UPDATED 6/19: The High Value Of Downtown City Trees

Three landmark oak trees. The Design Review Board says one must go.

.

Councilmember David Carson led Council discussion on the Senior & Community Center monthly report.  It was the April 26th "Committee of the Whole" meeting. Councilmembers Varisha Kahn and Steve Fields were absent.

Eric Dawson, Project Manager gave each councilmember a tree heath assessment map  (or something similar.) Thirty-two trees will be removed,  mostly from around the building. 199 replacement sapling trees will be planted.  The high count is attributable to the 128 replacement tree requirements in the "Shoreline jurisdiction."  

President Jessica Forsythe asked "how many trees can potentially be saved, especially looking at the first one nearest the River Trail?  It's a pretty substantial tree and lots of people enjoy the shade. There's about five I'm hoping we can do something." 

Mr. Dawson said mildly, he was looking into small shrubs to give away to homeowners.  huh?  At one time he said the City could afford a "green roof" on the Center.  A sliver of one is planned.

President Forsythe asked about reworking the trail rather than removing the tree.  Mr. Dawson said the Design Review Board studied every angle to find the "best connection point" between the river and the Center. They decided the entrance to the Center near a landmark tree was the most inviting and the tree would need to go; yet he committed to one more look.  

Parks Chair Councilmember David Carson was positive about saving the tree saying "it took 50-60 years to get that tree to where it's at."  He said it was an ideal shade tree for the picnic tables. City planner Cameron Zapata said Red Oaks are sometimes called "Champion Trees." 

Odds & ends:  Vice President Vanessa Kritzer asked about the pickleball courts. Eric said they will stay open until the cranes are up.  "Art Hill" will close for staging.  Late 2022, early 2023 construction cranes will be up.  Councilmember Malissa Stuart got assurances from Mr. Dawson that full programing with some finishing touches will be in place late 2023 when the Center opens.  

I did quite a bit of research on the "inviting entrance" near the landmarks seen in this photo. The OPSIS Health Assessment marked the three trees as "significant" Oaks measuring 24", 20", and 24".  I measured them: all three were a minimum 30 inches ABH while standing on their roots. These Oaks are landmarks.  I fear the the middle landmark will be removed unless Council intervenes. I'm not positive they are Red Oaks. The foliage of  three Oaks looks different from the Heritage tree.

It's interesting four Oregon White Oaks are designated tree replacements.  For more information about the tree replacements.  READ MORE: 

City Council Aims To Improve Their Culture

City of Redmond Mayor and Council 
(l-r) Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe, President Tanika Padhye, David Carson, Mayor Angela Birney, Vanessa Kritzer, Vice President Jaralee Anderson, Steve Fields

Video: Scroll to 1:04:35 hours to watch council and a facilitator review their retreat 

It was decided council needs to strive for a better culture.

Stay with the video for some very interesting discussion

Scroll at the beginning to find planning commissioners talking

by Bob Yoder, 4/14/2021

Oxymoron - Council Committee Of The Whole

It was hilarious when Chair Carson called his "Council Committee Of The Whole" meeting to order.  No one was there. 😏 Mr. Carson sat prominently alone on the Dais. Needless to say, the committee wasn't whole.  

Vanasa Kritzer, Varisha Kahn and Mr. Fields were excused.

-- Bob Yoder, 8/10/2021

(All but David Carson were wearing masks at the Regular meeting. The Mayor wore a mask, as well....  probably in response to the Delta virus.) 

OPINION UPDATE #3: Point - Counterpoint: Religious Distress In Redmond

POINT: (an excerpt from my post)

"....a VIRTUAL FORUM exposing the group "Alliance for Persecuted People Worldwide" (APPWW), which has been promoting anti-Muslim hate and bigotry, even as it masquerades as a human rights organization."

COUNTERPOINT:  (a comment on my post)

"Please refrain from calling this a hate (APPWW) group.
Please explain how Muslims putting people to death for their Christian beliefs is not hateful.
Please also explain how Muslims peacefully pushing homosexuals off of buildings is not hateful.
Please also explain how female genital mutilation is not hateful towards young women, and towards women in general.
If you can explain all of these things, then maybe you can redefine what hate really means.
You are condoning hatred of Christians in your post - you do realize this, right?"

A controversy of  Hindus discriminating against Muslims was brought forth by councilmember Varisha Kahn, a Muslim activist. This became emotionally challenging for Council President Tanika Padheye and her family;  the mayor intervened.

I met with Councilmember Steve Fields yesterday, with whom I supported in three of his campaigns.  In his coffee shop we discussed his problems with the mayor and Council President. He was distressed about my views of  the anti-muslim hate group controversary; disparagingly, he introduced me to two elected officials as a "trouble-maker."  Very sad. 

###

City Council has received 3 thousand emails and scores of presentations addressing this topic.  I know of one councilmember that responded to 300 emails.  Council spent over 3 hours listening to APPWW topics during their last 2 Regular Business meeting.  When will Council find a solution to move forward on the work the public is expecting of them?  Write a resolution and be done with it!  The LWSD manages their firebrand issues with finesse.  Maybe they can help our council. 

-- Bob Yoder, opinion

     9/4/2020

Women Rule In Redmond Politics

Angela Birney / Facebook / November, 2019

Well, the votes are certified with Angela Birney winning the coveted mayoral position. Four women won Council positions this election, add in two sitting women councilmembers (Tanika Padhye and Jeralee Anderson); in total, six women officials will represent the citizens of Redmond. Steve Fields and David Carson remain.

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 Dayle "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.

Ms. Kahn secured 6666 votes vs. Mr. Myers' 6600 after a machine recount.  Mr. Myers lost by 66 votes...the closest Redmond race in memory. The final count was officially certified by King County Elections on December 6th. 27 write-ins. The Seattle Times wrote an excellent article on Varisha, December 6th. I encourage you to read it!

Councilmember Tanika Padhye's Seat #4 will expire on 12/31/21. Councilmember Jeralee Anderson's Seat #6 will expire then as well.

Reported by Bob Yoder
12/6/2019

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