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| Looking Southwest from 166th Ave. NE / Yoder (click pic to enlarge) |
-- Bob Yoder, 2/5/2022
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| Do you see the black solar panels on the roof? Will there be space for green roof tops? |
1) Vice President Vanessa Kritzer announced the possibility of Green (Roof) Tops at the Center. President Jessica Forsythe has advocated for green roof tops for years. Jessica asked staff for maintenance costs. Eric Dawson, Public Works and project lead estimated a green top would cost about $15,000. He felt it would easily fit in the budget. Hopefully, this will be the first of many green tops on City buildings.
2) Design costs of the Center are increasing with inflation. The cost will be $52,000,000 if Council passes an ordinance to cover a $4,000,000 shortfall. Public Works "value engineered" the project saving $2,480,000.
3) Most of the funding is collected from the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) $17,116,000 and a "councilmanic" bond. The CIP is funded by taxpayers.
Total debt payments on the councilmanic bond are $32,217,000 over twenty years. Cumulative interest over twenty years is $8,264,000. The interest rate is 3%. President Forsythe was concerned about the rate rising. Councilmanic bonds are not voter approved.
Here's some upbeat news. The councilmanic bond can be spent as one-time money for construction of the Center. President Forsythe questioned having enough one-time money to "go around" towards other projects. Parks Director Carrie Hite wasn't too concerned stating the 2022 CIP was "robust." The final decision is expected in June.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, Internet, 2/1/2022
OPINION: Director Carrie Hite was released or resigned from her position just recently. Council decided not to use the councilmanic bond to fund construction of the Senior/Comm. Center. Council may have decided the 2022 CIP was not robust and perhaps didn't like staff making budget decisions. Council President Forsythe was concerned the 3% interest rate would increase with inflation. My guess is she has other places to use the bond in the immediate future. Losing Director Hite is a big loss IMO.
Redmond Historical Society
Virtual Saturday Speaker Series
Saturday, 10:30 AM, February 12, 2022
"Catching a Map Thief"
Zoom Webinar
To register: https://tinyurl.com/RHSMapThief
Speaker: Robert Lopresti, Author and retired Librarian
In 2006, there was a major map theft at Western Washington University. Retired librarian and mystery author Robert Lopresti will talk about a two-year investigation by WWU personnel that resulted in the conviction of a man who had stolen publications from more than 100 libraries around the country.
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| Robert Lopresti (RHS) |
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| Redmond's Silver Cloud Homeless Hotel (Komo) |
The Redmond hotel borders Bellevue neighborhoods, a pre-school and small businesses. Bellevue's George B. emerged as the spokesman-activist for the protesters. They were highly organized.
Last Tuesday George B. spoke, with Mayor Birney giving him extra time. Apparently, roughly 85% of the homeless residents will be from outside Redmond.
Throughout this painful months-long drama rarely did I hear of Councilmembers visiting the Bellevue businesses other than CM Fields and possibly CM Forsythe.
However, last night Councilmember Jeralee Anderson was the star. CM Anderson met with George B. the day previous. She was all ears as he explained his expectations for "no negative outcomes." George complimented Jeralee as "astute and thoughtful." He called her "a gifted politician." CM Anderson's connection with George should be vital to the success of this social experiment.
CM Anderson verified permanent that homeless housing doesn't have to be located in hotels alone. The housing can go where hotels are permitted, not necessarily built.
CM Steve Fields was bothered by feelings of lack of trust between Council and the Executive branch. Time and again he asks for greater Council oversight powers. CM David Carson asked Planning Director Carol Helland to add context to the amendment to help Mr. Fields. Ms. Helland, with her depth of knowledge addressed all the questions; she's brilliant.
It's important to know the County will require additional "homeless hotels," possibly as frequent as every two years. Thus, separation of permanent supportive housing and other types of emergency low income housing need spacing for density issues. The Planning Commission recommended half mile (2641') separation between "homeless hotel" housing types. Vice President Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer recommended separation of no less than 1,500 feet. The vote was YES for 1,500 feet (Kritzer, Forsythe, Kahn, Stewart.)
An amendment fixes the hotel occupancy to 100. CM Anderson suggested greater latitude. Council voted YES 7-0.
HB 1220 required amendments to Redmond Code, thus, Council's deliberations. Although *permanent supportive housing, *transitional housing, *indoor emergency housing, and *indoor emergency shelters are allowed under our Redmond Zoning Code, it does not define nor clarify the provisions through which are mandated consistent with HB 1220 requiring amendments to current Redmond regulations.
Bob Yoder, OPINION, 2/3/2022
Read More on HB 1220
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| Mayor Angela Birney |
(Redmond, WA, January 22, 2022) – Redmond Mayor Angela Birney has been elected President of the Sound Cities Association (SCA), which represents 38 King County cities and provides a regional voice for more than one million people.
Renton City Councilmember Ed Prince serves as immediate Past President of SCA, and applauded Birney’s election as President, stating: “Angela is an outstanding regional leader and was a great partner to me as Vice President of SCA last year. I know that SCA will thrive in her capable hands this year as President.”
“Redmond and East King County have benefitted tremendously from Mayor Birney’s leadership, smarts and empathy. I’m excited to see her step up to help guide cities countywide as President of SCA,” said King County Council Chair and former Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci. “Congratulations to Mayor Birney and SCA! I look forward to working with her in this role over the next year.”
"I've had the opportunity to work closely with Angela for many years and she has always been a key partner and strong leader for both Redmond and the region," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "As Angela brings her experience and expertise to this new role, I look forward to continued collaboration with her and SCA in the year ahead."
Elected as Mayor in 2019, Angela Birney is now in her first term as Mayor of Redmond. In addition to serving as SCA President, Mayor Birney serves on the King County Council Regional Policy Committee, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Cascade Water Alliance Board as Vice-Chair, King County Regional Homelessness Authority, OneRedmond Board, Hopelink Board of Directors, King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C), I-405/SR 167 Executive Advisory Committee, and Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee as an alternate.
LWSD 2020-2021 Operating Budget
Salary Expenditures - $286,864,775
Benefit Expenditures - $108,794,649
Salary & Benefits - $395,659,424
Total Expenditures - $461,523,257 (includes salaries and benefits)
86% of the Operating Budget is Salary & Benefits.
"Generally speaking, a school district spends between 80 and 85 percent of its entire budget on salaries and benefits, meaning only 15 to 20 percent remains to address all of the rest of the budget's priorities and needs." - www. aasa.org "School Budget 101." Our District appears well-managed.
LWSD has 30,500 students according to Dr. Holmen. The cost to educate each student is $15,131.
Is the Administration Leadership Team top-heavy and over paid? Of interest, 5% of District revenue is consumed by the Leadership Team.
- Bob Yoder, 1/27/2022, Sources: Public Record Request / Superintendent Barbara Posthumous, CFO.
Opinion
If Proposition No. 3 (Construction Levy) passes, we will be taxed $0.42 / $1,000 Assessed Value. Assuming a home is conservatively assessed at $900,000,000 the tax would be $378.00 for year 2023. Prop. No. 3 is a 6-year levy and by 2028 will have increased to $0.53/$1,000 Assessed Value.
In my opinion, the Prop. No. 3 Construction Levy is inexpensive for what we get. Please vote "yes!"
The two other levies (Prop. No. 1 and Prop. No. 2) are "replacement levies" with no new taxes.
The organization disseminating the mailers of "no new taxes" is the LW Citizens Levy Committee, a non profit known publicly as "vote4lwsdkids.org." I was taken in by their disinformation and I'm very disappointed. The District and Levy Committee seem too cozy and in this election the Levy Committee appears tainted. *Note their top donors.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion, updated 1/30/2022
*Top 5 donors to the Levy Committee build schools: 1) Cornerstone General Contractors, 2) BNB Builders, 3) Integurs Architecture, 4) Bassetti Architects, and 5) McGranahan Architects...all with interest in passing Proposition No. 3 any which way they can.
Cornerstone Contractors built Juanita High.
BNB built Clara Barton Elementary School
Integrus Architecture designed: Telsa STEM, Juanita, Benjamin Rush, Rachel Carson.
Monthly Finance Report through October 2021
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| City councilmembers are usually stone-faced right after the financial report. |
General Fund
· Total revenues are 24.0%, or $17.9 million, above target.
· Sales tax is 89.0%, or $18.3 million, above target primarily due to the high level of development activity. Ongoing sales tax is 37.6%, or $6.7 million, above target. One-time sales tax, which primarily relates to construction, is $13.7 million through October 2021.
· Utility taxes are 0.23%, or $22,000, below target.
· License & permit fees are 29.2%, or $2.7 million, above target primarily due to the high level of development activity.
· Intergovernmental revenues are 20.9%, or $2.4 million, above target primarily due to the American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) allocation to the City.
TOTAL REVENUE INCLUDING SALES TAXES: $64,000,000 above target. The City exceeds revenue and tax targets month-after-month from construction. Do we really need Parks and Safety levies?
[Monthly revenues and sales tax have exceeded their target almost every month for the past year.]00,000/
Total expenditures are 14.5%, or $17.5 million, below target due to position vacancies, the timing of one-time expenditures, and the budget adjustments adopted by ordinance on August 17, 2021 that impact 2022 and beyond. Regarding the budget adjustments, staff will fix the planned spend rate in 2021-2022 for the November 2021 financial report. Other Funds
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| LWSD Board of Directors / Internet |
As you see below, the new "Director of Business Services," department has a big responsibility with four Managers and 32 reports. The Communications Director appears to have a less challenging job but is paid the same as the Director of Business Services. The School Board should adjust salaries on these types of imbalances. In addition, the administration is top-heavy and could be streamlined.
SHANNON PARTHEMER Salary excluding benefits: $185,220
DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS (1 Manager, 12 reports)
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| Gary is standing left side of the mulch pile, Sharon is second from the right. So sorry the photo is blurred. Click pic to enlarge. |
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| Internet |
Total cost for all the projects is $295 million, allowing for construction costs, construction inflation, sales tax, and other fees.
The Construction Levy will provide classroom space for 2,350 students by:
This Levy authorizes an average of $49.2 million per year over six years. The levy rate is estimated to be an average of $0.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. This rate combined with previously approved construction measures will total $1.32 per thousand assessed value. The tax rate for construction levies will decrease over time as past bonds are paid off and prior construction levies expire.
Renewal Educational Programs & Operations Levy: The average annual amount per year is $92.3 million. The measure replaces an expiring levy and the levy rate is estimated at $1.03 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Renewal School Technology & Capital Projects Levy: The average annual amount per year is $44.3 million. The measure replaces an expiring levy and the levy rate is estimated at $0.49 per $1,000 of assessed value.
FAQ (election is February 8th)
Source: District website
Lake Washington, Redmond, and Juanita High Schools moved on Monday to temporary remote classes. Eastlake High School move to remote learning on Wednesday.
Per the district website, shortages are the result of COVID-related quarantines, general illness and other absences.
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| (click to enlarge) |
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The election was held during the January, 4th Regular Council meeting. A video of the meeting is here.
Councilmember Jessica Forsythe was elected Council President, (5-2) Carson, Fields, Kahn, Kritzer, Forsythe. (Stewart nominated Anderson.)
Councilmember Kritzer was elected Vice President, (4-3) Anderson, Stewart, Carson, Kritzer. (Forsythe nominated Anderson, Anderson declined the nomination, Anderson and Kritzer nominated Stewart for Vice President. Carson and Fields advised against it.)
Councilmember Kahn nominated Councilmember Fields for President. Mr. Fields declined. Fields nominated Ms. Kahn for V.P. Ms. Anderson voted "no." Ms. Kahn nominated Mr. Fields for V.P. Councilmember Anderson voted "no." Councilmember Malissa Stewart was nominated for V.P. Councilmember David Carson discouraged her owing to lack of experience. (This is her first year as a representative.)
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| Council President Jessica Forsythe |
Jessica Forsythe is an award-winning Creative Director and owner of a small graphic design studio which works primarily with clients who seek to better their community. Ms. Forsythe is a thoughtful, creative thinker who takes a holistic approach to every project. She believes strongly in being involved at the local level and knows first-hand the impact one person can have on their community.
Originally from Northeast Ohio, Jessica graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design with a concentration in Environmental Design. She has worked in environmental design, architecture, branding, and was the Art Director for the Seattle Symphony. She has volunteered with numerous community and charity organizations, most notably her decade-long involvement with Help Portrait International for which she is the Founder of the Redmond, Washington Chapter. Jessica has also served on various non-profit boards including the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County Executive Board and as the c3 Treasurer.
She enjoys hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, skiing, and rock climbing.
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| Council Vice President Vanessa Kritzer |
Position #5
Council Term Expires 12/31/23
Email Vanessa Kritzer
Phone: 425-305-9892
Boards/Committees: Presiding Officer of the City’s Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee of the Whole, Community Facilities District (CFD) Board of Supervisors, Eastside Transportation Partnership (ETP), Sound Cities Association (SCA), WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council, Lake Sammamish Kokanee ILA Management Committee, King Conservation District Advisory Committee.
Redmond Historical Society: "Bear Creek a small stream east of Seattle – some Redmond residents don’t even know it runs through town ending at the Sammamish River between Marymoor Park and Redmond Town Center -- but Bear Creek is notable for its historically strong runs of wild salmon. In the past half-century those runs have declined, especially that of the threatened Puget Sound Chinook. That trend is sadly common in Northwest waterways, but in this case the decline has been slowed by local efforts to support the fish."
Interview with Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl -- Water Tender President & Board member with long family history of life at Paradise Lake, the headwaters of Bear Creek.
Interview with Terry Lavender, *Founder of Water Tenders and Board Chair. Terry describes her long experience on Bear Creek working with citizen groups and county officials to preserve and rehabilitate property on and around the creek.
Interview with Mayor John Marchione.
Interview with Dick Schaetzel, past President of Water Tenders (1991.) Very active. Dick's home is 30 feet from Bear Creek.
Interview with Tom Murdock, Executive Director of "Adopt A Stream."
Ray Heller, King County Basin Steward for Bear Creek, 91-93
Written Q&A with Roger Dane C.O.R. Public Works.
Many thanks to the Redmond Historical Society for initiating and publishing "Bear Creek and the Stewards Who Saved a Salmon Stream," 1980 - 2020 (7/13/2021)
-- Bob Yoder, 1/7/2022
December 28, 2021
The Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village, Old Firehouse Teen Center, Old Redmond Schoolhouse, and Bytes Café within Redmond City Hall will reopen to the public while adhering to all city, state, and county guidelines including, but not limited to the following:
Indoor facility rentals, for groups of five to 85 people, will be available starting Jan. 4 at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village.
To find hours of operation, register for activities, and learn more about recreation and rental services, the community can visit www.redmond.gov/PlaySafe.
For questions and more information, contact Jill Smith, Communications Manager, at jesmith@redmond.gov or 425-556-2448. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov/PressReleases.
