Opinion: Redmond City Council has no policy valueing or addressing neighborhood services

OPINION:  As you can see below, the City of Kirkland is proud of their neighborhoods and recognizes their neighborhoods with a mission statement and an extensive neighborhood services program.  Why doesn't the City of Redmond have a mission statement for their neighborhoods, active neighborhood associations, and frequent, regular and organized Council/city staff meetings in their neighborhoods.

City legal costs with neighbors escalated from the Redmond Bike Park land use decision.  A neighborhood association could have smoothed communications and saved taxpayer money.
City-Neighborhood communications on the encampment ordinance was poor.  A neighborhood association, per Kirkland's model, could have improved dialogue and outcomes. School and city levy communications are restricted.

It appears the only in-neighborhood services the City of Redmond offers is a dormant "matching gifts program",council visits to those neighbors holding annual National Night Out parties, the fireman's Santa Christmas visit, Redmond Ready, the national CERT program and the Police Academy.  Other in-neighborhood services may be offered but they're scattered all over the city web-site and not readily found or known.

After the Marchione-Fields election the Marchione Administration appears to be reaching out to the neighborhoods with an April 28 Town Hall.  Lisa Rhodes, the city Communications Director announced a "two-way communications" initiative.  Several Education Hill residents are trying to form a neighborhood association, but the city is offering them no assistance or resources.

The city appears to have no interest in establishing formal neighborhood associations nor advocating for them.  A leader of the school district levy bond committee was looking for Redmond associations like Kirkland's but we have none to offer.  For years Mayor Marchione has been aware of Kirkland's associations (his mother is a Kirkland councilmember) but hasn't been empowered by Council to form them.  Council has no policy that addresses neighborhood services.  

Read More about Kirkland's neighborhood mission statement and neighborhood services >>

CrossFit Hosts CPR/AED event with Redmond Firefighters.

If residents are interested in emergency preparedness and CPR/AED training, they can participate in a Redmond Ready Day community class on May 21 at Fire Station 17. Please visit www.redmond.gov/ready to register online. The cost is $25 for the materials.

Redmond, WA - More lives are saved when the general public is trained in CPR and the proper use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Jason Kingsbury survived a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) last fall because his friends knew CPR, recognized it as cardiac arrest, and knew how to use an AED. This inspired Jason and his wife, Theresa, to organize a CPR/AED training day at CrossFit Fuse in Redmond.

“I was lucky that Arena Sports had an AED that was clearly identified and available,” said Jason Kingsbury. “When I collapsed on the indoor soccer field that night, my friends immediately began CPR and shocked me with that AED. I don’t remember much of that night, but I do know that without having that AED along with friends who knew CPR that I probably wouldn’t be here today.”

The Kingsburys and Crossfit members realized this emergency could have just as easily happened at their workout facility so, with the support of CrossFit Fuse Redmond, they instituted CPR training and purchased an AED. The Kingsburys worked with Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Paul Atkinson, who organized a team of Redmond Firefighters to join CrossFit Fuse member on Saturday, March 12, 2016, for their Work out of the Day (WOD), and then they taught a CPR/AED class.

“It was really great to work out with Jason and Theresa,” stated Redmond Firefighter Atkinson. “I responded to Jason’s SCA at Arena Sports and arrived after his friends had provided CPR and defibrillation. Ever since his SCA, Jason and his wife have worked really hard to raise awareness and to promote CPR and AED training. I was extremely glad to help them provide this CPR/AED outreach.”

Take a virtual tour of the District's aging schools

Take a virtual tour of our aging schools; community meetings coming soon

LWSD has posted videos of the schools that would be rebuilt and enlarged if the April 2016 bond passes.    

• Tour Juanita High School 
• Tour Kirk Elementary School 
• Tour Mead Elementary School

Four upcoming community meetings are a chance to learn more about the district's April 2016 bond measure and the projects it would fund. The four meetings will take place: 

• March 22, Juanita High School cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
• March 23, Redmond High School cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
• March 29, Lake Washington High School commons, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
• April 13, Eastlake High School commons, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

More information on the bond measure is also available at http://www.lwsd.org/news/2016-bond.

Source:  "Connections"  3/18

OPINION: City of Redmond's Far-reaching Encampment Ordinance, A Regional Leader In Tent Cities?

In the April 12, 2016 Study Session Council decided to limit stays at each site to 120 days to ensure Ed Hill will not be burdened with year-round encampments. Each hosting church will have three stays with 12 months between stays for a time uncertain for each permit.  A Council Hearing will be scheduled in the near future to address organizer background checks and service provider access to the camps.

An in depth article on tent encampments in the Redmond Reporter's March 11, 2016 edition, attracted six Redmond citizens to speak at Redmond's  "Items from the Audience" in Council's March 15,2016 business meeting. (Click to watch the video)/All had safety and quality of life concerns about Council's proposed amendment to the ordinance.

Noticeably absent during the March 15 Items were ordinance advocates.  One can assume tent city advocates had been adequately heard by the Planning Commission and Council and they were fully confident the ordinance would pass.

The amendment will significantly increase the presence of camps in Redmond with potential for year-round encampments on Education Hill.  Camp stays will increase from 4 months to 6 months and stays can occur six months per year for the next five years. St Jude and Redwood Family Church are the only churches that host Redmond encampments and they are both on Education Hill.

Eastside Republican Club announces scholarship essay program

EASTSIDE REPUBLICAN CLUB ANNOUNCES 2016 SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY PROGRAM

Do you know a young person in need of additional money for college? The Eastside Republican Club (ERC) will award a $1,000 scholarship to the author of the first place essay, a $750 scholarship to the author of the second place essay, and a $500 scholarship to the author of the third place essay, as determined by the Club’s judges, submitted on the following topic:

“Which national political personality, in or out of the current presidential race, best represents your principles and ideals, and why?”    Read More >>

Woodblock restaurant Grand Opening March 18

There’s a new restaurant on the block in Redmond.

Opening March 18, Woodblock will focus on seasonal fare sourced locally. With snacks like Herb Roasted Olives, to small plates like heirloom carrots with maple syrup, to entrees like braised oxtail butternut squash risotto, Woodblock has something on the menu for everybody.

The bar will have a wide selection of spirits, especially from local distilleries like Sun Liquor, Woodinville Whiskey, and Oola.

The 2,300 square foot space has 76 seats, with 12 seats at the bar. The interior features woven pendant lamps, a bar made out of reclaimed Douglas fir, and a custom piece of woodcut art by Charles Spitzack, a homage to the name Woodblock.

Woodblock, located on Cleveland Street in the Old Town Lofts, is the long-time dream of now first-time restaurant owners Carolyn and Tony Scott.

The Scotts are Redmond residents and wanted to create a restaurant that would be comfortable as well as a good place for a date, family dinner, or just a bite at the bar with friends. It’s conveniently located next to the Connector Trail and near the forthcoming Redmond Central Park.

“Carolyn and I met 20 years ago working at The Painted Table in Seattle,” said Tony. “Opening our own restaurant has always been a long-held dream of ours — and the timing was finally right.”

Woodblock will be open 4-11 p.m. daily and until 12 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is daily from 4-6 p.m. in the bar, and there will be a late night menu from 10 p.m. to close.

Woodblock is located at 16175 Cleveland St. in Redmond.

425 Magazine, 3/8

25% of Redmond residents are non-citizens and can't vote on the Bond Measure

Vote ‘yes’ — Supporting the school district bond | Letters to Redmond Reporter

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• Redmond Reporter, 3/11/ at 11:11AM

• I’m a Lake Washington School District (LWSD) parent, and I’m supporting the school district bond that will come before voters on April 26.

For the bond to pass it requires a minimum of 40 percent registered voters who cast ballots in the last general election to vote, and a 60 percent “yes” vote.

As a permanent resident awaiting citizenship, I pay residential taxes for local government services, but I am unable to vote. As I look at the demographics in our rapidly growing school district today, I believe a significant proportion of the LWSD parents are in this same situation (about 25 percent population in Redmond are non-citizens).

In light of this, for a successful bond, we need every eligible voter who supports the bond, to cast a ballot and vote “yes.” Because if you assume the 60 percent “yes” vote will be attained from school parent volunteers, who understand the need for the bond incontrovertibly, you may be miscalculating, because a large percentage of us can’t vote.

Please vote “yes” for our children and schools.

Alice O’Brien

Redmond

Councilman Hank Myers asks for your support during his Polar Plunge fundraiser

Each year the Redmond Police Department sponsors the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Washington.  It is this weekend, and a lot of hearty souls will voluntarily go into the snow-fed waters of Lake Sammamish (90% chance of rain and thunderstorms). 

Except for Hank…he has no choice.  Two of Redmond’s finest will assure he participates, and none of this “run in really quickly and come back out” stuff.  Straight off the dock into 10’ deep water, and then swim back.

Go to http://redmondplunge2016.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1148273&lis=1&kntae1148273=5ED9405770164E39B100EFEB2ED2E8CC&supId=416463342, donate now, and after the event you will get video proof.  You win, Special Olympics wins, and for once there will be proof that I am all wet.  Feel free to forward this email.

Thank you for your generous support-

Hank Myers

Redmond City Council

EvergreenHealth leases 20,000 sf of commercial space in Kenmore

At a groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday (October 16, 2015), MainStreet Property Group LLC revealed their vision for a new mixed-use project across from City Hall (in Kenmore). The LINQ at Spencer Square will feature 94 modern residential flats and lofts, along with approximately 20,000 square feet of commercial space leased to Kirkland-based EvergreenHealth.

EvergreenHealth’s plan for the space will serve as gateway for patients to gain access to an integrated network of primary, specialty, urgent, and emergency care services. When the building opens, EvergreenHealth will move its Kenmore primary care practice from its current location to the LINQ, increasing the practice’s footprint and adding more capacity for specialty care.

Source:  http://www.downtownkenmore.org/#!LINQ-at-Spencer-Square/cu6k/562138ee0cf2c6c643787460

Bob Yoder

Council Taking Comments On Controversial Tent Encampment Ordinance

NOTICE!  Re: the Redmond Zoning Code Amendment: Temporary Use Regulations for Encampments

"The Council will be discussing the revised ordinance during the New Business section of the April 5 regular business meeting prior to taking any action at that meeting. We are accepting public input by phone, email or a face to face meeting, if that is preferred right up until that meeting, where we are anticipating a vote."

~ Kim Allen, Redmond City Councilmember, Ombudsperson for March

The proposed tent encampment ordinance is a controversial amendment that will affect our neighborhoods and downtown for years to come.  Under the ordinance, tent encampments will be allowed to be sited at St Jude's and Redmond Family Church for a six month duration,at a frequency of six months per year,on a five year permit costing $1000.  

Five years is a long time for the St. Jude encampment site -- smack in the middle of four LWSD schools in the Education Hill middle class neighborhood.  In Council's last Study Session I was relieved to learn they were interested in formulating rules and regulations for the two organizing groups, ShareWheel and Camp Unity. Councilman David Carson recommended rules so the homeless residents could have better access to human services and job resources.  ShareWheel has been uncooperative in this regard.  I assume these new rules and regulations will be part of the Revision but our city Ombudsman wouldn't share specifics.

I plan to speak at Items from the Audience at Council's 7:30pm, March 15 meeting.  I hope other neighbors will show up too -- pro and con.  Yesterday, I emailed mayorcouncil@redmond.gov recommending the following ordinance revision.

I  recommend Council approves a 6-year permit for host churches and keep the frequency of encampments to every 2 or 3 years....not every year. Keep the duration at six months.  Increasing duration AND frequency at the same time hasn't been done anywhere in King County.  We are sticking our neck out too far, too fast.  Increasing duration is far more valuable than frequency because it brings stability to ALL -- the homeless, the community, and more reliable human resource & police services.

Redmond already has a growing youth homeless problem in the Downtown. Increasing the frequency to every year, will draw in the adult homeless from outside communities, counties and states because they will learn our "schedule."  Yes, homelessness has become an area-wide problem and we "must do our fair share."  But, isn't increasing the duration to six months a wonderful start?  That alone puts Redmond as the encampment leader area-wide.

Overall, we are focusing too much attention and community resources on encampments and not enough on permanent adult shelters. Bellevue,  Kirkland and Woodinville have shorter duration and frequencies and two of these cities are working on permanent adult shelters. I watch the Council meetings almost every week. I can't recall them ever discussing plans for a permanent adult shelter in Redmond.  

Bob Yoder

CC:  Redmond Reporter
Mayor & City Council

Local Sports Stars to Speak At Lake Washington Schools Foundation Spring Events

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation announced speakers for its annual spring fundraising events this morning. Former Seattle Seahawk and Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Jones is the highlighted speaker for the Spring for Learning Luncheon on April 20th

Seahawks as left tackle. He was the first-team selection of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000’s. Following the 1999 season, Jones became the first offensive lineman in Seahawks history to be elected to the Pro Bowl. Jones has two students in the Lake Washington School District.

Seattle Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid will speak at the Spring for Learning Breakfast scheduled for April 27th. Sigi is the winningest coach in MLS history. Since 1999, Schmid’s teams have won 11 major titles, including two MLS Cups. Schmid is a member of both the National Soccer and UCLA Hall of Fame.  Read More >>

What can we learn from the 2007 St. Jude's encampment?

In 2007 alcohol and substance abuse were forbidden by ShareWheel.  TC4 evictions for alcohol and disorderly conduct are enacted by tent city residents, WheelShare staff, and parishioners; that was the **policy** in 2007.  During eviction, the police department was rarely, if ever, called to assess the evicted for health & safety needs, counseling, escort, or even incarceration.  The evicted were simply sent to a bus stop. I strongly recommend a policy where the police be called in during evictions so professional, objective assessment can be taken. Yes, police intervention may cost taxpayers more money short term, but it is safer for citizens, more humane for the afflicted and probably more cost effective long term.  Read More >>

Please vote "yes" for the April 2016 School Bond Measure

As a 33 year resident and parent living on a fixed income on Education Hill, my wife and I had a hard time stomaching the one billion dollar 2014 combined school bond measures -- even if it meant our house would increase in value. We were very concerned about our property taxes drastically going up and the district's record of building posh schools.  Of course our schools were seriously overcrowded in 2014. Today, overcrowding has reached crisis levels.      

When Superintendent Pierce announced the $398 million April 2016 bond measure we found it digestible and our concerns about property taxes and expensive schools were addressed, as follows:  1) The measure will maintain 2015 tax rates! 2) Seven principles for designing practical, cost effective schools will be implemented.  And yes, the severe overcrowding will be tackled by building three new schools with increased capacity AND rebuilds/enlargements at Juanita HS, Mead, and Kirkland Elementary Schools -- all for the price of $398 million. 

Eric Campbell -- a Kirkland parent and developer -- described the District's 7 principles for building practical, cost effective schools at a recent Education Hill neighborhood meeting.  Some of the highlights:  1) the district will save money by eliminating or minimizing 1-story designs, 2) aesthetics will be pleasing but not based on Award-winning architectural designs. and 3) buildings will be designed in a more compact manner i.e box/cube.  New schools will be cost-effective and practical while providing teachers and students the space they need to learn and thrive!

If you'd like an added "push" this April, the measure calls for a new elementary school in North Redmond that is expected to reduce morning and dismissal traffic congestion on 166th Avenue (since many of the Rockwell students will go to the new school.)  Also, if the proposed Middle School on Redmond Ridge is built, some traffic mitigation is likely on the Avondale corridor. 

Please vote "yes" on the April 2016 Bond measure!

Bob Yoder

Redmond Historical Society March meeting features speaker David Hansen

Saturday, March 12th,10:30am, Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Ctr

The National Coast Defense System and the Fortification of Puget Sound, 1894-1925

David M. Hansen

Author of “Battle Ready: The National Coast Defense System and the Fortification of Puget Sound, 1894-1925”

In 1894, Puget Sound was added to the national coast defense system and became one of the most heavily fortified harbors in the United States.  Invisible from the sea, concrete fortifications at the mouth of Admiralty Inlet held powerful cannon.  Today, three state parks- Forts Casey, Flagler and Worden – present a range of concrete structures and historic buildings that serve as reminders of a unique chapter in U.S. military and Pacific Northwest history. Author David Hansen presents the national context, as well as many fascinating details and photos about the designs, innovations, and frustrations that were part of implementation as well as the experience of serving in the fortifications during the period of their greatest importance. A must program for fans of military history!

Relax over a cup of coffee at the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series, a monthly program from September to May that features eight speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest. (No program in December). The series is held 10:30am – noon at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA.  

Aegis presents free Brain Health Seminars in March

Aegis at Marymoor proudly presents two free Brain Health and Caregiver Seminars in March.  Refreshments will be served.  RSVP’s are greatly appreciated.  Please call 425-497-0900 or joan.rettmann@aegisliving.com.  Both events are located at Aegis at Marymoor:  4585 W Lake Sammamish Parkway NE   Redmond, WA  98052.

 Holistic Medicine: Impacts on Aging and Memory

Presented by Dr. Rahul Khurana, MD Board Certified in adult psychiatry with an emphasis in geriatrics.

Caring for an elderly loved one? Bring your questions and curious minds to discover the role of psychotherapy and medicines. Plus, hear new research about what blood tests can reveal. 

Tuesday, March 15^th 6pm

  

Conventional Curative Medicine or Palliative Care?

Presented by Darrell Owens, DNP, ARNP

UW Medicine Director of the Outpatient Palliative and Supportive Care Services

How to understand the care continuum and the best timing for curative, palliative and hospice care for your loved one.

Wednesday, March 16^th 6pm

UPDATED: Learn about LWSD bond measure at upcoming community meetings

Redmond, Wash. –  Lake Washington School District is growing. The district has grown by over 3200 students in the last five years. It has grown from the sixth largest district to the fourth largest district in the state in one year.  To meet these growing needs for classroom space, the district’s board of directors voted 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.

Four upcoming community meetings are a chance to learn more about the bond measure and the projects it would fund. The four meetings will take place:

·         March 23, Redmond High School cafeteria,  6:30-8:00 pm

·         March 22, Juanita High School cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 pm

·         March 29, Lake Washington High School commons, 6:30-8:00 pm

·         April 13, Eastlake High School commons, 6:30-8:00 pm

More information on the bond measure is also available at www.lwsd.org/news/2016-bond

City invites community to Open House on the Downtown Park and the Two-Way Street Conversion (Redmond Way/Cleveland)

Redmond, WA - Redmond businesses and residents are invited to a community open house highlighting two, upcoming public construction projects in Downtown Redmond. 

The open house will be Thursday, March 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.at the Red160 Apartments located at 16015 Cleveland Street. There will not be a formal presentation, but guests can view displays about the projects and visit with project staff. Read More >>

UPDATED: Redmond Council considers increasing duration and frequency of neighborhood homeless encampments, lowering permit costs

After a unanimous recommendation by the Planning Commission, the City Council is now considering increasing the duration and frequency of neighborhood homeless encampments and lowering permit costs.  So far, surrounding cities don't appear as accommodating to encampments. According to staff and/or commissioners, Redmond is taking a "leadership role."

Encampment duration is proposed to increase from 4 months to 6 months. Encampments are proposed for six months each year at each site (eg.St Jude's Parish) on a five year permit.  My family lives 1/4 mile from St. Jude's Parish so it's probable our quality of life will be affected.  St. Jude encampments are located caddy-corner to Redmond Middle School.

The Redmond Reporter has not reported on this development.  I posted an encampment discussion on two Education Hill Facebook Groups. Only a few (of hundreds) chatted about the specifics of Council's proposed ordinance. Most chatted about the pros and cons of Ed Hill encampments and in general it was hard conclude where the community stood.   .

 Council's encampment deliberations during their February 23 meeting are found in this video:  http://redmond.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=698are.

The subject is not on Council's March 1 meeting agenda.  The public can still influence Council's decision by writing to them at:  MayorCouncil@redmond.gov or attending their next business meeting and speaking at Items. They are presently trying to decide how to regulate and set rules for the encampment orgainizers (Share/Wheel and Camp Unity.)

Opinion, Bob Yoder

Planning Commission Report:  Explanation of proposed Temporary Use Permit, amendment, Public comments, noticing, etc.
http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=177760

CC:  Redmond Reporter

Education Hill Neighborhood Association (EdNHA) has busy agenda for Thursday, March 3rd meeting

Education Hill Neighborhood Association (EdHNA) has a busy agenda for this Thursday, March 3. The meeting begins around 6:45PM at the Baptist Church on 166th. Though Paige Norman hasn't formally posted the agenda on the EdNHA Facebook Board the following is scheduled: 

1)  a presentation by Eric Campbell (developer and member of the LWSD bond committee) about school building designs and specific building costs. Two school board members will be present. The Levy Committee engagement organizer will be present.  Q&A.  

2)  Review and potential revision of the association's draft Mission Statement and Values Statement for adaption. (See below)

The proposed statements:

The purpose of the Education Hill Neighborhood Association (EdHNA) is to empower residents by providing a forum to jointly promote and advocate for:
- A high level of civic engagement and participation by its residents on issues that impact the Education Hill neighborhood
- Active, continual and effective communications and conversations between EHDNA residents and community officials
- A positive quality of life within the community to include items related to: diverse and inclusive community building, safety, growth management, and neighborhood improvements

The Education Hill Neighborhood Association (EdHNA) operates using the following values:
- Encourage and enable citizen education and participation via meetings and online discussion opportunities
- Represent all viewpoints, not just the majority, when engaging city and county government officials
- Communicate civilly and politely between members
- Provide a bridge to improve transparency and trust between the community and the city officials
o Improve timeliness, discoverability, and clarity in process and decision making

Bob Yoder

Tosh Creek Restoration to bring back larger populations of salmon, reduce flooding

The Tosh Creek Watershed Restoration is quite a large scope of work. The six projects that make it up, are scheduled for completion by 2019.  Here's a clip from the City of Redmond website that lists the benefits:

Completion of the projects identified by this plan will:

• Reduce flooding in the neighborhood
• Prevent erosion in Tosh Creek
• Reconstruct stream channel segments to improve fish habitat
• Remove invasive vegetation and re-plant bare portions of the stream buffer
• Repair damaged stormwater pipes to avoid future flooding problems 

Ultimately, the combined suite of projects proposed in the Tosh Creek Restoration Plan will restore the ecological health of the stream, bringing back larger populations of Coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and other fish. This healthy stream will be a valuable asset for our community for generations to come! 

Letter by John Reinke

UPDATED: Mayor, Council to hold Town Hall in April

Mayor and Council to hold a Town Hall at Audubon Elementary on Thursday, April 28.. Reception at 6:00. Town Hall Meeting 6:30 to 7:30.

Bring questions about the city and your neighborhood.

For details or to confirm email mayorcouncil@redmond.gov

Bob Yoder

Source:  RCTV and City Communications Director

Lake Washington LINKS program has three new volunteer opportunities

The LINKS program has three new volunteer opportunities! If you’re not currently matched with a volunteer opportunity or you’re looking for new opportunities, one of these might be appealing to you! We’re looking for:

1.       10 Lunch Buddy mentors for students at Rush Elementary located at 6101 152^nd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.

2.       Health Room Volunteers for Einstein Elementary located at 18025 NE 116^th St., Redmond, WA 98052. The school is looking for volunteers for one hour, once a week. The times they’re looking for help are T, W, and Th 10:15 -1:15. A 40 minute training session is required.

3.       Academic mentors in math and science for students at LWHS and RHS.

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, please respond to:   nwehr@lwsd.org 

Chris Robison

LWSD Volunteer Coordinator

P.O. Box 97039

Redmond, WA 98052

Nanci Wehr

LINKS Volunteer Program Coordinator

Lake Washington School District

nwehr@lwsd.org

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