With summer in full swing, the City’s Saturday Market is brimming with activity. Our Derby Days celebration is in full planning mode and recruiting for volunteers. National Night Out, the City’s opportunity for you and your neighbors to talk about safety in our neighborhoods, is not far behind. This August also brings a new night market, So Bazaar, celebrating arts, music and food. From the feedback I am hearing, activity downtown continues to gain momentum. In fact, the new

Redmond Central Connector is abuzz with walkers, cyclists and families.

With the evolution of downtown to a more vibrant urban center, comes regional and statewide recognition. The City of Redmond has garnered three new awards and the attention of Governor Inslee. He recently presented us two of the State’s 2014 Smart Communities Awards. The first, Smart Vision Award, is for Comprehensive Planning for the 2013 Transportation Master Plan. The second, Smart Choices Award, is for Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan for the Redmond Central Connector Phase 1 multi-model transportation purposes. These awards bring attention to our ongoing commitment to innovation and wise capital investment. They also distinguish our achievements contributing to a high quality of life in our community — something you value and expect. The Redmond Central Connector was also recognized with the Puget Sound Regional Council VISION 2040 Award.

Summer also kicks off our biennial budget process, where every two years, citizens have the opportunity to weigh in on our financial picture, our investments, and the actual resources required to fund key City services. Citizens are invited to provide input by ranking the City’s six core budget priorities through a new online tool. “Your City Your Choice” can be easily accessed by tablet, phone, or other devices. Visit www.redmond.gov/yourchoice and tell us your priority. Over 1,000 individuals responded within the first three days of launching this tool. Your City Council members play a key role in defining and managing the City’s financial health. Together, we work to preserve and protect our great community, our infrastructure investment, as well as our fiscal future. I anticipate the number of responses to ‘Your City Your Choice’ will continue to grow through Derby Days, where citizens can meet with Council members to share their perspective on funding priorities. I look forward to seeing you at So Bazaar and Derby Days!

John MarchioneRedmond Mayor

Redmond

redmond.gov/yourChoice

Budgeting by Priorities

Process

Volume XXVIII No 2 Summer 2014

Live. Play. Work. Invest.

safety, clean & green, diverse & connected

community, infrastructure, responsible government,

and vibrant economy

6 Priorities

Your City — Your Choice

It’s Your City, so please make

Your Choices heard by being part of this important process

The City of Redmond has released its ninth annual Community Indicators report describing Redmond’s progress toward achieving its community vision. Both the Community Indicators and the City’s Budgeting by Priorities (BP) Dashboard Measures are tools used for assessing progress toward achieving community goals. The Community Indicators are oriented toward Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan, which contains the long-term vision for the community. BP Dashboard Measures are oriented toward the City’s biennial budget and are organized around six community priorities. There is significant overlap in the two sets of measures and so the City publishes them together. To view the Community Indicators report visit: www.redmond.gov/communityindicators.

“Tracking economic, environmental, social, and civic data is important for measuring our long-term community health,” states Mayor Marchione. “The report is designed to provide relevant benchmarks that are useful for making well-informed decisions on issues and projects throughout Redmond.”

For information, comments or questions, contact Jeff Churchill at 425-556-2492 or jchurchill@redmond.gov.

A new high for the 11th consecutive

year

Watch a video & learn more about a Vibrant Economy at

redmond.gov/yourChoice

City of Redmond Publishes Its Annual Community Indicators Report

Vibrant Economy

Economic Vitality • Accesibility for everyone• Supporting new businesses

Image & Identity • Continuing a positive, pro-business

reputation by supporting partnerships and activities that demonstrate collaboration

• Promoting a talented and skilled workforce within the community

Business Attraction & Retention • Supporting partnerships

Mix of Businesses & Activities • Balancing day & evening activities• Special events for the community

One of Redmond’s greatest strengths is the diverse makeup of its residential and business communities. It’s a quality that sets us apart as a City, enriches our local culture and helps chart an exciting course for the growth of our City moving forward. To encourage and nourish the development of this vibrant, viable range of businesses and services, several factors must be considered, including accessibility for businesses and consumers, image and identity, business attraction and retention, and a mix of businesses and activities.

891

1,460

are newly licensed businesses

Business Licenses

have held a Redmond business license for at least seven years

to operate in Redmond

There are 5,684 businesses licensed

YOUR CITY YOUR CHOICE — 6 priorities2

A Diverse & Connected CommunityA strong community connection is essential to nourishing our City’s growth, and with Redmond’s vast and evolving multi-cultural diversity, we all contribute to a vibrant, vital culture. From volunteerism efforts to art installations, a variety of components play integral roles in defining who we are as a City.

Engagement • Successful communication that encourages

connection and access for all• Development of venues for the community• Forming partnerships to achieve community goals

Places • Have inviting and accessible places • Provide an anchor for community life

Events• Build a sense of community • Reflect the diversity of our community • Utilize art, culture, education and recreation

Identity • Maintain a human dimension that is as inclusive

as it is unique• Preserve Redmond’s history• Retain its welcoming and safe environment

We’re Planning in Redmond’s Historic CoreThe City invites community members to review Historic Core elements and share their ideas about streetscape, character, design, art, events, and community partnerships. Look for the Historic Core booth at Derby Days and give us your ideas.

Learn more about the Historic Core planning process at www.redmond.gov/history.

Watch a video &learn more about a Diverse & Connected Community prioat redmond.gov/yourChoice

Redmond — A Community Inspired and Connected by Arts & CultureThis summer is full of new and traditional special events. Check out what is coming up and see why Redmond is a culturally rich place to live, work & visit.

redmond.gov/Arts

rank yours — redmond.gov/yourChoiceYOUR CITY YOUR CHOICE — 6 priorities 3

Responsible GovernmentWhen you think about the concept of “responsible government,” what comes to mind? Quality community-wide services? Financial responsibility? Accountable leadership? Truth is, all of those elements play important roles in our success as a City, and as a community.

Effective & Accountable Leadership • Ensuring a strong, economically responsi-

ble vision for the City moving forward

Quality Service • Reliable & responsive customer service • Talented staff at every level• Innovative and proactive methods for

consistently maintaining a high level of quality service

Financial Responsibility • Responsibly managing our resources • Transparent for the community• Planning for the future by forecasting

future revenues and expenditures

Citizen Survey Results Published

Results from the 2013 Citizen Survey have been compiled and the City has published the results at www.redmond.gov/citizensurveys.

Survey results show Redmond residents are pleased with the overall direction the City is taking and believe they receive a good value for the taxes they pay. In addition, quality of life and public trust rate high in Redmond.

Residents shared that traffic is the most important problem, mentioned nearly three times as often as other topics; and community and location are two of the best things about living in Redmond.

The survey was administered and analyzed by an independent research organization, currently EMC Research. For questions or comments regarding the survey please email info@redmond.gov.

Watch a video to learn more about Responsible Government at redmond.gov/yourChoice

“We sincerely thank all of the residents who participated in both our phone and online survey. We appreciate your time and efforts to offer feedback. Your responses serve to inform City staff on future projects and initiatives that you have said are important to you,” stated Redmond Mayor John Marchione.

The majority of residents are pleased with the overall direction the City is taking. About 33% feel Redmond has an “excellent” quality of life and about 55% feel that quality of life is “very good”

On the flip side, the results indicated many of our residents were most concerned about traffic

YOUR CITY YOUR CHOICE — 6 priorities4

Clean & GreenFrom the natural allure of our beautiful park system to our forward-thinking, sustainable construction efforts, Redmond has truly raised the bar in advancing and promoting a clean and green environment. To preserve and enhance these ongoing efforts, three main factors are integral to our success: a healthy environment, vision and stewardship, and environmental management.

Last Saturday Volunteer Series Underway

Trained forest stewards are hosting the annual Last Saturday volunteer events at Redmond parks this year, continuing the restoration

efforts of the Green Redmond Partnership.

Volunteers needed to help remove non-native, invasive plants & prepare areas for fall plantings.No experience is necessary and gloves, tools and

other materials are provided.

www.greenredmond.org

A Healthy Environment • Providing a healthy environment to live, play, work and invest • Promoting good water quality in streams and wetlands, and ensuring clean

air, water and soil within the City

Vision & Stewardship • Protecting the existing natural resources we all enjoy today • Maintaining strong connections and partnerships within the community

will continue to steer us to this ultimate goal

Environmental Management • Effectively managing practices to maintain our environment • Restoring water sources and habitats that were degraded in the past

Redmond Receives ‘Tree City USA’ DesignationThe City of Redmond was recently bestowed with its 13th Tree City USA award by the Arbor Day Foundation. This award honors our commitment to effective urban forest management.

Redmond achieved this recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

“As a City that prides itself in responsible forest preservation, thanks in large part to our talented team of arborists, we are honored to receive this award,” said Redmond Mayor John Marchione.

9 am – 12 pmLast Saturday of the month

now through October

Green Redmond Partnership goal: bring 1,035 acres

of forested parkland into active management over a 20-year period

Watch a video & learn more about Clean & Green at

redmond.gov/yourChoice

rank yours — redmond.gov/yourChoiceYOUR CITY YOUR CHOICE — 6 priorities 5

Service Level Waste Management Rates ONLY

Monthly Service: One 35-Gallon Can $5.09 Weekly Service: One 10-Gallon Can $7.06One 20-Gallon Can $9.04 One 35-Gallon. Can $12.81 One 64-Gallon Cart $25.43 One 96-Gallon Cart $40.52 Recycling & Yard Debris Only $5.09

The cost of your recycling and yard waste cart are embedded in your garbage rate, so even if you downsize to a smaller garbage cart, your recycling and yard waste service will not be downsized.

Since last year, the City of Redmond has been offering a new 10-gallon micro-can as its lowest garbage service level for single family residents.

If you are interested in downsizing your garbage cart please call Waste Management at 1-800-592-9995 to make the switch.

Did YouKnowyour service rate is based on the size of your garbage cart?

New Solid Waste Hauling Contract – Citizen Input RequestedThe City is asking for your input to develop Redmond’s next garbage and recycling collection contract. Your insights will help guide how these services are provided to residents and businesses over the next 7-10 years. Your input will help us understand what services meet the community’s needs.

The City of Redmond currently contracts with Waste Management to collect garbage, recycling and yard & food waste (organics) from residents and businesses within the City.

The City aims to:• Maintain or improve the level of

service at comparable rates• Reduce the City’s carbon

footprint from waste generation, collection, and disposal through sustainable practices including waste prevention and waste reduction

• Conduct a procurement process that is fair and transparent

Please help us better understand what is important to you. If you live and/or work in Redmond and complete the online service survey we will send you a reusable shopping bag for your participation!

PSE Green Energy Challenge:The City of Redmond is taking part in the 2014 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Take Charge Green Power Challenge.

Along with Issaquah and Puyallup, Redmond will compete to see which one can claim the title of “Greenest Town in the Puget Sound.”

Each city has set a goal —determined using a number of factors — to see how many additional homes and businesses sign up for PSE’s Green Power program, which allows PSE electric customers to pay a little more to guarantee some or all of their energy is from clean, renewable sources. The challenge officially ends December 31.

The goal of the process is to develop a new, leading edge, comprehensive garbage, recycling and organics collection contract.

2014 Garbage & Recycling Service RatesListed below are Redmond’s 2014 garbage and recycling service rates for single family residents. (Please note: the listed rates do not include any city, county and state taxes or fees, which will be applied to your quarterly bill.) For questions about your bill please contact Waste Management at 1-800-592-9995.

Take the survey and receive a free

reusable bag!

redmond.gov/wastesurvey

We appreciate your input!

$6

SuStainability PledgeTake the pledge to create a list of actions you’re willing to

take to make Redmond a cleaner and greener community for you, your neighbors, and wildlife. For more ideas about living

green visit www.ImpactRedmond.com

For a limited time, when you take the pledge you get a free EcoKit including:Reusable stainless steel bottle • Reusable shopping bag

Think Redmond discount card • Faucet aerator • Much, much more!

Complete the pledge, send in your information, and an EcoKit will be mailed directly to you.

Please circle all of the small, medium and large actions you are willing to take. (Please choose at least five, and the more the better!)

CuT hERE

Thank you for pledging! Keep the pledge above and post it where it will remind you of the actions you’ve committed to take. Send this portion to: EcoKit, City of Redmond, MS:2NPW, PO Box 97010, Redmond, WA 98073

I pledged: _______# of Small Actions _______# of Medium Actions _______# of Large Actions

Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________ Zip Code_______________

Email:____________________________________________________________________________________________________

By receiving an EcoKit, I agree to take an email survey about my use of the tools in the kit.

PLEdgE SIgNATuRE: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Check here ONLY if you DO NOT want to receive an EcoKit. Please note, EcoKits are available only to those residents living within Redmond city limits (zip code 98052). EcoKits are paid for in part by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

At Work

• Print double-sided to conserve paper

• Recycle

• go paperless whenever possible

• Bring reusable dishware and utensils from home

• Recycle office printer toner cartridges

Getting Around Town

• Register online at goRTRIP.com

• Research local transit routes

• Combine errands to reduce number of car trips

• Commute without my car a minimum of once a week

• Telework

My Lifestyle

• use a reusable bottle or mug for drinks

• Visit the website ThinkRedmond.com and buy local

• use fewer napkins

• Take a reusable bag to the store

• Buy fruits and vegetables in season

In the Homeand Garden

• Turn off the lights when I leave a room

• Turn off the faucet when I brush my teeth

• Compost food in my yard waste bin

• Swap incandescent bulbs for CFLs

• Start a food garden

Get aFree

EcoKit! Reusable coffee cup

7

Infrastructure With an influx of new businesses, technological advances and global interest, Redmond continues to create choices for businesses and residents, visitors and partners. To ensure we are prepared for future growth, a strong transportation and utility infrastructure is essential. This includes everything from roads, sidewalks and regional transit, to stormwater facilities, electricity and system maintenance.

To meet the demands of our growing and diversifying population ― and to maintain a strong, streamlined infrastructure ― we need to consider a number of factors, including planning, investing, and maintaining & operating.

Planning • Effectively grow and maintain infrastructure

Investing • Seeking relationships and partnerships

Maintaining & Operating• Enables a community and its businesses to operate efficiently • Trained staff for maintenance, community services and

emergency preparedness• Preventative maintenance to avoid disruptions

• It will begin south of the NE 40th St interchange with SR-520 and cross over SR-520, the Overlake Transit Center (OTC) and 156th Ave NE to connect the west side of the Microsoft campus with the east campus

• It will also connect with the SR-520 trail located on the west side of the highway, as well as the OTC

• Lenght: 1,500 foot-long

Time-line2016 - 2019

(completion in early 2020) Once construction is complete,

the City of Redmond will take ownership of the bridge and maintain it.

South Detention VaultThe Overlake South Detention Vault (one of three underground stormwater facilities planned for the area) will be the first regional facility to serve Overlake.

Construction is currently underway, and will include the development of a six million-gallon stormwater vault and restored parking lot area, which will be built on top of the facility’s lid.

The project is proposed to be operational in 2015, with construction occurring through all 2014.

Throughout construction, NE 20th St will be open during the day with lane restrictions. This means that traffic levels on other arterial roads in the vicinity of the project will likely increase during the construction periods. This work will occur primarily during the daytime, with the possibility of some night work.

East Link Pedestrian BridgeThe City of Redmond, Sound Transit and Microsoft have all teamed up to build a pedestrian and biking bridge that will create better connections within the Overlake neighborhood.

Watch a video & learn more about Infrastructure atredmond.gov/yourChoice

YOUR CITY YOUR CHOICE — 6 priorities8

Watch a video to learn more about Safety at redmond.gov/yourChoice

SafetyMaintaining a safe and secure community is a high value for our citizens, businesses and their employees as well as visitors. From crime prevention to educational programming, having the staff — and resources — to effectively and efficiently respond to an incident or crisis is crucial.

Four factors are integral to maintaining our City’s reputation as a safe place to live, play, work and invest: response, prevention, community involvement and partnerships, and planning, preparedness and recovery.

Response• Emergency Response is essential to safety

Prevention • Anticipate and address underlying causes• Reinforce safety against crime, fires and other hazardous situations

Community Involvement & Partnerships • Reach out to the citizens to educate, update and work as a team • Collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions

Planning, Preparedness & Recovery• Anticipate common and extraordinary events

31st Annual National Night Out August 5th Neighborhoods celebrate Redmond’s “31st Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event.

The City had over 50 neighborhood block parties last year thanks to Redmond’s unique celebrating approach — neighborhoods held barbecues or ice cream socials as City officials, including Mayor Marchione and City Councilmembers, along with Redmond police officers and firefighters traveled around the City, visiting different neighborhoods. Kids enjoyed crawling in and out of police vehicles and fire trucks as parents meet their neighbors and talked about crime prevention with law enforcement.

Could the City of Redmond have a tragic disaster? Of course we could. Ice storms, severe wind storms, flooding, or earthquakes —they’ve all happened here before and will happen again. How prepared will you be when the inevitable happens?

The City of Redmond has made a major investment in our community preparedness through the purchase of a citizen alert service. AlertSense (formerly MyStateUSA) is an alert service that provides the ability to

notify citizens in an emergency via land lines and cell phones, emails and text messages.

Are You Prepared for a Disaster?

Register your neighborhood block party at

redmond.gov/NNO A Redmond Police Department

coordinator will contact you and assist with supporting your party details

You’ve no doubt certainly seen Redmond’s Police out in our community; but DYK they’ve expanded their presence to the Twittersphere? That’s right…you can now follow them on Twitter @redmondWAPD and stay informed from everywhere.

Register for Emergency Notifications at

redmond.gov/alert Once registered, the City can now

notify citizens of an emergency or crisis.

rank yours — redmond.gov/yourChoiceYOUR CITY YOUR CHOICE — 6 priorities 9

City of Redmond Receives Two Governor Smart Communities AwardsThe 2014 Smart Communities Award program recognizes achievements that promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to the quality of life in Washington State.

Smart Choices AwardRedmond Central Connector Phase 1Recognized as a project that provides significant integration of land use and transportation planning. The Redmond Central Connector fulfills the City’s goals of improving active transportation facilities and connections within the Downtown urban growth center, which reduces vehicle trips, increases access to local businesses, and provides more opportunities for recreation for residents and employees.

Smart Vision Award2013 Redmond Transportation Master PlanThe Transportation Master Plan is the document that guides Redmond’s transportation investments and activities over the next 18 years. As part of the City’s comprehensive plan (Redmond 2030), the Transportation Master Plan builds on years of public outreach and plan development. It is integrated with the policies and goals of the comprehensive plan and is being recognized as an excellent example of how a community’s vision can be translated into action. Learn more at www.redmond.gov/TMP.

Awards and Recognitions

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

www.facebook.com/CityofRedmond

@CityofRedmond

Instagram.com/CityofRedmond

www.youtube.com/CityofRedmond

RCTV: Comcast channel 21 & Frontier channel 34RCTV Arts: Comcast channel 75 & Frontier channel 35

Redmond Central Connector Recognized for Promoting a Livable Community The Puget Sound Regional Council has honored six projects and programs from around the region that showcase the amazing work being done to implement VISION 2040.

The Redmond Central Connector was recognized for promoting a livable region by helping to implement VISION 2040, the regional growth management, economic and transportation strategy.

get traffic alertsat redmond.gov/traffic or #redmondTRAFFIC

find out what is happening at the Senior Center at

www. redmond.gov/50plus

Learn more about the City awards visit www.redmond.gov/awards

10

Redmond Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT)Disaster response training & emergency preparedness.

Over eight MondaysSeptember 8 – November 1 6–9pm Redmond Police Training Room 8701 160th Ave NEwww.redmondccc.org

Redmond Central Connector Adds New Artwork Redmond’s art vision — create a place for the arts — embrace a sustainable approach on how the arts can partner in connecting community in Redmond.

‘Sky Painting’ is the newest addition to the Connector and made its appearance in June. This painting transforms a giant surface parking lot into an art destination. The lot entrance is located off Bear Creek Pkwy near Leary Way Ave. NE.

‘Signals’ made its debut in March and is a substantial gateway sculpture featuring colored LED lighting. The structure is located at Brown Street Plaza, near 161st Ave. NE and Bear Creek Pkwy.

Both projects were conceived and created

by John Fleming, a gifted artist who combines art, architecture and

conceptual/environmental ideas into art.

• Derby Dash 5K• Great Music & Food• Parades• Beer & Wine Garden• Swedish Medical Center Criterium• R-TRIP Fireworks Finale

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

JULY 11 & 12

The City of RedmondOffice of the Mayor - Communications15670 NE 85th StreetRedmond WA 98073-9710

E C R W S SPostal Customer

PRSRT STDUS Postage

PAIDJR Mailing

Services Inc.

Council Notes

We look to you to get involved, volunteer, attend events and activities and to provide valuable input regarding City priorities. For more than six years the City has moved through a community input-driven process to deliver community-defined services. That process is called Budgeting by Priorities (BP). BP is beginning its fourth two-year cycle based upon the six core priorities residents established in 2007.

The budget process revolves around the six priorities and draws upon a substantial amount of staff resources and volunteer time. The BP process better meets citizen’s needs as the result of ongoing input where the Council hears directly from citizens about their wishes. BP is about deploying the community’s resources to address its priority issues. Residents can and should help Council address fiscal constraints facing the City. They help define how we measure success toward the desired outcomes.

Direct community input is key to adjusting the City’s overall course and eventual outcomes, at a pace the budget will support, both in revenue and spending. A large range of choices can be influenced by residents when they participate. BP and its related activities provide residents with transparency of the budget, participation in the process, and ownership of the priority outcomes. Residents can gain great satisfaction by participating in the budget process. That helps get the best value for each tax dollar, to foster continuous learning in the City, and to build local and regional collaboration.

Your elected Council members bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences — Redmond’s residents offer many more diverse perspectives! We hope you will join us in evolving Redmond to continue to be a great place to live, work, play and invest.

City of Redmond | Office of Communications | communications@redmond.govwww.redmond.gov

Redmond Residents Play a Key Role in Our Success

Ways to Participate this Summer in the Budget Process and Talk With Your Council Members:

• At Derby Days stop by the Council booth to share your ideas and feedback or engage with us via the web, tablet, phone or in person

• Attend a BP public input session held in City Hall at 7:30 pm on June 17, Oct. 21, and Nov. 18

• Attend (or organize!) a National Night Out social on August 5. A grassroots, neighborhood-based gatherings to build community and request a Council member to visit your block party

• Apply to serve on one of many citizen commissions and advisory boards at www.redmond.gov/government/boardscommissions