Dennis Elliss Is Out Of Touch, Vote Melissa Stuart For Redmond Council Position 4

 

Campaign literature:  Melissa is a non-profit leader with deep experience breaking down barriers for youth and families. She serves as the Director of Individual Giving at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. During the pandemic, she’s worked to keep students connected to school and parents/caregivers in the workforce. Prior to Boys & Girls Clubs, Melissa worked to create affordable access to behavioral healthcare for all East King County families at Youth Eastside Services. She’s also worked to ensure education success for youth in foster care at Treehouse, and more. She earned a Masters of Non-Profit Leadership from Seattle University.

Melissa served as a Community and Organizational Development Advisor in Moldova with the U.S. Peace Corps. During her service, she worked with community leaders to strengthen youth development programs and with international NGOs to increase the reach of human trafficking prevention programs to rural areas of the country.

On council, Melissa will be a leading voice for urgent action on climate change. She is a known environmental advocate in the city and has served as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs & Clean Energy, board member at Zero Waste Washington, and volunteer member of a Sound Transit/Metro 520 Connections Sounding Board. Melissa is committed to working with other leaders so that Redmond can be a leader in climate mitigation and resilience across the region.

-- Malissa Stuart

Candidate for Redmond Council Position 4.  

Malissa's opponent is Dennis Elliss. In his literature Mr. Elliss complains about
"mayoral discussions being focused on how soon the earth was going to burn up and how walking paths and bike lanes were gridlock soluctions."

Mr. Elliss is out of touch.  Vote for Melissa Stuart!

-- Bob Yoder, 7/12/2021

OPINION: Virtual Derby Days

historylink.org

THE CITY OF REDMOND says:  "Redmond Derby Days is canceled this year due to budget reductions approved in the 2021/2022 budget.  Financial impacts resulting from reductions in revenues for events, restrictions on gathering and in-person activities, and extended, and closure of facilities related to related to the pandemic have resulted in staff layoff and reduced or eliminated programming in the 2021. Please contact Christin Everson at ceverson@redmond.gov for more information."  redmond.gov

OPINION:  The City's statement is confusing and worthy of correction. All is not as bad as it appears.

1)  Only 7 staff members were laid off (Parks and Recreation.) They (and an additional full time employee) were hired back.  No other employees were laid off owing to the pandemic.  

2) *Monthly construction tax revenues regularly increase by double digits  

3)  All departments are usually under budget.

-- Bob Yoder, 7/11/2021

__________________________________________________________________________________

*The City of Redmond's Director of Finance, Ms. Files, gave a very encouraging monthly finance report to council on January 24th.

1.  All city departments are under budget.
2.  Revenues are up 13% owing to one-time revenue from taxes on construction projects.
3.  Expenditures are lower owing to:
        - $3M economic contingency fund adjustment.
        - $6M salary and benefit savings owing to turnover pay.
        - $2M adjustment of one-time project monies in the general fund.

-- Source:  Council Committee of the Whole meeting, 1/24.

Redmond's Downtown Rail Car Has Capacity For 800 Riders - Will Run Every Eight Minutes

Rendering of the Downtown Redmond Station

 Behind the sign two cranes are working on the Redmond light rail station / rail bed.  

"4-car" trains run every 8 minutes on weekdays.  Each "4-car" train can carry 800 riders, 16 wheelchairs, 8-12 bikes, and a desigated area for luggage.  But how will the riders and handicapped get to the station or park near it? Walk or take a LIME scooter? I think there's bus/van service but Sound Transit is silent on parking.

Travel times from Redmond:

18 minutes to Downtown Bellevue

42 minutes to Downtown Seattle

45 minutes to the Stadiums

49 minutes to University of Washington

56 minutes to Northgate

69 minutes to Lynwood

72 minutes to Sea-Tac airport

87 minutes to Federal Way

Source:  Sound Transit fact sheet, Photo, Bob Yoder, 7/9/2021

Council Member Forsythe Encourages Mask Wearing At Council Meetings

Council Member Jessica Forsythe

"I chose to wear a mask at the first in-person meeting in response to the many seniors who have shared with me their desire for a masked safe space. I personally know many in our community who are unable to get the vaccine due to various heath complications. Additionally, I am still concerned for those 12 and under who are not yet eligible for the vaccine. 

I will continue to wear a mask at future Regular Business meetings and hope my fellow Council Members will join me. 

Helping to protect community members is not an inconvenience it’s an honor."

Thank you,

Council Member Forsythe 

7/8/2021

UPDATED: Council Holds First In-person Meeting In Over A Year

 

(l-r) Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe, Tanika Padeya, David Carson, Mayor Angela Birney, Vanessa Kritzer, Jeralee Anderson, Steve Fields.

Council had their first hybrid / in-person Regular meeting on July 6th, 2021.  Prior to this, meetings were remote owing to COVID.  

In this particular meeting, Varisha Kahn, Jessica Forsythe and Jeraleee Anderson wore masks. Everyone else were unmasked, including the mayor, the city attorney and city clerk.  Mr. Fields was participating remotely.  Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Ms. Hite, Director of Parks were sitting unmasked at the table.  Some members of the audiance were not masked. 

I'm not sure why three were covered.  Were they fearful of the Delta variant?  My guess is some were trying to set an example to encourage the public to mask since the pandemic isn't over.

Council Member Varisha Kahn, in the committee meeting, attributed her full-face covering to a scratchy throat. 

-- Bob Yoder, 7/7/2021 - photo: redmond.gov

We Need Color Downtown

We need more color in our downtown!  If you agree email info@redmond.gov

Pure Redmond Apartments (Avondale & Union Hill)  Photo/P. Yoder
This is one of my favorites. Blue is so rare on Redmond buildings. And you can't argue with the roof-line.

162ten Apartments 
Redmond's first building artwork -- bold & innovative

Opinion, Yoder -Photo: B. Yoder

City Of Redmond Facilities Open July 1

 Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond will reopen most city facilities to the community on July 1, after a nearly 16-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, facilities will open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, including City Hall and the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village. City Council meetings will resume in person on July 6 as well as continue online, while boards and commission meetings will continue virtually for the time-being.

“We look forward to welcoming the community back to city facilities and connecting in person once again,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “As we move forward together, we will continue to build on the innovation realized, efficiencies gained, and lessons learned over the past 16 months.”

The City Of Redmond's "Pavement Preservation Program"

 redmond.gov/Pavement

I noticed this 'pavement preservation program' sign near the QFC at Bella Bottega.  Couldn't believe my eyes.  Tried to learn what was going on, but the web link was broken. You'd think Public Works would have more on their plate than this.

-- Bob Yoder, opinion

Amazon Will Hire A Total Of 1400 Jobs In Redmond

 

Amazon’s continued commitments in Redmond not only demonstrate the strength of the talent pool in our city, but also that we’ve created an amenity-rich, business-friendly environment in which companies large and small continue to grow and hire,” said Redmond mayor Angela Birney.

Over the past year, we’ve continued to invest in the Puget Sound region and are excited to share that Amazon has secured two new sites in Redmond that will provide additional space for our growing teams and their evolving needs as they continue to innovate on behalf of our customers.

The first of the Redmond investments will support the creation of more than 800 roles on our AWS team, including software developers, user experience designers, and technical program managers. These new roles will add to the 600 jobs coming to Redmond Town Center, announced last year. The jobs will be based at a new 137,000-square-foot location at 16331 NE 72nd Way, in Redmond, Washington—featuring mixed-use office space that will be completed next year. [Redmond Square?]

We’ve also invested in another space in Redmond, a new lab space for research and development to support Project Kuiper--an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The new 22,000-square-foot facility will provide additional space for our growing team and help accelerate research, development, and testing for the program.

King County Mask Directive Ends, 6/29/21

 

King County's mask directive ends as COVID-19 rates are down and number of people fully protected hits 70% goal

Summary Public Health – Seattle & King County is announcing the end of the current King County Mask Directive that has been in place since May 20, 2021. Now that the local directive has ended, the Washington state mask guidance is in effect in King County. Unvaccinated people will need to continue wearing masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces.  Story With 70% of King County residents age 16 and older considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the number continuing to increase, Public Health—Seattle & King County is announcing the end of the King County Mask Directive as of today, June 29. The end of the local mask directive marks a remarkable achievement for the residents of King County as high vaccination coverage has led to drops in COVID-19 cases. King County has reached this milestone today, two weeks after 70% of residents age 16+ completed their vaccine series, as it takes two weeks after completing the vaccine series to be fully protected. Now that the local directive has lifted, the Washington state mask guidance is in effect in King County. Unvaccinated people will need to continue wearing masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces and continue to take other precautions including avoiding crowded indoor spaces and physical distancing. The end of the local directive nearly coincides with an end to most COVID-19 pandemic restrictions statewide, including in King County. That happens tomorrow, June 30.   Now that the local mask directive has ended in King County, it’s important to know that: Vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most public settings but may choose to do so based on personal considerations. Everyone, vaccinated or not, should continue to keep a mask with them when they go out. Masks will be needed in some indoor spaces. People who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings when they enter indoor public spaces, according to state guidance. This helps protect not only adults who are unvaccinated, particularly as more contagious variants are spreading, but also children and those with medical conditions that prevent them from getting vaccinated or from being fully protected by vaccines. Businesses are allowed to request or require their customers and employees to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. If there is a surge in COVID-19, masks will be an important tool.  Don't throw away those masks!

Temperatures reach historic highs -- 109 degrees in Redmond

 

Do you know what Redmond park this is?
redmond.gov

Due to the continued high temperatures, Redmond City Hall (15670 NE 85th St.) has extended community cooling center hours today until 9 p.m. and will be open again tomorrow, June 29, from 12 pm – 9 pm. Visitors must wear a face covering unless fully vaccinated. Please bring your own refillable water bottle. http://ow.ly/qlYC50FkdKs

-- Mayor Angela Birney, Facebook, 6/28/2021

We had three days over 100 degress.  

UPDATED: "Porch + Park" Has An Innovative Design, Possibly With Green Roofs

 

Porch + Park, 425business.com
The building is top center of the photo facing the Downtown Park pavilion 
It appears it's designed with a "green roof."  

An 86-unit mixed-use apartment building located in downtown Redmond. The six floor development will include 19,000sf office space and 12,000sf commercial space. 95 under-building parking stalls including 30 stalls for public use are proposed.  The existing 5,000 square foot mattress eye-sore will be demolished; the popular 1,600 square foot Subway restaurant will stay.  -- redmond.gov, 4/20/21.

An agreement was accepted from the City reducing the number of required balconies from 104 to 52, provided the applicant pays the fee-in-lieu for each required balcony.  -- Design Review Board, 4/20/21

Click Pic To Enlarge, Photo Yoder

See what we get to live with while these beautiful developments are under construction.
Porch + Park is predicted for completion in 2022.  Redmond Square (600 units) will break ground in August on busy 166th Ave and Redmond Way. Demolition will probably take months.   

-- Bob Yoder, 6/26/2021

Construction Of "Together Center" Well Underway

 

Site preparation for below grade parking (228 stalls)

PROJECT OVERVIEW:  Demolish existing building and construct two six-story mixed-use buildings with very affordable 280 dwelling units,  A single, approximately 2.47-acre parcel (Parcel number 29060600301300) located at 16225 NE 87th Street in Redmond, Washington

The City of Redmond Technical Committee and Design Review Board have reviewed and approved the above-referenced proposal for two mixed-use residential buildings with a total of 280 exceptionaly affordable residential units, approximately 49,000 square feet of gross floor areas of ground floor office space, and 228 stalls of below grade parking. 

The Site is currently developed with three (3) single-story commercial buildings totaling approximately 35,706 net square feet. The Site is being used by several businesses including: the Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy, the Together Center, a nursing agency, the Transition Academy for the Lake Washington School District, and a dental office. The site mapped as occurring within seismic hazard and critical aquifer recharge areas (which were not addressed within the Talasaea memo.)

-- Wetland LLC, 15803 Bear Creek Parkway, 3/4/2020

A sketch of things to come.

Bob Yoder, 6/25/2021

UPDATED: QFC Grocery Adds COVID Advisory Warnings To Their Signage

click to enlarge

UPDATE:  World Health Organization encourages fully vaccinated individuals to mask up owing to malicious Delta variant. 6/29/21

Seattle/King County Department of Health removes Mask directive.  In most cases the fully vaccinated are allowed to demask.  6/29/21

QFC - Bella Bottega posts new COVID signage in addition to their original signage.  The following language was added:  

1)  Do you feel sick?  STOP

2)  If you are sick or have been in the last 24 hours please DO NOT ENTER.

3)  A list of the common hygene practices.  Plus:  Stay at home if you are sick.

4)  Masks should cover the nose and mouth.

5)  50% customer capacity limit in the store for social distancing.  

All said and done, importantly "Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals."  (a good reason to get vaccinated.)  

-- Bob Yoder, 6/25/2021

Downtown Redmond Link Extension spring 2020 design update

If you want to know about what's coming to Redmond, you've come to the right place.  

Sammamish River Eagles - Photos By John Reinke

Parent with eaglet - John Reinke, Redmond resident

Eagle is turning it's head 180 degrees!  - John Reinke

 

Melissa Stuart To Run for Redmond Council Position No. 4

Melissa Stuart

15127 NE 24TH ST #329

REDMOND, WA 98052

(425) 224-3438

electmelissastuart@gmail.com

www.electmelissastuart.com

Education: Master of Non-Profit Leadership, Seattle University; BA Communication

& BA Political Science, Washington State University

Occupation: Development Director, Boys & Girls Clubs; Former Redmond Library Trustee

Statement:

I’m running for city council because I believe Redmond can be a great place to live for all. I will ensure that every person can have their voice heard. I will collaborate with city leaders to invest in climate change mitigation today and resiliency for what is to come tomorrow.

 

To council, I’ll bring my years of experience breaking down barriers for youth and families; including my work at Youth Eastside Services to secure access to affordable behavioral healthcare for all families, and at Treehouse to promote education success for youth in foster care. I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, former 48th LD Democrats PCO, former Sound Transit/Metro Sounding Board member, and active environmental advocate in our city.

 

Endorsements: 45th LD Democrats; Congresswoman Suzan DelBene; Representative Vandana Slatter; Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Council President Tanika Padhye, Councilwoman Vanessa Kritzer; Zero Waste Washington Executive Director Heather Trim

-- King County Elections

READ COMMENTS: Dennis Ellis To Run For Redmond Council Position No. 4

 

Dennis Ellis

5421 157TH DR NE

REDMOND, WA 98052

(425) 829-9250

elect@dennisaellis.com

www.dennisaellis.com

Education: Gonzaga University, Bachelor Business Administration; Seattle University, 

Master in Science of Finance

Occupation: Senior Financial Analyst, The Boeing Company

Statement:

I have been a resident of Redmond for nearly 30 years and love our city. It has been truly amazing to be a part of Redmond's transformation from a relatively small town to a still growing, beautiful city. However, as is the case many times, with growth comes some unintended consequences: traffic gridlock, urban planning miscues, and the demise of many small businesses in the community.

As your council member, I will bring my small business, finance, and corporate experiences to serve the people of Redmond and help solve these issues. Additionally, I will do everything in my power to provide city services to all as cost effectively as possible.

Finally, I proudly served my country in the military and took an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States". I promise to take the same approach in serving our city. Thanks for your support.

--King County Elections

UPDATE!! Safeway: "Masks Are Encouraged For Non-Vaccinated Customers" - Not Required

 

Redmond Safeway, 6/01/2021

UPDATE:  World Health Organization encouages fully vaccinated wear masks owing to malicious variant.  6/29/2021

Seattle/King County Department of Health discontinues mask directive - permits fully vaccinted to de-mask.  6/29/2021

This Safeway sign blew me away:  "Masks are encouraged for non-vaccinated customers."  Not required.

 

Subtitle:  "Safeway, Albertsons and Carrs care about the well-being of our Associates, Customers and Neighbors, as well as maintaining a safe and comfortable store enviroment." 

Fine print:  

"This does not apply to children under the age of 2 or those with the following exemptions:  Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disablility that prevents wearing a facecovering that could obstruct breathing or persons who are incapatitated, or otherwise unable to remove a facecovering without assistance.  Persons who are hearing impaired or communiting with a person who is hearing impaired where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication." 

NOTE:  A few weeks ago I was shopping in Costco without a mask when 97% were masked-up. I began to feel uneasy and mildly anxious so masked-up.  It helped.  After that one episode I've had no problems entering an establishment where masks aren't required; in fact I look for them.  I cherish the freedom and happiness from being vaccinated.  I also feel like I'm supporting our businesses.  I was fully vaccinated on February 20; all is well.  

-- Bob Yoder, 6/17/2021

City Considers Multi-Family Housing On Avondale

Perrigo Heights wet vaults -- a different development

Next Wednesday the 16th, the Planning Commission will review a multi-family land use proposal (Pier 67) on the westside of Avondale Road, north of 104th Street. 10431 Avondale.  Besides, single family dwellings, I hear senior housing and assisted living of sorts are planned.  This excites me because it brings a diversity of economic segments and household types.  And, the land use doesn't conflict with the character of our Education Hill neighborhoods.

One of my questions is the challenge of ingress and egress at Avondale Road.  Well, I guess if other multi-family complexes can navigate Avondale Road, Pier 67 can too. It's also nice there's a bus stop at 104th and Avondale. Residents could ride scooters to the bus stop right?  

Stormwater runs off the western hills.  Of course, the city requires keeping our stormwater clean.  Thus, Pier 67 will install two "wet vaults." and maintain  a bioswale to filter dirty water before it enters Bear Creek.  Pier 67 management are good stewards of our environment.

To make this all work, and bring diversity to this part of Avondale zoning would have to change from 4-dwellings per acre to 12 (or more) dwellings per acre.  The Planning Commission is holding a HEARING, next Wednesday the 16th at 7 p.m.  They're asking for comments on zoning and the neighborhood element. 

Please email your comments to the Planning Commission at:  planningcommission@redmond.gov

The Planning Commission unanimously denied the amendment. 7/11/2021

--Bob Yoder, 6/11/2021

   Photo, Yoder

Welcome Cecilia Martinez!

 

Cecilia Martinez - Redmond's first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond has named Cecilia Martínez-Vásquez as its first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Manager. Martínez-Vásquez will be leading the new DEI program that will provide citywide leadership to advance Redmond’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals of reflecting the community, engaging in purposeful and accessible community outreach, and providing equitable service delivery and policy-driven outcomes. The DEI Manager will work to achieve these goals by recommending, developing, and implementing strategies, initiatives, and organizational change.  

Redmond, a global city that attracts residents from around the world, is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

“We envision a community where all residents can fully and effectively access city services, influence city policy and direction, and feel a sense of belonging,” says Mayor Angela Birney. “Cecilia brings the experience, education, and vision to lead Redmond towards our vision of being a welcoming and inclusive community for all.”  

Martínez-Vásquez holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Comparative American Cultures/Ethnic Studies, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from Washington State University, and a Master of Science in Justice and Social Inquiry from Arizona State University. She has worked with many different organizations and individuals on the Eastside and across King County as the Multicultural Center Manager at Shoreline Community College and with the Wrap-Around Services Program at the City of Bellevue.  

Cecilia grew up in the Yakima Valley, the daughter of farmworkers. The experiences of her youth paved the path for social justice-driven equity, diversity, and inclusion work while an undergraduate at Washington State University. Her work, education, and personal experiences have allowed for exposure to many areas of diversity including socioeconomics, culture of poverty, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, ageism, disabilities, and more.