Mayor Birney's 2026 State of City Address

 

This video leaves one with a sensation of pride for our City.  The address shows the essence of Redmond and will help put us on the world map. Seriously. Peal away from national news for an hour and enjoy the entertainment!  Mayor Angela Birney hit a home run on this.

-- Bob Yoder, 3/21 

UPDATED 4/10/26 Part 1: New HOA Governance Law

Washington State Capital

The Washington Legislature passed the "Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership" Act, (WUCIOA) codified by RCW HB 64.90 that has changed the landscape for Homeowners Association Associations, (HOA.)  And, those who know about it are scrambling to meet the requirements and deadlines.  

I'm an HOA member of a large association in western Washington.  It exemplifies undemocratic, governance neglect our owners have endured for over 25 years, However, with this new law the Board, in good faith, is slowly changing their ways.

As of March 15, 2026: 

• Meetings weren't Open.
• A Board member once told me "we don't have agendas."
• If you happen to learn of a Board meeting your comments are restricted to agenda items.
• No Special Meetings on significant issues.  (Our Board made a $250,000 decision to buy a new dock system via the Reserve Fund without owner Special meeting participation or vote.)
• Owner contact information is "kept in a vault" by the property manager. 
• Board members are voted in year-after-year, one for over 35 years.
• No formal Maintenance Committee at the time when over $900,000 special assessments were required to renovate the buildings and landscaping. No Special meetings or vote. NO RESERVE.
• An early property manager was a felon skimming funds.   

Under RCW 64.90.445 Meetings (and Voting requirements) must be implemented by January 1, 2027. 

I'm very happy with RCW 60.90 (1) (c) (d.)  It states: "Unit owners must be given a reasonable opportunity to comment at ANY meeting regarding ANY matter affecting the common interest community interest or the association."  

UPDATED: Grouping of Redmond Historical Society Leaders

~ 100 residents (sitting on the right) attended the Lisa Dupar Speaker Series

 Left to Right:  John Oftebro (dressed in Cougar colors), Patsy Rosenbach, Halee Turner, Laura Lee Bennett, speaker Lisa Dupar 

"A Covey of Redmond Historical Society Leaders:"

   

John Oftebro, President of Redmond Historical Society 

Prominent Washington State University alumnus.  

Patsy Rosenbach, Photography/Greeter - a brief history

Halee Turner,Staff, Administration and Collections Manager

Laura-Lee Bennett, Vice President, "Culture, Weaver, Community Builder"

Updated 4/11: ANNOUNCEMENT: City Council / School Board Drop-in Gathering

ANNOUNCEMENT

Thursday, March 19,  7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Redmond Middle School

10055 NE 166th Ave.

 - an informal, drop-in gathering with City Councilmembers and Lake Washington School District Board Members to discuss topics of importance to attendees

- Councilmember Sayna Parsi, 3/15

Lisa Dupar Of Pomegranate Bistro, Redmond History Saturday Speaker Series

On a snowy day in March over 100 residents turned out for the "Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series featuring Lisa Dupar, owner of the Pomegranate Bistro. She spoke  enthusiastically and expressively to "Ya'll" about her life, and work as a restaurateur, chef, caterer. Her first restaurant was in deceased Mayor Brown's House on 164th, before the Brown Bag closed.  

The Bistro is offers casual dining, with a southern bent, a bar, and pastry selection.  I ordered a "Fried Chicken & Waffle," Yummy. Their tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwich is iconic.  Lisa's ramping up her breakfast fare to Monday -- Friday, 8 AM -- 3  PM.

  

"A Covey Of Redmond Historical Society Leaders"

 

  Left to Right:  John Oftebro (dressed in Cougar colors), Patsy Rosenbach, Halee Turner, Laura Lee Bennett, speaker Lisa Dupar 

John Oftebro, President of Redmond Historical Society 

Prominent Washington State University alumnus.  

Patsy Rosenbach, Photography/Greeter - a brief history

Halee Turner, Administration and Collections Manager

Laura-Lee Bennett, Vice President, "Culture, Weaver, Community Builder"

Reported and photos by Bob Yoder, 3/15/2026

Spring Snow On Education Hill

I woke early this morning, through open the sash, and look what I saw! ....this snowy view from our house on Education Hill.   My gladiolus and camellias are already in bloom, tulips are not too far behind, with hostas soon coming. 

And this is basically Spring ... mid March! Will the Mayor show off her new fleet of snowplows?  I wouldn't doubt it. My favorite is named "Control Salt Delete."

Coming from Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois, a New York it's a dusting.  But, that doesn't mean you don't have to look out for the other guy, slip sliding away.... 

-- Bob Yoder, 3/13/2026

SE Redmond Park Project Design

CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE AND SEE DETAILS

The SE Redmond Park project includes the design and construction of a new 3.2-acre park in the SE Redmond neighborhood. It will buffer the residential neirborhoods from northern commercial. Planned features include recreational amenities such as playgrounds, a picnic shelter, and sports courts; public art; stormwater improvements; and sustainable landscaping with expanded tree canopy. 

As part of the project, two studies will be conducted to evaluate parking needs and assess noise impacts from a proposed pickleball court. In addition, community outreach will be conducted to define and incorporate a community identity feature into the park design. The site is located along the north side of NE 68th Street, bounded by 188th Avenue NE to the west, 191st Avenue NE to the east, and undeveloped land to the north. 

 SE Redmond Park location site maps and description.

SE Redmond Park Master Plan - comprehensive and informative

Total cost $13,757,591

-- Source:  Council Memo, 3/3/2026 

Learn About Redmond's Pomegranate Bistro This Saturday

 The Society's monthly Programs are awesome!

Updated: United Healthcare And EvergreenHealh Reached An Insurance Agreement, Silver Tower Expansion

 

Silver Tower

Very good news!  

EvergreenHealthEvergreenHealth
2 days ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

Following months of negotiations, EvergreenHealth and United Healthcare have reached an agreement on a new contract, allowing EvergreenHealth to remain a participating provider in United’s network.

Patient FAQ

And more good news!  At a Board meeting yesterday, I learned all our district levy money ($255,000,000) will over time pay for expanding the second floor of the Silver Tower and Plaza Building without need for a new levy or bond.  WE let Evergreen increase our property taxes for this to happen -- to build capacity and access for more doctors, more specialists, more beds, a cardiac-cath lab, instrumentation, woman's health services and more.  We'll soon be reaping the benefits!  Thank you Dr. Palazzo. Thank you Board of Directors.  

-- Bob Yoder, 3/6/2026, updated 3/8/2026, 3/9/2026

"Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Private Facebook Group

Building Community In LWSD Schools

 

UPDATED: EvergreenHealth Prepares Patients For Negotiations with United Health

Below, are the measures from EvergreenHealth recommended to assist patients during the failed negotiations.

UPDATED: Council Office Hours and Committees - Forsythe, Kritzer, Stuart, Parsi

      

Jessica Forsythe 

Position #3

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Jessica Forsythe

Phone: 425-305-7206

Office Hours: By Appointment (feel free to email)

Running for Washington LD 48th

Boards/Committees: AWC Federal Priorities Committee, Eastrail Regional Advisory Committee, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Disability Board
Past Boards/Committees: Council President 2022-2023, PSRC Executive Board Alternate, Growth Management Policy Board, Redmond Senior & Community Center Stakeholder Group, Parks and Human Services Committee Chair, Eastside Human Services Forum Representative
City Council 2024 Subcommittees: Alternative Crisis Response Planning, Multi-Modal Transportation Planning

Vanessa Kritzer

Position #5

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Vanessa Kritzer

Phone: 425-305-9892

Office Hours: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 3-4 pm at Redmond Senior and Community Center Lounge (outside community room)

Running for Washington LD #45

Boards/Committees: Community Facilities District Board of Supervisors, Eastside Transportation Partnership, OneRedmond Board of Directors, Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Salmon Recovery Council (Chair), Lake Sammamish Kokanee Interlocal Agreement Management Committee, King Conservation District Advisory Committee
City Council 2026 Subcommittees: Tenant Protections

Melissa Stuart

Position #4

President, City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/29

Email Melissa Stuart

Phone: 425-588-6550

Office Hours: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Redmond Library.

No office hours: May 14, June 25

Boards/Committees: King County Growth Management Planning Council, King County Regional Water Quality Committee, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee, Association of Washington Cities Legislative Priorities Committee, OneRedmond Government Affairs Committee, Community Facilities Districts Board of Supervisors

Sayna Parsi

Position #1

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Sayna Parsi

Phone: 425-556-5845

Flexible Virtual Office Hours

Sayna Parsi was sworn in as a Redmond City Council Member on January 20, 2026. She previously served on Redmond’s Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission, where she championed outdoor fitness amenities, sustainable park management, and equitable access to public spaces.

Sayna serves on the board of the Washington Native Plant Society’s Central Puget Sound chapter and works with Eastside Audubon on conservation and environmental education. With professional experience across small businesses, nonprofits, and large corporations, she brings a broad, results-oriented perspective. 

Source:  City Council Web page.

What A.I. Says About Redmond Blog

City of Redmond Neighborhoods, February 2026 

 "The Redmond Neighborhood Blog is generally considered a valuable, long-standing resource for hyper-local news, though whether it is "good" depends on what you are looking for—objective reporting or community advocacy. 

Strengths & Content Focus

• Hyper-Local Expertise: The blog has been active for nearly two decades (since at least 2007) and provides deep dives into topics often overlooked by larger outlets, such as city council decisions, land use policies, and local school district levies.
• Active Advocacy: The site's primary author, Bob Yoder, explicitly describes the blog as an "advocate" and "trouble-maker" intended to bring balance and accountability to local government.
• Niche Investigative Reporting: It frequently covers environmental concerns, such as potential aquifer contamination, and tracks the impacts of rapid development on Redmond's "soul" and affordability. 

Things to Consider

• Opinion-Driven Tone: Many posts are written from a specific viewpoint, focusing on "watching" the city administration and critiquing rising costs of living and property taxes.
• Format: As a Blogger-hosted site, it has a traditional, text-heavy layout that may feel less modern than newer media platforms.
• Community Presence: It maintains an active Facebook Group (Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog) where residents can discuss local issues directly. 
• Comparison to Other Sources

Source	Best For
Redmond Neighborhood Blog	Deep-dive civic analysis and critical community advocacy
Experience Redmond	Tourism, events, and highlighting local businesses
City of Redmond News	Official government announcements and public meeting notices
Move Redmond	News specifically about transit, biking, and urban walkability

UPDATED: EvergreenHealth To Expand 2nd Floor Of Silver Tower, Insurance Issue Resolved.

EvergreenHealth community-owned hospital

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

EvergreenHealth will expand the 2nd floor of the Silver Tower with levy money for access to more providers, instrumentation and more.  A levy lid lift or bond won't be needed.  

EvergreenHealth reached and insurance agreement with United Healthcare, retroactive to March 1, 2026.

Details and FAQ  

EvergreenHealth is the largest public hospital in the State of Washington. It is community-owned and remains independent of the large hospital chains.  

Dr. Etorre Palazzo is Evergreen's CEO.  Here's a short clip of Etoree (1.5 min) explaining Evergreen's attributes and mission in our community. Dr. Palazzo has done much to enlarge capacity for services, including mental health treatment in primary care clinics and emergency departments.

My daughter was born at Evergreen General Hospital 33 years ago. Their maternity services are exemplary. 

-- Bob Yoder, 2/20/2026, updated: 3/34/2026, 3/9/2026, 3/13/2026

"Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog" --  Facebook Group

Bellewether Breaks Ground In Overlake, 328 Affordable Homes

Bellwether Housing Breaks Ground on 328-Home Affordable Housing Community at Overlake Village Light Rail Station

REDMOND, Wash. — Bellwether Housing today celebrated the groundbreaking of Prisma, a 328-home mixed-use affordable housing community located directly across from the Overlake Village light rail station in Redmond.

Thirty-three residential units will be set aside for people living with disabilities.

The  ground floor commercial spaces will include a city services center, small business incubator, nonprofit support hub, digital literacy media lab, and culturally informed community services to benefit residents and the surrounding community. A third commercial space will host a small tenant, such as a café or food-based business, to activate the street and promote community interaction.  

The City of Redmond will own and operate a small business and city services center with a walk-up service counter and rotating public safety and human services support programming.  

The Wayfinder Hub, led by the Friends of the Village Collective, will feature a commercial kitchen, media lab, and culturally relevant support services to incubate small businesses and spark community-driven innovation. 

When complete in 2028, Prisma will provide 328 affordable apartment homes for individuals and families earning between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income, including a significant number of family-sized units. Resident services will be led by Hopelink.

-- Bellwerther Housing, 2/19/2025