King County Council Approves $100M In Response to COVID-19

COVID-19 

Response Prompts Nearly $100M in Additional Emergency Funding

The King County Council has approved a fourth round of emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Totaling nearly $100 million, the Fourth Emergency COVID Omnibus budget was passed unanimously Tuesday afternoon and provides funding for a variety of needed services and programs. The vast majority of funding is to continue to bolster Public Health’s response to the pandemic, to support and continue to expand testing, and to maintain the isolation and de-intensification sites throughout the County. The funding package:

• Continues to fund isolation/quarantine and recovery centers through the end of the year: $12.6 million.
• Funds the public health response through the end of the year: $29 million.
• Continues to fund hotel vouchers for the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness through the end of the year: $2.5 million.
• Provides funding for an outreach and compliance initiative to help restaurants, bars and taverns increase compliance with the Governor’s safe start orders: $2.7 million.
• Provides funding to support arts, culture, and science organizations: $2.5 million. ($2M to 4Culture and additional $500K to arts, culture or science organizations that have been adversely affected by closures, cancellations and loss of work).
• Provides funding for emergency child care: $4.3 million.
• Provides rental assistance for local businesses that are responding to Covid-19. $1.5 million.
• Provides expanded flu vaccination in communities disproportionately impacted by Covid. $650,000.

Significant Private Projects In The Pipeline

LMC, 265 dwelling units. 5 story, by Marymoor trail

On August 11, Planning and Development Manager, Sarah Pyle presented the City's annual summary of Private Development Projects in a Council Committee meeting.  Below are the facts:

In 2019: 132 SFH, 233 multi-family units and 24,400 s.f. commercial space were built.

2020 YTD: 61 SFH, 895 multi-family units, 610,766 sf commercial space.

Single Family Home construction hasn't changed significantly between 2019 to 2020 but increases in multi-family units and commercial square footage are exceptional.  

About 11 projects were presented; I'll focus on five:  

The most significant is "Redmond Square."  It's on the corner of 166th and Redmond Way.  Over 13 businesses will have to move. To name a few: John L. Scott, the Pony Express, Ed Wyse, Pizza Hut, Noodeland, Beyond Beauty, Flying Apron, Bamboo Gardens, Modera Bakery, Beauty Supply, Acupuncture, Vision Clinic, and a Yoga business. 

What we will get:  "Redmond Square" looks like two separate buildings but functions as one. It's a monolith.  613 dwelling units, 61 affordable units (80% AMI,) 33,000 sf commercial space, adjacent to transit station. Parking?  I was informed by one of the business owners demolition will begin early 2021. (The city throws up barriers when validating timelines.)  

"Harmony" drew the most questions and comments from Council.  Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer seemed skeptical about 1) it's absence of affordable housing and 2) the unusual housing type for our downtown. Harmony living spaces are tiny. It has 9 dwelling units of 465 sf and and 91 "residential suites" of 155 sf each. They will rent out for $1100. No school impact fees. The residential suites share a kitchen and living room with each other.  Steve Fields wanted Council to be more involved in these developments and Tanika Padeya suggested an amendment to require affordable housing.

The "Together Center, a nonprofit human services center of over 20 years will be redeveloped. Paid-off.  49,000 sf commercial, 280 dwelling units, 280 affordable units at 60% AMI, 30 parking spaces, 2-stories, art at gateway.  Completion expected by 12/2021. 

Proctor:  NW Redmond -- Willows Road & 124th.  Construction will be challenged by steep slope. Stats:  

87, 3-story townhomes, 9 affordable at 80% AMI, signal at 124th. two community parks.  195 dwelling units, 80% AMI, 22,000 sf commercial, trails and open space. Proctor will be a "10-minute community" servicing the businesses on Willows Road, including a subsidiary of Facebook. 

Amazon:  Macy's in Redmond Town Center is being renovated to accomodate ~ 300  Amazon engineers, working on their satellite space project.  Macy's departed.  

-- Bob Yoder
    9/1/2020

Superintendent Jon Holmen Reaches Out To Community

Superintendent Jon Holmen, PhD.

More than ever I want to stress the importance of kindness, acceptance, empathy and grace. Each of us has been affected by the global health crisis differently. As an organization, we are acutely aware of the challenges that many in our community have faced and are currently facing. As a leadership team, we are taking every action possible to advocate for funding and supports that will provide real-time help to our community as well as long-term support that will allow us to return to in-person experiences when conditions allow. As we start this year; we must be thoughtful and considerate of those around us and, particularly, those that have been most impacted by COVID-19. Our kindness, acceptance, empathy and grace allow us to create stronger community bonds while possibly allowing those around us the space to work through their difficulties. 

I wish you the best as we start the 2020-21 school year. 

Excerpt from "Connections," 8/31/2020

EvergreenHealth Continues Care

ERRATIC Art Relocation Costs A Million Dollars

"As shown on the spreadsheet we provided, the total (city) cost to relocate the Erratic Artwork, including landscaping, was $486,756.  Sound Transit has agreed to pay for all the relocation costs up to $576,300."

Regards,

Tess

Tess Wilkinson

CIP Coordinator

City of Redmond

425-556-2434

8/18/2020

Total costs for the relocation is $1,060,054 including land.  The original construction cost for this ERRATIC art was  $155,000.  The art was relocated because it was built too close to the light rail easement! It's new location is south of the Matador near Leary.  Residents pay taxes to Sound Transit so there is no free lunch here.  Bob Yoder, 8/29

Redmond Fire Chief Smith was paid 95k to resign, agreed not to disparage city employees

https://kuow.org/stories/redmond-fire-chief-smith-was-paid-95k-to-leave-department-agreed-not-to-disparage-city-employees?fbclid=IwAR17xs0niw0CU6xCfyI1SWt1g47LiYwQeC8VPqEc3R8-ZJusB9fOWjBNHgk

• By: Ashley Hiruko AUG 27, 2020 at 11:52 AM
• KUOw  NPR

Five Of Twelve Letter-Sorting Machines At Redmond Post Office Dismantled

Councilmember and activist Virasha Khan reported on Twitter that 5 or 12 letter sorting machines at the Redmond Post Office were removed or dismantled.  This news created a flurry of comments and reactions on a Redmoned Facebook site....most about Trump trying to slow voting in November.

Source:  KUOW, 8/19/2020:  https://www.kuow.org/stories/nearly-half-of-mail-sorting-machines-in-seattle-area-already-dismantled?fbclid=IwAR2rNffu9mnMcQJ3fH7oYlH1mmw3nkn-tuT02IQE2G593ZsHEWLl6ZtPuO4

UPDATED: The APPWW Muslim Hate Group To Be Exposed

Join us for a VIRTUAL FORUM exposing the group "Alliance for Persecuted People Worldwide" (APPWW), which has been promoting anti-Muslim hate and bigotry, even as it masquerades as a human rights organization. Over 130 local and national organizations have issued a Public Statement condemning the hate promoted by APPWW and its leaders. Read that here www.tinyurl.com/APPWWStatement, with supporting documentation here www.tinyurl.com/APPWWAppendix.

Over 200 individuals, including elected officials like King County Executive Dow Constantine, have also condemned the hate promoted by this group and its leaders. You can sign here too: www.tinyurl.com/WeCondemnAPPWW. THE SIGN-IN DOESN'T WORK.

This group presented to the City of Redmond in March 2020, seeking funding, partnership and support; and the Redmond Council President -- even after hearing community concerns about this group in June -- participated in APPWW's July event (the same event where four other panelists withdrew).

In early August, over 300 community members reached out to the City of Redmond seeking a statement condemning the hate promoted by APPWW and its leaders, affirming that no funds or support will be provided to APPWW, and seeking an explanation and apology from the Council President for her participation in an event by this group. Tanika was not a panelist....just an observer.

Masks Encouraged At Idylwood Park

Janeen Olsen (Redmond Fire) and two CERT volunteers are handing out free masks at Idylwood Park on 8/15. By 2 pm about 18 masks were given to Redmond residents and 18 outside the City. They will give out free masks at Overlake Church on 8/16.

Sign at Idylwood Park, on a weekday morning.  On Saturday at 2pm when the temperature was 85
there was adequate space for physical distancing.  I felt safe.

Beware Of Crowded Parks

Tuesday, 8/11/2020 at Idylwood Park with Pam.  To date, the City hasn't had to close a park

The City was giving away masks this Saturday.  By 2 PM, (80 degrees) according to a Fire Dept. employee 18 Redmond residents picked up masks and about 18 from outside the City picked them up.  

Redmond Saturday Market Has Moved

Redmond Saturday Market is now located in Parking Lot D of Overlake Christian Church on Willows Road: Overlake Christian Church, Parking Lot D 9900 Willows Road NE, Redmond, WA 98052 Our hours are Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Expected Vendors for August 15th

At this time, the vendor categories that are allowed in King County are: Fresh produce, shelf stable food, pre-packaged temperature stable food, pre-arranged cut flowers and plants, and handmade crafts 850 visitors attended today.  6 events have already occured; The last event will be mid-October.

COVID - 19 Emergency Management Framework

COVID - 19 Review, Study Session, 8/11/2020, meeting memo

Emergency Management Framework.

The two primary goals in emergency management are to support the City of Redmond and to establish and maintain a comprehensive process for conducting business before, during, and after an emergency event.

Specific activities associated with mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery are described in Redmond’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) which is available on the City’s website. (For over 5 years there had been no updated pandemic plan.)

COVID-19 Emergency Management Efforts:  In late December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases was reported in China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the cause in January 2020. Evidence of human-to-human transmission was confirmed in late January, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Redmond Emergency Response Division of the Fire Department monitored events closely during January. In February, efforts were underway to ensure that first responders took appropriate precautions when caring for patients exhibiting signs of respiratory illness and that the health of the first responders was continuously monitored. These steps were based on best practices and on experience gained from SARS and MERS outbreaks.

$526,284 Funded For Environmental Sustainability Program

The Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP or Plan) creates a 30-year roadmap for Redmond’s environmental sustainability work. It was developed through robust stakeholder engagement and builds on the 2014 Climate Action Implementation Plan and Environmental Initiative of the Community Strategic Plan, as well as integrates best practices from climate and sustainability planning documents. The Plan also aligns with the updated King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) Letter of Joint Commitments signed by the Mayor on May 19, 2020. During that meeting, staff and the City’s technical consultant reviewed the Plan’s key strategies and actions, the monitoring and reporting framework, and the approach to Plan implementation. The July 14, 2020, Study. Councilmembers posed several questions, and Council requested a second Study Session to review the Online Open House feedback and the associated proposed changes to the draft Plan.

$526,284 was included in the 2019-2020 biennial budget for the City’s Environmental Sustainability Program. This funding was used to hire a consultant that assisted the City in developing the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan and to hire an Environmental Sustainability Program Manager. Costs to implement the Plan will be dependent on future budget actions.

Council Study Session, 8/11/2020 /Memo excerpts

The State Of The Senior and Community Center

Council will make a final decision on the Senior and Community Center in early September.  Below is some interesting information on progress to date:

• The final recommendation from the Stakeholder Group Summary is to construct a 40,000 square foot Community Center with designated program space for seniors on the site of the existing Redmond Senior Center. This new facility is being referred to as the Redmond Senior and Community Center. 
• The proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2021-2026 outlines the priorities for the next six years. The Redmond Senior and Community Center is a top priority with $20 million designated for this project in the CIP and an additional $25 million in tax revenue (previously raised) for a total project budget of $45 million. This proposal is subject to City Council approval.
• At the June 23 City Council Study Session, City Council voted to authorize the Mayor to decommission and demolish the Redmond Senior Center building. City staff will move forward with an RFQ process to seek bids to move forward with this work. This decision will save $180,000 in one year and significant staff time. In addition, decommissioning the building in the dry season will be more efficient than waiting until next winter.

-- redmond.gov, July, 2020

Monofilament Fishing Line Recycling Container For Idylwood Park

Internet photo

During "Council Talk Time," at the end of the 8/4/2020 Regular Business meeting, Councilmember David Carson said it's common birds, fish and turtles can get caught in monofilament fishing line and die.  He noted Idylwood Park has a monofilament recycling container.  I couldn't find it even when looking in the fishing areas of Idylwood Creek shoal.  I've seen Asian fishermen there frequently.  The WSDFW doesn't have any requirements for recycling containers. I'll report this to the City at Info@Redmond.gov.

-- Bob Yoder

Tour de Redmond 2020 - Bike Back To Redmond And Support Local Businesses

 Ride your bike back to Redmond and support local Redmond businesses with this year’s Tour de Redmond’s community bicycle challenge and weekly scavenger hunt! This year’s Tour de Redmond will be held from September 1-30. Registration is open!

Organized by the Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association,  Redmond's advocate for better streets, trails, and transit, the bike challenge is open to employees, commuters, and residents of all ages and abilities!

The Tour de Redmond is all about encouraging new people to try getting around on two wheels. Create a team of up to 10 of your friends, family, or colleagues. For each day one of your team members rides, you’ll get a point. Participants of the teams with the most points at the end of September will be entered for rewards at local Redmond businesses.

Prefer a different pace? Join our weekly photo scavenger hunt challenge on four scenic trails across Redmond featuring local businesses and Redmond's new trails and light rail.

Learn more and register here - https://grtma.org/tour-de-redmond-2020/. 

Parklets Are A Resounding Success

Redmond Bar and Grill (RBG) was the first restaurant permitted with a "streatery" (or parklet.)  Their  monthly sales increased 30-40%.  Nine other restaurants have applied for a parklet.  They are getting grants to pay for the permits. My guess is the grants are coming from One Redmond.  The WoodBlock restaurant now has extended their seating along the restaurant sidewalk.

The owner of the RBG is taking upon himself to help those applying for a permit.

-- Source: Regular Council Business meeting, 8/5/2020

Preparation Begins On Downtown Light Rail Extension

Beginning this week, you’ll see crews working along eastbound SR 520 between NE 40th Street and West Lake Sammamish Parkway. This work will create a haul road in anticipation of clearing and grading the construction zone in the fall to extend light rail to Downtown Redmond. http://ow.ly/YKXD50AQZeM  - Facebook, 8/5/2020

LWSD Should Cut Expenditures During Remote Learning

It's only logical, the cost of teaching will (and should) be lower during remote learning and adjustments should be made.  A quick fix is to furlough non-essential workers like instructional assistants, librarians, medical assistants and secretaries. The money saved could be applied to food, the disabled, mental health care, computers...

In addition, nine Associate Directors were recently promoted to Directors. (annual pay $167,060.)  Three Directors were promoted to "Executive Directors" (annual pay $188,835.)  Do away with the promotions until remote learning ends.

IT administrators are invaluable in remote learning.  A new Assistant Superintendent ($196, 703) and her three Directors with their support team should carry the load.  

It would be interesting to learn who in the Administration works with the teaching software. The programs could be expensive.

-- Bob Yoder, opinion

Virtual Seafair Event

Can you see the two Hydros?

During my morning walk down 104th, four truck-mounted Hydros passed by.  As I passed Redmond High I saw about eight hydros parked in the lot.  I went home to get my camera and by the time I got back they had already departed.  So my wife and I caught up in our car and followed them  -- downtown to Willows and through the Kirkland waterview neighborhoods. We actually joined in on the parade, with emergency lights blinking and waves to the families. The kids really got into it.  Everyone had fun.

This virtual Seafair event couldn't have been better. 

-- Bob Yoder
   Photo by Pam Yoder

EvergreenHealth Named Best In The Region

EvergreenHealth Named Among Best In Region For Third Consecutive Year

Kirkland, Wash. – For the third year in a row, EvergreenHealth has been named among the best hospitals in the Puget Sound area and the state of Washington by U.S. News & World Report, ranking No. 3 in the Seattle Metropolitan area and No. 4 in Washington state. The 31st annual report compares nearly 5,000 medical centers nationwide in 16 medical specialties and 10 procedures and conditions.