2022 Community Leaders Breakfast

Lake Washington School District 2022 Community Leaders Breakfast.  

Arnold Tomac, a Redmond Town Center Founding Father

Arnie Tomac at Soul Food Coffee, 6/2022 / by

Arnold Tomac and a founding of Redmond Town Center go hand-and-glove.  In this piece, Arnie's the storyteller of his early involvement in Redmond and his role as a founding Father.  

 Arnie says...

In 1973, when we moved to Redmond, I noticed we did not have a neighborhood park so I started going to City Park Board meetings. In 1977, I, wife Mary and future mayor Chris Himes called over 500 residents asking for their support of a $2.5 million Park Bond. The bond measure passed and Viewpoint neighborhood park was built.

I also got involved with C.A.R.E. "Civic Action on Redmond Environment," which later led me into running for City Council.  (C.A.R.E. was a coalition of residents with a goal of saving the golf course from development.)  In 1977, Mayor Bud Young appointed me to Chair the City's first Development Guide.

In 1978, several land use issues brewed.  One was an uproar over completing the construction of SR 520.  The other was more serious.  A developer purchased the Old Redmond Golf Course and announced they planned to develop the site. Concerned citizens, many of whom had never attended a Council meeting (moi) descended on City Hall asking the City to stop development.  

I was elected President of Council in 1981.  The population of Redmond was 23,000. The downtown was separated by an operating railway. It served the grain elevator in Redmond and the milk processing Dairygold facility in Issaquah. Everything north of City Hall was blueberry fields.

There were only two roads leading through Redmond that being Cleveland and Redmond Way.  Basically, the downtown with minimal service.  The rest of the Council and I wanted to create a downtown.  

Just before I attended my first Council meeting, we got to review Mayor Young's budget. Every department was listed with number and dollars amount. (ie 87340 $12500.)  So I knew I needed to create a readable budget. We had a surplus the end of the year so we created the Capital Improvement Plan. (C.I.P.)  We also created a new Hearing Examiner position and a Technical Design Committee.  (Tomac has degrees in engineering mathematics.)

In the 1982 election, another CARE candidate Pat Vache' was elected to the Council and Arnold Tomac was elected Council President.  

Town Center Associates offered the city $6 million for the 89-acre golf course.  There was a misunderstanding about a 4.62-acre parcel north of Leary Way.  Town Center thought the sliver of land was theirs;  Councilmembers Vache', President Tomac and the city lawyer felt otherwise and negotiated the final purchase option.  It was approved 6-0 by Council. 

"Councilmember Pat Vache' called me (Tomac) one day and asked if I would come to his office to talk about the golf course. "I said definitely!"  I think the golf course is going to remain controversial until people have a chance to address a ballot issue on the purchase of the property." said Tomac. "Pat and I informed Winmar (the owners) if the bond did not pass we would support "reasonable development" of the property."  The bond did not pass. "Pat and I stuck to our commitment to move forward with development of the property. Of course we received push-back from our supporters who wanted who wanted to keep the golf course open."

"Marchione, Vache' and Tomac all indicated they thought "reasonable development" included keeping some of the green space around the golf course as a condition of development should the voters elect not to buy the property.  "I'd like to keep it (the links) as is," concluded Tomac.  "But, are we willing to pay to keep it?" 

The $6 million measure went out for vote; it lost by 2%.  Master planning of the site came with 37 goals and policies, with 50% of the property to be preserved as open space.  

Tomac's recommendation for enhancing RTC:  "I believe we are lacking vibrant centers in the evenings.  The nighttime activity at Redmond Overlake and downtown is negligible.  It turns out 70% of business income comes from the evening sales.  To have vibrant Urban Centers, policies and zoning regulations must be in place that supports businesses being successful."

-- Reported by Bob Yoder, 11/25/2022

Sources:  Soul Food Coffee house interviews, 2022.  Arnie's notes & family keepsakes.  Excerpts from the Sammamish Valley News. Circa 82-83.  Redmond Kiwanis Club. 

WELCOME TO REDMOND!

 WELCOME TO REDMOND!

It's fun and enlightening to learn the origins of Redmond residents.  

• 60% are native born and have voting rights.
• 40% are foreign born, welcome!
• of those 40%, 13% naturalize and can vote (it takes over 14 months to naturalize)
• the rest are non-citizens and can't vote
• Factoid: 37% of Redmond residents are Asian (includes East Indians.)

It's clear Redmond enjoys the richness of diversity but with that comes the responsibility of inclusion and equity.  I pulled a page off the City of Redmond website to give you an idea of their welcoming resources:

THE CITY WEBSITE:  The City of Redmond partners with various local organizations to support our newly arrived residents and immigrant community. Here you will find information about various local organizations, resources, and services to assist you as you make Redmond your home.

• Local resources for new residents 
• Translation and interpretation 
• Naturalization and citizenship resources
  • Why Naturalize? (PDF)
  • Cities & Counties for Citizenship
• Immigrant services and resources
• Fact Sheet: King County provides refugees a temporary place to stay in Redmond (PDF)
• MAPS is the largest Islamic Center in Washington State, provides events, activities, educational programs, resources, and community services.
• CISC helps immigrants throughout King County by providing information, referral, advocacy, social, and support services.
• Immigrant Women’s Community Center is a safe community gathering center for immigrant women and their families. 

CC:  mayorcouncil@redmond.gov, Timberlake, MAPS, boardmembers@lwsd, Superintendent Holmen, EvergreenHealth community hospital, Lake Washington PTSA, Redmond Cricket association, neighborhood social media groups.

-- Bob Yoder, 11/21/2022

Redmond Demographics, 2021   

                                                                                                        

UPDATED, 10/25/2023 New Owner of Redmond Town Center Proposes two 12-story Towers

 

Redmond Town Center's new owner proposes two 12-story towers.

Fairbourne Properties is the new owner of RTC.  David Harvey is the President.

Vision Statement:

 "We have partnered with a collection of world class architects and designers to reimagine and enhance Redmond Town Center, updating it from an interior-facing, auto-oriented, outdoor mall into a true mixed-use, transit-oriented, walkable Town Center that elevates existing tenants, excites future retail partners, and engages the local community."

Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/25/2023

"Flatstick Pub" Coming To RTC

Flatstick worker installing screening (click pic to enlarge)

 Much needed entertainment in Redmond is on the way!  Opening day could be as early as the first week in January.

Flatstick serves-up craft beer, pizza and entertainment in the form of golf-like games!

Every Sunday all year Flastick donates to charity $2 for every beer sold.

Address:  7530 164th Ave. NE

Just what is a flatstick?  Bring your own.  

Budget Priority: "Vibrant & Connected"

 

Vibrant & Connected  Priority Total:  $249,361,974

Vibrant & Connected Priority: The Vibrant and Connected priority supports a well-planned community that provides a sense of place by funding programs and services, including:

Does a new $110 million "Maintenance and Operations Facility" provide a vibrant sense of place for the community?  It's going to cost over twice as much as the Senior Center!

• Fund Maintenance and Operations Center Master Plan ($500,000) to inform the future design and construction of facility replacement ($109,800,000) 

• Support 1.00 FTE Maintenance Technician for Redmond Senior & Community Center ($196,364)

 • Provide funding to further the City’s affordable housing goals ($10,000,000) 

• Invest additional dollars in human service programs, including the expanded senior lunch program ($2,000,000) 

• Support for small business grants ($800,000) through non-profit organizations helping small businesses, including small business advice, marketing, planning, and translation services 

• Invest in a facilities condition assessment ($200,000) and enhanced building security ($200,000) to protect the City’s infrastructure 

• Fund business technology enhancements for audio-visual infrastructure and homeless outreach case management system ($1,166,500) 

These investments will allow Redmond to continue its commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, environmental sustainability, infrastructure, housing choices, and public safety. 

Select Service Enhancements:  Development Services $17,815,678; Facilities Management $7,631,000; Capital Investment Delivery $7,439,000; Housing & Human Services $6,901,000; Community Economic Delivery $4,616,000; Microsoft Campus Refresh 4,505,000; Lite Rail $2,613,000; Arts & Community events $1,715,000, totaling $53,000,000.

-- Excerpt from Mayor Birney's 23-24 Preliminary Budget

UPDATED: A Tribute to Council Member Steve Fields

OPINION:  I occasionally watch Redmond City Council members deliberate.  I've seen a complete turnaround in Council member Steve Fields' demeanor with the Mayor. He's polite, respectful, always agreeable, yet holds his own.  And, the Mayor is reciprocating. 

Mr. Fields' more peaceful approach may be attributed to his post on the Council Finance, Administration and Communications Committee.  He's the  Presiding Officer so in control of the budget meetings and with humility has earned a satisfying amount of power.  And rightly so.  Mr. Fields' career and Council experience is indispensable on budgetary matters and Mayor Birney knows it.  Steve's in his wheelhouse, with Council and Mayor in tow.  He's respected by all.  

Steve ran for Mayor twice and lost;  impossible to stomach for most. Over time his resentment and bitterness wore off.  His ego healed and he found his true place on Council.

I've never seen a public official so resilient and driven.  I know Steve well from supporting him in three campaigns.  I've heard Steve may not run again, yet he's still giving his all.  Thanks to Council member Fields for all that he does.  Steve's good works on Council are surely appreciated and won't be forgotten.  

 -- B. Yoder  11/10/2022

FB Comment:

He worked on the County budget and was a great voice of reason and fiscal responsibility in a sea of people who were not so concerned about unintended consequences or bow wave impacts of some expenditures. He knows budgeting well and will do a fabulous job as he approaches this with the utmost of integrity.  -- Kathy Lambert, 12/2

OPINION: Budget Priority: "Healthy & Sustainable"

After consulting with the community, staff and City officials on October 4th Redmond Mayor Angela Birney presented her 2023- 2024 Preliminary Budget. The Council members are working an extra 2-3 meetings a week on this budget in what they call their most important City duty.  Council must approve the Mayor's proposed budget. 

Mayor Birney, staff and the community at large have identified four budget priorities:  1) Healthy & Sustainable, 2) Safe and Resilient, 3) Strategic and Responsive, and 4) Vibrant and Connected.  I'll write four posts, one on each priority.    

Healthy & Sustainable - $2,988,000

The Healthy and Sustainable priority supports those programs and services that promote a healthy environment for an active community including: 

• Support 2.00 FTEs for the new Redmond Senior & Community Center ($359,629) 

 • Restore ongoing funding for street tree replacement ($30,000) 

• Restore one-time funding for the Green Redmond Partnership in Parks ($50,000) 

• Restore volunteer planting events and support invasive plant species removal ($122,000)

 • Establish community gardens ($77,500) and pilot pop-up dog parks ($102,000) 

• Fund a consultant for assistance with the SE Redmond Park Master Plan ($75,000)

 • Fund 1.00 FTE to support state-regulated utility locates ($266,856) 

• Restore park maintenance dollars and analyze vegetation management systems ($1,166,998)

 • Continue implementation of the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan ($825,000), including clean building programming, building efficiency and decarbonization, and waste diversion. 

Select Service Enhancements:  Wastewater $53,000,000; Drinking water $36,000,000; Stormwater 18,000,000; Parks & Trails 15,000,000, Community Recreation $13,000,000.

 -- B. Yoder  11/8/2022

L.W School District Board of Directors named "Board of Distinction"

 

30 school boards across the state recognized

 

Redmond, Wash. – For the second consecutive year, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Board of Directors has been named a “Board of Distinction” by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Only 30 of that state’s 295 school boards received recognition as Boards of Distinction. LWSD is one of 13 recognized in the “Large School Districts (9,001+ students FTE)” category.

The annual Boards of Distinction program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards. These standards promote research-based governance practices that lead to high levels of student and district achievement and help close gaps that impact student success.

“Governance of a large school system is complex,” stated Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “I am proud of the LWSD Board of Directors for their continued focus on students and issues of equity as they seek to create a more just educational system that aims at all students achieving excellence.” 

“The LWSD Board of Directors is honored to once again be recognized as a Board of Distinction,” stated Siri Bliesner, President, LWSD Board of Directors. “The Board is committed to supporting all of our students and to ensuring our students are at the center of our decisions and actions.”

-- Press release, 11/7/2022

Two Student Representatives (center in photo) were added to the Board in 2022 in order to provide student voices to Board conversations. High school students are encouraged to apply. Board members interview students and select one representative from the east side and another from the west side to serve on the Board. Most students will serve two-year terms. For the 2022-23 school year, the west side representative will only serve one year. A new west side representative will be selected in 2023., -website.

Council Measures Safety Levy From all Angles

 

Redmond City Hall, credit Bob Yoder

In the foreground from l-r, the city clerk, city attorney, Mayor Birney, Council members Steve Fields, Melissa Stuart, Vice President Vanessa Kritzer, Jeralee Anderson (in red,) and David Carson (the senior member.)  President Jessica Forsythe is on the virtual screen. Ms. Kahn is missing. 

A good (though distant, fuzzy) view of senior staff from l-r is COO Malisa Files, Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Community Development.  Chip Corder, Director of Finance. and Fire Chief Sheppard.  In total, the Mayor has 11 Directors and 11 Deputy Directors.  Angela Birney's come a long way since her days as a Parks Commissioner. 

Meet Fire Chief Sheppard and Police Chief Lowe up close and personal HERE 

Almost Half of High School Seniors Felt Sad or Hopeless in Past Year

 

Youth mental health is in a state – 45% of high school seniors reported feeling sad or hopeless in the past year, according to the statewide Healthy Youth Survey. If nearly half of youths grapple with feelings of depression, every youth is due some education to help them recognize and overcome those feelings.

Washington state schools and leaders are building a variety of supports to improve the school climate, strengthen student resiliency, and intervene with supports when youth need them most.

“Mental health is getting talked about. That’s probably why students are recognizing, ‘Maybe I’m not alone in this, maybe there’s something that can help me,’” said Staci Cornwell, youth mental health coordinator for the Mead School District.

From bus drivers to teachers to parents to legislators, every Washingtonian can play a critical role in supporting youth and improving their mental health.

Read the full story on Gov. Jay Inslee's Medium here.

Remember that here in Redmond and across the Eastside, we have an awesome organization for our kiddos, namely Youth Eastside Services or YES. They treat kids from birth to age 22 for any mental illness, depression, suicidal thoughts and/or substance abuse. They have a sliding scale that goes to zero, (thanks to generous donations), they accept all insurance plans and Apple Health. Whether it’s in the schools or in one of their offices in Redmond, Kirkland or Bellevue, they are great at intervening with our kids, Supporting families, and educating the community. Don’t forget about this important resource -- Comment by Cami.

Utility-Box-Art -Wraps On Leary, the City Can Do Better

from sidewalk 

 

facing Leary Way

Traffic Operations and Cultural Arts doesn't seem like a good mix.  Just look at it.  IMHO, the Cultural Arts Administrator and Commission need to up their game for things to come, like Redmond Town Center and Overlake and downtown buildings with plazas. Box art can be cool (library) but the 2050 goal for equity and inclusion will require a myriad of significant cross-cultural art works. 

According to the Cultural Arts Administrator, the utility box artworks were selected from a public art call as part of a pilot program by the City (a partnership between Traffic Operations and Cultural Arts) 

The utility box artworks were selected from a public art call as part of a pilot program by the City (a partnership between Traffic Operations and Cultural Arts)

 

Info on the artist can be found on the Cultural Art web pages -- Arts & Culture | Redmond, WA

and our communications team is working on some stories and posts coming soon. We will also be adding signage next to the boxes in the coming months.

The artists were paid $250 each.  

-- Photos and opinion by Bob Yoder, 10/31/2022

   click on the photos to enlarge

Happy Halloween!

 

John Marchione's old neighborhood cul-de-sac. 

(click pic to enlarge)

Photo, Yoder

ELECTION SPECIAL - The Painful Facts of 2022 Taxes

 

King County Tax Assessor John Wilson

City of Redmond, Proposition No. 1

Police and Fire Safety Levy

Body Worn Cameras

City of Redmond, Vote "Yes" on Proposition 1

King County Proposition No. 1

Conservation Futures

King County Property Taxes -- The Painful Facts

Statements and Opinion by Bob Yoder

10/29/2022

Am I Enough?

 

click to enlarge

"Am I Enough?"

"Indigenous Peoples' Day" was celebrated at Lake Washington High School on October 1st. 

LWSD filmed an excellent video of the event HERE.

Mary Wilber, Program Coordinator of the Eastside Native American Indian Association organizes the events.  Ms Wilber invites indigenous students from three districts to her Monday evening classes. 

A Proclamation On Indigenous Peoples' Day,  by Joseph R. Biden, October 7th, 2022 (excerpt)

For centuries, Indigenous Peoples were forcibly removed from ancestral lands, displaced, assimilated, and banned from worshiping or performing many sacred ceremonies.  Yet today, they remain some of our greatest environmental stewards.  They maintain strong religious beliefs that still feed the soul of our Nation.  And they have chosen to serve in the United States Armed Forces at a higher rate than any other group.  Native peoples challenge us to confront our past and do better, and their contributions to scholarship, law, the arts, public service, and more continue to guide us forward.

  

Pam and I celebrated and honored the Eastside Native American families at this event, and a Pow Wow.

Both touched our hearts. School Board members Siri Bliesner and Mark Stuart partook in the festivities.  

UPDATED: $7,500,000 Homicide Settlement Raises City Liability Insurance Premiums 112%

Police on duty to keep the Community Court safe / credit B. Yoder

UPDATED:  Police and Fire Safety Levy

In a September Council Study session the topic of escalating liability insurance came up. And boy is it up.  The premium escalated by112%, attributed to a $7,500,000 settlement to the Churna family for a police homicide. And, the deductible increased from $15,000 to $250,000. According to Finance Director Chip Corder, the City had to switch carriers (CIAA) after 12 years with Travelers.  Director Corder may need to dip into the  General Fund for a solution.  The City is fortunate to have surplus funding from construction taxes. Chip thinks it could take 2-3 years, maybe longer to get in good standing with insurance carriers.  In the meantime, Police Chief Lowe is walking on eggshells.

The Back Story:  On 11/20/20 Ms. Churna was shot and killed by a Redmond policeman.  Ms. Churna did not have a weapon in her hand.  The last time I heard, the officer is still on duty with Redmond. Yes, it's hard to believe. If officers were wearing body-worn cameras would it have lessened the Department's insurance liability?  Probably.  

Body Worn/ In-car Camera Program:  The levy only includes the ongoing expenses related to the Body Worn program, including staffing, training, technology services, records management, public disclosure, and court case preparation. The city already owns the cameras and has not included that expense in the levy. 

The Explanatory statement in the Voters' Pamphlet doesn't clearly describe the ongoing expenses; The price is $9.3 million over ten years. That's a lot of tax dollars.  I would rather see the expense come out of the General Fund.  The Police Information Officer has confirmed "one-time funds" are allocated to temporarily support the expenses related to the body-worn camera program through 2025, in the event that the levy does not pass.  One-time funds are collected from construction sales taxes.

I think body-worn and in-car cameras are an invasion of my privacy but I'll probably vote "Yes" on the measure.  I'm ecstatic about the six mental health specialists/case managers working the beat with the police.  And, we need the emergency preparedness that Fire provides.

Factoids:  Police Chief Lowe instituted a catalytic converter ID program for several weeks. He also started ticketing noisy vehicles. "smash and dash" is still one of major crimes in Redmond.  Life Is Good.

-- Bob Yoder, 10/27/2022  opinion

UPDATED, 11/7/2022 Redmond Town Center 12- Story Building Heights

A rendering of the new Redmond Town Center

Two, 8-story buildings are currently zoned for Redmond Town Center. Scale, massing, and village character are important considerations that may raise or lower the acceptable height.  To incentivize the Applicant (owners) to build up to a maximum of 12-stories the following benefits could be considered:  

2. Benefit:  Covered outdoor entertainment space and children's play area  

3. Benefit:  Covered retail is already in place.   

4. Benefit: Indoor / and covered outdoor common areas appointed with significant art.

.

5. Benefit:  Covered ped/bike urban pathway to light rail station; uncovered pathway in the Marymoor corridor.

5. Benefit:  Green Building Incentive Program:  green walls, trestles, LEED Platinum medal construction.  Plush landscaping with 10 foot trees. Activated, landscaped rooftop patios.

6. Benefit:  Affordable housing.  3 and 4 room apartments for families.

7.City "Safety Station" maned to oversee the light rail station, homeless, and Lime bikes.

8. Benefit:  Community WiFi and coffee plaza / visitor center kiosk.

9. Benefit:  Community bike repair, e-bikes, washing and charging stations.

10.Benefit:  City stoplight at SR520 / Bear Creek gateway to parking areas.

11.Benefits:  Architecture, significant cultural art, pedestrian sidewalks safe from scooters, plazas, alleys, setbacks, dynamic water feature.  

12.  Wayfinding, dog-sitting, mini dog park with wash, food trucks. (whistles and bells)

-- Bob Yoder, 10/26/2022. updated 11/7/2022 opinion

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the proposed Redmond Town Center Code Amendment, Visit  redmond.gov/1860/Redmond-Town-Center. Write to the Planning Commissioners  if you have any comments and  questions, or would like to be a Party-of-Record on this proposal, please contact Glenn Coil, Senior Planner, 425-556-2742, gcoil@redmond.gov.  

Warehouse Project in SE Redmond Sits Over a Critical Aquifer Recharge Area

 

Internet

Description: New office and storage building on vacant parcel adjacent to the existing Keller Supply building located at 18315 NE 76th Street and 18317 NE 76th Street.

Keller Eastside Industrial Office.  Southeast Redmond Neighborhood. The project is a warehouse and upscale showroom. Keller is one of the largest suppliers of Koehler in the Western states.  A wide paved plaza wraps around to an outdoor meeting room. 

This site is situated over a Type I Critical Aquifer Recharge Area and design provisions have been included to retain the aquifer’s quality and volume. A hydrological assessment has been undertaken to assure all regulations and requirements have been met.  (staff.)

Listen to the Design video HERE.

-- Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/25/2022

Out with "Bed Bath and Belong," in With H Mart Grocery Store

 

Tenant improvement and change of use from an existing vacant building to a new grocery store and 3 leased spaces. Interior and exterior alterations including new walls, ceilings, new exterior storefronts with doors, (2) elevators and stairs.

SITE:  Formally, Bed Bath and Beyond.  Owned by Redmond Town Center

Source: Design Review Board

Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/24/2022

420 Residential Dwellings in Overlake Under Review

Two buildings 8 and 9 stories tall

The Modera Bel-Red Development in Overlake consists of approximately 420 residential dwelling units with subterranean and wrapped parking in 2 buildings separated by fire walls is located within 0.4 miles from the future light rail station. The location is within walking distance to amenities such as a Highland Middle School, grocery stores and eateries.

THE SITE:  A one-story strip mall is located to the east, a one-story Dollar Tree and K-1 Indoor Go Kart Racing is located to the south and a four-story mixed-use building is located to the west. The site is currently developed with a one-story commercial building housing a furniture store and a two-story office building, both of which are surrounded by surface parking and parking lot landscaping

This project holds significance to this area as the project will be the one of the first Overlake projects to develop on this block along Bel-Red Road and will set a precedence for future development in the area. 

Source:  Design Review Board.

Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/24/2022

Redmond Middle School Proposes 2-Story Addition

Internet

The proposed project includes an approx. 17,500 SF two-story addition to the existing Redmond Middle School building  The addition will include eight classrooms, two shared instruction rooms and various support spaces. Site work includes an exterior courtyard, landscaping, and underground utilities.

Watch a video of the design HERE.

-- Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/24/2022

Redmond Resident on Beaver Patrol

 

Photo by John Reinke, 10/17/2022

The City of Redmond  is fortunate to have diligent resident, John Reinke, who monitors beaver activity and their habitat. Above, is a photo of an alder tree on the Sammamish River Trail felled by a beaver. The Sammamish River is closeby on the right. It looks like someone may have pulled it off the trail.

John reported the downed tree to City stream specialist Tom Hardy and the Mayor.  Mr. Hardy immediately removed the tree and the Mayor thanked John at a public meeting.  Mr. Reinke often reports beaver activity to the County. 

John likes to insert puns' into the end of his stories! 😉

 "Finally, let me say that if I were a beaver, I'd give a dam, or at least try to make one!" 

"It was swimming steadily toward me when I suddenly heard a loud "thwack", and saw the creature's hind legs suddenly rise straight up into the air, before immediately sliding down beneath the roiling water."  (I guess we could call it a “slam dunk”…)

-- Bob Yoder, 10/23/2022

UPDATED: The Painful Facts

NO STORYTELLING, JUST THE PAINFUL FACTS

My 8500 s.f. house (1977) surrounded by 3 schools and 3 parks  

Appraised value:  $1,221,000

2022 appraised $855,000  x 8.58 (rate)  = $7,358/year

2023 appraised $1,221,000 x 8.58 (assumed rate) = $10,476/year

Approximate 30% or $3118/ annual increase. 😓

DON'T FORGET THE LWSD CAPITAL LEVY

Building with Excellence Construction Levy

This $295 million, 6-year levy was approved early 2022 

with collections starting January, 2023.  

The levy rate is .5/$1,000 assessed value.

Based on my home's appraised value my new tax is $610/year.  

Good news:  It's paying off the old bonds so the construction rate will decrease over time.

SOUND TRANSIT (ST-3)

Just a reminder we pay about $1,000/year any which way you look at it.

A few charges:

Based on .25/$1000 my net increase over 2022 is $92.00/year

Car tabs:  $110/vehicle valued at $10,000; thus a $60000 Tesla tab is $660/year

Used cars are appreciating so $15,000 Camry could be valued at $20,000, a $220 tab.

Don't forget we're also paying $330/yr for ST-2. 

OTHER PROPERTY TAX AGENCIES 

State School Part One

State School Two

Local school support

City of Redmond

County

Port

Hospital

Library

EMS

 CITY OF REDMOND SAFETY LEVY, if passed

 $10,400,000, 6-year levy

.34/$1000 assessed value

If passed, my annual property taxes with increase $415.14 per year

On the ballot

CRISIS CARE CENTERS LEVY

Planning Ahead

5 new regional crisis care facilities, one for serving youth.

14.5 cents per $1,000 assessed value or $177/ year starting 2023.

The King County Property Tax rate of 8.58 may increase in 2023. 

Tax Transparency Tool: Estimate the impact of proposed taxes on your property

Assembled and posted by Bob Yoder, 10/22/2022

Unapproved LIME e-Bikes Are Left in Our Parks

 

Years ago the City approved LIME BIKES. Not now. This one is on Education Hill / credit Yoder

My wife was walking our puppy near Hartman Park and saw a LIME e-Bike on the park grass.  A City worker told her he hated them because they get in the way of his mower and they look bad. He complained when he reports them it takes 2-3 weeks before they're removed.  

Mayor Birney mentioned about a month ago the City didn't have a contract with LIME for their bikes.  New news. When the City had a contract the bikes looked like the one above, with a wire basket.  The new ones have a lime-colored plastic basket usually with graffiti on the stem.  

Council Member David Carson dislikes them and especially can't stand abandoned shopping carts. He  promotes a City Facebook App for reporting pot holes, etc. to customer service.  I'll try to find it for you.  In the meantime email Info@redmond.gov for customer service.  

-- Bob Yoder, 10/21/2022

Eastside Symphony Young Soloist Winners Perform October 22nd

 Please join us at the Redmond High Performing Arts Center, as our Eastside Symphony Young Soloist Competition Winners perform this Saturday, October 22^nd, at 7:30. These kids are fantastic, and will blow you away for being so young! You can purchase tickets at www.eastsidesymphony.org or buy them at the door.

 Koussevitsky Concerto for Double Bass, 3rd mvt, with Anderson Widjaja

Sarasate Zigeunerweisen, "Gypsy Airs," with Rachel Jung, violin

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3, 1st mvt, with Melanie Liu, piano

Paganini Violin Concerto No. 1, 1st mvt, with Annie Song, violin