Focus - Fall 2023
FALL/WINTER 2023
City and Community Resources
A Message from
Mayor Angela Birney
Dear Neighbors,
I am delighted to introduce this special edition of our Focus newsletter, which is designed to serve as a valuable reference guide for you. In this edition, you will find resources and helpful tips from the City and our partners that address the most common inquiries we receive from community members.
Whether you're looking for information about recycling, the winter season, emergency preparedness, transportation, how to get involved and give feedback, or just ask a question, this newsletter is your go-to reference guide.
We appreciate your feedback and are continuously working to improve the services and support we offer. I encourage you to explore this edition of the newsletter and make use of the resources within.
It is my honor to serve you, so if I can be of assistance, please email me at mayor@redmond.gov.
Mayor Angela Birney
Emergency Preparedness Resources
Preparing for disaster can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps that can get you started quickly and greatly increase the disaster readiness of you and your family.
Make a plan
To start making a plan, ask yourself a few questions:
- How will I receive emergency warnings or alerts?
- How will I communicate with my family?
- Where will I take shelter if I need to?
- If I have to evacuate, where will I go?
- What do I need to make an emergency kit?
Build an
Emergency Kit
You probably already have most of these items around the house, so be sure you know where they are when you need them. Here are a few basics to think about:
- Food
- Water
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Emergency NOAA radio
Building Resiliency Throughout Redmond
Every 10 years, the City talks about our vision for our community. Redmond has adopted three major themes to be incorporated into planning for the future of our community through the Redmond 2050 project. One theme that we are incorporating in the planning is resiliency.
Improving resiliency happens in a variety of ways, some of which will have direct impacts on our neighborhoods, and others that look at city services and processes.
- Housing Choices: Policy and regulation changes are underway that will increase housing choices and improve affordability. These changes will improve options for people in different stages of life so that they can stay in our community. Improving affordability helps make sure a wide range of people and service providers can live here. We’re also working on increasing options for families and community members with disabilities.
Learn more about housing choices - Complete Neighborhoods: During the pandemic, it was a challenge for some residents to access services, particularly those who live in neighborhoods without any services near their homes. We’re working on ways we can help our neighborhoods be more resilient by expanding options that may range from food trucks to coffee shops or a corner store.
Learn more about complete neighborhoods - Climate Change and Resiliency: The City is developing a new Climate Resilience and Sustainability Element to provide long-term policy support and direction for the City's efforts to reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance resilience to the negative impacts of climate change, and avoid creating or worsening climate impacts on vulnerable populations and overburdened communities.
Learn more about climate resiliency - Inclusive Design: We’re looking at how we can build our community in ways that allow people of all ages and abilities to get around town, find housing that meets their needs, and have recreation opportunities.
Learn more about inclusive design
Many of these changes will also help build community resiliency by helping to foster community connections.
“In Redmond, the possibilities for civic involvement are boundless. For those who so choose, this city offers an open invitation to partake in the grand tapestry of change and progress. I am profoundly proud to call Redmond my home, knowing full well that it is not without its imperfections. Yet, within these imperfections lies the very heartbeat of our community—a belief that each one of us, with our unique voices, plays an indispensable role in the ongoing narrative of our beloved Redmond..”
Nancy Logan, Member of the Redmond 2050 Community Advisory Committee
Sign up for the Redmond 2050 eNews and get involved
Learn more about the Redmond 2050 themes of equity and inclusion, sustainability, and resiliency
Winter Safety and Preparedness
Winter is almost here, and the time to get ready is before we are hit with wind or snow storms. Here are some resources to make it simple.
Keep Yourself Safe
Some wintertime hazards can cause carbon monoxide poisoning or fires.
• Never use a charcoal or a gas grill indoors
• Never run a generator indoors, including inside a garage
• Never leave a car running in the garage
• Be extremely cautious with candles. Candles cause thousands of fires a year.
Cold Weather Shelters
If you or someone you know is looking for shelter during the cold winter months, visit the King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s webpage.
Find Assistance for Heating and Electricity Bills
You may qualify to receive up to $1,000 toward your home heating costs through Hopelink’s energy assistance program.
Checklist
Check your batteries
Some smoke and carbon monoxide alarms need new batteries twice a year.
Keep sidewalks and storm drains clear
Remove leaves, snow, garbage, and debris from storm drains to reduce pollution and flooding. Trim vegetation from sidewalks and clear snow and ice near your home or business.
Pre-purchase winter supplies
• Snow shovel
• Extra batteries
• Windshield scraper
• Tire chains
Know Where to Get
Reliable Information
Power Outage
Download the Puget Sound Energy app or visit their website
Snowy Roads
View Redmond’s snowplow plans, priority routes, and more
Weather Impacts
Check out the latest updates on City of Redmond services and safety tips
Stay Connected and Informed
In case of emergencies: call 911
Contact Us
City of Redmond Customer Service: 425-556-2900 ext. 7, info@redmond.gov
Mayor and City Council: MayorCouncil@redmond.gov
Communications: communications@redmond.gov
Parks and Recreation: 425-556-2300, redmond.gov/Register
Police Non-Emergency: 425-556-2500, redmond.gov/Police
Fire Non-Emergency: 425-556-2200, redmond.gov/Fire
Utility Billing: 425-556-2152, redmond.gov/UtilityBilling
Stay Informed
City of Redmond website: redmond.gov
Share your thoughts and feedback: LetsConnectRedmond.com
Eat, sip, shop, play, and stay in Redmond: ExperienceRedmond.com
Let's Get Social
Follow us @CityofRedmond on social media.
Find a directory of all the City’s social media channels: redmond.gov/209
Subscribe
Receive email or text updates about the topics that matter most to you and your family, and stay informed about the latest city news, information, and events: redmond.gov/Enews
Report an Issue
If you see something throughout the City that needs attention, use the online 311 service request system to submit a request at redmond.gov/ServiceRequest or download the Your Redmond app for IOS or Android.
Save the Number, Save a Life
Add the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) to your phone now — it could save a life later.
Trained crisis counselors are available to talk 24/7/365.
Introducing the 2 Line
Light rail opening on the Eastside in spring 2024
Next spring, light rail is anticipated to begin in Redmond, with the arrival of the initial segment of the 2 Line. This route will provide riders service from the South Bellevue Station to the Redmond Technology Station in about 16 minutes. The 2 Line will begin operating as a portion of the larger East Link Extension project, which, when complete, will add 14 miles of light rail from Seattle’s International District to the Redmond Technology Station. While work across the I-90 segment of the project needs to be completed for the full extension to open, this segment between Bellevue and Redmond will mean easy, traffic-free connections via eight new stations on the Eastside.
An additional 3.4 miles will be connected when the Downtown Redmond Link Extension opens, with stations in Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond in 2025.
Where could the 2 Line take you at this opening stage?
Redmond Technology Station and Overlake Village Station
Commute to multiple businesses along the corridor or check out the emerging Overlake Village neighborhood, including Esterra Park.
Bel-Red/130th Station, Spring District/120th Station, and Wilburton Station
Bring your bike and hop on the Eastrail Trail near the Wilburton Station.
Bellevue Downtown Station and East Main Station
Shop, dine, and explore Downtown Bellevue or connect to transit at the Downtown Bellevue Transit Center.
South Bellevue Station
Hike, boat, or birdwatch at the Mercer Slough Park or connect to transit at the South Bellevue Station bus stop.
Resources to Help Get Around the Region
Plan a trip, view upcoming departure times, and view the positions of buses and trains in real time.
Go Redmond
Get help finding different commute options available to Redmond residents and employees and earn rewards for choosing alternatives to driving alone, including biking, walking, carpooling, and riding the bus.
Downtown Parking Changes
Time-limited on-street parking spaces Downtown and in the Redmond Central Connector public parking lot will change to a two-hour limit for consistency throughout Downtown. Enforcement hours and days will change to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Additionally, parking enforcement will no longer issue warnings and vehicles that are in violation of the on-street parking restrictions will be ticketed. Monthly parking permit areas will remain the same.
These changes are based on community feedback in response to the City’s efforts to ensure safe and efficient management of on-street parking resources in Downtown and are documented in the City Council approved Downtown Parking Management Strategic Implementation Plan. The on-street time-limited parking change will encourage residents and employees to park off-street or use alternative modes of transportation, allowing greater on-street parking availability for visitors to our local businesses and restaurants. Changes will be enforced starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Explore Resources for a Sustainable Home
Want to cut down on utility bills and transition to a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle? Explore a range of federal incentives, from electric vehicles to energy-efficient appliances, designed to make your transition to a sustainable home both accessible and affordable. Plus, locally, we're offering additional incentives for electric heat pumps to keep your home comfortable year-round. Ready to take the next step? Explore the federal and local resources for all the details and start your journey towards a cleaner, healthier home today!
Learn more about clean energy
Learn more Energy Smart Eastside
Reduce your environmental footprint in a way that suits YOUR lifestyle!
Redmond Climate Action Challenge
The Redmond Climate Action Challenge empowers you to choose actions tailored to your unique path with a personalized sustainability plan. Dive into the Climate Action Challenge today and be a part of this exciting movement towards a more sustainable Redmond!
FREE Sustainable Living Class
Waste-Free Holiday Giving
Virtual – Dec. 5 | 6 – 7 p.m.
Learn how to give sustainable gifts just in time for the holidays. Giving the gift of an experience, such as a gift card to a local restaurant, theatre, or spa, reduces waste and supports local businesses. Other waste-free giving ideas include making edible items or repurposing or restoring an item. Learn more at this fun interactive class taught by a live instructor.
The class is virtual and free, but registration is required.
New Recycling and Waste Reduction Webpages
The Recycling and Waste Reduction section of Redmond’s website has been updated for easier use so you can quickly find service guides, upcoming events, information about what can be recycled, and much more. Check out the new recycling video library, where you can view short videos about how to recycle the most asked-about items, tips to reduce food waste, and more.
Cooking Oil Drop-Off Closed
The City’s cooking oil recycling drop-off tank is now closed. Regional cooking oil recycling collectors are no longer accepting cooking oil from residents. In the meantime, do not pour cooking oil down the drain, as it can cause blockages. Instead, carefully pour cooled cooking oil into a water-tight container, seal it, and place it in the garbage.
Healthy Streams Start with You
Only Rain Down the Drain
Stormwater is rainwater that falls from the sky as rain or snow. Unlike wastewater from your home or business, only about 25% of Redmond's stormwater is treated. Most stormwater flows across yards and streets and into storm drains (the grates in the road). It can pick up dirt, oil, and chemicals along the way, which flow untreated to local rivers, lakes, and streams. If the storm drain is clogged or blocked, the water can pool on roadways and may contribute to local flooding.
Keep our local waterways clean and prevent flooding by cleaning up leaves and trash around your storm drain, and never dump or pour anything down it.
Protect These Critical Areas
Forested stream buffers are vegetated areas on the side of streams and rivers and are critical for stream health. They provide habitat for wildlife and salmon, improve water quality, and help keep Redmond beautiful. If you live near a stream, do your part to help maintain healthy fish populations by not cutting back trees, shrubs, and grasses within these buffers.
Adopt a Storm Drain
For more things you can do to protect stormwater in your neighborhood, check out the City's Adopt-a-Drain program.
Report Flooding
If you see flooding or other stormwater-related issues, please submit a request for service.
Shining a Light on Local Artists at Redmond Lights
Redmond Lights, the City’s celebration of art and light, will once again illuminate Downtown Park this year from Dec. 2 – Jan. 3. One local artist who will be showcasing her work throughout the month is Kay Bae.
Typically, Bae works in collage, collecting paper and fabric in her travels and paying attention to texture, composition, and other elements when assembling her pieces. Her collage work has been featured in several exhibitions in the region this year, and her first utility box commission will be debuting in Issaquah. Even though her work had been used for a public art installation before moving here, Bae credits her participation in the Public Art Intensive Eastside as providing fundamental training, resources, and access to experts in a field she had no idea how to navigate. The program and the community she found there instilled her with the knowledge and confidence to apply to the region's art calls.
Redmond residents might recognize Bae from the inaugural Downtown Redmond Art Walk as one of the muralists who created one of the four 8’ x 8’ murals during the event. Even though Bae shares her talent by teaching collage at local art classes, this event allowed her to meet and engage community members through her art. She mentioned one interaction with two young artists who asked her how she got involved in the art walk as she worked on her mural. The event instilled a lot of pride in Bae for her community, but she felt especially proud to be able to share the resources and opportunities in Redmond.
“I’m now deeply involved in Redmond’s art community, learning and contributing to the place where I live,” said Bae. “This journey has transformed my artistic perspective, and I’m excited to continue creating meaningful public art and impacting the City’s art scene positively.”
You’ll find a new work of art from Bae, one of the community panel-chosen artists for 2023 Redmond Lights. Her work is inspired by an installation she saw in Korea by Yayoi Kusama, a mirrored room creating a sense of infinite space. She spent the past year fine-tuning her idea through model-making, visits to office hours, and at a pitch night where peers offered her advice about weatherproofing and structural guidance to withstand the winter winds to make a stronger proposal. She calls this opportunity “one the most thrilling things” in her artistic journey. She thinks of Kusama’s lasting impact on her and hopes that her work will connect and impact others similarly.
“Redmond’s creative community stands out for its accessibility to those interested in art. What truly distinguishes Redmond’s artistic environment is its genuine spirit of inclusivity and openness.”
- Kay Bae
View the Infinity Box
A Mesmerizing Journey into Infinite Space and the other incredible artworks on display in Downtown Park from Dec. 2, 2023 – Jan. 3, 2024.
Many of the artists will be present for the Redmond Lights Kick-Off Event from 4 – 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2023. Learn more about this year’s artists and the event.
Learn more about Redmond Lights
Winter Recreation Registration
Come out and play! Registration for winter recreation activities begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, for Redmond residents and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, for non-residents.
Connecting with the Currents
Over the last two years, Redmond’s Poet Laureate, Laura Da’ created land-based connections to poetry to teach and encourage reflection on conservations, interconnectivity, and histories of the land and community. This summer, Da’ was awarded the 2023 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship for her innovative approach and focus on the unique ecological elements and complex ecosystems of the City.
Many people are fundamentally disconnected from the land they live, work, and learn on, and I am so pleased to have learned more about the lands and waters of Redmond by creating these maps and walks and encouraging greater knowing in the community as well,” said Da’. “Observing, talking, noticing, learning from Redmond people young and old, and writing about the ecosystem helped the web of life here take on a rich and eternal resonance that makes the City and my time here a singular source of creative and collective joy.
This year, Da’ focused on Kokanee salmon because of the indigenous species’ deep connection to Redmond and how central it is to the history of the space. To help educate the community on regional efforts being made regarding the repopulation of salmon, Da’ collaborated with the City’s Streams and Habitats Team, who created resources for people to learn more on the Currents of Connection webpage, one of Da’s projects in 2023. They also helped provide additional context and reinforce how Bear Creek and Idylwood Park play significant roles in these efforts, which informed Da’s poetry walk locations this fall.
Reflecting on her collaboration with the team, she shared, “I particularly treasure all of the time and knowledge that the Streams and Habitats Team has generously offered me, from showing me a pre-contact tree off a trail to explaining the Bear Creek fish rehabilitation process.”
“I particularly treasure all of the time and knowledge that the Streams and Habitats Team has generously offered me, from showing me a pre-contact tree off a trail to explaining the Bear Creek fish rehabilitation process.”
- Laura Da', Redmond Poet Laureate
You can engage with the Lake Sammamish Poetry Walk by visiting Idylwood Park through the end of November by following the sidewalk prompts for a guided creative writing exercise.
Participate in the poetry walk at home or in other languages
Take Action to Keep the Buzz Alive
"Every tiny, winged creature plays a role in the big, beautiful ecosystem of Redmond. As we look toward the colder months, providing food and shelter for pollinators is vital," said Redmond Parks and Recreation Director Loreen Hamilton.
Recently, the City held its first Parks for Pollinators event at Farrel-McWhirter Park, inspiring the community to learn more about the wonders of pollinators. It turned learning into an adventure, engaging families and young eco-enthusiasts in activities centered around bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more.
As the leaves change and winter approaches, keeping the buzz alive is crucial.
"Planting native flowers and creating nesting spots can make a significant difference,” explained Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Dave Tuchek.
Families in Redmond can pitch in by planting blooming winter-friendly flowers and creating cozy nooks for our buzzing friends. To support pollinators, residents can download the iNaturalist app, record pollinator sightings, and cultivate pollinator-friendly gardens. Planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and leaving some areas untouched in gardens can provide crucial habitats.
Looking forward, the City is developing a comprehensive plan for vegetation management that supports a sustainable and climate-resilient approach. The plan will consider strategies like expanding tree canopy, rewilding sections of city-owned properties, and promoting naturalized meadows and pollinator habitats.
Learn more about the pollinators project
Redmond Senior & Community Center
A new community center is coming to Redmond in May 2024!
A Note from Your City Council
Happy Autumn! As the leaves continue to fall, your City Councilmembers are happy to share some exciting news in response to community concerns around sidewalk clearing.
In the 2023-2024 budget, the Council approved the acquisition of a leaf vacuum for use by our Public Works Department. This equipment attaches to our current trucks and efficiently collects leaves from sidewalks and shoulders of the right-of-way. In years prior, leaf blowers were used to move leaves into the street, which were then picked up by street sweepers and required to be taken to a landfill. The new leaf vacuum has a higher load capacity than a street sweeper and will now allow us to compost leaves, diverting them from the waste stream. This shift aligns with our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
However, the leaf vacuum is only one part of the sidewalk puzzle. Please do your part by helping keep the sidewalks near your home or business clear by removing leaves, vegetation, and snow. Your participation will ensure safe and unobstructed access for wheelchairs, strollers, and pedestrians.