Redmond council hears CIP update; EV chargers to come online, Evans Creek permit delays threaten schedule

Redmond City Council members received a quarter-four capital investment program (CIP) status update and a look ahead to 2025 at their Jan. 14 study session, where staff reported progress across multiple programs, a near-term finish for several projects and lingering permit and connectivity problems that could delay work.

City staff told the council they completed six of eight projects slated for 2024 and expect the electric vehicle charging stations to be fully operational by the end of January, with the 10,000 block of Avondale scheduled to wrap up in February. "They are in the parking garage and ... they are for our growing EV fleet," said Steve Gibbs, Capital Construction, explaining the stations are currently available to city fleet vehicles, not the public. Gibbs and other staff said vendor connectivity issues have left roughly 12 chargers active and a modem/gateway shipment should bring the remaining units online by month’s end.

Why it matters: the CIP update outlines projects that affect everyday services — water mains, roads and parks — and identifies points where external approvals, vendor delays or aging infrastructure threaten schedules or budgets. Council members pressed staff on resiliency measures for the EV stations, turf infill choices for athletic fields and permit risk on stream‑restoration work.

Key project updates

- EV charging stations: Staff said the city ordered the chargers about three years ago and has been delayed by switchgear and communications hardware. While several fleet vehicles are already charging overnight, staff reported vendor connectivity problems and said an additional modem/gateway should bring the remaining stations online by the end of the month. Council Vice President Forsyth asked whether solar on the garage should be considered for resiliency; staff said that will be evaluated in Phase 2.

- 10,000 block of Avondale / Avondale paving: The project pairs a major AC (asbestos cement) water main replacement with a road overlay. Staff described a staged construction approach to keep water service live during replacement and said the overlay will follow once the new ductile iron line is activated. The existing roadway contains older concrete pavement sections (described by staff as roughly 22 feet wide and 8 inches thick), which can complicate excavation and overlay work. Councilmembers asked for an aggressive communications plan; staff agreed and noted a design‑contract memo will be coming to council soon.

- Parks and turf replacements: Turf work at Grasslawn and Hartman (fields 5 and 6) is about 75% designed. Staff said they will test two infill materials — one cork product and one encapsulated polyethylene product — after previous concerns about crumb‑rubber runoff. Parks staff noted cork can float after heavy rain and may require maintenance; the other option is marketed as inert. Council members requested more information about material health and groundwater impacts before final selection. Staff estimated synthetic turf life at about 10 years for high‑wear infields.

- PPE management at fire stations: The CIP includes a PPE (personal protective equipment) management project added about a year ago to speed cleaning and drying of gear. The project includes improved ventilation/drying rooms and industrial extractors (washers). Staff said the project is roughly 50% complete and that fit‑up at older stations is challenging; they expect the work to be tight against budget but aim to come close to the approved amount.

- Northeast 70th shared‑use path: Transportation planning staff said they resolved an earlier property‑owner hold-up, obtained an easement from Kroger and are finalizing plan/profile work. Concrete crews are ready to build once the final profile is approved; crossing work at Redmond Way and minor signal and ramp adjustments will follow.

- Utilities and Evans Creek restoration: Utilities staff flagged Evans Creek as a schedule and permitting risk. The project manager has been trying to obtain a required permit from another agency; staff secured a meeting with the county after Director Burke escalated outreach. "We finally got a meeting set up for this Thursday with the county," staff said, and cautioned that missing the construction window could push the work into the following year with significant escalation of cost. Council member Nueva Camino asked whether the project’s Oct. 2026 target remains realistic; staff said if construction starts this summer the estimate should hold, but delays would likely add a year and cost escalation.

Milestones and next steps

Staff presented an upcoming advertising and construction season for many projects and said several items will return to council soon for construction acceptance pending required paperwork. Projects staff highlighted as nearing completion and likely to be before council for acceptance include the 10,000 block of Avondale, the EV charging stations, and upcoming control and telemetry work.

What council asked for

Councilmembers repeatedly pressed staff for clear communications plans for projects that will disrupt service or access, asked for further analysis on turf infill and playability, and requested that staff include resiliency options for fleet charging in the Phase 2 EV plan. Several members urged escalation to secure permits quickly on Evans Creek and similar projects that depend on partner agency approvals.

Ending: Staff said the next regular CIP update to council will be in April, and thanked council for questions and feedback.