Redmond mayor sends five commission nominees to council consent agenda after interviews

Redmond Mayor Bernie introduced five volunteer nominees at the City Council study session on March 11 and told council members the names will be placed on the consent agenda at the city’s next business meeting for confirmation and swearing-in.

The interviews covered candidates for three city advisory bodies: two nominees for the Human Services Commission, two for the Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission and one for the Arts and Culture Commission. Each candidate gave brief remarks about why they applied and answered council questions about community engagement.

David Poe and Ted Thornhill interviewed for the Human Services Commission. Poe, a recent Redmond resident and 10-year Army veteran who manages supply-chain operations in the private sector, said he applied to give back. “This is the first place I've lived that actually kind of feels like home again,” Poe told the council. Thornhill, a human-services instructor at Western Washington University who described personal experience as a service recipient, said he would bring lived experience and research skills to grant reviews and program evaluation.

Jody Pena and Siri Bleasner (spelled in materials variously as Bleasner) interviewed for the Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission. Pena, a Redmond homeowner and nonprofit-sector worker, said she is “passionate about creating more welcoming environments” and about “green therapy.” Bleasner, a 20-year Redmond resident active in community recreation, emphasized preserving parks and programming as the city grows.

Victoria Leifman Frankel interviewed for the Arts and Culture Commission. Frankel described herself as an artist and small-business owner involved in local arts programs and said she applied to help build collaborative art opportunities for Redmond residents.

Councilmembers asked candidates how they would approach community engagement and interaction with council. Councilmember Stewart offered two questions to candidates: how they would engage community members in small or bite-sized ways, and how they would like to work with the council (for example, occasional joint sessions or written recommendations). Candidates emphasized trust-building with minoritized communities, small-group conversations, volunteer-driven events and onsite outreach at parks and recreation activities.

The mayor said the five nominees will be placed on the consent agenda at the next business meeting and confirmed there will be an in-person swearing-in for those able to attend. No formal council vote took place at the study session; confirmation is scheduled for the upcoming business meeting.