Focus - Fall 2021
FALL 2021
Helping Redmond Thrive
Helping Redmond Thrive
Amanda Deml
Recreation Division Manager
What are you proud of that has been accomplished through the senior programs?
We are proud to provide nutritious meals to our seniors while creating opportunities for seniors to enjoy social connections and feel a sense of community to enrich their daily lives. Handing out lunches alongside senior staff and volunteers and seeing all the friendly smiles is the highlight of my day!
Liz Downs
Firefighter/Paramedic
What is the goal of the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program?
The goal of MIH is to connect people with the best resources to stay safe in their homes. MIH works with our citizens to formulate a sustainable plan while providing a high level of dignity and choice for our clients, becoming a resource for citizens before 911 is needed. We work with primary care physicians, families, and anyone who needs to be involved to ensure safety at home.
Susie Kroll
Mental Health Professional
What is an impactful experience you’ve been involved with as the City’s MHP?
I co-responded with Redmond Police officers after a resident in crisis reported armed individuals had broken into their home. Because I was aware of past mental health history of the reporting party, I was able to calm them down and convince them to safely answer the door for police. Together with police, we were able to de-escalate the anxiety and fear, all resulting in a safe outcome.
Brooke Buckingham
Human Services Manager
What is an example of how the Human Services program supports the community?
To help those in need weather the storm during the pandemic, federal funding from the Coronavirus American Recovery Act (CARES) was utilized by Redmond’s Human Services program to help non-profit partners meet the increased demand for assistance. For example, $200 Safeway gift cards were given to families to help cover extra expenses around the holidays.
Tisza Rutherford
Homelessness Response
Program Administrator
What is one of the success stories of the Homelessness Response Program?
A 71-year-old Hispanic male with cataracts was stuck in an encampment community and not able to access health care, navigate needed resources to stabilize due to limited English, or work due to his inability to see. Our program assisted him to access medical benefits and services, establish lodging, coordinate case management, and access regular meals. He is now in permanent, supportive housing and looking for part-time employment to further build a sense of community in his new environment.
Building Understanding. Connecting Community.
Building Understanding. Connecting Community.
To Cecilia Martinez-Vasquez, being Redmond’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Manager is a unique opportunity as it “allows for creativity in establishing the foundation of the work ahead. Nothing is more exciting than building on existing and new partnerships and collaborations to weave DEI into the fabric of the City.”
“Building understanding of each other’s unique experiences, humanizing each other’s stories, and working towards empathy, compassion, and social justice.”
Cecilia started as DEI Manager in June 2021 and utilizes her extensive education and experience to advance Redmond’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. As Redmond continues to grow as a global city, the DEI program will work with city staff and the community to ensure that policies, services, and amenities are meeting the needs of the whole community, and that opportunities for advancement and civic involvement are accessible to all community members. While incorporating the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion into city practice may be new to some in Redmond, Cecilia explains, “the principles these terms are based on have been around for a long time: building understanding of each other’s unique experiences, humanizing each other’s stories, and working towards empathy, compassion, and social justice. Fusing those principles into the everyday life and workings of our city will allow us to serve all the members of our community better, more effectively, and more efficiently.”
Working Together for Sustainable Change
Working Together for Sustainable Change
Recycling and Sustainable Resources
Redmond has several initiatives to help residents recycle right and live more sustainably. These include a partnership to provide doorstep Styrofoam and other materials collection and recycling, local partnerships to hold shredding events, and free Sustainable Living classes. The City’s online recycling video library and What Goes Where recycling directory are convenient go-to resources for answers to recycling and proper disposal questions.
Caring for Redmond’s Water Resources
The Adopt-a-Drain community volunteer program helps stormwater flow cleanly to Redmond’s waterways by reducing water pollutants and guarding against local flooding. Meet Redmond staffers Aaron Moldver and Gabby Wolf in Mayor Birney’s October Our Stories Redmond Connections video and hear more about the City’s programs for protecting Redmond’s waterways.
Taking Action Against Climate Change
Redmond’s Climate Action Challenge makes it easy and fun to watch your carbon footprint decline as you make simple changes at home. The Climate Action Challenge allows you to select the actions specific to your daily routines, track your progress, and see first-hand how to reduce your environmental impact. Sign up at redmondclimatechallenge.org.
Creating Access to Light Rail Stations
Creating Access to Light Rail Stations
To get riders to and from light rail, the City has secured funding and is partnering with Sound Transit to construct a number of multi-modal city facilities that will create access to the four light rail stations in Redmond, including:
- Two pedestrian/bicycle bridges over SR 520
- Pedestrian/bicycle tunnel funded by Microsoft under NE 40th Street at the terminus for Eastlink and the start of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension
- Improved vehicular access to Marymoor Village and Station in SE Redmond from SR 202
- Improved vehicular access at the intersection of SR 202 and NE 76th Street near SR 520
- Grade separated connection between City’s Redmond Central Connector shared-use path and King County’s East Lake Sammamish Parkway trail through the SR 520/SR 202 Interchange and over Bear Creek
- Integration of the City’s Redmond Central Connector with the elevated light rail guideway through Downtown
- 156th Ave NE Shared Use Path across the street from the Redmond Technology Station
- NE 40th Street Shared Use Path with direct access into the Redmond Technology Station
- Intersection improvements at SR 202 and East Lake Sammamish Parkway to improve access to Marymoor Village and Station
- Cleveland Street sidewalk reconstruction to improve access to the Downtown Station
Plastic Bag Ban
A statewide ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect on Oct. 1.
Be Prepared for Winter Weather
This winter, follow @CityofRedmond on Facebook and Twitter for weather-related updates.
Report Issues
See something that needs attention? Use the “Your Redmond” app or visit redmond.gov/ServiceRequest