Redmond Reporter: Letter in response to LWSD Sup.Traci Pierce's rebuttal

Superintendent Traci Pierce offered a rebuttal in the Nov. 15 Reporter to my previously published letter (Oct. 11, Reporter) criticizing the Lake Washington School District’s policy of tearing down and replacing our schools instead of modernizing them as promised.

My letter also objected to spending hundreds of millions of dollars more to do so, using money that could have been better used to modernize the rest of our schools and provide for growth.

We spent more than $65 million more to rebuild Lake Washington High School than to modernize it. I asserted that we could have built six new elementary or three new junior high schools to handle growth with that money by state standards (allowable area and cost allocations). Read More >>

Youth Eastside Service Opens New Redmond Location

Expert team and easier access for clients

 

Crowd celebrates ribbon-cutting for Yourth Eastside Services-Redmond

REDMOND, Wash. (November 21, 2013)—Youth Eastside Services (YES) has moved to a new location in Redmond on Redmond Way at Bear Creek Pkwy. YES specializes in helping youth and their families overcome issues such as depression, anxiety, anger and trauma. Substance abuse assessments and treatment are also a key part of YES services.   Read More >>

Legendary Yeti Scavenger Hunt hosted by Redmond Town Center to benefit Hopelink

Letter:  We are organizing a community scavenger hunt in Redmond to benefit Hopelink Food Banks. 

 

The game is called the Legendary Yeti Scavenger Hunt and its being hosted by Redmond Town Center on Dec 14th from 10am to 4pm. We've set this up so groups of local families and friends can participate in a unique day of fun while also making a difference. Instead of a fee to play, we're asking each team to donate $20 or 20 requested food items, all of which will go to Hopelink. Registration is required by Dec 8th via the event website, which also has more information about the game: http://www.yetiscavengerhunt.com/ and we also have a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yetiscavengerhunt.

 

Now we are just trying to get the word out to those on the eastside who might be interested in joining the fun. We appreciate the work you do to share information with the community through your blog. Thanks for considering our request.

-Emily Rayson (and the rest of the event volunteers)

Meetings ahead for Metro bus cuts

 Nov. 20 starts three months of outreach on cuts in absence of stable funding

Due to inaction to date on stable funding for public transit, Metro must begin three months of meetings across King County to inform riders of proposed drastic bus cuts due to the absence of funding.

The Kirkland meeting is January 16.

Facing the proposed cancellation of 74 bus routes and revisions to 107 other routes, Metro is working hard to help riders understand the details and consequences of cutting up to 17 percent of the transit agency’s service. Thousands of riders have visited Metro’s website to see how the cuts affect them.

The question of whether these cuts can be averted is in the hands of the state legislature, which has not yet approved stable funding authority sought by King County. Metro must take steps to reduce costs in 2014 and in 2015 as temporary funding expires and reserves are exhausted.

The proposed cuts could mean a loss of an unprecedented 14 million rides annually, and would revert Metro’s service to levels not seen since 1997 – even as ridership nears all-time highs. Metro provides about 400,000 rides each day and is nearing the annual record of 119 million riders reached in 2008.  Read More >>

EvergreenHealth raises Regular Property Tax Levy .68% in 2014

UPDATED:  The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners signed Resolution 859-13 authorizing a .68% increase in the Regular Property Tax Levy for 2014.  The 2013 Levy of $15,823,178 will increase $106,999 to $15,930,177 in 2014.  In addition, taxpayers will pay $8,733,350 in 2014 for the Excess Property Tax Levy that was passed in May 18, 2004 to serve debt for the Silver Tower and ER.

Allocations to community-based programs increased 2% over last year.  33% of total levy taxes are allocated to community-based programs while the remaining 67% is allocated to debt services in paying off the Silver Tower and campus ER facilities. 

Healthline is by far the largest community-based program at $2,133,225.  Healthline is the organization's 24/7 nurse triage phone line, physician referral line and call center for health class registrations. 

Senior Health for treating patients with dementia and behavioral health is second in dollars allocated at $1,725,951.   Community Health Education ($470,500) provides the annual health fair, various educational seminars, safety and wellness classes.  CHATT ($392,218) supports clients facing barriers to accessing healthcare services with social workers.  Notably, $30,000 is allocated to the three school districts within EvergreenHealth's district.  The hospital district supports several other lesser programs.

Reported By Bob Yoder      

Letter: LWSD impact fees on apartments are too low

LETTER:  Hi Bob - I'm a concerned citizen, but not an "activist", who has been researching the impact fees paid by apartment real estate developers in Redmond / LWSD.  The documents I've found are disturbing in both the minimal cost for school impact for an apartment developer, and the very, very cheap prices in LWSD vs the surrounding school districts right in King County.  This is very relevant to the bond issue as it is driven by multi-family dwelling population growth that is rapidly accelerating, yet not being paid in any meaningful fraction by the developers.

The fees for multi-family school impact fees in LWSD are ridiculously low at $197/unit.  I also have no idea how these fees are set, by what governmental body, or the process to influence them to reach a "parity" level to sensibly fund growth in multi-family on the Eastside.

According to King County Department of Permitting (21A.43.050) the following impact fees apply to various school districts:

LWSD 414:   Single Family - $7005    Multi-Family (apartment) $197
Renton 403:   Single Family - $6395    Multi-Family $1308
Issaquah 411  Single Family - $3738    Multi-Family $0
Highline 401: Single Family - $7958    Multi-Family $3101
Snoqualmie 410 Single Fam - $8668    Multi-Family $3220

This reader wishes to be anonymous...

Youth Eastside Services Celebrates Founders and More

Serving Youth in Crisis for 45 Years

 BELLEVUE, Wash. (Nov. 5, 2013)—Youth Eastside Services (YES), formerly known as “Heads Up,” officially turned 45 on Nov. 1 and threw quite a celebration. The event, which took place in YES’  main office in Bellevue, specifically recognized the early founders whose foresight created an organization that to this day serves as a lifeline for kids experiencing emotional distress and substance abuse.

(l-r) Toby Nixon (Kirkland Councilman), Kim Allen (Redmond Councilwoman), Conrad Lee (Bellevue Mayor),
Jane Hague (King County Councilwoman) reads a Proclamation / BAKER RAWLINGS

Among the more than 140 guests in attendance at the Founders Day Celebration were early founders, volunteers and staff who joyously greeted each other and remembered the work they did years ago on behalf of kids and their families.  Read More >>

Lake Washington School District seeking authors for voter's pamphlet statements

Lake Washington School District is seeking potential authors for the voter’s pamphlet statements opposing the two Lake Washington School District replacement levies and one bond measure that will appear on the February 11, 2014, ballot.

Election regulations require Lake Washington School District to appoint members to “pro” and “con” committees who are willing to write statements for the local voters’ pamphlet. Since there is an organized promotional campaign committee, the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee, the district has asked that organization to name the three individuals who will serve on the “Pro” committees.

The district is soliciting members for “con” committees for the voter’s pamphlet. If you would like the district to consider you for appointment to one or more of the committees who will be asked to write a statement in opposition, please email your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address to Diane Jenkins, djenkins@lwsd.org, no later than Friday, November 22. Please identify which of the three committees you would like to participate in:

• Con Committee: Replacement of Existing Educational Programs and Operations Levy
• Con Committee: Replacement of Existing Capital Projects Levies
• Con Committee: General Obligation Bonds

You may apply for membership to more than one committee.  Read More >>

Citizen activist rebuts LWSD bond measure at Redmond City Hall

UPDATED:  The City Council voted 5-2 to endorse the two proposed LWSD levies and bond but not before Susan Wilkins, citizen activist, spoke up to warn them to act carefully, as follows: 

Ms. Wilkins said that 23 of 30 elementary schools are already overcapacity and the new bond wouldn't fully resolve the overcrowding problem.  Alcott has the most dire overcrowding with 227 students in 8 portables. 

The scope of portable usage in elementary schools is significant with  91 portables district-wide.  Wilkins said 1822 elementary students use portables for their classrooms.  The 2014 bond, if it passed would create 1615 seats by 2016 which is still below present and mid-term needs.  The three new elementary schools do not completely address the crisis with portables and modernization of Meade, Kirk, and Rockwell won't happen for 7-8 years.  And by that time the schools will be severely overcrowded, Wilkins said.

Wilkins also said the District has understated the cost of the two Levies and Bond.  She conceded that while the measures may cost the average $450,000 home $30/month in 2014 total costs for the measures will escalate to $80/month by 2018.  "People deserve to know what they're voting for", concluded Wilkins.

Byron Shutz,of the Bond and Levy Committee and now Redmond Councilman-elect, was present but had nothing to say.  All councilmembers made positive remarks about LWSD in support of the measures. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

 

So what are the proposed LWSD Bond and two replacement levies all about?

These Minutes from an August Lake Washington School District Board meeting explain details of the proposed $755 Bond and two replacement levies.  Confusion over the Bond and  Juanita Pool plans are clarified: 

Resolution No. 2161, Replacement of Existing Educational Programs & Operations Levy, authorizes a four-year levy:

$63.0 million in 2015, $64.9 million in 2016, $66.8 million in 2017, and $68.9 million in 2018. This levy would pay part of the general fund expenses for educational programs and operations.

The estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 2015, 2016, 2017and 2018 are $1.85, $1.88, $1.90 and $1.92 respectively.

Resolution No. 2162, Replacement of Existing Capital Projects Levies, authorizes a four-year levy: $31.20 million in 20115, $31.5 million in 2016, $32.0 million in 2017, and $32.5 million in 2018. This levy would pay for upgrades and improvements to district buildings, sites, and technology. The estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 2015, 2016, 2017and 2018 are $.91, $.91, $.91 and $.91 respectively.

Resolution No. 2163, General Obligation Bonds, authorizes the sale of bond totaling $755 million. It authorizes the board to levy additional property taxes annually to repay the bonds. These

funds would be used to "modernize" (tear down and rebuild) Juanita High School; Kirk, Mead and Rockwell elementary schools, and Evergreen and Kamiakin middle schools; acquire land for new buildings; construct and equip three new elementary schools, a middle school, an east-side international- focused Choice school and a west-side STEM-focused Choice school; and construct and equip additions at Lake Washington High School and Eastlake High School.   Read More >>

Maximum salary ceiling for eight city Executives is standardized and set

City Council passed an ordinance standardizing Executive pay for eight city officials and they raised the maximum payout (not counting bonuses) to $155,184.  Median pay grade was set at $132,732.  The eight officials are:  Finance Director, Fire Chief,  Police Chief, Public Works Director, Parks Director, Depty Administrator, Planning Director, and Human Resources Director. 

Below is a history of Executive salaries and merit bonuses as collected from earlier public record requests.  Most 2010 executive salaries are at or above the new standardized median salary of $132,732. 

2010 SALARY QUOTES ARE BASE W/O BENEFITS: 
$148,101 Finance Director - Michael Bailey - $142,000 + $6101.18 Bonus  
$149,712 Fire Chief/Acting Police - $139,000 + $10,712 Bonus
$142,008 Police Chief - Ronald Gibson - $142,008 (Starting Salary, hired on 6/1/10)
$140,813 Public Works Director - - $135,000 + $5813 Merit Bonus
$138,228 Parks Director - Craig Larsen - $132,000 + $6,228.82 Merit Bonus
$137,947 Deputy Administrator - Jane Christianson - $132,000 + $5947.56 Bonus.
$134,803 Planning Director - Rob Odle -$129,000 + 5,802.84 Merit Bonus
$133,763 H.R. Director - $128,000 + $5763 Merit Bonus

Across the board:  1% base increase, 2011   Compensation for 2012 unknown.   

NOTES:  Maximum annual bonus is 15% once Directors reach the salary ceiling. Most have reached the ceiling, according to the Mayor (2/11).  Benefit package is ~30% of salary and is non-taxable.

2008 executive lump sum bonuses averaged 8.5% of base salary.  2008 Base salary merit increase averaged 2.2%.  In 2009 no base salary merit raises were awarded.

Reported By Bob Yoder

Schools Receive $300,000 in Grants from Lake Washington Schools Foundation

 Redmond, WA.  Lake Washington Schools Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in grants to teachers and schools across the Lake Washington School District for the 2013-14 school year. The foundation is funding the school district’s New Teacher Support Program for the first time, while it continues to support the rollout of the new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) -based Signature Programs and to fund long-standing programs such as Reaching for Success classroom innovation grants, the LINKS mentoring program and the Access Fund for low-income middle and high school students. Grants awarded to the school district from the foundation included a $49,000 Aspire grant from the AT&T Foundation to support high school completion and college-readiness for low-income students.   Read More >>

Parks Commission meets with Design Review Board to flesh out Overlake Urban Park

On November 7th, 6:30PM at Redmond City Hall, the Design Review Board will meet with the Parks Commission to discuss the proposed Overlake 2.7 acre Urban Park.  Below is some background on the meeting:



In December 2011, the City Council approved a Master Plan for the redevelopment of the former Group Health Overlake hospital property. The Master Plan envisioned a complete transformation of the 28-acre site, with approximately 1,400 new residential units, 1.2 million square feet of commercial uses, a hotel, as well as 2.7 acres of parkland in the middle of the site. Read More >>

Low inventory fuels competition for Redmond homes

By KC Brants

Redfin Real Estate Agent  

 

It’s still a seller’s market in Redmond where low inventory has caused an influx of buyers competing for fewer homes. In September, 260 homes were for sale, down from 270 the same time last year and 541 in September 2011.

 

A number of factors have contributed to Redmond’s lack of inventory. When the real estate market turned in 2007, several would-be buyers decided to postpone purchasing a home. With the market regaining its strength now, these buyers have resumed their search. Many of them have solid credit and sizeable down payments, thanks to years of saving. It is not uncommon to see buyers put down $120,000 on a $700,000 home or even pay in all cash. And among Redmond buyers are Microsoft, Google and Amazon employees, whose desire to be near their jobs has only added to the influx of home seekers.

 

With this type of demand, there just aren’t enough homes to go around.  Traumatized by the last real estate decline, many sellers are anxious about listing their homes. Some of them want to continue to wait for home prices to increase.  And many of those underwater are relying on price increases so they can afford to sell their homes. Developers are nervous, too. After the real estate slump, new construction came to a screeching halt. Developers in Redmond now test the market by building and selling a handful of homes at a time rather than releasing all of the lots in a development.

 

This lack of inventory has lead to a steady rise in Redmond’s home prices. The current median home price is $599,000. And homes here are selling faster. On average, homes sold in September spent just nine days on the market, compared to 31 days the same time last year, and 47 days in September 2011.

 

If you’re looking to buy a home in Redmond, here are some tips on competing against multiple offers:

·       Get pre-approved with a local lender and get underwriter approval. This is a must to prove your finances are solid when competing against multiple offers. Working with a local lender or one preferred by the listing agent can also gain you an advantage.

·       Start the conversation early. When you tour a house you like, let your agent know so you can begin a conversation with the listing agent about which terms matter most.

·       Write a letter and appeal to the seller. Often sellers have an emotional as well as financial investment in their home. It can really make a difference to write them a one-page letter explaining why you love the home and what it would mean to you to buy it.

·       Know your limits. Determine your target price and calculate what each price increase means for your monthly payment.

For more information, visit Redfin.com

Public Meetings planned for proposed Overlake urban park

Redmond, WA - Seattle-based development firm Capstone Partners and the City of Redmond are hosting a series of public meetings to develop and discuss conceptual designs for an urban park to be constructed at the center of a master planned development on the former Group Health site.

Meeting schedule:

November 7, 6:30 pm, City Hall: Capstone Partners will seek input from the Redmond Design Review Board and the Parks and Trails Commission on the vision and programming for the park.

December 4, 6 pm, City Hall: Capstone will conduct a general public meeting to discuss the project vision, and programming goals.

Following the December meeting, Capstone will develop design options for the park site and will share their concepts at a public meeting tentatively slated for early January 2014. In late January, Capstone will present a preferred option to the community for feedback before creating plans for City approval.

Details on the 2014 meeting schedule will be available in December.

For more information, please visit www.redmond.gov/overlake, or contact the project manager, Dennis Lisk, at 425.556.2471.

Redmond Police warn of potential scams

Redmond, WA – In the last week, the Redmond Police Department has received complaints from victims reporting that suspects are using a phone number associated with the Redmond Police to extort funds from victims.

The complainants reported that they received calls from a subject claiming to be from the IRS.  The caller told the victim that they owe the IRS money and the money needs to be paid or they will be arrested.  The phone number that is associated with the call is 425-556-2500.  This number is associated with the Redmond Police Department, but it is not a number that is displayed when calls originate from the Police Department. 

This is a continuing trend where citizens are being contacted by suspects claiming to be government employees.  The citizens are told they need to pay the government agency to avoid arrest or deportation. 

Redmond Police is advising everyone to be aware of these types of scams.  Government agencies do not initiate calls to collect funds over the phone.   If you receive these type of calls please notify your local agency.

RPD Press Release

 

 

Happy Halloween in the neighborhood!

Happy Halloween! 

LETTER: Can Lake Washington School District taxpayers afford another $755,000,000 in bond debt for school construction?

By Susan Wilkins

 

In 2006, voters approved the sale of $436,000,000 in 20-year bonds to pay for school modernization.  The ballot measure that voters approved, Proposition 3 (see below*), specifically said that bonds would be sold to pay for the "modernization" of the schools. The school district tore down and rebuilt every school on the modernization list calling the teardowns "new-in lieu" construction. The district claimed that the remodels would cost 90% of what new construction would cost and thus justified tearing the buildings down rather fixing them. 

Ten schools were torn down and rebuilt including 6 elementary schools (Frost, Muir, Keller, Sandburg, Bell and Rush), 2 middle schools (Finn Hill and Rose Hill), Lake Washington High School and International Community School. Only one new school, Carson Elementary, was built as part of the 2006 bond measure.  Rebuilding these schools from the ground up was far more expensive than remodeling them.  The school district sold $417,000,000 in bonds between September 2006 and September 2010 to pay for all the construction.  Together with 1998 construction bonds sold for Phase 1 modernization and bonds sold in 2012 to pay for additions at Eastlake and Redmond High Schools, the Lake Washington School District now has $486,000,000 in outstanding bond debt.

In 2013-2014, the district will spend $51,500,000 on bond principle & interest payments for bonds issued in 1998, 2006 and 2012. And taxpayers will continue to pay $50,000,000 per year until 2020 and then $40,000,000 per year until 2025 in order to pay off these construction bonds. This will cost the median homeowner $57.00 per month through 2020 then $44.00 per month through 2025.

The district is proposing the 2014 bond measure to sell another $755,000,000 to pay for more "modernization" construction plus 3 new elementary schools, a middle school and more high school space.  They tell us it will only cost $30.00 per month for a median priced home assessed at $450,000.  In fact, the owner of a median priced home will pay about $60 per month - if the bonds are issued with 4% interest.  This is ON TOP OF THE COST for the 1998, 2006 & 2012 bonds and the EP&O and Capital Projects levies.  Read More >>

Obliteride Sets Northwest Fundraising Record Raising Nearly $2 Million for Cancer Research

Organizers say thank you to the people of Redmond for their support

SEATTLE, Oct. 25, 2013 – The inaugural Obliteride was a huge success. In its first year, Obliteride

raised more money for a local organization than any other bicycling fundraiser in the Northwest. The

inaugural ride raised $1.9 million that will go directly to lifesaving research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer

Research Center in Seattle.  Read More >>

Letter: Hall responds to Superintendent Pierce's letter on the proposed bond

"Dear Dr. Pierce,

 

      Please consider the following with regard to your recent response to my letters questioning the LWSD policy of replacing schools instead of modernizing them.  You provided much detail confirming that our buildings are built larger than the state allowable area for the number of students housed.   As a result, any new schools we build will require the use of 100% local funds with no state support.    

 

      However, you don’t mention that the state will still provide almost 25% of the cost to modernize any or all of our schools.  You also didn’t explain why the major share of the proposed $755,000,000 bond issue next year is earmarked to replace 6 more of our schools with 100% local funds instead of modernizing (remodeling) them with 25% state support for hundreds of millions of dollars less.  Read More >>

Bomb Threat Investigated at Redmond City Hall Campus, Nothing Suspicious Found

Redmond, WA – Redmond Police investigated a bomb threat at the Redmond City Hall Campus today.  The threat was received around 10am and Redmond Police and Fire responded to the scene.  A King County Sheriff’s Office Explosives Trained Canine responded to the scene and conducted an area search.  Nothing suspicious was found and business is continuing as normal at the City Hall Campus. 

As always, Redmond Police and Fire encourage people to call 911 to report suspicious activity. 

City holds public meeting on 166th Ave rechannelization, October 28.

A large, white City of Redmond Public Notice Sign is installed by the tennis courts on 166th announcing the Rechannelization of 166th AVE NE.   The city plans to restripe the lanes from four lanes to three lanes and add bicycle lanes.  The Notice Board states: 

"Resident Comments Needed on Safety Improvements from NE 85th to 100th Streets."

The public meeting will be held on Monday, October 28th, 5-7PM at the Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center on 16600 NE 80th Street.  

Join the City of Redmond Community Academy

Please join fellow community members for the City of Redmond’s 2013 Community Academy (six Thursday evenings during October and November, 6:00pm to 9:00pm, at Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85^th Street).   This Thursday’s session (October 24^th) will highlight Redmond’s waste and recycling program, water and wastewater utilities, and aspects of the natural environment including stormwater and sustainability.

The Redmond Community Academy provides an opportunity for you to learn about the day-to-day activities involved in managing and operating Redmond government.  For each of the Academy’s six sessions, staff will provide information regarding topics such as public safety, the infrastructure necessary to delivery drinking water, and the process through which improvements to streets and sidewalks are considered and constructed.  During every session, participants are also invited to take part in behind-the-scene tours including the Traffic Operations, the Teen Center, the Senior Center, the Police Station and the Redmond Library.  Read More >>

City of Redmond launches a new interactive traffic map

Redmond, WA - The City of Redmond launched a new interactive traffic map that provides detailed information to Redmond commuters about current and upcoming traffic impacts. The map features enhanced navigation options and a direct link to the projects affecting traffic throughout the City. Users can also access a mobile application which has a “Locate Me” feature that shows the traffic information relevant to the commuters’ location.

The City continually seeks ways to effectively inform the public, and keep the website resources up-to-date, easy-to-use and professional. The new interactive Redmond Traffic map will ensure citizens and business commuters have the traffic information they need at their fingertips.

The Redmond Traffic map can be accessed directly at www.redmond.gov/trafficalerts. Users can also sign up to receive traffic notification alerts directly at www.redmond.gov/notifications.

Youth Eastside Services is Looking for Stories from Early Participants

Share your story and join the celebration of 45 years

 

Youth Eastside Services (YES), formally known as “Heads Up,” is turning 45 this year, and a celebration is in the works.

 

As part of the celebration, YES wants anyone involved with the organization to commemorate the milestones over the past 45 years by sharing their story about it. The agency has set up a special form that can be found online at www.YouthEastsideServices.org.

 

“We want to hear from kids who dropped in to ‘rap,’ and the volunteers who listened, as well as past staff and board members,” says YES Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan. Those who complete the form can choose to remain anonymous.  Read More >>