September 28, 2011
Plateau Jewelers completes its Frozen yogurt and all of the toppings arrive in Sammamish remodeled showroom Kelly and Sue Jensen, owners of Plateau Jewelers, have a passion for fine jewelry — custom-made, premier jewelry to be exact. Since 1996, Plateau Jewelers has specialized in designing and producing custom jewelry to satisfy customer’s unique and personal needs. It’s what the Jensens and their staff do best! Now the showroom has been completely remodeled around an innovative computerized design system. First, you select a starting-point design from thousands of options. Then using 3D design software, you have creative control to customize every detail of the jewelry from stone size, shape, and color to extensive design changes. Once you are satisfied with your masterpiece, Plateau Jewelers will custom make the jewelry just for you. “This new system allows you to celebrate life’s moments better with personalized jewelry,” says Kelly. Plateau Jewelers is also a full service jeweler, offering a full selection of watches, bracelets, pendants, rings and necklaces from some of the most renowned brands in the industry. Diamond and pearls are among timeless favorites. Jewelry appraisals and watch batteries are also offered. “We have built our niche in designing and producing custom jewelry,” says Kelly. “It’s something we love to do each and every day.” Plateau Jeweler’s design awards include accolades from Modern Jeweler magazine and a 1st place award in a Pacific Northwest Jewelers design competition. “Whether you have a rough idea scratched out on a napkin, or take advantage of our new design system, our team
Kelly Jensen of Plateau Jewelers of award-winning designers can make your dream a reality,” says Sue. Plateau Jewelers staff also includes sales associates Betty Berg and Nancy Cindric, both of whom were frequent customers at Plateau Jewelers before they joined the team. Sanh Ly brings 23 years experience in all aspects of crafting jewelry and is outstanding in his work with platinum. And Bronwyn Welch has been a jeweler at Plateau Jewelers for 12 years. “I consider our team to be pretty special,” said Kelly. Plateau Jewelers has been the prime sponsor of the popular summertime Sammamish Concerts in the Park for many years. Kelly and Sue invite you to their newly-remodeled showroom. Plateau Jewelers is located at 2830 228th Ave. SE. Store hours are 10-6 Monday-Thursday, 10-5 Friday and 10-4 Saturday. Call 425313-0657 or visit www.plateaujewelers.com.
If you have been by the Saffron Center in the past few weeks, you may have noticed crowds lining up at Sammamish’s newest store — Yo Plateau. This self-serve yogurt store is locally owned and operated by longtime Washington residents Karen and Gary Sherman. Yo Plateau offers frozen yogurt made by YoCream, one of the leading producers of frozen yogurt. “YoCream is one of original Chad Hardisty and daughter Reese, of Issaquah, suppliers of frozen yogurt and choose from the 12 varieties of frozen yogurt is recognized in the industry available at the new Yo Plateau self-serve frozen as being of the highest quality yogurt store in Sammamish. in addition to tasting great and being healthy,” says Gary. “Most of customer to control the portion and the the large franchises started out using this amount they pay; the average bowl is yogurt, but have since switched to private about $4.50 for adults and $3.00 for chillabel yogurts,” he said. dren. Yo Plateau’s yogurt is always Kosher “We have created the very type of and has fat-free, no sugar added, and atmosphere we like to enjoy when we go dairy-free options to satisfy special out for frozen yogurt,” says Karen. “A dietary needs. YoCream’s live natural place that is both fun for young people yogurt culture count actually exceeds the and is family friendly, where people can national requirement for the refrigerated meet and relax.” yogurt consumers buy in stores. Yo The bright colors, the large open space, Plateau installed state-of-the-art machines comfortable couches, fireplace and free that dispense a smooth and creamy prodWiFi have all been purposefully incorpouct that tastes similar to ice cream, but rated to make Yo Plateau inviting and with much fewer calories. comfortable for customers. Yo Plateau doesn’t stop with yogurt. It “Creating a great experience for our offers a variety of fresh fruit toppings customers – from the yogurt to the atmoincluding raspberries, blueberries, and sphere – is central to our philosophy,” strawberries, as well as a variety of nuts, says Karen. cereals, and candies. Customers create a “With our variety of yogurts and toppersonalized dish that can be topped off pings, you can be as healthy or decadent with whipped cream, chocolate sauce or as you want,” says Gary. Judging by the even honey! The dessert is then weighed customers dishing up their own creations, and charged by the ounce, allowing the decadence seems to be the choice.
NOW OPEN 12 Yogurt Flavors to choose from with over 45 Toppings! Open Daily Sun-Th 10:30-10pm Fri-Sat 10:30-11pm
22830 NE 84th St. , Saffron Next to Sammamish Café
425-868-9000
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February 8, 2012
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210-Public Notices a consultant team to assist us in determining how best to provide high quality and cost effective City Fire Services. The City currently receives fire protection and emergency medical services from Eastside Fire and Rescue (EF&R). EF&R is a partnership created through an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Sammamish, the City of Issaquah, the City of North Bend, Washington Fire Protection
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
District 10, and Washington Fire Protection District 38. The current Interlocal Agreement expires December 31, 2014 and will be renewed automatically for an additional 7 years unless a partner provides notice of withdrawal by January 2014. Services to be provided by Consultant EF&R’s Finances – A thorough review of EF&R’s current finances, including but not limited to: G Revenues and Expenditures G Funding for Equipment Replacement Reserve and
Depreciation Funding for Facility Maintenance G Calls for Service o An analysis of the costs associated with different categories of calls for service .…medical, motor vehicle, fire, etc. o Comparison of each partner’s calls for service broken down by category and compared to each partner’s financial contribution under the current funding model. Funding Model – A review of EF&R’s current funding model and suggestions for alternative G
funding models, including but not limited to: Operational Issues – A review of fire and emergency medical operations within the City, including but not limited to: Comparison to Similarly Situated Western Washington Cities – A review of the fire and emergency medical services provided in similarly situated Western Washington cities, including: Alternative Options for City Fire and Emergency Medical Service – Investigation of options for providing Fire and
Emergency Medical Services for the City of Sammamish. Coordination with Citizen Committee – The City Council will appoint a Citizen’s Committee (3-5 members) to work with the consultant. The Committee will include past Sammamish EF&R Board Members, emergency services professionals who reside in the City, and interested citizens. Five (5) copies of your proposal, whether mailed or hand-delivered, must arrive at the address listed below no later than 4:00 on Friday, February 24, 2012. Proposals re-
ceived later than the submittal deadline will not be accepted. The City of Sammamish will not be liable for delays in delivery of proposals due to handling by the US Postal Service or any other type of delivery service. Faxed or emailed submittals will not be accepted. Please submit proposals to: Melonie Anderson City Clerk City of Sammamish 801 228th Ave SE Sammamish, WA 98075 For a complete copy of this
Request for Proposal please visit the City of Sammamish website at www.ci.sammamish.wa.us. Any questions regarding the submittal process and/or the technical aspects of the project should be directed to the staff listed below. Name: Mike Sauerwein, Director of Administrative Services Phone: (425) 295-0500 Email: msauerwein@ci.sammamish.wa.us Published in Sammamish Review on 2/08/12
Surf ‘n Turf
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us Tuesday, February 14
the perfect Valentine’s Treat! Place your order early! • Prime Steaks • Lobster Tails • Dungeness Crab
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22850 NE 8th Street, Suite 101, Sammamish Plateau Open Daily at 4pm RistoranteSimone.com • 425.298.4960
For 16 years, we’ve specialized in custom-designed and fine-crafted jewelry. But don’t take our word for it. Stop by—we’re just north of the Pine Lake QFC. And see how we can make your next occasion spectacular.
85 Front Street North Issaquah • (425) 392-3131
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March 14, 2012
Water
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bill of $68.98 – up from $63.50 under current rates. The rise in sewer would be more drastic – from $42.96 every two months for the average homeowner to $50.34. But the proposed change could actually mean a cheaper water bill for those that enjoy keeping their lawn green during the summer. A home that uses 4,000 cubic feet of water in a bimonthly billing period would see their water bill go from $147.59 to $138.20 under the new rates. The change would be even more noticeable for the few high-end users that use 5,000 cubic feet in a billing cycle – their water bill would go from $182.09 to $169.40. Warren and Krauss said the new rate structure recognizes that the district had been overcharging high-end users in the past. It also helps stabilize the sometimes-volatile swings in the district’s revenue stream, they said. The district has seen its
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
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Sewer charges overhauled
To comment on the proposed rate changes at Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District, attend a public hearing at 6 p.m. March 19 at the district’s office, 1510 228th Avenue S.E. in Sammamish. For more information on the district’s rate structure or its conservation programs, visit www.sammplat.wa.org.
The proposed rate change would also overhaul how the district charges residents for their sewer use. The current system charges a residence a $12.30 flat rate every two months plus a usage fee based on the home’s average wintertime water use. Finance Director Angel Barton said that system was set up around 2002 under the idea that a single resident that takes one shower a day shouldn’t pay as much for sewer as a home with a family of four. But Krauss said that rate structure is not an accurate reflection of the costs of providing sewer – putting the pipes in the ground and maintaining them generally costs the same regardless of how much wastewater they are transferring. The proposal calls for a flat $50.34 rate every two months for single-family homes regardless
water revenue fluctuate between $7.2 million and $8.7 million a year depending on whether the region’s summer was cool and wet or hot and dry. The district’s own conservation measures, some of which are mandated by the state, have also been a drain on revenues. District customers have cut their water use by 2-3 percent or more nearly every year since 2006. The district attributes the decrease to citizens embracing green technology like low-flow toilets and washers and dryers and watering their lawns less. “We’ve done a lot of good work
as far as conservation,” Warren said at the meeting. “I think the commission sort of said … it’s time to back off of that a little bit. We have to decrease the variability of our revenue. We’re on pins and needles every summer hoping we going to get enough revenue for the next year.” In a later interview, Krauss said he’s confident the district can continue to encourage residents to conserve water, despite the fact that the financial incentive to do so is less pressing under the new rate structure. Rates will still be higher the more water a residence uses, just not as drastically. The district also continues to push several conservation measures, including its irrigation audit program, which gives residents a cheaper water rate if they prove their irrigation systems aren’t leaking, and their low-flow toilet program, which gives residents a $100 rebate if they install a low-flow toilet. In addition to maintaining a healthy aquifer and lowering customer’s bills, Krauss said con-
of their size or water use. The district would join the city of Redmond and Northeast Sammamish Sewer and Water District in using the flat fee, though Sammamish’s fee would be $7.84 more than Northeast Sammamish and about double Redmond’s rate. Barton said the large area and the many hills and valleys in the district make for a highly complex sewer system compared to some of its more compact and flat neighbors – the city of Issaquah charges users $33.84 per two-month period. Krauss said the flat rate is also a clearer representation of the cost of sewer service in the city, which historically had been subsidized by water users. Since the district has reworked its budget and assigned costs specifically to its water and sewer functions, it found that sewer revenue is far under expenses – about $1.9 million of their current shortfall is in the sewer department.
The costs of water and sewer in the area The listed rates are billed every two months for a threequarter-inch meter and per 100 cubic feet of water used (there are 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot of water). Each jurisdiction uses a tiered system where customers are charged more when they use over a certain amount of water. The tiers vary between jurisdictions – consult your utility for more information. The bill estimates are for 1,400 cubic feet of usage in a two-month period – an average amount for a single-family home. Sewer rates do not include servation means less pressure on the district to build added infrastructure to keep up with future growth, which means less shared costs for everyone. Janet Sailer, the district’s conservation officer, estimates that if every residence in the district cut
the $72.20 King County waste treatment charge. Northeast Sammamish Sewer and Water: $30.02 base average bill: $60.10; Sewer: $42.50 Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer (proposed): $46.04 base, average bill: $68.98; Sewer: $50.34 City of Issaquah: $25.56 base, average bill: $71.46; Sewer: $3.46 base, plus usage charge. (Average bill: $33.84) City of Redmond: $25.70 base, average bill: $56.70; Sewer: $25.14 down their water use by 10 percent, the district could add 1,500 additional users to the current system. “Conservation to the district means not having to supply the capital improvements that can lead to higher bills,” Krauss said.
For 16 years, we’ve specialized in custom-designed and fine-crafted jewelry. But don’t take our word for it. Stop by—we’re just north of the Pine Lake QFC. And see how we can make your next occasion spectacular.