Redmond City Council Special Meeting – November 3, 2025: Crisis Care Levy, ICE Incidents, Flock Camera Pause Recommended
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Redmond City Council Special Meeting – November 3, 2025
The Redmond City Council held a special meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025, commencing at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Native American History Month, a presentation on the King County Crisis Care Levy, a significant public comment period addressing surveillance technology and federal immigration enforcement, and a Council recommendation to temporarily disable the city's Flock automated license plate readers pending further review. The Council also approved the consent agenda and heard committee reports, including a farewell from Councilmember Osman Salahuddin, who is resigning to join the state legislature.
Proclamation
- Native American History Month: Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Kritzer read a proclamation declaring November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month in Redmond, recognizing the contributions and history of tribal nations and indigenous peoples.
Presentation: Crisis Care Levy
- Susan McLaughlin (Director, King County Behavioral Health Recovery Division) and Jennifer Winslow (Crisis Care Center Strategic Planning Manager) presented an update on the voter-approved Crisis Care Center Levy (passed April 2023, $1.2 billion over nine years). The levy's paramount purpose is to build five crisis care centers across King County, with one dedicated to youth. Early investments include expanded mobile crisis response teams (93 adult outreaches for Redmond residents from January to September 2025), a 988-911 diversion project, over $15 million invested in preserving existing residential treatment beds, and nearly $17 million in workforce development. The first crisis care center (Connections Kirkland) is open, with centers in Central and South King County expected by end of 2027. Requests for proposals for the East and Youth centers will be released in coming weeks. The presentation emphasized that the centers are voluntary, least-restrictive, and include post-crisis follow-up teams.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Daniel Dawson (Redmond resident) opposed citywide surveillance cameras, citing security risks and the liability of aggregating location data. He argued that companies cannot guarantee security, referencing breaches at Equifax, Telemessage, and Apple.
- Aaron Hamilton (Redmond resident) criticized the 988 crisis line as ineffective, contrasting it with the Redmond Police Department's mental health professional (MHP) program, which he said saved his life. He also raised concerns about his treatment by Chief Lowe in the SEAT (Safety, Equity, and Trust) program, alleging discrimination and lack of respect regarding LGBTQ+ issues.
- Wolf Adriatico (Redmond resident) expressed support for the Old Firehouse Teen Center, describing it as a family and a vital community space for those facing despair.
- David Morton (Redmond resident) provided feedback on the draft 2025 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP), supporting its five big moves but calling for more specific equity metrics, accelerated EV charging infrastructure, and a concrete timeline for city operations carbon neutrality. He noted that only 9% of registered vehicles in Redmond are battery electric, with a target of 30% by 2030.
- David Combs (Redmond resident) requested immediate dismantling of the Flock automated license plate recognition system, arguing it enables illegal surveillance by federal agencies and poses risks to citizens' privacy. He referenced Chief Lowe's admission that the system had been left open to two out-of-state agencies.
- Christina Whalen (Redmond resident, Parks Commissioner, speaking as individual) supported the Old Firehouse Teen Center stakeholder group's final report, which recommends rebuilding the teen center at its current location. She urged the Council to give significant weight to the volunteer group's work.
- Faith 2386 (Redmond resident) shared personal experiences of mental health struggles and the importance of third spaces like the Old Firehouse, emphasizing that the closure has created a manufactured break in community support, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact.
- Juliana Peña (Redmond resident, U.S. citizen) expressed alarm about ICE arrests and deportations of immigrants without criminal records, citing a reported incident on Avondale Road that day. She asked what the city is doing to protect neighbors from federal overreach.
- Raya Wren (Redmond resident) commented on the ESAP, urging building code efficiency, battery backup, and energy resilience for essential operations, and expressed concern about fear and uncertainty among community members, including immigrants.
- Max Roman (remote, Redmond resident) criticized the strong-mayor form of government, calling for a city auditor position to improve transparency and accountability. He also opposed Flock cameras and urged protection of residents' privacy from ICE.
- Ralph Liu (remote, did not connect; written comment invited).
Discussion Items
- ICE Incidents in Redmond (November 3, 2025): Council Vice President Forsythe requested an update from Police Chief Lowe. Chief Lowe reported three ICE detentions in Redmond that day (Bear Creek shopping complex, Home Depot, and Avondale/Novelty Road). Officers verified the individuals were federal agents. ICE did not notify the Redmond Police Department, which is a professional courtesy but not a requirement. Chief Lowe stated that no city data systems were used in these contacts. He had reached out to the Mexican Cultural Center. Councilmembers expressed concern about the lack of identification and potential confusion with local police. Councilmember Nueva Camina asked whether the city can do anything to intervene; Chief Lowe confirmed that federal law supersedes local authority and that officers cannot interfere. Council President Kritzer stated that the Council stands firmly with immigrants and will explore further options.
- Flock Camera Pause: Several Councilmembers voiced grave concerns about the Flock automated license plate readers, citing surveillance risks, potential data misuse, and community feedback. Councilmember Fields noted that Chief Lowe had acknowledged the system was left open to out-of-state agencies. After discussion, the Council unanimously recommended (via informal consensus) that the administration suspend operation of the Flock cameras until a formal vote can be taken. Chief Lowe confirmed he would begin the process of disabling officer access by morning, with physical disconnection of cameras to follow. A formal decision is expected at a future meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved: The consent agenda passed 7-0, including: approval of minutes (October 21, 2025), payroll and claims checks, acceptance of a $20,930 Office of Public Defense grant (AM No. 25-160), 2026 SCORE jail rate amendment (AM No. 25-161), Parks Impact Fee Study contract to The FCS (Bowman Company) for $79,890 (AM No. 25-162), 2026-2028 collective bargaining agreement with Redmond City Hall Employees Association (RCHEA) and related pay ordinance (Ordinance 3231), and 2026-2028 collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 117 for police support employees and related pay ordinance (Ordinance 3232).
- Council Recommendation to Suspend Flock Cameras: The Council recommended that the administration temporarily disable the Flock automated license plate readers pending further discussion and a formal vote. Chief Lowe stated he would begin the process immediately.
- Upcoming Discussions: Council leadership will schedule a formal discussion on both the Flock cameras and potential legislative options to address ICE operations in Redmond. A special meeting or study session will be held in the coming weeks.
- Council Vacancy: Councilmember Osman Salahuddin announced his resignation effective November 5, 2025, to take a seat in the state legislature. The Council will discuss the process for filling the vacancy at the next study session (week of November 10), with a deadline to appoint a replacement by February 1, 2026.
Executive Session
- The Council entered a 15-minute executive session under RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) to discuss labor negotiations. No action was taken following the session, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 9:10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I'm calling this meeting to order. This is a special meeting of the Redmond City Council held on Monday, November 3rd, 2025, commencing at 7 p.m. I am presiding over this meeting as Mayor Pro Tem. I'll start roll call with Council Vice President Forsyth. Here. Councilmember Fields. Councilmember Salahuden. Councilmember Stewart. Here. Councilmember Nueva Comina. Here. Councilmember Anderson. Here. The first item on the agenda is a proclamation for Native American History Month. And I will read the proclamation. Whereas National Native American Heritage Month is observed across the United States each November to recognize the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and enduring contributions of the many tribal nations and indigenous peoples who are the original inhabitants of this land and whose descendants continue to shape and strengthen our communities and nations. And whereas the movement to formally recognize Native American Heritage began over a century ago with the first state sanctioned American Indian Day declared on May 6th, 1916 in New York. National awareness grew in 1976 when President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first Native American Awareness Week. In 1990, President H.W. Bush signed a joint resolution into law establishing November as National Native American Heritage Month, ensuring this essential recognition would become part of our national fabric. And whereas Native Americans have demonstrated extraordinary service, sacrifice, and strength throughout our history, including 44,000 Native men and women who served during World War II, among them Navajo, Cherokee, Comanche, Choctaw Code talkers who use their indigenous languages to transmit unbreakable battlefield communications, contributions that were instrumental to allied victory that remain a symbol of resilience and patriotism. And whereas Native communities continue to thrive, innovate, and lead in fields such as environmental stewardship, public policy, science, the arts, education, and more. Indigenous knowledge systems have long promoted sustainability, community wellness, and a deep respect for the natural world. Native peoples remain steadfast in their efforts to protect their sovereignty, preserve their cultures, and advocate for justice and equity. And whereas the City of Redmond honors the enduring relationship between tribal nations and this land and recognizes that understanding and acknowledging the past and present injustices is essential to building a future rooted in mutual respect, shared prosperity, and true partnership. Now, therefore, I, uh Vanessa Kritzer, on behalf of Angela Burney, Mayor of the City of Redmond, do proclaim November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month. The next item on the agenda was scheduled to be a presentation on Cascadia's State of the College, but this item is being moved to an upcoming meeting. The next item on the agenda is a presentation of on the crisis care levy provided by representatives from King County's Department of Community and Human Services. So we'll invite up Susan McLaughlin, the director of King County Behavioral Health Recovery Division, and Jennifer Winslow, Crisis Care Center Strategic Planning Manager. Welcome. And uh hopefully we've got your presentation up. Go ahead. Is this on? Yes, oh. Good evening. Thank you so much for the record. My name's Susan McLaughlin. I'm the director of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division at King County. We're so excited and grateful to be here tonight to give you an update on King County's Crisis Care Center levy. Just as a reminder, this was a voter-approved levy. It was approved back in April of 2023. It's a 1.2 billion dollar levy for the next nine years to transform our crisis system. See if I can figure out. So this is our vision of a crisis continuum for here in County. It includes someone to call or contact, and that's our 988 crisis response line, someone to respond, and we have expanded our mobile crisis response teams, which I'll talk about in a minute. A safe place for people to go when they're experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis, and that is the paramount purpose of the levy, which we'll talk about in a minute, and then someone to follow up after a crisis because we know that a crisis is a point in time, but what happens after is really important to engage individuals in treatment and get them the ongoing care that they need. So the crisis care levy itself has a paramount purpose, which is to build a network of five crisis care centers throughout distributed geographically across King County. One of those crisis care centers will be dedicated specifically to youth under the age of 18. And Jennifer is gonna talk a lot more about our crisis care centers in a minute. But there are two supporting purposes to the levy as well that we are making investments in.
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