EvergreenHealth Puts $325 Million Bond Measure On The April Ballot

King County Public Hospital District No.2 (EvergreenHealth) will ask district residents and families to approve $325,000,000 for 1) an extensive seismic retrofit, 2) a family maternity care refresh, 3) relocation of the Critical Care Unit with enhancements to the Silver Tower 4) office buildings and 5) IT.  The bulk of the bond will go towards the seismic retrofit.

Regarding the seismic retrofits Laurene Burtonm the hospital's Executive Director of Community Affairs said:

"Our goal is to not just be safe, but to be available when the region needs us most and be open and ready to care immediately for patients in our community and beyond, in the event of a catastrophic earthquake." 

"In 2004 when we went to the voters to build the Emergency Department safety was paramount. We have been good stewards of your tax dollars.  Through these seismic upgrades, we will provide the safest environment for our entire community from our tiniest babies to those in critical care."

The Board of Commissioners decided not to include a behavioral health clinic in their bond ask.  

For details about the UTGO bond "read more."

UPDATED: Looming taxes continue to burden property owners

In the City Council's committee meeting on 10/23 Melisa Files, Director of Finance reported:

1)  Revenues were up by 5% of target and
2)  Expenditures were 4% below target

So "we are in a nice place to be" says Ms. Files.

Yes we are, many thanks to the "surge in permitting fees" from development and a "one-time construction tax," according to Files. 

Historically, the City has assessed  property owners the State's maximum allowable 1% property tax.  But times have changed and the City is swimming in revenue like never before from the massive development of our Downtown and Overlake urban centers.

Owing to this unprecedented growth the City of Redmond should change their practices and forgo the 1% property tax this year.  Residents are already burdened by looming school district taxes and in April, an EvergreenHealth $300M bond initiative, among other taxes.

It's time the City tightens their belt.

-- Bob Yoder, Opinion

Sources:  City Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
                EvergreenHealth commission meetings
                Landscape       

Redmond Historical Society announces November Speaker program

The Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series is pleased to announce its November program: 

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Washington at War: The Evergreen State in World War I

Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series

Redmond Senior Center

8703 160^th Ave NE, Redmond WA 98052

$5 suggested donation for non-members

Speakers are subject to change.

For details: www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org       

The city and residents partner with PSE to reduce CO-2 emissions

Residents can enroll in PSE's Green Power program and with an additional $10 payment on their electrical bill can reduce 12,420 pounds of CO-2 emissions annually to 231 pounds per year.  

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond is partnering with Puget Sound Energy to purchase 100 percent of its electricity for government operations from dedicated, local, renewable energy resources. Green Direct, PSE’s innovative renewable energy product for governments and commercial entities, consists of a combination of wind and solar.

Redmond is joining Green Direct in its second phase. Phase one included a new wind project in Western Washington and was fully subscribed in 2017. Phase two will include a new solar project in south-central Washington, which is expected to be completed in 2021.

By subscribing to Green Direct, the City of Redmond is taking an essential step in reducing its carbon footprint and meeting the goals of its Climate Action Plan. The City of Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan make clear that the City of Redmond is committed to addressing climate change locally, regionally and nationally by acting to lessen greenhouse gas emissions.

Opinion: We need more school buses

If all students in LWSD who were eligible for school bus transportation were provided bus service and rode the bus to school, the traffic jams around our schools would not exist. The trouble is that our students are not provided with buses so their parents must drive them to school. 

Note that in Washington State, students who must walk more than a mile to school are eligible for bus transportation as part of basic education. (See the section on the 1-mile walk-area in 28A-160-160 in the R C W)

Innovative outdoor education in the school district

I'm so happy our schools are taking this innovative hands-on approach to learning, What do you think?

Lake Washington School District continues to have unprecedented growth

2018-19 brings a 10th year of significant growth to the District

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD) official October 1 student enrollment was 29,987 students. This represents 417 more students than last year’s October 1 count.

For the last 10 years, from 2008 to 2018, the district’s enrollment grew by approximately 620 students each year. That is the size of a large elementary school. A total of 6,218 more students are in LWSD schools today than 10 years ago, representing 26 percent growth.

“Our enrollment growth is reflective of our thriving communities,” said Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent. “We are grateful for the support of our community as we strive to find solutions to support our rapidly growing student population.”

Enrollment growth is forecasted to continue. The district anticipates growing an additional 2,000 students in the next four years. These forecasts take into account the number of births in our area, current enrollment patterns and planned development within district borders.

LWSD is the third largest school district in Washington state, behind only Seattle and Spokane. The district is projected to be the second largest in the state within a few years.

10/2018

EvergreeenHealth commissioner steps down

EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners Representative, Jeanette Greenfield, Steps Down Early from Board

I am hopeful the Board will appoint a resident who will move Mental Health care forward.  BY

Kirkland, Wash. – Jeanette Greenfield has announced her plans to resign her position as EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners, At-Large effective December 18, 2018. Greenfield will be traveling extensively over the next year and unable to fulfill her board obligations.

While Greenfield’s term ends on December 31, 2019, she has opted to end her term this year in order to allow the board to appoint her replacement. The Board will select a representative later this year for the at-large position to fill Greenfield’s post.

Redmond Historical Society marks milestones amid many changes

Redmond Reporter published this thorough and interesting report on the Redmond Historical Society -- an organization embedded into the fabric and culture of City of Redmond and our neighborhoods. Katie Metzgar, the author, graduated from Redmond High School the same year as my daughter Lexie.  Last week she wrote an excellent article about Hopelink's  "Reaching Out event."  

- Bob Yoder
10/23

Water Tenders 2018 "Salmon Seeson" is cancelled -- lack of rain

Water Tender President Susan Wilkins at  Issaquah fish hatchery 

Every year from September - October during the "Salmon Seeson" you will find the Water Tenders at North Bear Creek educating children, families and adults about the life cycle of salmon.  This Fall was the 4-year cycle for sockeye so we were expecting a good run.  The Water Tenders put up sandwich board signs along Avondale Road to direct viewers to the creek. We usually see a lot of  returning salmon but this year owing to a prolonged drought there were none to be seen so the exhibit was shut down. Usually over 100 viewers walk up the trail to see coho, sockeye and chinook salmon.

Every year the Water Tenders pick up 1-2 Chinook salmon from the Issaquah fish hatchery for their Bear Creel exhibit.  Susan Wilkins, Water Tenders President says,"this is an excellent way for viewers to see and touch the gills, scaling, and fins for show and tell."  Here's a picture of Susan at the hatchery standing by two chinook she was saving for the exhibit.

Salmon docent holding chinook 

According to their mission statement, "The Water Tenders are a group of individuals who care about the wetlands and streams in King County. We are your neighbors, friends, and family. All of us are willing donate our time and energy to preserving, protecting and restoring the wonderful natural  heritage of Washington State. We believe that it is our community’s responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources in order to preserve them for the next generations. Water Tenders was founded in 1989 and is proud to have spearheaded and accomplished many efforts towards those ends."

A few other Water Tenders projects are removal of invasive Knotweed and Blackberry shrubs from wetlands and creeks, monitoring the Western Pearlschell populations -- an indicator of stream health -- measuring rainfall within the Bear Creek Basin, and activism to protect wetlands and streams from proposed environmental sensitive land-use developments.   

If you'd like more information about the Water Tenders or want to join this non--profit ($25) please e-mail Bob at redmondblog@gmail.com  

 -- Bob Yoder
Photos, Yoder

Plant park trees to restore Redmond forests

"yours truly"

Save the date to plant trees with the Green Redmond Partnership!  Join us at Juel Park on Saturday, October 27th, 9 am - Noon to help keep our forests healthy and green. Everyone can help! All ages welcome, no experience necessary. Green Redmond will have all gloves and tools for you to use, as well as coffee and snacks to get the morning started.

Planting events will be held at two other park sites this year. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged as some sites will fill up.  Find your favorite park and sign up via the link below!

We only have a few more spots open to volunteer with us on Oct 27th, so please email us below if you would like to sign up. Sign up at www.greenredmond.org.

-- Bob Yoder

Source:  redmond.gov

Redmond fire department's show of force

Internet photo

At 4:30 pm last week we saw five Redmond fire trucks, a medic truck and battalion SUV adjacent Value Village and Anderson Park on Cleveland and Redmond Way.  Firefighters were walking in full gear with their axes and other tools without a sense of  urgency. Abundant lights were flashing on all trucks but no fire, smoke or fire-hose water was seen. They appeared to be in some kind of "logistical training." 

-- Bob Yoder

Downtown Park pavilion art

Credit:  B Yoder

October 4th

City to raise Police salaries

redmond.gov

The City of Redmond and the Redmond Police Association (RPA) have successfully completed a collaborative negotiation process resulting in the proposed 2019-2021 Labor Agreement.

The Redmond Police Association represents uniformed, commissioned Police Officers, Police Sergeants, and new for 2019, Corporals.

In 2019, Officer base salaries will increase by 4 percent, plus an additional approximate 1.19 percent to move the ranges to be competitive in the market. In 2019, there will also be a one-time cost of $15,249 to add vacation time to 37 employees’ banks so that the Labor Agreement will be consistent with the City personnel manual with regard to vacation accrual.

Police Officer (effective January 1, 2019)
    > $79.608/year 0-12 months
    > $92,916/year 49+ months
Corporal:  $101,424/year
Sergeant:  $108,516/year

As second raise was negotiated effective January 1, 2020.

Police Officer (effective January 1, 2021)
     > $85,272/year 0-12 months
     > $98,760/year 49+ months
Corporal: $108,636/year
Sergeant: $116,244/year

Source:  10/16/18 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda

-- Bob Yoder