Light Rail Service Between Redmond and Bellevue Begins in the Spring

Service between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station begins Spring of 2024.  Service to the Marymoor and Downtown stations are planned for 2025.

The 2 Line segment opening next spring will mean easy, traffic-free connections
to where you live, work and play!

By Brooke Belman, Deputy CEO Sound Transit

Publish Date

August 24, 2023

Today the Sound Transit Board of Directors voted for a phased approach to opening the East Link Extension, beginning with service between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations in spring 2024.  

As we’ve shared over the past year, delays caused by construction quality issues along the I-90 portion of the East Link Extension, which includes two more stations in Judkins Park and on Mercer Island, prompted Sound Transit’s staff and Board to reimagine our plans for beginning passenger service. We now expect to open this remaining section of the 2 Line, creating rail connections across Lake Washington, in 2025. 

After greenlighting the phased approach today, the Sound Transit Board will finalize initial 2 Line service levels later this fall, when they consider the 2024 Service Plan. The plan will also set service levels for the Lynnwood Link opening, slated for next fall.  

With the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension opening next month and new Eastside and Snohomish County service launching next year, your light rail destinations are expanding in a big way in the near future. Here’s what we expect Sound Transit’s regional service will look like by the end of next year.

-- Sound Transit

Redmond Rainbow Crosswalk

Beautiful art!  But don't stare down at it when you're in the crosswalk.  
Drivers may get distracted and not recognize it's a crosswalk. 

The Public Works Director was there.  He said they bought a thermo-applicator machine to paint this crosswalk and will use it for painting other asphalt art.  NAMI Eastside mental health art near the Together Center would be another good candidate!  Don't you think? 

Eastside LBGTQIA artists"

- photo and comment by Yoder, 9/2/2023

UPDATED: 9/17: EvergreenHealth Commissioners Considering $789,500,000 Bond, 8-story Tower

EvergreenHealth Public Hospital

 

The proposed North Tower will have 12 floors:  2 underground parking, 1 underground mixed-use, 2 above ground facility and ancillary, 7 inpatient care floors (3 will be left vacant.) 

At the EvergreenHealth Commission's May retreat, the V.P. of Operations reviewed the proposed Master Facility Plan projects, including a 12-story North Tower expansion with 255,000 square feet and adding another level of parking to the Central Parking Garage.  He also reviewed the bed capacity status and current shortage.

The proposed North Tower would have: 

• two underground parking floors
• 1 mixed-use underground floor 
• 2 above ground support and ancillary care floors 
• 7 floors of inpatient care
•  expanding capacity and modernizing surgical services, 
• address community health needs for behavioral health services  (how?)
• increasing seismic resilience 
• improving Emergency Department capacity,
• and improving energy efficiency and environmental stewardship 

The V.P. of Operations noted that they are in one of the better places in the greater Seattle area to serve the public in the event of a large seismic event and we may be one of few facilities operational. 

He stated, " the anticipated UTGO Bond amount is approx. $798,500,000, and would include a new North Tower. We would plan to buildout 6 of the 9 floors in the new North Tower to start and keep the remaining 3 floors for future expansion as needs arise or change.  The levers used to achieve break-even Net Income over the 10-year proforma period were labor and overhead." 

It was noted the UTGO BOND would equate to a tax rate of $.13 per $1,000 of assessed value (or $156.24 incremental tax increase per year for a $1.2M home in Kirkland, which is the 2023 median assessed home value).  (However, 2024 King County appraisals for homes are reduced by ~ 20% from 2023. Thus, the hospital commissioners will probably launch the bond measure in 2024.)

Additionally, it was noted that the public hospital district taxes are 2.1% of the entire King County levy.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Paul Hess, Kenmore resident, asked if EvergreenHealth has implemented lean organizational strategies, noting that it will help close the gap. Additionally, he spoke about the Foundation, how their staff report to EvergreenHealth, and hopes that no Foundation funding will be used for a UTGO Bond.  He also spoke critically about how he and other District residents pay taxes to fund the hospital but don’t use the services, while others who don’t pay taxes to fund the hospital use the services.

SOURCES:

-- Minutes: May 16th, 2023, Regular Board Meeting - 2 comments

-- Minutes: May 11th 2023, Special Session Commission Retreat

-- Minutes: May 2 2023, Special Session Leadership Educational Session  1 comment

-- May 10  Special Session Leadership Educational Session  - 8 comments

posted by Bob Yoder, 9/2/2023

Anderson Park Vagrant

I saw this poor vagrant sleeping in Anderson Park landscaping about 1 p.m. this morning.  I've seen homeless sleeping on Anderson Park benches before.  I've notified the city council ombudsman and hopefully the city can find a way to help this man.  Dial 991.

-- Bob Yoder, 9/1/2023 

Downtown Monotony

Beijing based public company financed this $31 million project.  The yellow building is under
construction and part of the project.  The remaining orange vapor barrier film is being covered with more drab materials.  See the small cranes at work?

 

The mixed use "Grand" building will house 1,2,3,4 bedroom apartment units and first floor retail.  It's right in the center of town at the Redmond Way / 166th Avenue and replaces Redmond Square retail mall.  Trees were once visible here.  

Last month, the planning department distributed a questionnaire with pictures of different building designs. Believe it or not, there are still many large projects in the pipeline. Please take the survey!  

Who was our mayor in 2008?  Mayor Ives / Mayor Marchione?  Building design surveys, open houses, and workshops should have been done ~ fifteen years ago.  As is, we will have to live with this and other high profile ugly buildings with no art for over ~ 50 years.  😮 

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, 8/30/2023

The AI revolution - Microsoft vs. Google

Google CEO interview:  This video shows how amazing AI (artificial intelligence) is and why it needs to be regulated.  

So far, Google has 92.07% market share vs. 2.99% market share of Microsoft's BING search engine. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says AI is shaking up the competition for search. He argues that AI's new wave of technology is as big as the web browser or the iPhone.

-- posted by Yoder

Mayor Birney's Story | Police & Fire Canines - August 2023

Redmond Council Position #7 Primary Race a Virtual Tie

King County Redmond Primary Election Certified Results: 

Sadly, only 29.31% of Redmond's 33,853 registered voters voted....that's 9,923.

The Council Position #7 race was razor-thin:  

• David M. Carson, 3,745 votes, 39.40%
• Angie Nuevacamin, 3795 votes, 39.93%
• Amit Gupta, 1939 votes, 20.40%

I offered to videotape and post interviews of Mr. Carson and Ms. Nuevacamin.

-- Bob Yoder, 8/27/2023

UPDATED: EvergreenHealth "Community" Hospital Lacks Behavioral Health Specialty Care

EvergreenHealth "Community Hospital, owned by the community," lacks Behavioral Health Specialty Care.

When you need care from a specialist, the EvergreenHealth Medical Group provides physicians in more than 40 specialties. Behavioral health is not one of them. 

Their specialty care clinics are listed below:

Breast Health Center
Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center
Cancer Care
Colon and Rectal Care
Diabetes and Endocrinology Care
Diabetes Education & Nutrition Services
Ear, Nose & Throat Care
Eye Care

EvergreenHealth Selects Nancy Stewart as Newest Commissioner, Term Expires 2025

 EvergreenHealth Board Selects Nancy Stewart as Newest Commissioner

She has been selected to replace Al DeYoung in Position #1 after he retired in June 2023

 

KIRKLAND, Wash. –  The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners recently appointed Nancy Stewart to fill a vacant position on the board, serving in Position #1, which represents the communities of Bothell, Duvall and Woodinville. Stewart joins the board effective Aug. 15, 2023, and replaces Al DeYoung, who previously served in Position #1 for over 40 years before retiring in June.

 

Stewart is a longtime resident of EvergreenHealth’s public hospital district and is a former employee of EvergreenHealth, having joined the organization in 2012. Over her tenure, she served in varying progressive leadership roles, most recently as executive director of hospital and *specialty medicine. She left the role in 2023 to spend time with her family but is eager to be back at EvergreenHealth as a commissioner to help serve her surrounding community.

 

“Nancy is a successful health care professional with a broad skill set that supports our shared work as we embark on our second 50 years as providers of exceptional care and service for our community,” said EvergreenHealth Board Chair Virgil Snyder. “Her experience as an EvergreenHealth leader and her expertise in emergency and health services management make her a valuable addition to our community-owned hospital system’s Board of Commissioners. I look forward to working with her and our fellow commissioners as we continue to ensure EvergreenHealth meets our community’s critical, changing needs.”

 

Stewart holds a master's degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Servant Leadership from Gonzaga University, along with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Services Management & Communications from Eastern Washington University. She also holds several certifications, including FEMA’s certification for Emergency Management (Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents); a professional coach certification in wellness, relationships, bereavement and addiction recovery; and a certification of business development from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

 

“My time at EvergreenHealth, along with being a patient myself and advocate for others seeking care, provided incredible insight into the needs of our patients and families and fuels my desire to join the Board of Commissioners to help develop solutions to ensure everyone in our growing community has access to our quality care and service,” Stewart said.

 

Stewart joins six other board members – Virgil Snyder, board chair; Tim McLaughlin, board secretary; Rebecca Hirt, Charles Pilcher, M.D., David Edwards and Jeff Cashman. The elected Board of Commissioners governs EvergreenHealth, providing oversight, counsel and accountability to EvergreenHealth’s leadership team, ensuring the public hospital district fulfills its mission and values and provides high-quality care for everyone in the community.

 

Stewart’s appointment completes the seven-member Board of Commissioners. She will serve the remainder of the current term through Dec. 31, 2025.

 

###

About EvergreenHealth  

 

EvergreenHealth is a community-owned hospital system serving more than one million residents in King and Snohomish counties. Since 1972, EvergreenHealth has evolved alongside the Eastside community into a two-hospital health system with a network of primary care practices, urgent care centers, specialty clinics, extensive home care and hospice services and 24/7 emergency care in Kirkland, Monroe and Redmond. As a public hospital district, EvergreenHealth actively provides equal access to high-quality, high-value care, partnering with local organizations to perform outreach and offer health education to address our community’s needs now and for generations to come. The hospital system is named one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best™ Hospitals in clinical excellence and holds a 5-Star Overall Rating from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Learn more at www.evergreenhealth.com.

* EvergreenHealth has over 20 Specialty Clinics.  Behavioral Health is not one of them.

 

Balcony Art

The "SPECTRA of Marymoor" apartment mixed-used building in Marymoor Village has interesting architecture in the shape of metallic balconies.  Also, note the use of brick and wood materials.  

-- Photo B. Yoder, 8/7/2023

Light Rail Graffiti

 

The light rail graffiti is adjacent Red Robin.  It's disturbing.  I've notified Mayor Birney and the code enforcement officer.  

-- Bob Yoder, 8/7/2023

No Criminal Charges Filed Against Officers In Churna Case

Dear Redmond Community,

Last week the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office’s Public Integrity Team released their filing determination regarding Andrea Churna, who was shot and killed by a Redmond police officer on Sept. 20, 2020.

The Public Integrity Team issued a Decline Memorandum, recommending that no criminal charges be filed against any officers present during this incident. 

When the shooting occurred, the policy in place at that time does not allow me to specifically elaborate on the internal findings until the conclusion of the inquest process (that policy has since been revised).

Per policy, Officer Mendoza, who fired the fatal shots, was put on paid administrative leave following the incident. As of October 2022, Officer Mendoza is no longer an employee of the Redmond Police Department.   

I have acknowledged that mistakes occurred that night. As a result of the multiple investigations, we have refined our policies and procedures to align with industry best practices. These include access to additional less-lethal options, implementing a body-worn and in-car camera program, and increasing mental health resources.

While nothing can bring Ms. Churna back, we are continuously striving to improve the quality of service our first responders provide our Redmond community in order to prevent another tragic loss of life. 

We will continue communicating throughout this process with our community.

Sincerely,

Chief Darrell Lowe

90th Street Pond Restoration Underway, Fish Protected

Green Heron spears a frog on the 90th Street Bridge stormwater pond

The City of Redmond budgeted a little over a million dollars to remove sediment and restore the functionality of the 90th Street stormwater runoff pond.  The pond is located at the intersection of the 90^th Street Bridge and the Sammamish River.  The project is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of October.

For over twelve years, I have been observing and photographing the abundant wildlife that often appears in this pond. Great blue herons frequently catch fish and frogs here.  Above, is a rare Green Heron spearing a frog!  Different species of waterfowl often appear during the spring and fall migratory seasons.  I once photographed six adult male wood ducks together in the pond at the same time!

In addition to the varied birdlife, I have photographed:  a beaver on two different occasions, a raccoon, river otters frolicking in the pond twice, and a coyote, which really surprised me.

I don't know what will become of this wildlife once the project is complete.  A worker said they netted all of the fish at the east end of the enclosure, and relocated them to the west end, nearest to the river.  This was to protect the fish. The worker said that when entering the pond the accumulated sediment was so deep where they were netting the fish, that it came up to their shoulders!

--Photos and Story by John Reinke, 8/7/2023

City removing rich, organic soil from the pond

"The existing NE 90th St stormwater pond treats the runoff from the 90th St stormwater basin before it drains into the Sammamish River. It was constructed in 2000 and currently provides about two thirds of the water quality treatment required by today’s regulations. The pond works by allowing sediment to settle out of the stormwater before it enters the Sammamish River. Over the last 20 years, significant sediment has accumulated, filling up a portion of the pond. The City will be removing the accumulated sediment from the pond during the summer of 2023. "

(Source:  NE 90th Street Stormwater Pond Retrofit | Redmond, WA )

UPDATED 9/30: Position #7 Council Primary Update, Neck 'n Neck

Angie vs. David, a virtual tie.                                                               

Incumbent, David M. Carson

As of August 4, Angie Nuevancamina, Redmond Planning Commissioner leads incumbent David M. Carson in the Primary with 40.02% of the vote.  Carson's share is 39.34%; right now, a photo finish.  Amit Gupta has 20.35%.  

David Carson is a seasoned councilmember of 12 years and leans to the right.  He doesn't make a big thing out of political endorsements since council members are nonpartisan.  He actively supports small businesses and the community.  Angie Nuevancamina is a Redmond Planning Commissioners; she leans left like most of the present councilmembers and is openly supported by democratic representatives and organizations. She's a supporter of small businesses, as well.

-- Posted by Yoder, 8/4/2023, updated: 9/29/2023

Redmond's Downtown Building Designs

Redmond 2100 ??

The city wants to talk about Downtown architectural and building designs for new development. Help them plan the buildings of 2050.  The 23-acre Nelson downtown village stands out. Townhouses and triplexes are planned for the residential neighborhoods.  Overlake-south will have two new villages.  

Tell the city what you like and don’t like in architectural and building designs.  23 building designs are displayed for your opinion and comment.  Add your own ideas for Downtown buildings and comment on the designs.

The city will use your feedback to develop Downtown’s design standards for new development.  Give your feedback here.  

Questions?  Principal Planner, Kimberly Dietz, kdietz@redmond.gov, 425-556-2415

Posted by Yoder

"Washington Bike Law" Represents Injured Bicyclists

 Ten Bicyclists Injured on the Burke-Gilman Trail's “Missing Link"

About Washington Bike Law:

 

Washington Bike Law (WBL) represents injured bicyclists statewide and helps make our streets safer for everyone. WBL was the first law office in the nation to be honored by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bike Friendly Business. Find more at www.washingtonbikelaw.com.

Bike accidents are probable in Redmond:  1) no protected bike lanes, 2) the intersection of Redmond Way and East Lake Sammamish Blvd. is hazardous and potentially deadly.  The City of Redmond could be liable.  (B. Yoder.) 

 

SEATTLE – Ten people injured in bicycle crashes on the "Missing Link" of the Burke-Gilman Trail recently filed claims against the City of Seattle for its failure to make the existing roadway reasonably safe for ordinary travel, according to attorneys representing the individuals. The ten riders suffered varying degrees of injury ranging from contusions to broken bones to traumatic brain injury.

 

Washington Bike Law (WBL) and Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB) are Seattle law firms cooperatively representing the bicyclists. “The aim of the claim notices filed today is not simply to achieve compensation for our clients’ injuries, but to prompt action by the City to prevent more people from being seriously injured by this known danger,” said SGB attorney Adam Berger.

 

The Missing Link is a 1.4-mile stretch in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood where the Burke-Gilman Trail abruptly ends, sending bicyclists onto streets that are still not reasonably safe for travel by bicycle. The ten bicyclists were all injured where many others have crashed before them: the Missing Link’s “Crash Zone,” a dangerous railroad crossing under the Ballard Bridge.

 

WBL’s Bob Anderton has represented multiple bicyclists injured in this same Crash Zone dating as far back as 2001. 

Great Night and Band for Rock 'in on the River

 

Photo by Rick Zucker, posted on Café Chat Facebook group.  
Band is singing and playing "Chicago" songs.
Lots of dancing, too!

Line Up

Two more free performances.  August 9th and 16th.  Redmond City Hall lawns.  6-8 p.m. 

Dr. David Morton Accepts the Climate Action Challenge

Replacing dying cottonwoods with new trees at Idylwood Park.  Dr. David Morton is digging

 (far right) in the background.  Councilmember Hank Myers is in the foreground.

The Redmond Climate Action Challenge makes it easy and fun to reduce your environmental impact. By taking the Redmond Climate Action Challenge on October 4, 2021, my wife Gail and I have reduced our annual greenhouse gas emissions by 4.8 metric tons. We selected the actions specific to our journey, tracked our progress, and watched our carbon footprint decline as we made changes at home.  Here are some actions we’ve taken:

1.      Reducing air travel by 9,000 miles per year saves us 7,200 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. We mostly stay local, but in 2021, Gail made a round trip to Portland in her 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, and I made two round trips to Renton in my 1990 Geo Metro XFi. Zoom and Microsoft Teams make it unnecessary to do a lot of flying and driving.
2.      Nature has replaced 3,000 square feet of our lawn with drought-tolerant plants like buttercups, dandelions, clover, and blackberry. Although they are non-native and invasive, they require zero watering, minimal mowing with a manual reel mower, and provide nectar and pollen for bees. This saves 42,600 gallons of water a year and earns 4,260 “Sustainability points.” The 40,000 sq. feet of forest that we have been allowing to grow on our property since 1994 has removed more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than our cars have released into it.
3.      By adopting smart driving habits, we save 110 gallons of gas and 2,960 pounds of CO₂ equivalents a year. Avoiding heavy acceleration, coasting when possible, light braking, and driving the speed limit help a lot. I turn off my car when stopped at traffic lights; Gail’s hybrid does that automatically. My car has no gas-guzzling air conditioner. And I regularly service our cars and keep their tires properly inflated.

EvergreenHealth Medical Center Provides Addiction Recovery Services

 

EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland partners with EvergreenHealth - Monroe to provide addiction recovery services.  Commissioner Mclaughlin says mental health beds in Monroe are not far away.

-- Posted by Bob Yoder, 8/2/2023

Apartment Building Art

SPECTRA apartment building art, SE Redmond

 

Marymoor Village Apartment Complex Offers Public Community Gardens

The city wants to see Marymoor Village of SE Redmond develop into an eclectic neighborhood, different from the downtown.   For the summer months and with a splash of art, Spectra Apartments in Marymoor Village is going in the right direction!

Partnering with the City of Redmond, Spectra apartments offers two community Gardens as an amenity for their tenants.  The Gardens are also open to the public. The Spectra front desk manages the Gardens, not the city.  We signed up and are 3rd on the wait list for an $80/year box.  

3 rows of carrots have sprouted!  

Spectra Apartment Community Gardens

(click images to enlarge)

-- Bob Yoder, photos, 7/29/2023

Council Notes: Scooters & Salaries

Council Meeting Notes:  

E-scooters and e-bikes pilot project discussed.  Seattle and Everett are the only cities in Puget Sound that have e-scooters.  Parking spaces will not be marked with paint owing to maintenance.  Several councilmembers complained about e-scooters as difficult to ride, blocking sidewalks and ADA intersections. At least 9 accidents were reported by the Fire Dept.  Most didn't want more than one vendor owing to multiple phone applications.  Lime is the present vendor; they will present to council in their next meeting.  September may be the month council decides on a permanent contract.  Email feedback to council at council@redmond.gov.

Council Salaries:  Councilmember Anderson started a 29 minute discussion about council salaries, recommending Ordinance 3116 be repealed or amended to allow council to set their own salaries for new members. They decided to have a private Executive Session to discuss the matter.  Councilmember Varisha Kahn made a rare comment agreeing to an Executive Session. For the most part, Ms. Kahn very rarely participates in any conversation at council meetings.  

The city pays each councilmember over $18,600/year, plus generous benefits. 

Watch council discuss council salaries at this video meeting:  1:01:38 - 1:30:19

-- posted by Bob Yoder, 7/27/2023,  Source:  RCTV and mayor memo

School Resource Officers Renamed "School Liaison Officers"

Internet 

At City Council's July 25, 2023 study session meeting, LWSD Safety Services Director, Scott Emory explained the district's re-naming of "School Resource Officer" to "School Liaison Officer."  He indicated the State of Washington Superintendent was behind the change.

In response to a question from CM Steve Fields, Emory explained the change was to mitigate police involvement with student discipline and miss behaviors; rather leave discipline up to district staff and administration.  

One Police Liaison Officer would still be assigned to each high school (and it's community of schools) but their only duty is law enforcement.  Police involvement in mental health would be only secondary to the administration and staff.  (Police Chief Lowe said one mental health officer is "embedded" in the department.) 

Councilmember David Carson agreed with the program but couldn't see why the title had to be re-named.  

-- Reported by Bob Yoder, 7/26/2023

Source:  RCTV, 7/25/2023

[North Shore SRO position:  https://www.nsd.org/get-involved/task-forces-committees/sro-task-force]

2023 Redmond Derby Days Drone Show Highlights

Pickleball

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS  (click) 

Sammamish Eagle Nest Gone, Eaglets Fledged

A week ago on Wednesday July 12, I arrived at the Redmond Central Connector bridge at about 1 pm.  At that time, the eagle nest was still intact.  

I left and returned to the same location at about 5 pm.  The partial collapse of the nest had somehow occurred during that interval.  The above photo was taken at that time.  In it, you can see that evidently one of the eaglets had flown out of the nest and landed on the branch of a nearby tree.  The other eaglet had remained on top of the partially collapsed nest, as you can see.  I departed from the scene shortly thereafter.

I returned again on Friday, July 14.  The eaglets were nowhere to be seen, and most of the rest of the nest had fallen away, as you can see below:  

A day or two later, I learned that a friend had subsequently seen both eaglets and parents in or near the nest tree, and that they took off for parts unknown.  So far as I know, they have not been seen again.

It's a mystery to me as to why the nest partially collapsed in the afternoon of July 12, 2023.

-- Story and photos by John Reinke, 7/19/23

Overlake: A Three Building Project Totaling 22 Stories

 

Overlake East - three building project - Videos HERE.

The combined site for MGP XII Overlake East is approximately 6.1 acres in size and is fronted by NE 24th Street to the south, 152nd Ave NE — a linear neighborhood core with main street character to the west.  Directly to the north/northeast of the site, King County Housing Authority operates the Village at Overlake Station, which is co-located with the Overlake Transit Center and Metro Park & Ride. 

Overlake Center shopping mall, Macy’s mattress store, Mayuri Foods, TruDental of Redmond, and a variety of retail and restaurant businesses will be torn down. 

The application proposes a Master Plan for a four-building development to be constructed in three phases: 

• Phase 1 includes Building A, located on the north parcel, to consist of an eight-story mixed use building. 

• Phase 2 includes Buildings B and C, located on the corner parcel, to consist of a seven story mixed use building (Building B) and a seven story multifamily building (Building C).

Mental Health Triage Kits Carried By Police

 Mental Health Triage Kits Contain Items to Help Police Comfort Those with Autism and Small Children

Redmond police officers now carry Mental Health Triage Kits in their patrol vehicles to better connect with small children, autistic individuals, and members of the intellectual and developmental disability community. The kits contain sensory care items. 

Redmond Police Explorers assembled the kits during their monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 18, at the Redmond Police Department (RPD).

Rock'in On The River - Line-up

 

Wednesday, Aug 2: Rockfish and Friends An 11-piece band consisting of some of Seattle’s most talented and experienced musicians, Rockfish And Friends focus on an eclectic mix of “Classic Rock That Kicks Brass” from the 60’s, 70’s and 80's. You’ll be hard pressed to find another group in the area so accurately recreating the very best from artists like Chicago, Steely Dan, Heart, Lighthouse, Doobie Brothers, Toto, Wings, Blood, Sweat & Tears and many more.
Wednesday, Aug 9: Catch a Wave This Beach Boys tribute band comes direct from California. Established in 2001 Catch A Wave is the original striped shirt true-to-form Beach Boys show. Others just don't quite measure up. The idea for this incredible show was to recreate the look and sound of a live Beach Boys concert circa 1964 to 1969.
Wednesday, Aug 16: Laurel Canyon Legacy Laurel Canyon Legacy celebrates the explosion of popular music that came out of LA’s Laurel Canyon in the mid-60s as folk music blended with rock and went electric.  Come take a musical journey through the 60’s and 70’s as they perform your favorite songs by groups like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Byrds, Beach Boys, Carole King, America, Buffalo Springfield, The Mamas and the Papas, and more.

Free Summer Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on the great lawn next to Redmond City Hall. 

UPDATED: Public Servants: City Councilmember and School Board Director Salaries

The Mayor of Redmond faced controversary over consideration of salary increases for Council members.  Currently, *seven council members each receive $18,648 per year and over $28,000 in benefits.  They have about twice as many formal meetings as school board directors.  Directors receive $4,000/year much of which is typically directed to their annual retreat. No benefits. I will report EvergreehHealth commissioner compensation at a later date.  Operating budgets will be quoted.  

RCW 28A.343.400 Compensation—Waiver. Each member of the board

of directors of a school district may receive compensation of fifty

dollars per day or portion thereof for attending board meetings and

for performing other services on behalf of the school district, not to

exceed four thousand eight hundred dollars per year.  

Any director may waive all or any portion of his or her

compensation under this section as to any month or months during his

or her term of office.

The compensation provided in this section shall be in addition to

any reimbursement for expenses paid to such directors by the school

district.

-- Source:  Public Record Request, 7/19/2023

The School Board holds a Study Session and Business Meeting every other week.  They hold Executive Sessions and Special Meetings.  They get no benefits, health care insurance, etc.  There are 5 Board members.  

* With the exception of Councilmember Varisha Kahn, all the Redmond councilmembers and LWSD directors attended their meetings on a regular basis.  

cc: COR Council