TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Aaron Bert |
425-556-2786 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Rob Crittenden |
City Engineer |
|
Public Works |
Chris Stenger |
Deputy Public Works Director |
|
Public Works |
Aaron Moldver |
Engineering Manager |
TITLE:
title
Staff Report on Redmond Municipal Code Update - Proposed Changes to Water and Sewers, Buildings and Construction Code
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Public Works Department embraces continued improvement to achieve organizational excellence. As part of this effort, Public Works is proposing updates to multiple Redmond Municipal Code (RMC) sections related to Public Works functions. These updates are intended to clarify roles and responsibilities within the Department and to improve operational performance and consistency. This code revision is being coordinated with the APWA Accreditation effort to ensure code authority and operational functions are aligned. Public Works functions are most prominent in RMC Titles 10, 12, 13, and 15. There are also sections related to Public Work functions in RMC Titles 1-7 and 9.
Public Works staff provided an overview of the update process to Council at the June 3, 2025, Planning and Public Works Committee. Staff then presented specific changes to RMC Titles 10 and 12 at the June 24, 2025, study session with Council. Public input was collected on these two Titles through the end of August 2025. Staff is now finalizing the code changes in preparation for a SEPA threshold determination and the preparation of an ordinance for Council approval.
Public Works staff plan to present proposed changes to Titles 13 - Water and Sewer and 15 - Buildings and Construction at the October 7, 2025, Planning and Public Works Committee and will solicit comments and questions from the councilmembers. Staff will then respond to this feedback and revise the code further as warranted. Depending on the time needed to complete this response, staff plans to present the updated code changes to Council in a staff report at the October 21, 2025, regular business meeting, or at a meeting in November if necessary.
Staff plans to present proposed changes to the following titles to Council in the first quarter of 2026:
• Title 1 General Provisions
• Title 2 Administration and Personnel Amended Revised
• Title 3 Revenue and Finance Revised
• Title 4 Boards, Commissions, and Committees Revised
• Title 5 Business Licenses and Regulations Revised
• Title 6 Health and Sanitation
• Title 7 Animals
• Title 9 Public Peace, Morals and Safety
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond Municipal Code
Public Works American Public Works Association (APWA ) Accreditation effort
• Required:
Redmond Municipal Code changes require City Council approval per RCW 35.21.500 Compilation, codification, revision of city or town ordinances
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The City will benefit from revisions to the RMC by providing users a code that clearly identifies roles and responsibilities, clarifies authorities, and aligns with operational functions. These revisions will also update provisions in the code that are outdated or inconsistent. The resulting code requirements will align with the policies and procedures documented with the Public Works APWA Accreditation effort
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Outreach to select groups is planned following discussions and input from City Council.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Let’s Connect Page on City Website with a copy of the draft changes for stakeholders to review and make comments
• Feedback Summary:
The majority of the proposed changes to the Code are intended for clarification or clean up and are not substantive to a degree that should prompt significant public comment. If substantive issues are identified, additional stakeholder engagement will be considered
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
N/A
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
N/A
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
N/A
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
12/17/2024 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
|
6/3/2025 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
|
6/24/2025 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
10/21/2025 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
Time Constraints:
Public Works expects to receive Public Works APWA Accreditation in the first quarter of 2026. Although it is not required to have the Code changes associated with this effort in place immediately after, the goal is to complete the updates to the RMC by the second quarter of 2026.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The Council could choose not to approve some or all of the proposed Code changes. If so, outdated and unclear sections within the Code would remain, and overall, the Code would not align with the current operational structure of Public Works and the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Title 13 Proposed Changes
Attachment B - Table of Changes with Rationale to Title 13
Attachment C - Title 15 Proposed Changes
Attachment D - Table of Changes with Rationale to Title 15