House Democrats unveil their 2015-17 operating budget plan -- Will add $3.2 billion to K-12 investments

OLYMPIA – House Democrats unveiled their 2015-17 operating budget plan on Friday – a budget that will add $3.2 billion in additional K-12 investments over the next two years compared to the 2013-15 budget. The HDC proposal is the first budget proposal on the table that puts the state in full compliance with the Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling, which mandates the state adequately fund basic education by 2018.
“After seven years of cuts totaling more than $12 billion, we have to take an honest look at the state of our state,” said House Majority Leader Rep. Pat Sullivan (D-Covington). “We have to ask: ‘Is this really what we want?’ This budget is a stand against mediocrity. Just being ‘Okay’ is not acceptable.”
“This budget keeps our promises to Washington’s one million kids,” said Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina), House Appropriations Chair. “We’re making the biggest investment in student success, mental health, and middle-class families that our state has seen in decades. It’s a responsible budget that meets the needs of our state and balances over four years.”
Highlights included in the House Democratic Budget Proposal:  Read More >>

Blood Drive March 31 on Education Hill

 

This week we began supporting 3 patients at the University of Washington Medical Center who recently underwent organ transplants.

This life saving treatment has required the help of over 110 donors in our community!

Without donors like you, this wouldn’t be possible.

 

Tuesday, March 31^st

Redmond United Methodist

16540 NE 80^th Street

1 pm to 7pm

(closed 3 to 4 pm)

To schedule an appointment, please contact Bonnie at: bpeltola@gmail.com

*Photo ID or Donor Card Required!*

Large wood installation on Mackey Creek - public comments accepted

This summer, approximately 15 logs will be placed in Mackey Creek, just upstream of its confluence with Bear Creek, near NE 106^th Street and Avondale Road NE. The use of wood in this project will compliment reshaping of the stream channel and reconnection with an adjacent wetland pond. The site was formerly a private residence and dog kennel, but all structures have been removed following the property’s purchase by King County. Mackey Creek is too small to support instream recreation. All large wood will be securely anchored to prevent its transport downstream.

The project plans and Instream Project Design Checklist are posted on King County's large wood installation projects web page. The design team will be accepting comments from the public through April 6, 2015.

To submit comments or for more information, contact Laird O’Rollins, Project Manager, King County Ecological Restoration and Engineering Services Unit at 206-477-4790 or laird.orollins@kingcounty.gov.

2015 Walkable Washington Symposium & Awards on April 2 to be held at Redmond City Hall

Excitement is escalating for the 2015 Walkable Washington Symposium & Awards on Thursday, April 2

 

 

From Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s recent introduction of his ten-year transportation vision called Move Seattle that includes long-term plans to make the city more walkable to the celebratory Opening Day for Trails with several guided walks in Spokane, Washington has walking on its mind.

The new prioritizing for people means perfect timing for the state’s only event designed to provide a learning forum, creative networking opportunities, helpful resources, and awards to organizations and cities building healthy, livable and walkable communities. The Walkable Washington Symposium & Awards held on Thursday April 2, 2015 from 9am-4pm, offers a fun learning environment with sessions moderated by experts to discuss projects and programs implemented in recent years throughout the state.

Over 100 leaders, planners, engineers, educators, and advocates from across the state will attend this event, hosted by Feet First, to educate, energize and inspire the next generation of leaders. As evidenced by the latest Feet First map of case studies of projects and programs across Washington, there is tremendous interest in making Washington’s communities safer, easier, and more inviting for people to walk.

“We are thrilled to bring a diverse representation of people from across the state to celebrate walkable and livable communities. Our annual Symposium & Awards event creates a unique opportunity for speakers and participants to share, learn, and network, which takes the walking movement in Washington to a whole new level,” Lisa Quinn, Executive Director, Feet First.

Attendees will enjoy a diverse array of presentations, opportunities for networking with peers from across the state, and other engaging highlights throughout the day:

·         Welcoming remarks from the City of Redmond’s Mayor, John Marchione.

·         Keynote address by stirring guest speaker Dan Burden, Civic Visionary and Walkability Expert at Blue Zones.

·         A WALKshop of the Redmond Central Connector that highlights the integrated art, lighting, future downtown park, and urban plazas along the paved trail, knitting together over 60 miles of the East Lake Sammamish and Sammamish River Trails.

·         The 2015 Innovation Awards, which recognize outstanding programs and projects from across the state that promote healthy, livable, and walkable communities.

·         A chance to experience a unique form of digital communication, Trace, which invites people to explore the shape of walks.

The Walkable Washington Symposium & Awards is scheduled for 9 am to 4 pm, Thursday April 2, 2015 at Redmond City Hall, 15670 Northeast 85th Street. The City of Redmond was a 2014 Innovation Award Winner.

The Walkable Washington Symposium & Awards also provides 3.5 American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) continuing education credits.

Eastside Republican Club announces scholarship essay contest

The Eastside Republican Club (ERC) has announced its scholarship essay contest for 2015. ERC will award a $1,000 scholarship to the author of the first place essay, a $750 scholarship to the author of the second place essay, and a $500 scholarship to the author of the third place essay, as determined by the Club’s judges, submitted on the following topic:

 

“What is the price of freedom of speech?”

 

The winners will be announced at the May 5, 2015, meeting of the ERC.

 

Entrants must be currently enrolled as high school students graduating in 2015, or as freshmen or sophomores in an accredited college or university. Submitters must either permanently reside in, or be attending a public, private, or home school located in, King County, Washington.

 

Essays must be submitted in Microsoft Word (DOC or DOCX), plain text (TXT), or Portable Document Format (PDF) format, must not exceed 500 words in length, and must be in English. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM on Friday, April 10, 2015. Email entries to:

 

scholarship@eastsiderepublicanclub.org

 

For more information about the scholarship program and its rules, see:

 

 http://www.eastsiderepublicanclub.org/scholarship.htm

 

Community Invited to Celebrate Cleveland Street

Redmond, WA – The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Cleveland Street on Wednesday, March 25 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

. Join Mayor John Marchione and the Redmond City Council on Cleveland Street between 161st Ave NE and Leary Way for a 7:00 PM program and ribbon cutting. Guests will be introduced to Redmond’s new Moving Arts Center, while enjoying festive music and food samples provided by several local restaurants.

Cleveland Street, Redmond’s new Main Street, looks different than other streets: its design, parking and amenities encourage its use for 18-hour days. Decorative lighting continues the historic theme, while specialty catenary lights encourage more evening activity and provide connection between the Redmond Central Connector and Downtown Park. New landscape areas, wider sidewalks and small plazas provide more pedestrian opportunities to enhance the Downtown’s economic vitality.

The Cleveland Streetscape project, which is located on Cleveland Street between 161st Ave NE and 164th Ave NE, began construction in January of 2014. The project follows ten public and private development projects in the historic core in just the last seven years. These projects are all part of a 20 year vision for Downtown Redmond which includes supporting an urban environment that accommodates the City’s share of regional growth; offers a connected street grid with new street connections; provides bike, walk and transit access; prepares for conversion of Redmond Way and Cleveland Street to 2-way traffic; and supports opportunities for events, arts and culture.

More information about Cleveland Street, as well as other Downtown projects is available at www.Redmond.gov/Downtown. For more information on the Cleveland Street grand opening, contact Jill Smith at 425.556.2448 or jesmith@redmond.gov. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.

 

City of Redmond Seeks Public Comments on Potential Levy

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond is seeking public comment on a potential levy that would provide additional resources needed for public safety, city infrastructure, and a greener Redmond. Citizens are encouraged to send their thoughts and opinions via email to communications@redmond.gov or attend the April 7, 2015 City Council meeting at Redmond City Hall: 15670 NE 85th Street, Redmond WA. A public hearing regarding the ballot levy measure will be taking place during the April 7 Council meeting.

For more information about the potential six year tax levy that Redmond voters would have an opportunity to consider in the August 4th election, please visit: www.redmond.gov/levy. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Rhodes, Communications Manager, at larhodes@redmond.gov or 425-556-2427. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.

Redmond Mayor's new salary to be $137,000

After vetting during two study sessions the Redmond City Council arrived at a new salary for the Mayor at $137,000 per year for the next five years and a $500/month car allowance.  The increase in salary was attributed to a cost of living increase (and not a performance review).  The new salary will go in effect January 1, 2016,

Reported by Bob Yoder

Willowmoor Floodplain Restoration Project

To learn about this proposed restoration project along the Sammamish River in Marymoor Park  view this video and take the survey.  The project is designed to improve fish habitat, flood controls, and stabilize the level of Lake Sammamish.  An Advisory Committee of citizens has been meeting for over a year to come up with alternatives to the present "transition zone channel" which is currently choked with willows and needs expensive maintenance to increase flows.  You can view the proposed alternatives at the links below:



View the project video!

Take our online survey!  

 


 

Lake Washington School District reviews all high school sports teams for gender equity

KIRO 7 posted the following story and video HERE about LWSD's decision to review gender equity on all their high school sports teams.  The conflict began with Lake Washington High School girls softball team having to play games on a practice field while the boys baseball team got to play at the Kirkland stadium under lights.  LWSD under Title IX must to provide equal sports facilities for both genders.

Tomorrow is "National Pie Day"

If you are a mathematician or not, tomorrow is "National Pie Day".  3.1415... So make sure you have pie for desert in celebration!  LOL

Eastside Symphony performance Sunday, March 15 at Redmond Performing Arts Center

Please join the Eastside Symphony this Sunday at 3:00, as one of the best violinist we have ever performed with Evan Johanson, joins us to play the Barber Violin concerto, a piece by native Redmond composer Patrick Harlin.

 

Evan’s playing will move you and you will be amazed at his talent! Buy your tickets on line now to avoid the line at will call at www.eastsidesympony.org , as this performance will sell out!

 

Evan Johanson, violin – March 2015 

Evan Johanson is in 10th grade at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. He has been studying violin since age 5 and is currently a student of Margaret Pressley. He studies music academics at the Seattle Conservatory of Music and is an avid player of chamber music. He has been in youth symphony orchestras since age 7 and is currently concertmaster of the Seattle Youth Symphony. For the last three summers he has studied at The Meadowmount School of Music in upstate New York, where he studied with Jan Mark Sloman. This coming summer he has been selected to be part of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States in which he will perform at Carnegie Hall and in a seven-city tour of China. 
Evan has performed in master classes taught by William Preucil, Jan Mark Sloman, Ivan Zenaty, Walter Schwede, and Steven Rochen. He recently competed in the Seattle Symphony Young Artist Auditions and won an opportunity to perform in the 2015-2016 season with the Seattle Symphony. Evan plans to attend a Conservatory of Music for college study. 

 

Redmond Performing Arts Center: Sunday, March 15^th, 3:00 p.m.

Give Rides to Change Lives

87-year-old Geraldine Mensink does not know what she’d do without Volunteer Transportation.  When she decided it was time to give up her keys two years ago, the program saved her from feeling helpless and stuck.  She uses the service regularly to get to appointments and says, “I love all of the volunteer drivers!  They are wonderful.”

 

Since 1975, Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation drivers have accumulated “miles and miles” of positive impact throughout King County.  Using their own vehicles, volunteers pick seniors up, take them to their doctors and drive them home again—offering valuable transportation with a personal touch.  Clients of the program often refer to them as their “heroes,” “guardian angels” or “life-savers.”  In a very tangible way, volunteer drivers make a difference in the lives of vulnerable members of our community.

 

Volunteer Transportation currently faces the grim reality that it cannot serve all seniors in need of rides to important medical care.  More volunteer drivers are needed!  If you have a reliable vehicle, a clean driving record and some weekday availability, this is the role for you.  Visit the program’s blog to read more of its stories; contact Hilary at (206) 748-7588 or hilaryc@seniorservices.org to find out more; or fill out an online volunteer driver application to sign-up.  Help more seniors like Geraldine get “on the road” to improved health and peace of mind!

Eastside lawmakers host mid-session town hall at Redmond City Hall on March 14

  

Eastside lawmakers host mid-session town hall

OLYMPIA – With just over a month to go in the 2015 session, lawmakers from the 48^th legislative district will host a town hall to provide an update on bills working through the Legislature in Olympia.
Senator Cyrus Habib, Representative Ross Hunter, and Representative Joan McBride will be available to take questions and seek feedback from the community at a town hall meeting on Saturday, March 14 at Redmond City Hall.
“We count on your input to help us make important decisions on issues like funding education, investing in transportation, creating jobs and protecting our environment,” said Sen. Habib. “As we pass the halfway point of the legislative session, your feedback will help us make the right decisions for the 48^th district and for all of Washington state. I hope that you’ll be able to attend our town hall event, and if you can’t come please feel free to contact any of our offices so we can still hear from you!
“We’re half way through session and just wrapped up several days of passing bills off the House floor,” said Rep. Hunter. “Our focus now for the next few weeks will be on rolling out a responsible and balanced budget proposal that meets our constitutional obligation to fund education without damaging mental health or other key parts of the budget.”
“I am honored to carry the message of the 48^th district down here in Olympia,” said Rep. McBride. “Although the legislative session is halfway over we have much important work still ahead of us. I look forward to having a meaningful dialogue and hearing the comments and concerns of the people of the 48^th district.”
The Eastside lawmakers will provide a brief overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the state in the current legislative session at the town hall. They also want to hear from 48^th district residents on what issues are important to them.
The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn for the year on April 26.
48^th Legislative District Town Hall

King County sets March 14 for Lake Sammamish Willowmoor project update

Second community meeting to focus on design alternatives

King County hosts a public meeting on Saturday, March 14 in Redmond to share updated information about a project to reconfigure the transition zone between the Sammamish River and Lake Sammamish through Marymoor Park.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon at the Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. NE in Redmond.
Presentations by King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks employees will focus on three project design alternatives to address existing flood control and habitat issues on the Sammamish River at its outlet in King County’s Marymoor Park.
The design alternatives are an outcome of an ongoing Stakeholder Advisory Committee process that began in 2013 and represents a variety of interests and backgrounds.
Project planning and preliminary design is funded by the King County Flood Control District and the City of Redmond, and will be completed in coordination with King County Parks, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and lakeside property owners.
Funding for final design and construction will be pursued following completion of this first phase, and will likely include Flood Control District funds combined with federal and state grants.
The outlet from Lake Sammamish into the Sammamish River is marked by a shallow concrete weir and a straight, rock-lined channel, 200 feet wide and extending 1,500 feet downstream from the weir. This area is known as “Willowmoor” and is also referred to as the “transition zone” where the lake becomes the river.
These transition zone features are specifically designed to pass flood flows quickly downstream, and to help maintain summer lake levels for recreational use, while still allowing for upstream fish passage, including salmon returning to the Issaquah Hatchery from their time in saltwater.
The transition zone is not sustainable in its current condition and configuration. In order to ensure the transition zone’s capability to pass flood flows, County crews must perform intensive and costly maintenance including mowing, removing sediment and riverside plants.
These maintenance practices degrade habitat and water quality and conflict with the Endangered Species Act, as well as federal, state and local requirements to protect ecological functions and species.
The existing weir or a similar replacement and the reconstructed channel will continue to maintain summer lake levels and control lake outflow. Other features may be included to enhance habitat and public access.
Project and Stakeholder Advisory Committee information is available on the Willowmoor Floodplain Restoration Project web page at www.kingcounty.gov/rivers or by contacting contact Craig Garric at 206-477-4694 or craig.garric@kingcounty.gov.

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The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County.  The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.

LETTER: Watson Asphalt Paving has been violating their 1990 permit - toxic fumes released

I just read your blog about the two talks I gave to Redmond City Council on October 21, 2014 (http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-mayor-and-council-continue-to-hear.html). I've been talking to the Mayor and Council about Watson's toxic fumes and unpleasant odors since September 17, 2013.

 

In my most recent talk at City Hall, I pointed out that Watson Asphalt Paving Company has been violating their 1990 permit by using asphalt oil as their feedstock. Their permit specifies they should be using a material known as asphalt cement.

I've got lots more information regarding my concerns about the public health threat posed by Watson Asphalt to the people located within about a 1½ mile radius of the asphalt facility. Let me know if you want to hear about it.

David Morton

Redmond resident

Redmond Wins $4.9M Grant and $1.6M Loan to Help Restore Tosh Creek

RRedmond, WA – The Washington State Department of Ecology has offered Redmond a grant of $4,887,750 and a low interest loan of $1,629,250 to help fund restoration of Tosh Creek. This funding will be used to construct a new stormwater detention vault and stormwater treatment facilities near the 4700 block of 159th Avenue NE. The City’s 2013 Watershed Management Plan selected Tosh Creek as a priority stream for restoration. In 2014, Redmond won a $250,000 National Estuaries Program grant from Ecology to help fund a study of the Tosh Creek Watershed.

The City and its consultant team, RH2 and NHC, recently completed that study and produced the Tosh Creek Watershed Restoration Plan. The restoration plan identifies several projects for construction, including the 159th Ave Vault.

The City is now in the process of hiring the consultant team that will design the vault. This summer, the team will begin outreach to residents who may be impacted by the project. Construction is proposed in 2017. Building the 159th Vault will put the City on track to reach restoration goals in Tosh Creek. For more information about the project, please visit: www.redmond.gov/toshcreek If you have questions, please contact Tosh Creek Program Manager Steve Hitch at sjhitch@redmond.gov or 425-556-2891.This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.

Sustainable Redmond to Feature Climage Change at March 9 Meeting

Spring Meeting Series Begins with Redmond Library Session Starting at 7pm

 

Sustainable Redmond will hold its first general meeting of 2015 on March 9 at the Redmond Library at 7:00 pm.  This meeting is open to everyone and all are welcome to attend.

 

The featured speaker for this informative meeting will be Cathy Beam, Redmond's Principal Environmental Planner.  She has driven the City's climate action planning for a number of years, beginning with a municipal energy audit and inventory of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). 

 

Cathy will provide some context regarding challenges and objectives to address climate change from the global to local level, then discuss how GHG targets are being set.  Ms. Beam has been a key member of King County’s Climate Change Coalition that has brought together a number of jurisdictions - including Redmond - to develop common policies and practices at a regional level.  This topic is particularly appropriate as State measures to reduce carbon emissions are being discussed in Olympia.

 

Bring your friends to learn more about this important environmental issue and the continuing efforts of Sustainable Redmond.  The meeting will conclude at 8:30 pm following what should be a lively general discussion.

 

For more information contact us at jactive@gmail.com.

###

 

About Sustainable Redmond:  Citizens & Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond is a grassroots organization focused on local sustainability.  The group’s mission is to be a catalyst for moving Redmond’s citizens, businesses and local government towards sustainability through education, advocacy and community events.  Sustainable Redmond was formed in 2010 and became a state/federal designated non-profit organization (501(c)3) in 2012.

City of Redmond Holds Community Conversation on Homelessness

Redmond, WA –On Thursday, March 12, 2015, the City of Redmond will host a community conversation on homelessness, and the public is invited to attend. The meeting will take place in Bytes Café in Redmond City Hall, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone who lives, works, or owns property in Redmond. Individuals who plan to attend are asked to RSVP via email to Jldaub@redmond.gov, as soon as possible.

Homelessness is a growing issue of concern in Redmond as it is throughout King County and across the nation. The City has scheduled this meeting to listen to both concerns and ideas from the community. City staff will be in attendance to listen to and record the comments that are shared. After the meeting, all comments will be reviewed and summarized with the goal of suggesting appropriate next steps. Individuals who plan to attend should come prepared to share thoughts regarding two key questions: 1) what are your concerns about homelessness in Redmond; and 2) what ideas or suggestions do you have for addressing those concerns?
For more information about this meeting, please visit: www.redmond.gov

UPDATE: Two-Car Fatal Collision

Redmond, WA – On February 28, 2015 at approximately 0116 hours, Redmond Police and Fire responded to a two car collision at the intersection of SR520/Avondale Road and Union .  PrelimHill Roadinary investigation shows that the suspect vehicle rear ended the victim vehicle at an extremely high rate of speed.

The suspect, Robert J. Malsch, a 21 year old Lynnwood man, fled from his badly damaged vehicle and was apprehended by the Redmond Police K-9 Team.  The victim, a 30 year old male, was found deceased in his vehicle which had extensive damage from the initial impact and from being pushed into a cement sign.  The victim’s identity will be released by the King County Medical Examiner per their protocol. 
Malsch was released from Harborview Hospital today and booked into the King County Jail for suspicion of Vehicular Homicide and Fatality Hit and Run.   

Redmond Police Department

Blood Drive on Education Hill

NEXT  BLOOD  DRIVE     TUES., MARCH  31st 1-7pm

Spring is such a wonderful time of rebirth in the earth.  When you donate a unit of blood YOU are giving that opportunity for “rebirth” to some individual that really needs it.  Join the community of very generous donors that contribute to the 800+ units of blood needed every day in Western Washington.  Puget Sound Blood Center has expanded it’s services to include part of Oregon….and changed it’s name to Bloodworks NW.  Our next Blood Drive is hosted by:

REDMOND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

TUES.,  MARCH 31st  from 1-7pm (break 3-4pm)

16540 NE 80TH ST

REDMOND, WA  98052

Appointments:  mailto:bpeltola@gmail.com