Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee announces honorary co-chairs, endorsements

Endorsement list for April 2016 bond includes business leaders, elected officials

The mayors of all three communities served by the Lake Washington School District have been named honorary co-chairs of the campaign to pass an April 26, 2016 school bond measure, the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee announced.

Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen, City of Redmond Mayor John Marchione and Sammamish Mayor Don Gerend are supporting the bond proposition, which is aimed at providing more classroom space to relieve school overcrowding that keeps getting worse. (Please note: the use of the title is for identification purposes only.) It prioritizes the schools’ most urgent needs to ensure the greatest impact district-wide – all while maintaining the current tax rate.

“We are fortunate to have these outstanding community leaders uniting with us to support this important bond measure,” said Eric Campbell, CEO of Main Street Property Group and a member of the citizens committee.  “They recognize the value of a high-quality education system to a thriving community. And we can do it through a thoughtful, long-term approach to improve our children’s schools without raising the tax rate.”

Added Lake Washington School District parent Kirstin Larson: “By agreeing to serve as honorary co-chairs, our mayors have demonstrated that the April 2016 bond proposition is a sensible solution to address the needs of our rapidly-growing school district, ensuring our kids are getting the best opportunities to learn.”

The citizens levy committee also released a full list of individuals and organizations endorsing the bond measure as of Feb. 12, 2016:

Affordable Housing Council

Jay Arnold, Kirkland Deputy Mayor

Nancy Bernard, Public Health Advisor

Barbara Billinghurst, co-founder, Funding Washington Schools

Angela Birney, Redmond City Council Member

Siri Bliesner, LWSD Director, District 5

Eric Campbell, CEO, Main Street Property Group

Frank Chopp, Speaker of House, Washington House of Representatives

Santo Contreras, former Deputy Mayor and member Kirkland City Council

Tony and Martha DeAmicis, LWSD parents

Jane Dulski, LWSD parent

Judy East, LWSD parent  Read More >>

Thousands of truckloads of soils to be relocated from and to the Downtown Park this summer

Jon Spanger, staff in the Ives and Marchione Administration, non-nonchalantly reported in last night's Council Study Session some alarming news about the development of the Downtown Park.

The park land is loaded with peat.  The peat has to be removed and replaced with dirt for stabilization.  15,000 yards -- a thousand truckloads -- must be removed. Probably another thousand truckloads will be needed to bring in replacement dirt.

The work is scheduled for 2-3 months this summer.  To make matters worse, the city will be working on the Cleveland--Redmond Way couplet conversion at the same time.  The Administration plans to hold several public meetings about it all.

Bob Yoder

Source:  RCTV Channel 21

UPDATED: Summary of the LWSD $398 million bond measure

LWSD is Growing!

• In one year, Lake Washington School District has grown from the sixth largest district in the state to the fourth largest.
• In the last five years, enrollment has grown by 3240 students. That's equal to five elementary schools.
• By 2020-21, five years from now, we expect to have over 30,000 students.

The bond measure includes:

• two new elementary schools
• one new middle school
• rebuild and enlarge Juanita High School
• rebuild and enlarge Kirk Elementary School
• rebuild and enlarge Mead Elementary School
• remodel Old Redmond School House for preschool
• replace portables at Explorer Community School
• other capital projects to provide special education program space and to address Title IX and Americans with Disability Act facility compliance

What it would do:

• address the district's most urgent needs
• address overcrowding and aging facilities
• reduce the district's reliance on portable classrooms. By September 2016, there will be 168 portables, or 14% of all classrooms. That's equal to seven elementary schools!

How we would build:

These schools would be built using specific cost-effective design principles and planning recommended by a parent/community task force.

What it would cost:

The $398 million bond measure would maintain the 2015 tax rate. The district is paying off past bonds and construction levies. As those items are paid off, these bonds would replace the items that have been repaid.

This measure is part of a long-term plan to meet the district's housing needs through 2029-30, developed by the Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force. Three subsequent bond measures will meet the longer-term needs of the district. The subsequent measures would also maintain the 2015 tax rate.

When is the vote:

Ballots will be due April 26.

Source:  LWSD website 

Redmond Man Sentenced to 22.5 Years in Prison for Murder

On February 19, 2016, a Redmond man was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Cara Neil, 17, that occurred outside a business at 15748 Redmond Way (SoulFood Coffee) on July 18, 2014.     The defendant, Daniel J. Haggart, 26, pled guilty last month to a charge of Murder in the Second Degree with a deadly weapon enhancement. The sentence range was 18 to 26.5 years in prison. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 22.5 years. The stabbing followed an argument Haggart was having with his girlfriend. When Neil came to the defense of the defendant's girlfriend, Haggart became angry at Neil and stabbed her in the chest.    The sentencing was before King County Superior Court Judge Mary Roberts at the King County Courthouse.  Representatives from the Redmond Police Department attended the sentencing hearing. Redmond Police Department Press Release, 2/22

Mental Health services are needed for Redmond's Tent City 4 homeless

SHARE/WHEEL is a non-profit that runs most of the "Tent City 4," encampments at St. Jude's Parish on Education Hill.  They run three other Tent City encampments and numerous Shelters in Puget Sound. At present Tent City 4 is not sited in Redmond.

On their website they state, "for 22 years we have been working to eradicate homelessness, educate the community and empower homeless people."

I've been an Ed Hill resident for over 30 years and live 1/4 mile from St. Jude Parish.  Based on my interactions with past Tent City 4 residents, I've learned SHARE/WHEEL has a policy of NOT directing their mentally ill residents to local mental health services. They don't even supply literature. This is not "empowering."

I can understand why SHARE/WHEEL doesn't advertise the presence of mental illness in their encampments--they don't want to alarm the community.  But that doesn't mean they can't "quietly direct" their compliant mentally ill to local resources like Hero House, county social services, and NAMI Eastside and EvergreenHealth ER/urgent care. As it is, they don't even provide them contact information.

By the looks of the City Planning Commissioners initiative to rezone Redmond encampments and enlarge their presence in our neighborhoods this is a relevant topic for Ed. Hill.

In my opinion, one of the reasons why SHARE/WHEEL is unsuccessful in obtaining 2016 funding from King County is they refuse to direct some of the 20% of their residents afflicted with poor mental health to local services.

Bob Yoder

NOTE:  This "National Coalition for the Homeless" article documents the prevalence and describes the facts of homelessness and mental illness.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/Mental_Illness.pdf

Questions about the April bond measure?

More information is being added to the 2016 bond section of the district website each week. This week, we've added a video tour of Kirk Elementary, one of the aging schools included in the bond measure.

If you have specific questions about the bond measure not answered on those pages, use the Let's Talk online form to submit your question and get an answer. Answers to the most commonly asked questions will be answered in a Bond Blog starting next week.

LWSD "Connections", 2/22

Muslim Community Resource Center joins Together Center Advocate Office in Redmond

Redmond is a progressive city....

The following article was found in Redmond Reporter online news  Feb 17, 2016 at 10:46AM

Beginning this week, the Muslim Community Resource Center (MCRC) began providing information and support at the Together Center, 16225 N.E. 87th St., Suite A-5, in Redmond. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday, MCRC volunteers will be available in Together Center’s Advocate Office off the lobby (Suite A-8).

MCRC is the channel for all “outbound good programs at the largest mosque in Western Washington — Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS),” said co-founder Khizer Sheriff.  “It provides a common platform for Muslim community service engagement, and it partners with like-minded faith-based organizations (Muslim and non-Muslim), city and local services, and assistance providers to serve community needs.”

The focus of MCRC is to connect those in need with relevant resources and service providers in the community. MCRC also provides direct services through volunteers, such as hot meals, and partners with other organization to direct people in need to appropriate services.

Sheriff noted, “While a number of our programs meet the specific needs of our Muslim community, our focus is larger. We harness the energies of mosques throughout the Eastside to connect those in need with relevant resources and service providers in our community.”

To make an appointment, call (425) 954-6271.

The Advocate Office is part of Together Center’s Front Door Services Program to ease access to finding help. Together Center created the office and supports the cost of the space so people seeking assistance will find more one-on-one support to get the assistance they need.

Together Center CEO Pam Mauk said, “Having MCRC on the campus makes their services much more available given our downtown location and easy transportation. The addition also allows their clients to tap services at the 20 agencies on Together Center’s campus.”

One of the first nonprofit multi-tenant centers in the nation, Together Center was designed first and foremost to lower barriers to finding help. Where east King County residents once needed to travel from Bothell to Renton or beyond to find help at individual locations, people from throughout the Eastside now find comprehensive assistance at one location in downtown Redmond.

Twenty agencies serve more than 25,000 people at each year at Together Center. Major on-campus agencies include HealthPoint (medical and dental clinics), Sound Mental Health, Child Care Resources, Friends of Youth and many more. To learn more about Together Center, call (425) 869-6699 or visit www.togethercenter.org.

Affordable Housing Council Endorses Lake Washington School District Bond Measure

"Master Builders Association Affordable Housing Council" Endorses Lake Washington, Issaquah and Everett School District Bond Measures

Bellevue, WA – The Affordable Housing Council (AHC) Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to endorse and provide financial support for the citizens’ campaigns backing the Lake Washington, Issaquah and Everett school districts’ bond measures that will be on the ballot in April.  Read More >>

LETTER: A solution to the traffic problem in Redmond

By Brent Schmaltz

I believe there is a solution to the traffic problem in Redmond. It involves widening Willows road to provide a bypass for users through Redmond. Each day Hwy 202 (Redmond–Woodinville Road) is jammed packed. Travelers that are simply going through Redmond have two choices to get to through. 202 or Willows. Both are single lane. 202 would be much more expensive to widen than Willows. Willows could easily be 4 lanes, with ample room for left and right turning lanes. In fact large parts of Willows are already 4 lanes. Read More >>

Hopelink to offer Financial Education classes at the Redmond library

Hopelink has started offering Financial Education classes in Redmond.  Classes are held on the 1^st and 3^rd of the month from 6 to 7:30 at the Redmond Library.  Topics include budgeting, banking, credit and risk management.   They are free and open to the public.  Their next class will be held on February 16^th. 

Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce explains District and Police response to recent threats

By Superintendent Traci Pierce

District, police response to recent threats

Over the last week, threatening notes were found in bathrooms in district schools. The threatening notes found at Juanita and Redmond High Schools resulted in the closure of those schools last Friday. Making threats against a school is a serious matter. A letter to Juanita high school staff and parents from Chief Hamilton of the Kirkland Police Department demonstrates the seriousness of these situations and how our police partners are responding. Police have not found any of the threats to be credible.

Threats and behavior that disrupts the orderly operation of a school are included in the district's serious misconduct and discipline code. Individual students who are found to have made make such threats may face serious school discipline and legal consequences. Both Juanita and Redmond High School students and staff will be making up the missed school day later in the year.  

As a community, we can all work together to keep students safe and prevent disruption of schools by talking to students about why this kind of behavior is unacceptable and has serious consequences.

Source:  LWSD "Connections"   

Education Hill Neighborhood Association's speaker for the March 3 meeting will answer questions on the design and costs of building of our schools

Interested or concerned about the costs of building new LWSD schools?

Come to the Ed Hill Neighborhood Assoc meeting on March 3. This is a great opportunity to meet up with your friends. Eric Campbell, a developer and member of the District Bond Committee will be taking questions on building designs, costs, etc.

Thursday, March 3, 7PM, Baptist Church on 166th. Any resident is welcome. Please RSVP at email edhilna@outlook.com.

Bob Yoder

NOTICE: Redmond Blog is now advocating for the LWSD bond measure

Thank you for reading my blog and posting your Letters!

My personal problems with the Bond measure have been resolved and I've recently endorsed it.  As a result, my blog is taking on an advocacy role..  Therefore,  I won't be publishing opposing Letters on the Bond measure until after the April Election.  

I'll still be publishing Letters on neighborhood issues other than the Bond measure.  Your COMMENTS are always welcome (below this post) if you have anything to say.     

 Thanks for visiting and for your Letters and news. 

Sincerely, 

Bob Yoder

City offers new tool to answer our questions about "What is Being Built in your Neighborhood".

Redmond, WA – The City is launching a new interactive project viewer that will help answer the question “What’s being built in your neighborhood?” The new viewer will display information about Capital Improvement Projects, Property Permits, and Land Use Actions around the City. To help you see information relevant to your needs, you can filter the information on the map by neighborhood, type of project and project phase (Design, Construction or Complete). By linking the project viewer to project information on the City’s website and our permitting software, customers can see detailed information on each project at a glance.

The goal of the viewer is to increase awareness of projects in the City and to inform and engage our citizens in development and construction activities. Check out the new interactive project viewer at http://gis.redmond.gov/cpv/

For questions and more information contact Steven Fisher, Planning Manager, at sfisher@redmond.gov or425.556.2432 or Jon Spangler, Engineering Manager, at jspangler@redmond.gov or 425.556.2823.

Saturday, February 13 Redmond Historical Society explores Redmond's first newspaper

Saturday, February 13th

Redmond’s Hometown Newspaper: History of the Sammamish Valley News

Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center

16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA.

$5 suggested donation for non-members

Speakers subject to change.

For details: www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

Founded in 1946 by Bob Bailie, the Sammamish Valley News was Redmond’s community newspaper until 1997.  Jeanne Gustafson, editor of the Redmond Historical Society newsletter, takes a trip back through time via the pages of Redmond’s 30-year newspaper, exploring what the paper can continue to illuminate through images and stories of the town and the people who recorded it.

LWSD School Board seeks funding for more schools, classrooms

Bond measure to be placed on April 26 ballot

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School district is growing rapidly. In fact, it has grown from the sixth largest district to the fourth largest district in the state since last year. The district has grown by over 3200 students in the last five years. That’s an average of over 625 students per year for the last five years, which is equivalent to five large elementary schools. Growth is projected to continue, reaching over 30,000 students by 2020-21 and over 32,000 students by 2029-30.

To meet these growing needs for classroom space, the district’s board of directors voted on January 25 to place a bond measure on the April 26 ballot. This measure, for $398 million in 20-year bonds, would fund the most immediate, high priority needs. The total tax rate will be maintained at the 2015 rate.

“Our district is at a critical point with regard to classroom space,” noted Board President Nancy Bernard. “Moving to all-day kindergarten and reducing class sizes thanks to new state funding increases our need for more classroom space. At the same time our enrollment continues to grow.”

The measure would build one new middle school and two new elementary schools and would rebuild and enlarge three schools (Juanita High School, Kirk and Mead Elementary Schools). It would also replace the Explorer Community School classrooms and refurbish the Old Redmond Schoolhouse for use by preschool classes.  Read More >>

The School Bond: Insight into LWSD's "Principles" for building cost-efficient schools

The School Board approved the 2016 Bond measure last night. There's been quite a bit of chatter about how future LWSD school buildings will be designed to be cost effective.  In my opinion, the District has more work to do to be specific and transparent about  cost savings derived from "rebuilds" and "remodels".  For instance, what are the specific savings derived from the "rebuild" of Kirk Elementary?  As you will note below, the District currently relies on "Principles" to express "specific cost savings".  I'm an advocate for the Bond measure but I think we need better information.  

Partly as a result of this situation, newly formed "Education Hill Neighborhood Association" (EdHNA) will be hosting Eric Campbell as a Speaker for their EdHNA March 3 meeting.   Eric has been involved in much of the effort around cost-effective design principles -- as a school Task Force Member and Bond Committee Member.  He was the owner of Kirkland based Camwest Development which has since been sold. Special thanks to the LW Citizens Levy Committee for lining up Eric.

As noted, the Task Force and District centers their report of building design savings around 7 "Design Principles", as follows:

1.  Aesthetics:  Emphasis is placed on aesthetics that are "pleasing and fit with neighborhood context but not on design awards".  A "consideration" is made that "limiting aesthetics on non-frontage sides could impact the 'look and feel' of schools to both students and neighbors."  "Specific Cost Savings" are "dependent on specific project/implementation of design principles."  That's it.

2.  Stacking Buildings:  Stacking "eliminates or minimizes 1-story designs."  "Specific Cost Savings":  " A cost study showed 3% savings for 3-story over two story buildings."

3. Efficient and Simple Design:  Buildings may be "designed in a more compact manner ie. Boxed shaped..."  "Specific Cost Savings" are "dependent of specific design, estimated to be 2-3%."

4. Grouping Multiple Projects To The Extent Possible:  "to consider combining together using the same design team."  "Specific Cost Savings":  "Potential 3-4% savings if two similar projects could be combined."

5. Accountability To Design Teams:  "The benefit is any required deviations from standards are vetted and approved."  (Other benefits are listed.)  "Specific Cost Savings": are "dependent on specific project/implementation of design principles".

6. Standards:  One of the "benefits is consistency among schools (replacement or new)".  "Specific Cost Savings": are "dependent on specific project/implementation of design principles."

7. Photo-Parts:  involves "re-using portions of design concepts across projects."  "Specific Cost Savings": are "dependent on specific project/implementation of design principles."

I hope some of you can make it to the March 3 meeting to hear Eric Campbell.  There may be time for Q&A.  Please RSVP so we can set up enough seats.  School Board Director Siri Bleisner is scheduled to speak briefly at the February 4th meeting.

The complete 257 page Task Force Document can be found here.  The building design recommendations reported above are located in Appendix F, Pages 64-65. My report contains only portions of the 7 Principles. Special thanks to LWSD Communications Director Kathryn Reith for her assistance in finding Appendix F.  

Bob Yoder

Notes:
From last night’s Board mtg – details each project, remodel vs rebuild assessments, school locations, etc. http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/About-Us/Study-Sessions/2016.01.25/Proposed-Bond-to-Reduce-Overcrowding-Enhance-Student-Learning-Environments-PPT.pdf

This is another great source of detail.  Talks about 2016 bond and those to follow.  Also details the design process improvements, etc.  http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/About-Us/Study-Sessions/2016.01.11/Proposed-Bond-to-Reduce-Overcrowding-and-Enhance-Student-Learning-Environments-PPT.pdf

Task Force Report – design principles begin on page 24

http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/News/Long-Term-Facilities-Planning-Task-Force/Recommentations_Report_Final.pdf 

City is offering the convenience of online utility bill payments

Redmond, WA - The City of Redmond is pleased to offer customers the convenience of online utility bill payments. With online bill pay, utility customers can:
     
     • Pay their utility bill with a Visa or MasterCard
     • View bill, current balance and due date
     • Access billing history, payments and charges
     • View historical consumption data
     • Elect to have only electronic bills

To sign up for online utility billing or make a payment, follow the instructions atwww.redmond.gov/ubonlinepayment. To access your account, you will need your full account number, plus the last name or business name on the account. Payments made by mail and via the automated phone system will continue to be accepted. 

For more information or to access the online utility billing system, go towww.redmond.gov/ubonlinepayment or call the Utility Billing Office at 425-556-2152. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov. 

RPD Attempts to Identify KKK Harassment Suspect

Man leaves KKK-type robe and rope at local business

Redmond, WA - On Jan 20th, 2016 at 5:45pm, Redmond Police responded to a local store near the 16000 block of Redmond Way when a store employee called to report they felt threatened. A white male, mid-20s, brown hair, 5'10'' with an athletic/stocky build, had entered their store and left behind items that resembled Ku Klux Klan items.   An employee and the store owner reported that he came into the store and offered to sell some clothes. The store purchased some articles from the customer.  After exhibiting some suspicious behavior, the man left the store and the staff noted that he left another bag behind. After looking through it, they found a white robe, white hood with eye holes, and a loose rope, all of which appeared to be items similar to those worn by the Ku Klux Klan. The store owner, who is black, believes this was a threat to herself.   Redmond Police is taking this incident very seriously and immediately started a thorough investigation. We have determined the robe has two patches on the back that resemble the "Blood Drop" symbol associated with the "KKK".   We are not aware of other incidents, but as a precaution, we have increased patrols in the area and are engaging closely with store employees.   We are currently attempting to identify the harassment suspect, depicted in this sketch pictured below. If you have information that may help with this investigation, or believe you know the identity of this man, please contact Detective D'Amico at 425.556.2669, email: nldamico@redmond.gov. We will release updates when appropriate.

Local basketball legend Lenny Wilkens to headline 2016 "Invest in Youth Breakfast"

BELLEVUE, WASH. — Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., Lenny Wilkens felt looked down upon when his struggling single mother took him and his siblings to free health care clinics.

“I never forgot that,” Wilkens told Forbes magazine in February 2015.

On March 24, the basketball legend will address nearly 1,000 community leaders and youth advocates at Youth Eastside Services’ annual Invest in Youth Breakfast. The event will be held from 7:30-8:45 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.  Read More >>

Proposed Redmond Zoning Amendments inspired by interactions with the city on the mosque project

LETTER:   I wanted to bring up something that may be of interest to you since I know you are advocating greater public involvement in the city decisions.

Last year I have submitted (on behalf of our group of neighbors) two amendments to Redmond Zoning Code.

First amendment was to require any allowed non-residential uses in residential areas to go through Conditional Use Permit, so that instead of non-elected bureaucrats in the city's planning department the new developments go through the city council and get decided by our elected representatives. That allows public better chance to participate.

Second amendment requested heigh overlay on the boundary of our neighborhood so that there is transition zone between office buildings on campus and residential area,

Both amendments were inspired by our interactions with the city on the mosque project (and I do believe should those have been in place the project may have been developed along different path).

Not surprisingly, City's Technical Committee recommends to deny the amendments on the grounds that a) Conditional Use Permit adds unnecessary burden on the applicant (for the first amendment) and b) OBAT height overlay may interfere with allowed uses in residential zone (for second amendments). Full reasoning is in the document at the link http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=177798

Planning Commission will have a public meeting to discuss the amendments and Technical Committee recommendations on February 10, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.  I'm planning proposals.

Thanks,

Eugene Z

Click here to Reply or Forward

Commentary: It's a good thing to have stand alone ER's in Redmond

Commentary by Johnathan Wilbourne:

I believe the free-standing ER's are in place to provide emergent care to those when time to care is critical, 10 minutes less without proper care in an ambulance can actually mean life or death in some cases.

I would argue that as population increases in such areas, those free-standing ER's create a perfect landing zone to build a medical center around an existing, well-known facility. In addition, the stand-alone ER's create a wise business incentive that can meet the needs of the community and the hospital network. Hospitals are a business. They must make money or at least break even.

They may be costly but nonetheless I would argue that there has been at least 1 life saved by each of these free-standing ER's.. 

How many lives does it take to justify the cost of building the facility?

Note:  This comment was published under a post about a Swedish Hospital stand-alone ER facility.  

Mayor and City Council to visit neighborhoods 4-6 times/year

UPDATED:  An exciting, uplifting presentation on the goals and progress of city communications was given by the city's Communications Manager Lisa Rhodes at last night's City Council Meeting.  Council President Hank Margeson was the acting Mayor in the absence of John Marchione.

The good news!  Two-way communication between the city and neighborhoods is improving by leaps and bounds.  Besides a recent update of the city website (check it out!) Rhodes reported the following communication improvements:

1) The city "is in the process of searching for a new Community Outreach Member to function as an ambassador with the community and hopefully enhance our 2-way communication."  This Member's responsibility will be to provide "PR and community outreach and engagement."

2) The Communications Department is in the planning stages for putting on a Community Outreach Roadshow!  Rhodes said "Four to six community meetings per year, focused on one or more key messages, are being planned so yourselves (council) and Mayor to communicate directly, face-to-face on a consistent basis with the community."  Council members Kim Allen and Hank Myers have been pushing for this for some time, and the Mayor has delivered.

Take a quick look at the city website and you'll notice important neighborhood information is now at your fingertips!  One of my favorites is "Issues and Questions" where you can get answers to your traffic concerns, drinking water issues, and more. (When in doubt don't by shy about contacting our city Ombudsman about anything that bothers you or things you're seeing in the city you like.)

Council Member David Carson had some very good questions about the city website during the meeting.  He asked Rhodes to include the email addresses of all city council members and key staff on the Staff Directory page. His concerns were about citizens wanting to "communicate something after hours."  Rhodes said she'd update it. Carson reported the website's Search Engine "is kinda awful."  Rhodes agreed and said they are working on it with a "revamp" hopefully by the summer.

Redmond's newest Council Member, Angela Birney suggested a more interactive webpage for our parks -- perhaps a place for maps, tennis court reservations, park area reservations, and the like.

Council Member Vice President Kim Allen touched on one of Education Hill neighborhood's key issues surrounding the city's rapid growth. Allen said "we're halfway there on my pet peeve for the website -- which is under the development tab.  How do people find out about land use actions?"  Rhodes said she'd fix the "development tab" right away.  Allen thanked Rhodes for her hard work saying, "One of the key focuses of the Council Retreat is going to be developing our own communication strategies."

Council Member John Stilin (can't remember his email address) was concerned about "civility" on social media sites.  Rhodes said her department is planning innovative online face-to-face webinars which is expected to help.

REGARDING TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION:  I'm excited to announce the new "Redmond Hill Neighborhood Association" (EdHNA),  It is in the forming stages and now holds monthly meetings at the Baptist Church on 166th Avenue.  You don't have to be a "member" to attend.  EdNHA is the brainstorm of activist Paige Norman.  Many, many thanks to Paige!  (She runs a good, fun meeting, too.)   Hank Myers, David Carson, Planning Commissioner Scott Biethan, Arts Commissioner Rob Levitt and Steve Fields participated in the first meeting along with about 25 other residents  All are welcome to the meetings.  Please RSVP here so we can set up enough chairs. EdHNA's new email address is:  edhillna@outlook.com

Bob Yoder

LETTER: Water main break on Redmond Way

LETTER:  With the news this morning (or late last night to be accurate) of the water main break at the west end of town on Redmond Way, and with the other water main break that occurred in November on Old Redmond Road between 140th and 148th, I'm wondering if this warrants a post or an inquiry to the city as to what they found to be causing these breaks.

Do we have a situation where our municipal water piping is nearing the end of its service life?  Corrosive water?  Iron-gnawing burrowing rodents?

Last night's water main break:

http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/365442181.html

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/emergency-roadwork-needed-after-redmond-water-main/np5n6/

Last month's water main break:

http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/358918091.html

By J.P Panesko

LW School District meets with Redmond Council on portables, traffic issues and bond uses

Last Tuesday the City Council scheduled a joint Study Session with LWSD to discuss overcrowding in our schools and how to fund for new schools. 

In the meeting, Superintendent Traci Pierce reported that the $398,000,000 April 26, 2016 Bond measure will fund:  1) a remodel or replacement and enlargement (RR) of Juanita HS, 2) a RR of Kirkland El, 3) a RR of Mead El, 4) a new middle school on Redmond Ridge, 5) a new elementary school in north Redmond on 172nd, 6) refurbishment of the Old Redmond School House for preschool space, 7) a modular replacement of Explorer school. 8) Rockwell El will not be remodeled or replaced on any Bond. Pierce said the Capital Funds Levy would cover maintenance.  The "ask" includes $21K from potential State construction funding and $10K from impact fees.

According to Assist Sup.Janine Forgard, the bonding schedule is intended to reduce and eliminate portables.  Councilmember (CM) John Stilin asked Traci Pierce "Do you own the portables and how are you going to re-purpose them? Could we relocate them in a park to be used as community centers?  Could they be retrofitted as housing? Could an organization like Hopelink pick it up?"  Pierce answered "We didn't really talk about this" but that the District does own the portables and "green portables" could be relocated if needed, though it's expensive.  She said they would "get rid" of the old portables. School Director Siri Bliesner mentioned one green portable is at Redmond MS and four are at Redmond El.  They are presently building a permanent six classroom wing at Redmond El and CM David Carson wanted to know what they were going to do with the green portables there.  The answer was vague.

Traffic:  CM Stilin asked for a study on how many hundred trips could be moved off of 166th once the new "Pope" elementary school on 172nd in north Redmond is built.  He thought the voters would be very interested in this.  School Director Bliesner said "the middle school on Redmond Ridge would help reduce traffic on the Avondale corridor".

Pierce said the proposed 2018 Bond ($288M) would fund:  1) an addition to Lake Washington HS, 2) a new elementary school in the Lake Washington Learning Community, 3) a remodel or replacement (RR) at Kamiakin MS, 4) Eastlake/Redmond Learning community Choice School, 5) a RR at Alcott El, 6) land, 7) Special Ed learning spaces.

The proposed 2022 Bond ($278M) would fund: 1) a Lake Washington Community Learning Center (LWCL) Choice school, 2) a new LWCL Elementary school, 3)  a new Redmond Learning Center elementary school, 4) a RR of Evergreen Middle School, 5) a preschool on the westside, 6) Special Ed learning space, 7) land.

The proposed 2026 Bond ($207M) would fund:  1) a Finn Hill middle school addition, 2) a RR at Smith Elementary school, 3) Special Ed learning space, 4) land.

Superintendent Pierce emphasized the present 2015 tax rates will not increase during the 2016-2026 bond funding period.

Bob Yoder

Note:  I updated an earlier opinion post on the District's bond schedule.  The proposed Bond in 2018 is $288M,  The total 2016-2026 Bond amount is $1171M.  Capital Project Levys are planned for 2018, 2022, and 2026.