School board members recruited to oppose I-1240, the charter school reform initiative

School board members recruited to oppose I-1240, the charter school reform initiative

October 23, 2012
By Liv Finne, Washington Policy.org

I was disappointed to hear that this week opponents of Initiative 1240, the charter school initiative, are trying to recruit school board members to sign a petition in opposition to the initiative.

This effort attempts to draw school board members into a larger political dispute which does not concern most of them. School board members are volunteers who stand for election in order to serve their schools and local communities. The vast majority of the 295 school districts in Washington will be unaffected by Initiative 1240 because this measure allows only 8 charter schools a year and a total of just 40 over five years, a tiny fraction of Washington’s 2,345 schools. Initiative 1240 says preference must be given to charter schools that serve at-risk students, so charter schools are likely to be limited to the few urban districts which serve large numbers of poor and minority children.

School board members are likely to avoid getting involved in Initiative 1240 for two reasons: 1) Initiative 1240 is a strong school reform measure, and 2) Washington state voters are likely to pass this measure. School board members will not enjoy being characterized as opposed to school reform at their next election for school board.

Polls show that voters across Washington recognize that Initiative 1240 is good for children because it will allow at-risk inner-city children the chance to attend a high-performing charter school.

http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/school-board-members-recruited-oppose-i-1240-charter-school-reform-initiative

City of Redmond gets passing grade on Washington State Auditor's Office "accountability audit"

Washington State Auditor’s Office 3, September 26, 2012

This report contains the results of the Washington State Auditor's Office independent accountability audit of the City of Redmond from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

We evaluated internal controls and performed audit procedures on the activities of the City. We also determined whether the City complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures.

In keeping with general auditing practices, we do not examine every transaction, activity or area. Instead, the areas examined were those representing the highest risk of noncompliance, misappropriation or misuse. The following areas were examined during this audit period:  Open Public Meetings Act  Financial condition

 CAATS – information system review

RESULTS:  In the areas we examined, the City’s internal controls were adequate to safeguard public assets. The City also complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined. 
ABOUT THE CITY
The City of Redmond serves approximately 52,000 residents in King County. The City lies east of Lake Washington contiguous to the cities of Kirkland, Bellevue and Woodinville. The City provides services including fire, police, water/sewer/storm utilities, public works, community development and parks and recreation.

An elected, seven-member Council and independently elected Mayor govern the City. The Council appoints management to oversee the City’s daily operations as well as its approximately 668 full- and part-time employees. For the 2011-2012 biennium, the City operated on a budget of approximately $523 million.

Mayor Marchione's Vision for the Downtown core in 2030

According to October, 2012 *city-data: 2300 residents currently live in the Downtown Urban Center "neighborhood"; that's only 18% of the number of residents (13000) targeted to live in "the neighborhood" within 18 years.   

The following, is the John Marchione Administration's 2030 Vision for Redmond's Downtown Urban Center as found in his Preliminary Operating Budget 2013-2014.

"Downtown Redmond is a vibrant mix of businesses, residences, and open  spaces.  It's a destination where residents meet in their favorite bakery or take in an open-air concert at the Downtown Park.  Residents and visitors walk along the tree-lined streets from shop to shop, or along the Sammamish River Trail, or Central Connector Trail, for exercise and relaxation. 

The "Downtown Neighborhood" is an urban village with a sense of its own history.  The one square mile neighborhood houses approximately 13,000 residents and 12,400 jobs, providing support to the neighborhood's restaurants, shops, services, and cultural/entertainment venues. 

Downtown residents and workers rarely use their cars to get around the neighborhood, as light rail, convenient bus service, and friendly walking and bicycling environments provide fun, interesting and health transit options within "the neighborhood," as well as to Bellevue and downtown Seattle."

*Source:  Urban Center Element of the Comprehensive Plan link 

Redmond High PTSA Community Digest: Mustang Weekly

HALLOWEEN SHOW! Head over to the Old Fire House Teen Center on Friday, October 26th at 7 PM for the annual Halloween Show. Cost: $7

THRILL THE WORLD 2012.Your chance to be a zombie! Thrill the World is a Thriller zombie dance held at Redmond Town Center to benefit SecondStory Repertory. It will be held on October 27 at Noon, with registration beginning at 10:00.

 

Viewpoint Work Party

Day of the Dead - El Dia DeLos Muerotos

Eastside Holiday Bazaar

Watershed Preserve Work Party

Poultry Predictor Race

Redmond Lights Volunteers Needed

Ski Registration is open

Read More for details >>

OPINION: Avodale Crest Development on 104th Approved by City - A Neighborhood Traffic Hazard



The sight distance downhill is only 209 feet - far too little for drivers heading downhill to have time to stop.  That's why they had the no left turn provision in the first place.  It was the City of Redmond, not the developer, that pushed for the left turns into and out of the development.

UPDATED:   Avondale Crest Development was approved by the City on October 5 and is currently under appeal by Susan Wilkins. 

DEVELOPMENT IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO DRIVERS ON EDUCATION HILL

No access from Avondale Road

By Susan Wilkins

Education Hill, Redmond

OPINION:  When the Avondale Crest housing development was first proposed in 2005, the City of Redmond told the developer that access to the site had to be along NE 104^th Street even though the 2.85-acre property also bordered Avondale Road. (RCDG 20D.210.20-080*) The slope of the hillside created blind spots for drivers along NE 104^th Street so the original plan prohibited traffic coming down the hill from stopping and turning left into the new development. It also allowed only right turns for cars leaving the development – no left turns out of the development were allowed. (See the attached site map.) Even with the turning restrictions, more than 25 residents wrote to the city expressing concern and even alarm at the proposed site entrance because it was in a blind spot on the hill.

(Note: When a housing development is created from a larger lot or group of lots, there are two parts: the PLAT and the PRD (Planned Residential Development). The PLAT subdivides the land into smaller residential lots with the necessary street(s) and lot boundary lines. The PRD defines the requirements within the new neighborhood including house sizes, sewer lines, street lights, tree retention, open space requirements, etc. Plats and PRDs are usually designed and developed simultaneously and depend on each other - as was the case with Avondale Crest.)

When the Avondale Crest PLAT was issued on October 17, 2006, it required the installation of a fixed radar system on eastbound NE 104^th Street and it also required a Stopping Sight Distance of 450 feet along NE 104^th Street meaning that cars traveling down the hill should be able to see the entrance to Avondale Crest from 450 feet uphill. The restriction on left turns into and out of the development had disappeared.

I appealed the Plat and a hearing was held on December 11, 2006. I presented photos showing that it was impossible to see cars turning into the Avondale Crest development from 400 feet uphill because the road bends while dropping vertically. I argued that the lack of visibility of cars stopped down-slope on NE 104^th Street would create a dangerous rear-end collision hazard. The traffic engineer and the planner for the City argued that because the fixed radar system would be installed to slow cars down to 25 mph, the 450-foot sight distance had been mitigated. The Hearing examiner sided with the City and approved the PRD and denied my PLAT appeal. I appealed to the City Council asking that the restriction on the NO LEFT TURN INTO AND OUT OF THE DEVELOPMENT be reinstated. Redmond City Council declined to add that requirement although they left open the possibility of requiring it later.

The fixed radar system was installed in early 2012 and data recorded by the system shows that fewer than 25% of cars are traveling along at the posted speed limit of 25 mph and more than 5% travel at least 10 miles over the speed limit. The data also shows that the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit has steadily increased indicating that almost all drivers have started to ignore the fixed radar system altogether. I have often driven behind cars that the system recorded at 40+ mph - which is too fast to stop for turning traffic at Avondale Crest.

The Avondale Crest Plat that was approved in 2007 finally expired this past spring (after the City had granted multiple extensions.) Prime Pacific Bank that acquired the property when the developer went bankrupt decided that they would act as a developer and reapplied for plat approval. Instead of re-evaluating the project with the new data from the fixed radar system – and requiring that the developer add turning restrictions on NE 104^th Street, the City instead approved the plat. The previous 450-foot stopping sight distance from the Redmond Municipal Code was no longer used and instead the planning staff used a new sight distance calculation from the new Redmond Zoning Code that seems to have far shorter sight distances and stopping requirements.

We now have a fixed radar system that actually tells us that cars are going too fast down NE 104^th Street to stop for turning traffic at the proposed Avondale Crest intersection. It is obvious in 2006 when the project was originally approved that the entrance to the development was difficult to see and extremely dangerous. The proposed intersection is currently marked with orange tape and chalk. Can you see the entrance when you drive down the hill? Will you be able to stop for turning cars or crossing pedestrians? Are you afraid that you’ll be in an accident at this intersection? I am.

What should be done? The Redmond City Council should vote to amend the Avondale Crest PRD – an amendment that they specifically agreed to consider in the future when they approved the PRD. They should do it now.

-------

*During the past decade, the City of Redmond has allowed 3 other corner developments (PCC Market, Fairwinds Retirement Center and Aegis Living) to have direct access onto Avondale Road so it’s not clear why Avondale Crest was not allowed to have an exit and entrance onto Avondale, especially considering the acute danger presented by the sight distance limitations on the steep hill.

SummerFest Generates $4,250 for Lke Washignton Students

 

Lake Washington Schools Foundation
425-936-1414
leeann.wood@lwsf.org

SummerFest Generates $4,250 for Lake Washington Students

Redmond, WA, October 15 - While families and music and art lovers were having a great time at the August 10-11 Kirkland SummerFest, held in and around Marina Park, they were also helping out Lake Washington public school students. As the event beneficiary, the Lake Washington Schools Foundation received $4,250 which will help it support academic excellence and success for all Lake Washington students. Donations to the foundation go towards innovative classroom programs, the school district’s LINKS mentoring program and helping low-income students purchase school necessities.

The schools foundation was chosen as the event beneficiary to tie in with the festival’s theme of family. According to Butcher, choosing to partner with the foundation was an easy decision for the SummerFest organizers. It seemed a natural fit for Kirkland’s only free, family-centered summer festival, and Butcher and Sailor are planning to work closer with the Lake Washington School District to include more students in its 2013 SummerFest lineup. Proceeds from next summer’s festival will again benefit Lake Washington students through the foundation.

At the October 2 Kirkland City Council meeting, SummerFest co-chairs Rob Butcher and Michelle Sailor presented the Lake Washington Schools Foundation Executive Director LeeAnn Wood with a $4,250 check. Wood informed the council that the foundation serves all 51 Lake Washington District schools, almost half of which are located in Kirkland.

As an inaugural event, SummerFest organizers expected to host a crowd of about 10,000, while the beautiful weather, live music and art and food booths drew closer to 14,000. Drawing on this year’s success and adding music, art and entertainment by Lake Washington students to the 2013 event, crowds are expected to reach 30,000 people. This fun, community event looks like a new Kirkland tradition.

For more information about the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, please contact Executive Director LeeAnn Wood at (425) 936-1414, leeann.wood@lwsf.org, or visit www.lwsf.org.

About the Lake Washington Schools Foundation
The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is a partnership between parents, business and community leaders and local schools. Founded in 2005, the foundation’s mission is to support academic excellence and success for all students. The foundation has granted over $1 million for programs that have reached nearly all of our district’s 25,000 students. The foundation’s funding priorities are equal access to educational opportunities, quality teaching and leadership, and future ready skills. The Lake Washington School District serves students in Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish.

###

Superintendent Pierce moves forward on temporary boundary option to relieve Rosa Parks overcrowding

This letter by Superintendent Pierce was emailed yesterday and did not specify the partner school, nor the number of students to be moved. 

Dear Rosa Parks parent/guardian:

On September 27, I met with the Rosa Parks community to discuss the long-range plan for Rosa Parks, and to seek feedback on potential short-term solutions that could be implemented in the 2013-14 school year to help address size concerns at the school. At the end of the meeting I shared that the team would be collating and analyzing your feedback, and that I would share your feedback back to you, along with next steps, by October 17.  

As you recall, two potential short-term options were presented: Option 1: Temporary Grade Level Move, and Option 2: Temporary Boundary. Over 250 parents took the time to fill out the feedback form. The Rosa Parks community clearly cares very deeply about their school. I realize that both options presented come with significant pros and cons, and it was not easy for parents to consider either option. 

That said, Option 2: Temporary Boundary emerged as the clear preference. The feedback received reflects that 77.34% agreed or strongly agreed with the temporary boundary option versus 13.28% who agreed or strongly agreed with the temporary grade level move option. The additional comments on the options presented also reflected that of the two options, the temporary boundary option is preferred.  

Some other options beyond the two presented were also suggested in the feedback. The team did review other options suggested by parents, and while there were some creative ideas suggested, no other options suggested emerged as viable given transportation feasibility, cost, and resulting enrollment impacts. The complete feedback report is attached for your information.  

Based on the feedback received, I have decided to move forward with a temporary boundary option for Rosa Parks Elementary School. As shared at the meeting on September 27, placing a limit on the number of all-day kindergarten classes at Rosa Parks also continues to be a possible option, which may be implemented in 2013-14 in conjunction with the temporary boundary. 

The next steps are to engage the schools involved in the temporary boundary and to develop a process for determining the temporary boundary. This process will involve more opportunities for parent input. 

Tomorrow you will receive another email from me with more specifics regarding the next steps in the process. In addition, given that the work to determine the temporary boundary must be complete prior to the start of the February kindergarten registration process begins, you will hear from me or other district staff on a regular basis between now and the end of this calendar year. Please make sure you read any emails on this subject, as they will likely contain both information and input opportunities such as survey links and meeting dates.

Thank you again for your feedback and participation in this important process.

Sincerely,

Dr. Traci Pierce

Superintendent

Invasive Species in our local Waterways

Invasive Species in our local Waterways
By John Reinke

Several species of invasive amphibians, reptiles, mollusks and mammals have established themselves in King County's lakes, rivers and streams. his piece discusses the three species that I've observed in the Sammamish River.   It is almost a certainty that they can also be found in Bear Creek, which flows into the Sammamish River.

The three species are: Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), and the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

credit: John Reinke

American Bullfrog
   The American bullfrog is native to the eastern United States, but has spread throughout the country. It is a voracious feeder, and will consume anything that can fit in its large mouth. Body length can be as long as six inches, with the legs adding as much as another ten inches. Very large bullfrogs can weigh almost two pounds.  I have seen and photographed them in and near the Sammamish River.

   It has proven easy to raise in ponds for commercial sale. Consequently, the species is now factory farmed in many parts of the world for food. According to the New York Times, more than two million bullfrogs are imported live into the San Francisco Bay Area every year. The problem is that they bring with them the deadly chytrid skin fungus, which has wiped out hundreds of frog species worldwide. (It is not harmful to humans.) A study of nearly 500 fresh-bought frogs from San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York found that 62 percent were infected with this fungus. A few manage to escape and thus help spread the fungus in the U.S.

   Locally, these bullfrogs outcompete (and also eat) native species, which are in decline partly as a result. Bullfrogs also consume ducklings, garter snakes, and even the native western pond turtle. That's why the King County environment website says: "If you catch one, feel free to eat it!"

Credit:  John Reinke

Red-eared Slider Turtle
   Like the American bullfrog, the red-eared slider is native to the eastern U.S. It is the most commonly sold pet turtle across the country. This has greatly contributed to its spread, as some escape into the wild and others are let go by owners who no longer want them.

   Their name comes from the distinctive red patch of skin around their ears. The "slider" part comes about from their ability to quickly  slide into the water from rocks and logs. Red-eared sliders eat a variety of animal and plant materials including fish, crayfish, tadpoles, snails, crickets, aquatic insects and numerous aquatic plants.

   Red-eared sliders have overwhelmed native western pond turtles to the extent that according to Wikipedia, the latter have not been found in the Puget Sound area since 2007.

EDITORIAL: The 8% Property Tax Revenue Contribution to the Mayor's Budget is Too High

EDITORIAL:   Property Tax contributes 8% to the the revenues of the Mayor's proposed 2013-2024 Budget.  The Mayor is asking Council to approve an additional 1% property tax increase over the next two year biennium.  This tax is inflammatory to the largest growing demographic group of citizens in Redmond - the over 60 bunch.  The City Council should not approve this tax increase. 

This is the third time Marchione is asking for his 1% tax increase, now in a budget year where he has a $9.8 million carry-over surplus.  He doesn't need it but just because he can get it without a citizen vote of approval he's asking Council.  Council should remain steadfast this year and not approve this  rate increase. 

The 2013-2014 Preliminary Budget says on page 159:

The high price of housing makes it difficult for many to live in Redmond.  A household with an income of $82,000, such as an office manager or bank teller with two children, earns about $50,000 too little to qualify to buy the average Redmond single-family home...45% of Redmond households are considered to be cost burdened or severely cost burdened with regard to housing costs.

Many longer-time residents in their 50's and 60's purchased a home when prices were affordable.  Now many are burdened with demands to support continued, school levies, library levies, and others at time when their incomes are declining owing to their age or the Recession.  Many of these 60 year olds don't have a reasonable personal income that can compete with Finance Director Mike Bailey's statistics for "Affordable Price of Government."

Asking neighborhoods to pay for the high cost of elaborate Overlake and Downtown Stormwater treatment facilities is burdensome, too.  The Mayor wants a 4% Wastewater increase this budget.  A wet vault the size of three City Halls in Overlake may help the large landowners like Group Health to develop their properties, but not on the backs please of the single family home property tax holders.  The Council should set up a separate utility district to pay for these gargantuan trunklines and vault systems. 

Yes, this budget is a two year step in a 20-year plan in large part to develop two urban centers - but the neighborhood roads and sidewalk developments are being put on the back-burner.  The 160th extension to Red-Wood Road, 166th Avenue lane conversion, NE 116th Ave and NE 95th Street sidewalks, Union Hill widening, the 172nd Ave NE Roundabout are all put on hold untill a later, undefined budget cycle.

Neighborhoods on the Hills are paying more than their fair share for Urban Center projects while those living in the Centers - mostly technology workers on Visas - don't pay property taxes nor are they registered voters.  The city tax burden is placed on our traditional neighborhoods rather than those who largely benefit from them. 

The 8% property tax contribution to the budget is too much.  Especially, when the Council has a  surplus this biennium and proposess unspecified efficiencies and carry-overs to "innovative funds" and "technology."

By Bob Yoder
cc: Council

NOTE:  Finally, the largest cost center of the General Fund (26%) are "salaries and benefits" which are budgeted to increase 6% - more than inflation. The average salary and benefit/employee in 2010 was $108,136, for 624 emplyees on the payroll. Benefits have exploded by a 17% increase in the Mayor's proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions about voting in the General Election - Ballots mailed this week

Ballot Drop Box at Redmond City Hall closes at 8PM November 6

Frequently Asked Questions about voting in the November 6, 2012 Election. 

Ballots will be mailed out 20 days prior to the November 6 Election by King County. 
(Your ballot should be delivered to your home mailbox by this Wednesday or Thursday.)

It's an all Mail Election; no voter booths.

Don't forget to sign your ballot.

QFC at Bella Bottega has two US Post mail-drops:  one just outside of their store and one in the parking lot. 

A "Ballot Drop Box" is located at Redmond City Hall.  You don't need a stamp and can drive through and drop it off from your car, rain or shine.  The Drop Box closes at 8PM on Election Day. 

Photo and report by Bob Yoder

LETTER: Let the new apartment tax money pay for the improvements downtown

LETTER:  I feel that there are two Redmonds. There is the downtown Redmond with lots of new apartments, stores and transportation options that the city is showering with funds and amenities. And then there is the up-the-hill-neighborhood Redmond where the rest of us live. Up here, our infrastructure has been in place for years. And yet we're supposed to help pay for all the new parks and street development downtown. I doubt that I will use the "new" downtown very much so I really don't want to pay for it. With all the new apartment and commercial buildings downtown, the city will collect a lot more in property tax revenue each year. Let that new tax money pay for the improvements downtown. They shouldn't be taxing all of us to pay for the downtown Disneyland that they're building.

By Sue
Education Hill

Letter in response to "Mayor John Marchione presents his 2013-1014 Budget to Council"

Mayor John Marchione Presents his 2013-2014 Budget to Council

Mayor Marchione Presents his 2013-2014 Budget to City Council and the "Viewing Public"

UPDATED:  The Mayor gave a brief overview of his budget at Tuesday's Study Session with Council.  "Remember, this is a two-year budget but we're working towards a 20-year plan," said Marchione. 

Mayor Marchione stated "2012-2012 Revenue was just below budget, and expenses were 5% below."  The mayor commended staff  "for managing towards the bottom line" which created a net $9.8 million addition to the operating fund balance.

Marchione is proposing to re-invest this $9.8 million surplus into three areas:

• capital improvements
• technology
• an "innovation fund" 

At the same time, Marchione is proposing the following budget actions:

• a 1% property tax increase ($442,362)
• 2%/4% water/wastewater utility increases
• reduction of one employee (out of 620)
• a 5% transfer from the general fund to the capital fund
• focus on capital improvements in the urban centers

Marchione said "the good news is the city budget is growing slower than personal income of residents" and attributed this to "a way of being accountable to stakeholders (taxpayers)". 

Councilmember John Stilin encouraged citizens to come out to the two public Hearings on the budget, saying budget approval is the most important responsibility of their office and he sometimes "feels like the May Tag Man."   The Hearings are scheduled at City Hall on October 16 and November 20 at 7:30PM.  You can also send your comments to council@redmond.gov  

According to the Preliminary Operating Budget 2013-2014, "Total revenues over the biennium equal $581 million, including beginning fund balances and transfers; this is an approximate 7% increase [includes 1% property tax increase] over the 2011-2012 biennium."

Salaries and benefits account for the largest category of general fund expenditures (26%).   Property taxes contribute 8% to operating fund revenues with "Charges for Services" being the largest revene category at 21%.

The 2013-2014 budget is composed of an Operating General Fund and Capital Improvement Project  Fund.  Transportation (roads) constitutes the bulk of all Capital Improvements (67%) for the biennium.  Of Capital Improvement Projects 9% are "enhancements."  The remaining are either "maintenance" (28%) or "resolving deficiencies and service support" (47%). 

Only 66% of the biennium Budget for 2013-1014 goes to Infrastructure (42%) and Safety (24%).   The remainder goes to various programs as directed by a priority process: "Business Community (3%),  "Community Building" (5%), "Clean and Green" (9%), and "Responsible Government" (17%). 

By Bob Yoder

LETTER: Allowing charter schools would expand access to a good public education

Allowing charter schools would expand access to a good public education
By Paul Guppy
Vice President for Research
Washington Policy Center

The school bell rings, and rows of eager young faces turn expectantly to the front of the class as the teacher begins the day’s lesson. These students look forward to graduation day, when they hope to embark on a future made brighter by a good public education. Sadly, for nearly half the students at some public schools, that day will never come. They will drop out instead.

Why would loving parents tolerate a school that fails to educate their children? Often it is because they have no choice. District officials make school assignments and most families can’t afford private school tuition.
Initiative 1240 would help level the playing field and promote fairness by creating a modest charter school program within public education. The initiative would allow up to 40 public charter schools over five years within the state system of 2,345 schools, with up to eight new schools allowed each year. Priority would be given to charter schools that serve at-risk children or those attending low-performing schools.

Charter schools have existed for over 20 years, and today 41 states and the District of Columbia have charters, serving about two million children attending nearly 5,600 schools. A further 600,000 students are on waiting lists.

Charter schools are community based, tuition-free and open to all students. They must meet academic standards and provide the same equal treatment and public safety protections as other public schools.
Charter schools allow the principal flexibility in areas such as scheduling, teacher hiring, budgeting, curriculum and community relations. A charter school can offer longer instructional hours and be open to students on evenings and weekends, regardless of central district rules.

Charter school enrollment would be voluntary. If more families apply than spaces available, students would be chosen by lottery. Charter schools could not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, disability or other protected category. Like other public schools, charters could offer specialized programs for at-risk youth, foster children or students with special needs.

Several large-scale studies show charter schools perform better in educating hard-to-teach students than conventional public schools. For example, a Massachusetts study found that, “Charter Schools in Boston are making real progress in breaking the persistent connection between poverty and poor [academic] results.” Researchers found that in New York City, charter school students scored 31 points higher in math and 23 points higher in English than similar students in nearby schools.

Researchers at RAND found that charter middle school students who went on to a charter high school were seven to 15 percentage points more likely to graduate than those who attended a conventional high school. And students from a charter high school were eight to 10 percentage points more likely to go on to college.
Charter schools in other states are not controversial, but defenders of the status quo vigorously oppose allowing them here. Here are responses to the most common claims made by charter school opponents.

Claim: Charter schools drain money from public schools.
Response: Charter schools are public schools; they do not take money away from public education.
Read More >>

Tulley's at Bella Bottega closed this Sunday at 5PM

A work group huddles with computers around a table as loyal
Tulley's customers buy their last cup of mo-jo.

Tulley's at Bella Bottega to close this Sunday at 5pm

 

The doors of one of Redmond's most popular neighborhood gathering places will close this Sunday, October 14th at 5PM.  Four Bellevue stores, the Mercer Island store and Kirkland's franchise store will remain open on the Eastside for Tully's Coffee lovers.   

Jen Walsh, the Redmond store manager of two years and past Woodinville manager said, "It's just sad."  Walsh said today was the busiest day since the announcement with about 35 clients crowding the store at 2:30pm.   Profitable Tulley's stores will remain open and those unprofitable will close under Chapter 11.  Jen will be commuting from Woodinville to Tulley's Westlake store.  Lindsay, a co-worker will transfer to Westlake, as well.   

Tulley's at Bella opened it's doors 10 years ago, in advance of the Starbucks store across the street.  There are no known plans for the building at this time.   Tulley's stores at Redmond Town Center (closed Oct 7), Woodinville, Bothell, and Kenmore are closing.   

For FAQ about the closures go to Tulley's corporate website page here.

 

By Bob Yoder

Editorial: The Times recommends Ross Hunter and Cyrus Habib for 48th Legislative District | Editorials | The Seattle Times

Editorial: The Times recommends Ross Hunter and Cyrus Habib for 48th Legislative District | Editorials | The Seattle Times"

"In the 48th Legislative District, voters should re-elect state Rep. Ross Hunter and elect Cyrus Habib for a team of smart progressives"

-Seattle Times Editorial Board

Read editorial here

 

"ONE REDMOND" Economic Development Organization still in formative stages

Economic Development was a topic of discussion at last night's joint Redmond City Council - Kirkland City Council meeting in Redmond City Hall.  Mayor Marchione described his plans to consolidate the Redmond Chamber, Redmond Economic Development Association (REDA), and Realize Redmond Foundation into one entity, called ONE REDMOND.

BACKGROUND:  The genesis for ONE REDMOND was May 19, 2009 when Council approved $105,500 taxpayer funding of "Angezo Economics" consultant's stragtegic plan for community development.  Soon thereafter the Council approved $200,000 to fund a public-private partnership with newly formed REDA.  $50,000 of these funds were used to fund an Executive Director for Realize Redmond (John Marchione's mayoral campaign manager, Jeni Craswell).  Another $50,000 were spent to fund REDA's Executive Director, Larry Williams.  And another $50,000 were spent on a "feasibility study" to test market "five key elements of the ONE REDMOND plan."  In that study 60 businesses and 20 community members were surveyed in depth.   Currently none of these entities have an Executive Director. (See my July 12, 2011 story "Redmond's Evolving Economic Development Plan")

In the joint Council meeting with Kirkland, Mayor Marchione listed the five key elements of ONE REDMOND as: 1) Capacity to expand in Redmond which is difficult because of land mostly, 2) retaining companies, 3) recruiting employers from Boston, Austin, Silicon Valley and North Carolina - the competition, 4) transportation, affordable housing and other quality of life and community development isssues, and 5) an educated work force - especially a need for machinists and computer programmers. 

The mayor said it's been a difficult process of forming ONE REDMOND and getting people to sign off on the dotted line.  (Below see a list of interim Board members).  "I'm not ready to declare a victory yet but remain optimistic" said Marchione.  

Marchione said he expects "by the 1st quarter of next year ONE REDMOND will be it's own entity and that the Redmond Chamber, REDA and Realize Redmond will have folded into that and no longer exist as their own organizations." 

Councilmember John Stilin said: "ONE REDMOND brings organizations with different interests in one room where they all have to agree on something that's in their mutual interest of all parties involved.  It's no longer 'you-guys', it's 'us-guys.'"

Mayor Marchione said the technology companies on Willows Road had no reason to go to Chamber meetings since they didn't see themselves as retail businesses.  ONE REDMOND gets them more engaged in our economic development. 

According to Council President Pat Vache', the implementing Board of Directors include three members from the Boards of each of the originating organizations (REDA, Realize Redmond, The Greater Redmond Chamber Of Commerce) and three from The City of Redmond :  Read More / See list >>

Lake Washington Institute of Technology Machining Program receives $400,000 in new machines

Students huddle around HAAS lathe

LWIT Machining Technology Program Receives $400,000

In New Machines, has Enrollment Waiting List for Hot Job Market

Kirkland, Wash.: This week Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s Machining Technology program received nine new machines totaling around $400,000, which helps the popular program further increase student skills in the hot manufacturing market. The three Protrack lathe machines, three Protrack milling machines, two high-tech HAAS milling machines, and the cutting edge HAAS lathe with live tooling capability are the latest technology in the manufacturing industry, giving LWIT students a distinct edge when it comes to hands-on experience at graduation.

The new machines are a direct reflection of the booming manufacturing market and demand for skilled machinists. Currently LWIT’s Machining Technology program has 72 enrolled students, including the program’s largest percentage of females in the program’s history, and a waiting list of interested students. The students encompass a vast array of backgrounds from around the region, from a handful of displaced Kimberly Clark workers to those choosing to change careers to recent high school graduates.  Read More >>

Salmon are swimming under the Leary Way Bridge

The Chinook (Kings) have grey-green backs and are usually larger than the red-backed Sockeye

Hi All,

I took this photo of salmon in the Sammamish River October 7 while standing on the narrow pedestrian bridge that parallels the Leary Way Bridge here in Redmond.

I was looking north up the Sammamish River and was surprised to see a large number of red sockeye plus a few chinook schooling down below me. I counted more than 50 sockeye, plus the chinooks. I've never seen them gather like that in years past. I don't know if their behavior might have something to do with the extended dry weather we've been having. 

By John Reinke

Redmond, WA.

UPDATED: Downtown Construction Build-Out Achieves 50% of 2030 Downtown Density Goal

UPDATED, October 9, 3:28 PM:  According to Mayor John Marchione's density plans at the September 26 "Downtown Construction projects" town meeting, the city has already achieved 50% of their Downtown density goals set for 2030.  This includes 711 dwelling units currently under construction (see table below) and existing newer residential apartments like RED 160, Cleveland, and Veloce. 

According to data listed in the Urban Center Element of the Comprehensive Plan link, the 2030  target  for dwelling units in the downtown is 6,170.  2300 units are on record as built as of 2010.  So 2300 + 711 units = 3011 in 2012 for at least a 50% density.

In the town meeting, Mayor Marchione confused some members of the viewing public saying  "We're planning to be an urban community that's going to be over 2200 units."  He went onto say "There will be $330 million in private investments in building out this vision including 200+ affordable housing units" to achieve a variety of incomes and choices.

With Overlake residential redevelopment getting off to a slow start - and "One Redmond" in hibernation -  it's possible the private sector will build more aggressively downtown.  In fact, an Evergreen Health Hospital official said their parcel west of Redmond Medical Center is slated for apartments rather than another clinic.

One of the drawbacks in building downtown is coping with the high water table when installing underground parking.  The downtown is built over the city aquifer and wellhead protection zone and according to City Planner Gary Lee constrains underground parking.   Lee says the city requires 1.25 parking places for every residential unit which puts a pinch on parking for the downtown.

Despite emerging traffic, parking and pedestrian crosswalk issues from Redmond's rapid downtown residential growth, the Mayor was happy with downtown progress, saying "to have any cranes now in this economic environment is remarkable; to have two cranes and a third one here in 30 days show people want to come here and want to live here and the demand is high.."   According to statistics presented by Steve Bailey, Dir. of Finance in an earlier meeting there are three jobs in Redmond for every living unit. 

Councilmember Emeritus President Richard Cole said before his retirement he felt the City over-committed to taking additional density.  The Mayor said plans and decisions to grow to 4-6 stories downtown were made in l997-1999, long before his time as Mayor. 

Below is a list of current residential downtown construction projects with their number of units totalling 713.   These projects don't include existing projects already built like Veloce (300 units), RED 160 (250 units), and the Cleveland Building, etc. 

85th Street Apartments	85th St. NE and 158th Ave. NE	148	includes 3,000 square feet of retail	under construction
Centerpointe Mixed Use	16345 Cleveland St.	134	6 stories; 212,556 square feet (includes retail)	under construction
Old Town Mixed Use	16175 Cleveland St.	149	6 stories; 205,390 square feet (includes retail)	under construction
Redmond Square Apartments	7977 170th Ave. NE	154	2 4-story buildings with a parking garage below	under construction
Stelvio	15815 Bear Creek Parkway	32	plans call for mixed-use space	approved but on hold due to economy
Vision 5	8525 163rd Court NE	96	8 units with 96 single-room occupants; 37,168 square feet	under construction

At the current pace of downtown construction it appears the city could significantly over-shoot their 2030 density target of 6170 dwelling units.

Opinion By Bob Yoder

Fundraising Walk for Mental Health Support and Awareness Set for Oct 27

 By Rob Butcher on October 5, 2012,  'Kirkland Views"

Redmond City Council team challenged the Kirkland City Council team at the NAMI Walk 2011.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Washington will hold its eighth annual public awareness and fundraising walk at Marina Park on Saturday morning, October 27, 2012, in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.

The national nonprofit’s mission is to help individuals with serious mental illness and their family members by offering information, education, referral services, support and advocacy. As the sole fundraising event for NAMI’s operations across the state, the NAMI Walk of Washington is crucial for the 34-year-old organization.

“We’ve had 45 sponsors from around the state step up, offering a record amount of sponsorship dollars, which cover the cost of the event,” said Walk Manager Annie Koch. “We’re very grateful because this is such a critical fundraiser for us.”

Organizers expect as many as 1,500 participants. The walk will start at 9:30 a.m., with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. The three-mile course (5 kilometers) extends from Marina Park in Kirkland to Carillon Point and back. A shorter course is also planned.  Read More >>

Superintendent Pierce's Fall message to the PTSA

Superintendent's message

Dr. Traci Pierce, Superintendent

The summer of 2012 may very well have been the busiest summer ever for Lake Washington School District. All the final work on preparing schools for a new grade configuration had to be completed. That meant everything from finishing additions at Eastlake and Redmond High Schools, moving Northstar and Renaissance Middle Schools to new quarters, and working on the new STEM School, to moving 1936 boxes of textbooks and library books, to helping schools get ready to welcome new students and new teachers. We also had three new elementary school buildings opening through our modernization program, and we made preparations to get laptop computers in the hands of all our secondary students by the end of December.
 

Despite all these changes, we had a very smooth start to the school year. During the month of September, as in every year, there were issues to be resolved here and there. However, we actually had fewer calls to the superintendent's office than in a "normal" year. I believe the smooth start was a direct result of all the hard work that so many people did to get ready for this extraordinary year.
 

Now that students are back and school is underway, it is a good time to review my goals for the school district. As the new superintendent, I think it's important for parents to know where we are going and why. In this column, beginning now and continuing in the coming months, I plan to highlight these goals and describe how you as parents can be involved.

 

As superintendent, my commitment to the school board and to the community is to develop a five-year strategic plan that highlights district direction, performance and innovation. I want to start by making explicit my five strategic goals for our district, which directly connect to our mission and vision.

Strategic Goals:

1. Academic success for every student
2. Safe and innovative learning environments
3. Highly effective personnel
4. Community engagement and satisfaction
5. Effective use of resources and fiscal responsibility

 

In today's column, I want to delve into the first goal area above. As a school district, our first goal must be academic success for every student. Our mission is to ensure our students graduate, and our goal of academic success for every student is key to fulfilling our vision of Every Student Future Ready. Continue Reading >> 

 

Source:  "Currents,"  Council PTSA Newsletter, Fall 

Seattle Times editorial board reiterates its support of Rob McKenna for governor of Washington

Rob McKenna

The Seattle Times editorial board reiterates its support of Rob McKenna for governor of Washington.

Seattle Times Editorial

Rob McKenna is the best candidate to replace Chris Gregoire as governor of Washington.

For eight years McKenna has been the state attorney general, the same job Gregoire had before becoming governor. Unlike a legislative post, it is a management job, and provides much better preparation for the top job in Olympia than being a congressman in Washington, D.C.

The difference shows. Since this page endorsed him three months ago, the Republican McKenna has shown a greater grasp of detail than his Democratic opponent, former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, on a wide range of issues.  Read More >>