Idylwood Beach Park, Redmond, WA. / Internet |
News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
Nina Rivkin, Chief Policy Advisor for Redmond, retired receiving accolades from Mayor Birney, King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County councilmember Claudia Balducci. They proclaimed "March 23, 2022 Nina Rivkin Day." Ms. Rivkin was a City executive for 20 years. Prior to Redmond whe worked for King County 13 years. Linked in.
CITY OF REDMOND 2022 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
(The City Council recommends the agenda, the Mayor adopts the agenda)
Top Priority Issues
148th Bicycle and Pedestrian Overpass Funding: The City encourages the Legislature to adopt a transportation revenue package to invest in projects throughout the state. Within the package, Redmond requests $27 million to construct a bicycle and pedestrian overpass on 148th Avenue NE across SR 520 to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. This project supports significant growth and investments in the region - including the Overlake Light Rail Station, the Microsoft Refresh project, and significant housing development including affordable units. Affordable. State awarded $8 million.
Housing and Preventing Homelessness: Redmond developed a Housing Action Plan to identify actions needed to improve housing affordability. The City supports funding and local option tools to diversify the housing supply, including targeted investments at the lowest income level, as well as funding the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the Housing Essential Needs (HEN) program. Funding Source: "Federal Infrastructure Package."
In response to challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Redmond supports policies, programs, and rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to ensure residents remain housed as the eviction moratoria ends.
Retaining critical staff working to keep us safe, $3.5 million
The 2007 property tax levy approved by voters included funding for 18 firefighters (enough to staff an additional aid car and a new fire station) and 17 police personnel.
Revenue from the levy by law has only grown 1% every year, while expenses have increased approximately 5% every year, rapidly outpacing revenue.
$3.5 million will retain 18 firefighters (enough to staff a new fire station) and 17 police personnel.
Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe |
Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard gave a brief presentation to the Council Committee of the Whole about his 2022 Public Safety Levy needs.
TOTAL ANNUAL FIRE LEVY COST: $3,200,000 (31% of the 2022 Public Safety Levy.)
If passed, the total annual "Public Safety Levy" is: $10,392,872/year or ~ $28.33/month or ~ $340/year on a $1 million house. Property taxes will be $0.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation.
-- Bob Yoder, 3/19/2022, Source: CCOW - Safety, 3/15/2022
Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe |
Nourishing Networks |
Council voted 5-2 (Carson, Kahn) for "Option 3" bonding at their March 8th Study Session. They chose a $16,814,039, 20-year council-manic bond bearing 3% interest. Total debt after 20 years is $21,000,000. Interest after 20-years is $5,393,340.
"One-time money" ($16,814,039) from 2021 construction taxes will not be spent. Enormous construction activity in Redmond's urban centers generates one-time money. The City accumulated $11,066,344 one-time money in 2020, as well. According to the Council President the funds must be used for capital expenditures, not operations.
Councilmember David Carson prefered "Option 1." He liked that $2 million in interest is saved up front over the life of the loan. "Not knowing what could come, paying the price down as much as possible is a safe, conservative route," said Carson.
CM Kahn was present and quiet.
-- Bob Yoder, 3/15/2022
Internet |
Currently, and historically, Council has given individuals a period up to four minutes "to be heard." This period is technically known as "Items from the Audience." Sometimes topics are emotionally charged, with large, time consuming turnouts. "Being heard" can be lengthy but seldom is it disruptive. Councilmember Anderson asked Council to read the "public meeting participation guide" https://www.redmond.gov/189/City-Council. She suggested taking comments during Study Sessions and endorsed the four-minute rule. The Mayor and Council officers decided conducting the business of the City was the number one priority, over participation from the public.
Councilmember David Carson said listening to the people is part of the job. CM Steve Fields agreed, referring to Hartman pool commenting. At times Mr. Carson helps speakers by sharing relevant information. Council President Jessica Forsythe was concerned about defining "disruption" and asked Mr. Carson how he'd describe it. He said: pornograpy: it's hard to describe until you see it." President Forsythe mentioned you might be able to stick to four minutes if you kept speakers on the same topic to three. Fields nodded yes.
I believe in the principle: "Public participation is the hallmark of good government." So, who does a good job at this? The City of Kirkland has a model plan. Lake Washington School District's procedure is: 1) sign in, mark your talk topic, 2) a school board member explains: a) the 3-minute rule, measured with green, yellow and red lights, b) total commenting time is limited to 30 minutes, c) emails to the Board are accepted 3) speakers with the same topic can all speak as long as they don't repeat each other.
The Planning Commission uses the three-minute rule. In my experience, it's rare a citizen will show up to comment, so why not 4-minutes? Seriously. Complex land uses take time to present. Recently, I made a HEARING comment to the Commission (about tree regs.) I spent lots of time preparing a 4-minute talk and was shocked when the Chair announced I had 3-minutes, this at the HEARING. I don't think they sent my written comments to Council either.
-- Bob Yoder, 3/12/2022, opinion
One of the purposes of this blog is to document local pandemic information and events. This piece focuses on the city's reimbursable COVID-19 related costs. In addition, sales tax due to development / construction is significant and reported. BY
October, 2021: Revenue, $17.9 M above target. Through November, 2021: Sales tax, $6.7 M above target on development activities.
Key highlights from the Quarterly Overtime Report through September 2021 include:
· Citywide overtime costs are 74.7% of budget versus a 37.5% target for the biennium primarily due to unanticipated overtime related to Fire and Police response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excluding the pandemic related costs, which are fully reimbursable, citywide overtime costs are 64.5% of budget.
· Fire Department overtime costs are 84.5% of budget versus a 37.5% target for the biennium primarily due to response activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, King County Medic One services, and Fire Academy/Paramedic training. Excluding the pandemic-related costs, which are fully reimbursable, Fire Department overtime costs are 72.2% of budget. Looking at regular salaries and overtime together, excluding costs which are fully reimbursable, total costs are 38.8% of budget.
· Police Department overtime costs are 66.1% of budget versus a 37.5% target for the biennium primarily due to response activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, investigations of sensitive criminal cases, and recruitment and testing for vacancies of commissioned positions. Excluding the pandemic-related costs, which are fully reimbursable, Police Department overtime costs are 47.5% of budget.
-- Committee of the Whole, Finance, Administration and Communications, 10/2021
Posted by Bob Yoder, 3/11/2022
REDMOND, WA – Redmond’s signature summer festival, Derby Days, returns on July 8 and 9, 2022 at Redmond’s City Hall campus. This year’s event features live music, parades, carnival rides, local food, a beer and wine garden, and more. New this year will be a dedicated craft market with Urban Craft Uprising, elite bike races and kiddie kilo at the Jerry Baker Velodrome at Marymoor Park, and a virtual community bike race for all.
“I am excited for the return of Derby Days, our family-friendly festival that kicks off the summer,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “This event celebrates our community coming together again, in the spirit of friendly competition with the longest-running community bicycle race in the United States. We are proud to continue this legacy in 2022.”
Derby Days begins on Friday evening, July 8, with a lineup of live, local music, and a family-friendly 5K walk/run. Event attendees are invited to watch one of the races at Marymoor Park, then take a shuttle to City Hall to have dinner from the food trucks and booths, shop the craft market, and enjoy the Derby Days Beer and Wine Garden on opening night.
Saturday kicks off with the Kids’ Bike Parade - a tradition dating back to the first Derby Days in 1940 that ushers the way for the Derby Days Grand Parade directly after. Derby Days continues throughout the afternoon with live music, kids’ performances and activities, and carnival rides. Attendees can sign up for the Derby Days Cornhole Tournament in the Beer and Wine Garden, walk through the new craft market, and relax with the music from the main stage.
For additional details and information on how to participate, visit redmond.gov/DerbyDays or contact events@redmond.gov.
-- City press release
Derby Days was COVID cancelled in 2020 & 2021
Kirkland's off-leash dog area photo credit/ Bob Yoder |
"The project is currently unfunded but there's a desire by the Parks and Trails Commission to see it expedited. I've said this before to my Parks & Rec. Commission friends, there's equipment that will save thousands of dollars in labor during installation and removal.
When I discovered the pop-up parks in Kirkland, a parks manager recommended a $4,500 mechanical tool that cuts labor costs (est. 438 staff hours) dramatically during installation and removal.
I'll shoot this note to City Parks Operations Manager David Tuchek. I hope he'll give it a try. The City of Kirkland is cooperative could be a good resource.
-- Bob Yoder, 3/6/2022 Source: Council Parks Committee of the Whole. 3/2/2022
Schedule a meeting to see the office and displays
Halee Turner, Redmond Historical Society's Administrative and Collections Manager. |
One of our favorite displays was Redmond's chicken industry. The society mapped each farm, and there were many. As I remember, some of the farmland was sold to Microsoft. The posters were very interesting.
Probably, the most cherished and fascinating exhibit was of wood sculptor Dudley Carter. View the intriguing film clip, see some special pictures of him, you'll be amazed! Do you see the animal art he carved into this log? Hint: click both pics!
Dudley Carter art is displayed in the office. |
-- Bob Yoder, 3/6/2022
My thin red wallet was found and amazingly returned to our doorstep! |
Hi Bob! I thought I'd suggest you do a story on Kringles Bakery and the difficulty they are having paying off their landlord and staying in their location. They are doing a gofundme campaign. I think their story may be representative of a lot of what's happening to small businesses in Redmond right now.
-- Emily Johnson, 3/4/2022 Thank you Emily!
Photo credit / Four Square |
Kringles Bakery is the yellow "cottage" building located at the junction of Cleveland Street and Redmond Way. You can't miss it! They've been in this location for nine years. The bakery is a flagship small business for Redmond owing it's high visibility, support to our community and amazing, one-of-a-kind kringles! OMG they're good, but notch your belt accordingly.
This is a bakery that really cares about our community. Every Sunday the Redmond Assembly of God parashers pick up baked goods for their morning. Rev. Robroy Ranger sometimes holds small group meetings in the quaint seating area. Day old goods are recycled back to the community. I know they do a lot more.
In these pandemic times, Kringles has one really good thing going for it. Councilmember David Carson is a frequent customer. I've chatted with him twice there; he's usually on his computer. David has strong ties with One Redmond, an organization that supports small businesses.
Kringles still needs community support in a big way. Donate what you can to the: gofundme campaign.!
Thanks for supporting Redmond's small businesses!
-- Bob Yoder, 3/4/2022
Executive Dow Constantine |
“There wasn’t a playbook when COVID hit, but King County residents worked together. Our largest employers and small businesses, friends and neighbors have followed the science and expertise of our public health leaders to achieve some of the highest vaccination rates in the nation,” said Executive Constantine. “The last two years have challenged all of us, taking a toll on our community and our day-to-day lives. Entering the next phase of our COVID response should be a moment for all of us to reflect on the loss and pain of the last two years, but also a chance to look forward to the recovery and future we’re building together.”
Since the first days of the pandemic, King County and Public Health – Seattle & King County have led the response focused on ensuring no community was left behind. From purchasing and distributing masks, to buying hotels so people would have a safe place to quarantine, here’s a look at some of the statistics behind King County’s response, and the impact the community has made together.
Out of the 97 most populated regions in the country, King County ranks 90th in terms of COVID case rates, with 16,067 cases per 100,000 residents. Miami-Dade for comparison has 42,764 per 100,000. King County also ranks 90th in terms of rates of deaths from COVID in those 97 most populated regions. For counties with more than 2 million residents, King County has the lowest rate of any county for case counts and deaths from COVID.
-- King County Executive Office, March 1, 2022
I asked Rosemarie if she would describe her three greatest accomplishments as Mayor of Redmond. She kindly offered the following: BY
Don and Elaine Smith always had the idea of turning their 10 acres of diverse natural land into a public park and wanted to keep it natural for the enjoyment of others in the community. Don died in 2009 at age 94, Elaine now lives in Emerald Heights. She turned 97 on New Years Day, 2022.
(Click on pictures to enlarge)
Forest Steward LeAnne Ludwig, Rosemarie Ives and Gary Smith, Chair Parks and Trails Commission and Project manager. Gary made it all happen. Donors Don and Elaine Smith's memorial bench. Photo credit / Kerry Smith |
Rosemarie Ives with John Couch, Parks and Recreation Director of ~ 30 years Photo Credit / Kerry Smith |
r-l, Leanne Ludwig,Smith Woods Forest Steward, John Couch, Rosemarie Ives, Jon Ives,Gary Smith, Gary's daughter Kim with dogs, Gary's granddaughter Sabrina. Celebrating the new memorial Ginkgo tree. Photo credit / Kerry Smith |