Thursday, January 18, 2018

Redmond City Television

RCTV LogoRedmond City Television (aka RCTV) was created in 1996 as a convenient way for residents to view city council and planning commission meetings and issues, services and events within Redmond. 

RCTV is available on Comcast channel 21 and Frontier Channel 34 cable systems.

City Council meetings  are held in City Hall every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm. Council Committee meetings with staff are held at 4:30 the same day. This is a very good meeting to watch for the "inside information."  The public is invited to speak (4 minutes each) during their Regular meetings.  Watch all the meetings live on RCTV.  The meetings are replayed on cable on: 

  • 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesdays
  • 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
  • 3 p.m. Saturdays
  • 9 p.m. Sundays
  • 12 p.m. Mondays
  • 8 a.m. Tuesdays
Council and Planning Commission meetings are video-taped and archived with OnDemand programming. (click 2019 - City Council)

Planning Commission meetings are held in City Hall most Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm. and  replayed on Comcast 21: 

10am & 3pm Thursdays
12pm Fridays
3pm Sundays

If want to know what's happening in the city, RCTV is a must stop!  For questions about RCTV  and other Redmond services e-mail info@redmond.gov

B. Yoder

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Updated1/15, Opinion: Ordinance prohibits camping in parks when overnight shelter space is available


Image result for homeless camping in parks image
Internet photo (not in Redmond)
Consideration of Ordinance No. 2911: An Ordinance Amending Sections 9.33.010 Through 9.33.030 of the Redmond Municipal Code and Adding a New Section 9.33.035 in Order to:

Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Parks and in Order to Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property on Other Public Property When Overnight Shelter Space is Available; Authorizing the Police Chief to Adopt Rules and Regulations for Enforcement.

Below is a partial accounting of Council's Janurary 2nd decision-making process in approving the ordinance:

 1)  Mr. Haney, the city attorney advised Council to pass the ordinance to be in compliance with Federal law related to a Boise court case citing 8th Amendment rights.

2)  Council member Anderson moved to amend Ordinance No. 2911 to add the definition “Overnight Shelter” be defined as a public or private shelter, with an available overnight space for one or more individuals.

Anderson's motion was seconded by Council member Fields.  VOTE: Ms. Anderson's motion to amend failed with Council members Anderson and Fields in support (2 – 5).

3)  Mr. Fields asked if the City's municipal campus is an example of public shelter space and someone (staff, attorney, or the mayor) said yes.

4) Mr. Fields recommended a study session before voting on the ordinance.  His concerns were 1) that he and two other council members were new and left out of earlier conversations/decisions and 2)  the ordinance may have serious consequences.  Fields recommendation was denied.  The main motion passed with Council member Fields in opposition (6 – 1).

Activist Albert Rosenthal claims "public shelter space" includes the Mayor's office and City Hall business floors. To read a letter he wrote the Mayor and Council "READ MORE."  He will be addressing Council during Items from the Audience at their next regular meeting, 2/16, 7:30 pm. 

B. Yoder, opinion

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Updated: Sears store in Overlake urban center proposed for major redevelopment

By Tom Hinman, Facilitator
Imagine Overlake

For those of you who wondered what was to become of the Sears site in Overlake, here's the answer.  The development company Seritage has proposed a project that covers a 14 acre parcel that includes a park (over the new storm water vault) in a master planned mixed use development. View the project design HERE.  It's amazing.  The project, known as Heritage Place, has been approved by the Design Review Board per information linked below and will be the subject of an initial Redmond City Council study session on January 23rd.  There will be another study session on March and a public hearing on this development a bit later on.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Why you should still go outside when the weather sucks

Green Redmond is a great program if you like to plant baby trees in our forests. 
The Downtown Park water splash features may be nature enough for some, 
and then there's our neighborhood parks and trails.  The Powerline trail is awesome. BY

 By Mckenna Princing, January 5th, 2018 

Tandon and colleagues recently reviewed studies analyzing the many ways exposure to nature can affect health. Research shows that benefits of being in nature range from reduced anxiety and depression to better sleep, eyesight, immune function and better outcomes for people who have chronic conditions like congestive heart failure or ADHD.
jesse orrico on Unsplash

Nature vs. urban nature

But how much and what kind of nature activities should you partake in to reap the benefits? After all, definitions of getting out in nature can range from hiking in the Olympic National Forest to watching a forest scene via a virtual reality headset.
For Tandon and colleagues, nature includes a spectrum of different types of exposure to elements from the natural world, from an office with a view of green space to those Amazon spheres to backcountry wilderness. And what exactly you consider nature isn’t as important as how often you’re exposed to it, says Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., a researcher in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington who is a co-author on the study with Tandon and conducts research on nearby nature and human health.
“Research doesn’t support the claim that you can only get health benefits from being in the wilderness. While wilderness experiences are beneficial, it’s just as important to have nature incorporated into your daily life,” she says.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Perrigo Park Turf Replacement



I talked with the city Parks Program Administrator yesterday to learn more about this Perrigo athletic field turf replacement and others in the hopper.  Apparently, the city decided to use cork infill rather than traditional *crumb rubber since cork is proven to be non-toxic and the field is located near a city wellhead.  In addition, cork is recyclable. The field is well drained so staff wasn't concerned about cork floating up and washing away.  

The Hartman Park turf fields are aging and could be replaced in 2-4 years.  Water pools up on these fields so drainage improvements are necessary for a cork installation.  It's my understanding Hartman fields are in or near a wellhead protection zone.  For a variety of reasons the city is holding off on their decision as to what materials they will use here.

After extensive study last year, the Bellevue School District decided to use coated crumb rubber on all their fields with the exception of elementary school play areas; cork will be used.  If you think LWSD would be interested in this information contact them at communications@lwsd.org. The video is excellent and I urge you to listen to it.

B. Yoder, opinion

*The use of crumb rubber infill is somewhat controversial and has been widely studied.  A Redmond resident Dr. David Morton actively participated in council's decision-making process, recommending the city not infill with crumb rubber.   

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Redmond Police Still Searching for Suspect in Armed Robbery

On 01/03/18, at about 5:39 pm, Redmond Police responded to a report of an Armed Robbery in the 8800 block of 161st Ave NE at the Mud Bay Pet Store.  The victim called 911 to report that she was just robbed at gunpoint inside the business.
The suspect approached the victim inside of a store, pointed a handgun at her, and indicated for her purse.  The victim immediately surrendered her property and the suspect fled.  The victim and witnesses described the male as a black male in his 20s, about 5'9" to 5'11" with a lean build.  The suspect was lighter skinned with dark eyes and a hood covering his head.  The victim worked with a sketch artist and the sketch is attached.
A police K9 from the Renton Police Department assisted in attempting to track the suspect but the suspect was not located.  
Anyone with information can call 911 or, if in a safe location, the Redmond Police Department non-emergency line at 425.556.2500.  Redmond Police are actively investigating this case and appreciate any suspect info that can help identify this brazen robber.  
-- Andrea Wolf-Buck, Public Engagement Coordinator awolf-buck@redmond.gov 425-440-1316 (edited press release to identify robbery location)

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Steve Fields, "Redmond Person of the Year"

Steve Fields speaking at his post-election party

Steve Fields won Council position #2 by bringing a new perspective to how council members value their constituents.  He gave, and is giving, hope and inspiration to passionate "outsiders" to run for office -- reinvigorating city governance.  While taking on the Establishment during the campaign, Mr. Fields proved he's a very strong, courageous, intelligent and experienced leader willing to speak up for his constituents to move our city, urban centers and neighborhoods forward.

B. Yoder
2017

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Updated: "Unanimity rarely results in good outcomes"

In the Council meetings I've watched of late, Mr. Myers has been the only council member  mildly challenging his peers and staff on mayoral-supported issues while the other six sit unresponsive seemingly in fear of upsetting the Administration's non-transparent management style. Our Council - Mayor balance is seriously out of kilt favoring the Administration.  Hopefully the new Council (legislatures) will "check and balance" the Mayor (our CEO) to more fairly and justly represent the people who elected them. - B. Yoder


Image result for redmond reporter image

Redmond Reporter  Letter to the Editor, Thursday, December 7, 2017 


"Unanimity rarely results in good outcomes"  by Richard Grubb. 


I agree with Redmond City Council member Hank Myers’ letter that the council needs more brains. But where to start?
In defending the city council’s 7-0 votes, Mr. Myers claims that proposals have already been “thoroughly vetted” by a lengthy administrative process when they reach the council. This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislative process. An important function of a legislative body is as a check on the permanent government. It is not enough that elected officials merely say yea or nay, their duty is to bring a considered deliberation to the process. It is essential that elected officials, when they do not have independent staff, do their own unbiased research and not depend upon a bureaucracy that may provide information, either consciously or unconsciously, to support a predetermined outcome. This check on the permanent government is essential.
Once a proposal comes to the full council, each member should apply his/her distinct knowledge and intelligence to the issue through an open process of debate, opinion, counter-opinion and argument to ensure that the policy to be adopted by the council is congruent with the desires and needs of the citizens of Redmond. Unanimity rarely results in good outcomes.
Mr. Myers might want to google an erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn, who remarked, when two people agree on everything, only one of them is doing the thinking. So, who is doing the thinking for the seven in lock-step council members?
Given the council’s proclivity for agreement, Mr. Myers’ kidney analogy may be appropriate. Since a body can get by on only one kidney, perhaps the city council is unnecessary.
Richard Grubb
Redmond
Hank Myers wrote a subsequent letter further "delving into council meetings."  

Friday, December 15, 2017

Updated: Deputy Superintendent Dr. Holmen explains Choice Schools

In this video, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Holmen discusses the district's two school options -- Neighborhood Schools and Choice Schools. He's a very good speaker and I'm so happy the District and LWPTSA are providing this media. It's long, but listen up to minute 12:28 and you'll get the gist.  There's lots of good information here.  I found it interesting the proposed 2018 bond was first advertised as funding a Redmond OR Sammamish Choice school.   In this recording, Dr. Holmen clarified that the proposed Choice school will be in Sammamish.



This presentation is terrific and offers interesting and useful information, yet little opportunity for feedback,  (The district could learn from us.)  It makes an assumption of what the community wants for educational program services without confirmation.  It's a super presentation with good information but it's difficult to take it all in and digest.  In my opinion, School Options would be a good topic for an "online open house."  Shannon Parthemer, Director of Communications and Community Engagement, could probably fill you in on the concept. sparthemer@lwsd.org 

Happy Holidays!

B. Yoder, opinion

Thursday, December 14, 2017

New Council Members sworn in

Redmond, WA – In a ceremony prior to last night’s Council meeting, newly elected Redmond residents Dr. Jeralee Anderson (Council Position 6), Steve Fields (Council Position 2) and Tanika Padhye (Council Position 4) were officially sworn in. Their terms are effective January 2018 through December 2021.
Fields has lived in Redmond for over 30 years. He worked across all functions of government in his positions at King County and the City of Seattle in the Executive offices. Fields guided elected officials on policy, budget and operational improvements. He advised department heads and their staff to help the government perform better. Fields is also a Redmond small business owner with his wife.
Dr. Anderson earned her doctorate in sustainability from the University of Washington Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering in the Heavy Civil & Construction Engineering Program. Dr. Anderson is CEO of Greenroads Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit located in Redmond. She co-founded the company in 2010 and now works with government agencies and private industry on hundreds of green transportation projects. Jeralee is a 7-year resident of Redmond.
Padhye was previously appointed by Council and filling a vacancy in Position 4 since last March. She has lived in Redmond for 14 years and has served on both the City of Redmond’s Planning and Parks and Trails Commission. She has been a member of the Community Centers Stakeholder group and contributed to updates on the PARCC Plan and projects including Redmond Central Connector (Phase II) and the Downtown Park. She is a licensed attorney in the State of Washington, with legal expertise ranging from work as a Civil Rights Investigator to cases dealing with employment and housing discrimination.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Padhye and welcome both Fields and Anderson in their new Council positions. They bring a fresh perspective to the Council that is reflective of our community. I’m confident that through Council's combined experiences we will continue to lead in the region and represent the priorities of Redmond residents,” stated Council President Hank Margeson.
Dr. Jeralee Anderson (Council Position 6)
Jeralee2
Steve Fields (Council Position 2)
Steve Fields
Tanika Padhye (Council Position 4)
Padhye3

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

OPINION: School district tax rate structure and 2018 bond need study

Dr. Traci Pierce, LWSD Superintendent, and Eric Campbell of Main Street Property Group will be featured speakers at the January 4th Education Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.  (7 pm, United Baptist Church)  Mark your calendars!

-- By Paige Norman, Founder, Education Hill Neighborhood Association (EdHNA.)

There has been a lot of conversation about the upcoming Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Bond and Levy proposal in February 2018

  • What is a Levy? A “Levy” is a pay-as-you-go-model; a certain amount of money is collected each year for a limited number of years.
  • What is a Bond? A “Bond” resembles a mortgage; a bond is sold with a promise to pay back the money to the bond buyer with interest. The payments are made with the portion of the property tax devoted to bond measures. Bonds are up to 20-years in maturity dates. Bonds are sold as needed to build schools; so not all bonds are sold at once. https://paigesprattle.blogspot.com/2013/11/>

Over the years I have NOT been a supporter of Bonds because I have felt the District didn’t use the money in valuable ways for the future of the District.
 
In the past the District has used “leftover” monies from Bonds to build Portable/temporary classrooms (that turn into long-term classrooms) instead of using the funds to build brick-and-mortar buildings that house more students and have a longer life-span (not to mention bathrooms and aesthetics). 

Visit King County's online open house to review sewer improvement plans in Redmond

The King County's "Online Open House" (OOH) concept is an excellent communications tool.  I  e-mailed the Mayor and City Council recommending use of (OOH) to educate, engage and attract citizen feedback on projects of importance to Redmond residents and the city. After couched discussion by our elected during last night's study session, the Mayor and Council President Margeson appeared supportive. An OOH would have been useful during the Community Centers campaign. In the future, the tool could be used for:  Design Review analysis, LWSD connections, transportation projects, major proposed land-uses, homelessness, small business, and affordable housing. - B.Yoder

King County's Press Release:

Summary
King County is hosting an online open house to enable people to review and comment on plans for its Lake Hills and NW Sammamish Sewer Upgrade Project in Redmond. The online open house is available through Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018.

Story
field work photoPeople interested in learning more about King County’s Lake Hills and NW Lake Sammamish Sewer upgrade Project are invited to participate in an online open house through Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018.

Because project construction will be noticeable to users of West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Marymoor and Idylwood parks, and the Sammamish River Trail when it begins in 2020, King County hopes people will review design plans and share input on ways to minimize construction-related disruption.

Community member feedback so far indicates people put a high priority on preserving summertime park and trail access, coordinating construction schedules with nearby schools, and workable detours for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. People also value protecting plant and animal habitat.

King County’s Lake Hills and NW Sammamish Sewer Upgrade Project entails upgrading nearly 4.5 miles of sewer pipe in Redmond to meet the needs of the growing community.

In addition to adding more capacity, King County will also install 1.5 miles of recycled water pipeline as part of the project, which could expand potential use of this resource in the future.

Additional information on the Lake Hills and NW Sammamish Sewer Upgrade Project is available online, or by contacting Kelly Foley at 206-477-8621.

This release is also posted on the Department of Natural Resources and Parks website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/dnrp.aspx

Spread the good cheer! Make Christmas for someone else possible by donating blood

HOLY  CROSS  BLOOD  DRIVE              FRI., DEC 22nd                        12-6pm

Image result for blood donation images An especially Merry Christmas to all who have donated blood over the last year at Holy Cross or the other churches in our Redmond Interfaith Blood Drives.  While you are celebrating the holidays with family and friends, others may be signed up for a surgery or need a transfusion just to have a little more energy to keep going.  YOU can help them enjoy their holidays, too, by offering to donate on:  

            FRIDAY,  DEC 22nd   
            12-6pm  (closed 2:30-3:30pm)

We'll have lots of yummy Christmas goodies to share with donors and those that “try to give”, too!

Church of Holy Cross  (corner of 162nd AVE NE and NE 116th ST )

Friday, December 8, 2017

UPDATED: Redmond Neighborhood Blog "About Us" is revised and edited

Bob, Lexie and Pam
Here's the revision....

The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" mission is to keep our community better informed, connected and responsive to each other, with attention to local governments and our neighborhoods. My vision is positive. progressive change in our community.       

I've lived in Redmond 38 years and started blogging about 10 years ago. When I first moved here from the mid-west to sell medical supplies, Redmond was a rural one-stoplight town.  My family loved visiting the downtown feed store to play with the chicks; golf the downtown course; drive through the horse farms; line up at for ice cream and fresh milk at Thenos and generally just enjoy a peaceful lifestyle away from the big city. Well, those days are over.  

I've been writing "Redmond Blog" under a known premise that governments fostering "transparency (openness) and participation" are good governments.  My open government reporting of the City includes reporting on the Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth District governments. Transparency is improving and our local governments are healthier.  

Several environmental issues in the mid-2000's tormented me so I started blogging to cope, "get the word out," and leverage voice. (A city planning commissioner Korby Parnel suggested I write a blog.) Environmental Issue 1:  A  housing project on Education Hill threatened the neighborhood forest and an important wetland frequented by science teachers. Public notice was pathetic so we got the word out. Mayor Ives negotiated a wider buffer. Notice was improved; two neighborhood meetings are now required. Issue 2:  Hiking along Evans Creek in the city's southwest industrial district we found and reported riparian buffers severely abused by a wood recycling company.  We were surprised the city "let this go" so leveraged voice. Soon, six state and local agencies were called in for remediation. Mayor Marchione later proclaimed "Riparian, as habitat of local importance."  Issue 3: Years later, Lower Bear Creek was threatened by a WSDOT SR520 widening project.  We worked with city and state officials to raise awareness and request funding. The creek was eventually re-aligned to preserve federally protected salmon habitat.  

Years ago, I found Evergreen Hospital's concealed public Board commission's chambers and started attending their meetings and reporting on them.  Public Record Requests revealed an executive/pediatrician's salary of $600,000 and other misfeasance.  In short time, CEO Brown abruptly resigned and the commissioners hired Bob Malte from Colorado Springs as CEO.  Mr. Malte reshuffled personnel and re-branded Evergreen to "EvergreenHealth."  The hospital currently is winning many regional and national awards under Malte's helm.