Redmond City Council Business Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Redmond City Council held a regular business meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall and via remote access. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent agenda, staff reports on World Cup planning and first-quarter finances, ombudsperson and committee reports, and executive sessions. The council approved the consent agenda 7-0 and authorized the purchase of a property for a new municipal operations site.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting and the May 12, 2026 Special Meeting.
• Approved payroll and claims checks for April 30, May 8, and May 19, 2026.
• Approved the final contract with Johansen Construction Company for $5,711,889 for the Redmond Central Connector Phase 3 Project.
• Approved the final contract with Road Construction Northwest for $6,608,175.98 for the 152nd Street Improvements Project.
• Approved an amendment to the Landau Associates, Inc. on-call contract for hydrogeological support in the amount of $300,000.
• Awarded a construction contract to Lakeside Industries for $682,941 and approved a consultant services agreement supplement with David Evans and Associates for the Pavement Management – 154th Ave NE Project.
• Approved the 2026 Aerial Photography, Lidar, and Supplementals through the eGovCity Alliance for $94,764.
• Approved UKG Pro and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations bidirectional integrations.
• Approved the Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA) Amended Interlocal Agreement.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 3260, granting Olympic Pipe Line Company LLC a nonexclusive franchise for pipeline facilities within the city.

Public Comments & Testimony

Twenty-four community members signed up to speak in person, and two spoke remotely. The majority of speakers urged the council to pass the Redmond Renters Bill of Rights by the end of July 2026. Speakers included representatives from Transit Riders Union, Eastside for All, King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project, Africans on the East Side, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Tech for Housing, and the 45th and 48th Legislative District Democrats. They argued that nearly two-thirds of Redmond households are renters, and that the city needs to address junk fees, rent stability, retaliation prevention, and transparency. Several speakers shared personal experiences with hidden fees (e.g., $165.34 in monthly fees, $500 in common area fees, $20 to use the bathroom, $65 high-speed internet fee, $3.99 per payment fee) and the threat of displacement. A few speakers raised the possibility of a ballot initiative if the council does not act promptly.

Other speakers addressed:

• Paul Edward Morris (Kirkland resident) requested installation of public access defibrillators in all Redmond parks, citing a four-minute response window for cardiac arrest.
• Jesson Mada spoke about discrimination and retaliation at Lifetime Fitness, urging the city to hold corporations accountable to inclusive values.
• Wolf Adriatico and Aaron Hamilton spoke about the demolition of the old firehouse teen center, criticizing the city for failing to preserve its legacy and for not following through on promises to involve teens.
• Aaron Hamilton also requested clarification on the new mental health professional (MHP) position, asking whether it would cover gaps when the current MHP is off duty.
• David Morton identified two gaps in Redmond's water management: lack of a citywide recycled water program and a restrictive graywater reuse policy, recommending a “one water” framework.
• Linda Seltzer expressed concern about apartment demolition and displacement due to rezoning.

Discussion Items

World Cup Planning Update – Deputy Director of Planning Serafi Allen and other staff presented a comprehensive update on the city’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle, with Redmond hosting watch parties and community events. Key highlights: the city has budgeted approximately $2.4 million (with $395,000 from grants and sponsorships); 28 watch party grantees; a legacy sign unveiling on June 12; a “Meet Me at Marymoor” final match celebration on July 19 (capacity up to 4,000 with FIFA license); enhanced public safety staffing (six additional officers on game days, three on non-game days); pedestrian scrambles installed on Redmond Way; and a new emergency alert system (text REDMONDREADY). Councilmember Forsythe raised a question about communicating the drone-as-first-responder program to visitors, and staff agreed to incorporate it into outreach.

First Quarter 2026 Financial Report – Deputy Finance Director Harita Nara presented the report. General fund revenues are 9% above target, driven by strong sales tax ($15.2 million above target), utility tax, and development-related revenues. Expenditures are 5% below budget due to vacancies (6% vacancy rate). Citywide overtime is 18% over target, primarily in police and fire. Capital project spending is on track. The report noted economic uncertainty from federal funding and inflation. Councilmember Prakriya asked about intergovernmental transfers being 10% below target; staff attributed it to timing. Council President Stewart questioned a 48% underspend in utility CIP; staff will follow up.

Ombudsperson Reports – Councilmember Forsythe (May) and Councilmember Kritzer (April) reported on constituent contacts regarding renter protections, Recology pricing, trans community safety, the noise ordinance, and other topics. Several councilmembers voiced support for the transgender community following a recent tragedy at the University of Washington.

Committee Reports – Councilmembers reported on meetings of the Tenant Protections Subcommittee (developing a policy matrix), Finance Administration and Communications Committee (federal lobbying, data governance, budget engagement), Eastside Transportation Partnership (fourth line support letter, World Cup transit planning), One Redmond Foundation (Marymoor Arts and Science Center feasibility study), and Regional Water Quality Committee (sewer rate letter, Sound Transit expansion statement).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0 – all items, including Ordinance 3260 (Olympic Pipeline franchise), were adopted.
• Property purchase authorized 7-0 – The council voted to authorize Mayor Burney to sign an approval notice for the purchase of the Heidelberg property at 18816 Union Hill Road for a new Municipal Operations Center, release a second $500,000 earnest money deposit, and place the matter on the June 2 consent agenda. Council President Stewart noted this was a shift from using city-owned land and requires future financial planning.
• Executive Sessions held – The council met in closed session for 30 minutes on potential litigation and 20 minutes on real estate acquisition.
• Next steps – The council will continue work on the Redmond Renters Bill of Rights with a target of July 2026; the tenant protections subcommittee will finalize a policy matrix. The next business meeting is June 2, 2026, with a public hearing on drone delivery regulations.