Redmond City Council Business Meeting - July 7, 2026
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Redmond City Council Business Meeting - July 7, 2026
The Redmond City Council met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, public comments from nine individuals, approval of a consent agenda, ombudsperson and committee reports, and a closed session for labor negotiations.
Proclamation
- Mayor Angela Birney proclaimed July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month, citing the city's commitment to parks, trails, tree canopy (goal of 40% coverage by 2050), and community events. Green Redmond Forest Stewards Alex Ku and Irene Ku spoke, describing their volunteer work restoring Smith Woods over three to seven years, noting a reduction in invasive Himalayan blackberry and increased native plants.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nine speakers addressed the council. The majority spoke about the Interlake Sporting Association (ISA) shooting range and proposed hour restrictions.
- Nathan Gibbs (ISA President): Expressed that falsehoods about the club are being repeated; argued that proposed hours (10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays) are unjustified and urged a compromise of 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays with sound mitigation paid for by ISA. Noted ISA's exemplary safety record over 80 years.
- Casey Gilliam (ISA member): Clarified that ISA has reduced operations, including suspending Project Appleseed and trap programs, to be good neighbors. Described the stringent membership intake process emphasizing safety.
- Nathan Parker (ISA member): Pointed to other suburban ranges that use physical sound mitigation (earthen berms) without reducing hours. Stated ISA has completed sound studies, engineering plans, and geological surveys, awaiting council support.
- Pedro Lopez (ISA member): Urged the council to slow down and consider alternatives like staggered hours, paper-target-only times, or subsonic/suppressed firearm periods. Emphasized that the proposed hours would make the club unusable for working people. Noted that ISA is a member-run nonprofit, not a business.
- Peter Jarvis (ISA member): Described 40 years of voluntary operational restrictions as neighborhoods built up around the range. Cited past collaboration with the city and a recent shift in staff attitude. Thanked Councilmembers Pauley, Parsi, and Prakriya for recognizing the club's value.
- Aaron Hamilton (trans community member): Spoke about feeling less safe as a trans woman in Redmond, citing threats of violence and a lack of ally action. Expressed frustration over failing to protect a safe space for trans youth.
- Olu Zhu (ISA member): Described ISA as a community similar to a church, and argued that restricting hours is not a practical solution compared to sound mitigation. Noted that as a working parent, ISA is a vital retreat.
- Wolf Adriatico (non-ISA member): Expressed support for ISA, stating that neighbors who moved in near a long-standing shooting range should bear responsibility. Also reminded the council of a promise to involve teens in building a new teen center.
- David Morton (Green Redmond Forest Steward): Flagged four gaps in the tree code update draft: the in-lieu fee rate (still a placeholder of $800–$1,000 per tree), baseline minimum tree credits table (still being tested), undefined term "significant tree," and placeholder enforcement provisions. Asked for these to be prioritized before the planning commission process in August.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. Items included:
- Approval of minutes from June 16, 2026.
- Approval of payroll and claims checks (June 25 and July 7, 2026).
- Vision Blueprint 2050 – Capital Investment Strategy.
- Updated On-Call Legal Services Agreement with Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice, LLC (not to exceed $200,000).
- Consultant agreement with Shrewsberry & Associates for Overlake Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Project (not to exceed $971,278).
- Feasibility study for Fire Station 11 with TCA Architecture + Planning ($125,000).
- Acceptance of Safe Streets For All (SS4A) Grant from FHWA.
- Memorandum of Understanding with Eastrail Regional Advisory Council.
- MOU for Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Services.
- Resolution No. 1630 amending Resolution No. 1503 to add grant contract threshold and authority.
- Councilmember Parsi noted that the bottom of the checks register was missing vendor information and requested it be filled in; the item was not pulled.
Ombudsperson Reports
- Councilmember Soni (June ombuds): Reported few emails, including one opposing zone exclusions and MFTE amendments. Met with Washington Multi Family Housing Association and a Zipline team member. Also received emails about visa issues needing immediate assistance.
- Councilmember Parsi (July ombuds): Received emails about zoning for affordable senior housing, renters' rights, and positive feedback on bike lanes. During office hours, heard about expanding bike lanes, public transportation, engagement in the budget process, and senior lunch program expansion. Also spoke with Issaquah Fish about city engagement.
- Councilmember Forsythe: Had conversations about noise ordinance, ICE presence in Redmond, an invitation to a women's bazaar (including a children's entrepreneurial bazaar), and community concerns about sidewalk grinding.
- Councilmember Kritzer: Office hours covered trans rights and safety, parking policy and ADA issues, incentivizing light rail use, land use policy, the 172nd gate project traffic calming, tenant protections, and concerns about ICE. Also noted Cascade Bicycle Club tabling at light rail stations.
- Councilmember Prakriya: Attended the AWC annual conference with Councilmembers Soni, Stewart, and Mayor Birney; favorite sessions were on AI and municipal debt limits.
- Council President Stewart: Mentioned awaiting a close-out agreement from Flock (ALPR vendor); distributed a note to neighboring jurisdictions about commercial drone delivery land use issues; the Sound Cities Association's caucus of city administrators has taken interest. Also reminded council that the noise ordinance item is now quasi-judicial (appearance of fairness doctrine applies). Councilmember Parsi clarified she knocked on doors before receiving that memo.
Committee Reports
- Councilmember Forsythe: Attended Eastrail Planning Meeting (regional meeting end of July, in-person); disability board meeting approved reimbursements for retired public service members.
- Councilmember Prakriya: Tenant protections subcommittee will present at study session on July 14; will attend Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee as alternate in Kirkland.
- Councilmember Kritzer: LTAC and TPA (Tourism Promotion Area) approved proposed shared investments; LTEC budget will come to council.
- Council President Stewart: Attended Regional Water Quality Committee (affordability of wastewater system) and AWC legislative priorities committee (discussed progressive revenue tools for cities; legislators present including Representative April Berg).
- Councilmember Soni: One Redmond Foundation meeting lacked quorum; at AWC conference, did mobile tours of stormwater facilities and Kaiser Aluminum facility (discussed PFAS issue).
- Councilmember (unidentified): Appointed to executive's housing revenue task force; also part of a housing group working with AWC on housing options with the state.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Resolution No. 1630 (grant threshold and authority) adopted unanimously.
- The council will discuss the Flock ALPR close-out agreement at Council Talk Time next week.
- The council will consider the noise ordinance (ISA-related) under quasi-judicial rules; council members reminded to adhere to appearance of fairness.
- The council went into closed session for labor negotiations (RCW 42.30.140(4)(b)) after the business meeting adjourned.
- Next steps: Study session on July 14 (tenant protections), upcoming committee meetings, and continued work on housing, revenue, and tree code.
Meeting Transcript
Council Vice President Nueva Camina here. Councilmember Forsyth. Councilmember Procrea? Here. Councilmember Parsi? Here. Councilmember Sony? Yeah. And Councilmember Kritzer. Here. The first item on the agenda is a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month. Whereas the US House of Representatives and the National Recreation and Park Association have designated July as Parks and Recreation Month. And whereas the City of Redmond Parks, Trails, and Community Spaces serve an essential public infrastructure where residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities can access physical activity, mental restoration, social connection, and a sense of belonging, building resilience and common ground in an increasingly complex world. And whereas the city of Redmond, the city's Green Redmond program, which has thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to restoring more than 1,000 acres of forested parkland continues to grow through expanded forest steward opportunities and community events. And whereas the city of Redmond is committed to a healthy sustainable future through our climate resiliency and sustainability and vegetation management plan and our annual tree giveaway program, advancing our goal of 40% urban tree canopy cover coverage by 2050. And whereas the completion of Redmond Central Connector Phase 3 provides a continuous accessible trail connection between downtown Redmond and Kirkland, expanding equitable access to parks and open spaces for all. And whereas the City of Redmond Parks and Recreation Department provide inclusive and dynamic opportunities from sports leagues and day camps to team programming and senior activities, guided by a newly completed recreation program plan that ensures our services re reflect the long-range needs and priorities of our growing and diverse community. And whereas the city of Redmond is ready for the world with the World Cup underway underway in our region, bringing residents and visitors together through watch parties, celebrations, and a permanent legis legacy installation in downtown park. And whereas community events such as Derby Days and Redmond Lights foster belonging and civic pride, while new programming brings even more residents together to celebrate the culture and spirit that make Redmond home. And whereas the City of Redmond is committed to cultural creativity and economic vibrancy through art education performances, public art, local artist training, and the new art map, helping residents to discover over 100 works of public art. Now, therefore, I, Angela Bernie, mayor of the city of Redmond, do hereby proclaim July 2026 as park and recreation month and encourage all community members to participate in recreational activities and enjoy Redmond's beautiful parks, trails, and public art this summer. And to receive this proclamation, I have two uh two of our Green Redmond Forest Stewards, Alex Ku and Irene Ku, a brother and sister that have worked in uh worked on this program, and I'd love for them to come up with their family, and they have a few words to say. We can get a picture. Come on up. Come on up, mom and dad. Do you want to get a picture? We'll get a picture and then um Alex and Irene will say a few words. How about the male? You on one side. Okay, we'll do this. Who's first? Yeah, thank you, Mayor and members of the city council. I'm really honored to be receiving this proclamation on behalf of the Green Redmond Forest Stewardship Program. And for the past three years, we've all been working at different parks in Redmond, specifically. I've been working at Smith Woods, and um throughout our work, we've noticed that you can actually see a difference in these parks now compared to three to four years ago. Before the whole park was all covered in invasive plants such as the Himalayan Blackberry, but now it's so much um it's so much you can see that it's so much there's so much less um BlackBerry and invasive plant coverage in the park. And I think it's a really great achievement for us for its stewards to accomplish. And joining this program has been a really great um experience for me so far, and I'm looking forward to continue to grow with this program. Um I'm now I'm gonna now pass it on to my brother. Uh hello. Uh, like my sister has uh already said, like I am very proud, uh, along with my family and all the other forest stewards to be receiving this proclamation on behalf of the forest steward program. And for me, myself, a little bit about like Smith Woods itself. I actually started when I was around two years ago when I was about three years old, so that's like uh seven years ago, roughly. Um back then, I just used kind of this uh park restoration thing as more of a excuse to play in the dirt with my sister than really like okay, it's recreation. I'm actually doing something like helpful, but like over the years, especially through the past three or four years, I've actually come to know it's like okay, as a four steward, I can actually help like change a lot of things. Because like normally when you like walk into like Smith Woods, you come across a lot of like Himalayan BlackBerry, but now it's more of like a haven for like a lot of like young trees and native plants. And overall, I feel like that the four steward program has definitely helped change not only Smith Woods, but a lot of like other parks around the city of Redmond uh for better as well. So, yeah, thank you guys. Well, thank you both so much. I feel like we should use you for an ad for um Hawaii is good for people to come out and help our forests.
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