Lake Washington School District, "follow the money"

"In November 2005, the Board passed Resolution No. 1969 authorizing a special election on February 7, 2006 in order to propose the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $436 million. The bonds were to be used for Phase II of the district’s modernization program which modernized 11 schools and built one new school (Carson Elementary). The bond election passed, and the district proceeded to sell $425 million of the bonds over the next six years to complete the projects. The projects were completed on time and under budget.

In October 2014, the Board passed Resolution No. 2196 authorizing the remaining bond proceeds and State Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) funds to be redirected to additional projects to serve the district’s growing enrollment. These short-term capacity projects included portables, upgrades to classrooms, an addition, future bond planning, internal building modifications, and property acquisition. After completion of these projects, there is approximately $24 million of SCAP funds remaining.

In October 2018, the Board passed Resolution No. 2257 authorizing the sale of the remaining $11 million of the bonds approved by voters in February 2006. Of this combined $31 million, $7 million will be used for portables. The remaining $24 million, plus the $120 million voter approved April 2019 Capital Projects levy, will be used for the district’s critical capacity projects

These projects include an addition to Lake Washington High School; auxiliary gym and commons expansions; classroom additions to Carson, Franklin, Rose Hill, and Twain elementary schools; and district-wide upgrades to building safety and security measures.

In order to redirect the unspent bond funds and unallocated state matching funds on additional projects, it is necessary for the board to hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution modifying the original bond resolution. A public hearing has been scheduled for May 6. Action on the adopting the resolution will be placed on the May 20 agenda.

RECOMMENDATION The Board of Directors holds a public hearing regarding redirecting of bond proceeds and matching funds as outlined in Resolution No. 2270."

-- LWSD website
    School Board meeting packet, 5/6/2019
   Bob Yoder, 5/6/2019

School district considers new start times

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to give students the opportunity to get the amount of sleep they need, but most American adolescents start school too early.

This video was made last year when school start times changed. when a seven-period day was implemented for high school students. This change took effect starting on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 4, 2018. 

A School Start Time Advisory is meeting this year to study the impacts of potentially changing high school start times to later in future years. The Advisory includes staff and parents from elementary, middle and high school levels. They will make a recommendation for any potential further changes to school start and end times. Further changes in the 2019-2020 school year may or not occur, depending on their recommendation. There is still ample opportunity for families to provide input throughout the process. Any changes to the high school start and end times result in adjustments to middle and elementary start and end times due to transportation.

-- LWSD website
   edited excerpt

State Performance Audit On Student Homelessness

The homeless are not always who you think they are.
Internet

Opportunities to Better Identify and Serve K-12 Students Experiencing Homelessness:

Washington has the eighth-highest rate of identified student homelessness in the country. The number of identified homeless students in Washington’s kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) education system has grown to more than 40,000. This marks more than a 30 percent increase in student homelessness between the 2012-13 and 2016-17 school years.

EDITED: Lime bike shares are here, parking on neighborhood sidewalks

Credit/ Bob Yoder, 7:30 pm

I was surprised and bothered to see my first lime ebike (electric) in my Education Hill neighborhood 5:30pm a few days ago. The cyclist was riding on the sidewalk, not always safe since electric bikes are powerful.  Then, tonight I saw this ebike share parked on a sidewalk in a nearby cul-de-sac' It was left by a college student.  "It only costs a dollar" said the little boy.

According to new city code AND Jill Smith, Director of Communications  bike and scooter share vehicles will be allowed to park on sidewalks in neighborhoods so long as 5 feet of the sidewalk is free from obstruction. “Well, as good citizens we can always move them off the sidewalk.   Though bike shares are useful downtown, as more come up the hill we may find them less than desirable. Please, please stay downtown, where they have the most benefit. If you have questions write: council@redmond.gov 

-- Bob Yoder

May is "Mental Health Awareness Month"

Prevalence Of Mental Illness

• Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. (46.6 million) experiences mental illness in a given year.1 
• Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. (11.2 million) experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.2
• Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%.3
• 1.1% of adults in the U.S. live with schizophrenia.4
• 2.6% of adults in the U.S. live with bipolar disorder.5
• 6.9% of adults in the U.S.—16 million—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.6
• 18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias.7
• Among the 20.2 million adults in the U.S. who experienced a substance use disorder, 50.5%—10.2 million adults—had a co-occurring mental illness.8

Social Stats

• An estimated 26% of homeless adults staying in shelters live with serious mental illness and an estimated 46% live with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders.9
• Approximately 20% of state prisoners and 21% of local jail prisoners have “a recent history” of a mental health condition.10
• 70% of youth in juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness.11
• Only 41% of adults in the U.S. with a mental health condition received mental health services in the past year. Among adults with a serious mental illness, 62.9% received mental health services in the past year.8
• Just over half (50.6%) of children with a mental health condition aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year.12
• African Americans and Hispanic Americans each use mental health services at about one-half the rate of Caucasian Americans and Asian Americans at about one-third the rate.13
• Half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14; three-quarters by age 24. Despite effective treatment, there are long delays—sometimes decades—between the first appearance of symptoms and when people get help.14

Consequences Of Lack Of Treatment

• Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.15
• Mood disorders, including major depression, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18–44.16
• Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions.17 Adults in the U.S. living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions.18
• Over one-third (37%) of students with a mental health condition age 14­–21 and older who are served by special education drop out—the highest dropout rate of any disability group.19
• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 10–34.20
• More than 90% of people who die by suicide show symptoms of a mental health condition.21
• Each day an estimated 18-22 veterans die by suicide.22

Citations

"425 magazine" awards EvergreenHealth for sixth time

Kirkland, Wash. – 425 magazine recently recognized EvergreenHealth as the Eastside’s “Best Hospital & Health System” in the publication’s 2019 Best of 425 poll. The award honors EvergreenHealth for the sixth time in seven years for delivering high-quality, comprehensive care and services to patients and their families throughout King and Snohomish Counties.

Each year 425, the Eastside’s premier lifestyle publication, asks readers to vote for their most preferred local organizations, from hotels and museums, to attorneys and health care providers.

UPDATED: Hearing Examiner Approves Emerald Heights Project

According to a City planner, the decision will be appealed in the Superior Court

        In a 104 page document, the Redmond Hearing Examiner (a land-use attorney) described his decision to approve Emerald Heights construction of a 54-unit Assisted Living building and a 42-unit Independent Living building. According to the Examiner, these new buildings are intended to allow conversion of the existing 40-unit assisted living building into private, single occupancy skilled nursing suites.

The campus currently has 333 independent living units, 40 assisted living units, 16 memory care units, and 61 skilled nursing units for a total of 450 residential units.  The campus features a main  multi-purpose auditorium, fitness building, pool, communal courtyard, woodland walking trails, and gardening opportunities. There's an existing public transit stop on 176th Avenue NE near the campus entrance.

BACKGROUND

Abby Road HOA residents living next to the Emerald Heights' 38-acre parcel appealed the SEPA, and challenged the Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Entitlement. The volume of public record was an astounding 8,000 pages creating significant expenses and review time.  Retired city councilmember John Stilin and his wife led the way.

Besides zoning, the following issues Stilin et al appealed were:

1) Severe aesthetic impacts from converting the "greenbelt buffer" forested area where the assisted building is proposed. They argued the assisted living building was inappropriate in height, bulk, scale, architecture, and siting;
2) Loss of privacy and view for those residences that are nearest, and all passerby/neighborhood views were permanently altered;
3) Serious lighting impacts from the height of the building; No guarantee the building would be fully screened by proposed plantings;
4) Significant loss of native vegetation and trees reducing stormwater drainage and impacting aesthetics.  Local wildlife would be impacted to the detriment of the residents and visitors who enjoy the wildlife.
5) Potential for improper disposal of hazardous materials; Emission of noxious and hazardous odors and vapor from the institutional kitchen.
And the list goes on....

Redmond Hearing Examiner Contact Information:  Phone: 425.556.2191.  Email: cdxanthos@redmond.gov.  City Clerk's Office.

Source:  Redmond Hearing Examiner
              Findings, Conclusions, Decisions
              Abby Road HOA,et all Appeal (LAND-2018-00920) of DNS (SEPA-2018-00640)
              LAND-2018-00586 --Conditional Use Permit/land-2018-00617 --Site Plan Entitlement.
Redmond City Council meetings.

Redmond Bank, circa 1912, on display at Marymoor Community Center

Jeff Hagen, Recreation Division Manager, showed me this picture of the Redmond Bank, circa 1912. (Redmond was founded the same year.)  It's from the Lake Washington Institute of Technology collection.  Several other historic pictures are on display at the Marymoor Community Center. Jeff might be able to show you around.

The two trees in the background mark where the Downtown Park is today.  The bank is at the corner of Cleveland & Leary. Homegrown and Molly Moon are to the left. The Toreador restaurant is to the right unseen. In the distance, Cleveland Street looks more like a trail way!

-- Bob Yoder, 4/27

Updated: A downtown "pocket park"

Photo credit /Bob Yoder

I'm sure you've seen this downtown "pocket park." One of our elected said it's private property. It's on the corner of NE 83 Street and 166th.  Currently, there's construction equipment on the site. (An asphalt roller and another big piece of equipment.)  I hope this tiny green space isn't torn away!  All we have left in the downtown that's treed is the Heron Rookery. Have you seen other patches?

-- Bob Yoder

Significant litter was noticeable at the intersection and has since been removed.  5/7/19
The construction equipment has been removed and replaced with two vehicles.  5/22

Updated: Notes On 4/23 Council Meeting

STAFF'S 2018 "YEAR IN REVIEW" 

Planner Carol Hellman presented private development stats. 

The following were built in 2018:

  >167 Single Family Homes

  >2025 Mixed-use family units

  >129,643 sf Commercial space 

Affordable housing units, at 80% AMI or less:  

   >130 units were built in 2018; Total of 693 affordable units now.

   >This year 60 units are in the pipeline; 150 units are in planning stages;  Thus, we may have a total of 903 affordable units by year end.  

   

Jon Spangler, Engineer and Manager of the Construction Division described major Public Works projects:  

  

>86% of the 2018 projects were under budget saving the city $2.5M.  This was accomplished without a Public Works Director.  (Our Fire Chief in now running Public works and his Deputy is running the Fire Department.) Councilmember Steve Fields was concerned about various staff vacancies and thanked Mr. Spangler for his fine work despite their lack of a Director.

    

>Mr.Spangler described key construction projects planned for 2019:  

    1)  Relocate the ERRATIC artwork from the future light rail track to a spot near the Matador. ST-3 will pay for it. (Indirectly, we pay for it.)  The relocation is estimated at $1M.

    2)  Unfortunately, Willows Road will have to be re-paved from 90th to 124th starting this summer. Sections of the re-paving will require extensive construction. Two culverts have to be installed next year. As Councilember Margeson indicated, this could be a traffic nightmare. Facebook will lease offices on Willows Road, adding to the traffic.  Councilmember Myers reiterated the value of a large 10-minute community project nearby (which will add to the construction traffic.)

    3) A 12-16 month project in the Fall to construct a tunnel under NE 40th to connect the SR520 ped/bike trail to Microsoft and the City.  

    4)  Rehabilitation the Cleveland Street sidewalk from 164th to 168th, owing to tree damage.  

    5)  A complicated pavement and private sewer line project on 187th. 

    6)  Installation of two sewer pump stations. 

Council President Angela Birney wasn't in attendance at this Study Session or the prior Council Committee meeting. V.P David Carson ran the Study Session.  

-- Bob Yoder, 4/25  
    Source:  4/23 Council Study Session & Council Committee of the Whole meeting.      

LWSD Capital Projects Levy Passing in Early Returns

Looking at the numbers,this levy is a done deal! B.Yoder 

Redmond, Wash. – In early returns on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, Lake Washington School District’s Capital Projects Levy was passing at a rate of 53.95 percent.

“We are grateful to our community for supporting this measure as we continue to experience rapid growth in our district,” said Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent.

Levy funds will pay for critical projects to address enrollment growth and student safety and security. Proposed projects include: classroom additions at Lake Washington High School, including auxiliary gyms and commons; classroom additions at Carson Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Rose Hill Elementary, and Twain Elementary, including expansion of core facilities where feasible; and support student safety by adding exterior security cameras at elementary schools and create entry modifications for security at Eastlake, Redmond and Lake Washington High Schools. (Juanita High School’s entry modifications will be added during the current construction project.)

LWSD is growing rapidly. LWSD’s 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.

Election Results: LWSD levy is ahead, EveregreenHealth behind

ELECTION RESULTS

CLICK "ELECTION RESULTS" FOR DAILY UPDATES

LWSD Proposition 1, Capital Projects Levy 

(50% majority required.)  

 53.95% "Yes" 

 46.05% "No" 

Public Hospital District No. 2 (EvergreenHealth) Proposition 1, Bonds for Hospital and Other Health Care Facilities. 

(60% majority required + at least 56,283 people needed who vote in the election living in the hospital district)

57.38%  "YES"

42.62%  "NO"  

55,537 votes counted, 3,771 to count, 26.47% turnout. 

Next ballot count at 4:00 PM, 4/24.

http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20190423/king/

Redmond's privately developed art initiative

This picture is temporary art placed in the Linear Park during a So. Bazaar event. It was later relocated to the Central Connector trail by Willows Road. I feel we need both temporary and permanent art installations in the Downtown Park. Temporary art installations are flexible and would provide the most variety. Of course, performing arts will enhance the Downtown experience.

This video is narrated by Carolyn J.Hope, City Parks Planning and Cultural Arts manager. As you'll see, the City is working hard to improve privately developed public art.  It was promulgated by development of the Marymoor Village urban center. The City went out of their way to engage the public. Their "look and feel" Visual Preference survey is the best I've ever seen in my 41 years. If you'd like to give feedback on privately developed public art (or art in general) contact Chris Weber. Chris is Administrator of the influential Arts & Culture Commission.

 -- Bob Yoder, opinion

Education Hill homeless encampment to leave mid-May

Camp Unity is located at St. Jude Parish close to Redmond Middle School and Horace Mann El.

The Camp Unity homeless encampment is smaller this year.  Last month, it was populated by 17 individuals and a couple.  The site maxes out at 40.  According to Pete, the camp manager, half of the residents have a job and half have disability income. Some meals are provided by the church; the church donates water and power, and a mobile shower and laundry services them. The homeless car lot nearby is not affiliated with Camp Unity.

As for safety, Camp Unity has warranty checks, a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, and does a sex offender check.  Camp Unity has been in operation for two years. It's a vast improvement over Tent City 4 which had a terrible community reputation.  

According to Pete, the City's Homeless Outreach Coordinator Kent Hay rarely visits, rather takes phone calls about twice a month. Pete says the camp will leave in mid-May for Woodinville and stay there until the end of the year. It operates in Redmond under a City 2017 temporary use permit which allows 3 visits/5 years.  

-- Bob Yoder 

Vote "YES" on the local measures

In thinking about the $345M EvergeenHealth 20-year bond, I can accept a need for seismic updates, a new critical care unit and enhanced maternity center but why couldn’t they tease out a million dollars for psychiatric care for which we have none?  A million dollars could pay for an out-patient psychiatric clinic in one or more key district cities like Kenmore.  Overhead for these clinics is lower than urgent care facilities which need expensive equipment like ultrasound and more extensive infrastructure. Full service psychiatric nurses can perform just as a psychiatrist but at half the cost.  Evergreen has significant revenue and should be able to pay for these nurses, just as they do for nurses at their urgent cares. It appears, money spent enhancing the maternity center (which we already have) makes the $345 bond more palatable than mental health care. This saddens me. One in five Americans have a mental health condition according to the National Institute of Mental Health. As our community hospital, EvergreenHealth should take care of them.  All said and done, I will vote "YES" on Proposition 1 because I feel the expense is very low considering all that we are getting; and I want to support our community hospital.   

As for the LWSD Capital Bond Levy, I will be voting "YES" for all the right reasons. My only concern is about the money we are dumping into 11 of our schools for geothermal heating. Yes, geothermal is a wonderful thing but the payback period is 35 years for a 75-year school.  

I wish I could be more excited about paying for all these valuable improvements coming to our schools and the hospital.  In voting "YES" I feel passing these measures significantly moves our community forward during these critical times. Please vote.  

-- Bob Yoder 

###

On King County's "Localscape" I ran the numbers to find my 2019 tax from the proposed LWSD and EvergreeHealth public hospital measures, Simply enter your address. Also, find your 2019 taxes for the library, sound transit, port, flood control, city, county and other jurisdictions. 

https://localscape.spatialest.com/#kingcountyassessor/Tax

I learned my current 2019 tax is $5989.01

Based on 2018 property values, the LWSD Capital Bond Levy would cost me $196.04.
My 2018 LWSD local taxes cost $1735.  Thus, my total local taxes if  Proposition 1 passes is $1931.04. Approximately $196.00 will be levied for six years. If you have questions e-mail Shannon Parthemer at sparthemer@lwsd.org

Based on 2018 property values, the EvergreenHealth Proposition 1 Bond would cost me $121.68/year
My current 2019 property tax is $197. Current capital bonds debt retirement is $60.77. Thus, my total EvergreenHealth tax for 2019 after Proposition 1 is $257/year. If you have questions call Laurene Burton at 425.899.2667.

Easy Steps to Prevent the Tragedy of Children Falling From Windows, King County recommendations

Internet

Warm weather is coming, and so is the potential for tragedy. It can happen quickly, even under parent supervision, an open window and a child leaning outside. 

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, a member of the King County Board of Health, was joined today by first responders and medical professionals to point out how easy steps can prevent a life-altering tragedy.  Kathy Lambert is our Redmond representative.

OPINION: Central Connector Parking Lot Art

Credit/ City of Redmond, WA,

THE CITY REMOVED PICTURES FROM THEIR WEBSITE OF ALL THEIR ICONIC OUTDOOR ART including "SKY PAINTING" where a large parking lot was painted for all to see from a helicopter. I like "SIGNALS" in the linear park but the taxpayers will have to spend $1M to relocate the "ERRATIC" from the light rail line. 

In-person discussions of public/private art

Grasslawn Park art

Redmond, WA – For several years, the City has encouraged the private sector to play a more significant role in place-making through the provision of public art in private developments.  However, the code requires some clarification to make the process easier for developers and the City to administer.  The City is seeking input from all community members, developers doing business or interested in doing business in Redmond, and artists.

Several in-person group discussions, an online presentation and poll, and opportunities to meet with staff one on one will take place in April. These activities help the City better understand the community’s thoughts about the definition of public art, the process for reviewing privately developed public art, and how best to administer the in-lieu fund for public art. 

“We are excited that many developers are already coming in with proposals for public art incorporated into their projects.” said Carolyn Hope, Park Planning and Cultural Arts Manager.

Please join one of the group meetings for an in-person discussion at Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village, Room 206 on April 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., April 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., and April 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A 3D virtual tour of Margaret Mead Elementary in Sammamish

Click on the links below to jump to updates for other projects funded by the 2016 bond: 

• Timberline Middle School
  
• Juanita High School
• Old Redmond Schoolhouse
• Ella Baker Elementary School
• Clara Barton Elementary School
• Explorer Community School

EvergreenHealth proposes $345 million bond for extensive seismic upgrades, a new critical care unit, and more

EvergreenHealth Medical Center

April 23rd, 2019 Special Election:   "One of the most critical components of the April 23rd, $345 million initiative are extensive seismic upgrades to the oldest areas of the original hospital built in 1972. While all facilities meet the building codes that were in place at the time of their construction, retrofitting those areas to today’s most advanced seismic standards will enable EvergreenHealth to remain a viable resource in the event of a catastrophic earthquake. Given the medical center campus’ geographical location, EvergreenHealth is slated by experts to be the most viable and accessible option for medical care after a catastrophic earthquake in the region.

A second component of the initiative is a modernized Family Maternity Center. Planned renovations include redesigned rooms to better accommodate families and provide space for advanced equipment and technology, an optimized layout that increases efficiency for provider teams, and an updated entrance and OB emergency department to offer a more comfortable environment for patients in early labor. Expanding the Family Maternity Center will also accommodate more families and laboring mothers.

The third feature is construction of a new Critical Care Unit (CCU) and relocating it to EvergreenHealth’s Silver Tower. Relocating the CCU to the third floor of the Silver tower will position it near other specialties that often coordinate with critical care providers, while also enhancing patients’ and families’ experience during their stay. 

The proposed ballot measure will provide $345 million over 20 years, which translates to an average of $0.18 per $1,000 of assessed home value per year over the life of the bonds. Thus, a homeowner of a $700,000 home in EvergreenHealth’s district would pay an average of $10.50 per month, for a total of $126 per year over the life of the bonds.  A $500,000 home would pay $91/year.

-- Kay Taylor, EvergreenHealth

To see the April 23rd Special Election ballot measure, "read more."
All ballots must be postmarked by April 23rd or placed in a drop box by 8 pm, the 23rd. Questions?  Call Laurene Burton at 425.899.2651

-- Evergreen press release