The day after Halloween near the Senior  Center - by John Reinke

OPINION: City Of Redmond Should Lighten Up

Dear Mayor and Council - 

Strongsville, Ohio is a vibrant suburban city of 45,000, a short distance from Cleveland.  https//www.strongsville.org. They've taken the following measures to firm up their finances in response to COVID pressures.  The following is an excerpt from the Strongsville, OH website:

"To help combat the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the City of Strongsville’s tax revenues, all full-time city employees not covered under a collective bargaining agreement – as well as the mayor, department heads, service department workers and building inspectors -- will be placed on a 32-hour work week starting ___, resulting in an eight-hour weekly furlough (a 20 percent pay reduction).

The furlough will not affect police, firefighters or dispatchers. All three operations will remain ready to respond. 

Service Department personnel will be scheduled so that workers are available to respond to any potential emergencies.

The furloughs will stay in effect until at least ___. when the city’s finances will be evaluated and a decision made about returning to normal hours. We apologize for any inconvenience."

City Council, this is budget season - please take similar actions to steady our tax revenues. 

--Thank you, Bob

   10/30/2020

City Reimagines Redmond Lights In Response to COVID

REDMOND, WA - This year's Redmond Lights will celebrate hope, joy, arts, and light while adhering to the State’s Safe Start Plan. With the inability to gather and hold events, the City of Redmond has reimagined Redmond Lights to be a month-long art and light installation at Downtown Park. Art and light installations are sponsored by Microsoft, BECU, and Evergreen Healthcare. 

With a generous sponsorship from Redmond Town Center, Cleveland Street and 164th Ave NE will be lit to lead visitors to Redmond Town Center, where the experience continues with visits with Santa and more. The installations will be in place from December 4, 2020, to January 3, 2021. 

Using a free smart phone app, visitors will take a self-guided tour through the experience. Traditional elements that included the tree lighting, performances, booths, and large gatherings will not occur this year. Instead, the City of Redmond invites visitors to #LetItGlowRedmond. 

Businesses surrounding Downtown Park and at Redmond Town Center are invited to decorate their windows, sponsored by Minuteman Press Redmond, and participate as “Blinker Stops,” where visitors can get their exclusive 2020 Redmond Lights blinker, sponsored by Experience Redmond. Residents will be invited to share their home light displays and vote on their favorite entries. 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our opportunities to gather, spreading light, hope, and joy in the community is even more important,” says Mayor Angela Birney. “This year will showcase art and light installations that will help connect our community, even when we are physically distanced.” 

Outdoor Spinning Classes At Redmond Town Center

These spinning clases are being held outside on a breezway at Redmond Town Center. Great exercise! Do you see any potential COVID isssues - masks? physical distancing? group cluster? Personally, I'm not concerned but it's something to consider by the participants. -- Bob Yoder

Happy Halloween!

Rest assured, you are not alone - the zombies are with you....The true intent of the sign is to give comfort to those suffering from the mental illness and suicide attributed COVID and other stressors. These signs are all over town, especially Ed. Hill. 

-- Bob Yoder, Ed Hill

Trick Or Treat!

Reinke, 10/22/2020

City Buildings Shuttered

Reinke, 10/22/2020

Redmond - A City In Transition

Redmond City Hall - By John Reinke, 10/24/2020

Downtown Redmond Light Rail Link Extension

NOTICE

Hello friends, My blog platform has changed and I'm having serious problems editing, posting pictures, links and videos. I'm not sure when I'll be back. Thanks for being a reader! Best wishes! Take care and Stay healthy, Bob

State Of Washington Voter Information

 What’s on the November 3 ballot?

General Election Voters' Pamphlet

Check out the variety of formats! Accessible PDFs, audio files, flat text, and videos. Teachers and students can participate in the 2020 Student Mock Election, too!

Online Voter Guide 

For best results, use a mobile device or Chrome/Firefox browser to load the guide. For a personalized guide, use the lookup tool at VoteWA.gov.

Voting in Washington?

Three Ways to Register

Check your registration at VoteWA.gov. After October 26, Washington citizens who still need to register (or update) must complete the process in person at a county elections office until November 3, 8:00 PM.    

Voting by Mail FAQ 

If you are registered to vote in Washington, there is no need to request a ballot. Your ballot packet is mailed out October 16 to the address where you're registered.

General Election Fact Sheet

Key dates, resources, and contacts. Election results are tabulated and posted after 8:00 PM on November 3. Each county certifies results November 24, and the Secretary of State certifies final results December 3.

Where do I vote?

At home! Your ballot is mailed out October 16. Use the state Voters' Pamphlet to learn about candidates and measures (look for the green cover) delivered to households Oct 3 - 12. You may also vote an accessible device in person at a local elections office or voting center until 8:00 p.m. on November 3.

• List of Drop Boxes and Voting Centers ( Excel | PDF | Map )
• There is a drive-through drop box at Redmond City Hall
• Bellevue. Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, 98004. Crossroads Shopping Center (south entrance),. 15600 NE 8th St, 98008. Newport Way Library 

Download this comprehensive list of official ballot drop locations, or, for a personalized list sign in to VoteWA.gov. The statewide list will be updated periodically as Election Day approaches. For more information contact your local elections office.

Who voted? 

Daily Ballot Return Statistics and Turnout

Updated at the end of each day, this report breaks down the number of ballots received and turnout percentage by county.

Daily Ballot Status Report

Also known as the matchback report, this daily report contains ballots received, accepted, or challenged. Matching it back to the voter registration database reveals who has yet to vote. All voter information in the report is public information.

Voter Registration Database | Request Form

Request a complete list of voters and publicly available information. The extract is large and may require particular expertise or tools to navigate.

Doing some research?

District Maps

Available in paper format, PDF, or GIS compatible precinct shapefiles.

Data & Statistics

This page contains links to publicly available election information for both current and historical data. Drilling down? Here’s contact info for each county elections office.

See "Who's Filed"

List of candidates who filed for office this year. Search by district, office, name, party preference and more.

Where can I find information about past elections?

Information on past elections, including results, voters' pamphlets, offices open for election, lists of candidates who filed, and other data can be found on our Election Results and Voters' Pamphlets page.

UPDATE: The City Of Redmond Budget

Mayor Angela Birney presented the proposed 2021-2022 biennial budget on Oct. 6. In a letter to the Redmond City Council and city community, she stated the recommendations in the budget were produced through Civics Result team of 30 Redmond volunteers, questionnaires, focus groups and **public hearings. 

The city forecasts that revenues from taxes and fees will decline by *$6.3 million in 2020, with expenses outpacing revenues starting in 2021, depleting the fund balance each year through 2026. In light of the economic hardships anticipated in the city, the budget cuts 26 full time positions from the 2020 staffing, including almost 10 Parks Department positions, eight capital investment, utilities and development services staff positions, and four vacant police or fire services staff positions. Some of those positions were also removed due this year as they were unnecessary during the shut downs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Excerpts from the Redmond Reporter. Halely Ausbun, 10/8/2020

Thank you Mayor for your courage and smarts to trim FTE's. Keep it up.

*CARES funding providing $2M this year will lighten the load.

** two public hearings remain

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Opens To Preschoolers

 Old Redmond Schoolhouse opens to preschoolers for their first day of school

Sep 22 2020

Building updated as part of 2016 bond passed by voters

Redmond, Wash. – Staff cheered Monday, September 14, as the first preschool student walked confidently into the Early Learning Center at Old Redmond Schoolhouse. It is the first time in more than 20 years that Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has held classes in the building. 

After a remodel, approved by voters in 2016, the 98-year-old building now serves as one of LWSD’s Early Learning Centers. Remodeled spaces include 10 preschool classrooms, therapy spaces, the Child Find office, a family resource library and family meeting space. Most special needs preschool students are attending class in-person, though some are starting the year remotely. 

Community Building Update - Chuga, Chuga

"The Council will be asked to make a decision on the Community Building 10/22/20 to move forward so staff can continue without further delay. The Council has an active motion that was postponed from the September 15, 2020 Council Business meeting and will be taken up on the October 22nd Council special meeting. 

The motion made by Councilmember Carson, seconded by Councilmember Kritzer is as follows: Authorize the Mayor and staff to move forward on the construction of a community building on the existing site of the Redmond Senior Center in the size of approximately 42,000 square feet with optional expansion capabilities with costs not to exceed $46.7M and with the funding mechanism of capital improvement program funds and councilmanic bonds." Parks Council Comm. memo 10/6/2020.

Thank you CM David Carson and CM Vanessa Kritzer for your leadership in moving this project on, I've never seen a valuable Redmond project like this one get so bogged down by **bureaucracy.  Yoder

###

Bureaucracy

**"At the study session on July 28, 2020, the Community Stakeholder Group presented the recommendations for the future of the Redmond Senior Center. Throughout the study session discussion, and during subsequent Council discussion, Council had additional questions, which were addressed at the PHS Committee of the Whole on August 4, 2020, the PPW Committee of the Whole on August 11, 2020. The PHS Committee of the Whole on September 1st, and the City Council Business Meeting on September 15th .

Recently, there have been questions about the public engagement efforts, decision points that will be requested from the City Council and the City’s bonding capacity. The need for Community Center and Recreation space to serve everyone in Redmond has been discussed over many years in Redmond. 

In 2009, 327 people engaged in a statistically valid survey to inform the Recreation Buildings Master Plan. This plan called for an 80,000 sf facility and a $69-71M investment to adequately serve the residents of Redmond. This effort was not implemented. 

In 2015, 830 people engaged to help inform the PARCC plan, of which the need for a larger Community Center space was a high priority. 

In 2017, 30-35 people made up the Recreation Stakeholders group who engaged with 3600 people to help inform the Communities Priority for the Future of Redmond Community Centers in 2017.

In 2019-20 the Recreation Stakeholders assisted in engaging 2500 people to help inform their recommendation found in the report, “Envision the Future of the Redmond Senior Center”. 

This has been the longest and most engaged public engagement process for any project in Redmond. In order for staff and the community to move forward with the design and ultimately the construction of the Redmond Senior and Community Center, Council will need to provide direction on the size and scale and financial model to fund the project.

Provided in the presentation and on the Council Question Matrix is a timeline of the capital outlay and decision points needed from the City Council."  Parks Council Comm. 10/6

City Receives Round Two of CARES Funding

The City has received notice that it is the recipient of additional Coronavirus Relief Funds made available through the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). Through Round 2 allocations, the City will receive an additional $987,900. Staff is proposing that fund acceptance be placed on the consent agenda in order to facilitate both the allocation and expenditure of this time-sensitive funding.

-- Park Council Comm. memo, 10/6

Valuing our indigenous students

Not to forget our indigenous students and their families!

Interdistrict cooperative contracts for services to American Indian and Alaska Native students in the Bellevue and Northshore School districts resulted when the Eastside Native American Education Consortium was formed in 1984. At that time the Lake Washington School District agreed to be the overseeing agency (sponsoring school district) to receive annual Title VI – Indian Education funds from the U.S. Department of Education. 

Since the level of Title VI funding does not adequately cover program costs, each school district agreed to contribute a prorated cost per native student enrolled in the Title VI programs. 

Estimated cost charged to each participating district for the 2020-2021 is as follows: 

Bellevue School District 57 Students @ $65.00 = $3,705.00 

Northshore School District 89 Students @ $65.00 = $5,785.00 

Lake Washington School District 120 Students @ $65.00 = $7,800.00

Reported by Yoder

10/6/2020

It's Salmon "Seeson!"

Excellent article and Youtube from Army Corps of Engineers.

Sockeye or Chinook? (photo, Army Corps)

You may be able to see adult coho, sockeye, and Chinook salmon in September and October from the 90th Street bridge when they migrate up the Sammamish River to their spawning grounds in Bear Creek. For best viewing, visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid glare and bring polarized glasses.  No. Bear Creek at Juel Park is another excellent viewing location.

The 2020 sockeye run returning through the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks is the third lowest return on record, after last year’s record low return. Sockeye are affected by the changing climate, with variable ocean conditions and warming of streams and lakes. Warmer water increases predator metabolism and consumption of juvenile salmon and makes salmon more susceptible to disease.

 

Rearing sockeye:

Juvenile sockeye rear for one or two years in a lake (Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington) although they are also found in the inlet and outlet streams of the lake. Sockeye fry are often preyed on by resident lake fish, and because they use freshwater year-round, they are susceptible to low water quality. (John Reinke.)

While average annual Chinook returns fluctuate and are well below population recovery goals, 2017 saw the second highest return to the Cedar River since before 2000 and this year, as of mid-August 2020, the count through the Ballard Locks was almost double the 10-year average. Lake Sammamish’s native kokanee population has also been in decline for the last few decades and King County and partners have recently taken emergency actions to prevent possible extinction.

Salmon are tasty and great for your health! We are so blessed to have fresh, wild salmon in our "backyard.".A quick and easy way to cook it is: place the fillet on a pan, skin down, sprinkle with olive oil and salt.  Bake for 325 degrees for about 14 minutes depending on its size.  Simply amazing!

-- Bob Yoder

LWSD Board Adopts 2020-21 Budget

 Board of Directors of the Lake Washington School District No. 414 hereby adopts the 2020-21 budget:

General Fund $491,088,202 

Associated Student Body Fund 6,470,521

 Debt Service Fund 79,128,277 

Capital Projects Fund 132,906,498 

Transportation Vehicle Fund 1,161,241

-- Excerpt from LWSD Board Packets, 8/24 and 8/10/2020

Opinion - Labeling Councilmembers

I recently wrote a post where I labeled three councilmembers harshly and I want to apologize. Below are my changes:  

In cultural, religious situations Varisha Kahn is an effective activist. She's a very good speaker and deeply concerned about the community.  Jessica Forsythe is a kind, soft-spoken councilmember in the Fields camp. She cares a lot about the environment. Mr. Fields is hard working, assertive, ambitious, a driver and cares about the environment too.  An accountant, he brings much to the table during the finance and budget process.  

Bob Yoder, opinion, 9/28

Video of Councilmember Varisha Kahn

 https://crosscut.com/2020/06/new-normal-when-your-living-room-becomes-city-hall

Find a good video of Varisha in this article 

The New Normal: When your living room becomes City Hall

Redmond City Councilmember Varisha Khan is navigating her first term from home while supporting her community through the pandemic.

by Dorothy Edwards / June 22, 2020 - Crosscut 

Varisha Khan is a first-time city council member in Redmond. She drafted, proposed and passed recent legislation that protects Redmond residents from late fees and evictions, and offers support during other hardships. She recognizes this pandemic as a collective trauma for society and the only way she feels she can cope is by doing what she knows: helping her community through writing humane policy that mends a frayed social safety net.

Dorothy Edwards, June 22, 2020, Crosscut.

Entertainment In The Downtown Park

During our Sunday walk downtown we noticed several street poles were posted with the following announcement:  

Feeling the blues?  

Come outside and feel some tunes

@ the Downtown Redmond Park

Featuring DJ: Kimere

from 7-9 Tuesday and Sunday 

Don't want to come out? Stay tuned on Instagram on Kimere_vibez

So my wife and I strolled in at 7:40 and  I took this video.  Personally, I loved the music.  I counted 23 people there including 2 kids.  Had there been more, surely we would have danced up a storm. As is, the only dancers were my wife and two kids. 

When the bad weather comes the public with have to tune into Instagram. Maybe the City will put up a tent. I just hope this doesn't go away!

-- Bob Yoder, 9/28