INFRASTRUCTURE & GROWTH
RESULTS TEAM
Request for Offers
Team Members
Lori Peckol (Planning) – Lead
Carole Stewart (Information Services) – Facilitator
Kurt Seemann (Public Works) – Expert
Anita Randall (Planning)
Ralph Ashmore (Fire)
Amanda Roberts (Resident)
Priority
I want a well maintained city whose transportation and other infrastructure keeps
pace with growth. Contains topics such as traffic; all types of utilities including sewer
and water; maintenance systems; roads; mobility; snow removal; sidewalks; housing and
all means of transportation including transit, cycling, walking and commute trip reduction.
Indicators
Indicator 1: Infrastructure Maintenance
Measure: Percent of scheduled/planned preventive maintenance of public infrastructure
completed where it’s most needed.
Citizens want reliable infrastructure. Redmond’s public infrastructure (water, sewer,
storm water, roads) has a low failure rate, indicating that maintenance practices currently
in use are effective in preventing disruptions in service. Maintenance of infrastructure
systems are described in the Public Works operations manuals. Such activities include
but are not limited to regular inspections, frequent pressure cleaning of pipelines,
pavement overlay programs, servicing of pumps and motors related to water & sewer
systems, responding to customer inquiries and complaints, testing meters for accuracy,
and the use of TV recording technology to inspect and proactively discover potential
problems. The City should continue to perform preventive maintenance on all
infrastructure systems according to existing plans.
This measure will show citizens that appropriate maintenance continues to be
performed, keeping the City maintained at an acceptable standard. Maintenance activity
is being captured primarily in a paper record-keeping system. Investing in an automated
maintenance management system would greatly facilitate the long-term effectiveness of
maintenance programs, provide for improved continuity across staff, and more easily
deliver the data needed for this measure.
04/16/2008
Page 1 of 6
Indicator 2: Transportation Connections
Measure: Number of effective transportation connections created (how many projects
were completed that eliminate gaps in transportation systems or build new connections.)
An effective transportation connection would create or improve travel options and
reduce the time needed to drive, walk, ride a bike or use transit from point A to point B.
Citizens want improved mobility within the City and between Redmond and other
destinations. Through citizen focus groups, there is evidence of a desire to (1) provide
better traffic flow and less congestion, (2) provide better regional transit connections and
(3) be able to get around easily with improved access to services and shopping. One of
the key findings stated in the Transportation Master Plan is that “improved connectivity
within the local street network represents a better investment in most cases than
widening existing streets. Better connectivity benefits not only personal mobility, but
also the movement of goods and services that are essential to Redmond’s economic
systems. Improved connectivity also represents the best strategy for improving the
public emergency service response capability.” Increased connections benefit many
modes of transportation including pedestrian, bike and transit, as well as vehicle.
This measure will show citizens the City continues to make progress toward improving
mobility within the City, as well as regionally.
Indicator 3: Housing Alternatives
Measure: An index measuring the number of dwellings constructed in these categories:
cottages, accessory dwelling units, single-family attached, size limited, senior housing,
affordable housing.
Evidence from community focus groups shows that citizens want increased housing
options allowing them to live in Redmond near their work, or community and transit
centers. The supply of housing in the City has not kept pace with the number of jobs.i
Increased housing choices, especially for smaller households, will help the overall
housing supply better match the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Redmond
has already taken strides in this area through increased housing in mixed-use
neighborhoods, and some initial efforts to allow a wider variety of housing, such as
accessory dwelling units and cottage housing in single-family neighborhoods. Having
choices helps maintain economic viability and community stability for workers of all ages
and stages of life.
This measure will show citizens that a variety of housing alternatives continue to be
produced as the City grows.
04/16/2008
Page 2 of 6
Introduction/Summary of Cause and Effect Map
Factor # 1: Real Mobility Choices
Citizens want effective mobility solutions. Connected roadways, transit, pedestrian or
bike routes are most effective if they are part of a complete solution for getting from point
A to point B. The Transportation Master Plan reports that “better connections within the
community for all modes is needed to tie neighborhoods and commercial areas together,
improving efficiency and economic vitality while promoting continued high quality of life”.
Real Mobility Choices was selected as the highest priority because it is a key area where
citizens want improvement.
Factor # 2: Utilities Available Where I Live, Work & Play
Utilities are critical to the health, well being and activities of residents and businesses.
Redmond’s existing infrastructure operates reliably and is well-maintained. Citizens
want that situation to continue. Because these systems are essential and currently
function well, this factor is rated a close second in priority.
Factor # 3: Plans for Growth & Maintenance
Planning enables organized and effective management of growth and maintenance, and
the City has plans that guide us. The Redmond Comprehensive Plan is a living
document which reflects the long-term values and aspirations of the community as a
whole, and provides the foundation for managing the City’s growth and investments. It
integrates land use, housing, business, transportation, capital facilities and services to
achieve the desired vision. The Transportation Master Plan was developed to provide
specific guidance on transportation investments. Utility plans describe the specific plans
for expanding and maintaining the City’s public infrastructure.
This factor is rated a close third because it is integrally related to achieving Real
Mobility Choices and Utilities Available Where I Live, Work and Play, and it is an
area where the City is generally well prepared. The last major update of Redmond’s
Comprehensive Plan was completed in 2006 and the next major update is scheduled for
2011. The City reviews proposed amendments on an annual basis to consider citizen
requests or City-initiated updates.
Factor # 4: Community Education & Communication related to Infrastructure &
Growth
Residents and businesses have a stake in, and an effect on Redmond’s infrastructure.
Education teaches people to use resources efficiently and to protect the resources we
have. For example, educating people how to prevent pollution of sewers and storm
drains can reduce the need for additional cleaning and repair, and contributes to regional
environmental stewardship.
04/16/2008
Page 3 of 6
Purchasing Strategies
We are looking for offers that:
1) Install reliable and efficient infrastructure systems to keep pace with development.
Offers will be favored that include well-formulated plans for on-going maintenance.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance
9 Real Mobility Choices
9 Utilities available where I live, work, and play
2) Demonstrate proactive maintenance over reactive maintenance. Offers will be
favored that coordinate infrastructure installation and maintenance across projects to
minimize disruption.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance
9 Real Mobility Choices
9 Utilities available where I live, work, and play need to be maintained efficiently to
minimize disruption.
3) Demonstrate support for the objectives of Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan,
Transportation Master Plan, and relevant infrastructure plans. We favor offers that
describe how policies in these plans will be implemented.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance were developed with active
community involvement and should be closely followed.
9 Real Mobility Choices
9 Utilities available where I live, work, and play
4) Maintain and enhance Redmond’s distinctive character by promoting vibrant growth
in our urban centers. Offers will be favored that place a high priority on infrastructure
development and other investments in Downtown and Overlakeii.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance include provisions for
defined centers for work, live, and play, with preserved green spaces.
9 Real Mobility Choices
9 Utilities available where I live, work, and play
5) Provide improved transportation connections within Redmond. Offers will be favored
that support the use of transportation alternatives (such as transit, bike, and pedestrian)
that present more convenient and reliable travel options. We will also favor offers that
improve the efficiency of existing systems.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance
9 Real Mobility Choices
6) Collaborate to achieve better regional transportation solutions. Offers will be favored
that expand and strengthen our transportation partnerships (with surrounding cities, WA
DOT, Sound Transit and King County Metro).
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance
9 Real Mobility Choices
04/16/2008
Page 4 of 6
7) Ensure better understanding and use of the City’s infrastructure systems. Offers will
be favored that provide for community education and awareness, and that incorporate
citizen feedback.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance
9 Real Mobility Choices
9 Utilities available where I live, work, and play
9 Community Education & Communication programs related to Infrastructure &
Growth is important because educated citizens and businesses make better
choices in using City infrastructure.
8) Increase diversity in housing choices to better meet the needs of changing
household sizes and ages as well as the demands created by job growth. We favor
offers that support the City’s housing policies through innovation, incentives, and
increased collaboration both within Redmond and between Redmond and others.
9 Plans for Growth & Maintenance include goals for providing more diverse,
affordable housing close to work.
9 Real Mobility Choices
9) Encourage regional and intra-city collaboration and partnerships.
We cannot do everything alone. What really matters to our residents requires City
departments to work together and requires us to work with other governments in the
region, the private sector, and others. We particularly want to consider the opportunities
regional cooperation gives us. Build on and involve regional and community based
organizations and initiatives.
10) Improve customer service.
Consider in each of your offers who the customers for your service are and indicate, as
appropriate, how you will address customer service. Customers can be internal or
external to the City. We know that citizen perceptions of customer service make a big
difference in the view citizens have of Redmond.
11) Show leverage.
There are many ways to leverage funds and effort. Look for all the ways that the City’s
effort can leverage actions by others or leverage resources through matching grants,
etc. and describe the leverage in your offer.
12) Demonstrate the scalability of your offer.
Results Teams will want to know how much value they can get from different levels of
investments. We don’t want you to “thin the soup”. We know if fewer resources are
provided, less can be produced. What we want to know is how much less will value be
produced. Similarly, Results Teams may want to know what they can buy for more
money. Try to accurately assess the impact of less or more resources on your offer.
04/16/2008
Page 5 of 6
Notes/Practices/Supporting Evidence
i
In 1990, the number of people working in Redmond compared to the number of
dwelling units was just over 2 to 1; approximately 36,000 people worked here and there
were roughly 15,000 dwellings. Since then, the number of people working in Redmond
has increased significantly to 82,000. But the housing supply in the City has increased
as a much slower pace to just under 23,000 dwellings.
ii
In considering purchasing strategies, nearly 2/3’s of the City’s continued housing
growth and more than half of continued commercial development is planned for
Downtown and Overlake. These concentrations will likely continue to increase as the
supply of land in residential neighborhoods is exhausted, and job locations like SE
Redmond are fully developed. Public investment is essential to the livability of these
areas, and a key stimulus for private investment that otherwise may go to other
communities.
Concentrating development in Downtown and Overlake will enable more people to live
and work closer to transit, shopping and services. Higher population density makes
multi-modal transportation options more useful.
04/25/2008
Page 6 of 6
I want a well-maintained
city whose transportation
and other infrastructure
keeps pace with growth.
To achieve this, we need..
#3. Plans for
Growth &
Maintenance
#1. Real Mobility
Choices (Transit,
Driving, Telecommuting,
Cycling,Walking)
#2. Utilities
available where I
live, work & play
* Developed with active Community
involvement.
* Based on analysis of conditions &
needs.
* Defined centers for work, live, play,
with preserved green spaces.
* Diverse, affordable housing close to
work.
* Clear and predictable development
standards.
*Based on an adequate funding
strategy for timely delivery and
maintenance of infrastructure.
* Emphasize regional coordination &
collaboration.
*Contingency planning for emergency
situations.
* Increased use of alternatives to
driving alone.
* Maintained efficiently to
minimize disruption.
* Installation is coordinated with
development to keep pace with
growth.
* Energy efficient and
environmentally friendly.
*Partnering with surrounding
communities and transportation
entities to manage congestion.
*Freight friendly.
Water, Sewer, Stormwater
Cable, Internet, Electric,
Gas, Streetlights,
Cell & landline phone,
Waste & Recycling
* Safe, efficient CONNECTED
routes (within Redmond and
throughout the region).
* Designed as ‘complete streets’.
#4.
Community Education
& Communication
Programs related to
Infrastructure &
Growth
*Acceptable quality & reliability,
reasonable prices, adequate supply.
* Maintained efficiently to minimize
disruption.
*Installation is coordinated with
development to keep pace with growth.
*Educated citizens and businesses
make better choices in using City
infrastructure:
- Resource conservation
- Transportation choices
- Appropriate waste disposal
* City Gov’t and Community are
communicating with each other.
* Proactive education and outreach
to citizens & businesses using a
variety of techniques.
* Energy efficient , safe &
environmentally friendly.
* Functions adequately during adverse
weather.
*Coordination between the City,
citizens and private companies that
deliver utilities.
Infrastructure & Growth
Cause & Effect Map
April 10, 2008