Hill annouces bipartisan agreement on new state budget

OLYMPIA... State Sen. Andy Hill, the Senate’s chief budget writer, this morning announced that leaders from the Senate and House of Representatives have reached agreement on a new state operating budget that would take effect July 1. The compromise spending plan, which is expected to go before members of both chambers soon, will cover the 2013-15 fiscal biennium.

“All year I’ve been working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Legislature to establish a sustainable plan that prioritizes education and lives within our means,” said Hill, of Redmond, who serves as chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “I’m looking forward to finalizing and voting on a budget that puts an additional 1 billion dollars directly toward the basic-education obligations associated with the McCleary court ruling; protects our state’s economic slow but steady recovery; and provides relief for college students and their parents by ending tuition increases during the upcoming two year budget.”  Read More >>

Significant King County Parks levy on the August 6 ballot

City Council studied King County Park's Director Kevin Brown's presentation on two combined and enhanced Parks levies slated for the August 6 election.  The levy combines two 2008-2013 levies that are expiring - the Operations and Maintenance (M&O) Levy and the Open Space and Trails Levy.  Total cost of the levy increases from it's present 13.4cent/thousand assessed property value to 18.77cent/thousand assessed value.  Extra enhancements account for 20% of the levy.  The levy funds 72% of the park systems operating expenses.  If the August 6 levy fails M&O funds are reduced to zero.  51% is needed to pass. 

Councilmembers Margeson, Flynn, Vache' and Carson all considered it "risky" to lump the two levies together for an all or none vote with possible shutdown of some parks if the vote failed.   Margeson said there's a "big grab" for taxdollars, including a needed King County METRO levy to help people get to work.  Flynn "wasn't thrilled about the package".  (King County Council voted 7-2 for it.).  Carson said the levy would cost close to double than $45/year county average for a Redmond household.  Margeson was not pleased with King County's unwillingness to transfer Marymoor Park to the City of Redmond.

Reported by Bob Yoder

Sunset Gardens Park Free Summer Lunch for Kids and Teens

Redmond, WA - Join us for a summer of sun, fun, and lunch! Community Lunch at Sunset Garden’s Park is a FREE program for kids and teens ages 18 and under that runs July 8^th-August 23^rd, Monday-Friday from 11:30am-12:30.  Each day starting at 11:30am we’ll host different activities that include playing team sports, conducting science experiments, participating in active games, creating fun take-home crafts, and visits from special guests. At 12:00pm we’ll serve a healthy and delicious lunch provided by the Family Pancake House and sponsored by USDA. Sunset Gardens Park is located near the intersection of NE 95 Street and Avondale Road NE.  Read More >>

City doubles size of petty cash balance to $20,000

Traditionally, the Parks Department through a contracted event coordinator disburses up to $10,000 in prize money for the Criterium Race held over the Derby Days weekend. The largest cash prize is $500. 

 

To mitigate past difficulties with tax recording, Parks and Finance staff have agreed the City should take on the responsibility of disbursing the prize money. The two departments have worked out cash handling/disbursement procedures to be followed before, during, and after the event to protect the employees involved, as well as the funds.  The ordinance enables staff to have the prize money on-hand when needed. The $10,000 funds would be used solely for special event purposes and not for general petty cash.
The new ordinance allows the City to increase cash available in the Petty Cash and Revolving Fund by $10,000 to a maximum amount of $20,000. The additional $10,000 will be used solely for special event purposes.

By Bob Yoder 
Source:  Consent agenda, 6/18/13

New Level II Nursery Opens at Swedish/Issaquah July 8

— Service provides premature, sick, infants with special care, support

 

ISSAQUAH, Wash., June 20, 2013 — Swedish/Issaquah will open its new Level II Nursery on Monday, July 8, having recently received state approval to provide this vital service to the community. The Level II Nursery allows for premature and ill babies — born as early as 34 weeks gestational age — to stay at Swedish/Issaquah to receive the specialized, around-the-clock care they need from a specially trained team of experts.

 

Until now, babies born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestational age) at Swedish/Issaquah were transferred to other area hospitals to receive neonatal care. Read More >>

Safe, convenient drug take-back law passed by Board of Health

 

Thursday, June 20, 2013New program will provide a safe medicine disposal system for King County residents

Click screenshot to watch video

Today, the King County Board of Health took a significant remaining step towards reducing preventable deaths from drug overdoses by passing a Rule & Regulation to create a drug take-back system for King County residents.

  The program promotes the safe disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and will be funded and operated by the drug manufacturers who produce the medications.
 
Under the new program residents may dispose of unwanted medicines at pharmacies and other secure locations across the county for no charge. The new law will create only the second such system in the country.
Read More >>

National Council on Teacher Quality study criticizes the educators of teachers

By Liv Finne
June 20, 2013

The National Council on Teacher Quality released its first annual report, “Teacher Prep Review,” a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of the colleges and universities that train the nation’s teachers. Using a four-star rating system, the Review assesses the 1,130 institutions that train 99% of schoolteachers.

 

The study finds that three-quarters of teacher-training institutions in the U.S. earned only two stars. Researchers found that these institutions "have become an industry of mediocrity, churning out first-year teachers with classroom management skills and content knowledge inadequate to thrive in classrooms with ever-increasing ethnic and socioeconomic diversity."

 

Out of Washington state’s 24 teacher-training institutions, only one made the Honor Roll of 3 stars or better: Washington State University’s undergraduate preparation program for high school teachers. Two schools in Washington made the Consumer Alert list of the nation’s lowest-performing programs: the University of Washington’s graduate programs for high school teachers in Bothell and Tacoma.   Read More >>

Massive Stormwater vault construction project by Sears to begin Mid-July - NE 20th St closed at night

Bid awarded to Shoreline Construction, Inc. in an amount of $2,245,575.65 for Overlake Village South Detention Vault- Utility Relocation, Construction expected to begin Mid-July.

 

The plan includes the design and construction of the Overlake Village South Detention Vault located in the east parking lot of the Sears store. The South Detention Vault project will deliver the first regional stormwater mitigation facility in Overlake.  The underground project is huge - the size of  City Hall. 

Description

The Overlake Village South Detention Vault project is being constructed in two phases. Phase 1 construction involves the relocation of existing power and stormwater utilities. The current location of these utilities lies within the footprint of the new vault and are an obstruction to the new vault installation. The utility relocation work must be completed prior to constructing the new vault, which is scheduled early 2014.  Read More >>

Year-end Letter from LWSD Superintendent Traci Pierce

As the 2012-13 school year comes to a close, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year and all that has been accomplished.

As superintendent I very much enjoyed attending high school graduation ceremonies and watching proud families cheer their seniors as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. The core of our district mission is to help all of our students graduate, and we are proud of our 94% on-time graduation rate, though we continue to strive to achieve a 100% graduation rate. Our district vision also speaks to preparing students for college and career. Given the importance of post-secondary education to long-term employment prospects, we monitor post-graduation data to help us determine how we are progressing toward accomplishing our vision for students. Currently, approximately 79% of Lake Washington students immediately enroll in some form of post-secondary education immediately following graduation. That number compares favorably to other districts in the state, and, of course, we continue to work toward raising that percentage.  Read More >>

Birding Tours Explore Marymoor Park At Summer's Peak

Savannah Sparrow By Mary Brisson

Stroll on Solstice Evening and Family Walk on Holiday Weekend

KIRKLAND — A sunset walk on the longest evening of the year and a kid-friendly, Saturday-morning tour on July 6 offer chances to see the birds of summer when they’re most active and abundant at Marymoor Park in Redmond.

Hosted by Eastside Audubon, both walks are free and open to the public.

In early summer, birds like American Goldfinches and Cedar Waxwings are still colorful and singing in the woods, ducks like Common Mergansers may be swimming with their young on the slough, and, with luck, a Short-eared Owl may even be spotted over the meadow at twilight. 

Solstice Evening Walk, Friday, June 21

                Birdsong continues for hours on the long first evening of summer. Walk the Audubon BirdLoop with Eastside Audubon president and master birder Andy McCormick to look and listen along the slough, in the woods, and at the meadow.

                This leisurely and level two-mile walk will start at 6:30 p.m. at Parking Lot D and end at 9 p.m. or when the birds call it a night. (Parking is $1.) Bring binoculars and a snack. All ages welcome (17 and younger with parent).

Family Birding Walk, Saturday, July 6   

                Birds are most active and fun to watch in the morning when the woods and meadows are still cool and fresh. The walk will start at 9 a.m. and go at a kid’s pace until 11 a.m. (you can leave the walk at any time).  Read More >>

Council approves realignment project of salmon-bearing Tosh Creek adjacent West Lake Sammamish Parkway

Award of Bid to TriState Construction, Inc. in an amount of $1,207,448.85 for Tosh Creek Realignment and Culvert Replacement

Tosh Creek is a Class 2 (salmon-bearing) stream that flows off a steep hillside and meets

the valley floor at West Lake Sammamish Parkway (WLSP), where it flows through an

arch culvert approximately 67 feet in length. The channel downstream of WLSP has been

ditched and relocated around a field. The lower stream reach has limited in-stream

habitat and the stream bank vegetation is mostly blackberry. During heavy rains, the

culvert occasionally exceeds capacity, flooding WLSP and requiring debris and sediment

removal from the inlet and outlet each year.
 

Small numbers of Coho salmon spawn in the stream regularly, and the stream supports

healthy numbers of rearing juvenile Coho as well as Cutthroat trout. With restoration, the

stream has the potential for some of the best small-stream salmon habitat in the southwest

quadrant of the City.  Read More >>

Have you switched to Green Power for your PSE electricity?

Most people don't know that Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is steadily increasing renewable energy (solar, biomass, wind) but most of your PSE power still comes from coal, natural gas and fossil fuels in general.  As a result, the average home in Washington creates about 33 pounds of carbon pollution emissions from using electricity every day.

That's why PSE created the Green Power Program.  When you enroll, 100% of your energy is matched with renewable energy credits generated by "green wind and biomass farms", solar, low impact hydro and land fill biogas projects. 

The program costs an average home in Washington about 12% more on their utility bill but the environmental benefits are huge and you're supporting local clean energy jobs.  By signing up for the program and going carbon neutral (minus natural gas usage for heat, etc.) that's equivalent to taking a car off the road for a year or adding 173 seedling trees to the environment. 

Only businesses and residents served by PSE are eligible.

By Bob Yoder

June's Last Saturday Event at Redmond's Watershed Preserve

                       

Redmond, WA – Trained Forest Stewards will again be hosting the Last Saturday volunteer events in Redmond Parks continuing the restoration efforts of the Green Redmond Partnership. All Last Saturday events are from 9am – Noon on the last Saturday of the month, April through October. June’s event will be held at Redmond’s Watershed Preserve 21760 Novelty Hill Road on Saturday, June 29^th.   Read More >>

State Board of Education cancels vote to weaken School Achievement Index

By Liv Finne
June 17, 2013

 

This Wednesday, June 19^th, the State Board of Education meets in Olympia to discuss revisions to the School Achievement Index to reduce the rigor of the performance criteria used to evaluate schools, as I’ve explained here.  Originally, they planned to vote on the revisions after taking public testimony.

 

The State Board, led by Chairman Jeff Vincent, has decided to cancel the vote. The agenda for the meeting now includes this note:

 

Note to attendees: Given the status of proposed legislation impacting the development and use of the State Board’s Achievement Index, the Board leadership has elected to take final Index approval off the proposed action items for the June 19th special meeting.

 

The School Achievement Index will, at least for now, retain its current level of rigor over the performance criteria used to report school performance in Washington.

 

http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/state-board-education-cancels-vote-weaken-school-achievement-index

Can you identify this Redmond thief?

Dear Redmond Community & Friends, (from Jim Bove)

 http://canyouid.me/blog/2013/06/redmond-pd-13-009371/

 The above link is a photo of a female believed to be associated with a vehicle prowl and a locker theft (theft from a locker, not an actual theft OF a locker…they are a bit heavy) at a gym, both in Redmond. Both instances involved the victims’ stolen credit cards being used at various establishments.

 Please take a look and send an email to the contact at the bottom of that page if you can help identify her. Also, feel free to check the CanYouId.me website from time to time and help different agencies solve crimes.

 Thanks, have a good weekend, and be safe!

  Jim Bove

Redmond Police Department

bove@redmond.gov

UPDATE:  On 6/18 we received a tip from someone identifying her and she was subsequently arrested for 11 felony counts – 8 were Identity Theft-2nd, and three counts of Possession of Stolen Property-2^nd. These, in addition to several previous felony convictions. The tipster saw the picture and did the right thing by calling.  Thanks!

RHS PTSA Survey, Legacy for Learning, Volunteer opportunities

PTSA SURVEY. Dear RHS PTSA Members, we welcome and value your input. Please let us know how we are doing by completing the following survey, here
. Your input will help us determine our mission and goals for next year. Thank you!

 

2013 LEGACY FOR LEARNING LUNCHEON EXCEEDS GOAL AND BREAKS RECORDS! The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is excited to report that it raised a record amount, over $216,600, at its "Legacy for Learning" luncheon held on May 1 at Juanita High School. (Our goal was $192,000.) The foundation was also honored to have had a record number of registered guests, 562, who enjoyed a delicious lunch, the music of two high school music groups, and a wide range of speakers, including Superintendent Traci Pierce who spoke about the district's new STEM-based Signature Programs. Luncheon proceeds will ensure that all students have quality teachers, equal access to educational opportunities and the skills they will need for college, work and personal success. You can get a glimpse of some of the students impacted by the foundation here: https://vimeo.com/65417465. This successful event was made possible thanks to the work of PTA members, school district staff, community volunteers, sponsors, foundation trustees, and over 70 table captains who helped fill the room with advocates for kids and education. What incredible community support for our kids! Thank you to this generous community!

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO RHS PTSA! This weekend...Read More >>

Amateur raidio operators test skills during national amatueur radio field day event

 

When: From 11am Saturday June 22, 2013, to 11am Sunday June 23, 2013

Where: Redmond Fire Station 17, 16917 NE 116 ST, Redmond WA 98052

 

Have you ever thought about how difficult it would be to coordinate emergency services without electricity, phone lines, Internet, or cell phones?

 

The City of Redmond has. This is why Mayor John Marchione is proclaiming the week of June 16-23, 2013 as Amateur Radio Week in Redmond, in recognition of the valuable public service that Redmond amateur radio operators provide to the community.  Read More >>

Autism Spectrum Disorder Forum at Evergreen Health

NAMI-Eastside PRESENTS AN EDUCATIONAL FORUM ON   AUTISM SPECTRUM AND EMDR THERAPY   Speaker: Elaine Duncan, LMHCP Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 7 PM - 9 PM Location: Evergreen Health, Suite Tan 100, 12303 NE 130th Lane, Kirkland, WA 98034   Elaine Duncan, MA, LMHC specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders and in particular, Asperger’s Syndrome. She provides Asperger’s Syndrome testing in addition to the treatment of mental health disorders associated with autism spectrum disorders, coaching in daily living challenges, social skills, and job search/retention skills.   Elaine is also Level I and II trained in EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is used primarily as a treatment for PTSD, but has been found to be effective for a number of mental health issues. Elaine has used EMDR on individuals on the autism spectrum who have traumatic memories from childhood bullying and other social traumas. Please join us for this free presentation. There will be ample time for questions and answers.

Issaquah segment of East Lake Sammamish Trail is improved

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Frana, King County Blog

BEFORE

AFTER

We here at King County Parks are delighted to announce the grand re-opening of the Issaquah segment of East Lake Sammamish Trail.

 

The second portion of the 11-mile-long trail to be developed, the Issauqah segment paved approximately 2.2 miles of 12-foot wide trail with gravel shoulders, making the trail more accessble to visitors of all ages and abilities. We also installed concrete sidewalk connections and improved traffic controls and crossing treatments, as well as enhancing native landscaping and improving drainage.

A former railroad bed, the East Lake Sammamish Trail is the missing link in a 44-mile corridor that stretches from Puget Sound in Seattle to the Cascade Foothills near North Bend. Remaining segments of trail through Sammamish are in design and permitting and will be constructed as funding becomes available. Learn more about the Master Planned Trail and development work on the ELST construction page.

2013 Washington Brewers Festival at Marymoor Park this weekend!

2013 Washington Brewers FestivalFriday, June 14 4-9pm (21+ Only)
Saturday, June 15 11am-9pm (Families Welcome)
Sunday, June 16 11am-6pm (Families Welcome)

Please join us Father’s Day weekend,
as the Washington Beer Commission presents the
2013 Washington Brewer’s Festival at:
King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA

The Washington Brewer’s festival is a unique all-age beer festival where thousands of beer aficionados and families gather to celebrate Father’s Day weekend. This year’s event will feature over 250 different beers from 74 different Washington breweries. In addition, the festival offers great food, live music stage, brewer’s keg toss, root beer garden, kids area, craft booths, wine and cider tasting.   Read More >>

LWSD holds "Yellow Bus Tour" for community

The Lake Washington School District Communications department is reaching out to the community with "Yellow Bus Tours" as a tool to help new families understand the District.  Nine Coldwell Banker Bain real estate agents were taken on a tour by Facilities Director Forest Miller to see Rush El, Rose Hill Middle, and Lake Washington High and then have lunch.  The district has scheduled a levy and bond measure for February of 2014.

By Bob Yoder

School Board postpones decision to authorize donation for a video scoreboard at Eastlake High

Updated:  Board approves scoreboard 4-1 (Pendergrass).  6/24

The LWSD school board and staff spent  a half hour of their last business meeting trying to decide if they should authorize acceptance of a video scoreboard donation to Eastlake High School.  Policy questions for advertising and donations arose, delaying their decision to the next meeting. 

President Jackie Pendergrass originally saw no value of the video scoreboard and focused more on the liability, maintenance and operational costs to the district.  After listening to Directors Egglington and Carlson she showed an interest in learning how other districts are benefiting and using video scoreboards.  Egglington said that technology is a driver in our economy and education and so he felt "this was a significant proposal" that deserved their time and consideration.  Carlson more than once stated this scoreboard could be an excellent educational opportunity for students - especially for replaying past and present game situations.  He and Jackie were concerned about ongoing maintenance costs for non-volunteers; and he suggested operational costs should be capped. Carlson said if the scoreboard was revenue neutral after advertising and costs and policies were compatible he was favorable.  Director Bernard asked about liability and insurance costs and to re-visit the advertising policy.  She also wanted to know which sports groups could use the scoreboard besides football. 

Staff said the video scoreboard has a 5 year warranty for parts and labor and maintenance costs are expected to be about $2000 per year at year six.  Insurance riders are unavailable.  Deputy Superintendent Janine Fogard said WIAA rules do not allow instant replay for officiating purposes and no panning of the crowd; but videos of the cheer and band at half time are allowed.  Students could edit in highlights from the previous games.  There is no sound. 

Director Carlson quipped he has never been to a high school football game but a video scoreboard "could even get out nerds like me to a game." 

Q&A with Redmond Police Community Faciltator Jim Bove

Our neighborhood had an attempted burglary and the person fled after the alarm went off. What do you all suggest we do if we hear a burglar outside? Should we pretend to sleep to avoid confrontation or make noise too to scare the burglar away?

 

Not sure if you have a Neighborhood Watch, but this is great information to circulate to all your neighbors as soon as it occurs. It’s not common for these to happen in the middle of the night as seen on TV/movies, it’s usually during the day. That said, you need to do what you feel comfortable with. Definitely call 911 asap, preferably from a landline—that way even if you can’t talk we’ll still be in route because it will show your address. Don’t wait for the alarm company to call us because that can take several minutes. These people aren’t usually armed; they are looking to get in and out as quickly as possible without being noticed. Sometimes something as simple as turning on a light can signal to the burglar that someone is home. Grant it, it doesn’t help us catch them because they’ve already taken off, but it does keep you safe which is priority #1. That said, you never want to assume that the burglar does or does not have a weapon-so don’t get involved.  Read More >>

New contract for Lake Washington School District, Lake Washington Education Association

School calendar set for next five years

 

Redmond, Wash. – The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and the Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA) have tentatively agreed to a new contract for the next four years, the 2013-14 through 2016-17 school years. The contract was ratified by 96.8% of the members of the LWEA in an online vote that concluded May 29. The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors voted to approve the new contract on Monday, June 3, at its regular board meeting.  Read More >>

Tree Swallows at Marymoor BirdLoop

  

New bird houses installed by the Eastside Audubon Society on the Marymoor Park BirdLoop (Lot C) are attracting once uncommon Tree Swallows.   Photo by John Reinke