Clyde Hill News: Air quality warning for the weekend
City to hold "shred event" on September 17; Police “take-home vehicle” pilot program ahead
First, a photo from a walk earlier today… you can see the air quality problem if you step outside or look out a window. It’s still a great view…
One more item before our disclaimer: if you find this newsletter useful or interesting, please forward it to your Clyde Hill neighbors and friends. Thank you!
Disclaimer: while I am a councilmember on the Clyde Hill City Council, I write this newsletter in my capacity as an individual resident. Any opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily the position of the City. The information and references here are from public sources. I welcome email responses — and if the topic is about City business I will respond from my City email account.
Air quality warning
From the City of Bellevue, about wildfire smoke (link):
[A]ir quality in the region will be moderate to unhealthy for children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory illnesses over the weekend. Easterly winds are blowing wildfire smoke from eastern Washington this way….
King County issued a burn ban for all cities in the county, starting Friday, Sept. 9. Recreational fires, such as those in backyard fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are banned in Bellevue, as well as all neighboring jurisdictions, until further notice. Outdoor cooking in approved containers such as barbecue grills is still allowed.
A storm system should help clear out the smoke late Sunday or Monday.
Shred event
From the Administrator’s weekly report (link):
The City’s annual shred event is on September 17th. This event gives residents the opportunity to shred documents with sensitive information. The event will take place from 9 am to noon at Clyde Hill Elementary School.
Police Update
The City Council will consider a motion authorizing “a Pilot Program for Police Take-Home Vehicles,” according to the agenda for next week’s City Council meeting (link):
One way to make sense of this proposal is in terms of officer retention. Police officer shortages (and retention) have emerged as an issue in neighboring cities (link). One Clyde Hill police officer recently resigned, leaving the department with an open position. For context, many US law enforcement agencies have take-home car programs (link).
From a resident point of view…
The agenda for next week’s City Council meeting has many of the usual, recurring topics: an update about the City’s “Comprehensive Plan,” a traffic report, the budget, and stormwater.
From a resident point of view, what’s important? What’s significant?
Readers have commented about and asked for more information about two topics: the budget (link) and the November ballot measure (link). Your questions, comments, and concerns on these topics (or others of interest to you) help me write a better newsletter… I welcome email, and am also happy to talk on the phone or meet at Queen Bee if you’d like.
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Dean Hachamovitch