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| This "Silver Tower" and second Emergency Department was funded by the taxpayers of EvergreenHealth Public Hospital No.2 in Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish,Woodinville, Kenmore, Bothell, Mill Creek, Duval, Carnation, Shoreline and Sammamish County. |
That made me think. Why didn't King County Elections Director Julie Wise report this in the Primary Voters' Pamphlet? Why no press release? Surely, some affected voters have lost confidence in the system. Some may not have voted. I was unhappy with the lack of notice and losing my representatives. Our civic duty is to vote, not do the State's work.
KING COUNTY ELECTION DISTRICT MAPS:
DEFUNCT MAP: An excellent 2022 map of our State Legislature Districts and U.S. Congressional Districts. User-friendly, but, don't be fooled! It is inaccurate.
DECENT MAP from a google search. however, candidate names don't show up. Enter your address to find your district, no more.
WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTIONS -- Go here first! Reliable, Comprehensive, Accurate. User friendly. Everything you need and more!
QUICK STORY: LETTER FROM MS. MATTINGLY. ELECTIONS SPECIALIST III
"Unfortunately, the Secretary of State’s office has not updated their map information to default to current maps. That would be the link you mentioned when call which is: https://app.leg.wa.gov/
The District Finder map below displays legislative and congressional districts for elected officials currently in office. New district boundaries are in effect for elections taking place in August and November 2022. To find your new 2022 legislative and congressional districts please see the new 2022 Legislative and Congressional maps.
Please feel free to contact me directly if any additional information is needed."
Shunneia O. Long-Mattingly Pronouns - She/Her/Hers Elections Specialist III Voter Services King County Elections 206-263-3748 206-296-VOTE (8683) | ||
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced legislation that would establish a whistleblower hotline for reporting illegitimate uses of emergency COVID-19 funds, in an effort to catch any attempts to scam the system.
“As we are seeing historic increases in inflation, taxpayers are rightly concerned with how their hard-earned dollars are being spent, and elected leaders at all levels should be acting as watchdogs under that same mindset,” Dunn said. “With such a large influx of money rapidly moving through our County to provide critical aid to restaurants, small businesses, and folks on the margins during COVID-19, there almost certainly will also be a few scammers seeking to abuse the system for their own financial gain. It is my hope that with this legislation we will be able to catch bad actors and safeguard the communities that these funds were meant to support.”
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| EvergreenHealth's "Silver Tower" and their second "Emergency Department" were funded by the District taxpayers of Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville, Bothell, Kenmore, Duvall, Carnation, Shoreline, and Snohomish County. |
On July 7th, I received an anonymous letter from an alleged EvergreenHealth Public Hospital employee. The letter was postmarked July 5th and signed: "Concerned Employee." The employee asked me to post the letter on my blog. -- Bob Yoder.
The Letter:
"On Tuesday evening, June 21, 2022, the EvergreenHealth Board approved management's proposal to use Federal Covid CARES money in the calculation of their incentive bonus scheme, which they otherwise did not earn. The CFO stated, "The CARES money is fungible and we can use it to calculate our bonuses." The CEO and Board Chair concurred. The proposal passed 4 in favor and 3 opposed. Management can now use that money to pay almost $2m in bonuses to the administrative team. The hospital is struggling to keep nurses and other key staff to serve its patients and those funds could have been used to serve the community and not line the pockets of the administrator."
The employee went on to say: "In a separate presentation, management prepared a 10-year facilities plan which does NOT include any consideration for behavioral health and will be going to the taxpayers for another bond."
I gave testimony to the Commissioners, CEO and CFO at their Tuesday, July 20th public meeting. The Board Chair Tim McLaughlin and Kayse Dahl, Director of Strategic Public Relations & Marketing gave differing explanations as to "why there was no misuse of funds."
END
U.S. Congresswoman Suzan Delbene was informed of these actions. Her staff recommended contacting King County Council Member Sarah Perry's staff to investigate.
After Council member Perry's staff completed the investigation she said she had a "bad feeling" about EvergreenHealth. She said she needs to hear from the whistleblower to proceed; this may have changed.
DelBene's staff member recommended two places to report EvergreenHealth C.A.R.E. fraud. (Or call Bob Yoder.)
Office of Inspector General:
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| Six-story Redmond Square Apartment construction - Can you see the evergreen hillside? / Bob Yoder |
“This property presents a great economic development opportunity for the future of Carnation,” said Mayor Kim Lisk in the release, noting that the city expects to welcome in over 200 new homes in the future.
The property is currently zoned for light industrial/manufacturing use, but the RFI states that the city is considering amending the zoning designation for the property to agritourism. Desired uses include corporate offices, hotels, breweries or restaurants.
The Schefer Riverfront Park parcel is located at 4301 Larson Avenue, Carnation, near Tolt-MacDonald Park and Carnation Market. The property is currently owned by the city.
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| The open-air Redmond Town Center has often struggled to keep up with tawnier local shopping centers and has suffered from the rise of e-commerce. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times) |
You may have heard Redmond Town Center was purchased by Chicago-based Fairbourne Properties in 12/31/2019. Fairbourne owns or manages 16 other properties. The Center was on the market for 1.5 years. In 2013, the sellers purchased the 120 acre property for $127 million.
The property has three parcels: a two-story shopping center, former Macy's (now housing Amazon engineers,) and adjacent commercial property. The three parcels combined are 21.5 acres.
According to a Seattle Times article, "Redmond Town Center suffered from e-commerce. The "village style" open-air mall struggled to keep up with "tonier" Bellevue Square." (Is a large, covered pedestrian place in the offing?) The Times reports the tenant mix will lean heavily towards local retailers, restaurants, and health and fitness.
-- Bob Yoder, 7/15/2022
Source: Seattle Times, Paul Roberts, 12/31/2019
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| Pat Vache' in his early days / courtesy of Arnie Tomac |
In 2022, Pat Vache', a "Founding Father" of Town Center gave testimony encouraging Council include the founders in the development process citing their previous experience (and collective wisdom.) He emphasized the need of engagement opportunities, especially town hall meetings.
Mr. Vache' stated “Throughout the history of Redmond Town Center two issues were foremost, 1) protecting open space and 2) creating a major retail facility for all to enjoy. If history taught us nothing else, it is clear that three elements were important then and are critical today:
1) Redmond residents want and deserve the opportunity to engage,
2) A robust retail environment is a necessity for Redmond residents and the economic sustainability of the City of Redmond, and
3) Redmond residents demand a sustainable environment, an environment characterized by trees, lots of trees and open space, lots of open space," in fact a minimum of 43 acres."
THE EARLY HISTORY - a quick story
Town Center’s modern history began in late 1978 when the Old Redmond Golf Course (in King County) was purchased by Winmar, a Safeco company. A total of 120 pristine acres were purchased, including the 87-acre golf course. Forty-four acres would remain open space. (C. Beason played a large role in that.) The acreage was invaluable to the community. Open space is a very big part of Redmond culture.
Winmar proposed development of the 87 acre golf course twice, once in 1979 for $4 million (per Town Center Associates) and again in **1982 for $6 million ($16.5 million in today's dollars.) Though open space was desirable, The Sammamish Valley News, businessmen and many residents wanted shopping and commercial development.
To counter development, in 1978 a coalition of preservationists, “Civic Action for Redmond Environment” (C.A.R.E.) formed to retain the golf course and influence public opinion. One of the C.A.R.E. Presidents Richard Grubb, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Chris Himes, the Beasons and other citizen activists organized the coalition. Grubb, Vache' and Tomac became councilmembers. Himes became Redmond's first full time Mayor. Nothing ever came of the 1979, $4 million Town Center Associates offer, probably because of C.A.R.E.
Pat Vache', Redmond's first planning commissioner and a councilmember of 16 years, says "in over eight years the public, planning staff, and Policy Advisory Commission had a series of public meetings, visioning exercises and just about any type of public process imaginable. Town Center didn't just happen. It has history."
"Old Redmond" vs. "New Redmond" issues were reaching a boiling point. So, in 1982 Council, led by Council President Arnie Tomac and councilmember Pat Vache', proposed a $6 million bond measure to “let the voters decide" if they wanted to purchase the land for preservation or take Winmar’s offer and develop it. According to Rosemarie Ives, the 60% supermajority bond failed by 2%.
Mayor Doreen Marchione is quoted in the Sammamish Valley News, “we have no choice but to annex the property for reasonable development.” Former Mayor Rosemarie Ives felt the city should have immediately gone out for a second vote.
With that, Vache' notes by 1986, (Ord. 1328) 120 acres were annexed from King County, pre-annexation zoning was completed, the ***Master Plan was approved, and the property was incorporated into the City of Redmond. *Seven years following the City’s 1988 approval (Ord. 1416) Winmar didn’t develop anything with Town Center, though there still was much debate and talk. In 1994, Winmar proposed an outdoor mall of 1.3M square feet of shopping and offices. The proposal was approved by Council in 1995 (Ord. 1841.) Construction started in 1996.
-- written by Bob Yoder, 7/15/2022
Sources: Sammamish Valley News, Pat Vache, Arnie Tomac, Nancy McCormick, Rosemarie Ives, Holly Plackett, 4/8/2022 Fairbourne Properties Letter to Redmond City Council, Seattle Times, 8/10/1997.
Arnold Tomac's Leadership and Involvement with Redmond Town Center. Arnie is a good friend of Pat Vache'.
* Quick stories: Though, not directly related to Town Center, past councilmember and planning commissioner Holly Plackett wrote Winmar's seven "idle" years were spent developing Target, Mervyns, and Bella Bottega cinema.
This story is so interesting! As editor of the Sammamish Valley News at that time, I was deeply involved in studying the options for this property. Redmond was sorely in need of a better commercial zone….the town was growing and there really was a great need. Although Town Center perhaps failed to fulfill that dream entirely, there is still hope. The city has grown…the possibilities are still endless! I hope Redmond marches ahead, brings itself completely into this century to keep up with the vast population growth!
--Deb Akerstrom, 7/2022. Deb is presently a Director on the Redmond Historical Society Society. 12/2022
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** The MASTER PLAN was approved in 1986: "The design and development of this zone is controlled by a Master Plan established to ensure that development here integrates with and positively influences future development of the Greater downtown area and retains traditional building styles, street patterns, variety of uses, and public amenities." (Ord. 1328.)
The MASTER PLAN was scrapped in 2022. New language: "Design and development of this zone is controlled by zone-based regulations and additional special design standards for development projects located within the downtown urban core."
They're back! (with graffiti.) This Lime e-bike rests at the bottom of the Powerline trail in the forest near the river.
There's Lime e-scooter information on the city website but no information on Lime e-bikes. If you want to report a problem with Lime or make requests and find answers email info@redmond.gov.
-- Bob Yoder, 7/12/2022
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| click to enlarge |
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| Pam relaxing on our way to the Center after dinner at BJ's / credit Bob Yoder / click to enlarge |
I've become more aware of Redmond Town Center (RTC) since word got out the new owner, President David Harvey of Fairbourne Properties, LLC is planning a "re-make." In fact, if you can believe it, RTC was built in 1997 and is a quarter century old. The structure is sound and architecture modern but it's 2022, and light rail is coming, along with thousands of jobs.
According to a Mr. Harvey's letter to Council, "Fairbourne will make much-needed capital investments including streetscapes, entry points, and the center-facing downtown, the new Light Rail station, landscaping and pedestrian access and building facades." Before & after renderings of the entry points show off exciting, creative improvements.
Harvey says his intent is not to "tear it down and start over." This may be the case for the most part, but once the parking lots (either side of my wife) are dozed this attractive walkway could go with it.
It's rumored 12+-story building(s) with lots of commercial and some residential may be sited on these old parking lots. One or two levels of public parking is a possibility. A "SR 520 gateway" at Bear Creek Parkway could improve vehicular circulation.
The good news? According to Mr. Harvey, "20% of new units would be priced at more affordable rents using the city's inclusionary and Multifamily Tax Exemption programs." Fairbourne can do better.
Harvey sees an opportunity to "elevate Town Center above the Bellevue Square of the Eastside." He wants to "keep it as a homebase for local restaurants and shops as well as unique national tenants." His goal is to double restaurant space. Retail space? Unknown. Could there be indoor shopping and recreational space?
The Arts Festival was a fun stroll, meeting friends along the way. It will be open again tomorrow, along with Derby Days. Cheers!
-- Bob Yoder, 7/8/2022
Source: Letter to Redmond City Council Members, Co-Signed by David Harvey, President Fairbourne Properties and Patrick Woodruff, Managing Director, Pacific NW Hines Interests. April 8, 2022
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| Redmond Police in library watching over the Community Court |
Good evening Mayor and Council,
Opinion: My name is Rosemarie Ives, former Redmond mayor, 1992 through the end of 2007
I am here tonight to discourage the council from proposing a new levy to fund staff and programs in both police and fire departments. At a time with the highest inflation rate in 40 years, the threat of a recession, rising gas, food and housing costs, this is hardly the time for the City to ask the people to increase what they already pay in taxes. An additional levy will worsen an already unaffordable Redmond.
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| Redmond Town Center, 2022 |
VALA Eastside and Redmond Town Center are excited to gather artists, craftspeople, and designers for the 11th Annual Redmond Arts Festival at Redmond Town Center. This two-day outdoor festival takes place July 8th-9th, 2022, and features approximately 60 artist booths, a community art project, and live entertainment. The festival is produced in conjunction with Redmond’s annual Derby Days celebration at Redmond City Hall which features a parade, music, food, and kids' activities, and has an expected combined attendance of over 15,000 people. The entire City of Redmond is activated with art and festivities on these days.
ARTS FESTIVAL DATES/TIMES
Friday, July 8th 12pm-8pm
Saturday, July 9th 12pm-8pm
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| Gary Smith teaching child about trees |
Allow me to paraphrase the Mayor's recognition of Gary.
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| Station House Lofts, downtown aquifer dig, 3/2017 / credit Bob Yoder |
Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village lies over a shallow, sandy aquifer from which the City gets 40% of our drinking water. Jessica Alakson, the City geological scientist gave Council a brief report on actions the City is taking to protect the aquifer from development of 1-2 stories of underground parking garages.
The aquifer is mapped by "Critical Area Recharge Areas" (C.A.R.A.). One day, Redmond Town Center will be redeveloped with 12-story buildings and one or two levels of underground parking. Town Center is in the high priority C.A.R.A. Type 1 zone. The proposed "Nelson Village" is in the C.A.R.A. Type 1 zone, as well.
Ms. Alakson said excavating the sandy aquifer artificially lowers the ground water-table. Water will be purchased from Cascade Water Alliance if water table significantly drops. [When water levels drop significantly, it's my understanding the developer may have to pay for the difference.]
Jessica stated "Temporary Construction Dewatering" will be amended to include the following limitations within the Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA):
· Limit rate to 5,500 gallons per minute; and · Limit cumulative duration to a maximum of 1 year; and · Limit depth to a maximum of 9 feet below season high groundwater elevation.
Council member Jeralee Anderson asked Jessica how long it takes to recharge the aquifer? Jessica said if it's raining heavily, less than a month. The average recharge time is 2-4 months. Ms. Anderson asked how many projects would be vested from the more restrictive regulations. Jessica said hardly any.
No decisions were made.
-- Bob Yoder, 7/6/2022
Source: Council Committee of the Whole, Public Works, Presiding Officer CM Malissa Stewart
"The Challenge And Need for De-watering" (a summary of all my posts on Redmond's water.) BY
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| City staff Roger Dane & Steve Fix bookend Tosh Creek, 8/30/2016 credit: Bob Yoder |
"Restoring Tosh Creek" Bob Yoder (great background on the creek.)
$6.5 Million Restoration, Redmond Reporter
Tosh Creek is a Type 2 Priority watershed destined for complete restoration. It's headwaters are Overlake neighborhood residential adjacent West Lake Sammamish Parkway. The creek runs through acres of undeveloped land (prime recharge area); it's mouth is the Lake Sammamish River. At the mouth the creek provides spawning and backwater for Coho Salmon rearing and cool water for Chinook.
The City's environmental biologist, Jessica Atlakson, presented to Council a Tosh Creek street- sweeping project that could remove copper toxins from vehicular tires. The specific toxin is "6ppdq." A $55,500 King County Waterworks grant would determine the effectiveness of street-sweeping on toxin removal. 3.54 miles of West Lake Sammamish will be swept beginning 10/22 until 9/24.
OLD NEWS:
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| AustinChronicle.com |
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Mayor Birney: "The Master Builders claim Kirkland's tree protection ordinance violates the Growth Management Act (GMA) because it failed to consider private property rights, created vague implementation standards, treated trees like critical areas without consideration of Best Available Science and will decrease housing production.
Mayor Birney: "Although we do not believe these arguments have merit, staff want to take the "Growth Management Hearings Board" conclusions into account before finalizing the ordinance for Council approval. The final Board decision on the matter is expected in November. In the meantime, staff are proposing to update the Redmond fee schedule for tree replacement and the enforcement codes to ensure that unpermitted removal is appropriately deterred until the substantive regulations can be finalized for Council adoption early in 2023."
Owing to the strength of the Planning Director Carol Helland's advice to Council, it was decided not to take action on the Proposal until November 2023 at which time the Kirkland law suit will be resolved. Council will wait until early January before implementing the new ordinance. In the process of this timeline, developers will be vested under the more lenient ordinance for another 2.3 years.
How much canopy will be removed before the new more restrictive ordinance takes place?
The Planning Director will not hire a "Code Compliance Officer."
-- Bob Yoder, 6/29/2022
For details on penalties for illegal tree removal, and to comment "Read More"
Council also took note of the $5,211,638 "maximum amount" payable to Opsis Architecture upon completion..
2023-2024 Funding sources for the new Senior & Community Centers are, as follows:
$17.116 million: Capital Improvement Program
$1.25 million State Capital Adopted Budget
$1.648 million Surplus Park Impact Fees from 2019-2020
$2.486 million General Fund available cash from the 2019-2020 biennium and the 2021 fiscal year,
$9.5 million Surplus REET and park impact fees from the 2021 fiscal year.
$16 million Councilmanic bonds: (Councilmanic bonds do not require a vote of the people. Council members praised Finance Director Chip Corder for managing the issue and locking in a very low rate.
Total: $48,000,000
-- Bob Yoder, 6/28/2022
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| Credit: Bob Yoder |
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| Rosemarie Ives |
Rosemarie Ives, former mayor 1992-2007
I am speaking again against the Sammamish Juanita Transmission Line. Though much information was provided, I have one question: why did City staff support Puget Sound Energy’s business interests over the environmental interests of the people of Redmond AND the Puget Sound region who have committed to preserve the Sammamish Valley farmlands and open spaces for decades?
After becoming mayor in 1992, the Comprehensive Plan identified the east-west Transmission line at NE 95th Street as the northern boundary for manufacturing and industrial uses and with everything north remaining rural. The owners of the land north of that transmission line approached the City with a proposal for a golf course that is Willows Run today. After extensive negotiations, the City agreed to zone the property “urban recreation” with the understanding that this land would remain “open space,” with the owners required to uphold a long list of environmental regulations and responsibilities, and that in perpetuity, the golf course would remain open to the public. I believed strongly that zoning for a golf course was the best way to preserve the historically rural Valley, protecting it from any kind of business, manufacturing or industrial intrusion.
