Letter From The Editor

Bob and Pam

Dear Friends,

I want to apologize for the inundation of political stories on my blog at this time.  The Primary is only 5 days away and I'm trying to design a "Voter's Guide" which requires posting the content for it. After August 6th and our vacation, I'll circle back to you with some fresh reporting.

All the best,

Bob

Steve Fields' Leadership Style Sets Him Apart

In Redmond's "Strong Mayor" form of government our mayor is both CEO and Chief of Staff; Steve Fields will fill both those shoes. I know, because I watch council meetings almost every week and report on them in Redmond Neighborhood Blog.

Primed to excel as CEO, Steve is the only candidate who has led teams preparing large government budgets. As mayor, Steve will manage our city finances with integrity and accountability. He's completed multi-million dollar negotiations and led teams of people that improved operations. The Redmond urban centers have grown exponentially. As CEO, Steve will strategically implement projects to control this growth. He's assertive, likable, and doesn't need the popularity of the elite. Steve isn't bigger than life. He's grounded.

Steve's the best candidate to take the rudder and guide Redmond, both locally and regionally. Career experience has brought him toe-to-toe with Seattle and King County officials. He's connected. While engaging with neighbors he will cut expensive and ineffective projects like the 2-way conversion.

Protecting our environment, our health and our future is his highest priority. He wants to protect our streams, salmon and trees. He took the 5K Walk with NAMI to "bust" the stigma of mental illness. He wants to make our city more affordable for people who call Redmond home and for small businesses -- like he and his wife's coffee shop.

Our traditional small businesses simply can't afford the mixed-use box buildings. They are being driven out, just as workers have been driven out to find affordable housing. Steve wants to change this by navigating through government red tape to provide innovative housing options and tax incentives for our small businesses. For mobility, Steve will move light rail forward, encourage "smart technology" with traffic and parking programs, and design smarter and safer bike lanes.

I've spoken with and listened to the candidates on many occasions. Steve's management and leadership style is what separates him apart. Please vote "Yes" for Steve Fields this August 6th!

-- Bob Yoder

The gem of EvergreenHealth's Proposition 1

The 5K  "National Alliance For The Mentally Ill" Walk to "bust stigma"
supports in part, EvergreenHealth's goal to build an outpatient mental health clinic

When voting on EvergreenHealth's Prop. 1 measure you may not be aware of a hidden gem in this bond.  Our elected officials (commissioners) decided to build an outpatient mental health clinic if we pass the bond!

The need is definitely there. According to the "National Institute of Mental Health": 

• One in 25 have a serious mental health illness like bipolar, eating disorders, major depression and severe anxiety. 
• 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.
• Just over half (50.6%) of children with a mental health condition aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year
• Suicide is now the Number 2 killer of our teens.

So please know Prop. 1 is more than seismically retrofitting Evergreen's oldest buildings and upgrading the 1985 Critical Care Unit. It's also about "the forgotten people" --  our mentally challenged residents and their families crying for care. 

Please vote "Yes" on Proposition 1.

-- Bob Yoder

Average Cost/Student At LWSD Is $18,432

How much did Lake Washington School District taxpayers pay per student in the 2017 - 2018 school year?

$18,432 cost per student at LWSD

This number was derived from the district's: 

2017 -2018 operational budget of $355,527,166 

+ their capital budget of $192,896,229 = a total 2017 - 2018 budget of $548, 423, 395

$548,433,395 / 29,754 students

= $18,432.

Source: Shannon Parthemer, Director of Communications and Community Engagement

City Revenues Up, Expenditures Down -- Long Term Trend Continues

Each month the Finance Department reviews the prior month’s financial performance. Some highlights from the end of June include:

 General Fund revenues continue to trend over projections by approximately 12% due to one-time collections of sales tax on construction.

 The one-time collections appear in the sales tax category which is over expected collections by approximately $7 million.

 Property taxes the second largest revenue source in the General Fund are on budget.

 Utility taxes are trending lower by approximately $1 million.

 Expenditures are approximately 12% below budget. Under expenditures are primarily due to vacancies and one-time projects that have not begun.

-- Council Committee Meeting Agenda, 7/23/19

NOTE:  The monthly pattern of high revenues and tax collections and expenditures below budget continues to improve, long term.  These favorable financial outcomes will help us address the most significant priority needs in the city's budget:  Infrastructure and Safety.  In my opinion, there is no need for a Safety levy with these financial trends. - Bob Yoder

OPINION: Steve Fields' management and leadership style sets him apart.

In Redmond's  "Strong Mayor" form of government our mayor wears three different hats.  He is 1) one of eight elected officials, 2) the CEO, and 3) the Chief of Staff. 

A good leader is trusted and respected by his employees.  I've known Steve for years and watch city council meetings religiously. Steve is a good listener and as Chief of Staff will guide well. He will hire the right people. Steve gives encouragement and the tools staff needs to grow in their careers and to give tax-payers their best. 

Primed to excel as CEO, Steve is the only candidate who has led teams of people preparing large government budgets. As mayor, Steve will manage our city finances with integrity and accountability. He's completed multi-million dollar negotiations and led teams of people that improved operations. As CEO Steve will take the bull by the horns; and does Redmond have Big Horns. A CEO is assertive, - not laid back - and doesn't need to be popular with a long list of elite endorsements from people who don't live here and can't vote. Steve isn't bigger than life. He's grounded. 

As reported in a recent Seattle Times article Steve believes "Our residents are the best city planners. We need to listen to them." Steve's likable. He's the best candidate to take the rudder and guide the organization, both locally and regionally. Career experience has brought him toe-to-toe with Seattle and King County officials. Steve's connected. With engagement from the neighborhoods he will plan and manage the city to prevent what we've experienced with the downtown park and two-way street conversion. However, he does support the festivities there and would like to find ways to make the park more interesting and attractive for all residents. 

As an elected official our mayor has the enormous responsibility of writing the preliminary budget to prioritize how our tax dollars will be spent.  He gives vital budgetary input to the seven council officials we elect. Steve says in his brochure "We should not further delay the sustainability program that was funded in last year's budget. Protecting our environment, our health and out future is my highest priority."  He wants to make our city more affordable for people who call Redmond home and for small businesses -- like he and his wife's coffee shop. 

Our traditional small business simply can't afford the low-level, mixed-use boxed rental buildings. They are being driven out of our city just as workers are being driven out to find affordable housing.  Steve wants to change this by navigating through government red tape to provide innovative housing options and tax incentives for our small businesses. As for mobility, Steve will move the downtown light rail station forward, encourage "smart technology" programs to help us cope with our frustrating traffic, the parking problem, and smarter and safer bike lanes.    

I'm a 41 year resident and have spoken with and listened to the candidates on many occasions. In my opinion, Steve's management and leadership style is what separates him from the others. For all the right reasons, please join me in voting for Steve Fields on August 6th!  

-- Bob Yoder

Eastside Mayoral Candidate Forum - Angela Birney

The Eastside Mayoral Forum was held in the North Bellevue Community Center on July 18th.  The audience was mostly Indian, North Asian, Chinese, and Japanese.  This is candidate Angela Birney's closing  statement. (1 minute)

-- Bob Yoder

Eastside Mayoral Candidate Forum - Steve Fields

The Eastside Mayoral Forum was held in the North Bellevue Community Center on July 18th.  The audience was mostly Indian, North Asian, Chinese, and Japanese.  This is Steve Fields' closing statement. (1.5 minutes)

-- Bob Yoder

City Hires New Parks And Recreation Director And New Public Works Director

Carrie Hite

Dave Juarez

Redmond, WA – At last night’s meeting, Redmond City Council approved Mayor John Marchione’s appointment of Carrie Hite as the City’s new Parks and Recreation Director and Dave Juarez as the new Public Works Director.

“Carrie and Dave bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their Director positions,” said Mayor Marchione. “We look forward to having them join the City. I am confident their energy and leadership will contribute to continued success in Redmond.”

EvergreenHealth Names Jeff Tomlin, MD, As New Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Jeff Tomlin

Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners announced today its selection of Jeff Tomlin, MD, to lead the Kirkland-based health system as chief executive officer. Dr. Tomlin had filled the role of interim CEO since May 31 following Dr. Amy Beiter’s departure from the organization.

Before serving as interim CEO, Dr. Tomlin oversaw the health system’s clinical quality and safety initiatives as EvergreenHealth’s chief medical and quality officer, and was responsible for leading risk management, patient relations, infection control and research, employed specialist practices, surgical services, pharmacy and medical staff services.

“As a longtime and esteemed member of our leadership team and greater community, Dr. Tomlin has an incredibly informed understanding of our organization, from both a strategic and operational perspective. During his time as interim CEO, he has skillfully translated this understanding into thoughtful action,” said Al DeYoung, chairman, EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners. “In addition to his impressive track record of leadership within our health system, he has also established strong ties to the community we serve throughout his 30-year tenure. Under Dr. Tomlin’s leadership, EvergreenHealth is well-positioned to continue pursuing our mission to advance the health of the community with high-quality, safe, compassionate and cost-effective health care.”

LW School District Employees To Receive A 3.1% Inflation Increase

The district entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Lake Washington School District Trades Bargaining Council to extend their current collective bargaining agreement for an additional year. Employees under this agreement will receive the 3.1% state determined inflationary adjustment. 

The district also successfully negotiated the contract reopener for compensation with the Lake Washington Education Association. The parties agreed to: 3.1% state determined inflationary adjustment; Implementation of new salary schedule including legislative minimums; increase substitute rate of pay and provide the 3.1% state determined inflationary adjustment.

Last year's data shows the consumer price index increased 2.1% in the Seattle area.

Sources:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, Western Information Office
                LWSD School Board Meeting Packet, September 17, 2018

Reported by Bob Yoder

Primary Candidate's Explanatory Statements, On August 6th Ballot

City of Redmond, Mayor

• Angela Birney
• Andrew Koeppen
• Steve Fields

City of Redmond, Council Position 7

• Shad Ansari
• David Carson
• Carlos Jimenez
• Osama Hamdan

Lake Washington School District 414, Director District 5

• Siri Bliesner
• John Towers
• Susan Wilkins

Registration For National Night Out Against Crime

This event is on the same day as the August 6th Election.  Please vote by mail before attending this event!  

Redmond, WA – The Redmond Police and Fire Departments are proud partners of National Night Out and will host neighborhood visits on the evening of August 6 by Redmond police officers, firefighters, emergency management, search and rescue teams and elected officials. All Redmond residents are invited to register and plan neighborhood parties by Sunday, July 21 at https://www.redmond.gov/613/National-Night-Out.National Night Out (NNO) is a combined effort by neighborhoods across the country to prevent crime and drug use in our communities. 

To check if your neighborhood is already registered, or to register after July 21, please email crimeprevention@redmond.gov or call 425-556-2632.  When registering neighborhood events, you can request a visit from any of the participating safety departments. We will do our best to match all requests and help make the night fun and informative. Registration is easy – just list the time, place and which department you would prefer to attend.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for Redmond residents to come together and build stronger ties with their neighbors,” said Mayor Marchione. “This annual event focuses on education, relationship building and continuing to make Redmond a safe community for today and future generations.”

For more information about the history of National Night Out, visit https://natw.org. To reach the Crime Prevention Team, email crimeprevention@redmond.gov or call 425-556-2632.  

Mayoral Candidate Voter Guide

  

*** Mayoral Candidate Election Guide***

(Click for the Guide)

Make sure you mail your ballot by 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 6th. No postage needed.

Or put them in a King County drive-through drop box by August 6th, 8 p.m.

Drop boxes are located at City Hall and the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village.

Redmond Reporter: What Does Redmond Mean to you?

"What does Redmond mean to you?" Redmond Reporter, excerpts, 7/11

Angela Birney

Birney:  Redmond is home to an innovative spirit, diverse communities, and shared values that bring us together. I’m proud to have called Redmond my home for over 20 years. From volunteering at Norman Rockwell to watching my daughters play soccer at every field in the area — I love this city. With your support, I’ll lead Redmond into our next chapter as a collaborative city where people, communities, neighborhoods and businesses work together to create a place where all are welcome, and all thrive. As mayor, I will work every day to create a connected Redmond.

Steve Fields

Fields: Since first arriving in Redmond in 1978, I have lived life to its fullest potential and helped bring those same opportunities to Redmond. It is the hometown where I enjoyed coaching basketball, baseball and soccer. It is the place surrounded by natural beauty that inspires an innovative and creative community to do more and believe in new possibilities. But mostly Redmond to me is about living near people who care and who work really hard together to make sure we’re doing the right things for our community.


Koeppen: Redmond is at a crossroads, facing a multitude of issues from traffic congestion, increasing crime, small businesses leaving, and affordable housing. I’ll use my leadership skills to build a community where people can civilly discuss issues, problems and solutions.

-- Redmond Reporter Excerpts, July 11

City Launches Online Community Involvement Tool

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond launched a new online community involvement tool today, called Let’s Connect Redmond, where the public can learn about, and provide input on, a number of upcoming plans, programs and projects. Through Let’s Connect, visitors are encouraged to provide feedback, ask questions, and post comments that will help inform decisions made by the City.

The Sammamish River Trail Weasel

Weasel bounds across the Sammamish River Trail/ Credit John Rienke

This afternoon I was returning from a walk along the Sammamish River Trail here in Redmond, feeling a little disappointed at not having seen anything particularly interesting during my chilly June stroll.

As I approached the 90th St Bridge, I was astonished to observe a small weasel (no, it's not a squirrel) venture forth from behind a large boulder on the right side of the trail. It darted back behind the rock upon spotting an ambling pedestrian and speeding bicyclist, both of whom were heading north from underneath the bridge.

Box, "Lego" Buildings Are Crowding Our Streetscape

6-story "Lego" buildings are crowding the streets-scape and blocking views to the green ridges. This is progress which I readily accept.  The photo looks south on 166th, at the bottom of Education Hill.  The Hilton Garden Inn on the left is under construction.  Across the street is the 6-story "The Triangle" rental building.

Developers are building "box-like" buildings to cut their costs.  Council candidate Hank Myers recently said buildings need to be cost effective to encourage affordable housing.  In the same breath he doesn't like the aesthetics of  these Lego buildings.

-- Bob Yoder
    Photo; Yoder
    5/1/2019

Council Position #7 Election Guide

COUNCIL POSITION 7 SUMMARY
[click]

David Carson, incumbent (12 years) https://carson4redmond.com/

Osama Hamdan:    https://osamaforredmond.com/

Carlos Jimenez:  https://electcarlosjimenez.com

Shad Ansara:  https://shadforredmond.godaddysites.com/

l-r Carlos Jimenez, Shad Ansara, Osama Hamdan, David Carson

OPINION: Does The City Really Need A Public Safety Levy?

At several meetings this month city staff has been saying they need more funding for Fire than what is presently allocated.  I get it. Our population is growing; and Fire Station #12 which services the burgeoning Overlake Urban Center and Rose Hill, Grasslawn and Viewpoint neighborhoods needs remodeling and expansion. No doubt we'll need a new fire station in Overlake some day, as well. Fire is drawing up a six-year Master Plan to plan for these needs.

No doubt accommodating Fire's needs will require significant funding so the city is planning a new safety levy to pay for it. But, do we need a levy?  No!

At Council's June 25th committee meeting, Finance Director Melisa Files reported the city is in excellent financial shape.  "Department budgets [like Fire] are running well and there's really no issues in our funds." She went onto say " revenues are up by 17%, from sales tax and development revenue." Ms. Files has been reporting high revenue growth for well over a year with no end in sight. Even more impactful, Ms. Files reported "we expect $20 million in property tax income over the next year." If that's not enough, the city has a "Responsible Government Priority" from which they can tap $31,707,604 from their "operation reserves."

Fiscal stewardship should be expected of a responsible government; allocations to Fire and Police should be priority #1. Our exceptional present and future revenues and "smart prioritizing" of other services should get us to our Fire goals without the need for a Safety Levy. When the levy is one day proposed, please vote "No."

-- Bob Yoder

EvergreenHealth Seeks Community Support In August Election

EvergreenHealth supporters take the NAMI 5 K Walk to bust stigma

Approval of Proposition 1 will fund critical upgrades to the health system’s Kirkland medical center campus without increasing district tax rate

Kirkland, Wash. – This August, residents of Public Hospital District No. 2 will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 1, a measure that will strengthen and expand the EvergreenHealth Medical Center campus in Kirkland. Proposition 1 will support funding for a series of projects included in “EverHealthy,” EvergreenHealth’s strategic master facilities plan, to ensure that the growing population of families can continue to count on safe, quality care within their community well into the future.

Safety is the primary impetus of the projects included in Proposition 1, featuring seismic upgrades to facility infrastructure and disaster readiness; a new and relocated Critical Care Unit; a new medical office building for outpatient programs such as mental health; an expanded and upgraded Family Maternity Center; and the purchase of advanced life-saving medical equipment, technology and facility upgrades to support these projects, and poise the organization for ever-evolving technology and the next generation of care– all of which are critical to ensuring EvergreenHealth remains the community’s most trusted source for health care solutions.

EverHealthy will be funded by a $345 million bond, which will extend the longevity of district residents’ current property tax rate that will otherwise expire in 2023. The funding structure will not increase the tax rate for district homeowners; rather, approving Proposition 1 will maintain the current tax rate.