Anderson, Fields, Stuart Sworn In To City Council

 

(lr) Melissa Stuart, Steve Fields, Jeralee Anderson
Courtesy of redmond.gov

Redmond, WA – In a ceremony during last night’s Redmond City Council meeting, newly elected Redmond resident Melissa Stuart (Council Position No. 4), along with re-elected residents Steve Fields (Council Position No. 2) and Jeralee Anderson (Council Position No. 6), were officially sworn in. Their terms are effective January 2022 through December 2025.

Melissa Stuart, MNPL, is a non-profit leader working to improve the lives of children, youth, and families.
She’s currently working on behalf of youth at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. Her past work includes securing affordable access to behavioral healthcare for families at Youth Eastside Services, ensuring educational justice for youth in foster care at Treehouse, and more. Stuart is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, former board member at Zero Waste Washington, and previously served as a Redmond Library Trustee. Melissa grew up on the Kitsap Peninsula. She lives in Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood with her husband and stepson.

Anderson, Fields, Stuart  (click to enlarge)

Steve Fields has lived in Redmond for more than 30 years. He worked across all functions of government in his positions at King County and the City of Seattle in the Executive offices. Fields guided elected officials on policy, budget, and operational improvements. He advised department heads and their staff to help the government perform better. Fields is also a Redmond small business owner with his wife.

Jeralee Anderson is the President/CEO and Co-founder of Greenroads Foundation, a Redmond nonprofit organization focused on sustainability education, performance management, and strategic programming for transportation capital projects. She received her doctorate in sustainability and civil engineering from the University of Washington in 2012 and is a licensed professional engineer. She currently represents the City as an alternate on the Cascade Water Alliance (CWA), and she serves as an Association of Washington Cities (AWC) representative on the State Public Works Board.

"On Deck" Varisha Kahn, Vanessa Kritzer, David Carson
(click to enlarge)

Double click to enlarge 
This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that the entire Council and Mayor
attended an in-person Business meeting in Chambers. 

-- Bob Yoder, 12/8/2021

   Photos, Yoder

Dennis Elliss Is Out Of Touch, Vote Melissa Stuart For Redmond Council Position 4

 

Campaign literature:  Melissa is a non-profit leader with deep experience breaking down barriers for youth and families. She serves as the Director of Individual Giving at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. During the pandemic, she’s worked to keep students connected to school and parents/caregivers in the workforce. Prior to Boys & Girls Clubs, Melissa worked to create affordable access to behavioral healthcare for all East King County families at Youth Eastside Services. She’s also worked to ensure education success for youth in foster care at Treehouse, and more. She earned a Masters of Non-Profit Leadership from Seattle University.

Melissa served as a Community and Organizational Development Advisor in Moldova with the U.S. Peace Corps. During her service, she worked with community leaders to strengthen youth development programs and with international NGOs to increase the reach of human trafficking prevention programs to rural areas of the country.

On council, Melissa will be a leading voice for urgent action on climate change. She is a known environmental advocate in the city and has served as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs & Clean Energy, board member at Zero Waste Washington, and volunteer member of a Sound Transit/Metro 520 Connections Sounding Board. Melissa is committed to working with other leaders so that Redmond can be a leader in climate mitigation and resilience across the region.

-- Malissa Stuart

Candidate for Redmond Council Position 4.  

Malissa's opponent is Dennis Elliss. In his literature Mr. Elliss complains about
"mayoral discussions being focused on how soon the earth was going to burn up and how walking paths and bike lanes were gridlock soluctions."

Mr. Elliss is out of touch.  Vote for Melissa Stuart!

-- Bob Yoder, 7/12/2021

Melissa Stuart Runs for Council to Bring Advocacy for the Environment and Education

Melissa Stuart is running for Redmond City Council, Position 4 to bring her advocacy for the environment and education to the council. She is the Director of Individual Giving at Boys and Girls Club of King County, has served on the board of Zero Waste Washington and South Transit, and as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy. She has also worked at Youth Eastside Services to help provide behavioral healthcare for families.

She is running against finance analyst Dennis Ellis, who is running a conservative campaign for the seat. He states that public safety - specifically through policing - is the number one essential for a city. Ellis disagrees with the methods that other cities have taken in shifting funding to proactive community services that reduce crime, like health care and youth programming. He states that he will move the conversation away from topics like climate change or walkable infrastructure to making the city a more business-friendly environment, though he does not state exactly how.

Stuart has been endorsed by several leading Democratic representatives and elected officials. While her campaign platform is not fully fleshed out on her website, her long record of community and professional service speaks to a candidate who is ready to contribute meaningfully to the council.

Stuart is the best choice for Redmond City Council, Position 4.

-- Progressive Voters Guide

UPDATED: City Council Meeting Notes, 04 April 2023

 

CM Melissa Stuart
Featured
City Council group picture not available

CLICK THIS LINK FOR VIDEO NOTES OF COUNCIL'S REGULAR MEETING 

OF 04 APRIL 2023:   

https://www.facebook.com/CityOfRedmond/videos/1005053090870596

 (short pause at start of tape)

ADVANCE TO 3:00 for poet Laureate Laura Da's description of her poetry inspired "Nature & City History Walk" around our lakefronts.     

ADVANCE TO 4:52 for Dr. David Morton's "Item From The Audience" suggesting solutions to various city challenges.  

ADVANCE TO 11:53 - Mayor  Angela Birney kicks off Council's OMBUDS report where resident inquiries (positive and negative) are addressed.  As follows: 

CM Varisha Kahn passes the baton to Council VP Vanessa Kritzer. Kritzer mentions a resident's concern about the mayor's salary; resident complaint about "State of the City" recording glitches. Domestic violence. CM David Carson brings attention to businesses coping with simultaneous road construction on 76th and Cleveland Street.  CM Melissa Stuart gives an excellent report of the city's C.E.R.T. program dealing with first responder preparations for an earthquake.  Council President Jessica Forsythe directed the OMBUDS report and city process. Traffic. FBI. CM Jeralee Anderson, QR Codes for park users, "Show and Tell" by Anderson on recycled materials used to build "green roads."  Stuart summarizes Public Works committee report. CM Steve Fields had nothing to say.  

Angela Birney, Carson, Forseythe, Kahn, and Kritzer's terms end 31 December 2023. 

Reported by Bob Yoder, Community volunteer, 04 April 2023

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)

Boards/Committees: Eastside Transportation Partnership, Disability Board.

Past Boards/Committees: Council President 2022-2023, PSRC Executive Board Alternate, Eastside Human Services Forum Representative, Redmond Senior & Community Center Stakeholder Group, Growth Management Policy Board

Past Advisory Committees

City Council 2024 Subcommittees: Alternative Crisis Response Planning, Multi-Modal Transportation Planning Parks and Human Services Committee Chair, AWC Federal Priorities Committee, Eastrail Regional Advisory Committee, 

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 King Conservation District 

Advisory Committee
City Council 2026 Subcommittees: Tenant Protections

Kokanee Interlocal Agreement Management Committee

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,  Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board,  Community Facilities Districts Board of Supervisors

Advisory Committees:  King County Regional Water Quality Committee, Association of Washington Cities Legislative Priorities Committee, OneRedmond Government Affairs Committee, Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee

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.

Melissa Stuart Runs For Redmond City Council Position 4.

 

Melissa is a non-profit leader with deep experience breaking down barriers for youth and families. She

serves as the Director of Individual Giving at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. During the

 pandemic, she’s worked to keep students connected to school and parents/caregivers in the workforce.

 Prior to Boys & Girls Clubs, Melissa worked to create affordable access to behavioral healthcare for all

 East King County families at Youth Eastside Services. She’s also worked to ensure education success

 for youth in foster care at Treehouse, and more. She earned a Masters of Non-Profit Leadership from Seattle University.

Melissa served as a Community and Organizational Development Advisor in Moldova with the U.S. Peace Corps. During her service, she worked with community leaders to strengthen youth development programs and with international NGOs to increase the reach of human trafficking prevention programs to rural areas of the country.

On council, Melissa will be a leading voice for urgent action on climate change. She is a known environmental advocate in the city and has served as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs & Clean Energy, board member at Zero Waste Washington, and volunteer member of a Sound Transit/Metro 520 Connections Sounding Board. Melissa is committed to working with other leaders so that Redmond can be a leader in climate mitigation and resilience across the region.

Melissa and her family have lived in Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood for 10 years. They love their neighborhood’s amenities such as Indian grocery stores, great transit lines, and good schools. They are very eager for the light rail stations to open, and to one day have a park in the neighborhood’s urban center.

WEBSITE

Councilmember Melissa Stuart's Halfway Term Report

From the desk of Redmond Councilmember Melissa Stuart...

Happy new year! 

This month officially marks the halfway point in my term on the Redmond City Council. I’m stopping by your inbox with a quick moment of gratitude for your trust and support.

 

My first two years on the Council were marked by a steep learning curve, tons of humbling moments, and many opportunities to create excellence in the details. I am so proud to serve in this role and often humbled to be at the table. Thank you for trusting me in this seat.

 

Three Great Moments on Council 2022-2023

·      Winning unanimous adoption of a comprehensive plan amendment to bring a more lively, sustainable, and transit-oriented neighborhood to the town center district

·      Co-authoring a successful budget amendment to bring executive staffing for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

·      Flipping pancakes at Derby Days with the fire department’s benevolent fund (twice!)

 

Coming up this year, Council will finalize a once-in-a-generation comprehensive plan, complete the local roads safety plan, and build the first biennial budget since the conclusion of COVID relief subsidies. There is a lot to do!

 

New in 2024

·      Finalizing building incentives that inform how Overlake’s urban center (my neighborhood!) will play a leading role in meeting our city’s housing, climate, and community goals.

·      I’ll chair the caucus for the Sound Cities Association’s delegation to the Growth Management Planning Board, at the Puget Sound Regional Council (yup, that’s SCA at PSRC’s GMPB, for short!)

·      You’ll see me at the grand opening of the new Redmond Senior & Community Center, the delivery of the state’s first electric fire engine, boarding the first light rail train from Overlake, and as always… my bi-weekly office hours. Please stop by!

 

I hope this mid-term note gives you a glimpse of how I’m working with my colleagues to address the real and present needs of the city, while also having a chance to enjoy this great place we call home.

 

What questions or feedback does this bring up for you? Let me know!

 

With gratitude,

 

Melissa

 

P.S. You might have noticed I don’t do social media. If you are interested in more frequent updates this year, please let me know and I’ll make a point to check-in again soon.

Melissa holds walk-in office hours at the Redmond library the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 3-5PM.  This is a terrific opportunity to be heard and build a relationship with Council.  

Melissa Stuart To Run for Redmond Council Position No. 4

Melissa Stuart

15127 NE 24TH ST #329

REDMOND, WA 98052

(425) 224-3438

electmelissastuart@gmail.com

www.electmelissastuart.com

Education: Master of Non-Profit Leadership, Seattle University; BA Communication

& BA Political Science, Washington State University

Occupation: Development Director, Boys & Girls Clubs; Former Redmond Library Trustee

Statement:

I’m running for city council because I believe Redmond can be a great place to live for all. I will ensure that every person can have their voice heard. I will collaborate with city leaders to invest in climate change mitigation today and resiliency for what is to come tomorrow.

 

To council, I’ll bring my years of experience breaking down barriers for youth and families; including my work at Youth Eastside Services to secure access to affordable behavioral healthcare for all families, and at Treehouse to promote education success for youth in foster care. I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, former 48th LD Democrats PCO, former Sound Transit/Metro Sounding Board member, and active environmental advocate in our city.

 

Endorsements: 45th LD Democrats; Congresswoman Suzan DelBene; Representative Vandana Slatter; Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Council President Tanika Padhye, Councilwoman Vanessa Kritzer; Zero Waste Washington Executive Director Heather Trim

-- King County Elections

Vote For Melissa Stuart, Position 4

 

A very short clip of Melissa Stuart introducing herself at the 2021 OneRedmond Candidate Forum.  It's excellent.

Council Candidate Melissa Stuart Up By 59% In Primary

 

Hi friends,

As primary votes continue to be counted, I want to share my immense gratitude for your support during this campaign. Votes are still being counted, but so far we are earning 59% of the primary votes here in Redmond!

I am truly grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support for our campaign. During the primary, supporters and volunteers helped knock 1,500 doors, spoke to hundreds of voters, and filled Redmond with our colorful yard signs. Way to go team!

Stay tuned for an invitation to our general election kick-off event. In the meantime, here are two easy ways you can help launch our campaign into the general:

1) Make a donation at electmelissastuart.com so we can purchase new canvassing literature and get back out to the doors!

2) Invite your friends to like our Facebook page. Can we get to 100 likes by the end of the weekend?

Thanks so much for your support today.

See you on the campaign trail!

Melissa Stuart, Candidate

Redmond City Council Position 4

OPINION: Observations of a Pandemic Council Meeting

City Hall chambers / (r-l) Stuart, city clerk, Mayor Birney, Padhye, Carson,
Anderson, Helland, Beverley - photo Yoder)

Thanks to new work habits brought on by the pandemic only three (of seven) council members attended this study session meeting.  Some are at home, a cafe, etc. working remotely.  Most report they "are attending;" though one member rarely participates.  The quality of the meetings has taken a turn for the worse. I hope Mayor Birney can call them in.  After all, council members are city employees, paid $18,648 annually. As is, when a member is speaking remotely you can never see him/her.

I must say this meeting was vibrant despite the lack of physical presence.  Two very interesting land use projects were studied, guided by Planning Director Carol Helland.  She is amazing; her work is brilliant. Council member David Carson led the discussion and appeared the decision-maker in the Pier 67 session.  Council member Jeralee Anderson (center) was thrilled the Marymoor development would be LEED certified....one of her requests.  President Tanika Padhye discouraged "pocket zoning." 

The lady in the audience (of 2) dressed in pink is Melissa Stuart. She was the only one wearing a mask. Ms. Stuart is running for Council Seat No. 4.  I learned she would be the only council member living in Overlake. This is key! 

-- Bob Yoder, 7/28/2021

 (Tip: Go to the city Facebook page for live viewing and commenting.) 👀  

UPDATED: Sanya Parsi Appointed Redmond Councilmember

 

Front row l-r:  Angie Neuvacamina, Menka Soni, Sayna Parsi, Vanessa Kritzer

Back row l-r: Vivek Prakriya, Melissa Stuart, Jessica Forsythe

Stuart is President, replacing Kritzer -  Neuvacamina V.P. replacing Forsythe

Prakriya is 20-years old

Sayna Parsi was appointed by Council to finish Osman Salahuddin's term; who was elected State Legislature, District 48th. Sanya's term ends in two years. 

Saina Parsi — Identified in the interviews as having experience on the Parks and Trails Commission, private-sector program work and community organizing; she emphasized environmental stewardship, inclusive community outreach and using planning documents such as Redmond 2050 to guide decisions. 

Council Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Legislative Branch
• Provides to the Mayor direction on policy goals and objectives for long-term vision based on community values and needs
• Adopts the budget, sets fees, accepts grants, and oversees financial and performance measures
• Adopts codes, zoning, and standards in city law and regulations
• Approves contracts, real estate transactions, claim settlements, and interlocal agreements
• Approves pay ranges and union contracts
• Advises Mayor to support staff implementation of policies
• Represents the majority position of the Council to the public

CITY OF REDMOND ORDINANCE NO. 3172; July, 2024

$300 stipend per council member that can be used for anything

Full individual medical insurance.  Family members 50% insured.

Source:  redmond.gov

Updated:  2/19/26

Photo:   Chip Cornwell, City of Redmond

Glimpse Of Redmond Councilmembers In Action

l-r Melissa Stuart, David Carson, Jeralee Anderson, President Jessica Forsythe, Varisha Khan, V.P. Vanessa Kritzer, Steve Fields (remote.)           Staff have backs to the camera.

I'm going to periodically report on the important Council "Committee of the Whole" meetings.  It will give you a chance to watch and listen to our representatives and see them take action on the agenda.  Most of their work with staff gets done here.  This is a meeting  of the "Planning and Public Works Committee."

Click HERE to watch the tape of five councilmembers discussing Redmond's "signalization intersection project" with Kirkland ($2,218,035.)   Scroll the tape to find:  Stuart, 15:35m;  Forsythe 16:40m;  Carson 17:00m;  Stewart 21:00m;  Fields 22:00m;  Krtizer 23:15m. (Kahn did not participate.)    

Ms. Khan's term ends December 31, 2023.  She's participated in less than 75% - 85% of council meetings.  The Mayor would have her exact attendance records.  

-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 10/9/2023

    Photo:  RCTV Comcast 21  

UPDATED: Redmond Police Update, 2021

 

Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe

In a March 14th City Hall meeting, Police Chief Darrell Lowe gave Council an overview of 2021 activities, as follows:  

• 78 commissioned staff, with 8 vacancies; 38 professional staff, with 4 vacancies
• Mental health specialist:  376 response calls, 1,127 total contacts (follow-up with families, courts, health systems and other services.)
• 25,000 calls for service in 2021; a 2.8% increase over 2020.
• 1,171 arrests in 2021; 294 fewer arrests than 2020.
• Crimes per day, down 2.3% from 2020.
• Public Record Requests up 6.8% from 2020

Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer asked if violence picked up during the pandemic.  Chief Lowe said domestic violence increased but it was "yelling" rather than physical. Arrests occurred.  Councilmember Carson asked for a breakdown of the levels of crime and citations of 2021.  Chief said the statistics will be released monthly.  

Councilmember Melissa Stuart asked about the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Chief said the trend is low for citations, that the job is primarily "relational." Last year the policy changed to a "community response model" where SRO's don't work at just one school; they float.  

The Chief explained the problem with retail shoplifting.  Councilmember Fields asked about catalytic converter theft. Redmond police and other jurisdictions organized a task force to respond. He mentioned an engraving program.

Councilmember Jeralee Anderson and the Chief emphasized the importance of locking your car.  Years ago I learned the hard way.  I won't go into the details, but my company car was stolen and returned two days later by a Redmond officer.  She said youth will steal cars for a joy-ride. I had no idea how she found it.  What an angel!

-- Bob Yoder, 3/19/2022

   Source:  Safety, Council Committee of the Whole meeting, 3/14/2022

To learn about the 2007 Levy and see total costs per household of the 2022 Levy click:  https://www.letsconnectredmond.com/safety

UPDATED, 9/4/2024: R.T.C. Will Have Two-12 Story And Two-7 Story Buildings

RTC / Kidder.com

Update 8/27/24:  RTC will have two 12-story buildings and potentially two 7-story buildings according to their new Master Plan.  

Several years from now, Redmond Town Center (RTC) will be torn down and redeveloped.  The vision is "to encourage redevelopment of RTC from an auto-centric suburban campus to a walkable mixed-use urban neighborhood."  The light rail station is only a step away.  Planner Carol Helland and Council have been  reviewing the Master Plan, Zoning amendments, and the urban center element.  To a smaller degree the Planning Commission is involved.  

The applicant, Fairbourne Properties, LLC is a full-service real estate investment and property management company focusing on acquiring, managing and asset managing office, retail, and mixed-use properties throughout the United States.  Fairbourne owns the property known as "Redmond Town Center Creekside Crossing." and is the applicant for redevelopment of the Center.  

Fairbourne is asking Council to remove constraints and be flexible, as follows:  

• build as high as 12 stories "in return for public benefits."
• removing the 600,000 square feet requirement of minimal leasable areas.
• remove the minimum retail provision
• remove the commercial provision

Councilmembers asked staff for information in preparation for their Study Session two weeks away:

Councilmember (CM) Vanessa Kritzer wants an explanation of "building up in return for public benefits." She was concerned about sufficient affordable housing. CM Jessica Forsythe wants a dedicated community for start-up businesses.  She asked for a map with building heights, holistically including nearby property owners. CM Steve Fields wasn't certain how "auto-centric" the area is . CM Melissa Stuart wanted discussion on protection of the large open space owned by RTC.  A stream buffer could be vulnerable.  She asked for 2021 Council conversation records.

Planning Director Helland asked the public to give their input to the Planning Commission. To comment email Chair Sherri Nichols at planningcommission@redmond.gov.  It's my understanding the 
Commission has had two Study Sessions; only two citizens commented at their Hearing and this is a huge development! 

Affordable housing plans are 60% AMI for an undefined number of units. 

-- Bob Yoder, 4/6/2022, updated 9/4/2024

    Source:  City Council Business Meeting and Agenda memo, 4/5/2022

###

This vision for another urban village development near QFC/Redmond Center/Opportunity Building:

"The timing of the 22 acre Nelson Master Plan redevelopment will be gradual and evolutionary. You will not see sudden, rapid, dramatic changes.  Our vision is to gradually create an urban village and the central place in the downtown where the community can shop and gather, and also a place where people can live and work.  The timing of each project in the redevelopment will be determined by many factors, including the leases of our current tenants and the needs and opportunities presented by the marketplace.  Since retail is an important component of the vision, we will strive to retain our current tenants."

--Tom Markl, CEO Nelson Properties

Opening Day of the Overlake Village Pedestrian Bridge

 City of Redmond and Sound Transit Celebrate Opening of Overlake Village Pedestrian Bridge

From left to right: City Council Vice President Jessica Forsythe, Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman, City Council President Vanessa Kritzer, King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Boardmember Claudia Balducci, Mayor Angela Birney, Councilmember Melissa Stuart, and Councilmember Angie Nuevacamina.

REDMOND, WA - The City of Redmond celebrated the opening of the Overlake Village Pedestrian Bridge with a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday. This vital link connects the light rail station at Overlake Village to the 520 Bike Trail across SR 520. The $10.4 million project enhances accessibility and fosters connectivity between key transit points in Redmond.

"The Overlake Pedestrian Bridge exemplifies the successful partnership between the City of Redmond and Sound Transit,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “This project creates an important connection for our community to access transit and demonstrate our commitment to sustainable and accessible transportation.”

UPDATED 5/16/24: Council Review Of "The Homeless Hotel" And Plymouth Housing

Video of Council's "Safety & Human Services Committee Meeting." 8/16/2024 (Mayor Birney didn't participate.)

Notable viewing stops:  

Min 18:15 - Police Chief's Quarterly Activity Update (hyperlinked topics)

Min 40:00 - Start of the Permanent Supportive Housing Update (hyperlinked topics)

Min 45:35 - Emergency role of the HTH Overlake Homeless Hotel.

Min 47:50 - Community Advisory Group

Min 56:55 - Council Policy 

Min 1:14:10 - Councilmember Steve Fields' dialogue with Planning Director Carol Helland:  

Helland said, as the Administrator carrying out Council's policy, "there is no Hearing required" by State law.  Background information is included in the Plymouth Housing - Redmond FAQ's.

UPDATED, 2/21/26: LWSD "Wins" Levy Votes

Eleven school districts had EP&O and Capital & Facility propositions. All districts "won" as of 2/19/26:  Here's a partial list: 

• LWSD:              63.41% EP&O "yes;" / 63.14 % Capital & Facility "yes";; 28.21% votes counted
• Bellevue:           66% EP&O yes/ 66% Capital & Facility / 64% yes; 27% votes counted
• North Shore:     64% EP&O yes/  Capital & Facility 63% yes; 32% votes counted
• Issaquah:          54/% EP&O yes / 54% / 32 Capital & Facility 54% yes; 32% votes counted
• Vashon Island:  EP&O / 77% yes; 42% votes counted.

The LWSD vote includes two levy lid lifts.

Six other districts had an EP&O / Capital & Facility votes:  Enumclaw, Federal Way, Fife, Riverview, Snoqualmie Valley, and Tahoma. 

Besides two school tax levy lid lifts, stormwater treatment will increase 12.5% according to Redmond Councilmember Melissa Stuart. Utilities up 8% this year. 

-- Bob Yoder, 2/19/2026, updated: 2/21/26

"Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog" -- Private Facebook Group

Council Measures Safety Levy From all Angles

 

Redmond City Hall, credit Bob Yoder

In the foreground from l-r, the city clerk, city attorney, Mayor Birney, Council members Steve Fields, Melissa Stuart, Vice President Vanessa Kritzer, Jeralee Anderson (in red,) and David Carson (the senior member.)  President Jessica Forsythe is on the virtual screen. Ms. Kahn is missing. 

A good (though distant, fuzzy) view of senior staff from l-r is COO Malisa Files, Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Community Development.  Chip Corder, Director of Finance. and Fire Chief Sheppard.  In total, the Mayor has 11 Directors and 11 Deputy Directors.  Angela Birney's come a long way since her days as a Parks Commissioner. 

Meet Fire Chief Sheppard and Police Chief Lowe up close and personal HERE 

Update: 2022 Derby Days Grand Parade

Our City Council members are rounding the corner!  Council member Jessica Forsythe is the festive one in yellow sneakers.  She's Council President.  Do you see Council member Vanessa Kritzer with the baby bump?  She's making modern history in Redmond as the first ever pregnant Council member! 👶 Vanessa is Council Vice President in a very challenging year.  (Rent regulations, Tree regulations, Public Safety Levy, Town Center amendments, Evans Creek realignment, Senior Center funding decisions and on.)  Councilmember David Carson marches as the senior member with over 13 years under his belt.  Councilmember Melissa Stuart (in red) lives in Overlake Urban Center where representation is sorely needed.  Varisha Kahn is back from a long illness marching with hat. Jaralee Anderson poured OJ at the firefighters' breakfast.  Steve Fields wasn't seen. 
 

click to enlarge

Former Mayor of 16 years, Rosemarie Ives and Jerry Torell hold the banner as the Redmond Historical Society members march with organic vegetable and fruit costumes, in concert with the parade's sustainability theme.  

-- Bob Yoder, picture and video, 7/9/2022