Public Works outlines Redmond Municipal Code update; first study session on traffic and street chapters set for June 24

Public Works briefed the committee on a multi-title update to the Redmond Municipal Code to clarify roles, remove outdated language and align operational procedures with accreditation work and recent state laws. Staff said three study sessions are planned: June 24 for Titles 10 and 12 (traffic, streets and sidewalks); July 22 for water, sewer and building titles; and a later session covering additional titles.

"The main purpose of this update is to clarify roles and responsibilities for the public works director, city engineer, city traffic engineer, the utility engineering manager," said Rob Crittendon, city engineer. He said the update will also remove antiquated references and align code language with the city's APWA (American Public Works Association) accreditation efforts and recent state legislation including Senate Bill 5595 on shared streets.

Staff said working drafts of RMC 10 and 12 in the packet are preliminary and will be revised before the June 24 study session; they plan to post code changes on the city's Let's Connect webpage after the study sessions for public comment. Councilmembers asked for the study sessions to highlight items that will materially affect residents or businesses, to identify substantive versus technical changes, and to compare Redmond's standards to neighboring jurisdictions. Council President Kritzker and others asked staff to flag the most substantive changes for the public and provide coordination with other departments, noting ties to Redmond 2050 and the forthcoming transportation master plan.

Staff said the final ordinances will return for council approval after study sessions and public comment; no objections were raised to the schedule.