been a two time winner of the Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award, and an ARCH Award recipient.

He has been married to his wife Elizabeth for over 30 years and they raised their four children in Kirkland along with “Grandma.” He is a member of the Audubon Society and enjoys bird watching in his neighborhood parks, reading, and fishing with his family.

Sources:  Robert Pantley's website

                Wikipedia, 12/31/2020

A Message From The Mayor

"Hello, I’m Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. 2020 will certainly be a year we will never forget. As it comes to a close, I would like to thank the community for all of your efforts to keep yourselves, your families, and each other safe, along with your contributions and support for our local businesses and families during these challenging times. 

Over the last 12 months, city staff has adapted to new state restrictions and guidelines. We quickly moved to a partial remote work environment while creating and utilizing several digital solutions to help ensure continuity in our daily operations that include a variety of online permit and inspection services. 

Throughout this past year, we have continued to focus on delivering essential services and maintaining a high level of customer service while being able to:  1) Work with external stakeholders to complete a Long-Term Recovery Plan. This plan is our roadmap to achieving the community’s vision moving forward as we recover from COVID-19.  2) Contract with our non-profit partners to distribute almost $3 million in COVID-related funding to provide food, rental assistance, childcare subsidies, shelter services, small business grants, and personal protective equipment.  3) Create a variety of safe ways for the community to continue providing feedback and be involved in decision-making through virtual, online platforms.