The Man behind the Numbers (besides his boss)

Opinion: The City Council Meeting of 7/28 had some interesting moments, even though I had to watch it "On Demand" at http://www.redmond.gov/ . A few of the issues discussed were:

• How to prepare for a $656 Million shortfall (over 50 years) for constructing and repairing new municipal buildings e.g. for the Police, the Senior Center, the Old Redmond School House and others. YES! if you don't believe the number, contact mayor@redmond.gov.


• Deciding if the revenues from the "sales tax on construction" will be deposited into the General Operating fund (Mayor's choice) or the Capital Improvement fund. (Council's choice).


• the "Biddy" tax. It's a tax on businesses for making required transportation improvements. I can't spell the "Biddy" acronym so I won't jabber on.


• Increase transfers from the General Operating to Capital Fund beyond the traditional 5% amount? Most say, yes.

MEETING DYNAMIC: During the Council and Mayoral conversations and presentations by staff, an interesting dynamic was observed. Since most of the meeting was about the Capital Improvement Fund (CIP) the Finance & Information Services Director (Mike Bailey) gave the initial presentation. It was his usual "wonkish" delivery where he endlessly "fumbles" and "mutters" about his data and the process. But, then, oddly, the Mayor acted wonkish, too. He had glasses on (glasses?) and got really technical with the financials. Normally, Mr. Mayor doesn't take on a defined administrative role....the Mayor is usually quiet, may reinforce the main points and doesn't get involved with Council's deliberations. At the end of deliberations Mr. Bailey didn't mumble, fumble or bumble. Rather, Mr. Bailey summed up council's main points with stunning conciseness, clarity, financial acumen and pointed attention to council politics. He recommended Council not make a decision tonight but send the CIP topics to "committee". Richard Cole's "Council committee", said the Mayor. Done.

THE TAKE HOME: How refreshing to observe the Finance Director's intelligence in action, LIVE on camera. And Mr. Mayor's presence was anything but diminished. Transparency is enlightening. The Finance Director is NOT the bumbling, muttering bureaucrat wearing the green visor of a bean counter we may think. He's an ACE and we thank MR. MAYOR for hiring him. Let it shine, oh, let it shine!

New Street Stormwater Drain Markers Warn Against Dumping.

NEW CURB MARKER? DO WE WANT THESE ON OUR CURBS?

Opinion: Have you seen these environmental "curb markers" next to your street storm drains? I found them on three street drains on NE 100th Street. The City may be doing a test market or complete citywide campaign to improve warning signage. I don't know which, but I like what they are doing so far. Would you like these?

When I first moved here, I had no idea that street drains dumped their stuff into Bear Creek and the Sammamish River! I thought it all went into the sewer. Some of the more common bad stuff is: non degradable car wash soaps, lawn fertilizer, insecticides, weed killers, and even gas and engine oils and paint. The curb markers are a good reminders to keep these nasty chemicals away from street drains.

I think the best "no dumping" public announcement the City has done (besides these markers) is the hilarious advertisement they show on RCTV - Channel 21. They show a guy washing his car with soapy water and then superimpose the image over a rushing stream. The idea being: washing your car in your driveway is synonymous to washing it in stream. The City then recommended going to a car wash instead of washing at home, because it's less polluting and uses less water. I almost felt guilty, but then made sure I was washing with non-phosphate soaps all the time. I'm sure the 8 car wash businesses in Redmond like the TV promotion.

The Curb Markers are made by a company in the USA. (800-549-6024). The company posts success stories on how their markers are installed by students for educational and scientific gain. I wonder if a Redmond teacher or PTSA Board would pick up on this?

The Curb Markers come with a FROG or FISH design. Do you have any preference? It took me a while but I decided I like the frog 'cause they used to live in street drains when I was a kid.

Curb Marker website: http://www.dasmanufacturing.com/stories.html

Redmond Car Washes: http://local.yahoo.com/WA/Redmond/Automotive/Car+Washes

Hunter Outlines 10 Numbers Every Voter Should Know Before They Vote.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2009 For More Information Please Contact: Cynara Lilly 206.915.7821

Video release: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySk8wiHo8dQ
"Seattle Times" endorsement editorial.

1) $42 million. King County wasted $42 million on a failed accounting system.

2) Ten. King County could provide ten times the amount of bus service for the taxes collected for the King County Foot Ferries.

3) $25 million. The cost of providing services to King County's unincorporated areas inside the urban growth area exceeds the revenue from those areas by $25-30 million dollars a year.

4) 22 percent. Metro’s cost per revenue service hour in 2005 was $120.30, compared $114.80 for the average of the 15 largest transit agencies in the country and $98.70 for the average of all transit agencies nationally. Metro’s cost per hour is 22% above the national average

5) 38 percent. The cost per boarding for Metro was $4.10 in 2005, compared to $2.50 among the 15 largest agencies and $2.97, the national average. Metro’s cost per boarding is 38% above the national average.

6) Eleven. Eleven cities have a B&O tax. Those cities each have different rates and different rules, requiring a separate tax return for each city in which an owner does business.

7) 1.4 million. Nearly 1.9 million people currently live in King County and the Puget Sound Regional Council predicts that by 2040 we’ll be home to 1.4 million more people and 1.1 million more jobs.

8) $1.8 billion. The Brightwater treatment plant is now expected to cost $1.8 billion — roughly double what the Metropolitan King County Council was told when it first approved the project.

9) 100 percent. King County currently pays 100 percent of employee health care unlike most employers in the county, state and country.

10) 2 million. The amount King County charged local school districts to run an investment board above and beyond the cost of administering the program.

-- Cynara Lilly 206.915.7821

Muni League Rates Candidates

SEATTLE - The Municipal League of King County today released its nonpartisan evaluations of 113 candidates running for dozens of local offices. Below, are some evaluations of local interest:

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE Dow Constantine: Very Good Ross Hunter: Very Good, Susan Hutchison: Good, Fred Jarrett: Very Good, Goodspaceguy Nelson: Not Qualified, Larry Phillips: Very Good, Alan Lobdell: GoodStan Lippmann: Not Qualified

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION Pos. 3 David Doud: Good Rob Holland: Very Good Al Yuen: Good

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION Pos. 4 Tom Albro: Outstanding Juan Paraiso: Insufficient Info Robert Walker: Adequate Max Vekich: Good

KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 1 Joan McBride: Very Good Martin Morgan: Insufficient Info KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 3 Brad Larssen: Very Good Penny Sweet: Outstanding KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 5 Matt Gregory: Very Good Karen Tennyson: Very Good Amy Walen: Good KIRKLAND CITY COUNCIL Pos. 7 Tom Hodgson: Good Doreen Marchione: Outstanding

SEATTLE MAYOR Elizabeth Campbell: Not QualifiedJames Donaldson: Adequate Jan Drago: GoodKwame Wyking Garrett: Insufficient Info Joseph Mallahan: Outstanding Michael McGinn: Good Greg Nickels: Very Good Norman Sigler: Adequate SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD Pos. 5 Mary Bass: Adequate Joanna Cullen: Adequate Andre Helmstetter: GoodKay Smith-Blum: Very Good

REDMOND CITY COUNCIL: No Rating. No Primary Election for any candidate. (Allen, Chen, Stilin, Vache'). Ms. Kim Allen was rated "very good" in the 2005 elections. (see comments)

The ratings are available online at www.munileague.org. The ratings are based on four criteria: Knowledge, Involvement, Effectiveness and Character. They assess each candidate's potential to be effective in office and ability to serve the community. Political affiliations or stands on specific issues are not considered and candidates are not rated against each other. This year's ratings are the result of the work of 65 citizens from throughout King County who volunteered for the Municipal League's Candidate Evaluation Committee. They studied the public record, reviewed candidate questionnaires, checked references and conducted live interviews with the candidates. Each rating was carefully reviewed by the Municipal League's trustees. "The League's rating process is similar to a job interview for candidates, with a diverse group of citizens serving as hiring managers," said Brad Meacham, Municipal League Chair. "This result is a useful tool to help voters make decisions." Candidates received one of six ratings: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Adequate, Not Qualified, or No Active Campaign. The Municipal League attempted to contact every candidate. Candidates were rated even if they declined to participate in the process. This year's Candidate Evaluation Committee conducted interviews in Seattle, Bellevue and Renton, and was led by Gabe Meyer, Chair of the Candidate Evaluation Program

Lake Washington High School receives $6,495,672 in new funding for modernization.

Updated: Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District will receive over $6 million from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) towards the Lake Washington High School (LWHS) modernization project, now underway. Lake Washington School District is one of 22 to receive funds. The goal of the OSPI program is to modernize school buildings every 30 to 40 years.

The Lake Washington High School project will receive $6,495,672. These funds will be added to funds from the 2006 voter-approved bonds for the modernization and school construction already underway.

Construction on the new Lake Washington High School began in spring 2009: the new building is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Students continue to attend school in the old building, which will be torn down once the new building is completed.

Five districts in King County will receive funds for different projects, including Seattle, Federal Way, Bellevue, Northshore and Lake Washington. Districts receive approval for this funding based upon a number of factors. The district must have passed a local bond and it must have applied to OPSI for the project. Funds received from the state come from state funding assistance grants.

LWSD Press Release excerpts, 7/21, Contact: Shannon Parthamer, 425-702-3300.

District Website: Lake Washington High School District Page
School Website: Lake Washington High School Home Page

###

Approximately one third of Lake Washington High School students live in Redmond, WA. B.Y.

Hunter raises $250,000 in less than three months: "I am excited that there is so much support for a change in King County government."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2009

Bellevue--The Ross Hunter Campaign for King County Executive announced that Hunter has raised $250,000 since he declared his candidacy on April 27, 2009. Hunter has consistently raised more than his democratic opponents, including having raised $31,000 last week (week of July 13).

"I really believe that it is time for a change in King County government, " Hunter said. "We are facing drastic cuts this year because for too long we've allowed the executive and council to mismanage county functions and money. The level of support that I've received shows that people are ready for government that is strategic about providing essential services like transportation, public health and public safety."

Hunter was the first candidate in the race to begin running television ads on Monday. His first spot is available to watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC0_HtiEP7c

Hunter also recently released a 16 page strategic policy document outlining his plan for King County 2.0 if elected. It can be downloaded at http://www.rosshunter.com/

Former Microsoft Executive Ross Hunter is a four-term legislator from the 48th Legislative District on the Eastside. He is Chair of the Finance Committee in the Washington State House of Representatives.

You can learn more about the campaign at http://www.rosshunter.com/

Arts Commission is looking for residents to review applications for the Poet Laureate position and help select public art.

Redmond, WA – The Redmond Arts Commission is seeking applications from citizens to participate in two programs. The first is involvement in the selection of public art, while the second is the review of applications for the Poet Laureate position.

Applicants must be Redmond residents though no special experience is necessary. Those selected will participate once or twice a month in public meetings with members of the Redmond Arts Commission.

Interested citizens should first email Mary Yelanjian at RAC@redmond.gov for an application. Mail applications to Mary Yelanjian, Arts Administrator, PO Box 97010, MS: 4NPK, Redmond WA 98073-9710. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

--- Marta Grunland, C.O.R. press release, 7/20

Five Redmond, WA streams are officially named by the City

This is a 2009 posting..

The Redmond Parks and Trails Commission recently gave a thumbs up to giving official names to five streams of significance to Redmond.

• Klise Creek - Marymoor Park
• Idylwood Creek - Idylwood Park
• Peters Creek -  stormwater channel from Willows Road into Sammamish River, N. of 90th St. Br.
• Willows Creek - near Overlake Church
• Perrigo Creek - adjacent Ashford Trail

Peter Holte, "community Naturalist" of the Redmond Department of Natural Resources listed the following selection criteria:

• community support
• presence of fish or the potential for fish
• presence of native plants e.g salmonberry
• names found in city documents (grants, land use, etc.)
• must be a headwater and have a tributary to a larger stream.

In a Redmond Historical Society (RHS) meeting several years ago, Peter Holte and Parks Director Craig Larsen announced the city's plan to formally name 4-5 streams. Stream naming is expensive since names must be documented and filed with the State.

Mayor Marchione announced during the 7/17/08 Planning and Public Works Council Committee meeting RHS support for renaming Evans Creek to Martin's Creek after an early homesteader. Redmondite and geologist Susan Wilkens researched U.S. Geological documents and discovered Evans Creek was named before the Martin's homesteaded on the creek in 1910.

Several citizens suggested Perrigo Creek owing to it's geologic and historic connection to Redmond's first drinking water supply at Perrigo Springs. Naomi Hardy of the RHS suggested a Class 2 stream running west along NE 124th Street through 60 Acres into the Sammamish River.

Redmond moves forward with state-of-the-art electronic planning technology

UPDATED: Councilmember (CM) Hank Margeson's Committee Meeting on Planning and Public Works almost always has an agenda loaded with at least one interesting topic. I sat in on Hank's 7/16 meeting and he didn't let me down.

Staff presented a new electronic technology for reviewing land use, building, and civil permitting plans. The product was demonstrated and compared to the current, cumbersome paper planning process.

Presently, documents for each permit plan are stored as thick, heavy 4-foot rolls of paper. These permit plans are so bulky it takes two people to haul them upstairs to the Permit Center. Planning Director Rob Odle quipped at photograph of a heavy roll leaning against a desk: "and that roll was just for a single family house permit." Storing and copying these paper planning documents is cumbersome and expensive.

The proposed electronic plan system is anything but cumbersome and redundant. The digital review technology makes it possible for ALL departments (including Fire) to work together real time on project plans from it's original design to the final permit. "Stuff" isn't missed, downtime is eliminated and the complete review process moves faster and, in the end promotes economic development. Electronic copies are readily accessible. The applicants are happy because they can go on the city website to assist in moving the project forward. Nancy McCormick said "fees could go down, not up."

The "overlay tool" is staff's favorite feature. New verisons of a plan can be overlaid on older versions to highlight deletions, additions and other changes as the plan moves forward. Other digital tools help to identify problems and make it more fun for staff e.g zoom, cloud, sticky note, colors.

Rob Odle's Planning & Development Department took four bids and surveyed Bend, OR, Bellingham, WA, and Beaverton, OR for product satisfaction and economy. Implimentation costs for the program are $232,000; ongoing maintenance fees are $18,000/year. However, technology efficiencies lower departmental costs 20% on average for most cities. Bend, OR has saved 50% with their electronic planning technology.

Councilmembers Margeson, Cole, Allen, and McCormick appeared elated with the technology and staff's presentation. Redmond would be the first city in King County to employ the new digital permit planning technology.

Bend, OR. Electronic Plan Review e-plan website

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

A creative approach to sustainability in the 'hood.

My neighbors, Richard and Eileen are confirmed UNDRIVERS. They 'hitch a ride' from our 'hood whenever they can find one, take the bus over a car, and other stuff good UNDRIVERS do. It's a state-of-mind they've adopted. At first it sounds silly, but sustainability is catchy. Eileen emailed the following story:

Victoria's Undriving Success Story:

“The Undriving program has been far more successful than I thought it would be. I pledged to give up driving on Thursday for a month. Not only did I fulfill that pledge, but I wound up taking the bus for almost all my trips - to work, to concerts, to friends' houses. I found it fun to research how to get places both here and in other towns. I've enjoyed riding the bus; it gives me time to read a lot. I also have had fun striking up conversations with strangers. Extra walking has been a great result; I'm feeling fitter than I did in March. Friends of mine have started to think about ways in which they could reduce their car use; one has activated her old bike which has been sitting in her garage for years. I had no idea that one small pledge would open the door to changing such an entrenched habit.” - Victoria

A NEW WAY TO UNDRIVE!

Next Saturday, July 18, Undriving will be celebrating the launch of Sound Transit’s new Link Light Rail line, from Westlake to Tukwila! Ride the rails for free all weekend. Undriver Licensing will be at the Othello Station (MLK & S. Othello) – tell your friends!

The UNDRIVING Licensing Station (MLK & S. Othello) is open July 18 to get licensed and help shape your pledge (no cost). 9:30am-1:30pm, and 1:30-5:30pm. Questions? Email julia@undriving.org, or call 206-605-5910. Liscencing is available online.

Next up:• Rainier Heritage Festival & 'Celebrate Summer Streets' event - August 8, 11am-3pm Join us for the celebratory street closure and parade.

Thanks to Transportation Choices Coalition and Sustainable South Seattle for sponsoring the Undriver Licensing Station!

Website: http://www.undriving.org/

CONTACT: Julia@undriving.org

"Sometimes, the only available transportation is a leap of faith." -Margaret Shepard

LINKED TO MY FACEBOOK

Take a break with this hilarious Avian Water commercial

ATTN: BMX'ers, Edge Park board skaters, Sammamish River Trail In-Line skaters and PSE mountain-bikers! Digital artists, too....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs

Credits, Stew Konzen's FaceBook

Redmond Derby Days clip of bicycle races, bands, and dancing!

A taste of the 2009 Redmond, WA. Derby Days Festival. The bike race is the longest running race in the US, 69 years (and boy, are the bikers tired!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqFbwppKwW4

--this clip was produced by Eva Moon of http://evamoon.net/ and posted on her FaceBook.

Derby Days was Delightful - the survey says so!

Updated: The City of Redmond LOVES to survey the neighborhoods on their various projects. So, I decided it was about time the neighborhoods took their own survey of the City's Derby Days Summer Festival! So far only one citizen [moi] has taken the survey. Here goes:

1) Did you like the Festival? Awesome. Lots of community pride. This is the first time my family has attended from start to finish .

2) What was your favorite part? Many: - renewing friendships at the Beer Garden, - evening dancing with my wife to a coool band, the Beatnicks, - parading for the Green Team with my family, - seeing my neighbor in the Criterion race, - recruiting forestry volunteers at the Cascade Conservancy booth, and - laying on the lawn watching fireworks with neighbors from all over the world.

3) What was most meaningful to you about the festival? Being with my family and participating in the events. Watching my daughter lead the Green Team.

4) What was your favorite booth? The Cascade Conservancy GreenRedmond booth #38. People learned about the invasive plants in our Parks, volunteers signed up for the Hartman Greenbelt work party & more. I got to show off my foot-long Himalayan blackberry root. (no it's not edible).

5) What was the largest booth? City of Redmond's "Economic Development" booth. A nice lady walked me though the "Wanted - Redmond residents to bike & walk downtown" poster. It's really coool. http://www.gortrip.com/ . I'm going to walk it with my wife. I saw a map of the The Cleveland Ave. sewer line construction project. It's going to be a 'stink'n traffic mess'.

6) What was most unique and special about Derby Days? Mingling with Redmond citizens from across the world. It was truly an international experience.

7) What suggestions do you have for improving Derby Days? Please don't combine the kid's parade with the Big Parade! Anyone could tell you why. And, the festival is a little spread out with the carnival so far away. Would the RAC rent out parking?

8) What could the neighborhood do to improve this survey? If this survey is less than 12 questions you are doing well. Most city surveys are way too long. Ask about presence (or absence) of staff at booths.

9) Do you have any other comments? Yes, I hope others will take this survey by commenting below or emailing redmondblog@gmail.com . The results will be sent to the City Clerk.

THANK YOU!
- from: "The Neighborhoods of Redmond, WA."

posted in my FaceBook

The Think Tank at Derby Days

While watching the Derby Day Parade, I ran into a few neighbors who know the City inside and out. Our thoughts centered on the towering City Hall foyer and how intimidating it can be to visitors. We decided one of the biggest problems about City Hall is no foyer receptionist to help you find your way. Unfortunatley helpful way-finding signage isn't posted because the landlord has signage requirements. (yep, the city doesn't own their building yet). Thus, we sometimes notice people wandering listlessly around the foyer and halls looking for a "warm body". Can you imagine how first time visitors of Redmond's diverse cultures must feel?

THE THINK TANK: When using the Help Desk Phone, visitor calls often get routed to the wrong department or sometimes not at all. It's disruptive. Long waits at the help desk phone frustrate visitors as they must often listen to endless routing messages. If Public Works were to survey the various City departments on the value of a lobby receptionist many Department heads would probably request a receptionist and even discover efficiencies to pay for one. Why? Stronger service and "efficiency savings" are part the city's budgeting priorities. Also, the Mayor places high regard for customer service and should he uncover efficiencies he might take action. "

And the survey SAYS............" ?

posted in my FaceBook

Velodrome racing is a growing niche sport for youth!

I used to think the Marymoor Velodrome was built for the Goodwill Games, operated by King County, was only for adults, and dangerous to ride on. Wrong on all counts.

Ed, my behind-the-fence-neighbor, has 7 bicycles in his garage, volunteers at "the track" every week and has two young kids taking "Pee Wee Pedaler" classes! So, I took a visit to the Velodrome to find out more.

I bumped into Tela Crane at the cycle rental shop underneath the track; she was great and she filled me in. Tela works for the nonprofit Marymoor Velodrome Association as their Webmaster and Youth Program Director. That's right, this nonprofit, association of 500 volunteer cyclists do all the work at "the Track". The two staff on hand are paid by the Association, not county taxpayers. Just, a few sponsors and $40 dues/year fuel the whole program.

Yes, everybody knows Derby Days is coming up this Saturday, but did you know the "Pee Wee Pedalers" class (ages 4-8) is in the morning, the same day? 9am. That's right!

Tela teaches the "Velokids" (ages 10-16) They use youth size track bikes and learn how to ride and race on the track. M-Th, 4-5:30. Bikes can be rented on-site for $10/day.

"Kiddie Kilo" is a popular, new introductory class to racing. It features a one-lap race for everyone from push bikes to 10 year-olds. 1st & 3rd Friday every month. 60-100 kids are coming out every night!

Yes, "adult track classes" are held on Saturdays at 11am. Those who take the weekend class move up to Thursday evening racing. And, the popular, higher level Friday Night Racing takes place at 7Pm, beer garden nearby.

Velodrome racing is safer than road racing. It's kind of counter-intuitive. The bikes have no brakes and only one gear so there is no sudden stopping or jerky moves. Plus, rules about where you can ride on the track and which lanes helps keep things safer. Racers reach speeds of 40+ mph but with few accidents. Cross winds and rain are the biggest hazards. Most of their "twitts" are about weather conditions.

Yes, youth sports are growing, but niche sports like velodrome racing, rowing, BMX dirt jumping, and mountain biking are growing at fast clip, offering new excitement and discoveries to those who venture. Will you?

Don't miss: FSA Grand Prix (http://www.fsagrandprix.com/ - one of the nation's biggest track racing events- brings in national and international talent). July 24 - 25. !!!

CONTACT: Tela Crane, velokids@velodrome.org

Website: www.velodrome.org/cms/

posted in my Facebook

Redmond's Rising Arts and Literary stars

Tom Flynn's poetry

Eva Moon's music

Abbott A. Smith's art and poetry

I know Tom, Eva and Abbott. They are wonderful people who give lots of volunteer hours to the City. I hope you will enjoy their creative works!

Redmond artists and art students are invited to send me your home pages and individual pieces for posting.

Local artists often congregate and perform at "Soulfood Bookstore of Redmond" on Redmond Way - comprehensive website

&

"Oddfellow's Grill" on Leary Way - website

(Tom and Abbott are considering Poet Laureate)

The City of Redmond is planning to create a Downtown Central Park.

The City is hosting two public open house meetings to discuss the future of this park. The first is on Thursday, July 23 at 7pm in the Lake Washington School District Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th Street in Redmond Town Center. The second is on Monday, August 10 at the same time and location.

“The new Downtown Central Park will be a treasure to the community. It provides a destination for residents and workers,” stated John Marchione, Redmond’s Mayor. “The park will strengthen neighborhood connections and reinforce the historic ‘heart’ of Redmond.”

It would become downtown Redmond’s living room; a place filled with life and activity, surrounded by economic vitality and interest that celebrates Redmond’s past, present and future.

Come to one of the two open house meetings on either July 23 or August 10 and let the City know what you think.

For questions regarding this park project or the open house, contact Jean Rice at 425-556-2378, or jrice@redmond.gov.

OPINION: Independence from my grinding Watch on groundwater quality.

UPDATED, 7/8 - OPINION: Five years ago, a friend and I came upon a hazardous waste site on Evans Creek. The waste was dumped on top of a shallow City wellhead aquifer. The discovery eventually led to a crack-down by 9 regulatory agencies to clean up the site. This experience led to the birth of this blog and my zealous reporting on City protections of our underground drinking water.

This being the eve of July 4th, I'm happy to shout freedom from my "city watch" over the safety of our drinking water aquifer. (I know the City is happy, too.) As of tomorrow, I will stop grinding my axe on the issue. Why now? It's simple. I've watched the Marchione Administration for two years cope with the challenges of protecting our groundwater aquifers and I'm confident we are in very good hands. THIS Administration has replaced the mad scrambles and PR campaigns of the past with a fresh transparency to the challenges and solutions of a more secure wellhead water.

The genuine, transparency exhibited by the Mayor and his staff, of late, was all I needed to claim my independence! Last Tuesday night four staff members (including a stormwater engineer and geologist) -- backed up by the confident DNR Manager and Public Works Director -- covered ALL the sensitive issues...and ones new to me.

The display of transparency was impressive and re-assuring. A few of the points made were, as follows:

• The City is fully vested in protecting our wells! For example, Well #5 supplies 1/3 of the city's drinking (well)water capacity. If Well #5 went down it would cost taxpayers $800,000 per year to replace the water and over $12 Million just to hook into a new pipe. Full protection of our groundwater is a good investment and worth every penny.
• 110 parcels have been identified as threats to untreated stormwater entering the aquifer. Landowner's stormwater fees will be lowered to help them with the expense of retrofitting of these systems, to treat stormwater before it infiltrates into the ground.
• Underground parking is becoming common in Downtown. Often permanent "de-watering" (removing water) is required since the Downtown sits over a very shallow aquifer. The City is on top of this. (no pun).
• Hazardous materials are methodically identified and secondary containment is enforced.
• This information was gathered from the last part of Council's taped June 30 Study Session, linked here: http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/CC063009.wmv

Do you have any comments on this? Thanks to Mayor Marchione and his staff for a very difficult job being well done! I can rest in peace. Free at last!

Staff presents the Commission's P.A.R.C.C. Plan to Council

After months of extensive public input, the Parks, Trails, and Rec. Department presented a rough draft of their new comprehensive 6-year plan to City Council.

Probably, one of the most significant changes proposed are new standards for "levels of service" (LOS). In past years, levels of service focused on obtaining state agency funding for new parks and redevelopment. Planning will be designed more for function and need than grant funding applications.

This go-around, Carolyn Hope and Craig Larsen of Parks & Recreation proposed adding new functional "levels of service'" called-- Walkability, Density, Capacity, Demand and Use. Including the functional parameters will help the City prioritize and allocate City Park & Rec (and Art) resources. Impacts on the City from the "outside uses" of Marymoor Park, school fields, 60-Acres, Willows Golf, businesses, Sammamish river cycling and others can be more easily reckoned.

The foundation of the Plan is extensive public input from: three public meeting workshops, online & phone surveys, citizen advisory committees, and other opportunities. A few of the more enlightening findings from the study are, as follows:

1. The number one activity in parks was reported as: walking. #2 activity was unorganized sports or play, #3 relaxing (birding, meditating, reading). Organized sports were listed at the bottom third for Park activity Could this "surprise" be attributed to use at school fields, 60 Acres, and Marymoor Park, Willows Run?
2. The number one "future park use" requested was Mountain bike parks and trails.
3. The trail type most requested was soft surface trails, preferably single track. 73% of all respondents from all ages wished for soft surface! 27% wanted paved.
4. A Leisure Aquatic Center was the most requested Rec. facility. (Lap pool, shallow rehab/fitness pool, splash pool for kids).
5. A performance center for theatre (vs. concerts) was in demand.
6. As for Rec. programs, Aquatics and Nature were at the top of the list.
7. 52% of citizens drive to city parks!
8. 60% want more trails; 63% use a City park at least once/week.
9. Only 15% or 25% (depending on survey interpretation) said NO to funding by a park bond levy. Fees for use were popular.

Park & Trails commissioners deliberated thoroughly on what to call the Park plan. PRO Plan or PARCC Plan? Which acronym sounds good to you? Please comment below? I'll note their meaning under "comments".
CONTACT: ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov or Park's Chair hmyers@redmond.gov

Soulfood Book Store - "the heart and soul of Redmond's rising musical and literary artists".

Commissioner Clint McCune and some elementary kids sang "I am Alive" in Council Chambers at the beginning of a Council meeting last Tuesday. I think this is a first! and a feather in the cap for the City! Scroll down to the next story for details. I'm reposting a video clip of the kids singing with Clint and will post websites of Redmond musicians and poets as I learn of them.

Hey Bob -

I just wanted to thank you for all the work you do for our neighborhood. Also, about the kids, they all go to different schools and some of them aren't even in a music class. However, they all gather at Soulfood and play together. [see clip of kids singing with Clint below]

The song we performed was an original of mine called "I am Alive". We only rehearsed all together once the evening of the performance, but they all knew the song from listening to my bands album TWIRL "hope hum stomp strum" and hearing us live on the first Friday of every month. I would also like to invite you to this month's TWIRL show on July 3rd at 8-10pm. Also, we are streaming live all of our big shows and events through soulfood books.com so check it out and help us spread the word.

--Clint McCune, owner of Soulfood Books, Music, and Organic Coffee
"...the heart and soul of Redmond's rising musicians and literary artists"

Soulfood - Redmond's comprehensive website

"I am Alive" (clip)
..as performed in City Council chambers during this week's council meeting.

Tom Flynn's Poetry: http://mythman.typepad.com/poetry/

Eva Moon's music

Abbott A. Smith's art and poetry