Redmond City Council Business Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Redmond City Council held a regular business meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting featured a presentation on the Bellwether Prisma affordable housing project, a public statement on the suspension of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, public comments on mental health services, zoning changes, the former firehouse teen center, and PFAS testing, followed by approval of the consent agenda and reports from council members.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the February 17, 2026 Regular Meeting and January 31, 2026 Special Meeting.
• Approved payroll/direct deposit and claims checks (Council Payroll Check Approval Register January 30, 2026; Check Approval Register March 3, 2026).
• Adopted AM No. 26-029: 2027-2028 Council Budget Calendar.
• Adopted AM No. 26-030: 2025 King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and Redmond Annex Update.
• Accepted AM No. 26-031: Department of Commerce Climate Planning Grant Award of $359,558 for climate planning and resilience projects.
• Approved AM No. 26-032: Consultant Agreement with BHC for $1,200,000 for the Viewpoint AC Watermain Replacement Project and increased total project funding.
• Approved AM No. 26-033: Consultant Agreement with KPFF Consulting Engineers for $1,100,000 for the SE Redmond Park Project.
• Authorized AM No. 26-034: Mayor to sign a contract with King County for the Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement.
• Approved AM No. 26-035: Washington Traffic Safety Commission Interagency Agreement – Target Zero.

The consent agenda was approved by a voice vote of 6-0. No items were removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

Four in-person speakers and two remote speakers addressed the council:

• Mental Health Services: A speaker described a recent mental health crisis, stating they had few options for help. They expressed that 911 and 988 were not viable, and while the co-response program with mental health professionals (MHPs) works, only one MHP is on staff, leaving gaps. They were turned away from Connections Kirkland, which they said felt like a prison.
• Zoning and Affordable Housing Displacement: Linda Seltzer expressed concern that upcoming zoning code amendments could allow a developer to demolish her apartment complex and a neighboring one, replacing them with only about eight affordable units at 50% median income. She noted that the cost to amend the code ($20,000) is prohibitive for retirees and urged the council to protect existing affordable housing.
• Old Firehouse Teen Center: Wolf Adriatico criticized the closure of the old firehouse, stating that operations moved to Marymoor and no concerts have run for half a year. He objected to the city auctioning off equipment (instruments, speakers, amps, pianos, furniture, visual equipment) that was mostly donated, rather than redistributing it to schools or the new teen center. He called it disrespectful.
• PFAS Testing at DTG Recycle Site: David Morton asked the council to direct Public Works to conduct PFAS testing at the former Allwood Recycling property (DTG site) before any ground disturbance for the Evans Creek relocation project. He cited incomplete fire foam records from a 2013 fire, the site's never-been-tested status, and that soil management plans address only petroleum. He argued the Growth Management Act requires testing before digging due to the site's location in a critical aquifer recharge area (CARA One).
• Remote Speaker 1 (Amanda Hagen): Expressed frustration over the firehouse closure process, criticizing Mayor Birney and Parks Director Hamilton. She stated that staff had left, teens had begged the council for help, and the closure was handled poorly. She urged new council members to investigate and suggested removing those officials from further decisions on the firehouse.
• Remote Speaker 2: Spoke in support of the old firehouse as a historic music venue, citing performances by Modest Mouse, Elliott Smith, Mount Eerie, and other bands. He encouraged building a venue that supports community music and infrastructure for new artists.

Discussion Items

• Presentation: Bellwether’s Prisma Project – Mindy Black (Bellwether Housing), joined by Brian Yim and Jovan Ludovice, presented the Prisma affordable housing development at the Overlake Village Station. The project is a six-story, 360,000-square-foot mixed-use building with residential on all floors and ground-floor commercial, including 121 parking spaces (103 residential, 18 commercial). It will provide housing from studios to three-bedrooms, with about 40% family-sized units and 10 units set aside for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The AMI range is 30–80%. The site includes a 50-year open space covenant with the city for an 8,000-square-foot parcel to be used as pollinator meadow. Financing sources include Amazon, state, King County, Arch, and the city of Redmond. Construction began last week and is expected to take 26 months, opening in April 2028. Council members expressed strong support, noting the public-private partnership, family-sized units, and the 99-year affordable housing covenant.
• City Statement on ALPR Cameras – The city announced that all 24 Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras have been suspended and are not collecting data. There was no data breach, unauthorized third-party sharing, or federal access. The city remains under contract with Flock Safety until early June 2027 but will maintain the suspension while evaluating the contract and monitoring state/federal developments. A study session on police technology, including ALPRs, is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
• Committee Reports – Councilmembers provided updates from various committees, including:
  • Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC): Heard updates on Red Link on-demand shuttle and tourism marketing.
  • Parks and Environmental Sustainability Committee: Reviewed consent items.
  • Planning and Public Works (2PW) Committee: Approved contracts for Grass Lawn Park parking lot, Avendale Erosion Control, wastewater lift station upgrades, OTAC consultant agreement for King County wastewater connection, 6900th Ave NE land use and zoning map amendments, and 148th Avenue Safety Corridor engineering services. Discussed MOC and Council Rules of Procedure.
  • Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee: Briefed on King County Transportation Benefit District sales tax and proposed housing levy.
• Ombudsperson Reports – Councilmember Stewart (March ombudsperson) and others reported community feedback on topics including wheelchair accessibility, school pickup/drop-off lane blocking bike lanes, high speeds on Sammamish River Trail, Redmond pool management, zoning amendments, ALPR technology, tenant protections, regional fire authority, education needs, and immigrant community support. Councilmembers also shared local events attended: lunar new year celebration (CISC), ribbon cutting at Premier’s Academy child care (serving 400 students, creating 85 jobs), Interfaith Iftar, legislative town halls, Bellwether Prisma groundbreaking, and women’s leadership conference.
• Mayor’s Updates – Mayor Birney (via Council President Stuart) reported on Sound Transit developments: the 2025-2026 budget shortfall of $34 billion for Sound Transit 3, the need for an enterprise initiative to save costs, and the 75-year bonding bill she testified on to relieve funding stress. The opening of the last light rail stretch from Redmond to Seattle is set for March 28, 2026, with a pre-ride on March 27. The new bus rapid transit (Stride) line connecting Kenmore, Bothell, and beyond was also highlighted.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (6-0), including all eight agenda items listed above.
• A study session on police technology (including Flock ALPR cameras) was scheduled for March 10, 2026. No final action will be taken at that session.
• The council will hold a Council Conversation on Education Hill at Redmond Middle School on March 19, 2026, from 7 to 9 PM.
• Councilmembers will follow up on specific constituent concerns (e.g., wheelchair accessibility, speeding, trail issues, firehouse closure) with staff and relevant agencies.
• The council will continue monitoring Sound Transit’s fiscal challenges and the King County Transportation Benefit District sales tax proposal, with a possible emergency statement from Sound Cities Association.
• No unfinished business, new business, or executive session occurred. The meeting adjourned.