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Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Redmond Is Paused To Phase 2 Indefinitely
June Financial Report And Quarterly Overtime Update
Each month the City of Redmond Finance Department reviews the prior month’s financial performance.
The June Financial Report continues to show the impacts of the pandemic mainly in
ongoing revenue.
However, one-time revenue from construction projects continues to remain steady. General Fund Revenues -- Sales tax collections for June equaled $57.4 million over the biennium with approximately $12 million due to one-time sales tax on construction collections.
However, one-time revenue from construction projects continues to remain steady. General Fund Revenues -- Sales tax collections for June equaled $57.4 million over the biennium with approximately $12 million due to one-time sales tax on construction collections.
Monday, July 27, 2020
Downtown Redmond Marymoor Link Extension Light Rail To Begin Construction
Starting soon: Sound Transit's light rail project near Marymoor Park
As soon as the week of August 3rd, Sound Transit will begin construction on the segment of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension Light Rail that goes along SR 520 at the northern boundary of Marymoor Park.
This construction activity will not directly affect the park nor require closure of any Marymoor facilities.
Sound Transit will install fencing around the construction zone along the north boundary of the park and expects to start removing trees within the construction zone as soon as September 1.
Sound Transit expects light rail construction near Marymoor Park to continue through summer 2023.
For more information
Ryan Bianchi, Community Outreach Specialist
Redmond Bar And Grill Opens Redmond's First Eatery
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| Mayor Birney in white - social distancing |
Two parking spaces were marked off to create 4 table spaces. Two other businesses are in the permitting process.
Several councilmembers were in attendance: Tanika Padye, Steve Fields, David Carson, Vanessa Kritzer and Jessica Forsythe.
Photo and report: Bob Yoder
Friday, July 24, 2020
UPDATED: Redmond Needs A Visitor Center
UPDATED: My wife and I attended the "Redmond Bar and Grill" streatery ribbon cutting tonight and felt so good just being outside and enjoying our neighbors. The outdoor seating really made it all happen and the food and drink was delicious.
We felt more streateries like this one would make Redmond a special place. As is, downtown Redmond just seems almost sterile. People are starting to use the park but not like we had hoped. We decided what was needed is a Visitor Center. The only Visitors' Center we have is at Microsoft. Even "Experience Redmond" labeled our center as Microsoft's. As you can see from this link we are much more than Microsoft. https://www.redmond.gov/943/Largest-Employers.
We discussed good places for a Visitor Center. The 3200 s.f. business for rent at Leary Way and Redmond Way, underneath Dr. Han's dental practice, seemed a good location. A center on the City Hall campus seemed okay.
Redmond is more than a Microsoft; we need to spread our wings and welcome all of our newcomers.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion
This piece was posted on Facebook with lots of viewer interest and feedback. One lady thought a good place for the Tourist Center was near the downtown park. Another mentioned a kiosk at the ERRATIC. Most people were positive about the park.
We felt more streateries like this one would make Redmond a special place. As is, downtown Redmond just seems almost sterile. People are starting to use the park but not like we had hoped. We decided what was needed is a Visitor Center. The only Visitors' Center we have is at Microsoft. Even "Experience Redmond" labeled our center as Microsoft's. As you can see from this link we are much more than Microsoft. https://www.redmond.gov/943/Largest-Employers.
We discussed good places for a Visitor Center. The 3200 s.f. business for rent at Leary Way and Redmond Way, underneath Dr. Han's dental practice, seemed a good location. A center on the City Hall campus seemed okay.
Redmond is more than a Microsoft; we need to spread our wings and welcome all of our newcomers.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion
This piece was posted on Facebook with lots of viewer interest and feedback. One lady thought a good place for the Tourist Center was near the downtown park. Another mentioned a kiosk at the ERRATIC. Most people were positive about the park.
City Of Redmond Aware Of Attackwa.org Breach
Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond is aware of a security/data incident related to “attackwa.org” which was operated by Netsential.com. This database was a part of a nation-wide data hack into Netsential systems known as the “Blue Leaks” hack, which affected over 200 law enforcement agencies across the country. Netsential reported this hack on June 22, 2020. On June 26, 2020, the City of Redmond discovered that its attackwa.org database was among the databases affected by this hack. The Blue Leaks data breach is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Redmond's Centro Cultural Mexicana Distributing Free Masks
Centro Cultural Mexicano is distributing FREE Re-usable and Disposable MASKS at Centro Cultural Mexicano in Redmond this Saturday between 1:30 pm and 3pm for everyone in your family. Please come by (wear a mask!) and kindly wait outside if we are helping someone as we can only have a few people inside at a time. Thank you to King County Executive Office and King County Office of Equity and Social Justice for supplying and facilitating the supply of these necessary items for our community! Hinojos & Jimenez Art Centro Cultural Mexicano.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
LWSD Return To School Update - Fully Remote Teaching
Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent
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Dear Lake Washington Staff, Families, and Community,
Over the last week I have been actively engaged with a number of entities as we evaluate our plans for school in the fall. As you know, we have been actively working through the details of developing remote learning and a hybrid model. We also asked families to indicate their preference for which model their child would learn in to start the year. I know the amount of time and considerations each family has gone through to evaluate which model is best for their child given the amount of information provided and questions that, at times, we were not able to answer.
Today, I am announcing that Lake Washington students will be starting the 2020-21 school year learning in a fully remote setting.
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"Streaterie" Ribbon Cutting Ceremony At Redmond Bar And Grill
I'm happy to report that at least three businesses have had permits processed for streateries so far, since this was adopted by the Council on June 16, according to Director Helland at last night's meetings. I understand from the Mayor's communications team that there is a ribbon cutting on Friday at 4:30pm for Redmond Bar and Grill, in case you are interested to attend.
Jeralee
Jeralee L. Anderson, PhD, PE, LEED AP
Council Vice President │City of Redmond
(: 425.588.1619 |*: janderson@redmond.gov | Re
MS: 4NEX │ 15670 NE 85th St │ Redmond, WA 98052
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers | #blacklivesmatter
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Tuesday, July 14, 2020
BLM Display On Sammamish River Trail
On Thursday July 9th, I went for a walk along the Sammamish River Trail here in Redmond.
I was surprised to discover that some individual or group had organized a display of a series of
photographs of African Americans who have been killed by police during the past few years here in the USA.
I counted 48 individually placed signs neatly spaced along the east side of the Trail, just south of where it
intersects with the western end of the Powerline Trail. 44 of the signs were photographs of named individuals,
sometimes shown with members of their families and often mentioning a few details of their lives and the recent
year in which they were killed.
For me personally, seeing photos of these folks at positive times in their lives had a strong emotional impact,
to realize that they were all now dead.
There was a fair amount of traffic along the Trail during the time I was there, as it had become quite sunny.
A few were obviously quite interested, although the majority did not particularly pay much attention. I watched one woman walk along the display with her cell phone held in such a way as to indicate she was recording what
she saw.
I visited the site again on Sunday, and discovered that all of the signs had been taken down.
-- John Reinke
Story and photos
Juanita High Mascot Is Removed
This Tuesday, Superintendent Jon Holmen removed Juanita's mascot - the "Rebels." After listening to numerous students opposing the mascot as racist, the entire School Board agreed this action must be taken without delay. Below, are excerpts from minutes of the 6/22 School Board meeting:
"Board member Mark Stuart felt it was important to address this tonight to help to heal the deep and gaping wound in the community. He conveyed he grew up in a racist and segregated state and didn’t like what he experienced which propelled him to work in media/public relations. He was shocked when he moved into the area to see Rebel mascot. This change would still provide the administration to develop the process to implement the change. Due to the seriousness of this situation, he felt that tradition needs to be changed and didn’t want to delay it.
Board member Cassandra Sage related that her children are alumni from Juanita High School. In 2018, when the process was implemented to change or affirm the mascot, she did not understand the pain and feelings surrounding the mascot. Policy can be drafted to create systemwide changes and address equity issues so that it will permeate the system and create effective change."
-- School Board Business meeting minutes, 6/22/20200
"Board member Mark Stuart felt it was important to address this tonight to help to heal the deep and gaping wound in the community. He conveyed he grew up in a racist and segregated state and didn’t like what he experienced which propelled him to work in media/public relations. He was shocked when he moved into the area to see Rebel mascot. This change would still provide the administration to develop the process to implement the change. Due to the seriousness of this situation, he felt that tradition needs to be changed and didn’t want to delay it.
Board member Cassandra Sage related that her children are alumni from Juanita High School. In 2018, when the process was implemented to change or affirm the mascot, she did not understand the pain and feelings surrounding the mascot. Policy can be drafted to create systemwide changes and address equity issues so that it will permeate the system and create effective change."
-- School Board Business meeting minutes, 6/22/20200
Saturday, July 11, 2020
COVID-19 Media Update - Community Mental Health
7/10/2020
There has been a disproportional /COVID-19 impact on communities of color. Contributing factors are: 1) long standing health inequities and 2) systemic racism.
The NAACP and King County Health are hosting a community mental health day 7/11 wherein 30 mental health providers will be available to those in need for one-on-one counseling. Free testing will also be available. (I realize this is very short notice.)
For services, contact King County by social media or on their website.
-- Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health Officer, King County.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
LWSD Task Force Plans For Return To Schools - Survey
| Internet image |
This hybrid model would combine in-person class time with virtual, distance-learning time. Please fill out our LWSD survey asking families for their preferences within this hybrid model as well as questions about interest in a full remote learning option: bit.ly/R2SHybridModel
-- LWSD School Task Force
PART THREE: City Leadership Operated Without A Pandemic Plan
https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14174/Investigative-Report-Redmond-FINAL
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION DURING COVID CRISIS
At this meeting, the EPM was directed to update the Pandemic Plan that apparently had not been updated in years. Email communications reflect the Deputy Fire Chief reporting to the Fire Chief that, as of Friday morning, February 28, 2020, he had met with staff regarding Coronavirus and the need to update the current City Pandemic plan, which “we found is indeed badly needed.” He reported that the Fire Chief had requested that the EPM update the Pandemic Plan, that the Deputy Fire Chief had directed the MSA to start documenting and addressing the Fire Department’s preparations for potential impacts, and that the MSA would take the lead in the Fire Department’s preparations regarding the overall Pandemic Plan, and that the department had doubled their orders for N-95 masks. Updating the Pandemic Plan required each of the City’s departments to plan for the essential nature and prioritization of personnel and staffing levels in the event certain percentages of employees became unavailable (i.e., due to illness or quarantine). Staff from each of the departments spent time over the next two weeks preparing input, with a deadline of March 13th. A number of witnesses reported frustration that City staff from various departments spent most if not all of their time assigned to the ECC updating this “continuity of operations” information for the Pandemic Plan as opposed to tasks they felt might more directly help the City prepare and logistically facilitate operational response to the pandemic. The Mayor’s office was frustrated that leadership in the ECC did not seem to be making affirmative efforts to schedule EPC meetings or provide useful information to coordinate logistics City-wide. Witnesses reported that reports 10 It appears the CEMP overall is intended to be updated every five years, and was last updated in 2015; however, the Pandemic portion of it may not have been updated for a longer period of time. Another department Director reported having spoken to the EPM or Fire Chief weeks earlier about the need to update the City’s Pandemic Plan, prior to the local arrival of COVID-19 or a State of Emergency in Redmond.
--excerpt from "Independent" investigator
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION DURING COVID CRISIS
At this meeting, the EPM was directed to update the Pandemic Plan that apparently had not been updated in years. Email communications reflect the Deputy Fire Chief reporting to the Fire Chief that, as of Friday morning, February 28, 2020, he had met with staff regarding Coronavirus and the need to update the current City Pandemic plan, which “we found is indeed badly needed.” He reported that the Fire Chief had requested that the EPM update the Pandemic Plan, that the Deputy Fire Chief had directed the MSA to start documenting and addressing the Fire Department’s preparations for potential impacts, and that the MSA would take the lead in the Fire Department’s preparations regarding the overall Pandemic Plan, and that the department had doubled their orders for N-95 masks. Updating the Pandemic Plan required each of the City’s departments to plan for the essential nature and prioritization of personnel and staffing levels in the event certain percentages of employees became unavailable (i.e., due to illness or quarantine). Staff from each of the departments spent time over the next two weeks preparing input, with a deadline of March 13th. A number of witnesses reported frustration that City staff from various departments spent most if not all of their time assigned to the ECC updating this “continuity of operations” information for the Pandemic Plan as opposed to tasks they felt might more directly help the City prepare and logistically facilitate operational response to the pandemic. The Mayor’s office was frustrated that leadership in the ECC did not seem to be making affirmative efforts to schedule EPC meetings or provide useful information to coordinate logistics City-wide. Witnesses reported that reports 10 It appears the CEMP overall is intended to be updated every five years, and was last updated in 2015; however, the Pandemic portion of it may not have been updated for a longer period of time. Another department Director reported having spoken to the EPM or Fire Chief weeks earlier about the need to update the City’s Pandemic Plan, prior to the local arrival of COVID-19 or a State of Emergency in Redmond.
--excerpt from "Independent" investigator
PART TWO: Breakdown In Leadership During COVID - 19 Crisis
https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14174/Investigative-Report-Redmond-FINAL
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION DURING COVID CRISIS
A preponderance of the evidence supports a conclusion that City Administration requested a transition of leadership in the ECC in March of 2020 due to concern about availability and effectiveness of then-current leadership. Availability and effectiveness of some individuals in leadership positions was likely impacted by illness (whether or not each employee was completely unavailable or attempting to work off and on from home); however, failure to provide clear communication, leadership, and planning left a void that City Administration felt needed to be filled during a serious and quickly evolving crisis situation. The fact that health information about affected employees also implicated potential privacy issues, and that the actual medical status of various employees was, in and of itself, not clear, complicated the situation. ECC initial activities related to external community partners and agencies appears consistent with the Administration’s recognition of strengths in the early-ECC’s outward-focusing activities, and volunteers, liaison staff and support appear to continue providing community support through a task force and other activities. However, there appears to have been a disconnect about the significance of internal needs of the City itself as an organization, which is also a function of the ECC. While a number of “seats” in the ECC are staffed by and for various functional purposes that include coordination of support for City services (including staff who provide the services), it does not appear ECC leadership at the time was setting in motion needed focus on internal as well as external objectives at the time. Some key personnel in the ECC’s leadership roles had become ill, but little information was shared about their health status, availability, or limitations. A number of witnesses noticed these personnel appeared to be less available, there seemed to be a void of communication or articulated plan of action for the ECC, and department directors (who were also on the Emergency Preparedness Council) grew increasingly concerned about independently performing logistical functions (i.e., locating scarce PPE and emergency supplies) in addition to managing their own departmental staffing and operations under increasingly difficult circumstances. The evidence supports a conclusion that the Police personnel assigned to manage the ECC have do have ICS and NIMS training and experience with incident management. Additional staff staffing the ECC also have ICS training.
-- excerpt from "Independent" investigator.
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION DURING COVID CRISIS
A preponderance of the evidence supports a conclusion that City Administration requested a transition of leadership in the ECC in March of 2020 due to concern about availability and effectiveness of then-current leadership. Availability and effectiveness of some individuals in leadership positions was likely impacted by illness (whether or not each employee was completely unavailable or attempting to work off and on from home); however, failure to provide clear communication, leadership, and planning left a void that City Administration felt needed to be filled during a serious and quickly evolving crisis situation. The fact that health information about affected employees also implicated potential privacy issues, and that the actual medical status of various employees was, in and of itself, not clear, complicated the situation. ECC initial activities related to external community partners and agencies appears consistent with the Administration’s recognition of strengths in the early-ECC’s outward-focusing activities, and volunteers, liaison staff and support appear to continue providing community support through a task force and other activities. However, there appears to have been a disconnect about the significance of internal needs of the City itself as an organization, which is also a function of the ECC. While a number of “seats” in the ECC are staffed by and for various functional purposes that include coordination of support for City services (including staff who provide the services), it does not appear ECC leadership at the time was setting in motion needed focus on internal as well as external objectives at the time. Some key personnel in the ECC’s leadership roles had become ill, but little information was shared about their health status, availability, or limitations. A number of witnesses noticed these personnel appeared to be less available, there seemed to be a void of communication or articulated plan of action for the ECC, and department directors (who were also on the Emergency Preparedness Council) grew increasingly concerned about independently performing logistical functions (i.e., locating scarce PPE and emergency supplies) in addition to managing their own departmental staffing and operations under increasingly difficult circumstances. The evidence supports a conclusion that the Police personnel assigned to manage the ECC have do have ICS and NIMS training and experience with incident management. Additional staff staffing the ECC also have ICS training.
-- excerpt from "Independent" investigator.
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Restaurants Are Starting To Close Owing To infected Employees. Permit Violations
So far, no Redmond restaurants have been closed; Kirkland and Bellevue each have one closed.
FAQ for religious and faith-based organizations updated
Minor updates throughout the FAQ with a heavier emphasis on full content updates for Questions #11 (accessing free face coverings) and #12 (about small group gatherings).
Duke's Chowder House closed by Public Health today, July 8th, due to COVID-19 transmission among employees
CDC updated the high-risk list. And it's not just older adults.
In spite of Washington State's ongoing efforts to contain it, COVID-19 is spreading more rapidly by the day, especially among people aged 20-40. And while they are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus, they can still spread it to friends, family and neighbors – without even knowing they have it. Many young people are also in the higher risk categories recently updated by the CDC.
Doing the right thing: restaurants and COVID-19
In response to rising COVID-19 cases county wide, Public Health – Seattle & King County is expanding efforts to educate and enforce compliance of Governor Inslee's Safe Start COVID-19 reopening requirements in food establishments.
Case report update
Minor updates throughout the FAQ with a heavier emphasis on full content updates for Questions #11 (accessing free face coverings) and #12 (about small group gatherings).
Duke's Chowder House closed by Public Health today, July 8th, due to COVID-19 transmission among employees
- Details of violations listed on the Food Establishment Closures homepage: www.kingcounty.gov/
closures - Related statement on the Public Health Insider blog
CDC updated the high-risk list. And it's not just older adults.
In spite of Washington State's ongoing efforts to contain it, COVID-19 is spreading more rapidly by the day, especially among people aged 20-40. And while they are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus, they can still spread it to friends, family and neighbors – without even knowing they have it. Many young people are also in the higher risk categories recently updated by the CDC.
Doing the right thing: restaurants and COVID-19
In response to rising COVID-19 cases county wide, Public Health – Seattle & King County is expanding efforts to educate and enforce compliance of Governor Inslee's Safe Start COVID-19 reopening requirements in food establishments.
Case report update
- Daily outbreak summary for web-enabled mobile devices (phones and tablets)
- 3,127 people have been tested for a total of 194,992 in King County
- 113 new cases tested positive for a total of 11,319
- 12 new hospitalizations for a total of 1,643
- 2 new deaths for a total of 598
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LWSD Pre-School
Parents will appreciate this especially during the COVID plague.
Looking for a preschool for next year? Registration is now available for Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD) preschool programs for the 2020-21 school year.
LWSD Preschool Programs focus on providing children and families with a successful first-school experience. Families with a 3- and/or 4-year-old child living within the boundaries of LWSD are eligible to apply for the preschool program. (Child must be 3-years-old by August 31 of the school year.)
If you are interested in applying, please visit our Preschool page on the LWSD website at www.lwsd.org/preschool
7/8/2020
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Derby Days With A Twist
2020 VIRTUAL DERBY DAYS
The Derby Days tradition continues in 2020 with our virtual edition. Activities allow you to remain physically distant from June 9 to July 11 and still participate in some of the cherished elements of our annual Derby Days Festival. Celebrate Redmond with opportunities to participate in the Derby Dash 5K, Community Bike Challenge, Virtual Bike Decorating Parade, Derby Days Bingo, Rock-a-thon Open Mic, Derby Do Gooder scholarship, and Virtual Art Show. #DerbyDays2020
7/7/2020
PART ONE: COVID-19 Workplace Investigation Submitted to Mayor Birney
COVID-19 Workplace Investigation:
https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14174/Investigative-Report-Redmond-FINAL
Excerpt from the report:
During the week of February 29th-March 6th, 2020, when the ECC was first stood up in a monitoring phase and several RFD Medics were quarantined as a preventative measure after responding to the Life Care Center in Kirkland, the Mayor personally called each of the City Councilmembers to advise them on the situation. Not all Councilmembers answered or returned her calls. Councilmembers who were interviewed confirmed the Mayor made these calls.52 Tuesday, March 3rd, was the last regularly scheduled public City Council meeting before City Hall closed on March 12th. At the Director’s Team (“DT”) meeting that day, the Fire Chief provided a Coronavirus update and the DT discussed telecommuting plans, capacity to quarantine or isolate at a City facility (i.e., Fire Station 13), and that potential exposures were being reported to Dr. Rea at King County Public Health. Given that the Emergency Preparedness Council (“EPC”) consisted primarily of the Director’s Team, it appears the DT meetings began serving both purposes in terms of discussion of various policy decisions. A week later, on Tuesday, March 10th, the DT/EPC discussed ECC updates and what information was needed to be shared organization wide. Policy decisions included canceling some City events following the governor’s suggestion to consider cancelling large events statewide. The COVID-19 update included that the IS department was working with the Deputy Fire Chief, MSA, and Finance Director on mapping community outbreaks (primarily to assist appropriate safety measures for first responders), preparing messaging based on reports from KC Public Health, and planning for personnel issues.
7/7/2020
https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14174/Investigative-Report-Redmond-FINAL
Excerpt from the report:
During the week of February 29th-March 6th, 2020, when the ECC was first stood up in a monitoring phase and several RFD Medics were quarantined as a preventative measure after responding to the Life Care Center in Kirkland, the Mayor personally called each of the City Councilmembers to advise them on the situation. Not all Councilmembers answered or returned her calls. Councilmembers who were interviewed confirmed the Mayor made these calls.52 Tuesday, March 3rd, was the last regularly scheduled public City Council meeting before City Hall closed on March 12th. At the Director’s Team (“DT”) meeting that day, the Fire Chief provided a Coronavirus update and the DT discussed telecommuting plans, capacity to quarantine or isolate at a City facility (i.e., Fire Station 13), and that potential exposures were being reported to Dr. Rea at King County Public Health. Given that the Emergency Preparedness Council (“EPC”) consisted primarily of the Director’s Team, it appears the DT meetings began serving both purposes in terms of discussion of various policy decisions. A week later, on Tuesday, March 10th, the DT/EPC discussed ECC updates and what information was needed to be shared organization wide. Policy decisions included canceling some City events following the governor’s suggestion to consider cancelling large events statewide. The COVID-19 update included that the IS department was working with the Deputy Fire Chief, MSA, and Finance Director on mapping community outbreaks (primarily to assist appropriate safety measures for first responders), preparing messaging based on reports from KC Public Health, and planning for personnel issues.
7/7/2020
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