Volume XXIX No 4 Winter 2015

Live. Play. Work. Invest.

Letter from the MayorAs we near the time of year when we gather together to celebrate our diverse holiday traditions, cultures, and faiths, I reflect on what it means to create community. Through civic engagement and collective conversations, shopping locally and sharing experiences, each of us helps create the fabric of our city.

Civic engagement takes many forms. Whether serving as an elected official, a volunteer on a board, commission or advisory committee, participating in a community conversation on a specific topic, or attending a community event, every Redmond resident has an opportunity to share your views and perspectives and engage with one another and the city government.

This winter marks a transition with one of our elected officials serving on Redmond’s City Council. Council member Tom Flynn is stepping down, and Angela Birney will become the Council’s newest member. Tom’s service to the community has been commendable. His leadership as chair of the Planning and Public Works Committee, active engagement as a City Council member, and prior service to the community as a Redmond Planning

Commissioner and Chair of the Redmond Arts Commission has been invaluable in representing the diverse choices and views of our community. As Angela joins her colleagues on the Council, she will bring her insights from her experience as Chair of the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission as well as her service to the community during her seventeen-year tenure as a Redmond resident.

Shopping locally during the holiday season also helps reinforce our community ties. Statistics show that funds spent at local small businesses are more likely to be reinvested back into the community. We are fortunate that so many Redmond businesses support local sports teams, sponsor community events, or contribute to local school programs. Information about local businesses, along with holiday specials, can be found on the business directory at www.ThinkRedmond.com.

On December 5th, City Hall, the Redmond Central Connector, and Redmond Town Center will sparkle with lights, music and entertainment as we come together for our 17th annual Redmond Lights celebration.

I look forward to seeing you there amidst the myriad of customs and cultures of our diverse community.

All the best,

John MarchioneRedmond Mayor

Redmond

Downtown is Bustling with Activity – p3

Park for Free and Walk Your Way Around Downtown – p5

Redmond Garners Top Spot in the State – p2

New Affordable Senior Housing Complex – p4

City Agrees to New Solid Waste Contract – p6

Redmond Garners Top Spot in State—and Second in Nation—for Starting a BusinessWe’ve all witnessed the new businesses sprouting up throughout our city—so it comes as no surprise that NerdWallet, a consumer finance website, has ranked Redmond as first in Washington State and second in the U.S. for starting a new business.

NerdWallet focused on 126 cities in Washington with populations of 5,000 or more—as well as 463 cities across the U.S. with populations between 50,000 and 100,000—and considered the following factors:

There are 6,200 companies in Redmond that have an average annual revenue of over $7.3 million. That figure gets a boost from companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Data I/O, which are all headquartered in Redmond.

The presence of these companies and the talent they attract also benefit smaller enterprises that complement our City’s tech sector or cater to people living in or working in Redmond. Each tech sector job creates an additional five jobs in the local economy. Another factor in the top ranking was our City’s low unemployment rate of just 4.4%.

We’re delighted to hold the top spot for starting a new business in our state and will continue to help create a strong and healthy environment that encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to make our City home for their new endeavors.

Downtown Redmond

Business climate• Average revenue of businesses• Percentage of businesses with paid employees• Businesses per 100 people

Local economic health• Median annual income• Median monthly housing costs• Unemployment rate

Another factor in the top ranking was our City’s low unemployment rate of just 4.4%.

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Downtown Redmond

Have you felt the buzz around Downtown Redmond lately? More people are walking and biking, restaurants are thriving, and the energy is contagious. The summer months were filled with fun events where people of all ages and cultures enjoyed outdoor experiences together,

and now the lights and cheer of the holiday season are quickly approaching. Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed more than a dozen new restaurants Downtown, giving the community a smorgasbord of choices from burgers, sandwiches and pizza to steak, Italian and Indian cuisines—and so much more. Also, many new services and

retail establishments have invested in our Downtown core.

Check out some of the newest additions to the Downtown scene in this video on the City’s Downtown webpage at www.Redmond.gov/Downtown. These businesses make it easy and enjoyable to buy local—which is great for our economy and saves you time, money and stress.

What we’re seeing in Downtown Redmond is a positive partnership where public investment entices private development. Over the past several years, the City of Redmond has invested in significant street and underground infrastructure improvements and parks and trails to make Downtown an inviting, viable option for new small businesses. The private sector has responded positively with new residential and business development—which is improving our economy and introducing exciting new options for our residents, employees and visitors. As we continue to transform Downtown into a vibrant urban center, we invite you to follow our progress online at www.Redmond.gov/Downtown. You can also find a convenient directory of all Redmond businesses at www.ThinkRedmond.com.

is bustling with activity

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161st Ave NE

Leary Way

164th Ave NE

166th Ave NECleveland St

NE 76st

NE Redmond Way

Bear Creek Pkwy

Downtown Redmond

Redmond Central Connector Signals "Sky Painting" Parking Lot Erratic

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Providence John Gabriel House project took place on September 25—and you may have already seen construction activity beginning. The development at 8632 160th NE will provide 74 affordable apartments for seniors in Downtown Redmond.In addition to the residential use, there will be an 8,000-square-foot space on the first floor for a PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) health and wellness facility. PACE will also be managed by Providence and will serve the entire community.

The site is located on the east side of 160th across from the Redmond Library, municipal campus, and Redmond Senior Center. It’s also on the Rapid Ride Transit line and benefits from having medical, shopping and recreational facilities—such as the Sammamish River Regional Trail—nearby. The City Council has approved a long-term, 75-year low-cost lease of the property to Providence Health & Services for this purpose.

The building will be four levels of wood construction over structured below grade parking. The residential project is designed to serve seniors aged 62 or over who are living independently, with incomes at 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or ranging from about $18,800 to $48,000 per year, based on unit size. In addition to the PACE Center on the north end of the building, the ground floor residential area will have an on-site manager’s unit with management offices, lobby/sitting area, and community meeting rooms. These community spaces will

be oriented towards the southern part of the site where they connect with the existing downtown pedestrian trail system.

Construction began in mid-October 2015 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2016. Once construction is well underway, Providence Health & Services will be able to provide an estimated date for accepting applications along with information about how to qualify for residency in the building. The Providence John Gabriel House will be a wonderful addition to the City of Redmond, providing affordable housing opportunities and health care services for senior adults in the community. The general information phone for Providence Health & Services is 855-360-5478; e-mail is SupportiveHousingInfo@providence.org.

The residential project is designed to serve seniors aged 62 or over who are living independently, with incomes at 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or ranging from about $18,800 to $48,000 per year, based on unit size.

Providence John Gabriel House New Affordable Senior Housing Complex on the Horizon

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161st Ave NE

Leary Way

164th Ave NE

166th Ave NECleveland St

NE 76st

NE Redmond Way

Bear Creek Pkwy

*Distance between SIGNALS and Redmond’s ERRATIC approximately 0.3 miles.

Downtown Redmond

Redmond Central Connector Signals "Sky Painting" Parking Lot Erratic

Redmond Town Center

DowntownPark

Park for Free and Walk Your Way Around DowntownDid you know that visitors to Downtown Redmond can park for free in the Downtown Public Parking Lot?From there, much of Downtown Redmond is accessible in less than a 5–minute walk which makes it a perfect location. Relax, park once and enjoy a leisurely stroll around Downtown. The first four hours are free on weekdays between 9 am–7 pm; four or more hours incur an all–day charge of just $5. Evenings after 7 pm, all day on weekends and holidays are free.

The parking lot, which includes artist John Fleming’s “Sky Painting,” is located at Bear Creek Parkway and Leary Way, with the entrance off of Bear Creek Parkway.

More information is available www.Redmond.gov/Parking

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City Agrees to New Solid Waste ContractThe City of Redmond has agreed to a new ten-year contract with the City’s current garbage hauler, Waste Management. The new contract becomes effective on January 1, 2016. Customers will continue to receive reliable service including collection of garbage, recycling, food/yard waste, bulky items (on-call) and electronics (on-call).

What’s new?

For residential customers:• Yard and food waste will be collected every week, year-round• A limited supply of 20-gallon food waste carts will be available for

townhomes and cottage-style residences at no additional charge• Temporary two-yard and four-yard yard debris service will be available to

residential customers for a fee for storm debris or community cleanups• Collection in residential and mixed-use areas will begin, and end,

one hour later

For commercial and multi-family:• Recycling dumpsters will be painted blue to differentiate from

garbage dumpsters• Recycling at twice the amount of their garbage volume will be collected at

no additional cost

For more information about the City’s solid waste program or how to right-size your garbage service, contact Jerome Jin at Jjin@redmond.gov or 425-556-2811.

Rate ChangesGarbage rates in the City of Redmond have not increased since 2004 (with the exception of the annual consumer price index adjustment). Under the new contract, residential rates will increase $1.85 to $5.43 per month depending on the size of the customer’s garbage can. However, the smallest can size, 10-gallon, will see a small decrease.

Commercial customers will see a rate increase of 13%-14%. In November, customers will receive a notification in the mail from Waste Management detailing specific information about the new rates.

Solid Waste Holiday Collection ScheduleGarbage, Recycling and Yard Waste will not be picked up on the following holidays:• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26th• Christmas Day – Friday, December 25th• New Year's Day – Friday, January 1st

If your regular collection day falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day, your service will be delayed by one day. If your collection day comes later in the week after collection has been delayed because of a weekday holiday, your service will also be one day later that week.

For example, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26th:• Residents whose garbage and recycling is usually

collected on Thursday the 26th will have service on Friday the 27th

• Residents whose regular day is Friday the 27th have will have service on Saturday the 28th

• Regular collection schedules will resume on Monday, November 30th

Questions? Contact Waste Management at 1-800-592-9995 or visit wmnorthwest.com/redmond/

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Solid Waste Collection Weather DelaysIf snow or other weather conditions make it unsafe for Waste Management’s trucks to collect your garbage, recycling or yard debris, your materials will be picked up on your regularly scheduled day during the following week. You may put out double amounts of garbage, recycling and yard debris and won’t be charged extra for the double loads.

Questions? Waste Management1-800-592-9995

NEW! Weekly Yard Waste Service All YearBeginning this December, Redmond residents will have their yard waste picked up every week, rather than every other week as in years past. Please place it at the curb on your regular pick-up day every week during the months of December, January and February.

Questions?Jerome Jin425-556-2811

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Lets Get SocialDon’t forget to connect with us for up-to-date city news & events

We may celebrate the holidays in a variety of ways, but one thing we all have in common is the desire for a safe community. This time of year, many of you are out shopping, and the Redmond Police Department (RPD) sees an increase in the number of car prowls.

In addition to locking your car, please pass along these tips to all of your neighbors and friends. If all the cars in Redmond are locked, prowlers will look elsewhere. For more information about holiday safety and crime prevention, please contact Crime Prevention Officer Tom Goepfert at 425.556.2541 or tgoepfert@redmond.gov.

Unfortunately, even if you take precautions, your car may be prowled. If that happens, please don’t touch anything and call 911. RPD takes every car prowl case seriously, and we’ll do everything we can to find and arrest criminals—but we need your help.

Be Smart with Your Holiday Hauls

Park in a well-lit area as close to your destination as possible. Lock your car and roll up the windows any time you’re away from it.

Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle. Keep purses, wallets, checkbooks, cell phones, laptops and tablets with you at all times. Personal information can be taken from these items and lead to identity theft.

• If you must leave other items (such

as holiday gifts) in your car, make

sure they’re hidden from plain view.

Locking them in your trunk is usually

the best option.

Be aware of your surroundings and call 911 to report suspicious people or activities. Have a good description of the person and their vehicle (license plate number) and be able to give details about the suspicious circumstances.

@CityofRedmondComcast 21 & Frontier 34

You can also subscribe for City news at

redmond.gov/enews

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We all have relationships with neighbors, merchants, co-workers and friends who form our spheres of influence. These many thousands of individual bonds are what give Redmond its strong sense of community. When we take the time to cultivate those relationships, they can grow exponentially.

The September Hopelink food drive perfectly illustrates this. Over one weekend, generous residents and merchants collectively donated 5241 lbs of food and $710 in cash to help out struggling families in our region. Whenever our residents are asked to help, they can be counted on to step up. That’s community strength—and in Redmond, it continues to grow.

Councilmembers are often involved with community-based organizations—and through our relationships with city staff, our fellow councilmembers and regional elected officials, we’re aware of the incredible things being done in our community. Often it just takes one friend asking another to give of themselves and get involved. The amazing part is the feeling you get when you’ve helped accomplish an organization’s goals and see the positive effects it’s having on our community. There are so many wonderful organizations in our community that need volunteers. Find one that shares your passions and make a real and positive difference in Redmond’s future.

Council NotesBuilding Community Starts with Creating Relationships

THANK YOU

and $710 were donated

lbs of food5241dollars in cash

There are so many wonderful organizations in our community that need volunteers. Find one that shares your passions and make a real and positive difference in Redmond’s future.

In December, Council bids farewell to Councilmember Tom Flynn, one of our seven “dais community” members, as he leaves at the end of his term. Tom’s been an engaged, meaningful and articulate voice for Redmond. We warmly thank Tom and his family for their committed service to our community. Join us in thanking Tom for his service to Redmond!

In January 2016, join Council in welcoming Angela Birney. Angela is a 17- year resident of Redmond, a former science teacher, lives on Education Hill with her husband Keith and their daughters, and currently serves our community as the Chair of the Parks & Trails Commission. The Council invites all of Redmond to give Angela a warm welcome!

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WIND EVENTSOur staff arborists work year-round to identify and remove trees that pose a risk of falling in the road or on sidewalks. However, as last winter proved, even healthy trees can fall or drop limbs when faced with strong winds. When this happens, our crews will respond immediately to secure the area and clear the debris.

SNOW & ICE We use a preemptive approach whenever possible. When an overnight freeze is forecast that could result in slippery roads for the morning commute, we apply liquid calcium de-icer to prevent frost from adhering to the road surface.

If the snow starts falling, our four large snow plows clear arterial roadways while applying mixtures of calcium chloride, road salt, and sand, depending on surface conditions. To avoid road closures, we clear one lane in each direction of all priority plow routes before coming back and clearing the rest of the road. We always plow snow from left to right to avoid creating large piles in the center of roads.

Please be aware that we only plow neighborhood streets after all priority plow routes are completely cleared. These routes prioritize access to emergency facilities, schools, and routes in and out of town. They can be viewed at redmond.gov/snowice.

If possible, avoid driving or plan ahead! Allow extra time, bring warm clothes and emergency supplies. Familiarize yourself with our priority plow route map so you know the best way to get where you need to go.

Leave plenty of room for our trucks to operate. Material spreaders can distribute sand and de-icers across three lanes at once, so avoid passing or following closer than 50 feet.

While plowing from left to right is the most efficient way to clear roads, it can result in piles of snow along the edges of roadways. We ask homeowners to clear these piles from their driveways and private roads so our plows can continue to work efficiently.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Trees and limbs that fall on overhead utility lines can only be removed by licensed contractors. This ensures the safety of the public and our workers. Never approach or touch a downed wire!

When a private tree falls, our crews will remove it from the right of way to keep roads and sidewalks safe and useable. However, property owners are responsible for removing the debris from their trees.

Please avoid placing debris in the roadway, as this can cause street flooding and slows the progress of our street sweepers.

Follow @CityofRedmond for up to the minute info on road closures and winter weather response

View Redmond's priority plow route map atredmond.gov/snowice

The City of Redmond is committed to keeping roadways safe and passable, no matter what winter has in store for us. Whether it’s clearing trees and limbs that fall in a windstorm, plowing snow, or pre-treating roads before an overnight frost, our crews are ready to respond around the clock.

Winter Weather in Redmond

Redmond Lights—Diverse Cultures Joining Together to Celebrate Our Differences

Here in our wonderful community, we kick off the holiday season each December with a unique tradition that celebrates our diverse holiday traditions, cultures and faiths. It’s called Redmond Lights, and it’s taking place on Saturday, December 5, 4:00 – 8:00 pm.

Gather your family together and join with others in our community as we celebrate the approach of the winter solstice. This festive three-part, progressive event starts off with a large bonfire and the City Hall Campus Tree Lighting, followed by a stroll down the Redmond Central Connector Luminary walk and ending at Redmond Town Center.

Along the way, revel in the light displays, music, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. Find inspired handmade gift ideas at the Holiday Market and enjoy ice skating, carousel rides and more.

It’s a wonderful way to mix, mingle and celebrate the many cultures in our community and get in the holiday spirit. For more information visit: www.RedmondLights.com

Hope to see you there!

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