Redmond City Council Business Meeting – April 7, 2026
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Redmond City Council Business Meeting – April 7, 2026
The Redmond City Council held a regular business meeting on April 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The agenda included a proclamation for National Poetry Month, a presentation by Move Redmond, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, a staff report on the 2026 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) overview, ombudsperson reports, committee reports, and an executive session on real estate acquisition. The meeting was streamed live and available for remote participation.
Proclamation and Presentations
- National Poetry Month Proclamation: Mayor Angela Birney proclaimed April 2026 as National Poetry Month. Poet Laureate Nancy Morboro read a poem titled "Interview with Art" and described her upcoming storytelling poetry project, which will involve interviewing Redmond residents and writing poems inspired by them, culminating in a community showcase on December 11, 2026.
- Move Redmond Presentation: Executive Director Kelly Reefer, joined by team members Barita Lauriano, Michael Leach, and Afnanda Lache, presented an overview of Move Redmond, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit transportation management association. They highlighted their mission to make Redmond more accessible through walking, biking, and transit, and described programs including bike classes, an Open Streets Festival (August 15, 2026), walk-and-talk events, a multilingual transit access map, and advocacy for safer streets and reliable transit. Councilmembers expressed strong support for Move Redmond's work and its regional leadership.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0). It included:
- Approval of minutes from the March 17, 19, and 24, 2026 meetings.
- Approval of payroll/direct deposit and claims checks.
- Confirmation of appointment of new Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission members: Sydney Hune, Eugene Vidalis, and Jose Gonzalez (they were sworn in during the meeting).
- Authorization to accept grant funding from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
- Approval of the Washington State Opioid Settlement with Remnant Defendants.
Public Comments & Testimony
Six individuals spoke during Items from the Audience (five in person, one remotely).
- Paul Morris (medical assistant, EMT) urged the council to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all city parks and public spaces, offered free CPR training, and noted his success in getting AEDs in Kirkland parks (though four were stolen).
- Aaron Hamilton (transgender community member) spoke about Transgender Day of Visibility and the importance of education and visibility in combating discrimination. He challenged the council and community to ask questions, stand with transgender people, and not remain silent.
- Wolf Adriatico criticized the city's handling of the Old Firehouse Teen Center closure, stating that the recent celebration event was "tone-deaf" and an insult to the community. He called for genuine collaboration and teen engagement in the rebuilding process.
- Rosemary Ives (former mayor of Redmond, 1992–2007) made three requests regarding the Old Firehouse demolition: (1) contract with a forensic consultant to be present during demolition, (2) erect an interpretive display on the site, and (3) commission an oral history project with former city staff. She argued against demolition, questioned the $9 million remodeling cost estimate, and noted that the council majority never asked what it would take to keep the building open. She urged new council members to vote based on their own judgment.
- David Morton raised concerns about PFAS contamination in Redmond's drinking water, alleging that the 2013 fire at Allwood Recycling Site (now DTG Recycle) released PFOS and PFBS from firefighting foam. He stated that sentinel monitoring wells were not tested for PFAS after the fire, violating the city's groundwater protection promises. He requested a pre-disturbance PFAS investigation costing $50,000–$70,000 before the Evans Creek relocation project, and supported wellhead treatment for supply wells.
- Max Rollman (online) supported former mayor Ives' requests, criticized high fees for teen programs (e.g., $70/session for DIY audio), noted that fee waivers require parent signatures (a barrier for teens), and expressed concern about the $400,000 cost increase for demolition. He emphasized the importance of preserving artifacts and ensuring inclusive youth development.
Discussion Items
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2026 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Overview: Staff from Planning and Community Development (Carol Helen, Serafy Allen, Michael Hince, Caroline Chapman, Linnea Taylor) presented the TDM program, which aims to expand mobility and reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips. Key elements included:
- Partnerships with Move Redmond, Hopelink, King County Metro, and Sound Transit.
- New services: Community Van (pre-scheduled, volunteer driver, for groups), MetroFlex (on-demand, paid driver, in Overlake area), and the new Red Link free on-demand electric shuttle pilot.
- Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program: Affects nearly 70,000 of Redmond's 99,000 employees. State funding dropped by $60,000/year.
- Mobility Management Plans (MMPs): Over 80 active MMPs tied to new developments.
- Residential outreach: Neighborhood Connections program, direct mailers, yard signs, free ORCA cards with $30 fare, and e-bike incentives with Bellevue and Issaquah.
- School Pool program: Over 3,000 students logged 99,513 non-driving trips in 2025.
Red Link Pilot Update: Michael Hince reported that in its first month, Red Link had over 1,000 rides. Top pickup/drop-off locations were Marymoor and Downtown Redmond light rail stations, Amazon facility, hotels, and Salt & Straw. Peak demand times were 8:30–9:00 AM, noon, and 5:00 PM. The service currently operates three Volkswagen ID Buzz vehicles; a fourth ADA-accessible vehicle (GEM Wave) was delayed due to shipping damage but expected to arrive that weekend. Metrics tracked include passengers per service hour (target: 3/hr, currently halfway there). The city hopes to demonstrate demand to potentially expand MetroFlex service. Safety protocols and app improvements are being addressed. Councilmembers asked about expansion to Overlake and North Redmond, shared parking, and employer partnerships. Councilmembers expressed strong support and excitement.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
- New Commission Members sworn in.
- TDM Staff Report received; council directed staff to continue monitoring Red Link and report back on metrics and expansion possibilities.
- Executive Session held for 20 minutes (closed to the public) to consider real estate acquisition under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b); no action was taken.
- Meeting Adjourned at approximately 9:10 PM.
Ombudsperson Reports
- Council President Melissa Stuart (March): Reported on constituent issues including lockdown procedures in schools, parking lot 11, Old Firehouse artifacts, tenant protections, downtown zoning amendments, Recology billing, water bills, noise from Innerlake Sporting Association, Wave Aquatics, Lime scooters blocking sidewalks, police interactions with transgender community, Flock camera technology, immigrant support (rapid response funds, resolution), utility rate increases, and engagement with students and Consejo Counseling. She also visited Cascadia College and discussed inclusionary zoning.
- Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer (April): Reported on tenant protection emails, positive feedback from the Old Firehouse event, concerns about teen program fees and fee waivers, teen engagement in the rebuild process, requests to improve the ombudsperson role, support for a school symphony trip, and a proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31). She also held office hours on anti-discrimination efforts and the Thrive crisis response program, and visited the Sammamish City Council.
Committee Reports
- Council Vice President Angie Nuevacamina: Disability Board approved claims and reappointed Dwight Altenberg, Edward Caroline, and Sue Stewart to new terms. Cascade Water Alliance board meeting included housekeeping and subcommittee appointments for the Cascade Supply Program.
- Councilmember Jessica Forsythe: East Trail RAC board retreat focused on visioning; praised staff member Lindsay Falkenberg.
- Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer: Lake Sammamish Kokanee Recovery ILA committee reported over 1,000 kokanee returns for the second consecutive year (up from a low of 80), with recommendations to increase science staff and budget. Tenant protection subcommittee will bring a consolidated list of proposals to council at an upcoming council talk time.
- Council President Melissa Stuart: Regional Water Quality Committee visited the South Plant wastewater facility, studied source control and legacy pollution, and expects a recommendation on sewer rates (12.75% increase for six years). She expressed concern about cumulative cost-of-living increases for residents. Public Issues Committee (PIC) nominating committee recommended Councilmember Ryan McUrban for the Greater Seattle Partnership seat. Growth Management Planning Council will work on monitoring housing production targets with a midpoint review in 2030.
- Mayor Angela Birney: Puget Sound Regional Council executive meeting noted the first net job losses in the region since 2000 (excluding COVID), prompting discussions on an economic development plan. Sound Transit Board faces a $34.5 billion deficit for ST3 projects; East King sub-area projects are largely complete (ST2), but the I-405 BRT is ongoing, and the Issaquah-Kirkland light rail line is over budget.
Meeting Transcript
2026, commenc at 7 o'clock PM. I will call roll starting with Council President Stewart. Here. Council Vice President Nueva Kamina. Here. Councilmember Forsyth. Here. Councilmember Prokria. Here. Councilmember Parsi. Here. Councilmember Sony. Here. And Councilmember Gritzer. Here. The first item on the agenda is a proclamation for National Poetry Month. Whereas National Poetry Month seeks to highlight the legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets, introduce Americans to the benefit of reading poetry, bring poetry to the public in innovative ways, make poetry an important part of our children's education. And whereas poetry has produced some of the nation's leading creative artists and has inspired other artists in fields such as music, theater, film, dance, and the visual arts. And whereas poetry as an essential part of the arts and humanities affects every aspect of the American life, including education, the economy, and community pride and development. And whereas Redmond invests in poets and literary organizations through grants, partnerships, and commissions. And whereas the City of Redmond strives to make poetry accessible to everyone by providing unique art and cultural experiences that build a high quality of life in the community through the city's poet laureate program. And whereas the Redmond Poet Laureate program produces a variety of opportunities for residents and visitors to build a more literate and understanding community through poetry. Now, therefore, I, Angela Burney, mayor of the City of Redmond, Washington, to hereby proclaim April 2026 as Poetry Month and encourage residents to participate in city nonprofit organizations and private venue literary arts programs and to follow the City of Redmond Parks and Recreation social media pages for poems and poetic activities during the month of April. And with that, I would like to introduce our poet laureate, Nancy Morboro. And invite her to share a poet, a poem with us. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, my name is Nancy Mboro, and I will read a poem called Interview with Art. I believe in journalistic integrity. I seek to strip away the mask to see the bare bones that hold up the work of his hands. So I interview his closest friend, experience. Pain, he said, was the secret ingredient, the ability to capture it in its rawest form, find the corners of vulnerability, arouse the right amount of curiosity, weaponize the trigger called shock. That was art. You needed to live it to give life. Or lean on imitation, a pale comparison, but with the right kind of artistry, it was the highest form of flattery. Second, I interviewed culture. Hell has no fury like a woman's corned muse, she said, was the secret ingredient. Where I saw, he ripped. Where they where they branded me barbaric, they hailed him art. Grifting. He repackaged and performed palatability, endorsed mostly by nobility, evolving and refining, but make no mistake. Foresight, he said, is the secret. The ability to see the places that needed to be bent, the versions that needed a sunset, and those that needed a sunrise. He was a student of time, a wielder of perception. Thank you. I will share a little bit about the project that I'll be working on this year. It is storytelling poetry project, and it's a two-part project. The first part involves interviewing the people that live in Redmond, and the second part involves writing poems that are inspired by them. And then at the end of the year on December 11th, we're gonna have a community showcase. So everyone will get the opportunity to enjoy the interviews as well as the poems.
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