Opinion: Councilmember Varisha Kahn Is Back!

Varisha Kahn

Breaking news!  Councilmember Varisha Kahn  physically, in-person attended both Council meetings last night for the first time in over 20 months. Here's a June, 2020 snippet from Crosscut praising her: 

The New Normal: When your living room becomes City Hall / Crosscut:

"Redmond City Councilmember Varisha Khan is navigating her first term from home while supporting her community through the pandemic.

Varisha Khan is a first-time city council member in Redmond. She drafted, proposed and passed recent legislation that protects Redmond residents from late fees and evictions, and offers support during other hardships. She recognizes this pandemic as a collective trauma for society and the only way she feels she can cope is by doing what she knows: helping her community through writing humane policy that mends a frayed social safety net."

-- Dorothy Edwards, June 22, 2020, Crosscut.

In addition to remote attendance Varisha presided over the Public Safety Committee for several months and coordinated the new Safety and Sustainability work plan. Other than that, her in-person attendance was rare until last night.

Since not everyone participates when attending remotely, the Mayor started a roll call policy for accountability.

Councilmember Kahn's constituents are diverse and her representation is critical.  Ms. Kahn is the youngest councilmember in the history of this City.  She's a woman in her mid-twenties (the average age in Redmond is 34.5 yrs.)  She's a Muslim.  And, she's a native, having graduated from Horace Mann Elementary.

The six councilmembers have worked hard to carry her load.  Varisha is pretty confident. She is articulate, likes to talk, and eventually makes her point heard. 

-- Bob Yoder, 6/22/2022

The Myers - Kahn Race

History is happening. Women now have a total of 6 seats on the Dias, including the mayor. Varisha Kahn secured 6666 votes winning by 66 votes.

Credit/ Redmond Reporter

VARISHA M. KAHN

Voters' Pamphlet:
https://www.electvarishakhan.com/meet-varisha

Education:  Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication journalism, University of Washington.
Occupation:  Community Organizer; Former Political Action Committee Director, OneAmerica Votes.
Statement:  As a proud Redmond resident, I running to make Redmond a leader in solving issues we share across the region.  If elected, I will prioritize environmental sustainability solutions to reduce our carbon pollution an the face of climate change, and advocate for better, accessible transportation options so residents can get around with less traffic.  I pledge to make Redmond a more affordable place to live, work, and play and will up uplift our diverse vibrant communities through meaningful collaboration and inclusion. We need new leaders with the courage to put people's needs first,and that's why I'm the only candidate this race rejecting money from developers,  Proudly endorsed by: National Women's Political Caucus; King County 45 and 48 LD, KC Young Democrats; Planned Parenthood; State Senators Patty Kuderer and Mona Das; State Representative Vandana Slatter; City Councilmember Tanika Padye.  I would be honored to earn your vote.  Thank you!

HANK MYERS

Voters' Pamphlet:
 https://www.HankMyers4Redmond.com

Education:  Bachelor of Arts, English, California State University.
Occupation:  Transportation consultant.  Past clients include Microsoft's Award-Winning commute program.
Statement:  Hank Myers brings together the best of Redmond and is an energetic voice for compassion and fiscal responsibility. He is Redmond's advocate for salmon recovery and clean water in our region.  A leader in reducing the cost of government, he fights to keep property taxes affordable.  As former board chair for the Together Center, Hank served those in our community who need help.  From volunteer days in Redmond's parks events to events supporting our police officers, Hank is out with the public, listening to concerns and solving our problems.   Call him at 425-830-4265 and see for yourself. That approach earned him the support of police officers, environmental activists, small business owners, seniors, education advocates, and leaders in our diverse communities.  Redmond is changing and facing new challenges. Hank will represent what is best about our community today and for the future.

The Myers-Kahn race was possibly the closest recorded in Redmond history. Ms. Kahn is only 24 years old which could be a record as well. So what contributed to this loss?  For one, probably the rapid change in our demographics.   

Myers conceded November 25, 2019:  "With only 52 votes in doubt against a 64-vote lead, it is time to concede. My 15 years as a King County poll judge made that decision easy."  

  

31,140 registered voters.  46.92% ballots counted.     

Of Note:               
Angela Birney vs. Steve Fields. Birney won the mayoral position with 60.04% of the votes.
Vanessa Kritzer defeated Eugene Zakhareyev for the open seat with 70.98% of the votes.
Jessica Forsythe challenged Hank Margeson for Position 3 and won with 54.67% of votes.
Varisha Khan challenged Hank Myers for Position 1 and won with 50.15% of the votes.
Incumbent David Carson defeated Carlos Jimenez for Position 7 with 53.02% of the votes.
Steve Fields, Tanika Padhye, and Jeralee Anderson remain on Council.

-- Reported by Bob Yoder, December 6, 2019

Sources:  King County Official Local Voters' Pamphlet, November 5, 2019
               Public Disclosure Commission (PDC)  
               Candidate websites

UPDATED: Council Holds First In-person Meeting In Over A Year

 

(l-r) Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe, Tanika Padeya, David Carson, Mayor Angela Birney, Vanessa Kritzer, Jeralee Anderson, Steve Fields.

Council had their first hybrid / in-person Regular meeting on July 6th, 2021.  Prior to this, meetings were remote owing to COVID.  

In this particular meeting, Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe and Jeraleee Anderson wore masks. Everyone else were unmasked, including the mayor, the city attorney and city clerk.  Mr. Fields was participating remotely.  Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Ms. Hite, Director of Parks were sitting unmasked at the table.  Some members of the audiance were not masked. 

I'm not sure why three were covered.  Were they fearful of the Delta variant?  My guess is some were trying to set an example to encourage the public to mask since the pandemic isn't over.

Council Member Varisha Kahn, in the committee meeting, attributed her full-face covering to a scratchy throat. 

-- Bob Yoder, 7/7/2021 - photo: redmond.gov

City Of Redmond Swearing In Ceremony

l-r Angela Birney, David Carson, Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe, Vanessa Kritzer

In a ceremony during Redmond City Council's December 17th meeting, newly elected Redmond residents Angela Birney (Mayor), Varisha Khan (Council Position No. 1), Jessica Forsythe (Council Position No. 3), Vanessa Kritzer (Council Position No. 5), and David Carson (Council Position No. 7) were officially sworn in. Their terms are effective January 2020 through December 2023.

Thirteen different council/mayoral candidate signs were staked.  Amazingly, most were removed within a day following the election. (click to enlarge)

Mayor-elect Birney was elected to City Council in 2015 and served as Council President from 2018 to 2019. She currently represents Redmond on several regional boards and committees and previously served on the Parks and Trails Commission. Angela grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to Redmond in 1998. Formerly a middle school science teacher, she earned a Master of Education from Heritage University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Education from Eastern Washington University. She lives on Education Hill with her husband and daughters.

Video of Councilmember Varisha Kahn

 https://crosscut.com/2020/06/new-normal-when-your-living-room-becomes-city-hall

Find a good video of Varisha in this article 

The New Normal: When your living room becomes City Hall

Redmond City Councilmember Varisha Khan is navigating her first term from home while supporting her community through the pandemic.

by Dorothy Edwards / June 22, 2020 - Crosscut 

Varisha Khan is a first-time city council member in Redmond. She drafted, proposed and passed recent legislation that protects Redmond residents from late fees and evictions, and offers support during other hardships. She recognizes this pandemic as a collective trauma for society and the only way she feels she can cope is by doing what she knows: helping her community through writing humane policy that mends a frayed social safety net.

Dorothy Edwards, June 22, 2020, Crosscut.

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 Notes: Scooters & Salaries

Council Meeting Notes:  

E-scooters and e-bikes pilot project discussed.  Seattle and Everett are the only cities in Puget Sound that have e-scooters.  Parking spaces will not be marked with paint owing to maintenance.  Several councilmembers complained about e-scooters as difficult to ride, blocking sidewalks and ADA intersections. At least 9 accidents were reported by the Fire Dept.  Most didn't want more than one vendor owing to multiple phone applications.  Lime is the present vendor; they will present to council in their next meeting.  September may be the month council decides on a permanent contract.  Email feedback to council at council@redmond.gov.

Council Salaries:  Councilmember Anderson started a 29 minute discussion about council salaries, recommending Ordinance 3116 be repealed or amended to allow council to set their own salaries for new members. They decided to have a private Executive Session to discuss the matter.  Councilmember Varisha Kahn made a rare comment agreeing to an Executive Session. For the most part, Ms. Kahn very rarely participates in any conversation at council meetings.  

The city pays each councilmember over $18,600/year, plus generous benefits. 

Watch council discuss council salaries at this video meeting:  1:01:38 - 1:30:19

-- posted by Bob Yoder, 7/27/2023,  Source:  RCTV and mayor memo

City Council Selects Name for New Community Center

 Posted on: August 22, 2022

Citizens give testimony asking for "Senior" in the Center name.

  (click picture to enlarge)

REDMOND, WA – At their Aug. 16 business meeting, members of the Redmond City Council voted ( *four to one) in support of naming the City’s new community center the Redmond Senior & Community Center. The name recognizes the new facility as a space for all generations to enjoy, gather, and recreate. Throughout the robust naming process, community members shared that they appreciated the name’s descriptiveness and that it clearly identifies the building as a place where seniors can feel comfortable and welcome. 

The name was selected in accordance with the City’s process for naming new city facilities and included extensive community outreach and involvement. Initially, 31 names were collected from key stakeholders and then staff reviewed the options and narrowed the list to three. This list was shared with the Redmond community for feedback at community events and in an online questionnaire, which received nearly 350 responses. Following this outreach, Parks and Recreation Department staff presented the options and feedback to the Parks and Trails Commission, which put forward a recommendation that was presented with the feedback to City Council. The Council discussed the recommendation and alternative names at length and determined the approved name was the best suited for the new building.

“We are excited for this important milestone and thank everyone who shared their voices throughout the process,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “We are now one step closer to providing a new welcoming space in Redmond that is designed for all ages to recreate, meet, and build community.”

The Redmond Senior & Community Center will be a 52,000-square-foot facility. The building will utilize LEED-certified materials, efficient energy-conserving systems, and rooftop solar panels which will provide 50% of the building’s electricity. The City began outreach for the project in 2020, which confirmed Redmond’s need for a larger center to serve the senior population, while also serving the entire community with cultural arts, events, and multigenerational recreation experiences and gathering space.

The new community center is slated to open in late 2023 on the site of the former Redmond Senior Center, adjacent to City Hall on Redmond’s Municipal Campus. The design concept includes a senior lounge and library, a multipurpose community room with a commercial kitchen, active recreation areas and gym, locker rooms, classroom and meeting space, and a supervised Kid Zone for Redmond’s youngest community members.

For more information about the project, visit redmond.gov/RSCC.

Comment:  * David Carson, Steve Fields, Jessica Forsythe, and Malissa Stewart voted "yes," Jaralee Anderson voted "no." Vanessa Kritzer was on family leave, and Varisha Kahn didn't show.  (Ms. Kahn is about 25 years old.)  

Surprisingly, the debate on "name" took several meetings and was contentious at times. I personally didn't hear one citizen give pro-Red Oak CC testemonity.  Staff pushed hard for Red Oak.  Council member Steve Fields concluded "we are very fortunate to have this community resource, regardless of name." Applause from both sides followed  -- Bob Yoder 

UPDATED OPINION: MAPS-AMEN Should Unclench Their Teeth

In a Facebook Forum Aneela Afzali of Maps-Amen mildly attacked four members of council (Padhye, Anderson, Kritzer, and Carson.)  She was after them to approve a Resolution supporting her cause. (AWWPP) related.  

Fields threw me under the bus when I challenged him about Aneelah's "bridge building."  In cultural religious situations Varisha Kahn seems an activist; Jessica Forsythe is kind and soft-spoken, in the Fields camp. Redmond has a strong interfaith community!  What makes the Muslims so special?  Let's treat all faiths equally!  Let's focus on the rich diversity of religions we enjoy in our city!  - Bob Yoder, 9/17/2020

                     Aneelah Afzali

                               Executive Director

Aneelah Afzali is Executive Director of MAPS-AMEN. She is also on the board of the Faith Action Network, and on the Steering Committee of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network.  A graduate of Harvard Law School, Aneelah left her legal career in 2013 to serve as a community activist and interfaith leader.  Since then, she has worked on addressing the growing divide in our nation by building bridges of understanding and unity to advocate for justice together.

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

Opinion - Labeling Councilmembers

I recently wrote a post where I labeled three councilmembers harshly and I want to apologize. Below are my changes:  

In cultural, religious situations Varisha Kahn is an effective activist. She's a very good speaker and deeply concerned about the community.  Jessica Forsythe is a kind, soft-spoken councilmember in the Fields camp. She cares a lot about the environment. Mr. Fields is hard working, assertive, ambitious, a driver and cares about the environment too.  An accountant, he brings much to the table during the finance and budget process.  

Bob Yoder, opinion, 9/28

UPDATED 3/25: Redmond Council Is Shaking Their Governance

Redmond City Hall

A previous budget discussion triggered Council to review municipal forms of government during their study session last night. For years, the City has been governed in the "Strong Mayor" format and still is.  Like Council, our Mayor is elected to a four year term but also serves as the CEO and Chief Administrative Officer. For 12 years "Strong Mayor" John Marchione assigned Jane Christianson as Deputy Administrator Officer to carry out operations. Jane Christianson was terrific, a real pro, the best. He later hired two co-Deputy Administrators, and just before retiring promoted the Parks Director to COO, a new position.  Mayor Angela Birney then replaced this COO with the Finance Director (a past City Clerk) who is a numbers and strategic person; less a manager and people person.  

In the council-business manager (CB) form of government the manager prepares a budget for the council's consideration. He/she also recruits, hires, terminates, and supervises government staff; serves as the council's chief advisor; and carries out the council's policies.

Characteristics of the “strong” mayor form of government are: The mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power. The mayor directs the administrative structure, appointing and removing of department heads. While the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power. The council does not oversee daily operations.

"The most significant differences between Strong Mayor and CB stem from the location and distribution of authority between the legislative and executive officials." - MRSC

The "Council - business manager" form of government is growing in popularity, especially in small/medium sized cities, according to Councilmember (CM) Steve Fields. Large urban cities like Seattle usually have a Strong Mayor.  Kirkland, and a few other surrounding cities use CB.  Fields claims CB's serve 100M people nationwide and the numbers are growing.  In CB, Council shares policy and decision-making equally. Steve says the CB format is less political than the Strong Mayor form of government. 

UPDATED: Public Servants: City Councilmember and School Board Director Salaries

The Mayor of Redmond faced controversary over consideration of salary increases for Council members.  Currently, *seven council members each receive $18,648 per year and over $28,000 in benefits.  They have about twice as many formal meetings as school board directors.  Directors receive $4,000/year much of which is typically directed to their annual retreat. No benefits. I will report EvergreehHealth commissioner compensation at a later date.  Operating budgets will be quoted.  

RCW 28A.343.400 Compensation—Waiver. Each member of the board

of directors of a school district may receive compensation of fifty

dollars per day or portion thereof for attending board meetings and

for performing other services on behalf of the school district, not to

exceed four thousand eight hundred dollars per year.  

Any director may waive all or any portion of his or her

compensation under this section as to any month or months during his

or her term of office.

The compensation provided in this section shall be in addition to

any reimbursement for expenses paid to such directors by the school

district.

-- Source:  Public Record Request, 7/19/2023

The School Board holds a Study Session and Business Meeting every other week.  They hold Executive Sessions and Special Meetings.  They get no benefits, health care insurance, etc.  There are 5 Board members.  

* With the exception of Councilmember Varisha Kahn, all the Redmond councilmembers and LWSD directors attended their meetings on a regular basis.  

cc: COR Council

COO And Fire Chief On Indefinite Leave

An investigation has been underway for over a month by an "independent" attorney to understand how the top staff (below) were managed at the beginning of the crisis.  The Mayor's office (Director of Human Resources) selected a Seattle-based attorney. If Council is unsatisfied they will conduct their own investigation.  At last night's Regular meeting it was revealed that COO Maxine Whattam and Fire Chief Tommy Smith are on indefinite leave.  Chief Smith is also Director of Emergency Preparedness.  6/3/2020

Background

Those who got coronavirus were Redmond Fire Chief Tommy Smith, emergency manager Pattijean Hooper, deputy fire chief Don Horton, program coordinator Janeen Olson, and battalion chief Tom Langton.

Mayor Birney said she was limited by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that she couldn’t require staff to inform her of their positive results, and couldn’t share the number of positives, even when withholding names, with people.

Councilmember Varisha Kahn said,"In a time of public crisis, our city leadership could have aspired to a higher bar by being transparent and honest, but instead decided to function behind closed doors and by lying," Khan said. "Disregard for the public and the truth is not governance."

Excerpts from--KUOW, NPR, 4/8 article

Council Limits Some Meeting Topics To Ten Minutes

At the beginning of Council's Study Session this week councilmember Varisha Kahn proposed each item on the agenda be limited to 10 minutes owing to a full agenda. It was unanimously approved.  Councilmember David Carson was concerned that the Light Rail topic may need more time for study but was assured by staff the presentation wouldn't be long.

The meeting breezed along.  In the past, meetings could last as long as 11 p.m. -- by law meetings must end at 11 p.m.  Many other meetings have lasted to 10 p.m.  In my 13 years of reporting on Council I can't recall ever seeing a problem with excessively long meetings until recently.

Perhaps these meetings have been long owing to the process of educating three new representatives.  Meeting management may also be a contributor. Though I'm certainly not one to judge! 

Bob Yoder, opinion

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

Highlights From The City's New "Homeless Hotel" Website

 

One of my wishes is the Operator use the homeless
hotel's whirlpool for rehabilitation and therapy.  Internet

 

Did the City recruit the County to locate the Silver Cloud  facility in Redmond?

No, the City did not seek out the Silver Cloud facility in Redmond.

When did the Mayor’s Office make City Council aware of this program in Redmond?

City Council was made aware of the new legislation supporting this type of program through a variety of 2020 and 2021 legislative updates by the City’s lobbyist. **Mayor Birney called each of Redmond’s seven City Council members on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 to notify them of the County’s purchase and intended use of the Silver Cloud Inn in Redmond.

When did the City learn about the County’s desire to locate a homeless facility in Redmond?

In spring 2021, King County informed the City that they were actively exploring locations in Redmond and in late May 2021, Redmond was made aware of the County’s intent to purchase the Silver Cloud Inn. **As this was a private real estate transaction, it was kept confidential, as requested. Redmond first became aware of this potential type of program early in the 2020 legislative session. The City has continued to follow this since the State Legislature passed House Bill 1590 in 2020, which allowed jurisdictions to enact a 0.1% sales tax to finance construction of affordable housing and behavioral health facilities and operations or services supportive of affordable housing residents. In 2020, Executive Constantine proposed, and the County Council approved, this dedicated sales tax. In 2021, the State Legislature passed House Bill 1070, which clarified acquisition of property as an eligible use of these funds.

Will the City consider making it illegal to camp or sleep outside in public spaces?

The City passed ordinance 2911 in 2018 which prohibits camping and storage of personal property in parks, public spaces, and on publicly-owned property when overnight shelter space is available.

Will the City forbid use of drugs and alcohol at the Silver Cloud HTH facility?

The City will provide the same policing and uphold the same safety protocols regarding drugs and alcohol as is provided throughout the community. HTH residents will be considered tenants under Washington State landlord/tenant law and as such will have specific rights with regards to their leased space, which are consistent with the rights all tenants have throughout the city. King County will provide a code of conduct that residents must agree upon to remain housed at the facility.

Will the City be involved in choosing and monitoring an operator for the facility?

Yes. ***The City will participate in the evaluation and selection of the facility operators.

Source:  Redmond.gov/hth (City's homeless hotel website)

**  CM Forsythe and Fields griped in last night's Study session they were notified too late so couldn't participate in the decision-making.**  I'm not so sure about that.

*** CM David Carson said his energy will be put into finding a suitable operator. Thank you David.  One of my wishes is the operator use the whirlpool for rehabilitation and therapy.  

CM Varisha Kahn was not at either meeting to comment.

-- Bob Yoder 9/29/2021

Notes On Redmond's 2050 Outreach Results

This winter the Administration conducted comprehensive surveys asking citizens "what will Redmond be like in 2050."  Council discussed "Redmond 2050" in their last study session.  Below, are a few of their thoughts on the subject:  

David Carson doesn't like unoccupied housing units.  After one year he suggested double taxing them. Unoccupied housing relates, in part, to investors trying to lock up a good deal.  Fallow housing drains our housing stock. Mayor Angela Birney said no-can-do, that the issue is in the hands of the state legislature. 

Steve Fields said an acquaintance felt Redmond was becoming more "soulless."  Fields appreciated the city's successes but indicated Redmond's "look and feel" and design standards were affecting the character of the City.

Jessica Forsythe felt our parks were missing corridor links and thus walkability; especially in our downtown parks and Overlake.   Mental health resources are important.

Varisha Kahn was unresponsive.  

Vanessa Kritzer (and Jessica) want to build a working relationship with the City of Bellevue.  Vanessa looks to improve the quality of life through child care resources, education and human resources. Mental health resources are important.  

Jaralee Anderson - my notes on Jeralee are poor but a lot of her interest is in transportation and green roads.

Tanika Padhye is interested in 10-minute communities and building a police facility in Overlake.

-- Bob Yoder, 3/25/2021

Redmond Historical Society "Duwamish River" Video Presentation

The Redmond Historical Society recorded Saturday's program about the Duwamish River. If you'd like to view it, the link is https://youtu.be/5xSrz_UNQEw. The recording is up now, and will be up for about a month.

In this video, the society quotes our City's ancient indigenous Indian dwellers.  Redmond City Council, led by Varisha Kahn, occaisionally  acknoweleges our ancient Indian enhabitants before their meetings start.    

###

Redmond Historical Society

Virtual Saturday Speaker Series

Saturday, 10:30 AM, October 9, 2021

"The Snoqualmie Tribe: A Brief History of the Lake Sammamish Area"

Zoom Webinar

To register: https://tinyurl.com/4n5jvxfy

Speaker: Steven Moses
Director of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, Snoqualmie Tribe 

Steven Moses is the Director of Archaeology & Historic Preservation and a Tribal member of the Snoqualmie Tribe. Join him as he explains the Indigenous connection to the north Lake Sammamish area from 13,000 years ago to today. Steven will touch on the recent archaeological discoveries of Bear Creek and its significance as a fish habitat. He will also discuss ways in which our communities can work together to preserve our shared history of the Pacific Northwest. 

-- Redmond Historical Society

Updated: The First Inhabitants Of Redmond

In meetings, Redmond City Council, led by CM Vanessa Kritzer and CM Jessica Forsythe, are recognizing the Salish tribe as being the original inhabitants of Redmond. CM Varisha Kahn came up with the idea.  I'm not sure what this has to do with governance but I certainly find this honorable and a kind acknowledgement of our indigenous.  Below, is some background on the Salish tribes in our area -- we have many:  Sammamish, Squak, Snoqualmie, and Duwamish. The Lower Bear Creek restoration identified the presence of  Muckleshoot, Tulalip and Stillaguamish tribes. All are Salish. 

It appears the Sammamish tribe may have been named after the Great Blue Heron - "our species of local importance."

-- Bob Yoder

The Coast Salish is a group of ethnically and linguistically related Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, living in British Columbia, Canada and the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon. ... The Coast Salish are a large, loose grouping of many tribes with numerous distinct cultures and languages. The Sammamish (/səˈmæmɪʃ/; indigenously, [t͡saˈpaːbʃ]) people were a Coast Salish Native American tribe in the Sammamish River Valley in central King County, Washington. 

Their name is variously translated as ssts'p-abc ("meander dwellers", a group residing around Bothell),^[2] s-tah-PAHBSH ("willow people") or as Samena ("hunter people"), which was corrupted into Sammamish.^[3] According to Hitchman, it does not mean "hunter people", the name is derived from samma, meaning "the sound of the blue crane" and mish, meaning "river." The name may have originated with the Snoqualmie—some tribal members once lived along the lake near the bottom of Inglewood Hill—but this has not been verified.^[4] They were also known to early European-American settlers as "Squak", "Simump", and "Squowh.",^[5] Squak is a corruption of sqwa'ux, meaning Issaquah Creek, which was a village site on Sammamish Lake. They were closely related to the Duwamish, and have often been considered a Duwamish sub-group as part of the Xacuabš ("People of the Large Lake") who lived near Lake Washington. Like the Duwamish, the Sammamish originally spoke a southern dialect of Lushootseed.

Salish Indian religious beliefs focus chiefly on guardian spirits. Guardian spirit, supernatural teacher, frequently depicted in animal form, who guides an individual in every important activity through advice and songs; the belief in guardian spirits is widely diffused among the North American Indians.

Wikipedia, 12/8/2020