"Water Lily Impressions" by Lynn Colwell |
"Water Lily Impressions" by Lynn Colwell |
This map is the starting point, before participants shuffled Legos according to their perspective of 2050. The white Lego stacks represent existing jobs. Five urban centers including residential neighborhoods were mapped: Overlake, Downtown, Marymoor, SE Redmond, and "NE 90th & Willows" local center. Overlake is slated to accommodate half the jobs in the city. Can you find the "NE 90th & Willows" local center?
The Redmond 2050 "Draft Environment Impact Statement" (DEIS) is much more than visioning the Redmond environment. It's a living story about "how we can accommodate anticipated growth."
I enjoy visioning in general, but was confused by the "DEIS" acronym and so brushed Redmond 2050 aside until Pam and I attended a "Visioning Lego Tabeling Workshop." I was hooked. It was super fun, productive and exceptionally engaging (one if the city's favorite words.) The workshop was organized and managed by thc city's Long Range Planning Manager, Jeff Churchill (Jeff is a Redmond High graduate, with lots of equity.)
Mr. Churchill described the participants' Lego conclusions at a Council Study session, saying the Lego community chose "SE Redmond" for the most job and housing growth as compared to Marymoor, the downtown, residential neighborhoods, and Willows. However, Churchill noted SE Redmond and Marymoor had infrastructure challenges.
Councilmember David Carson was "utterly baffled and confused by the first two slides" of the Lego workshop. Said Carson, "if someone could actually explain it to me...." and "what do I take away from that." Mr. Carson, a 13-year councilmember, probably knows the Development community better than any representative. A Council conservative, David is connected to "One Redmond"...Redmond's Chamber of Commerce "on steroids."
Council's focal points for growth were "Centers" and "Centers & Corridors" Mr. Carson preferred the "Center and Corridor" option. "Centers & Corridors" is defined as:
Project One is eight stories, 244 mixed use multi-family units, 4316 s.f. commercial, 221 parking spaces (21 spaces are free for commercial/retail use within the building. Minimum 25 affordable units (meets code.)
The "Project One" building is highly visible. It will be even more visible with city approval of an extra story.
A one story bonus (making eight stories) was granted by the city for provisions of 20 percent on-site usable open space in the form of plazas, arcades with water features that are accessible to the public during extended business hours.
(The applicant is going above and beyond the city requirement of 12,180 sf for open space in providing 22,700 sf of open space.)
Boundaries: Adjacent to the Downtown Park, Chevron gas station and Jimmy Johns to the west, Redmond Way to the South. On the east Aqua-Quip, Grand Peking Restaurant, and Dark Horse Brew will be demolished. 1.4 acres. 80052 -161 Av. NE.
Sources: Design Development Review memo, 11/6/2020 Clark Barnes, NLG Design Review Board
It’s official! Redmond Mayor Angela Birney and RHS President John Oftebro cut the ribbon at the Society’s Grand Opening on June 27, 2022 (pictured above). OneRedmond organized the event. See page 3.
L-R: Council Members Melissa Stuart and Vanessa Kritzer, RHS Administration & Collections Manager Halee Turner, Mayor Angela Birney, RHS President John Oftebro, Senior VP Laura Lee Bennett, and Collections Committee Member Joe Townsend. In back: VP Collections Mary Horabik and Collections Committee Member Dean Jowers.
The Village is surrounded by nature. Restored Bear Creek runs through the Village. Homes on right / credit: Yoder (click to enlarge) |
I was kibitzing with long-time resident John Oftebro at the Derby Days Historical Society booth. I found myself at a loss when the subject of the "Friendly Village" came up.
Fast forward: Last week, on a sweltering day Pam, I and Zoey took a ride to the Friendly Village. Driving east on NE 95th Street (also known as Conrad Olsen Road on Google maps,) the Friendly Village, 55-plus mobile home park, immediately came into view. The Village opened in 1971.
I was surprised by the beautiful landscaping, an old growth tree, and the attractive, well-maintained homes. The varied amenities include a common hall, fenced dog park, new pool, and salmon-bearing Bear Creek running through the 40-acre parcel.
In the common hall, I bumped into Mary, a kind lady and long-time resident of the park. She was selecting gleaned groceries from the food service area.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Mary. She pointed towards the creek saying the land was first a "wash" and later a turkey farm. She is happy her home is creekside. Mary said Ms. McRedmond, a descendent of the McRedmond founders used to live in the Village. She now lives a bit east on Conrad Olsen Road. Mary suggested I knock on her door. It's possible, Ms. McRedmond may still be going to the Redmond Cafe once a week.
The Village, including 224 pads, was purchased by the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) in 2017. The Housing Authority apparently charges $850/month per pad. Some utilities are covered. The county also gets credits for housing seniors. Mary said the Village is a "cash cow" for the county.
Village living is affordable, attractive, and green. Home prices are roughly $90k - $375k (RMAX)
-- Bob Yoder, 7/31/2022
EXTRA! FOR SALMON WATCHERS: The City of Redmond's NE 95th Street Bridge Bear Creek Enhancement Site (excellent map.) The Bridge is a great place for viewing salmon (Sept.-Nov.)
"The site is located in the Downtown neighborhood, just SE of the municipal campus at 8440 160th Avenue. A one-story building which is home to the Guilt Trip restaurant will be demolished.
The Applicant is proposing the construction of 17 townhomes located within two different buildings. The North building has seven townhome units, while the South building has ten units.
The building is 3-4 stories with a rooftop patio on each unit. A mix of units are anticipated with three, and four bedrooms, and single, double, or no garages. Each unit is projected to be anywhere from 1500, to 2300 square feet. Penthouses are planned.
Open space for the homes has been provided in the form of rooftop decks of 61 to 114 square feet, patios, and balconies. [Open space may be a "public benefit" provided by the developer in return for an extra story, parking spaces, a plaza with water fountain, and the like.]
"MOMENT" will activate the parcel into a vibrant, exciting new community. The centralized location of this parcel in relation to downtown Redmond allows and likely encourages walking, bicycling, public transit use as it sits not more than ½ mile from light rail and the downtown Park.
The Design Review Board and Applicant spent a lot of time analyzing building color. They settled on "dark grey."
-- MainStreet Property Group, Design Review Board, 3/3/2022
Posted and excerpted by Bob Yoder, 5/25/2022
Attractive "Red Oak Community Center" signage may complement the building's wood design. UPDATE: On 8/16/2022, Council named the building "Senior & Community Center" 4-1 (Anderson) Video Tour |
Throughout community engagement, community members expressed during the design process that the name “Redmond Senior & Community Center” implied that this space was only for seniors and did not feel that their feedback was important to the process. Additionally, senior centers throughout the region have moved toward more inclusive naming such as the Edmonds Waterfront Center to be representative of the community in which it exists.
Redmond's Heritage Northern Red Oak credit, Yoder |
The Parks and Trails Commission discussion on July 7, 2022 focused on whether “Senior” should be part of name but determined that “Community” is inclusive of all the people who would use the center. After discussion, the Planning Commission passed a motion 4:3 in favor of the “Red Oak Community Center.” It will be going to the City Council for action August 2022.
CEO Jeff Tomlin, EvergreenHealth |
“We did in 2000, and it’s about 20 years where the taxpayers pay an extra five cents on that thousand dollars in excess property value,” Tomlin said. “It’s about to expire, so the timing is good for us to start thinking about what the community can do to support us.”
-- Woodinville Weekly, 6/22/2022 Chamber of Commerce (Excerpt)
Comment: EvergreenHealth is long overdue in allocating bond dollars to a Behavioral Health Clinic; especially in light of the COVID-induced mental health crises.
Posted by Bob Yoder, 7/28/2022
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During the EvergreenHealth Public Hearing of November 15th, 2019 the seven commissioners voted unanimously to approve a 2020 Regular Tax Levy of $19,311,562 (Resolution No. 907-19.)
An Excess Proper Tax Levy authorized for 2019 for repayment of UTGO bonds is $8,292,000 for calendar year 2020 was approved (Resolution No. 907-19.) These bonds are the residual of a bond measure passed by 60% years ago to pay for the Silver Tower and new Emergency Department.
You are welcome, says the Redmond taxpayer.
CEO Jeff Tomlin, EvergreenHealth/ credit NY Times |
Dr. Tomlin came to EvergreenHealth in 1990 as a staff anesthesiologist after completing medical school and his residency at the University of Washington. He was subsequently named medical director for the Evergreen Surgical Center, and then added the medical directorship for surgical services at EvergreenHealth. In 2010, he joined the executive team as senior vice president and Chief Medical and Quality Officer.
He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and spent six years as a Marine Corps pilot prior to medical school and continued his military service after medical school as a member of the Navy Reserve Medical Corps. He has served on the Northshore School District Wall of Honor Committee, and in 2017 was named winner of the Seattle Business Magazine Washington Leaders in Health Care Award for Outstanding Medical Director/Chief Medical Officer.
-- EvergreenHealth website
😃And I thought the work was being done here because its in the Mayor's neighborhood! 😁
Hello Mr. Yoder,
I’m writing in response to your question about ADA curb ramps as I serve as the City's ADA curb ramp program manager.
Curb ramp replacements on 166th Ave NE are part of the City’s comprehensive ADA curb ramp program. Projects in the city, including ADA curb ramp program projects, are prioritized systematically through the Capital Investment Strategy (CIS) and Capital Improvement Plans (CIP).
As part of the ADA curb ramp program, the City completed a curb ramp assessment in 2013 for compliance with ADA regulations. The City also gathered community input in 2019 on existing locations where curb ramps should be replaced and created a prioritized list of locations for ramp replacements. Projects under the ADA curb ramp program were prioritized based on proximity to facilities such as schools, state/local government facilities, public bus and vanpool stops, places of public accommodation, and proximity to major employment centers.
yours truly |
One Public Record Request shockingly revealed an executive/pediatrician's salary of $600,000 and other misfeasance (1988.) It's unknown how long the commissioners paid him to participate in hospital governance. CEO Brown, a likeable fellow abruptly resigned, saying goodbye to all employees by email and flew off to Pennsylvania.
With that, the commissioners then hired Bob Malte from Colorado Springs as CEO. Bob is genuine and a real pro. Mr. Malte reshuffled personnel and re-branded Evergreen to "EvergreenHealth." The hospital began winning regional and national awards under Malte's helm.
It's well known, one in five Americans have a mental health condition in a given year; and only half are treated. Under the Malte Administration, EvergreenHealth developed a new mental health service (I think required by law.) but the bursting EvergreenHealth community still doesn't have an out-patient psychiatric clinic, employ a full-time psychiatrist or provide an behavioral health urgent care.EvergreenHealth Public Hospital District No. 2 |
Redmond police in the library watching over the Community Court. The Body-worn Camera Program will be funded by the General Fund not the Levy. photo credit, Bob Yoder |
That made me think. Why didn't King County Elections Director Julie Wise report this in the Primary Voters' Pamphlet? Why no press release? Surely, some affected voters have lost confidence in the system. Some may not have voted. I was unhappy with the lack of notice and losing my representatives. Our civic duty is to vote, not do the State's work.
KING COUNTY ELECTION DISTRICT MAPS:
DEFUNCT MAP: An excellent 2022 map of our State Legislature Districts and U.S. Congressional Districts. User-friendly, but, don't be fooled! It is inaccurate.
DECENT MAP from a google search. however, candidate names don't show up. Enter your address to find your district, no more.
WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTIONS -- Go here first! Reliable, Comprehensive, Accurate. User friendly. Everything you need and more!
QUICK STORY: LETTER FROM MS. MATTINGLY. ELECTIONS SPECIALIST III
"Unfortunately, the Secretary of State’s office has not updated their map information to default to current maps. That would be the link you mentioned when call which is: https://app.leg.wa.gov/
The District Finder map below displays legislative and congressional districts for elected officials currently in office. New district boundaries are in effect for elections taking place in August and November 2022. To find your new 2022 legislative and congressional districts please see the new 2022 Legislative and Congressional maps.
Please feel free to contact me directly if any additional information is needed."
Shunneia O. Long-Mattingly Pronouns - She/Her/Hers Elections Specialist III Voter Services King County Elections 206-263-3748 206-296-VOTE (8683) | ||
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced legislation that would establish a whistleblower hotline for reporting illegitimate uses of emergency COVID-19 funds, in an effort to catch any attempts to scam the system.
“As we are seeing historic increases in inflation, taxpayers are rightly concerned with how their hard-earned dollars are being spent, and elected leaders at all levels should be acting as watchdogs under that same mindset,” Dunn said. “With such a large influx of money rapidly moving through our County to provide critical aid to restaurants, small businesses, and folks on the margins during COVID-19, there almost certainly will also be a few scammers seeking to abuse the system for their own financial gain. It is my hope that with this legislation we will be able to catch bad actors and safeguard the communities that these funds were meant to support.”
On July 7th, I received an anonymous letter from an alleged EvergreenHealth Public Hospital employee. The letter was postmarked July 5th and signed: "Concerned Employee." The employee asked me to post the letter on my blog. -- Bob Yoder.
The Letter:
"On Tuesday evening, June 21, 2022, the EvergreenHealth Board approved management's proposal to use Federal Covid CARES money in the calculation of their incentive bonus scheme, which they otherwise did not earn. The CFO stated, "The CARES money is fungible and we can use it to calculate our bonuses." The CEO and Board Chair concurred. The proposal passed 4 in favor and 3 opposed. Management can now use that money to pay almost $2m in bonuses to the administrative team. The hospital is struggling to keep nurses and other key staff to serve its patients and those funds could have been used to serve the community and not line the pockets of the administrator."
The employee went on to say: "In a separate presentation, management prepared a 10-year facilities plan which does NOT include any consideration for behavioral health and will be going to the taxpayers for another bond."
I gave testimony to the Commissioners, CEO and CFO at their Tuesday, July 20th public meeting. The Board Chair Tim McLaughlin and Kayse Dahl, Director of Strategic Public Relations & Marketing gave differing explanations as to "why there was no misuse of funds."
END
U.S. Congresswoman Suzan Delbene was informed of these actions. Her staff recommended contacting King County Council Member Sarah Perry's staff to investigate.
After Council member Perry's staff completed the investigation she said she had a "bad feeling" about EvergreenHealth. She said she needs to hear from the whistleblower to proceed; this may have changed.
DelBene's staff member recommended two places to report EvergreenHealth C.A.R.E. fraud. (Or call Bob Yoder.)
Office of Inspector General:
Six-story Redmond Square Apartment construction - Can you see the evergreen hillside? / Bob Yoder |