Lake Washington Institute of Technology receives $10,000 grant for emergency operations center

LWIT Receives $10,000 Puget Sound Energy Foundation Grant

Kirkland, Wash.: Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) recently received $10,000 from Puget Sound Energy Foundation to support the development of an emergency operations center (EOC) for the College. An EOC works as a centralized communications command post for police, fire, campus security and any other agency involved in a campus-wide emergency such as a fire, hostage situation, shooting, gas leak, or other life-threatening situation.

“We’re excited to develop a fully-functional EOC thanks to this generous grant,” said Patrick Sturgill, LWIT manager of safety and security. “We’ll now be able to effectively manage an emergency response, coordinating with local first responders like police and fire to increase the value and speed of response. While it’s mainly a service for our campus, our EOC will be available for local agencies to utilize in our immediate neighborhood if needed. ”   Read More >>

King County and Seattle to hold gun buyback safety event

King County and Seattle to launch Gun Safety Initiative

First gun buyback program in 20 years to take place later this month

King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle Police Deputy Chief Nick Metz, Dr. David Fleming of Public Health – Seattle & King County, Renee Hopkins of the Seattle Police Foundation, and Reverend Aaron Williams of Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church today announced a new Gun Safety Initiative, including a gun buyback program. Former Seattle mayors Greg Nickels, Norm Rice, Charles Royer and Wes Uhlman are serving as co-chairs of the program.

The countywide gun buyback initiative will provide a monetary incentive to individuals who turn in firearms, while engaging our communities toward a common goal of reducing gun violence. The first gun buyback will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, in downtown Seattle in the parking lot underneath Interstate 5 between Cherry and James Streets.  Read More >>

Two citizens protest impacts of proposed Valley Furniture redevelopment

Valley Furniture in downtown Redmond (8178 164th Ave NE) sits on quite a large lot - 1.15 acres with significant trees.  MacDonald's Book Exchange sublets on the site.   Both are scheduled to be torn down with the trees sometime this summer providing permits are approved for a new 215 unit multi-family residential project containing over 4500 square feet of retail. 

Two citizens complained about the project at the last council meeting saying the project would change the look and feel of the neighborhood, stress nearby 165th Ave NE, and cause parking congestion. 

Kimberly Price said the project is "equivalent to a Redmond 160 or Cleveland building in her  townhouse backyard".  She quipped her kids would be yelling at the builders as the six-floor complex was raised above her two-story townhouse.  She complained that 165th Ave. had poor visibility and wasn't designed to service 215 additional units and retail space. 

Heather, the first speaker, scrutinized the parking plan and the land use process complaining citizens weren't given notice of the complete removal of the landmark trees.  She said that only 230 parking stalls are planned by the city for the project when 272 are required according to code.  She quoted city code that 1.25 parking stalls are required for all projects over 6 units and 3.5 stalls are required for every 1000 sf of commercial space.  (Limited additional structured and street parking will be available). Heather was concerned that 50% of the parking space was marked for compact cars and that larger vehicles would have to park on the street or elsewhere.

The mayor advised council that an appeal has not been filed at this time.   Kimberly asked Council to "reconsider the size, scale, scope of the project and how close it comes to the property boundary" of the adjacent residences. 

Reported by Bob Yoder     

Citizen submits 70 signatures to Mayor Marchione requesting safer crosswalks in Grasslawn Park

At this week's Council meeting a Grasslawn resident, Carl, asked the Marchione Administration for additional traffic safety on the Grasslawn Park crosswalks adjacent NE 70th.  He recommended, flags, additional lighting and blinking lights at the crosswalk similar to what the City of Kirkland installed a mile west.  Carl said he almost lost his grandson on December 14 at the NE 70th Street crosswalk at Grasslawn Park.  He submitted 70 signatures from residents to the Mayor asking for improved safety measures. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

Sustainable Redmond voices support for urban tree conservation at Redmond Planning Commission

Just over a year ago, a controversy arose in Redmond regarding preservation of over 1,000 trees in Overlake. Much of the discussion centered on the manner by which the public was informed about plans to remove significant and landmark trees and the administrative exceptions to City tree protection regulations that would enable cutting 100% of the trees on a given property. In the process, many ecological and community benefits of mature urban trees were emphasized by speakers in public testimony to Redmond’s City Council.
 

In trying to learn from that experience, Sustainable Redmond submitted proposed amendments to Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan last April. Those proposals are now coming before the Planning Commission for review as they make their way to the City Council for consideration. The amendments seek to improve public notice processes, enhance opportunities for public engagement and promote a better understanding of the process by which tree exceptions are granted. (Exceptions are currently granted behind closed doors by a Technical Committee.) The Comprehensive Plan amendments also seek to retain some mature trees in urban centers when possible rather than have them replaced by smaller specimens with lesser ecological value.
 

Join Sustainable Redmond in voicing your support for these regulatory improvements at the Planning Commission on Wednesday night, January 16th at 7pm. The full amendment package can be found at: http://www.redmond.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=556 More information will also be posted at www.sustainableredmond.org. Your support of these amendments is encouraged so we can create positive change and move beyond the status quo in protecting natural resources in our community.
 

Tom Hinman, Board Member

Sustainable Redmond

Redmond WA

Introduction to the Birds of Brightwater clean-water facility

Birding workshop, plant tours round out Brightwater Center winter events

Educational activities geared toward older kids, teens and adults

Shake off winter blues with Brightwater Center’s free educational activities geared toward older kids, teens and adults. Brightwater Center is located at 22505 State Route 9 S.E. in Woodinville. Events are free and children accompanied by an adult are welcome.

Birds of a Feather, Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. to noon Join the IslandWood naturalists for a winter bird event for ages 8 and up. Participants will learn about our feathered friends that don’t fly south for the winter through a guided expedition and bird-themed art project. Register at http://winterbirds.eventbrite.com.

Intro to the Birds of Brightwater, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to noon
Adults and teens (ages 14 and up) are invited to a workshop focused on birds that call Brightwater home year-round. Islandwood naturalists will lead a walk through the habitat area and share birding tips. Register at http://brightwaterbirds.eventbrite.com.

Open House and Plant Tours, Saturday, Jan. 12 and Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to noon
Take a tour of King County’s newest clean-water facility and learn how waste is treated, recycled and safely returned to the environment. Children must be at least 9 years old to take the tour, and sturdy close-toed shoes are required. Register at: http://green.kingcounty.gov/wastewater-education/apptrequest.aspx.

For additional information or to request reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities at any of the events, please contact Kristin Covey at 206-263-9412, 711 TTY Relay, or kristin.covey@kingcounty.gov.
People can also learn more about Brightwater Center on the Web at http://www.kingcounty.gov/brightwatercenter.

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Residents enjoy clean water and a healthy environment thanks to King County's wastewater treatment program. The county’s Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 17 cities, 17 local sewer districts and more than 1.5 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. The regional clean-water agency has been preventing water pollution for nearly 50 years.

Superintendent recommends moving students from Rosa Parks to Wilder next fall to reduce overcrowding

Superintendent Announces Temporary Boundary Recommendation

Moves students from Rosa Parks Elementary to Wilder Elementary next fall to reduce overcrowding

UPDATED:  Redmond, Wash. – Today, Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent of Lake Washington School District, shared via email her proposed temporary boundary change with the parents of students at Rosa Parks Elementary and Wilder Elementary Schools. Dr. Pierce will recommend the temporary boundary committee’s recommendation of Scenario C for the temporary boundary change between these two schools for the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years.

Dr. Pierce will make that recommendation to the district’s Board of Directors at its Monday, January 14, meeting. The board will vote on the specific proposal at its meeting on January 28.  Read More >>

Redmond Council approves $200,000 funding for "OneRedmond"

As part of the 2013-14 budget, the City Council approved funds for economic and community development through participation in OneRedmond. OneRedmond is the newly formed public-private partnership for the Redmond community. It was formed by bringing together the former Redmond Economic Development Alliance, Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce, and Realize Redmond into a single organization with a common vision, mission, and purpose. OneRedmond is commined to increasing the

number of high wage jobs, cultivating partnerships between business and education, and

implementing entrepreneur and small business growth programs to drive consistent economic expansion and continuous community enhancement in Redmond.

When National Community Development Services was hired in 2011 to perform an assessment of the viability and fund raising strength or OneRedmond as a concept, their report highlighted the strength of the OneRedmond model for economic and community development. Through a series of stakeholder meetings, along with candid and considered input from business and community leaders, four key initiative areas were identified as key priorities for OneRedmond. These are: 

I . Business Retention and Expansion: This includes development and implementation of a formal business retention and expansion program that includes building strategic business partnerships and increasing opportunities for growth within Redmond's business clusters, a myriad of small business services. and a Government Affairs function that fosters bridges between large and small businesses and government.

2. Business Attraction and Recruitment: This entails a program that includes site selector relationships, a web site that differentiates Redmond, and targeted recruiting missions to enhance local industry clusters.

3. Community Building: Priorities include development of partnerships between businesses and educational institutions, establishing of marquee business and cultural events, and promoting the arts and science.

 

4. Investor Relations: Key focal points include creating transparent and involved engagement of community stakeholders, including creating leadership level advisory groups for business clusters, pipeline project reports, and business visitation/red carpet teams.

These initiatives are supportive of and are integral to the City realizing its vision of two vibrant urban centers, diversity of choices, a vibrant economy, and connected community. As OneRedmond focuses on implementing its economic and community development strategy, the $200,000 ($100,000/ycar) from the Planning and Community Development Department's OneRedmond budget offer would be distributed to support OneRedmond strategic economic development and community development initiatives.

 

- Text is sourced from Redmond City Council Agenda, 1/8/13

Redmond Police bargaining unit negotiates new city contract to increase wages

In their Regular Business meeting this week, City Council approved the 2013-2015 Police Pay Plan with Redmond Police Association union.  Under the plan wages will increase 1.5% in 2013, 2% in 2014 and 2.5% in 2015.  The Detective's clothing allowance will increase from $600/year to $700/year.  Total incremental costs of the collective bargaining unit Pay Plan amount to $216,903 in 2013, $357,154 in 2014 and $529,081 in 2015.

Detectives on special assignments get 4% above their regular base pay.  The average police officer wage in 2013 is $66,228 for a new officer and $76,716 for an officer with 49 months seniority.  Police Leutenants' mean 2013 salary is $87,816.   K-9 officers get 3.5% above base pay and one hour overtime each week. 

Disability, health, and life insurance pay is negotiated including 96 hours vacation for 1-2 years of service and 142 hours vacation at 10 years.  12 paid holidays.  5 days bereavement leave. 

Reported by Bob Yoder
Source:  1/8/13 City of Redmond Agenda.
http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=90234

LWSD and PTSA cosponsor Cyber-Safety Seminars

Cyber Safety and Social Media Risks — What Every Family Needs to Know

Lake Washington School District and PTSA Cosponsor Cyber-Safety Seminars

Redmond, Wash. – With the proliferation of smart phones and the growth of social media, everyone is connected, especially young people. Yet those same young people may not recognize the risks they face electronically, from predators to bullies to bad decisions that can haunt them for years. Parents can help their students understand these risks but may not know how to talk to them about it. 

In a parent education program sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council and Lake Washington School District, Seattle attorney Charles Leitch will help parents understand the risks and how to approach their children about these issues. These cyber-safety seminars will be held during January and February at district high schools.  Read More >>

PTA members go to Olympia for Focus Day on January 24

Focus Day Update

Thursday January 24, 2013 is the BIG day!

The Washington State PTA legislative platform for the next two years is set. Now we have to do something with it! Focus Day is fast upon us. On January 24th in Olympia, we have our next, and perhaps best, opportunity as a large voting block to advocate for our kids with a loud, cohesive voice by sharing our new legislative platform with our legislators and our state.

Focus Day is important. This year, in particular, it's very important. We have a new governor, new legislators, and new jobs for key incumbent legislators. Come January 24th, the long legislative session will have just begun, and the McCleary school funding decision and the state budget will be on the minds of everyone in Olympia. We must ask Olympia to make the hard choices! Revenue, budget cuts, tax reform, closing the opportunity gap... The choices they must make are daunting, but they must make them.

This is a huge opportunity, not only to deliver our message directly and personally to our legislators and insist they make the hard choices, but to engage in PTA outreach by encouraging participation by members in historically under-represented regions, and to increase membership and general civic involvement.

January 24th, 2013, will be our big day. Bring three friends. Let's make it count!

Thank you and please check out http://wsptafocusday.blogspot.com for all of the info as well as material to promote Focus Day in your local PTA; we have flyers, bus discount news, a Focus Day PowerPoint presentation, a video message from Ross Hunter, scheduling and registration info, parking and food info, etc. Check it often in the next three weeks as we will be updating it regularly. You can even sign up for email notification when we do add something.

We need your help to make this Focus Day successful. Please spread the word and register today.

See you there!
- Jason Rothkowitz and David Berg

Source:  Council PTSA Newsletter

Over 30 volunteers transplant native shrubs to Marymoor BirdLoop

Over 30 volunteers from Audubon and King County Youth turned out this Saturday to transplant native shrubs salvaged from Group Health, to the Marymoor BirdLoop.  Redmond Councilmember Hank Myers volunteered.  670 plants were installed on a fenced bird-viewing hill that overlooks wetlands and marsh adjacent Parking Lot G.  Wildlife habitat will be greatly improved once the shrubs take hold.  The hill looks terrific!  You must come by and see for yourself!  Take a look at the educational kiosk while you're at it.   Every Thursday morning guided bird-watching tours stop by this hill to view birds.  Anna's Hummingbirds and Cackleing Geese entertained the work party.  (Visit the sidebar of this blog for more information on bird-watching). Photos by Audubon Photographer Mick Thompson.

City of Redmond hosts two safety classes in January

Greetings,

Two great opportunities below—don’t miss out!

The Redmond Police Department will be presenting a free Women's Personal Safety class on Thursday, January 24th at6:30 p.m. at the RPD Training Room (8701 160th Avenue NE…usually about 90-ish minutes). Please note this isnot a self-defense class, this is a proactive approach to safety rather than "reactive" and is suitable for ages 15 and older. To RSVP,please email mdowd@redmond.gov and feel free to forward to others.

Some of the topics covered include:

• How to prevent becoming the victim of assault or robbery.
• Potentially dangerous situations and how to avoid them.
• How to handle "road rage" and prevent accidents.
• The pros and cons of weapons for personal security.
• How to make a safety plan.

Also, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is hosting “Redmond Ready Day 3” on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Overlake Christian Church (9900 Willows Road NE) from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The City’s “Redmond Ready” campaign encourages citizens to be trained in three areas:

1) First Aid

2) CPR

3) Personal preparedness

Redmond Ready Day provides training in all three areas with the only cost being a discounted rate of $14 for first aid and CPR training (usually costs much more). The two-hour personal preparedness class is free. Seats are limited so register today at www.redmondready.org. If you have questions, call Janeen at 425-556-2251.

Be safe,

Jim Bove

Redmond Police Department

Community Outreach Facilitator

8701 160th Ave NE

Redmond, WA 98052

(425) 556-2545

jbove@redmond.gov

Police Blotter report for January 4: Ed Hill Burglary and two car prowl thefts

RPD Public Info for 24 Hours preceding 05:54:01 on Friday, January 4 2013

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Burglary, Resident, Unlawf Ent	15:06:36 01/03/2013	13-000147
EDUCATIONHILL	115xx block of 179 CT NE
Redmond Police investigated a residential burglary.

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Theft-From Mtr Vehicle	10:58:02 01/03/2013	13-000133
EDUCATIONHILL	92xx block of RED-WOOD RD
Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle and stole random items.

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Theft-From Mtr Vehicle	09:40:27 01/03/2013	13-000122
EDUCATIONHILL	167xx block of NE 120 ST
Redmond Police responded to a car prowl. There was no forced entry and a purse was taken from the vehicle.

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Theft of Automobile	09:25:23 01/03/2013	13-000120
OVERLAKE	34xx block of W LK SAMMAMISH PKWY
Redmond Police investigated a report of an auto theft at a local residence.

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[Unknown Description]	07:45:26 01/03/2013	13-000110
EDUCATIONHILL	117xx block of 167 CT NE
Redmond Police responded to a car prowl. There was no forced entry and paperwork was taken from the vehicle.

Redmond Fire Fighters raise $7,675 in donations to Hopelink

LETTER:  I was hoping that you might get the word out to our Redmond community on the success that we all had in our contributions to Hopelink over the holidays.  Job well done Redmond.

 Cash/Checks: $3174.64
Food Donations: ~2000 Lbs. (which HopeLink values at $1.50 per lb. = $3500)
Toy Donations: ~$1000 worth
Total value of Donations ~$7674.64

John Stockman

City of Redmond Battalion Chief

Washington State Council of Fire Fighters

206-940-2377

 http://www.wscff.org

UPDATED: Twenty-five citizens show up for Tent City Public Meeting



Tent City encampment at St Jude four years ago

UPDATED:  City of Redmond Principal Planner, Steve Fischer led the Public Meeting last night held at Redmond Middle School library for the purpose of reviewing Share/Wheel's permit proposal to house Tent City 4 at St Jude.   Thirteen community citizens showed up, including 4 children and all had a chance to ask questions of twelve tent city resident/citizens present.  About 33 homeless are expected to immediately move into the St. Jude encampment January 12 with capacity for 100.  Share/Wheel didn't expect the encampment to reach capacity owing to the cold weather.

One of the children asked what kind of medical care tent city residents get while camping out.  Several adults asked what kind of support system is set up to help get residents transitioning out of the encampment.  Contact St. Jude to donate food and supplies. 

There were several security questions.  All tent city residents have background screens before they are allowed on camp.  Those that fail the screen are given a bus pass and walked to the bus stop.  Tent city members self-govern and patrol their encampment on a regular basis. 

This is the fourth time in six years Tent City 4 may be hosted by St. Jude.  (The appeals process ends in a week.)  Pastor Rogerson of St Jude said Kirkland and Woodinville have both held their Tent City encampments in two different locations.  After the meeting he said there was another community in Redmond with a church who indicated an interest in hosting a subsequent encampment. 

Photo and Report by Bob Yoder

Transplanting Group Health plants to Marymoor BirdLoop

A few of the plants that will be transplanted at Marymoor BirdLoop 

These plants from Group Health were all transplanted to Marymoor BirdLoop on January 5

LETTER:  

 About 30 community volunteers salvaged 670 native plants last month from the old Group Health site in Redmond. This Saturday (January 5) we had work for at least as many volunteers as we put the plants into the ground on the Audubon BirdLoop at Marymoor Park. Reusing the ferns, mahonia, and salal at Marymoor will improve cover and food sources for the park's birds and other wildlife.

 Work started at 8 a.m. and continued until 2 PM.  About 40 remaining plants were planted the following month.
 

 I'm attaching a self-portrait by our photographer, Mick Thompson, who stands amid a relative few of the plants we transplanted this Saturday. Clearly it was a big job.

Reported by Bob Yoder

ATTN BUSINESSES: Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service

LETTER:   I hope that things in the Redmond Neighborhood Blog are doing well. I have an item I was hoping you would be interested in: United Way is looking for local businesses to volunteer for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.

Here’s the link where businesses can select a project. United Way will connect them with project leads and all of the information they need to get involved.

 http://www.uwkc.org/news-events/united-way-news/honor-dr-king-on-mlk-day.html

I have a vested interest here, because Green Redmond is hosting three MLK Day projects. But, there are tons of worthy projects listed in addition to ours.

Thanks!

Norah Kates

Forterra | Green Cities Project Coordinator

Formerly Cascade Land Conservancy

901 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2200

Seattle, Washington 98164

T 206 905 6943 | W www.forterra.org

CREATING GREAT COMMUNITIES

and CONSERVING GREAT LANDS

LETTER: Union to file lawsuit to overturn charter school initiative

Union to file lawsuit to overturn charter school initiative

January 2, 2013

By Liv Finne, Washington Policy Blog

Over the holidays, Washington Education Association executives decided to sue voters over Initiative 1240, the people’s charter school initiative, according to a posting on Facebook. I-1240 gives priority to new charter schools that serve at-risk students from low-performing traditional public schools. Here is the union’s statement:
 

“Though our candidates won, we are disappointed that corporate interests with their $11 million were able to pass the charter school initiative. Looking forward, your board of directors has decided to fund a legal challenge against the new charters law and, as we did with McCleary, are seeking partners and developing an approach and timeline for this effort. More details about this will come.”
 

The union has a communications network which distributes political messages to teachers, school employees and parents. The union also has an annual budget of $33 million of taxpayer dollars taken as dues from teachers' paychecks.
 

The union faces a costly, uphill battle. A lot of information about successful charter schools in other states is now available. New research about charter schools shows they are a successful option for students within the public school system. Editorial boards of all Washington’s major newspapers endorsed Initiative 1240. By a clear majority, voters ignored union opposition and passed I-1240, demonstrating that voters want charter schools in Washington state.
 

The union’s lawsuit is based on shaky legal reasoning. Initiative 1240 is clearly constitutional. The lawsuit may delay Washington’s charter schools, but it will not stop them. The lawsuit scheme provides additional evidence the union is a reactionary force determined to block change. Union executives want to protect their monopoly power and influence within the system, regardless of the cost to disadvantaged children trapped in failing public schools in Washington state.
 

http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/union-file-lawsuit-overturn-charter-school-initiative

 

Home burglarized in Grasslawn neighborhood before audible alarm went off: Police Blotter 1/1

RPD Public Info for 24 Hours preceding 05:54:01 on Tuesday, January 1 2013

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Suspicious Circumstance	21:26:22 12/31/2012	12-022532
CITYCENTER	176xx block of NE 76 ST
A small baggie containing some white powder was located on the ground. No suspect info.

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Theft-From Mtr Vehicle	21:11:23 12/31/2012	12-022531
CITYCENTER	75xx block of 166 AVE NE
A laptop computer was stolen. No suspect info at this time.

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Burglary, Resid, Forcible Ent	19:47:11 12/31/2012	12-022525
GRASSLAWN	132xx block of NE 93 ST
A home was burglarized before the audible alarm went off.

READ MORE >>

Centennial Bonfire Celebration

The hundred year birthday of the City of Redmond was celebrated by bonfire at
City Hall on December 31. 500-600 attended / By JOHN REINKE