National Night Out is always the first Tuesday in August.  Mark it on your calendar for next year and plan to get out with your neighbors.

For more inforamtion, contact Jim Bove at jbove@redmond.gov.

For the latest updates, please call the hotline we have set up at 425-556-2375.  For any questions regarding refunds for lessons, please call the Mercer Island Mary Wayte Pool at 206-296-4370.

Also, the Redmond Reporter has an article they update as they get more information from the City.  That link is http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/news/96659549.html.

Our goal is to reopen the pool as soon as it is safe to do so.  Thanks for your patience.

This is a fun event and encourages you to know your neighbors.  There will be thousands of crime prevention neighborhood parties, cookouts, ice cream socials and dessert parties across the country.  Get your neighborhood involved and receive a visit from special guests.  Please register your party early (425-556-2531 or email sbstrong@redmond.gov) by providing all of the following information no later than Tuesday, July 27:

1. Contact person, address, email, and phone number
2. Exact location of the event (specific address, etc.)
3. Start Time
4. End Time
5. Event type (pot luck dinner, ice cream social, etc.)

Please let others know who may be interested in participating.  For more information, visit the Redmond Police Website.

Much is happening in Redmond this spring — sign up for classes through our online Spring/Summer Recreation Guide.

Take 10 Challenge

As your Mayor, I’m CHALLENGING you to take 10 minutes to fill out your 2010 Census.  We want the return rates higher than what they were in 2000.  You can check how we did in 2000 by finding it at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/.  See how we compare to the national average.

It is critical every household fills out their Census form and returns it.  Census data helps determine how more than $400 billion is distributed to state, local and tribal areas every year. We want to get our fair share! 

Direct questions to pio.2010@census.gov

The update of our Comprehensive Plan is beginning now.  The first step is to determine the nature and scope of potential updates. I encourage all of you, residents and businesses alike,  to provide your ideas and priorities to the City.  You can do this either by attending the Planning Commission’s public hearing (Wed. Feb. 17, 7pm at City Hall) or by submitting written comments in advance of the hearing.  Submit your comments to the project leads, Sarah Stiteler (sstiteler@redmond.gov) or Jeff Churchill (jchurchill@redmond.gov).

It takes all of us to make Redmond an even better city.

Please come to learn about the results of our first BP process and help clarify the community’s needs for 2011 and 2012.  I hope to see you on March 1 at 7pm.

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11 at 6:30pm in the Redmond City Hall Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85^th Street.  For a list of all public comment opportunities, visit the project page. 

The PARCC Plan provides an inventory of the parks system, updating the existing conditions within the plan; projects the future park systems needs for the next 20 years based on a demand analysis and public involvement; and prioritizes the projects in a capital improvement program.

More information is available on the project website on the City’s website. 

For thosse who want to know more:
The City is working on a plan to make the Overlake Village area an even better place to live, work and play.  Integrating stormwater facilities with parks and urban green spaces will give residents and workers a gathering space while providing needed stormwater retention facilities for the area.  This combined park and stormwater facility will reinforce the long-term vision for the neighborhood as well as meet the future growth needs within the Kelsey Creek Watershed.

At the meeting, staff and consultants will present engineering, parks, planning and economic analysis along with the alternatives developed for the proposed facilities. Following four weeks of public comment, a preferred alternative will be selected and conceptual designs with an implementation plan will be developed and presented in a community meeting in the spring.

Our parks have a lot to do with our livability.  As the weather gets warmer, get out doors and have fun in our many parks and trails.

The new ramp is part of the project to widen SR 520 between SR 202 and West Lake Sammamish Parkway. Before the new ramp opens, crews will need to close multiple ramps tonight in order to stripe, install guardrail and other signs. Please visit the construction update report for specifics about the closures.

This new park will provide a destination for downtown residents and workers, strengthening neighborhood connections and reinforcing the historic ‘heart’ of Redmond.  It will become downtown Redmond’s living room; a place filled with life and activity that celebrates Redmond’s past, present and future.

Please join us on Tuesday, December 15 at 7pm in City Hall to honor her wonderful service to you and your community.

Check out the website at www.redmondlights.com/.

For information about the new downtown parking program, contact City of Redmond Parking Office at 425-556-2433 or parking@redmond.gov.