Superintendent Jon Holmen Reaches Out To Community

Superintendent Jon Holmen, PhD.

More than ever I want to stress the importance of kindness, acceptance, empathy and grace. Each of us has been affected by the global health crisis differently. As an organization, we are acutely aware of the challenges that many in our community have faced and are currently facing. As a leadership team, we are taking every action possible to advocate for funding and supports that will provide real-time help to our community as well as long-term support that will allow us to return to in-person experiences when conditions allow. As we start this year; we must be thoughtful and considerate of those around us and, particularly, those that have been most impacted by COVID-19. Our kindness, acceptance, empathy and grace allow us to create stronger community bonds while possibly allowing those around us the space to work through their difficulties. 

I wish you the best as we start the 2020-21 school year. 

Excerpt from "Connections," 8/31/2020

EvergreenHealth Continues Care

ERRATIC Art Relocation Costs A Million Dollars

"As shown on the spreadsheet we provided, the total (city) cost to relocate the Erratic Artwork, including landscaping, was $486,756.  Sound Transit has agreed to pay for all the relocation costs up to $576,300."

Regards,

Tess

Tess Wilkinson

CIP Coordinator

City of Redmond

425-556-2434

8/18/2020

Total costs for the relocation is $1,060,054 including land.  The original construction cost for this ERRATIC art was  $155,000.  The art was relocated because it was built too close to the light rail easement! It's new location is south of the Matador near Leary.  Residents pay taxes to Sound Transit so there is no free lunch here.  Bob Yoder, 8/29

Redmond Fire Chief Smith was paid 95k to resign, agreed not to disparage city employees

https://kuow.org/stories/redmond-fire-chief-smith-was-paid-95k-to-leave-department-agreed-not-to-disparage-city-employees?fbclid=IwAR17xs0niw0CU6xCfyI1SWt1g47LiYwQeC8VPqEc3R8-ZJusB9fOWjBNHgk

• By: Ashley Hiruko AUG 27, 2020 at 11:52 AM
• KUOw  NPR

Five Of Twelve Letter-Sorting Machines At Redmond Post Office Dismantled

Councilmember and activist Virasha Khan reported on Twitter that 5 or 12 letter sorting machines at the Redmond Post Office were removed or dismantled.  This news created a flurry of comments and reactions on a Redmoned Facebook site....most about Trump trying to slow voting in November.

Source:  KUOW, 8/19/2020:  https://www.kuow.org/stories/nearly-half-of-mail-sorting-machines-in-seattle-area-already-dismantled?fbclid=IwAR2rNffu9mnMcQJ3fH7oYlH1mmw3nkn-tuT02IQE2G593ZsHEWLl6ZtPuO4

UPDATED: The APPWW Muslim Hate Group To Be Exposed

Join us for a VIRTUAL FORUM exposing the group "Alliance for Persecuted People Worldwide" (APPWW), which has been promoting anti-Muslim hate and bigotry, even as it masquerades as a human rights organization. Over 130 local and national organizations have issued a Public Statement condemning the hate promoted by APPWW and its leaders. Read that here www.tinyurl.com/APPWWStatement, with supporting documentation here www.tinyurl.com/APPWWAppendix.

Over 200 individuals, including elected officials like King County Executive Dow Constantine, have also condemned the hate promoted by this group and its leaders. You can sign here too: www.tinyurl.com/WeCondemnAPPWW. THE SIGN-IN DOESN'T WORK.

This group presented to the City of Redmond in March 2020, seeking funding, partnership and support; and the Redmond Council President -- even after hearing community concerns about this group in June -- participated in APPWW's July event (the same event where four other panelists withdrew).

In early August, over 300 community members reached out to the City of Redmond seeking a statement condemning the hate promoted by APPWW and its leaders, affirming that no funds or support will be provided to APPWW, and seeking an explanation and apology from the Council President for her participation in an event by this group. Tanika was not a panelist....just an observer.

Masks Encouraged At Idylwood Park

Janeen Olsen (Redmond Fire) and two CERT volunteers are handing out free masks at Idylwood Park on 8/15. By 2 pm about 18 masks were given to Redmond residents and 18 outside the City. They will give out free masks at Overlake Church on 8/16.

Sign at Idylwood Park, on a weekday morning.  On Saturday at 2pm when the temperature was 85
there was adequate space for physical distancing.  I felt safe.

Beware Of Crowded Parks

Tuesday, 8/11/2020 at Idylwood Park with Pam.  To date, the City hasn't had to close a park

The City was giving away masks this Saturday.  By 2 PM, (80 degrees) according to a Fire Dept. employee 18 Redmond residents picked up masks and about 18 from outside the City picked them up.  

Redmond Saturday Market Has Moved

Redmond Saturday Market is now located in Parking Lot D of Overlake Christian Church on Willows Road: Overlake Christian Church, Parking Lot D 9900 Willows Road NE, Redmond, WA 98052 Our hours are Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Expected Vendors for August 15th

At this time, the vendor categories that are allowed in King County are: Fresh produce, shelf stable food, pre-packaged temperature stable food, pre-arranged cut flowers and plants, and handmade crafts 850 visitors attended today.  6 events have already occured; The last event will be mid-October.

COVID - 19 Emergency Management Framework

COVID - 19 Review, Study Session, 8/11/2020, meeting memo

Emergency Management Framework.

The two primary goals in emergency management are to support the City of Redmond and to establish and maintain a comprehensive process for conducting business before, during, and after an emergency event.

Specific activities associated with mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery are described in Redmond’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) which is available on the City’s website. (For over 5 years there had been no updated pandemic plan.)

COVID-19 Emergency Management Efforts:  In late December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases was reported in China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the cause in January 2020. Evidence of human-to-human transmission was confirmed in late January, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Redmond Emergency Response Division of the Fire Department monitored events closely during January. In February, efforts were underway to ensure that first responders took appropriate precautions when caring for patients exhibiting signs of respiratory illness and that the health of the first responders was continuously monitored. These steps were based on best practices and on experience gained from SARS and MERS outbreaks.

$526,284 Funded For Environmental Sustainability Program

The Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP or Plan) creates a 30-year roadmap for Redmond’s environmental sustainability work. It was developed through robust stakeholder engagement and builds on the 2014 Climate Action Implementation Plan and Environmental Initiative of the Community Strategic Plan, as well as integrates best practices from climate and sustainability planning documents. The Plan also aligns with the updated King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) Letter of Joint Commitments signed by the Mayor on May 19, 2020. During that meeting, staff and the City’s technical consultant reviewed the Plan’s key strategies and actions, the monitoring and reporting framework, and the approach to Plan implementation. The July 14, 2020, Study. Councilmembers posed several questions, and Council requested a second Study Session to review the Online Open House feedback and the associated proposed changes to the draft Plan.

$526,284 was included in the 2019-2020 biennial budget for the City’s Environmental Sustainability Program. This funding was used to hire a consultant that assisted the City in developing the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan and to hire an Environmental Sustainability Program Manager. Costs to implement the Plan will be dependent on future budget actions.

Council Study Session, 8/11/2020 /Memo excerpts

The State Of The Senior and Community Center

Council will make a final decision on the Senior and Community Center in early September.  Below is some interesting information on progress to date:

• The final recommendation from the Stakeholder Group Summary is to construct a 40,000 square foot Community Center with designated program space for seniors on the site of the existing Redmond Senior Center. This new facility is being referred to as the Redmond Senior and Community Center. 
• The proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2021-2026 outlines the priorities for the next six years. The Redmond Senior and Community Center is a top priority with $20 million designated for this project in the CIP and an additional $25 million in tax revenue (previously raised) for a total project budget of $45 million. This proposal is subject to City Council approval.
• At the June 23 City Council Study Session, City Council voted to authorize the Mayor to decommission and demolish the Redmond Senior Center building. City staff will move forward with an RFQ process to seek bids to move forward with this work. This decision will save $180,000 in one year and significant staff time. In addition, decommissioning the building in the dry season will be more efficient than waiting until next winter.

-- redmond.gov, July, 2020

Monofilament Fishing Line Recycling Container For Idylwood Park

Internet photo

During "Council Talk Time," at the end of the 8/4/2020 Regular Business meeting, Councilmember David Carson said it's common birds, fish and turtles can get caught in monofilament fishing line and die.  He noted Idylwood Park has a monofilament recycling container.  I couldn't find it even when looking in the fishing areas of Idylwood Creek shoal.  I've seen Asian fishermen there frequently.  The WSDFW doesn't have any requirements for recycling containers. I'll report this to the City at Info@Redmond.gov.

-- Bob Yoder

Tour de Redmond 2020 - Bike Back To Redmond And Support Local Businesses

 Ride your bike back to Redmond and support local Redmond businesses with this year’s Tour de Redmond’s community bicycle challenge and weekly scavenger hunt! This year’s Tour de Redmond will be held from September 1-30. Registration is open!

Organized by the Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association,  Redmond's advocate for better streets, trails, and transit, the bike challenge is open to employees, commuters, and residents of all ages and abilities!

The Tour de Redmond is all about encouraging new people to try getting around on two wheels. Create a team of up to 10 of your friends, family, or colleagues. For each day one of your team members rides, you’ll get a point. Participants of the teams with the most points at the end of September will be entered for rewards at local Redmond businesses.

Prefer a different pace? Join our weekly photo scavenger hunt challenge on four scenic trails across Redmond featuring local businesses and Redmond's new trails and light rail.

Learn more and register here - https://grtma.org/tour-de-redmond-2020/. 

Parklets Are A Resounding Success

Redmond Bar and Grill (RBG) was the first restaurant permitted with a "streatery" (or parklet.)  Their  monthly sales increased 30-40%.  Nine other restaurants have applied for a parklet.  They are getting grants to pay for the permits. My guess is the grants are coming from One Redmond.  The WoodBlock restaurant now has extended their seating along the restaurant sidewalk.

The owner of the RBG is taking upon himself to help those applying for a permit.

-- Source: Regular Council Business meeting, 8/5/2020

Preparation Begins On Downtown Light Rail Extension

Beginning this week, you’ll see crews working along eastbound SR 520 between NE 40th Street and West Lake Sammamish Parkway. This work will create a haul road in anticipation of clearing and grading the construction zone in the fall to extend light rail to Downtown Redmond. http://ow.ly/YKXD50AQZeM  - Facebook, 8/5/2020

LWSD Should Cut Expenditures During Remote Learning

It's only logical, the cost of teaching will (and should) be lower during remote learning and adjustments should be made.  A quick fix is to furlough non-essential workers like instructional assistants, librarians, medical assistants and secretaries. The money saved could be applied to food, the disabled, mental health care, computers...

In addition, nine Associate Directors were recently promoted to Directors. (annual pay $167,060.)  Three Directors were promoted to "Executive Directors" (annual pay $188,835.)  Do away with the promotions until remote learning ends.

IT administrators are invaluable in remote learning.  A new Assistant Superintendent ($196, 703) and her three Directors with their support team should carry the load.  

It would be interesting to learn who in the Administration works with the teaching software. The programs could be expensive.

-- Bob Yoder, opinion

Virtual Seafair Event

Can you see the two Hydros?

During my morning walk down 104th, four truck-mounted Hydros passed by.  As I passed Redmond High I saw about eight hydros parked in the lot.  I went home to get my camera and by the time I got back they had already departed.  So my wife and I caught up in our car and followed them  -- downtown to Willows and through the Kirkland waterview neighborhoods. We actually joined in on the parade, with emergency lights blinking and waves to the families. The kids really got into it.  Everyone had fun.

This virtual Seafair event couldn't have been better. 

-- Bob Yoder
   Photo by Pam Yoder

EvergreenHealth Named Best In The Region

EvergreenHealth Named Among Best In Region For Third Consecutive Year

Kirkland, Wash. – For the third year in a row, EvergreenHealth has been named among the best hospitals in the Puget Sound area and the state of Washington by U.S. News & World Report, ranking No. 3 in the Seattle Metropolitan area and No. 4 in Washington state. The 31st annual report compares nearly 5,000 medical centers nationwide in 16 medical specialties and 10 procedures and conditions.

So Bazaar Festival Going Virtual This Year

Redmond, WA – The So Bazaar evening festival is going virtual this year. Join us via Facebook Live Thursday, August 20, starting at 7:00 p.m., at www.Facebook.com/RedmondParks. The virtual event will consist of an art compilation with a program that will highlight culinary arts, dance, film, music, poetry, visual arts, and more. 

This year’s So Bazaar theme is “Hindsight is 2020,” which offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, live in the present, and envision the future.

“So Bazaar showcases Redmond as a vibrant and creative destination,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “Although this year may look a little different, it is more important than ever to recognize what makes our community so unique. Join us virtually as we celebrate the diversity, creativity, and excitement that makes the City of Redmond such a welcoming and wonderful community.”

So Bazaar is a multi-disciplinary arts celebration and an opportunity for local artists, chefs, and entertainers to share their talents. 

This festival encourages Redmond residents, employees, and visitors to socially engage and experience the arts. This year’s event will feature artists from So Bazaar’s past, offering timely inspiration for the future. 

Explore the depths of creativity and imagination through performances and participatory arts offerings. This year’s artists include Tomo Nakayama, Chrysalis Circus, Britta Johnson, afrose fatima ahmed, Chef Christine Arokiasamy, Rhythms of India, Redmond’s Poet Laureate Raul Sanchez, Redmond’s Artist-in-Residence Xaviera Vandermay, and more.

For more information and a complete listing of So Bazaar programming, please visit https://www.redmond.gov/SoBazaar. The event will be available for on demand viewing at www.Facebook.com/RedmondParks after the event on August 20.

-- Press Release

Downtown Park Is A Good Place To Be During These Times

To our surprise this Friday at 7:30 PM, walking around town, we found the Downtown Park very vibrant: with small families, couples eating on small tables, singles reading books, a young women exercising to her computer; few dogs. The additional chairs and tables were a good idea, adding lots of color and social space. The activity may or may not have something to do with "the COVID affect." Certainly, the weather was outstanding.

Living on Education Hill it's rare for us to see or visit the park.

One of the things I've been harping on is our need for a Visitor Center. Someone reading my blog thought the Downtown Park cement space would be a good location. Another friend said 4-5,000 are  moving into Redmond every year.  There appears a need.

What do you think?

-- Bob Yoder

Recap Of Today's COVID-19 News And Updates - 7/29/2020

Contact:

Joint Information Center 253-512-7100 wajic@mil.wa.gov

Recap of Today’s COVID-19 News and Updates

Statewide Response Updates

Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 793 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 54,985 as of July 28 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,555.

For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

Inslee extends high-risk employee proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee today extended his proclamation regarding workers’ rights and protections and protections for employees at higher risk of severe illness. As a result of new CDC guidance regarding people at increased risk for severe illness, the extension will provide a clarifying guidance memo. The guidance memo confirms that employees who are 65 and older continue to be covered by the proclamation and clarifies processes for employers of individuals with certain medical conditions. The proclamation will remain in effect through the duration of the state of emergency, or until otherwise rescinded or amended.

Mayor Birney Advises Wearing Facemasks In Elevators, Condominium Hallways And Other Spaces

"Hello I’m Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. Our region, including the City of Redmond, are once again seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

I know this is a very difficult time for our community and especially for our small businesses. Many of us are missing our loved ones and find ourselves in extremely uncertain times. I believe we can and will overcome COVID19, but this is going to take all of us working together to stop the spread of this virus.

City Hall Will Remain Closed Through 2020

Due to the ongoing uncertainty and Governor Inslee’s indefinite pause of the state’s phased approach to reopening, the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, and the need to continue to keep our staff and community safe, City facilities will remain closed through the end of 2020. Redmond Police, Fire and other critical City services will remain fully operational. City staff are teleworking while facilities are closed.

City release posted by Bob Yoder

Northeast Recycling Transfer Station Project

70% of King County garbage is recyclable. Of 120 truckloads, 90 could be filled with recyclables. Food, waste and organics account for most of the recyclables.  -- Pat McLaughlin, Solid Waste Division Manager.

King County manages solid waste for 37 cities located within the County as well as all the unincorporated areas of the County. King County’s 2019 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (Plan) sets strategies for managing solid waste in King County on a 20- year planning horizon and is updated every six years. The Plan sets policies for operation of the solid waste system including long-range disposal options and identifies required upgrades to the County system including transfer stations. The Plan was most recently updated and approved by the cities (including Redmond) in 2019. King County’s transfer station system includes six urban transfer stations geographically located throughout the County along with four rural transfer stations. Of the six urban transfer stations, the Houghton station (the station used by Redmond) is the last station that is planned to be replaced or upgraded with a modern design to include compaction and recycling facilities by 2027.  The Plan recommends providing a new, modern recycling and transfer facility in the Northeast part of the county, to serve Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville and unincorporated areas and to replace the aging Houghton Transfer Station that was built in the mid 1960’s. Recyclables can be replaced back into the economy. This King County Project is being managed by the King County Solid Waste Division.

Regular Business Meeting memo, 7/28/2020