UPDATED: The Public Needs Fair Notice of Evergreen's Budget Hearings

EDITORIAL:   Evergreen Hospital held a Public Budget Hearing on November 12 and only one citizen showed up for it.

Could it be just apathy, or something else?

READ MORE >>

10/26 UPDATE: About "Us" - why I write this blog

Bob Yoder, Editor and Scribbler
older photo

As you will find, my blog is a one-man show...so here goes:    

I'm 66 years old, have lived in Redmond 36 years, and started blogging about 11 years ago.  When I moved here from the mid-west, to sell medical supplies, Redmond was a rural one-stoplight town.  We loved visiting the downtown feed store to play with the chicks; golf the downtown course; drive through the horse farms, line up at for ice cream at Thenos and generally just enjoy a peaceful lifestyle away from the big city.  

In the early 2000's, things started to change -- developers moved into our Education Hill neighborhood leveling evergreens. The City of Redmond's, less-then-perfect public notice of an environmentally sensitive project provoked me to start my blog to "get the word out." I've been writing it ever since under the well known premise that governments fostering  "transparency and citizen participation" are good governments.    

Since local print media doesn't cover all our community news and minority opinion, I do a lot of general reporting and story-telling.  I'm especially interested in our local environment, student education, and now mental health advocacy. You'll see more posts on Redmond's natural resources, fine schools and soon advocacy for the mentally ill and disabled.  A life-threatening brain disorder is generational in my family.       

One of my favorite activities is watching the City Council and Mayor on RC-TV.  Yes, I'm a government wonk. However, now that Council holds meetings in our neighborhoods I'm more of a community advocate than activist.  My interest in city government extends into governance reporting of our school district and local public hospital district. 

Investigation, analysis and input on the school district's old organizational chart and their leadership roles furthers accountability and transparency.  And, after a very prolonged, testy investigation involving blog leverage, EvergreenHeath hospital began day-lighting their government and re-focused their attention to customer service, revamping website pages.

So now you know something About "Us."  :) 

Cheers, 

Bob Yoder

Disclaimer:  I'm a Seattle Times news partner, but by far no where close to a citizen-journalist.  Errors. omissions and miss-representations occur on a regular basis; and my posts aren't always sourced. ,

Email:  redmondblog@gmail.com. Twitter: @RedmondNeighbor    Facebook Page:   Subscribe by email  Sign up for membership to Friends Who Like Neighborhood Blog

Privacy Statement:    Facebook and Redmond Neighborhood Blog comments are very rarely posted. If possible, I'll contact the author before posting.  

Seven parents speak up at School Board meeting on overcrowding

Seven parents addressed the School Board and Superintendent this Monday about problems with the reboundary process underway to relieve overcrowding at Rosa Parks.   Beth Zimmerman indicated all three scenarios presented by the Boundary Committee exceeded the true capacity of the schools with 713 students.  She suggested 667 is closer to true capacity.  The committee's total capacity includes the 10 portables which stress capacity in the playgrounds, gym, rest rooms, and common area.  Lunch must be held in classrooms and one 5th grade gym class has 62 students in it.  Beth urged the Superintendent "to fine tune" the reboundary plan to account for true capacity. 

Julie Ann appreciated the temporary boundary committee's work but was concerned the true enrollment for Rosa Parks was not presented at the open house or posted online.  She asked for transparency to collect acceptable feedback.  A concern was grandfathering was allowed and would keep enrollment at 700+ which was too much.  She was bothered that she read about this in the local media and had to call Communications Director Kathryn Reith for confirmation.  Julie Ann said, "The Grandfathering omission does not reflect the openness and honesty critical to developing trust to maintain a positive approach to  problem solving."  She concluded, "Thank you for listening and understanding how important transparency is to developing trust-based relationships with key stakeholders."  

Karen Swenson said the most important decision criteria identified in the surveys was "maintaining integrity of  the neighborhoods."  She was concerned that North Deveron neighborhood of 29 students was not included in the Wilder reboundary.  These students are expected to walk one mile to Rosa Parks along woods under the  most popular Scenario C. 

The last speaker was frustrated with the complexity of the re boundary process.  He thought it would be a lot simpler and was upset with capacity problems of walking outside to bathrooms and not sharing recognition awards in one assembly room. 

The School Board commiserated and asked for updated reboundary information on the website.  Superintendent Pierce said she wouldn't hold any information back.  The survey deadline is December 10 and all new reboundary information and feedback forms are found here:  http://www.lwsd.org/News/temporary-boundary-change/Pages/default.aspx.  

By Bob Yoder

 

New Redmond blog "About Us" page

Bob, Lexie and Pam Yoder

Hello!  I'm Bob Yoder, the Editor and Scribbler of Redmond Neighborhood Blog.  I've lived 38 years in Redmond and started blogging about 10 years ago.  When I first moved here from the mid-west to sell medical supplies, Redmond was a rural one-stoplight town. We loved visiting the downtown feed store to play with the chicks; golf the downtown course; drive through the horse farms, line up at for ice cream and milk at Thenos and generally just enjoy a peaceful lifestyle away from the big city. 

In the early 2000's, things started to change -- developers moved into our Education Hill neighborhood leveling evergreens. The City of Redmond's, less-then-perfect public notice of an environmentally sensitive project provoked me to start my blog to "get the word out." I've been writing it ever since under the well known premise that governments fostering  "transparency and citizen participation" are good governments.  

Since local print media doesn't cover all the community news and opinion. I do a lot of general-interest reporting.  Our rapid pace of growth, the environment, student education, mental health and City of Redmond elections are popular topics. You'll see more posts on the city council elections, Redmond's creeks and riparian habitat, fine schools and soon advocacy for mental health.  

One of my favorite activities is watching the City Council and Mayor on RC-TV.  Yes,I'm a government wonk. My interest in the city extends into governance reporting of our school district and local public hospital district. I now advocate much more, than from my earlier days of "open government" activism.  

Investigation, analysis and input of the school district's old organizational chart and leadership roles furthers their accountability and transparency.  And, after a very prolonged investigation involving blog leverage, EvergreenHeath hospital reshuffled their personnel, began day-lighting their government and re-focused their attention on customer service; revamping pages on their website.

So now you know something about "About Us" and the year ahead!

Cheers, 

Bob Yoder

Disclaimer:  I'm a Seattle Times News Partner, but by far nowhere close to a journalist. Errors. omissions and miss-representations occur on a regular basis; and my posts aren't always sourced. 

Email:  redmondblog@gmail.com. Twitter: @RedmondNeighbor    Facebook Page  Subscribe by email,  Sign up for "Friends Who Like Redmond Neighborhood Blog,

Privacy Statement:    Facebook and Redmond Neighborhood Blog comments are rarely posted. If possible, I'll contact the author before posting.  

Property owners pay $10/parcel to fund King Conservation District. Transparency of proposed funding is in question.

UPDATED, 7/20: Redmond and other suburban citizens pay $10 per parcel to fund the King Conservation District (KCD). Many of the funds have been directed to 50 habitat restoration and protection projects throughout our Sammamish-Cedar Creek "Watershed Salmon Recovery Council" (WRIA 8). Over the years, critical restoration projects on Bear Creek, Issaquah Creek, Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, the Sammamish River, Little Bear Creek, and Kelsey Creek could not have been completed without the wise appropriation of the KCD funds by experienced WRIA 8 Sammamish-Cedar Creek Salmon Recovery councilmembers.

Of the $10 each parcel owner in Redmond pays to King Conservation District, $5 goes to WRIA 8 Watershed restoration, protection and education projects, $3 goes to the King Conservation District and $2 goes to the City of Redmond. This current policy of appropriating landowner funds ($5-$3-$2) has functioned well over the years, giving suburban cities and WRIA 8 Watershed Council flexibility and control in allocating funds by priority of value and need.

WRIA 8 Watershed Salmon Recovery Council has been very successful at leveraging KCD funding. Every WRIA 8 KCD grant dollar is matched by $2 of local, state or federal funds. From 1998-2007 WRIA 8 received $7,291,598 in KCD funds. They estimate that WRIA 8 KCD funds have leveraged an additional $14,572,720!

Unfortunately, the King Conservation District Board of Supervisors in Renton proposes to reduce city and WRIA funding by 10% or more and with no transparency in how the grants will be allocated between cities and watershed councils.

Greater clarity and certainty of funding is needed for these grant programs to continue to be successful. If you agree or disagree, King Conservation District Board of Supervisors wants to hear from you : comments@kingcd.org. The deadline for comments is July 20, however comments coming in after July 20 will be read and considered.

King Conservation District Board of Supervisors
1107 SW Grady Way, Suite130
Renton, WA 98057

King Conservation District (KCD) comprehensive website -- special assessment topic

UPDATE, 7/20: Here is information on upcoming meetings regarding the KCD assessment where the KCD Board is inviting your participation and feedback:

The KCD Advisory Committee is meeting this Thursday, July 23rd from 1:30-4PM at Kirkland City Hall downstairs in the Peter Kirk Room. The meeting agenda is attached.

Directions to Kirkland City Hall: http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Maps_and_Directions.htm

The KCD Board of Supervisors Meeting is next Monday, July 27th at 6PM at the King Conservation District’s office at 1107 SW Grady Way, Suite 130 in Renton.
The agenda for the meeting will be posted at: http://www.kingcd.org/abo_boa.htm
Directions to the KCD office: http://www.kingcd.org/con_us_map.htm

Opposition to Proposed Gunshy Manor Development along the Red Brick Road

September 25, 2014 advance copy via email

The Honorable Dow Constantine The Honorable Kathy Lambert, District 3

King County Executive King County Councilmember

King County Chinook Building King County Courthouse

401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 800 516 Third Avenue, 12th Floor

Seattle, WA 98104 Seattle, Washington 98104

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Gunshy Manor Development along the Red Brick Road

Sustainable Redmond is a grassroots organization with the mission of being a catalyst for moving Redmond’s

citizens, businesses, and local government toward sustainability. Therefore, we advocate transparency in City and

County development processes, better public notice of development proposals and full community engagement

throughout1.

We wish to bring your attention to a proposed development (Gunshy Manor) on the Red Brick Road, which is a

historical landmark in King County. The Red Brick Road (located on 196th Ave NE between SR 202 and NE Union Hill

Road) is adjacent to the boundary of the City of Redmond and is an important historic and agricultural valley that

preserves more than a mile of paved road from the original Yellowstone Trail, dating from 1913. The road runs

through more than 100 acres of intact wetlands, some privately owned and some preserved as the Evans Creek

Natural Area. It has come to our attention that King County is in the process of receiving pre-applications for a new

development project along the road that will build 25 additional homes on property immediately adjacent to Evans

Creek Natural Area.

There are a range of direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts which should be addressed in the

process of a full SEPA review to include:  Read More >>

School District wins budget award

Lake Washington School District provides more information, transparency

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded Lake Washington School District its Pathway to the MBA (Meritorious Budget Award). The award recognizes excellence in budget presentation during the 2016–2017 budget year.

The Pathway to the MBA promotes and recognizes excellence in school budget presentation. It enhances school business officials' skills in developing, analyzing, and presenting a school system budget. After a rigorous review by professional auditors, the award is conferred only on school districts that have met or exceeded the program’s stringent criteria.

“As a district, one of our goals is to use resources effectively and be fiscally responsible,” noted Assistant Superintendent Barbara Posthumus. “The budget is a foundational document. It helps us to be transparent to our community on how we use their tax dollars. Working toward the Meritorious Budget Award has improved the quantity and quality of information we provide to the community.”

Districts who successfully complete all four MBA Criteria Checklist sections promote:

• Skills in developing and analyzing an effective budget
• Communication between departments to develop short- and long-term strategies
• Clear budget guidelines
• Building confidence in your community with a reader-friendly budget

The Pathway to the MBA is an introductory program. It requires completion of two of the four MBA Criteria Checklist sections. Lake Washington completed the introductory and the organizational sections in its 2016-17 budget document.

Budget review comments from ASBO noted, “This is a fine document, which includes a wealth of information in graphic and narrative form. The document is user-friendly and will meet the needs of varied users.”

Redmond's BP budget process - not a 'catastrophe', but close to it.

OPINION:    UPDATED:  The Administration couldn't have picked a worse name for their "Budgeting By Priorities" process - BP!   Unfortunately, the name is fitting.   As far as public participation is concerned, the BP process was a disaster.  

Mayor Marchione (in photo) held a Public Hearing last night to wrap up the BP process.  No one showed to speak pro or con.  Did anyone know about it?   As usual, city advertising of BP public participation events was faint.  Only 6 citizens signed-up for the first meeting and 12 for the second.  The key purpose of BP is to engage citizens in the budget process.  This pitiful Hearing combined with the others make for a Triple Storm - a public process disaster.

The Mayor was prepared for the worst.   Melissa Files, his finance manager, spoke immediately after the Hearing to PR the  BP.  I listened in on the tapes of the meeting and bent over, laughing in pain, when Melissa stated,  "The BP process gets a whole bunch of citizens and employees involved in the budget".

Truth came out on how the Administration measures our capacity for taxation and budgetary needs.  Administration obviously can't rely on pubic input.  Rather, they use a book (Osborne and Hutchinson.) as their gold standard for deciding on how much taxation we can take.  Melissa summarized the book:

"there's a band within which citizens are willing to pay taxes based on total city revenues as compared to personal income.  The band for Redmond is 5-6% of personal income." 

Oh, so THAT'S how Mayor John Marchione knew he could raise our property tax 1% last election?  He applied the formula! 

Melissa promoted transparency and accountability in the BP process and claimed the six key priorities of BP were "developed in 2008 by the citizens of Redmond".  Huh?  What did she say?   First, I went to all 2008 BP public meetings; the 6 priorities where predetermined and stated without any public input.  Second, the Mayor claims he has "identified" $2.6M in efficiencies this biennium, but he's still opaque on their implementation.

This BP process looks like a lost cause but you can still "participate" at BPquestions@redmond.gov, or please comment here.  Two state-mandated public Hearings on the budget will be held this Fall.   

Opinion By Bob Yoder

References:  
6/15 Council meeting tape
2009-2010 Mid-Biennial Review Performance Management
Public Record:  BP Innovation/Efficiency Initiative, 4/2010
Participation at 2008 / 2010 BP Meetings.

Over $100,000 spent on computer virus eradication at LWSD

As of March 15, total eradication of the computer virus in LWSD schools is still incomplete according to Kathryn Reith, Communications Director for LWSD.   A "Freedom of Information" public record request by Redmond Neighborhood Blog revealed $100,399.92 has been spent so far in labor and Sophos software support to eradicate the virus. Reith was told by the technology department they don't expect much more in expense.  Loss of teacher-student producticivity is an intangible unaccounted for. 

Reith expects to come forth with information at a later date on further anti-virus safeguards the District will put in place.  When the virus first struck the computer systems, School Director Douglas Egglington asked Superintendent Pierce in a public meeting for transparency on the costs for eradication.  There had been no follow-up until this post.

Reported by Bob Yoder

7/24/07 Holly Plackett's Letter to the Neighborhood Blog

Dear Neighbors,

As my campaign promise, you may have heard that I pledge to re-build trust in Redmond City government, establish more transparency, fiscal responsibility and increased opportunity for resident involvement in Redmond’s city government. But, what exactly does that mean?

Many of us judge our quality of life by the quality of our neighborhoods. How our neighborhoods look, how accessible they are and how safe they feel are all aspects that affect our quality of life.
As Mayor of Redmond, I pledge to strengthen the processes that will protect our neighborhoods and quality of life while supporting fiscally responsible, meaningful growth.

To problem solve and encourage new leadership in our community, I will encourage the organization of formal neighborhood associations and develop more opportunities for open discussions between residents and City administration and staff. Residents will be empowered to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives and neighborhoods. Public discussion will be convenient, timely, and considered part of the planning process.

I will promote significant input from residents and dialogue with City administration and staff prior to any changes taking place. This is your right as a resident and my duty as an elected official.

I will also continue to emphasize multi-modal transportation. Pedestrian and bike trails, van pools, and transit, in addition to roads, will provide clean, efficient, environmentally friendly transportation for our entire community. Toward this end, I will also support use of bio-diesel vehicles for the City’s fleet.

For business, I will create an environment where small businesses, as well as major employers, maintain a substantial role in a vibrant economy for Redmond residents. This includes insuring a fair tax structure for businesses and implementing the final decisions of the Downtown Master Transportation Plan, which include a pedestrian friendly, well-connected street grid that encourages and supports our downtown area's small and medium size employers.

To benefit the entire community, I will work to attract a branch of the University of Washington or Cascadia Community College to Redmond. The expansion of Lake Washington Technical College into Redmond demonstrates the vitality that local educational opportunities can add to a growing community.

Those who know me know I walk my talk. I do not ask of others what I am not willing to do myself. I keep my promises and work hard to achieve my goals. I believe that reading, listening, and probing different perspectives are essential before taking a position on any issue. I am also willing to acknowledge mistakes or change a position based on new information.

As Mayor of Redmond, I will mentor new leadership throughout the community. I will lead positively and encourage others by looking for opportunities to praise and using constructive criticism when appropriate. I will also approach each situation with a win-win attitude. I believe that this approach coupled with active civil discourse and citizen participation can produce productive government built of reasonable compromise and promising outcomes.

My five years of experience working on the Redmond Planning Commission and four years working on the City Council gives me the background to strengthen Redmond’s neighborhoods and to listen to and act on neighborhood and regional business concerns. I would welcome the opportunity to serve as your Mayor.

Warm regards,
Holly Plackett

Musings on the city's Community/Aquatics Center plan

I've lived here 36 years and  love Redmond, but I'm not a proponent of the city's proposed $80M - $100M Recreation/Aquatics Center.  I'm concerned I and some of my neighbors will get taxed out of Redmond or even lose our homes. The schools are by far my family's budget priority and now with ST-3 passing I'm not 100% sure I can even pay for them.  In my opinion, the proposed Center is "Downtown Park v.2"  Too expensive, primarily for urban dwellers, a burden on the neighborhoods, hard to get to, and subject to cost over-runs.

When the Hartman Pool is demolished, it should be replaced with a Neighborhood Community Center.  The footprint is large and there's plenty of space.  A recent Education Hill Neighborhood Association poll indicated only 5 of 478 members wanted a new pool. Many asked for child services and a cafe with sandwiches and pastries. Meeting rooms, an organic produce market, music classes, teen life-skills classes, and revitalizing the beautiful treed land south of pool were some other requests.  

A downtown community/aquatics center is primarily an amenity for the urban dwellers.  Other than the city, who's to say our existing community center won't  have the capacity for Historical Society Meetings and recreational programs?  The Lake Washington School District would know.  We should start going to their business meetings and requesting transparency.

As for the aquatics center the train has left the station.  Our elected majority should have partnered with Kirkland and Lake Washington School District a long time ago to build an aquatics center when development costs were cheaper. I've heard Bellevue is considering aquatics near Bellevue College. Couldn't that be a viable alternative?

The incredibly rapid pace of city growth has put the Administration behind the eight-ball and panicking to "catch up."  Mine is one opinion.  I encourage you to visit the city's Redmond Community Center website and give them yours.

Bob Yoder, opinion 

Communications and city branding under review by Redmond council

City branding and communications were brief but important discussions by Redmond city council at their last study session.  Jeri Rowe-Curtis, newer city Communication and Marketing Administrator was at the table explaining her programs.  More importantly, the city council broadcast a  loud and clear message of Redmond's identity when Council Vice President Hank Margeson proclaimed:

"Redmond ought to be known throughout the world as the tech center of the universe and we ought to be building on that legacy."

Hank left it up to others with expertise to build the brand advising "there should be a coordinated communications plan to have a message that's carried forward; it adds transparency and insures no hidden agendas." 

Councilmember Allen agreed and encouraged "an outreach to the "creative" community to do some branding."

Hank Myers referenced the Puget Sound Business Journal's recent article on seven new technology companies in the Sound with two locating in Redmond.   Jeri Rowe-Curtis said she's paying attention to this Journal.  Some of her recent work is to get more robust programming on RCTV and AM 1650 and a social media push, especially U-Tube.  She's doing lunch 'n learns with staff for emergency prep and screens incoming calls of select citizens to filter the city information and shape the message.   

Her branding message for the city is currently:

"Realize Redmond's future as a City with two vibrant urban centers in downtown and Overlake, improve connections to our neighborhoods, and provide high quality services in partnership with an engaged community." 

By Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Superintendent Traci Pierce quotes funding schedule for building more schools -- my opinion

Superintendent Traci Pierce laid out the funding schedule for building, more schools at last night's city council study session.

$398,000,000 Bond measure will be put on the ballot on April 26, 2016.  

$288,000,000 proposed Bond measure in 2018
$278,000,000 proposed Bond measure in 2022.

$207,000,000 proposed Bond measure in 2026. 

EP&O (Educational Program and Operations) Levy/Capital Project Levy measure on 2018. 

EP&O Levy/Capital Project Levy on 2022.

EP&O Levy/Capital Project Levy on 2026.

It's obviously going to take a lot of community backing to"catch up" from the previous bond failures. The good news is all the above bond measures will maintain the present 2015 tax rate. Board Director Chris Carlson said the tax rate can be maintained because "the l998 bond will be ending and the 2016 bond will replace it."  Pierce went on to say that "growth" and "assessed valuations" will maintain the present tax rate over time. Councilmembers Carson and Myers had good follow-up questions on the matter.

In my opinion, these Bonds are needed or the serious over-crowding that exists today will be severe tomorrow and our children with suffer. Accordin/g to Pierce, the District has grown an average of 625 students/yr for the past five years -- that's equivalent of one elementary school per year.  In five years the District anticipates it will move up from the 4th largest District in the State to the 2nd largest.  The District grew 1,114 students last year -- equivalent to 34 classrooms.  By the beginning of next year 168 portables will have been installed -- the equivalent of 7 elementary schools.  This year and next the State will be funding "all day kindergarten" putting even more pressure on space. (Presently 70% of the students go to kindergarten all day)
.   

According to Pierce, six schools are scheduled to be "remodeled OR replaced and enlarged" between 2016 and 2026.  (Juanita HS, Kirkland El, Mead El, Kamiakin MS, Evergreen MS, Alcott El). Pierce didn't identify which of them would be remodeled and which would be replaced and enlarged. Why didn't she?  Of note, Pierce never once used the term "modernization" which in the past had been a confusing catch phrase for "tearing down, replacing and enlarging." Transparency is slowly improving.

Pierce said her Task Force made "recommendations around well built, cost effective building designs that don't compromise quality."  What are these cost effective, practical and functional designs?  She gave no details and in my opinion many voters want to know before opening their wallets.

Bob Yoder

  

Laurene Burton, EvergreenHealth Executive Director, Governance & Community Affairs retires after 27 years

Laurene Burton has shared her plans to retire from her position as Executive Director, Governance & Community Affairs. After 27 years working on behalf of our patients and community, she looks forward to traveling, kayaking, spending more time with her family and reading a good book or two. For a while, she says she’ll enjoy “every day being Saturday.” Laurene’s last day with EvergreenHealth is July 5.

Since Laurene joined EvergreenHealth in 1992, she has been widely recognized for her commitment to building relationships in our community. Initially hired to write curriculum for Community Health Education, she quickly acquired additional skills and was selected to become Director of Community Health Education in 1998. In 2005, she joined our administrative team, where she developed an affinity for governance activities and enjoyed working closely with our Board of Commissioners, whose work she deeply admires. Laurene continued her practice of active community-building through oversight of EvergreenHealth’s art program, volunteer program, community service programs and levy-funded programs – and carried out our organization’s commitment to transparency in her role as EvergreenHealth's Public Disclosure Officer.

It was EvergreenHealth’s culture that first appealed to Laurene. “It’s what drew me and what kept me here,” she says. With our origins and history of sustaining strong community ties, Laurene could freely follow her own natural instincts: “When I saw areas where we needed to have a connection, I tried to make one; I looked for needs in the community that EvergreenHealth could fill and pursued partnerships. In my experience, good relationships are crucial to any achievement. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many wonderful people in my role here, and I value every single one of them.

Laurene’s proudest achievements, not surprisingly, involve partnerships and a sense of satisfaction in helping these relationships grow and thrive:

OPINION PART ONE: "Moving Redmond Forward" on Land Use Appeal Decisions

KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

Kirkland, Bellevue, Sammamish, Issaquah, Woodinville, Mercer Island, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett all use the King County Superior Court land use appeals. Redmond still uses City Council for land use appeals.

According to Rob Odle, Redmond Planning and Development Director, in the mid-90's, most cities abandoned the council Q-J land use appeal process for appeals by the King County Superior Court.

OPINION UPDATED, 5/17, Opinion: "Moving Redmond Forward" was Mayor John Marchione's #1 campaign slogan when he was running for office two years ago. John has been living up to his promise, unfortunately not the Council majority. The Council "majority" just moved Redmond two steps back during a conversation on Land Use Appeal Decision process in their last council meeting.

The council majority of David Carson, Richard Cole, Pat Vache' and Hank Myers took a straw vote, tallied by Carson, to keep their dated "quasi-judicial role" for preliminary plats. The quasi-judicial (q-j) role gives Council powerful legal and legislative appeal authority over a city-designated land use attorney's decision. (Hearing Examiner.)

After hours of deliberation in two Committee meetings last year, Councilmembers Hank Margeson and Kimberly Allen offered reasons to move our city forward in utilizing the King County Superior Court rather than keeping Council for land use appeals. Only Redmond and Bothell rely on Council for initial appeal decisions in our area. Below are reasons for moving forward:

• Redmond's present appeal process requires Council by law to thoroughly review every page, document, and blueprint in the Hearing Examiner's file for accuracy beyond reasonable doubt.
• Council is not legally qualified, nor has the time, to thoroughly review the Examiner's file for inaccuracies.
• Society is more litigious and will challenge Council's ability to craft a correct Record. The City is liable and vulnerable to expensive, drawn-out lawsuits by appellants and landowners.
• During land use decisions, which can take over a year, citizens are not allowed to communicate with their councilmembers about the project. When legislative mistakes of interpreting Land Use Code are made, Council cannot fix the problem up-front, by mediation, or in a pre-hearing meeting. Participation, citizen/landowner engagement, and transparency are severely limited by a WALL between the People and their Representatives.

The land use decisions subject to council's Q-J appeal process are called "Preliminary Plats". Some examples of Preliminary Plat appeals in Redmond gone a muck are: CAMWEST'S Perrigo Heights, CAMWEST'S Pearce, Shauhanessy, and CAMWEST'S Tyler Creek - all of which were strung out by Council's legal and legislative interpretations of a poorly crafted Examiner Record.

PART TWO, 5/20/09, "Thoughts on Redmond's Land Use Appeal Policy"
PART THREE: on "Moving Redmond Forward on Land Use Appeal Decisions" will focus on significant Preliminary Plat mistakes and unintended consequences from Redmond's Q-J process.
Chair Margeson's Planning and Public Works Committee meeting, 11/08
Chair Margeson's Planning and Public Works Committee meeting, 07/08