Redmond council interviews pastor Austin Aschenbrenner for Human Services Commission seat

The Redmond City Council held a special meeting on July 21 to interview Austin Aschenbrenner for a vacancy on the Human Services Commission. Alec Bien, introduced in the meeting as a senior planner, said Aschenbrenner works in the city and noted the commission ordinance allows up to two nonresident seats for people who work in Redmond.

"He's been really interested in helping community members in need with just basic needs services," Bien said, noting Aschenbrenner's volunteer work with Redmond United Methodist Church and the Redmond School Break Food Box program.

Aschenbrenner, introduced as senior pastor at Redmond Presbyterian Church, told councilors he wanted to serve to "be good neighbors" and to learn "the stories and the struggles and the victories of our neighbors," adding he hoped to both help and learn through commission work.

Council members asked about priorities. In response, Aschenbrenner cited food insecurity, affordable housing and what he called a "loneliness epidemic," saying those issues often intersect and require both short-term assistance and longer-term relationship-building.

When asked how he would ensure recommendations serve underserved populations without unfairly disadvantaging others, Aschenbrenner said the commission should be intentional about listening to smaller or niche organizations and voices that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The mayor told Aschenbrenner the council is likely to consider his appointment at the next business meeting. The special meeting concluded with the council adjourning after thanking the candidate for his time.