# OFH Supplemental Legal Analysis
## Prepared April 2, 2026

**Contents:**
1. Senior Center Pattern Analysis
2. Redmond Historic Preservation Code & Landmark Commission Duties
3. Steve Fields — 2025 Council Actions
4. OFH "Legacy Celebration" Event (04/04/2026)
5. Stakeholder Group Investigation

---

# 1. SENIOR CENTER — PATTERN OF NEGLECT, CLOSURE, AND DEMOLITION

## The Redmond Senior Center (8703 160th Ave NE)

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 1990-1991 | Senior Center built and opened |
| 2004-2018 | City claims $20M+ invested in facility |
| November 2018 | City authorizes $15M for mid-life improvements — scheduled for **2021** |
| January 2019 | Council adopts Facilities Strategic Management Plan identifying envelope/mechanical needs |
| **May 2019** | **Two stucco panels (500-600 lbs each) fall off the building** |
| June 2019 | KPG engineering firm contracted for assessment |
| **September 6, 2019** | **Building closed immediately — no public vote, no hearing** |
| December 2019 | Council briefed: rebuild ~$21M vs renovate ~$20M |
| June 2020 | Council votes to decommission and demolish |
| November 2020 | Building demolished |
| 2022 | Groundbreaking on new facility |
| May 6, 2024 | New $61.7M, 52,000 sq ft community center opens on same site |

## Engineering Findings
- **Weather-Resistant Barrier (WRB) failure** caused water infiltration throughout the building envelope
- **Extensive dry rot** in plywood of exterior walls
- **Black mold** regularly removed from greenhouse area
- **Serious structural damage** to lateral and gravity systems
- A city official acknowledged the building "just wasn't constructed well" — damage "could have started as early as when it was built in 1991"
- HDR Engineering described damage from "outdated and poor construction"
- One councilmember reported "someone pushed their hand through one of the walls"

## The Parallel to OFH

| Factor | Senior Center | Old Firehouse |
|--------|--------------|---------------|
| **Building age at closure** | 28 years | 73 years |
| **Maintenance funding denied** | $15M authorized but scheduled too late (2021 for a 2019 failure) | $94,370 in capital requests denied 2017-2023 |
| **Closure trigger** | Stucco panels falling — dramatic, visible failure | "Building condition" — no dramatic failure event |
| **Public vote before closure** | No | No |
| **Public hearing before closure** | No — framed as emergency | No — announced as fait accompli |
| **Demolition** | Yes (Nov 2020) | Planned mid-summer 2026 |
| **Same Parks Director** | **Yes — Loreen Hamilton** | **Yes — Loreen Hamilton** |
| **Same Mayor** | Angela Birney (councilmember in 2019, supported rebuild) | Angela Birney (Mayor) |
| **Property rebuilt on same site** | Yes ($61.7M) | Claimed ($13M, no renderings, no timeline, no budget) |
| **Scope expansion** | Senior center → multi-generational community center | Teen center → TBD |

## Critical Finding: The OFH Was Identified as Replacement Destination

PRA email from **Freya Reiger** (RYPAC member), March 4, 2025 — one week before the OFH closure announcement:

> "I heard this from RYPAC's president and VP who said there was a plan to tear down the building because upkeep was too costly and most activities like RYPAC would be moved to the senior and community center"

Parks Director Hamilton denied any such plan had been made. The PRA records prove this was false — 110+ internal emails were coordinating the closure at that time.

## Pattern Established

The pattern across both facilities:
1. **Defer or schedule maintenance too late** — building deteriorates
2. **Close citing building condition** — no public vote, no public hearing
3. **Demolish** — frame as only viable option
4. **Rebuild (or promise to rebuild)** — scope expanded, timeline extended, cost inflated

**Key difference**: The Senior Center was rebuilt on the same site as a $61.7M facility. The OFH has a $13M "rebuild" claim with **no renderings, no budget allocation, no timeline, and no public vote** — while the adjacent property owner (Nelson Legacy Group, the Mayor's largest donor bloc) holds 22 acres of development land next door.

## Sources
- [Redmond Senior Center closed — GovDelivery](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAREDMOND/bulletins/25d80d4)
- [Patch — Senior Center closes](https://patch.com/washington/redmond/redmond-senior-center-closes-due-building-structure-problems)
- [Seattle Times — After closure, plans move forward](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/after-an-abrupt-closure-plans-for-a-new-redmond-senior-center-move-forward/)
- [Seattle Times — Groundbreaking](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/more-than-2-years-after-redmond-senior-center-closed-city-breaks-ground-on-new-community-space/)
- [425 Business — New center opens](https://www.425business.com/news/redmond-senior-and-community-center-opening/article_dcc24bb0-0b3b-11ef-a17b-0b58fdc192e5.html)
- [City of Redmond — Senior Center Future History](https://www.redmond.gov/1743/Senior-Center-Future-History)
- PRA emails: Freya Reiger thread (March 4, 2025)
- Local: `/home/solaya/Desktop/TOE/OFH/AFFIDAVIT_EXHIBITS.md` (lines 225-239)

---

# 2. REDMOND HISTORIC PRESERVATION — LANDMARK COMMISSION DUTIES BEFORE DEMOLITION

## The Redmond Landmark Commission (RMC 4.33)

**Correct name**: Redmond Landmark Commission
**Established under**: Redmond Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 4.33
**Current membership**: One appointed special member — **Brian Rich** (Professional Position, term April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2028)
**Staff contact**: Kimberly Dietz, Principal Planner / Historic Preservation Officer, 425-556-2415
**Meeting schedule**: As-needed, in accordance with King County Landmarks Commission schedule

### Key Code Sections

| Citation | Subject |
|----------|---------|
| **RMC 4.33** | Landmark Commissions — establishment, duties, membership |
| **RZC 21.30** | Historic and Archaeological Resources — full framework |
| **RZC 21.30.010** | Purpose of historic preservation |
| **RZC 21.30.030** | Heritage Resource Register |
| **RZC 21.30.040** | Historic Landmark Designation |
| **RZC 21.30.050** | Certificate of Appropriateness (incl. Level III demolition) |
| **RZC Appendix 5** | Heritage Resource Register property list |
| **RZC Appendix 9** | Cultural Resources Management Procedures |
| **Ordinance No. 2080** | Foundational historic preservation ordinance (~2000) |
| **KCC 20.62** | King County landmark protection/preservation |
| **Interlocal Agreement 4672** | KC provides landmark services to Redmond |

## Certificate of Appropriateness — Required for Demolition

**RZC 21.30.050** establishes three levels of review:
- **Level I**: Major repairs, in-kind replacement, restoration
- **Level II**: Alterations, replacement of historic materials, additions
- **Level III**: **Demolitions** (whole or partial), archaeological site disturbance, moving a structure

**For Level III (demolition):**
- If the Landmark Commission and applicant agree in writing → Type II Review
- If no agreement → **Type III Review with public hearing**
- Owner may present economic impact evidence
- Cannot deny certificate if denial deprives owner of reasonable economic use, **provided**: no viable alternative with less impact exists, moving the resource was evaluated, and economic analysis shows incentives wouldn't change outcome

**CRITICAL LIMITATION**: These requirements only apply to **designated** landmarks on the Redmond Heritage Resource Register.

## The Heritage Resource Register (16 Designated Landmarks)

1. Bill Brown Saloon
2. Browns Garage
3. Conrad & Anna Olsen Farmstead
4. Dudley Carter Haida House
5. Earl and Elise McWhirter Farm
6. Justice White House
7. Lodge Hall
8. OA Wiley Home
9. Odd Fellows Hall
10. Old Schoolhouse Bell
11. Perrigo Farm House
12. Redmond City Park
13. Redmond Methodist Episcopal Church
14. Redmond Pioneer Cemetery
15. Redmond School
16. Redmond State Bank
17. Redmond Trading Company (Community Landmark)

**THE OLD FIREHOUSE IS NOT ON THIS LIST.**

## OFH Eligibility Assessment

**Building facts:**
- Built ~1950 (74-76 years old)
- Constructed by 75 community volunteers when Redmond had ~570-600 residents
- Served as Redmond's **first city hall, first police/fire station, and jail**
- Original vault still inside; local newspapers stuffed in cinder block walls during construction
- Operated as teen center/all-ages music venue for 30+ years
- 2nd longest-running all-ages venue on the West Coast
- Hosted early performances by members of Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, The Blood Brothers; hosted Elliott Smith, Murder City Devils
- Center of protest against Seattle's "Teen Dance Ordinance"

**King County Historic Preservation staff assessment:**
> **"The Firehouse is likely eligible for designation for historic and cultural significance and possibly architectural significance."**

This professional assessment has NOT been formally acted upon.

**Eligibility thresholds exceeded:**
- **King County Landmark (KCC 20.62)**: Requires 40+ years. OFH is 74-76 years. ✓
- **Washington Heritage Register (RCW 27.34.220)**: Requires 50+ years. ✓
- **National Register of Historic Places**: Requires 50+ years. ✓
- **SEPA Historic Property Inventory (DAHP)**: Requires 45+ years. ✓

## What the City Appears to Have Bypassed

Based on all publicly available information, **no documentation indicates**:

1. ✗ A SEPA environmental review addressing Question 13 (Historic/Cultural Preservation)
2. ✗ A Historic Property Inventory (HPI) form submitted to DAHP for eligibility determination
3. ✗ The Redmond Landmark Commission was consulted
4. ✗ The King County Landmarks Commission was notified or given review opportunity
5. ✗ Any alternatives analysis (adaptive reuse, relocation) was formally documented
6. ✗ The building was evaluated for eligibility on any historic register before the demolition decision

## SEPA Cannot Be Categorically Exempted

**WAC 197-11-800(2)(g)** provides a demolition exemption **EXCEPT**:
> "structures or facilities with recognized historical significance such as listing in a historic register."

The word "such as" means register listing is an *example*, not an exclusive requirement. The OFH has:
- 74-76 years of age (exceeds every threshold)
- Professional assessment of "likely eligible" by KC preservation staff
- Documented civic and cultural significance
- All constitute "recognized historical significance"

**The demolition of OFH cannot be categorically exempt from SEPA.**

## The Owner-Consent Conflict

**RCW 35.21.995** (effective July 27, 2025) requires owner consent before landmark designation restricting demolition. Since the City of Redmond is both the **owner** AND the entity seeking to demolish, the City is simultaneously:
- The entity that would need to consent to designation
- The entity seeking to demolish
- The entity that administers the preservation program

This creates an inherent structural conflict of interest. However, RCW 35.21.995 only restricts **new designation** — it does not eliminate SEPA obligations, DAHP consultation requirements, or GMA preservation goals.

## The City's Own Code Requires What It Skipped

The City of Redmond's Cultural Resources Management page states:
> "SEPA requires that historic structures are considered regarding their eligibility prior to potential demolition"

And that staff can "assist with submittal to the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for a determination of eligibility."

**The City's own published guidance describes the process it did not follow.**

## Sources
- [Redmond Landmark Commission](https://www.redmond.gov/1187/Landmark-Commission)
- [Redmond Historic Preservation Program](https://www.redmond.gov/531/Historic-Preservation)
- [City Landmarks / Heritage Resource Register](https://www.redmond.gov/542/City-Landmarks)
- [RMC 4.33 Landmark Commissions](https://redmond.municipal.codes/RMC/4.33)
- [RZC 21.30 Historic and Archaeological Resources](https://redmond.municipal.codes/RZC/21.30)
- [RZC 21.30.050 Certificate of Appropriateness](https://redmond.municipal.codes/RZC/21.30.050)
- [RZC Appendix 5 Heritage Resource Register](https://redmond.municipal.codes/RZC/App5)
- [RZC Appendix 9 Cultural Resources Management Procedures](https://redmond.municipal.codes/RZC/App9)
- [Redmond Cultural Resources](https://www.redmond.gov/548/Cultural-Resources)
- [KCC 20.62 Protection and Preservation of Landmarks](https://kingcounty.gov/so-so/-/media/king-county/depts/dnrp/building-property/historic-preservation-program/landmark-commission/kcc_20_62.pdf)
- [Ordinance No. 2080](https://cod.redmond.gov/Ordinance%202080.pdf)
- [WAC 197-11-800 SEPA Categorical Exemptions](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=197-11-800)
- [RCW 27.34 State Historical Societies](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?Cite=27.34&full=true)
- [RCW 36.70A.020 GMA Planning Goals](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=36.70a.020)
- [RCW 35.21.995 Historic Landmark Designation Limitations](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=35.21.995)
- [DAHP SEPA Review](https://dahp.wa.gov/project-review/sepa)
- [WA Dept of Ecology SEPA Checklist Q.13](https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-13-historic-cultural-p)
- [2005 Redmond Historic Property Inventory Report](https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11965/City-of-Redmond-Historic-Property-Inventory-Report-2005)
- [Save Redmond's Old Firehouse (Erin blog)](https://himynameiserin.com/writings/2025/7/28/save-redmonds-old-firehouse)
- [Redmond Historical Society 1941-1950](https://www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org/post/redmond-history-1941-1950)

---

# 3. STEVE FIELDS — 2025 COUNCIL ACTIONS ON OFH

## Background

Steve Fields held Redmond City Council Position 2 for eight years (2017-2025, two terms). He ran against Angela Birney for Mayor in 2019, raising $23,902 vs. Birney's $105,311 — a **4.4:1 fundraising deficit**, with Birney's largest donor bloc being Nelson Legacy Group. Fields lost his council seat to Vivek Prakriya in the November 4, 2025 general election (32% in August primary vs. Prakriya's 49%).

## Meeting-by-Meeting Record

### April 1, 2025 — Regular Meeting (2025-31)
- Fields PRESENT (all 7 members)
- **30+ public speakers** against OFH closure (including Sasha Glenn, Wolfe Adriatico, Max Ruhlman, Chester Anderson)
- Meeting recessed at 8:38 PM due to volume of public comment
- **Ombudsperson Report**: "Councilmember Fields reported receiving resident contacts regarding: closing of the teen center." — ONLY topic reported
- No formal motion on teen center
- **Source**: April 1, 2025 minutes, pages 2025-31 through 2025-34

### June 17, 2025 — Regular Meeting (2025-61)
- Fields PRESENT (Nuevacamina absent)
- Public comment: Chester Anderson, Connor Graham, Max Ruhlman, Wolfe Adriatico, Sasha Glenn, Forrest Crabtree spoke about OFH
- **Ombudsperson Report**: "Councilmember Fields reported receiving resident contacts regarding: teen center and an invitation to speak at an event regarding immigration strategies."
- No formal motion
- **Source**: June 17, 2025 minutes, pages 2025-61 through 2025-66

### July 15, 2025 — Regular Meeting (2025-71)
- Fields PRESENT (all 7 members)
- Public comment: Noah Radford, Wolfe Adriatico, Max Ruhlman, Chester Anderson on OFH
- Fields did NOT report teen center contacts at this meeting (Kritzer reported "teen center and programming")
- No formal motion
- **Source**: July 15, 2025 minutes, pages 2025-71 through 2025-75

### July 22, 2025 — Study Session
- **"Old Firehouse Teen Center Facility Discussion"** — 45-minute Parks agenda item
- Additional facility condition assessments presented (structural/seismic, failing roof, hazmat, ADA)
- Fields noted **"it was unusual to have such a sudden closure"** and referenced prior briefings on maintenance difficulties
- **Source**: Teen Center Project page; Facebook video archive

### September 2, 2025 — Regular Meeting (2025-83)
- Fields PRESENT (all 7)
- Public comment: Max Ruhlman on "lack of substantive conversation"; Faith Otter on effects of closure
- **Ombudsperson Report**: Fields reported contacts regarding "teen center stakeholder group"
- **Source**: September 2, 2025 minutes, pages 2025-83 through 2025-86

### September 9, 2025 — Study Session
- Fields PRESENT (all 7)
- **Agenda Item 1: "Teen Services Engagement — Final Report"** (Parks, Informational)
- Hamilton and Houvener presented engagement findings
- Council Talk Time included "Teen Center Subcommittee, stakeholder group and focus groups"
- **Source**: September 9, 2025 Study Session Summary

### November 18, 2025 — Regular Meeting (2025-109) — THE KEY VOTE

**AM No. 25-184**: "Approval to Rebuild the Teen Center on the Same Location. Prioritize Expedience in Construction, Centering Teen Voices in the Design Process, and Including Music Performance Space and a Dedicated Recording Studio to Continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center Legacy."

Item was **removed from Consent Agenda** for separate discussion.

**Fields made TWO motions:**

**(a) Amendment to RENOVATE** (seconded by Fields):
- "Councilmember Anderson moved to amend to renovate the Teen Center. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Fields."
- **VOTE: Failed 2-4.** Anderson and Fields IN SUPPORT. Forsythe, Kritzer, Nuevacamina, Stuart AGAINST.

**(b) Fields' own amendment** (renovate OR rebuild):
- "Councilmember Fields moved to add the words renovate or rebuild based on the decision of the executive office. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Anderson."
- Hamilton spoke regarding facilities assessment
- **VOTE: Failed 2-4.** Anderson and Fields IN SUPPORT. Forsythe, Kritzer, Nuevacamina, Stuart AGAINST.

**(c) Final vote on AM 25-184** (rebuild):
- **Fields LEFT the meeting at 8:26 PM**
- "Councilmember Anderson moved to approve AM No. 25-184. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Forsythe."
- **VOTE: Passed 6-0.** (Fields absent — only 6 members voted)

**Source**: November 18, 2025 minutes, pages 2025-109 through 2025-116. DocuSign ID: 2B81D5D3-B196-419B-A943-A919D7BFFC46. Minutes approved December 2, 2025.

## The 7-0 Claim

Fields' campaign website (electstevefields.com) claims: "Steve Fields motion, initially resisted by the rest of Redmond City Council was eventually unanimously approved 7-0." This likely refers to a **study session action** (possibly the subcommittee formation) that does not appear in formal minutes with roll-call votes. The November 18 minutes show the opposite: both Fields amendments **failed 2-4**, and the final vote passed **6-0 because Fields had left**.

## PRA Email Suppression

| Metric | Count |
|--------|-------|
| Emails TO Fields (sfields@redmond.gov) | **325** |
| Emails FROM Fields in PRA production | **0** |
| Reply-chain proofs of withheld outgoing emails | **114** |
| CC emails involving Fields | **0** |
| Ghost flag in corkboard database | **is_ghost = 1** |

**Fields is the Mayor's 2019 political opponent. His outgoing emails about the OFH closure were completely erased from the public record.**

## Timeline Summary

| Date | Event | Fields Action |
|------|-------|--------------|
| Mar 11, 2025 | OFH closure announced | On council, received 325 emails |
| Apr 1, 2025 | Regular meeting | Reported teen center contacts |
| Jun 17, 2025 | Regular meeting | Reported teen center contacts |
| Jul 22, 2025 | Study session | Noted unusual sudden closure |
| Aug 5, 2025 | Primary election | Got 32% (lost) |
| Sep 2, 2025 | Regular meeting | Reported stakeholder group contacts |
| Sep 9, 2025 | Study session | Present for teen services report |
| Nov 4, 2025 | General election | Lost to Prakriya |
| Nov 18, 2025 | **THE VOTE** | Both amendments failed 2-4; left before final 6-0 vote |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Term ends | No longer on council |

## Key Findings

1. **Fields was the ONLY councilmember whose amendments favored renovation.** Both failed 4-2.
2. **Fields left before the final vote.** Rebuild passed 6-0, not 7-0.
3. **Zero outgoing emails produced in PRA** — 325 received, 114 reply-chain proofs, 0 sent.
4. **Fields lost re-election two weeks before the final vote.** The last opposition voice was removed by voters before the building's fate was sealed.

## Sources
- [November 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes](https://redmond.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=FFF7E6A1-F634-4D0D-BED7-A3B519312040&ID=14990941&M=F)
- [September 2, 2025 Meeting Minutes](https://redmond.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=F0C4271A-8F24-401B-91CD-29FECCAA9DF7&ID=14774363&M=F)
- [September 9, 2025 Study Session](https://redmond.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=redmond_69a0fe770abc076dbdab7fb0130cc5bf.pdf&view=1)
- [April 1, 2025 Meeting Minutes](https://redmond.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=redmond_c607bc5530f89bdb081ba77d52c9de6a.pdf&view=1)
- [June 17, 2025 Meeting Minutes](https://redmond.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=7DF28A07-AE13-43C4-AF3D-DBCE99E6399A&ID=14316811&M=F)
- [July 15, 2025 Meeting Minutes](https://redmond.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=redmond_a275066658b114f4bfa0d65b4fc2619a.pdf&view=1)
- [Elect Steve Fields](https://www.electstevefields.com)
- [Ballotpedia — Steve Fields](https://ballotpedia.org/Steve_Fields_(Redmond_City_Council_Position_2,_Washington,_candidate_2025))
- [Teen Center Project Page](https://www.redmond.gov/2494/Teen-Center-Project)
- [UW Daily — Prakriya Wins](https://www.dailyuw.com/article/uw-student-vivek-prakriya-wins-redmond-city-council-position-2-in-the-general-election-20251112)
- Local: `/home/solaya/Desktop/TOE/OFH/corkboard.db`, `PRA_SUPPRESSION_REPORT.md`, `FOLLOW_THE_MONEY.md`

---

# 4. OFH "LEGACY CELEBRATION" EVENT — APRIL 4, 2026

## Confirmed Details

| Field | Detail |
|-------|--------|
| **What** | City of Redmond "Legacy Celebration" for the Old Fire House Teen Center |
| **When** | Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2:00 - 6:00 PM |
| **Where** | Outside OFH, 16510 NE 79th St (outdoor only, no building access) |
| **Street closure** | NE 79th St between 164th Ave NE and 166th Ave NE, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM (13 hours) |
| **Media contact** | Kelly Schutz, Communications Manager, City of Redmond |

## Programming

**Main Stage:**
| Time | Act |
|------|-----|
| 2:00 PM | The Hit |
| 3:00 PM | Mae Amber |
| 3:50 PM | Tomo Nakayama |
| 4:40 PM | Fight Milk |
| 5:20 PM | Suzzallo |

**Additional activities:**
- Live acoustic jam tent + curated playlist of historical OFH performers
- **VERA Project** live screen printing ($7/blank shirt or 2 for $10; OFH logo and 1994 grand opening illustration)
- Community art timeline, fingerprint activity led by teens
- Photo booth with show poster backdrops
- Videographer collecting community stories
- **Speaker remarks from Mayor Angela Birney**, RYPAC President, former staff, community members

## Event Budget: NOT PUBLICLY DISCLOSED

**What could NOT be found:**
- Total event budget
- Which event production company (if any) was hired
- City council approval or consent agenda item for event contract
- Procurement records, RFPs, or bid postings

**Estimated cost range based on scope:**

| Item | Estimated Range |
|------|----------------|
| 5 musical acts (4 hours) | $2,000 - $10,000+ |
| Sound/stage equipment and crew | $3,000 - $8,000 |
| VERA Project collaboration | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Photo booth + backdrops | $500 - $2,000 |
| Professional videographer | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Street closure (city services, 13 hrs) | In-kind city expense |
| Event coordination/production | $2,000 - $10,000+ |
| Miscellaneous (signage, supplies, insurance) | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| **Estimated Total** | **$10,500 - $39,000+** |

**For context**: The city denied $94,370 in capital maintenance requests over 2017-2023. The celebration event may cost a meaningful fraction of what would have kept the building operational.

## The PR Firm Connection

**Stepherson & Associates Communications** (Contract #10631):
- Documented rate: **$4,468.75/month** (December 2024 invoice)
- Engaged since at least November 2024 (Community Engagement Kickoff)
- Recurring meetings established January 21, 2025 — **nearly 2 months before the March 11 public announcement**
- Engagement plan finalized February 28, 2025 — **12 days before the public found out**

**The PR firm costs $4,468.75/month. Building maintenance averaged ~$3,083/month ($37K/year). The PR firm costs 45% more per month than building maintenance.**

Whether Stepherson & Associates is also producing the April 4 celebration is not confirmed but is a reasonable question for a PRA request.

## The Narrative Function

The celebration occurs **2 days before demolition becomes imminent** (city targets mid-summer 2026). Evidence it serves a PR function:

1. **The language is curated** — "honoring the legacy" and "celebrating decades of impact" with no acknowledgment of community opposition, teen surveillance, PRA suppression, or developer connections
2. **Mayor Birney is the featured speaker** — the same official whose administration hired a PR firm 3 months before announcing the closure
3. **PRA emails show the idea originated externally** — Kate Becker (OFH founder) emailed the city on March 16, 2025: "several people have reached out to me asking if I've heard of any celebratory events to close the Old Fire House Teen Center." The city was forwarding this internally but no response to Becker was produced.
4. **Former Mayor Rosemarie Ives testified against "premature demolition"** on March 17, 2026 — 18 days before the celebration. She noted the public has not seen renderings for the $13M replacement.
5. **GovDeals auction of OFH equipment** opened February 25, 2026 — the city was selling the building's contents while planning a "celebration"

## Recommended PRA Request

File under RCW 42.56 requesting:
1. All contracts, purchase orders, and invoices related to the April 4, 2026 OFH Legacy Celebration
2. All internal budget documents, cost estimates, and expenditure authorizations
3. All communications with event vendors, performers, production companies, VERA Project, sound/stage providers
4. Total cost of the Stepherson & Associates contract from inception through present, including all invoices
5. Any council/department authorization for event expenditures

**Public Records portal**: [redmond.gov/777/Public-Records-Requests](https://www.redmond.gov/777/Public-Records-Requests), Records officer: 425-556-2195

## Sources
- [City of Redmond Official News Release](https://www.redmond.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2827)
- [GovDelivery Press Release](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAREDMOND/bulletins/40bb741)
- [Teen Center Project Page](https://www.redmond.gov/2494/Teen-Center-Project)
- [425 Magazine](https://www.425magazine.com/culture-life/redmond-april-event-celebrating-old-fire-house-teen-center/article_734ba0de-35a8-40d4-b401-cbc3e5ff3f4c.html)
- [425 Business](https://www.425business.com/news/redmond-april-event-celebrating-old-fire-house-teen-center/article_6d00f7ae-87c5-5609-943c-10ee377b2535.html)
- [Seattle DJC](https://www.djc.com/news/ae/12174884.html)
- [KUOW — Battle for the Teen Center](https://www.kuow.org/stories/battle-for-the-teen-center-youth-on-seattle-s-eastside-fight-to-reopen-beloved-space)
- [Redmond Neighborhood Blog — Ives objection](https://redmondcity.blogspot.com/search/label/opinion)
- PRA: Kate Becker to Zach Houvener, March 16, 2025
- Local: `FORENSIC_REPORT_COMPLETE.md`, `FORENSIC_REPORT_V2.md`, `OFH_LEGAL_ANALYSIS.md`

---

# 5. OFH STAKEHOLDER GROUP INVESTIGATION

## Overview

The Old Fire House Teen Center Facility Recommendation Stakeholder Group was convened by the City of Redmond in September 2025. It met six times (September 10 – October 29, 2025). Facilitated by Stepherson & Associates Communications — the same PR firm under city contract since December 2024 to manage the OFH closure messaging.

**Recommendation**: Rebuild (majority). Renovate (minority — 4 of 23 members).
**Council action**: Voted 6-0 to demolish and rebuild on November 18, 2025.

## Complete Roster (23 Members)

### Named Adult Members (15)

| # | Name | Affiliation (per Final Report) | Background |
|---|------|-------------------------------|------------|
| 1 | **Alana O'Neill Gaulin** | Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System | MLIS from UW. Professional librarian. No political/developer ties found. |
| 2 | **Cameron Boher** | Redmond Staff (Teen Services), Community Member, former participant | **Active City of Redmond employee** |
| 3 | **Cari Scotkin** | Redmond Arts & Culture Commission | Commissioner since April 2021, 2nd term (2024-2027). Former Chair. **City-appointed.** |
| 4 | **Caroline Chapman** | "Former Redmond Parks Staff Member" (per roster) | **Current City of Redmond Parks Planning Manager** per LinkedIn. Listed as "former" but appears to be currently employed by the City. |
| 5 | **David Cline** | Community Member and Parent | Appointed to City of Redmond commission June 2024. Term: Sept 2024 - Sept 2026. |
| 6 | **Freya Reiger** | RYPAC member | Not on September roster, added later. **Same person who emailed March 4, 2025 asking about demolition plans, triggering Hamilton's false denial.** |
| 7 | **Jeff Lee** | Bach to Rock (music school) | Operates Bach to Rock at 8451 164th Ave NE. Commercial business. |
| 8 | **Jodi Pena** | Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission | **City-appointed** commissioner, term April 2025 - March 2028. |
| 9 | **John Crosley** | Senior Advisory Committee | **City-appointed** advisory committee member. |
| 10 | **Kate Becker** | OFH founder, VERA Project co-founder | **King County Creative Economy Director.** Named as "Key Stakeholder" in internal Project Charter (September 2024) — one year before the group convened. |
| 11 | **Kathy O'Keefe** | Arts & Culture Commission | **City-appointed** commissioner. |
| 12 | **Kristie Neklason** | Youth Eastside Services (YES) | Director of School-Based Behavioral Health. 33+ years. Clinical background. No developer ties. |
| 13 | **Kristina Wayland** | Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission | **City-appointed** commissioner since April 2022, served as **Commission Chair**. **Endorses Vanessa Kritzer's state rep campaign.** |
| 14 | **Mark Peterson** | Redmond Staff (Facilities) | **Active City of Redmond employee** |
| 15 | **Pat Vache** | Senior Advisory Committee | **OneRedmond Foundation Board Treasurer.** Former City Council President. OneRedmond board includes Mayor Birney, Tim Overland (NLG CEO), Amy Webber (NLG). |
| 16 | **Rob Leavitt** | Community Member, parent of former OFH teens | No developer, political, or city ties found. |
| 17 | **Tanvi Kulkarni** | RYPAC member | Not on September roster, added later. Current teen. |

### Teen Members (6 unnamed for privacy)
- 2 from Redmond Library Teen Advisory Board
- 4 past OFH drop-in participants

## Composition Analysis

| Category | Members | Count |
|----------|---------|-------|
| **Active City Employees** | Cameron Boher, Mark Peterson, Caroline Chapman (listed as "former" but appears current) | 2-3 |
| **City Commission Members** (Mayor/Council appointed) | Cari Scotkin, Kathy O'Keefe, Jodi Pena, Kristina Wayland, John Crosley, Pat Vache, David Cline | 7 |
| **City Advisory Committee** | Freya Reiger, Tanvi Kulkarni | 2 |
| **SUBTOTAL: City-connected** | | **11-12 of 15 named adults (73-80%)** |
| **Independent community** | Rob Leavitt, Alana O'Neill Gaulin, Jeff Lee, Kristie Neklason | 3-4 |
| **Ambiguous** | Kate Becker (KC government employee, pre-identified as "Key Stakeholder") | 1 |

**At minimum 73% of named adult members were sitting on city-appointed boards or were active city employees.**

## Council Subcommittee (Observers)

| Name | Connections |
|------|-------------|
| **Vanessa Kritzer** | Council President. **Sits on OneRedmond Board** with Mayor Birney, Tim Overland (NLG CEO), Amy Webber (NLG). Now running for State Rep with endorsement from stakeholder member Kristina Wayland and Mayor Birney. |
| **Angie Nuevacamina** | Endorsed by and endorsing Kritzer's state rep campaign. |
| **Steve Fields** | Birney's 2019 opponent. 114 withheld email proofs. Lost seat Nov 2025. |

## Selection Process

Per the Final Report:
> "The list of Stakeholder Group members was **developed by City staff and leadership** with review and input from the City Council Teen Center Subcommittee."

**Selected by** (per Roles and Responsibilities Matrix, PRA 4th Installment):
- **Loreen Hamilton** — Parks Director. "Final decision-making authority for project" AND "Stakeholder identification"
- **Zach Houvener** — Deputy Parks Director. "Stakeholder identification"
- **Erica Chua** — Recreation Manager. "Stakeholder identification"
- **Jeff Hagen** — Recreation Supervisor. "Stakeholder identification"

**There was no public application process, no public selection criteria, and no competitive or lottery-based selection.** The same city staff who planned the closure selected every member of the group tasked with evaluating it.

## Facilitation — Not Independent

**Stepherson & Associates** was designated the "neutral third-party facilitator":
- **Darcy Edmunds** — Lead Facilitator
- **Aileen Dinh** — Facilitation Team
- **Kelsey Swenson** — Facilitation Team

**Conflict**: S&A was under city contract since December 2024 (Contract #10631, $4,468.75/month) to manage OFH closure messaging. They drafted key messages, engagement plans, utility bill inserts, and the PR operation BEFORE the public announcement — then were designated the "neutral" facilitator.

**PRA suppression of facilitator emails**: Darcy Edmunds has **209 emails addressed to her** in PRA production, **178 reply-to proofs** of outgoing emails, and **zero sent emails produced**. Hannah Rudin has identical numbers.

## Scope Was Pre-Constrained

The Charter explicitly limited the group to:
> "The Stakeholder Group will provide a recommendation to the City of Redmond by Nov. 12, 2025, to either: **Renovate the current building, or Investigate a rebuild.**"

The group was NOT asked to evaluate:
- Whether the building should have been closed
- Whether facility assessments were accurate
- Whether the closure process was lawful
- Developer interests or land value
- Keeping the building operational with targeted repairs (Council gave "no direction to explore minimal or gradual repairs" — Meeting 3 Summary)

## Red Flags Summary

1. **The "neutral facilitator" ran the closure PR.** S&A managed both the messaging and the stakeholder process.
2. **73% of named adults were city-connected.** Drawn from commissions, staff, and advisory committees appointed by the same leadership that closed the building.
3. **Selection was entirely by city staff.** The same people who planned the closure selected who would evaluate it.
4. **Kate Becker was pre-identified** as a "Key Stakeholder" in the internal Project Charter one year before the group convened.
5. **Pat Vache connects to OneRedmond.** Foundation Treasurer on the same board as the Mayor and NLG.
6. **Kristina Wayland endorses Kritzer, who approved the group.** Circular political relationship.
7. **Scope was pre-constrained.** Only "renovate or rebuild" — keeping the building open was excluded.
8. **Caroline Chapman's affiliation may be misrepresented.** Listed as "former" Parks staff but LinkedIn shows current employment.
9. **The minority who favored renovation are unnamed.** 4 of 23 favored renovation — impossible to analyze whether preservationist voices were diluted.
10. **The recommendation matched the pre-existing city plan.** The city had been planning demolition since at least January 2023.

## Sources
- [OFH Stakeholder Group Final Report](https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39787/OFH-Stakeholder-Group-Final-Report)
- [Stakeholder Group Roster](https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39298/Redmond-OFH-Stakeholder-Group-Roster---Final)
- [Charter (Appendix A)](https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39786/Appendix-A---Stakeholder-Group-Charter)
- [Meeting 3 Summary](https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39686/Redmond-OFH-Stakeholder-Group---Meeting-3-Summary)
- [Focus Group Summary (Appendix C)](https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39784/Appendix-C---Focus-Group-Summary)
- [OneRedmond Leadership](https://engage.oneredmond.org/leadership)
- [Pat Vache — OneRedmond](https://engage.oneredmond.org/contacts/pat-vache)
- [Vanessa Kritzer — OneRedmond](https://engage.oneredmond.org/contacts/vanessa-kritzer)
- [Kate Becker — Music Aid NW Icon Award](https://musicaidnorthwest.org/news/music-aid-northwest-to-award-music-champion-kate-becker-the-2024-icon-award/)
- [Kristina Wayland endorses Kritzer](https://www.electvanessakritzer.com/endorsements)
- [Save OFH](https://saveofh.com/)
- [KIRO 7 — Teens fighting](https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/teens-parents-fighting-keep-redmond-teen-center-closing-down/YPS5ZUUDUNHNVP3TOX2SXIQZYI/)
- [Redmond Moments — OFH update](https://www.redmondmoments.com/articles/update-on-the-old-fire-house-teen-center)
- [Erin blog — Save Redmond's Old Firehouse](https://himynameiserin.com/writings/2025/7/28/save-redmonds-old-firehouse)
- Local: `FOLLOW_THE_MONEY.md`, `FORENSIC_REPORT_COMPLETE.md`, `PRA_SUPPRESSION_REPORT.md`
- PRA 3rd Installment: Project Charter naming Kate Becker as Key Stakeholder
- PRA 4th Installment: Roles and Responsibilities Matrix

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# APPENDIX: RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE ACTIONS

1. **File PRA request** for celebration event costs, Stepherson & Associates total contract, and all stakeholder group selection communications
2. **Contact DAHP** to request formal eligibility determination for the Old Firehouse (the City never submitted a Historic Property Inventory form)
3. **Contact King County Landmarks Commission** to request review before demolition proceeds
4. **Contact Brian Rich** (sole Redmond Landmark Commission member) to determine if the Commission was consulted
5. **Request SEPA documentation** — the City should have a threshold determination on file; if none exists, that's a procedural violation
6. **Document Caroline Chapman's current employment** — if she is a current City employee listed as "former" on the stakeholder roster, that's a material misrepresentation
7. **PDC records search** for Pat Vache, David Cline, and other stakeholder members to cross-reference political donations
