OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Redmond Planning & Public Works Committee Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyRedmond, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

I'm calling this meeting to order.

0:07

This is the committee of the home meeting of the Redmond City Council for Planning and Public Works.

0:13

I am chairing today as our usual chair, Councilmember Stewart is online.

0:20

Today is Tuesday, October 7th.

0:22

This meeting beginning at 4 30 p.m.

0:24

Um council members in attendance include Councilmember Salah Houdin, Councilmember Nueva Kamina, Councilmember Forsyth, Council, Council Vice President Forsyth, Councilmember Stewart Online, Councilmember Fields, Councilmember Anderson and myself, Council President Kritzer.

0:38

There are eight items on the agenda.

0:40

So let's get to it.

0:42

The first item on the agenda is the Washdot Regional Mobility Grant Microtransit Shuttle Consultant Agreement.

0:50

And introducing this is our deputy planning director, Sarah Fi Allen.

0:54

Go ahead.

0:55

Thank you and good afternoon.

0:57

As stated, this item is to provide a preview of the consultant agreement for the microtransit shuttle being funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation Regional Mobility Grant, which this council accepted the grant actually on August 4th.

1:12

The consultant agreement is proposed to be a part of the consent agenda on October 21st business meeting.

1:17

And here to present more about this item is Francesca Liberty, our senior transportation planner.

1:23

All right.

1:23

Hi everyone.

1:24

So Redmond was awarded the region mobility grant from Washdot uh for the 2025 to 2027 biennium to pilot a microtransit shuttle and shared parking program in downtown Redmond.

1:35

The total amount of ground grant funding being provided to the city of Redmond is $975,000.

1:40

The city is providing $244,000 of matching funds.

1:45

This on-demand microtransit shuttle will serve downtown Redmond and its periphery as well as the Education Hill neighborhood.

1:51

A request for proposals or RFP for the vendor to manage the microtransit shuttle was posted and five vendors submitted.

2:00

Circuit Transit Inc.

2:02

was chosen as our preferred vendor.

2:04

We are requesting approval of circuit transit's consultant agreement at the October 21st business meeting.

2:10

And we anticipate the microtransit shuttle will begin service in early 2026 to align with Sound Transit's link light rail cross lake connection.

2:22

Wonderful.

2:22

Anything else or should we go to questions?

2:24

Let's take some questions.

2:26

Right.

2:26

So counselor, there are questions.

2:29

Councilmember Stewart.

2:31

Thank you so much, team.

2:32

I really appreciate bringing this forward.

2:34

I fully support the contract as is.

2:37

And just wanted to comment on how adorable our future ID buzzes are that will be helping folks get to light rail.

2:44

So thanks so much.

2:45

Looking forward to seeing this come to life next year.

2:48

Thank you.

2:50

Councilmember Nueva Kamina.

2:52

Thank you.

2:56

My question is about off-ramping or what the decision threshold is at the end of the pilot in two years.

3:05

Sorry, can you say a little bit?

3:07

What is our exit strategy or what is the decision threshold?

3:10

Like what is going to be the markers of whether or not we move forward with this pilot at the end of the two years?

3:15

Got it.

3:16

So we're going to be definitely collecting ridership data, and we've actually seen a very similar microtransit unit used in Bellevue.

3:25

And so using some of the success indicators that they've had, and I'll share that this is a pilot, right?

3:31

With the funding and in other models in other cities, we've seen other ways of funding.

3:35

And so if it's seen to be successful, which is ridership participation, the hotel years are interested, business communities interested, then that would be something we'd want to continue forward and try and look for funding models to meet that.

3:49

Follow-up question, if I may.

3:51

Go ahead.

3:52

If we are to continue that, and since 80% is coming in ways of grant, then along the way, if we're seeing the success indicators, then is there going to be potential budget like a funding plan?

4:06

Like, hey, this is looking like something, because of course we would need to plan for an additional million or whatever the cost at the time is going to be.

4:14

So at what point will we reassess if we need to start funding strategy?

4:22

I think that's a great question.

4:23

I think we would look maybe within the first six months to a year, we would know since it's a two-year pilot that we'll have the funding for.

4:54

And so I think we should hopefully within the first six months to a year know whether we're really seeing a high amount of participation rate.

5:02

Great.

5:02

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works███████████████████████23%
Transportation Safety████████████████████20%
Tourism Promotion██████████████14%
Public Transportation█████████████13%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Federal Funding███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Redmond Planning & Public Works Committee Meeting - October 7, 2025

This meeting of the Committee of the Whole for Planning and Public Works took place on October 7, 2025, chaired by Council President Kritzer. Eight items were discussed, including action items scheduled for the October 21 business meeting consent agenda, study session previews, and a staff report. Key topics included a microtransit shuttle pilot, the six-year transportation improvement program, tourism grant funding, and municipal code updates.

Consent Calendar

  • WSDOT Regional Mobility Grant Microtransit Shuttle Consultant Agreement: Approved for the October 21 consent agenda. The agreement with Circuit Transit Inc. for $975,000 in grant funding plus $244,000 city match will pilot an on-demand microtransit shuttle in downtown Redmond and Education Hill, expected to begin service in early 2026.
  • David Evans & Associates Consultant Agreement for NE 40th Street Shared Use Path: Approved for consent. The $1,115,400 agreement covers engineering and design for a shared use path, funded by the Community Facilities District.
  • Annual Update of 2026-2031 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Scheduled for a public hearing on October 21. The TIP has been reformatted to include funded, unfunded, and transportation facilities plan projects.
  • 2026 Tourism Grant Funding – LTAC Recommendations: Approved for consent. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommended $325,000 in grants: $175,000 for 22 external applicants and $150,000 for three city applications. Two applications were not recommended; one late applicant (Surf Cup) received reduced funding of $17,000.
  • Jaymarc AV Contract for Fire Station 11 Alerting System: Approved for consent. The $135,442 contract will upgrade alerting to target specific responders, funded by leftover BTIP balances.

Discussion Items

  • WSDOT Microtransit Shuttle: Senior Transportation Planner Francesca Liberty presented. Councilmembers asked about the off-ramp strategy (ridership data and success indicators), federal funding implications (none tied to this grant), and data collection methods. Councilmember Stewart requested a future communications plan covering the shuttle, Metro Flex, and the World Cup. No concerns were raised about moving to consent.
  • NE 40th Street Shared Use Path: Senior Engineer Micah Ross presented. Councilmember Fields asked how the $1.1 million cost was validated (WSDOT-approved rates and hour estimates). Councilmember Stewart noted the project's importance for bike infrastructure. Moved to consent.
  • 2026-2031 TIP Update: Councilmember Stewart asked about the Avondale Road Separated Bikeway and Overlake projects (All Construct Street). Staff will provide details at the public hearing. Moved to public hearing.
  • 2026 Tourism Grants: Councilmember Fields (LTAC representative) noted the committee's recommendation to find alternate funding for city events. Councilmember Stewart expressed hope for the World Cup-related event and urged a warm handoff for the unfunded Explore Redmond Live applicant. Councilmember Forsythe suggested a future conversation on LTAC funding criteria. Moved to consent.
  • Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Update: Transportation Planning Manager Michael Hince presented final chapters (E-Mobility, Technology, Maintenance, Performance Metrics, Transportation Facilities Plan) for the October 28 study session. Councilmember Stewart raised questions about PSE partnerships, shared-use charger pilot, freight emission strategies, and sidewalk maintenance costs. Councilmember Nuevacamina asked about e-moto classification. Councilmember Forsythe asked about e-bike levels, data governance, and micromobility storage. Councilmember Fields asked how success metrics will measure vision achievement. Study session scheduled for October 28.
  • Capital Investment Program (CIP) Q3 2025 Update: Deputy Public Works Director Van Garcia presented. Study session scheduled for October 14. Councilmember Forsythe expressed concern about Evans Creek funding. Councilmember Stewart asked about a pump station in yellow status. Councilmember Nuevacamina praised budget adherence. President Kritzer requested before/after photos of completed projects.
  • Municipal Code Update (Titles 13 and 15): Public Works Director Aaron Burt presented proposed changes to water/sewer and building codes. Councilmember Nuevacamina asked about the rationale for fine increases. Councilmember Stewart asked about the use of "police powers" language. Staff will incorporate feedback and bring a staff report on October 21, with public comment to follow.
  • Fire Station 11 Alerting System: IT Director Mike Marshand presented. Councilmember Nuevacamina expressed excitement about the benefit for firefighters. Moved to consent.

Key Outcomes

  • All action items were placed on the October 21 business meeting consent agenda without objection.
  • A public hearing for the 2026-2031 TIP was scheduled for October 21.
  • Study sessions were scheduled: CIP Q3 update on October 14, and TMP final chapters on October 28.
  • A staff report on municipal code updates (Titles 13 and 15) was scheduled for October 21.
  • No formal votes were taken; all decisions were procedural for future meetings.

Meeting Transcript

I'm calling this meeting to order. This is the committee of the home meeting of the Redmond City Council for Planning and Public Works. I am chairing today as our usual chair, Councilmember Stewart is online. Today is Tuesday, October 7th. This meeting beginning at 4 30 p.m. Um council members in attendance include Councilmember Salah Houdin, Councilmember Nueva Kamina, Councilmember Forsyth, Council, Council Vice President Forsyth, Councilmember Stewart Online, Councilmember Fields, Councilmember Anderson and myself, Council President Kritzer. There are eight items on the agenda. So let's get to it. The first item on the agenda is the Washdot Regional Mobility Grant Microtransit Shuttle Consultant Agreement. And introducing this is our deputy planning director, Sarah Fi Allen. Go ahead. Thank you and good afternoon. As stated, this item is to provide a preview of the consultant agreement for the microtransit shuttle being funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation Regional Mobility Grant, which this council accepted the grant actually on August 4th. The consultant agreement is proposed to be a part of the consent agenda on October 21st business meeting. And here to present more about this item is Francesca Liberty, our senior transportation planner. All right. Hi everyone. So Redmond was awarded the region mobility grant from Washdot uh for the 2025 to 2027 biennium to pilot a microtransit shuttle and shared parking program in downtown Redmond. The total amount of ground grant funding being provided to the city of Redmond is $975,000. The city is providing $244,000 of matching funds. This on-demand microtransit shuttle will serve downtown Redmond and its periphery as well as the Education Hill neighborhood. A request for proposals or RFP for the vendor to manage the microtransit shuttle was posted and five vendors submitted. Circuit Transit Inc. was chosen as our preferred vendor. We are requesting approval of circuit transit's consultant agreement at the October 21st business meeting. And we anticipate the microtransit shuttle will begin service in early 2026 to align with Sound Transit's link light rail cross lake connection. Wonderful. Anything else or should we go to questions? Let's take some questions. Right. So counselor, there are questions. Councilmember Stewart. Thank you so much, team. I really appreciate bringing this forward. I fully support the contract as is. And just wanted to comment on how adorable our future ID buzzes are that will be helping folks get to light rail. So thanks so much. Looking forward to seeing this come to life next year. Thank you. Councilmember Nueva Kamina. Thank you. My question is about off-ramping or what the decision threshold is at the end of the pilot in two years. Sorry, can you say a little bit? What is our exit strategy or what is the decision threshold? Like what is going to be the markers of whether or not we move forward with this pilot at the end of the two years? Got it. So we're going to be definitely collecting ridership data, and we've actually seen a very similar microtransit unit used in Bellevue. And so using some of the success indicators that they've had, and I'll share that this is a pilot, right? With the funding and in other models in other cities, we've seen other ways of funding. And so if it's seen to be successful, which is ridership participation, the hotel years are interested, business communities interested, then that would be something we'd want to continue forward and try and look for funding models to meet that.

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