Community Encouraged to Support Businesses During Construction Redmond, WA – “We Dig Downtown,” Redmond’s new buy-local during construction campaign, kicks off in Downtown Redmond on Monday. The weekly themed events promote that Downtown Redmond is OPEN for business during construction. For eight Monday evenings beginning September 12 and ending October 31, varying Downtown locations will feature performers, artists, and games. The community is invited to join the activities and encouraged to patronize local businesses. Inspired by requests from Downtown businesses for the City’s assistance during the impacts of construction, the goal is to encourage and invite customers to buy local, enjoy a sense of community and support Downtown businesses.   Jill Smith, City of Redmond Economic Development Manager, hopes residents and commuters alike will take part in the campaign. “Please join the City and community and support Downtown Redmond businesses. Bike or walk throughout Downtown and you will enjoy great food and drink, shopping and entertainment.”

Auggie Kempf Announces Retirement from EvergreenHealth Board

Due to Kempf’s retirement, the Board now plans to add three new members for terms beginning in 2017, including two at-large positions, and a Position #3 slot, to fill Kempf’s post.

Auggie Kempf

Kirkland, Wash. – R. August "Auggie" Kempf has announced his plans to resign his position as EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners, Position #3 effective September 3, 2016. Kempf’s retirement from the board comes from a desire to spend more time with his family.

While Kempf anticipated vacating his position at the end of his term on December 31, 2017, he has opted to end his service early. Kempf’s vacancy means the Board plans to add three new members for terms beginning in 2017–two at-large positions, and a Position #3 slot, to fill Kempf’s post.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve alongside Auggie for 16 years,” said Al DeYoung, chairman, EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners. “His business and financial acumen have been great assets to our organization, and his deep commitment to the health and well-being of his community are truly admirable. We respect his decision to step down early and wish him our very best.”

Kempf served on the Board of Commissioners, representing Redmond and Sammamish, since first being appointed in 2000. He was officially elected to the Board in 2001, and was re-elected to two six-year terms (in 2005 and 2011). In his role as a commissioner, he also served for more than five years as a member of both the board Audit & Finance Committee and the Compensation and Retirement Plan Committee, respectively.

Prior to becoming a board member, Kempf served for 10 years as a participant in EvergreenHealth's Community Advisors program. He has also served on the EvergreenHealth Foundation Board of Trustees in various capacities since 1996.

Council member Angela Birney reports on Parks and Human Services

Angela Birney

UPDATED:  Council member Angela Birney chairs the "Parks and Human Services" Standing Committee and gave a report last night at City Hall about her meeting. 

Here's a brief summary of Ms. Birney's report:  

1.  Kent Hay the new city Homeless Outreach Specialist will hold office hours in the Redmond Library on Monday & Tuesday (10-NOON)

2.  The annual city Hope-link food drive at QFC, Bella Bottega will be held on September 17-18.  Food and/or cash may be donated.  Council members (and sometimes the Mayor) usually attend.  (Say hi at the door!)

3.  A teen center exhibit at City Hall starts September 10.  

4.  1,300 park programs were held this summer.  

5.  Summer Park activities:  470 attended day camps, 1,000 permits for park rentals, 43,000 beach-goers at Idlywood Park, 100 summer sports teams with 14,000 participants, 700 attendees at Senior Center summer concerts, 1.700 lunches served for the summer lunch program, 160 attended summer movies at the city hall campus, 300 attended the "Big Truck Day" to see fire and cop vehicles, 7,500 attended So Bazarr, ($12,000 sales/night.), City is looking for life-guards.

The Parks and Human Services committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 4:30PM; Council Conference Room on the first floor.  The public is invited to attend and observe, but not participate.  

Parks and Human Services Committee tasks:  To review, analyze and recommend policies regarding parks facilities and recreational programs; coordination of education programs and facilities; programs and facilities for senior citizens, underprivileged and handicapped persons, minorities and low-income families; and, generally, areas involving the preservation, protection and advancement of human concerns. 

Angela Birney was elected to her first term on the Council in 2016. Prior to that she served as the chair of Redmond’s Parks and Trails Commission. Angela is a Washington native and grew up in Eastern Washington. She moved to Redmond in 1998. Formerly a middle school science teacher, Angela has a Master’s degree in Education from Heritage University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology Education from Eastern Washington University. She lives on Education Hill with her husband and daughters. Her hobbies include walking, reading, and travel.

abirney@redmond.gov
425.556.2133

Reported by Bob Yoder

Community invited to open house on new elementary school in Redmond

A rendering of the North Redmond Elementary School 

New school in North Redmond funded by LWSD bond measure

Redmond, Wash. – As the city of Redmond’s population grows, so does the need for school space to accommodate students. A new elementary school in north Redmond will help relieve overcrowding in the city’s current elementary schools. The district’s April 2016 bond measure, which passed with a 66.28% approval rate, is the source of funding for this project.

Community members are invited to attend an open house meeting about the new school. The community meeting will take place Thursday, September 22, from 6-8 p.m., Redmond City Hall, Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85^th St., Redmond, Wash. This community meeting is being held in conjunction with the city of Redmond.

The meeting will provide a general overview of the project, including the site layout, overall look of the building, basic materials, traffic patterns and building schedule. The information incorporates feedback from the first community meeting on the project, held at Redmond High School in May. The district will seek feedback on the revised plans. Attendees can come at any time during the two-hour timeframe of the open house style meeting.

Attendance boundaries for this school will be determined in the year before it opens. A public process will seek community input into the new boundaries. No information on which students will attend the school will be available until that time.

Construction on the new elementary school is scheduled to start in April 2017. Planned opening for the school is in September 2018.

The Risks of Biking on City Roads and Sidewalks

"The Risks of Biking Right"

With school season upon us, middle and high school students are again encouraged by the school district and city to walk or ride their bicycles to school.  Ironically, as you ride down Redmond Way past the "Bicycle Capital of the World" sign there isn't a bike lane.  Students and adults!  Please watch this bike safety video!


The Risks of Riding Right from Yay Bikes! on Vimeo.

City Fish, Wildlife, and their Habitiat

Background

Like many Puget Sound communities, Redmond's growing urbanization has resulted in reduced fish and wildlife habitats and has threatened water quality in our lakes and streams. Wetlands and open stream channels have been removed as our city has grown. In addition, many areas of the City were developed before extensive stormwater restoration measures were required; this resulted in excess flow in downstream channels that in turn created channel erosion and flooding problems.

Since the late 1960s, a number of landmark federal and state environmental protection laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the Shoreline Management Act have been enacted. These laws, all with the purpose of protecting our natural resources, created a complex and sometimes overlapping environmental regulatory structure. Examples of the impact of these laws is the 1999 designation of Puget Sound Chinook salmon and the bull trout, a close relative of the salmon, as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Several other fish species are currently being evaluated for possible consideration of listing under ESA.

 

Read More >>

Construction update: Redmond Way will be one-way through the Fall

Two-Way Street Conversion Project Peat soil removal from the Downtown Park is expected to last through September! Traffic on Redmond Way will continue to be shifted to one lane between 160th Ave NE and 170th Ave NE next week. This configuration will remain in place 24-hours per day, 7-days per week through the fall. Work activities during this phase will include sidewalk removals, signal work, and underground utility installations. Why one lane, 24-hours per day, even when crews are not present?  Pavement has been saw cut and will be demolished as early as next week in preparation for the underground utility work.  Much of this work is in the middle of Redmond Way, and extensive preparation has been done with the installation of temporary traffic signals to accommodate the necessary work area. These preparations must be done in advance of the work starting, and the configuration cannot be shifted back to two lanes due to the nature of the work, maintaining alignment with the temporary signals, and maintaining a safe work zone.  Visit www.Redmond.gov/TwoWayConversion for more information on this project

"Redmond's Poultry Past" -- Program presented by the Redmond Historical Society, September 10th

 Lechner Family Collection – Redmond Historical Society.

Saturday, September 10th

Redmond’s Poultry Past: From Family Farms to Global Tables

Timothy M. Wright

Historian

Beginning in the 1910s, Redmond participated in Washington State’s once-booming poultry industry. Long wooden chicken houses were a familiar sight around the Redmond area as poultry ranches produced eggs and fryers destined for nearby markets. Properties that are now part of the Microsoft campus not only included two chicken farms, but were also the site of leading-edge scientific poultry breeding as well as a commercial hatchery.   Thousands of chicks were hatched and shipped out of Redmond each week.

Historian Tim Wright will examine Redmond’s mid-century poultry history, connecting the larger historical perspective with the stories of people who grew up on or around local farms—as well as those who worked for Heisdorf and Nelson, the poultry breeding company that called Redmond home for 30 years. This program is funded by a grant from 4Culture with volunteer support from the Redmond Historical Society.

Relax over a cup of coffee at the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series, a program that features six speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest. The series is held 10:30am – noon at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA.   Doors open at 10:00 am.  $5 suggested donation for non-members. Speakers subject to change. For details: www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

GOING BACK IN TIME: "2011, Council approves Chicken Code"

This is an interesting 2011 report about the process the city went through in passing the "Backyard Chicken" ordinance. The current, approved Chicken ordinance is detailed here.  

Redmond City Council approves backyard chicken code

NOVEMBER 9, 2011:  Council approves Animal Husbandry (backyard chicken) code 6-2 (Carson and Cole voting NO).  A noted requirement is covenants will be honored and supersede the animal husbandry code.

Redmond City Council held a final study session November 7 on "Small Animal Husbandry" - commonly known as "Backyard chickens."  Their normal Tuesday meeting was cancelled for the Election.  Council plans to adopt  "Backyard chicken policy and code" on December 6, without any further study sessions.

After thorough discussion, Council consented to Chicken regulations.  The ordinance is expected to include the following code:

• Mandatory registration.  (Permits, subject to land use requirements, are not required.
• Maximum allowable chickens decided by Residential zoning only.  Lot size is irrelevant.
• One Acre (R-1) and 1/2 acre (R-2) lots are allowed a maximum of 10 chickens (hens only).
• R-4 and R-5 lots are the most common SFH lots in Redmond.  (4-5 lots/acre).  R-4 lots allowed a  maximum of 4 hens, R-5 allowed a maximum of 3 hens.  R-6 maximum 3 hen
• In R-8 lots chickens won't be allowed.
• Setbacks:  15' setbacks for adjacent property required with exceptions.
• Slaughter:  May slaughter 1 chicken per day on site.  More than 1 chicken must be slaughtered off-property in a slaughterhouse, farm, non-residential area. 
• Predators:  sturdy coop required
• City Small Animal Husbandry Code will not supersede Homeowners Associations (HOA). 
• No roosters

Councilmember Kim Allen was the proponent.  She ran the meeting and drove consensus.  Councilmember Hank Margeson had experience in Tacoma with backyard hens in his youth and was considered a council 'expert.'  Hank suggested "no more than a handful of chickens," except for 1/2 acre lots.  He said "chickens should only supplement food, not feed a family of four year-round."  Councilmember Carson has two dogs and his wife was in real estate; he was against backyard chickens.  Councilmember Hank Myers suggested keeping the rules simple saying too many regulations will keep people from participating.  Margeson owns a horse and raised 3 hens as a kid living in Tacoma.  Mayor Marchione was present and quiet throughout the discussion.

Cole, Stilin, and Vache were openly concerned about chicken owners who mistreat or miss-manage their poultry.  Code enforcement was their big issue.  Apparently, the history of chicken neglect and nuisance in other cities is very low.  Cole ended the discussion stating he won't endorse backyard chickens on the basis of:  smell, noise, real estate, disease, predators, potential for harm to the animals.  His property is governed by HOA rules.

Margeson referred to Sustainable Redmond for their help in getting the word out and educating Redmond citizenry.

Reported By Bob Yoder

Audubon elementary students are terrific artists

Audubon elementary students helped to create this beautiful floral art exhibit for the city.  It was displayed on the grass in the Linear Park for the last So. Bazaar event.  I wonder if it was made exclusively of local flowers?

My wife and I loved it, especially when we learned elementary students were involved in creating it.          

Lake Washington Schools don't have art teachers so parents step-up to hold classes for K- 5th grade students.  Do you want to volunteer? 

The Audubon PTSA sponsors an artist-in-residence once a month.  It's quite obvious they're very good students! 

Bob Yoder

Bellevue and Redmond PD Searching for Package Thief

CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTO

Bellevue Police are asking for the public's help to identify a prolific package thief who is also targeting homes in Redmond. On July 12th, the victim’s security camera captured the suspect stealing a package off the front door step of his residence located on NE 117th Street in Redmond. He was driving an older model black Volvo 4 door sedan.

The suspect was described as a white male about 30 years old, closely cropped hair style and facial stubble. He was wearing a yellow shirt, dark pants, and tan construction style boots and was carrying a clipboard. This suspect and vehicle match the suspect in a 3 packages thefts in Bellevue since the beginning of the year. In each incident, he was carrying the same clipboard and appears to be wearing the same shirt in one of the incidents.

If you know his name, Crime stoppers will pay you a cash reward of up to $1,000. Call the hot line anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit your tip online at www.crimestoppers.com Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound Washington's Most Wanted.

Becky Range, Redmond PD Public Information Officer 

Restoring Tosh Creek improves fish habitat and mitigates flooding in the Overlake neighborhood

City Planner Roger Dane (l) and Project Manager Steve Hitch book-end Tosh Creek

Susan, Bob, and Steve
Credit John Reinke

A few weeks ago Steve Hitch and Roger Dane of the City went out of their way to give Water Tenders’ Susan Wilkins, John Reinke, and myself a short tour of the Tosh Creek Restoration Project.   Do you see the creek running between Roger and Steve?  

Salmon fry and lamprey were found right at this spot in May.  Can you believe it? You've got to watch the City’s fascinating underwater video!    (removed.)

Tosh Creek is an important tributary to the Sammamish River. Its headwaters are actually in the Overlake neighborhood up the hill from West Lake Sammamish Parkway.  In 2013, the culvert running under the parkway was improved and the stream was re-aligned away from the road to be more "fish friendly," and to reduce sediment build-up near the culvert.  Willows and other native plants were planted to shade the creek and keep it cool. The $1.9M project was managed by Roger Dane and Mike Haley and funded primarily from city stormwater utility funds.

The Sammamish River's federally protected Chinook salmon and endangered Kokanee salmon need the cool water Tosh Creek provides to thrive and reproduce. Coho salmon and trout live in Tosh Creek. As small as Tosh Creek is, its flow is significant in the Fall when salmon are spawning and need cool water.  

But, the restoration of Tosh Creek does much more than improve fish habitat.  Serious erosion and flooding from stormwater run-off upstream is damaging the creek and threatening adjacent properties.  Thus, the city is installing an expensive stormwater detention system (vault) near 159th Avenue NE. and facilities in 4 other locations.  The cost for the vault is over $8M but the city was able to secure a  $5M grant and $1.6M low interest loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology. 

This is a bit more than a fish story!  At the end of our tour we saw a doe and two fawns wandering south from the creek. Hmmm.... I wonder what they were doing? 

 If you want to participate in the planning process of the vault and treatment facilities, Steve is hosting two September meetings.  For details, GO HERE. 

Bob Yoder

Grand Opening Celebration Slated for the New Redmond Loop Shuttle Service

REDMOND, WA — The City of Redmond is partnering with King County Metro to pilot the “Redmond LOOP,” a new shuttle service available to everyone in the community. The Loop Grand Opening celebration will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2016, in front of City Hall located at 15670 NE 85th Street. The Redmond LOOP is part of Metro’s Alternative Service program—which aims to forge partnerships with local communities and bring mobility services to parts of King County where traditional fixed-route bus service may not be a good fit.

“Creating travel choices and improving local transit options are priorities for the City. The Redmond LOOP adds a new type of transit service, and helps us meet a wider variety of local travel needs,” stated Mayor John Marchione.

The Redmond LOOP arrives every 45 minutes on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to meet the mid-day travel needs of Redmond residents, visitors and employees in the LOOP service area. The LOOP will travel from the Redmond Transit Center through Education Hill, along Avondale to Bear Creek Park & Ride and then along Redmond Way with a stop by Redmond Town Center before heading back to the Transit Center. During the summer months, riders throughout Redmond have been able to ride the LOOP for free and become familiar with its route. Starting Monday, September 12, 2016, a standard Metro one-zone fare will be charged per ride.

Valderrama is an exceptional candidate

Updated:  Ramiro Valderrama is an exceptionally strong advocate for the people and I urge you to support him in his run against Roger Goodman for the 45^th Legislative District.  Valderrama's powerful advocacy for the mentally ill, environment, education and property rights are probably key reasons the non-partisan Municipal League rated him  “Outstanding!” 

As Deputy Mayor of the City of Sammamish, Valderrama was two years ahead of his peers on council in fighting King County’s removal of trees during construction of the Sammamish Trail.  Early on, Ramiro had to take on the council majority to save the trees and protect property rights along the Trail.  He won his second election by 83%.

Valderrama is a strong advocate for the mentally ill.  He participated this year in the “National Alliance for the Mentally Ill” awareness campaign held in Kirkland.  He's been selected by a mental health organization that supports candidates who are committed to improving access to ethical mental health treatment.  The organization is supported by seven mental health groups and about 2500 clinicians.

And he isn't too excited about ST3.  The $54B sound transit package would raise taxes by over $1000 on a $700k house when including sales tax, car tabs and existing ST1 and ST2 taxes.  ST3 also reduces bus service, and Eastside residents would pay a proportionally heavier cost.  He calls the measure "taxation without transportation." 

Ramiro’s four children attended Lake Washington School District and he’s presently a STEM school advisor for the district. To fully fund education we need 4.5 Billion.  And, some lawmakers want to spend 54B on light rails?

Bob Yoder

Sound Transit confesses to illegally giving 173 email addresses to a political campaign

This opinion was written and published by Rob Butcher, Editor of the "Kirkland Views."  

As if foreign nationals hacking into our Federal government's computer systems was not enough bad news, locally, we find that Sound Transit just gave away the email addresses of 173,000 ORCA customers to the pro-transit campaign, Mass Transit NOW!

Kirkland Views has been a vocal critic of Sound Transit for many reasons but this time, we would hope everyone would condemn Sound Transit, the sacred cow of pork barrel spending.

“To date, our critique of Sound Transit has been how ST3 prioritizes political payback over moving people.”

Where is the outrage? Will we see it in the public, in the media? Many thought influencers, politicians and media organizations rely too heavily on Sound Transit, its political power and massive advertising budget to be major critics. Kudos to The Seattle Times for such good work. Let's see if Sound Transit sends their marketing hush money elsewhere moving forward.

"Sound Transit acknowledged the potentially illegal email release after The Seattle Times raised questions. An ORCA cardholder had contacted the newspaper about an ST3 campaign email he received through an email address he said he only uses for his ORCA account."

-- The Seattle Times

“There is something untoward about Sound Transit lobbying the electorate to vote for more money to fund Sound Transit. Another reason to vote no on ST3.”

To date, our critique of Sound Transit has been how ST3 prioritizes political payback over moving people. Case in point: Rail to Issaquah is an ST3 top priority. The only real justification for such a low ridership, billion dollar, long distance rail line is cronyism. Issaquah's mayor just happens to sit on the Sound Transit Board. The planned Issaquah light rail line is unjustifiable as a top priority and will move scarce few in 2040 when it is planned to open. Meanwhile, today commuters wallow in traffic congestion as their tax dollars go to build trains they will never ride. 

There is something untoward about Sound Transit lobbying the electorate to vote for more money to fund Sound Transit. Another reason to vote no on ST3.

Read the entire article at The Seattle Times.

By Rob Butcher, 8/23/2016, Kirkland Views
(photo omitted)

Redmond Town Center's Block Party

Attend Redmond Town Center's Block Party, Saturday, September 10, Noon - 5PM 

This year, Redmond Town Center and Spirit 105.3 explore the wild west with country fair fun.
Activities are FREE, except where pricing is noted below.

• Arrive in your country western duds!
• Look all pretty with professionally face painting, western style by Merry Makers
• Watch balloon artists recreate the wild west by Merry Makers
• Nosh on the most finger lickin' county fair food while you relax on bales of hay from Raven Rock Ranch
• Meander in The Root Beer Store Saloon
• Boot scootin' to country music on the main stage
• Climb over hills and valleys on a bouncy obstacle course and Western bounce house by Merry Makers
• Care for the farm animals in the country petting zoo by Josie Rooz
• Pose in the haystack photo booth by A A'more Events
• Decorate mini bandanas, sheriff badges, cowboy boots, and make your own mini-lasso
• Take part in county fair games with ring and horseshoe toss, and a country selfie board
• Mine for gold with geode cracking at Utopia's booth ($8, $10, $15 - depends on geode chosen)
• Paint Away! ($4 handprint or $5 tote) more information
• Meet everyday sheriffs, cowboys and cowgirls from Redmond Police and Fire Departments
• Reach for the stars with Springfree Trampoline
• Sample the finest milk from Smith Brothers Farms
• Leave the event line dancing with Recess Monkey, performing at 4 p.m.
• And more...

Popular with the younger set, Recess Monkey performs on the main stage at 4 p.m.!

Kindergarten changes to help students, families to a successful year

Full-Day Kindergarten for all students starts this year

Redmond, Wash. – New for the upcoming school year, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will be able to provide full-day kindergarten, funded by the state of Washington. The new kindergarten program will help students and families to a successful start to their education.

In past years, the district offered state-funded half day kindergarten. Parents had the option to pay for the second half of the school day. That meant some students attended half-day kindergarten while others attended for the full day. This year, all elementary schools in LWSD will provide full-day kindergarten.

The first day of school and classes for kindergarten will be September 9. Grades 1-12 begin school on September 6.

Kindergarten families will meet with their student’s teacher in a Family Connection meeting on September 6, 7 or 8. During these meetings, teachers will get to know the family and learn about the child. They can address any concerns or questions about the transition into kindergarten. Families get a chance to meet the teacher. They can share their child’s interests, strengths, fears and other characteristics. Parents will be contacted by their school to schedule a Family Connection meeting time.  >> Read More>>

Letter: Landmark tree bordering Idylwood Park threatened

Idylwood Park
(subject tree is on the left)

 I and my wife are trying to alert everyone in Redmond, plus those who use Idylwood Park, that an absolutely magnificent tree in is danger of being taken down for ... a patio! This huge, beautiful red cedar tree, estimated to be over 80 years old and 100 feet tall, is one that will be familiar to many people. It is located just inside the fence line of the Fairweather Condominium complex next to the park.

It is the official policy of the City of Redmond to protect our urban trees. There can be little doubt this tree qualifies for protection as a "significant tree" under the City of Redmond tree policy. Our unofficial yet very conservative calculation indicates that, under the City's formula, the size of the tree's diameter far surpasses the threshold for being deemed a significant tree. 

In addition, the tree meets at least one of six criteria for protection under another part of the City's tree policy, namely, "being adjacent to public parks and open space." The threatened tree is the companion of two other beautiful red cedars located on the other side of the fence line in Idylwood Park. (I have attached pictures of the trees to this message. The tree in question is the one on the left in the photo taken from the park side.) These trees were wisely preserved for future generations by the Buckans, the family construction firm that built the Fairweather in the late 1970s. 

We also recently learned that the tree may be protected under federal law. The Redmond office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service advises us that a tree where a migratory bird nest has been built is protected from destruction if the nest has eggs or young in it. A tree with an eagle's nest is protected regardless of whether the nest is active or inactive. We know that many birds, including bald eagles, frequent the tree. We are soliciting help from bird watchers to gather evidence that may show the tree is protected under federal law.

The tree is not diseased, nor is it decaying such as to pose a threat to anyone from falling branches. Thus it does not fall under the key exceptions of the city policy that would allow a tree to be destroyed..

We believe this tree meets several criteria for protection. But we are concerned, and fighting hard, because so many trees have been taken down in Redmond, regardless of what the laws say. And we are up against residents and a condominium association board whose members show little interest in preserving the natural beauty of our area

William "Bud" Wurtz, PhD