CITY WATCH: The City Council Will Hold Hearing To Oppose I-2066

 Vote "yes" on I-2066.   Washington residents and restaurants deserve a choice on using gas and/or electricity.  It's estimated the average consumer would have to pay ~$35,000 to convert all their appliances from gas to electric.  If I-2066 passes gas won't be banned from use by restaurants and households.  

Washington State has placed a ballot measure before the voters. Initiative Measure No. 2066 concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification. Initiative 2066 is scheduled to go to the voters at the General Election on November 5, 2024. 

The City Cou  the Council to take action on the resolution to declare its official position in opposition to I-2066. 

 "COUNCIL TOOL"   RCW 42.17A.555(1) authorizes the Council to take action to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as (a) the agenda includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members.

(Same Tool used by Council to validate their I-2117 Hearing)

Source:  10/8/24 Study Session "hopper." 

Council will hold a hearing at the October 15th, 2024 Business Meeting for the Council to take action on the resolution to declare its official position in opposition to I-2066. 

"COUNCIL TOOL"   RCW 42.17A.555(1) authorizes the Council to take action to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as (a) the agenda includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members.

(Same Tool used by Council to validate their I-2117 Hearing)

Source:  10/8/24 Study Session "hopper." 

Bob Yoder, Opinion:  10/17/2024

National Indigenous Peoples Day For Eastside Youth

A Proclamation On Indigenous Peoples' Day, by Joseph R. Biden,

October 7th, 2022

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.

                       "Am I Enough?" celebration at Lake Washington High

 Am I enough to be seen as an indigenous person?  Watch a short video HERE of students celebrating "Am I Enough." 

Mary Wilber, Program Coordinator of the Eastside Native American Indian Association organizes events for our Salish Sea indigenous youth.  She invites indigenous students from three school districts to her Monday evening classes at Lake Washignton High.  

Pam and I celebrated with the Eastside Native American families at Lake Washington High and in a Pow Wow at Juanita High.  Both ceremonies touched our hearts.  School Board members Siri Bliesner and Mark Stuart participated in the Lake Washington festivities.

Posted by Yoder

10/13/24

School Board Directors Tour Two Schools October 15

 

Some or all of the LWSD School Board of Directors will tour schools in the district on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.  Open to the public Board members will not conduct business of the district an no decisions will be made. The board provides a community report about their site visits at their regularly scheduled board meetings. Schedule: International Community School - 10 a.m. Blackwell Elementary School - 1 p.m.

Contacts: School board meeting information:  Teresa Harding, tharding@lwsd.org, 425-936-1257   Media inquiries:  Shannon Parthemer, sparthemer@lwsd.org, 425-936-1342

Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube for up-to-date news and information.

UPDATED 10/13: Council Notes: Funding For "Mini City Hall" and Avondale Water Main Replacement

Redmond City Hall

The City is asking our State legislature to fund significant projects next session, as follows:     

1) $1,024,475 to replace several miles of aging, brittle asbestos water main pipe on Avondale Road NE.  In addition, pavement will be re-surfaced for a total cost of $3.3M. 

The pipes "are brittle," with numerous breaks in the last five years.  Key concerns are: 

• Health and water quality
• Impacts to salmon-bearing streams
• Fire protection 

2)  $618,000 for 1,700 sf city service space ("Mini City Hall") in the Overlake Bellwether building.  With State funding the following services would be provided by 2028:  

• customer service
• police desk
• mobile integrated health
• translation services (42% of residents are foreign born)
• multi-cultural lobby with rotating art
• 333 units for low and moderate income (30-80% AMI) families and individuals. 
• access to light rail - across street from the Overlake Station. 

Source:  Amy Tsai, Redmond's

Chief Policy Advisor

Council Study Session, 10/8/24

Privately Owned Scooter Transportation

This comment was made by Patrick T. under a Redmond 2050 Facebook post:

"I ride a scooter as my primary method of transportation 99% of the year (unless it's actually frozen or snowy, like two weeks out of the year). Beyond all the advantages in cost to own and operate, I can just shoulder surf or lane-filter past stopped traffic AND I still get to be fully motorized so the time it takes me to get somewhere doesn't go up for 50 minutes (unlike with a bus). Also I can get up to 40mph so I can do longer distance travel on roads. It truly is a life hack, the best of both worlds. If it's rainy I have a rainproof jacket and pants, and if it's cold I have an extra layer. Screw traffic! "  

Patrick T.  

Redmond 2050 Facebook Page

Scooters have a small footprint so parking space is readily available, as well. 

 

"Pro Scooter Shop" on NE 95the Street by the Connector Trail and the Eastside Gym.  425-968-5058  A convenient location for a trial run.  

Other scooter stores.  Helmets are for sale at most stores.  

Posted by Yoder

10/12/2024

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Early Learning Center

In 2016, Lake Washington School District received a bond approval to begin renovating the original schoolhouse to be the district’s first early learning center. It technically opened in September of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to celebrate its opening. Instead, a crowd gathered on February 1, 2023 to mark the delayed opening with a presentation, ribbon cutting and a community open house.

Fun fact: Redmond Coucilmember Osman Sulahuddin is in this video. He always wears clean white sneakers😃. Osman is the youngest member on Council and he represents our youth exceptionally well.

posted by Yoder

10/12/2024

Sign Up For Osman's "Youth Board" - Be A Voice For The Eastside.

 

YOUTH BOARD: As a Redmond Councilmember, one of my main goals has been to engage more youth in the political process. That is why I'm excited to announce the launch of my Youth Board, a chance to participate in advocacy, policy initiatives, community events, and more! If you are a middle school or high school student (or if you know of someone who may be interested), this is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in the field and allow you to be a voice for youth all across the eastside! Applications are due on Wednesday, October 16th at 11:59 PM. Apply here: https://bit.ly/os-youthboard,

Redmond Natural Art

 

90th Street Run-off pond near the Sammamish River. 

Photo by John Reinke 

Letter to the Editor: UPDATED: Mayor Birney Has Too Much Power

Unlike its neighboring cities, such as Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, and Sammamish, which ALL have a council-manager form of government, City of Redmond has a strong mayor-council form of government. Under the strong mayor form of government, mayor has too much power: while the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power; the mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power. We have all witnessed the damages done allowing downtown homeless housing in Redmond and the entire Eastside when the mayor has too much power yet free from checks and balances.

Safe Eastside

Posted, 10/9/2024

Letter to the Editor: City Council Deprived Peoples' Rights On Homeless Decision

The Washington Constitution states, “All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.” 

When the Redmond City Council, deprived people of their rights to give input and rushed to give away public land to Plymouth Housing for developing a low-barrier homeless building in downtown Redmond, they failed to comply with the Washington Constitution.

Facts about the Plymouth homeless building in downtown Redmond:

• Located across the street from Anderson Park, only 0.5 miles from Redmond Elementary School;
• This is a 6-story, 100-unit, single adult only homeless building;
• No drug testing will be conducted. Drugs will be allowed in the building;
• Other than lifetime registered sex offenders, all other sex offenders are eligible;
• Other than meth producers who were convicted in the past 5 years, all other drug producers and drug dealers are eligible;
• The city made falsely claim and secretly plans to limit eligibility to people with disabilities. According to state law and the common practices of the state, county, and city, mental illness and substance use disorder are all considered disabilities. The city and Plymouth Housing want to secretly limit eligibility for this building to people with mental illness and drug addiction ;
• Homeless people from outside of Redmond are eligible;
• The City of Kenmore started this project via RFP in 2022 and rejected it in 2024 after three public hearings. The City of Redmond approved this project in 7 days with no public input period at all;
• The city is now withholding critical information and refuse to hold any public hearings;
• We, the people, must remind elected officials that they are elected by the people and for the people.

Safe Eastside

Posted by Yoder, 10/23/2024

City Conducting Traffic Safety, Signal Timing, and Operational Improvement Counts This Fall

Credit C.O.R. 

To support many city activities, including traffic safety, signal timing, and operational improvements, city staff are conducting the annual fall traffic and pedestrian counts. This work will be ongoing through early December.

Learn more about this work https://redmond.gov/863/Traffic-Co

-- X, 10/3/24

unts

Updated 10/27: Neighborhood Stormwater Threatens Sammamish River Salmon.

 In response to this post the City posted this advisory on their website front page.

Redmond's pollution truck advertises their pollution hot line:  425-556-2868 
photo by Yoder

We live two houses up from the intersection of NE 100th Street and 169th Ave. NE.  City public works had two trucks there working on a major drain to "clear up stormwater pollution."  Comcast is planning a downhill dig into 169th Ave. to install new cable that's eroded.  Comcast must have notified the city of a possible pollution problem since there was no "salmon sticker" near the drain.  A sewer line parallels the stormwater pipe making things more complicated.   

Copper residue from vehicular tires and/or fertilizers, car-washing soaps, and lawn mower oils may all have contributed to the pollution.  My guess is the stormwater pollution may have been caused by corrosion from Comcast's aging cable, tire contaminants, a sewer line leak or all three. This particular drain is in a prime location for stormwater run-off; collecting stormwater from two long residential roads. One could say the subject drain services a mini-stormwater watershed. 

  Fortunately, there are two nearby "wet-vaults" just downhill from the subject drain. Vaults treat the stormwater before it eventually enters the Sammamish River where salmon are migrating.  The supervisor said the vaults were fully operational containing only 20% sediment and didn't need to be vacuumed.  While Public Works was there they cleaned out a drain above the house from ours.   

If you have concerns about possible pollution in your neighborhood call the city hotline at 425-556-2868.  I asked the city and two city councilmembers for a "salmon sticker" for this drain and they didn't respond.  

-- Bob Yoder, Updated: 10/27/24 

Updated: "Council Conversations" In The Downtown Park

Downtown Park COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS, The Safety Table / photo Yoder

I sat in at three tables conversing with councilmembers and residents at the busy Safety table, Environmental Sustainablity table and Miscellaneous table.  Council V.P. Jessica Forsythe presided over the Safety Table. Feedback from a resident/family living in a downtown apartment was especially interesting.  He wanted stop signs placed on Cleveland Street intersections and other downtown intersections -- said he saw pedestrians getting mildly brushed.  He said Uber drivers were the worst; always looking at their cell phones. Another guy complained about gangs that prey on residents for their belongings. He thought only 4 - 6 police officers patrolled the whole city and asked for 16 more officers.  I think Jessica said the department had over 140 officers (traffic, patrol, detective, drone, criminal, crime etc.) with plans for 4 more.  CM (councilmember) Fields asked why the need for 16 more officers?  I questioned the need for council taxing their city utilities and raising the business tax to fund a $6 million dollar public safety gap. IMO, the .25% city excise tax on construction was funding enough. 

I briefly sat in at CM Stuart's Environmental Sustainablity Table. Trees were a topic of great interest.  One resident said low income housing developments "lit up the heat map" owing to significant tree loss. Ms. Stuart said our canopy goal was 40%.  We're at about 38% canopy now.  Ms. Stuart alluded to the Master Builders lawsuit against Kirkland. The city has kept our existing 2018 Tree Regulations as is for 16 years (!) and now the new, approved Update has been delayed for two years longer because of the lawsuit, with no end is sight.  So, 40% goal seems out of reach. I suggested focusing on park and street trees like we have in the Downtown Park. Ms. Stuart lives in Overlake; she knows about the green roof installations on many of the buildings there.  My feedback was the city needs code for encouragement of "green roofs" in all downtown construction projects. At least three developments (villages) are planned for Redmond by 2050 and we need green roofs and wall gardens in those buildings,  

CM Stuart took this opportunity to update us on Sound Transit's light rail progress to our downtown. It was very interesting. I believe she said it will reach our downtown by mid-2025 and cross the bridge by late 2026.  I'm not light rail has something to do with our environment, but maybe in part.  I met Council President Vanessa Kritzer after the event; she spoke of a green vegetative - tree ring around the City one day.

Conversations didn't stop after the event was formally over.  I chatted with two on-duty police officers about "speed cameras."  It re-enforced my belief `they would consistently slow my "speed" around schools, but the ramifications to traffic congestion are unknown. I had a 25-minute talk with Andrew Villeneuve about our "news desert."   He wants to start an online newspaper and I plan to help him.  

Councilmember Fields has been pushing for neighborhood Conversations for years.  This one was a total winner and weather permitting, I hope we have many more!  Thank you Steve.  

-- Bob Yoder, 10/1/2024

[All  the councilmembers participated except for Angie.  Retired councilmembers Pat Vache' and Hank Myers were present. Sue Stewart, Kiwanis Secretary and Siri Bliesner retired LWSD Director, and active member of Civic Genius were present.  

[Siri is starting a Civic Genius roundtable on affordable housing.  "Deliberative Democracy" is at their core. If you would like to join Siri please email her at: siri@ourcivicgenious.org]  

Redmond Community Leader, John Oftebro, "Now And Then"

Photo:  LinkedIn 

John Oftebro 

NOW 

President of the Redmond Historical Society 

John Oftebro in 1967 pictured
outside Kusler’s Pharmacy / Internet

John Oftebro

THEN

Award Winning Pharmacist, Businessman, and Couger Alumnus

UPDATED, PART ONE: RHS 25th Anniversary Celebration / John Oftebro

 

Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration in the new Senior & Community Center

President John Oftebro of the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) did a fabulous job producing, directing and emceeing the Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social.  Over 120 attended.  The event was held on Saturday, October 28 at the new Redmond Senior and Community Center.  John's an excellent fund-raiser and superlative jack-of-all trades.  

Laura-Lee Bennett, the Executive V.P. oversaw the event.  RHS Co-founder Miguel Llanos flew up from Los Angeles and gave a 30-minute interactive slide show.  John Couch, Redmond's Park & Rec. Director of 30 years dressed-up as Mayor Bill Brown. Chris "Hurricane" Himes, Redmond's first Strong Mayor gave a charming, short speech. Former Mayor Rosemary Ives was on Block Island attending to her family.  

Board member Deborah Oftebro assembled lead-members to work the coffee cake and cookie table: Judy Lang, Jo Ann Potter, Deb Akerstrom and a Morelli?  My wife Pam and I got to sit with good friends, John Reinke, Gary Smith and Terry Lavender. John Reinke gave the entire audience a holler as he sang along.  

Photo and story by Yoder

9/29/2024

PART TWO: RHS 25th Anniversary / Derby Day Parade

 At the 25th anniversary celebration John Couch dressed up as Mayor Bill Brown

Parks Director of 30 Years John Couch begs RHS Founder Naomi Hardy to shovel manure in a Derby Days Parade  CREDIT/ REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

       

PART THREE: RHS 25th Anniversary Celebration / Bicycle Derby Days

 

Halee Turner, the RHS only paid worker (park time) worked the table-top exhibits.

PART 4: "THIS PLACE MATTERS" - PERRIGO SPRINGS

 

Richard Morris and his dog
stand on the spillway and two children 
  holding a sign "This Place Matters."  (click pic to enlarge)

THIS PLACE MATTERS - PERRIGO SPRINGS

Perrigo Springs was Redmond's first "watering hole."  Indians and early settlers first used the spring.  "Daughters of the American Colonists" placed a 2004 rock marker and planted a Corkscrew tree near the spring. 

Perrigo Springs was purchased by the Redmond Water Department in 1914 and was the first water supply for the newly incorporated town of Redmond. A dam (spillway) was originally constructed to impound the water for storage, with the transmission main a 4” to 8” wood stave pipe. This site was Redmond’s only water supply until 1927 and served as a major source of supply until 1962. Ref: Nao Hardy, 6/07.  

The spring's water source is the Perrigo Creek wetland watershed.  Perrigo Creek drains the Hartman wetland watershed.   Its cooled water "springs up" into a shallow pond filled with natural stones. From there the spring water flows over a small concrete spillway into the creek below and continues downstream.  Upper Perrigo Creek is a dry stream bed much of the time but the spring is active all year.  

It's a quiet place. Children and small dogs playing on the spillway  These children were floating cork boats.  Musicians softly play their guitars while meditating by the Spring.  Small families picnic nearby. The city monitors and maintains the Spring site. 

This picture and story was submitted to the "National Trust for Historic Preservation contest named **THIS PLACE MATTERS."    

-- Bob Yoder 

   June 2, 2009 ,

   edited and reposted 9/28/2024

UPDATED 10/20/24: Miguel Llanos, Redmond Historical Society / 25th Anniversary Celebration

Miguel Llanos

Miguel Llanos is seen orchestrating a "Redmond Historical Society (RHS) Speaker series" event / photo Yoder

I first met Miguel Llanos during the 2008 Perrigo Woodland (Ashford) Trail neighborhood demonstration march through the Perrigo Heights preliminary plat to save its woodlands from development. Council was inspecting the safety of the 40% steep slope sewer line at the time. Miguel set up an exhibit to educate citizens on the history of the woodlands.  

Llanos is an extraordinary Redmond community member.  Among his many roles, he was a co-founder of the Redmond Historical Society, editor of the Redmond Recorder newsletter, a commissioner of Redmond's Landmarks and Heritage Commission, on the Design Review Board, and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.  He played a big part in the founding of the Redmond Library. 

Miguel was sworn into the Landmarks and Heritage Commission after Rep. Ross Hunter's Town Hall meeting.  The commission meets when an owner of one of the 16 properties listed as historic by the city wants to make a change. or when a property owner wants to have their property added to list.

Miguel was a strong advocate for preserving Old Town and its 2-block row of historic "Perrigo Plat" Craftsman bungalow houses on 164th Street.  The old Brown Bag Cafe bungalow on 164th was once owned by long-time Mayor Bill Brown (1913-1948) and did not meet the commission's historic criteria.  [Same for the E.A. Walcher House, a 112+ year Craftsman-style bungalow on 8117-166th Ave. NE, also once owned by Bill Brown.]

Miguel currently lives in Los Angeles with his family.  He's in town for the Redmond Historical Society's 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social where he will give a 30-minute slide show. The Redmond Historical Society President John Oftebro did a fabulous job emceeing and directing the event.  

Approximately 100 attended the event, including the first full-time Mayor Chris Himes and John Couch, Parks and Rec. Director of 30 years.  Couch dressed up as Mayor Brown. Hilarious!   

Bob Yoder

Updated 9/27/2024, Updated 10/20/2024

See a Video of city attorney Jim Haney swearing in Miguel to the Landmarks & Heritage Commission. 🙂 

Redmond Senior & Community Center Hallway Art

 

Sudha Mishra 

Rocks Under Water 

acrylic 2024

$1775

September Is "National Recovery Month."

Monique Gablehouse, EvergreenHealth COO of Post Acute Care

Monique Gablehouse, MSW, LICSW. EvergreenHealth Hospital

Since 1989, Americans have observed National Recovery Month to increase public awareness of mental health and addiction recovery; draw attention to new evidence-based treatment; celebrate the recovery community; and acknowledge the dedication of service providers and communities that enable recovery.

There is evidence that stigma-related bias among clinicians can contribute to a treatment-averse mindset and to flawed clinical care. However, EvergreenHealth's organizational mission, vision and values inform and support the care we provide. We demonstrate a shared commitment to providing humane, evidence-based, patient-centered care.

In my role as COO of Post Acute Care with system responsibilities for Behavioral Health, I have had the honor of working with the executive team for the Recovery Center at EvergreenHealth Monroe. They have a Medical Detox Unit, a Residential Treatment program, a program for Substance Using Pregnant Persons (SUPP) as well as an After Care and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The dedicated teams work 24/7/365 to make sure that those struggling with addiction recovery in our area have a place to go for help. I am pleased to work at EvergreenHealth, which continues to support patients in recovery. I have spoken with several EvergreenHealth employees in Monroe and Kirkland, and this resource is so important for their friends and family in recovery.

Homelessness and Panhandling in Redmond

"Not all people who are panhandling are homeless. And not all people who are experiencing homelessness ask for money. Learn what the City is doing to address the issue, and how you can be a part of the solution." redmond.gov

Feel free to call Tisza at 425-802-2523 if you have any questions about the panhandling or homeless individuals you think need help. Tisza's email is trutherford@redmond.gov. She's a tremendous asset for our city and very kind!

Posted by Yoder

9/23/2024

UPDATED: Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration

John Oftebro, President of the Redmond Historical Society produced, directed, and emceed the Celebration.   

Redmond Senior & Community Center

Redmond Historical Society 

25th Anniversary Celebration & Social

 Redmond Senior & Community Center

8703 160th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052

Saturday, September 28th 

Open house 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM 

Program begins at 3:45 

Enjoy sweet treats, entertainment, and an opportunity to see friends — old and new! This event is free and open to all.

Council Conversations, Q&A with Councilmembers

Meet with your City Councilmembers to share your thoughts and questions about Redmond, rain or shine.  

Date and time

Monday, September 30 · 5 - 7pm PDT

Location

Downtown Park

16119 Redmond Way Redmond, WA 98052