Opinion: Sammamish safe, welcoming, inclusive

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By Karen Howe
Mayor, City of Sammamish

Mayor Karen Howe

Over three years ago, three of us were voted into office on a platform that included support for Town Center, more housing choices, and affordability. The election in 2023 shows three council-members getting 53%, 58%, and 59% of the vote with the same basic platform. 

A consistent theme I’ve read in much of the feedback is that folks are good with the idea of a town center and adding social retail and more housing options – both market rate and more affordable. They struggle with the number 4000 and I understand that. So how do we get to a Town Center plan that people can related to. 

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Washington Supreme Court Declines to Hear $10 Million Sammamish Records Lawsuit

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By Miki Mullor
Editor

  • The Washington Supreme Court declined to review former Councilmember Ramiro Valderrama’s lawsuit against the city of Sammamish.
  • Valderrama sought $10 million to settle the case; the city had offered $75,000.
  • Lower courts dismissed the case, citing no wrongdoing by council members.
  • Allegations by political ally Stephanie Rudat were found to be hearsay and unsubstantiated.
  • The lawsuit resulted in over $400,000 in legal costs for city taxpayers.
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Opinion: let the residents vote on doubling the Town Center size

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By Tom Odell
Former Mayor and City Council Member

The 2025 Sammamish City Council is considering proposed changes to the Sammamish Town Center project that was originally approved by the 2010 City Council.  

Tom Odell

I doubt if very many people got the notice regarding the changes as there is only a requirement that it be distributed to the affected and immediate “neighborhood”.  The current definition of the required notice area is very geographically limited.  Others living outside must request to be notified (I did). 

It is likely that very few Sammamish residents have done so or were notified.

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Washington Court of Appeals Upholds City of Sammamish’s Public Records Process Amidst $10 Million Settlement Demand

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By Miki Mullor
Editor

The Washington Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that the City of Sammamish did not violate the state’s Public Records Act (PRA) in handling requests from former Deputy Mayor and City Council member Ramiro Valderrama. The decision, issued on December 16, 2024, comes after a contentious legal battle that included accusations of bad faith and a $10 million settlement demand from Valderrama.

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Valderrama Wanted $10 Million to Settle His Public Records Lawsuit 

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By Miki Mullor
Special Coverage

Jan. 29, 2024: Former Sammamish Deputy Mayor/City Council member Ramiro Valderrama wanted $10 million, plus attorneys’ fees, to settle his lawsuit filed in March last year alleging the city failed to turn over public records.

Valderram alleged violations of the Public Records Act by council members he politically opposed, specifically targeting former Mayor Christie Malchow, former council member Ken Gamblin and then-and current council member Kent Treen. 

Records from the litigation show Valderama’s attorney demanded in September $10 million to settle the case, along with a public statement by the city, to be approved by Valderrama, acknowledging city council members violated the Public Records Act.  

Last month, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding the city and council members followed the law. The judge issued a summary judgment (meaning, no jury or bench trial) on the city’s motion to dismiss. Valderrama this month filed a notice with the King County court that the decision will be appealed to the state appellate court. He has about three months from the January 11 notice to file his case with the higher court.

The city provided the Sammamish Comment documents through Public Records Requests (PRRs) showing the legal bill for the city’s defense is now up to $340,000, not including the city clerk’s staff time.   Earlier in the litigation, a month after filing, and before incurring its legal fees, the city offered Valderrama $75,000 to settle the case, which he refused.  

Transcripts of depositions taken in this case were made public through a PRR and reveal a political connection between Valderama’s case, the investigation of former city manager David Rudat, Stephanie Rudat’s connection to both these issues and an apparent political revenge as a motive. Stephanie is the daughter of David. Malchow was one of the council members who voted to initiate the Rudat investigation.

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