TO: Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Executive |
Lisa Maher, Assistant Chief Operating Officer |
425-556-2427 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Executive |
Zach Houvener |
Deputy - Equity & Strategic Services |
|
Executive |
Jenny Lybeck |
Sustainability Manager |
|
Executive |
Valeria Cosgrove |
Sustainability Coordinator |
TITLE:
title
Environmental Sustainability Action Plan Partnerships Overview
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
To expand the reach and effectiveness of City climate initiatives, the Sustainability Division has established paid consultant partnerships with community-based organizations, bringing trusted relationships, cultural expertise, and direct community connections to City programs. These consultative partnerships are a core implementation strategy, helping advance climate solutions that are shaped by and delivered through the communities they intend to serve.
Staff will provide an informational overview of community partnership work to date, with activities summarized in Attachment A.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, Climate Emergency Declaration, Community Strategic Plan, Tree Canopy Strategic Plan
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
Council requested updates at the Parks and Environmental Sustainability Committee of the Whole meetings.
• Other Key Facts:
o Advancing equitable climate solutions at the pace and scale needed to meet the goals of the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP) requires action across all parts of the community. While the City can establish policies, provide programs, and offer resources, meaningful progress depends on residents and businesses understanding, trusting, and adopting climate solutions in ways that fit their daily lives and community priorities.
o The Sustainability Division established formal, paid consultative partnerships with three community-based organizations to engage community members through trusted relationships, cultural understanding, and lived experience.
o The partnership-focused approach creates pathways for communities to help shape and implement climate solutions in ways that resonate with their unique needs, values, and priorities.
o Key goals of the partnership work include:
§ Raise awareness and foster ownership and connection around climate change and solutions.
§ Empower a diverse network of messengers to engage communities around climate action.
§ Uplift vulnerable communities to lead the change through tailored messaging and solutions.
OUTCOMES:
See Attachment A for partnership highlights.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
2026 Q1 and Q2
• Q1: Kickoff meetings to co-create workplan and engagement opportunities, first events and community conversations, launch of Redmond Library Climate Action Group and workshop series.
o Launch of Redmond Library Climate Action Club
o Workshop series begins with El Centro Cultural Mexicano
o Radio show with El Centro Cultural Mexicano addressing Recology transition and zero waste lifestyles
• Q2: Qualitative survey co-created and distributed, Earth Month highlights, renewed contracting with partners and updating workplans
o Green Redmond x United Hub restoration event (2nd annual)
o Podcast episode about zero-waste in English with El Centro Cultural Mexicano
o Translated e-Bike Workshop with United Hub
• Q3 (Planned): Redmond Library Emergency Preparedness Fair, Thrift & Threads Reuse Festival, Community Workshops
• Outreach Methods and Results:
o Communications: Translated eNews (Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Russian), translated digital and print communications promoting City sustainability initiatives via partner channels
o Education: Translated workshops around climate action, zero-waste and alternate transportation (4), Spanish radio episode on climate action in Redmond (1), monthly discussions with experts about five Big Moves (5)
o Activation: Green Redmond event paired with Tai Chi and plant swap (1), Monthly Meet & Greens at partner locations (6), monthly climate action opportunities email list (5), Translated E-Bike Safety Workshop (1) , Zero-Waste Workshop series (4)
• Feedback Summary:
o 86 new Environmental Sustainability eNews subscribers
o 87% responded “Very Likely” to return for more Redmond Climate Action events, and 0% responded “Unlikely”
o 100% responded that they believe climate change is happening; 75% reported a strengthened belief that individual actions make a difference after attending an event
o 75% Reported attending a Redmond Climate Action Event because of their connection to the partner organizations
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
Grant Funded: $40,000
City General Fund: $5,000
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
Environmental Sustainability
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Grant Funding
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
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Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
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N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
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Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Partnerships Overview