Redmond City Council Business Meeting Summary – February 17, 2026
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Redmond City Council Business Meeting – February 17, 2026
The Redmond City Council held a regular business meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. All council members were present. The meeting included a consent agenda, public testimony, two staff reports (Evans Creek Relocation Project and World Cup Planning), ombudsperson and committee reports, and an executive session. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent agenda (7-0), which included: approval of the February 3, 2026 meeting minutes; payroll and claims checks; the 2026 Planning and Public Works Committee of the Whole Workplan; the 2026 Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee of the Whole Workplan; acceptance of funds and CIP amendments for the Overlake Area Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Project; the annual CUES GraniteNET contract; a consultant agreement with Hazen and Sawyer for PFAS treatment feasibility ($284,276); and a Business District Feasibility and Formation contract with Uncommon Bridges ($130,000).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kira Madden (Plymouth Housing): Celebrated the two-year anniversary of the council's vote approving Plymouth Housing's permanent supportive housing project, thanking the council for their courage and leadership. She highlighted community engagement efforts and a community advisory group.
- Pat Vashey (Redmond resident, CAG member): Expressed gratitude for the Plymouth Housing project, noting that Redmond's community development guides since 1979 have supported housing diversity and that the project aligns with long-standing policies.
- Axton Burton (Pride Across the Bridge, CAG member): Thanked the council for approving the Plymouth Housing project, stating it gives hope amid the affordable housing crisis and praising the collaboration and thoughtfulness of Plymouth Housing.
- James Webster (former Redmond resident): Thanked the council for the Plymouth Housing project, expressing pride that his tax dollars support such initiatives.
- Austin Ashenbrenner (Pastor, Redmond Presbyterian Church, CAG member): Thanked the council for their vote, noting that initial fears were based on misinformation and that the community will be strengthened by including all residents.
- Aaron Hamilton: Criticized the city's use of Flock surveillance cameras, arguing they could be used to target transgender individuals and their families, especially given anti-trans legislation in other states. He also criticized the Democratic Party for failing to explicitly support transgender rights.
- Wolf Adriatico: Expressed concern about the city removing third spaces (teen center, cafe, gun range) and the lack of safety nets for at-risk youth, citing drug use in schools.
- Rachel King: Requested the city review pool scheduling at the Redmond pool, noting that all six lanes are taken by private swim teams from 4-8 PM, leaving no lap lanes for youth who want to swim, and asked for more equitable access.
- Anil Bhagavad (21-year Redmond resident): Proposed the city adopt Bellevue programs: Signature Streets (neighborhood cleanups), Adopt-A-Street, and Cultural Conversations (monthly community dialogues).
- Linda Seltzer (senior apartment resident): Raised concerns about the comprehensive plan amendment process, stating that fees exceeding $25,000 are prohibitive for renters trying to prevent demolition of their affordable housing. She requested free assistance and zoning changes to preserve her apartment complex.
- Jackie Kimsey (Redmond resident): Opposed Flock mass surveillance cameras, citing risks to privacy and civil liberties as highlighted by UW Center for Human Rights and ACLU, and comparing them to surveillance in authoritarian countries.
- David Morton: Urged the council to require comprehensive PFAS testing at the former All Wood Recycling (DTG) site before proceeding with the Evans Creek relocation project, noting the 2013 fire, potential PFAS from firefighting foam, and proximity to drinking water wells.
Discussion Items
- Evans Creek Relocation Project Update (Public Works Director Aaron Burt): The project aims to improve salmon habitat, restore wetlands, enhance recreation, and advance regional salmon recovery. The city has spent $5.5 million on acquisition, design, and consulting. Delays stem from King County permitting, particularly regarding bridge clearance (1 ft vs 3 ft) and a perpetual maintenance agreement. The county originally sought perpetual responsibility; the city proposes 50 years. Bi-weekly meetings with the county are ongoing. If agreements are finalized in spring, bidding could occur in summer/fall 2026, construction in 2027. Cost inflation is estimated at $1 million/year. Director Burt addressed PFAS concerns: a monitoring well near the site has shown no PFAS; the 2013 fire response used Silvex foam (no PFOS); soil testing is an option; and construction may avoid excavating at the DTG site. Councilmembers expressed support and requested a site tour.
- World Cup Planning Update: Public Safety and Emergency Management Focus (Deputy Director Serafie Allen, Deputy Police Chief Brian Coates, Emergency Manager Nathan Hupp): The World Cup runs June 11–July 19, 2026, with six matches in Seattle. Redmond's public safety plan includes extra staffing on game days, use of drones and the Real-Time Information Center, declined mutual aid requests to Seattle, human trafficking training with BEST (up to 250 city staff and 2,500 business members), and expanded alcohol service permits (May 1–Dec 31). Emergency management includes regional coordination, a joint tabletop exercise on April 6 with Bellevue and Kirkland, implementation of a new emergency notification system (Everbridge) with keyword sign-ups, and three safety campaigns. Other activations: World Cup community grants, banners, a legacy sign, and a large screen at Redmond Town Center sponsored by Amazon. The Meet Me at Mary Moore event on July 19 will show the final match. Councilmembers asked about medical preparedness (Fire Chief noted bike medic patrols), human trafficking training accessibility, details of expanded alcohol service, drone policy (unchanged), and potential domestic violence spikes. Council Vice President also inquired about DFR data collection during World Cup.
Key Outcomes
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0).
- The council received the Evans Creek update and will continue to monitor permitting and PFAS testing. A site tour is planned for spring/summer 2026.
- The council received the World Cup planning update and will receive future reports. The next staff report is expected in May 2026.
- Ombudsperson reports were provided for January (Councilmember Kritzer) and February (Councilmember Forsyth), covering constituent issues such as impound fees, path reopening, beautification efforts, and housing policy.
- Committee reports were delivered by councilmembers on regional bodies including Sound Cities Association, Eastside Transportation Partnership, RIA 8 salmon recovery, water quality committee, and others.
- The council adjourned to a 20-minute closed executive session for potential litigation (RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)). No action was taken after the session, and the meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I'm calling this meeting to order. Can you hear me? Okay. I'm calling this meeting to order. This is a regular business meeting of the Redmond City Council held on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, commencing at 7 o'clock PM. I was going to call roll. But we have all council members in attendance this evening. The first item on the agenda is items from the audience. I have the sign-in sheet for members of the public to speak tonight. When I read your name, you will come up to the podium and have three minutes to address the council. Council members generally will not respond to comments or questions directly at the meeting. Members of the public are welcome to email the council any time at Mayor Council at Redmond.gov. The views stated by members of the public do not represent the opinion of the city of Redmond. As a reminder, RCW 29B 45010 prohibits any public comment during the council meeting in support or opposition of ballot propositions, measures, or candidates. All comments must pertain to City of Redmond business as indicated on the sign-in sheet, and no one tonight has signed up to speak remotely. So usually what I do is call about four names so you know when you're up next. Um, and you can just come on up. So we'll start with Sierra Madden, then Pat Vashey, then Axton Burton, and then James Webster. Right ahead. Hello, Council President Stewart, Council Vice President Nueva Camina, and members of the council. My name is Kira Madden, and I'm the external engagement coordinator for Plymouth Housing. Tonight we wanted to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Redmond City Council vote that made Plymouth Housing in Redmond possible. Two years ago, you acted with urgency and leadership to make our project a reality. We want to thank you for your action to bring a hundred new units of permanent supportive housing to this amazing community. We recognize that this decision was not made lightly and that there was and continues to be strong interest in the project. But we are here tonight to share what that courageous vote made possible. Your decision affirmed that Redmond is a city that chooses a compassion, partnership, and practical solutions. And we have been working ever since to live up to that choice. We've conducted robust community engagement, proactively reaching out to community members and creating opportunities for our future neighbors to ask questions, express concerns, and offer ideas about ways to integrate into the community. We established community advisory group consisting of 10 members who were selected to reflect the diversity of Redmond's community. We tabled events like Derby Days, Move Redmond's one open street festival, Redmond Pride, and Redmond Lights. One seven-year-old Redmond community member tore us authoritatively that we had the best booth at Redmond Lights this year. And we intend to keep that up again this December. Just as we found supporters and community champions for our work here in Redmond, they found us. A highlight of my job has been meeting and building relationships with the wonderful people that live and work here in Redmond. We've even had Redmond community members volunteer at our other buildings, demonstrating that good neighbors can extend their support beyond what's next door. They uphold what we believe is a shared mission, that everyone in our community deserves housing, support, and acceptance. But tonight we simply want to say thank you for your courage, your leadership, and for believing in this project and the importance of housing for people across all walks of life. Thank you. Next is Pat Vashey, then Axton Burton, then James Webster, then Austin Ashton Brenner. Good evening, Council and Mayor. I'm a Redmond resident, and I was a member of the community advisory group this in the past year. I want to thank you, the mayor, you, the mayor of the council, and staff for supporting this uh supportable housing. I'm sorry, permanent supportive housing. At a council meeting two years ago, council made a very bold decision. The seemingly quickiness of this decision got me to asking. Has Redmond's planning history laid a good foundation for permanent supportive housing facility in Redmond. One can use the community development guide as a roadmap. In 1979, the City of Redmond implemented its first community development guide. The plan was very scant on housing elements, but it did enumerate a single community housing goal.
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