Councilmember Paul Adair

06/08/2026

Great article from the Issaquah Spotlight, our City’s new community-led local newspaper. I really appreciate their detailed breakdown of this issue and where we stand.

I encourage all residents to reach out with their thoughts on what our future ordinance should be in regards to this technology and public safety.

On June 1, Issaquah City Council voted to remove Flock cameras from the Issaquah Police Department (IPD) Congressional Community Appropriations Grant. But the debate over surveillance in the city is far from over.

06/04/2026

**Council Meeting Recap 🏛️**

Monday's meeting began with a Pride flag raising ceremony and several recognitions, including Pride Month, Bellevue College's 60th Anniversary, and recognition of Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Garth Harvey.

The first major agenda item was a public hearing on the City's 2027-2032 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which serves as a roadmap for future transportation projects.

The proposed plan places a greater emphasis on maintaining and preserving existing infrastructure, completing smaller-scale projects, and making strategic use of transportation funding sources. We also discussed challenges facing the program, including pressures on several major transportation revenue sources. Staff will incorporate feedback and bring the finalized plan back to Council on June 15.

We also formally approved the Department of Justice Community Appropriations Grant for the Issaquah Police Department.

This grant will provide approximately $452,000 for upgraded tasers and interview room equipment. As many residents know, this grant has generated significant public discussion over the past several months because the original proposal included funding for Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology.

That is no longer the case.

As approved by Council, the grant will NOT be used for ALPR technology, and the resolution specifically restricts any City action related to ALPRs until a policy has first been approved by the City Council.

I want to again thank everyone who participated in this conversation. Public input made a real difference. As Council begins discussing potential ALPR policies in the future, I encourage residents to continue sharing their thoughts on what safeguards, protections, and oversight they would want to see in any future ordinance.

Another significant discussion focused on Eastside Fire & Rescue governance.

The Eastside Fire & Rescue Board is evaluating potential governance changes, including discussion of whether a future Regional Fire Authority structure may be appropriate. No decisions have been made, and Council's discussion focused largely on ensuring that Issaquah does not prematurely endorse any specific governance model before we have more information and public education on the impacts, costs, and benefits of the various options.

This issue will continue to return to Council as discussions evolve, and I expect it will become an important topic over the coming months.

Finally, Council approved adding a Capital Project Manager position to help oversee the new City Hall transition, police station renovation, and other major facilities projects. As we move forward with these significant investments, having dedicated project management will help ensure projects stay coordinated, on schedule, and accountable to taxpayers.

Overall, it was a meeting focused on long-term planning, public safety, infrastructure, and making sure we have the information needed to make thoughtful decisions for the future of Issaquah.

06/02/2026

05/28/2026

Nominate a Heritage Tree 🌳🌲

Heritage Trees are living landmarks. They connect generations, provide habitat and beauty, and create a distinctive community character.

Heritage Trees reflect important community values because they exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: specimen (exceptional size, age, form or rarity), historic significance, and ecological value.

Have a tree you think should be considered? Use the online form to make your voice heard: bit.ly/nominateheritagetree

05/27/2026

Light rail and regional transit planning continue to be major conversations for Issaquah and our region 🚈

Last week, The Urbanist covered Council’s recent action supporting faster and more efficient permitting coordination with Sound Transit as we continue working to keep Issaquah’s line moving forward.

While the current proposed timeline for the 4 Line extends to 2050, I strongly believe our community can continue finding ways to accelerate the project and reduce unnecessary costs and delays. That will require regional partnership, creative thinking, and a willingness for cities to work together differently than we have in the past.

One thing I’ve learned quickly in local government is that showing up and staying engaged matters. Community voices and regional partnerships really can shape these conversations.

A commitment to reduce barriers standing in the way of future 4 Line light rail is the latest move by Issaquah leaders to get their project moving. Later this month, the Sound Transit board is set to approve a new six-year delay for the project.

05/23/2026

Had a great time with my wife and kids at the City’s Public Works Open House on Wednesday 🚒🚧🚦

The kids got to climb through all kinds of Public Works vehicles, test out water systems, learn how traffic signal computers work, complete a bingo scavenger hunt to earn their own hard hats, and much more.

They especially loved getting to control the sewer camera snake robots inspecting pipes underground and exploring the “truck petting zoo”. My son also made sure to inform everyone that the googly eyes and teeth on the trucks were “fake” and not real… just in case there was any confusion. 😂 And the kids also successfully located and honked the horn on basically every vehicle available.

Since they weren’t old enough yet, I got to do the fire extinguisher training with our Emergency Management team, which was a lot of fun and also helped introduce more people to CERT, our community emergency response volunteer program.

It was a really great event, but also an important reminder of how much unseen work goes into keeping our city running every day. Huge thank you to our Public Works staff and everyone involved for putting together such a fantastic event for the community.

05/21/2026

Council Meeting Recap 🏛️

Monday’s Council meeting included several special recognitions honoring public service and community leadership, followed by an important discussion on the future of regional light rail in Issaquah.

We began by honoring former Councilmember Barbara de Michele for her years of service to Issaquah following her resignation earlier this year due to health concerns. She was presented what the Mayor believes may be the first official “Key to the City.”

Barbara’s dedication to this community and her thoughtful approach to leadership were a major inspiration to me during my own appointment process, and her service continues to be a guiding example for how I hope to serve our city.

We also honored retiring Police Chief Paula Schwan for her decades of service and leadership in helping shape the Issaquah Police Department into one of the most respected departments in the region. She recently completed official state accreditation for the department before her retirement, a major accomplishment and reflection of the professionalism she helped build over many years. She leaves behind very big shoes to fill.

Council also issued proclamations recognizing Safe Boating Week, Emergency Medical Services Week, and Mental Health Awareness Month.

One especially fun moment from the evening was hearing from Martha Bowers, Director of Army Civilian Career Management, who is visiting Issaquah through the International City Management Association. She shared that multiple people told her she *had* to visit Issaquah during her tour, and after arriving she joked, “If I had moved here when I was younger, I would have never moved again.”

The main agenda item of the evening was approval of a resolution supporting faster and more efficient permitting coordination with Sound Transit for future light rail development.

As many residents know, Sound Transit’s regional plans have faced major cost increases and structural changes. Thanks to significant advocacy from the Mayor, City administration, Council, and many engaged community members, Issaquah’s light rail line remains included in the proposed updated regional plan that will go before the Sound Transit Board next week, although the projected completion date has now shifted to 2050.

This resolution signals Issaquah’s commitment to being a strong regional partner and our belief that we can help deliver this project faster and more efficiently through better coordination, creative problem solving, and streamlined permitting.

I’m especially hopeful we can continue finding ways to accelerate this timeline. My daughter joined me at one of the recent Sound Transit Board meetings and has become very excited about public transportation. I’d love to see this line built soon enough for her to actually grow up using it.

05/18/2026

I have been so saddened and angered by the continual attacks and hate of our transgender, q***r, immigrant, and all other marginal communities.

Though many think of PNW as a safe place, hate still lives here too. And the administration has made it clear that love and support for those they have chosen to vilify, will make you an enemy too.

If you feel scared or threatened, know there are many like this group who are here to help and listen to you.

And I promise to use my role to fight for and protect everyone who calls Issaquah home.

Our q***r and trans communities are carrying a tremendous amount of grief, fear, exhaustion, and anger right now. The murder of Juniper Blessing has shaken so many of us deeply. For many in our community, this did not feel distant or abstract. It felt horrifyingly close to home.

It is okay to feel sad.
It is okay to feel scared.
And we also know countless members of our communities are feeling fire, fury, and heartbreak all at once.

Following this devastating murder, coming on the heels of our nation's abysmal Counter Terrorism Strategy, and amid escalating anti-trans rhetoric and fear across our country, Pride Across the Bridge sent a public letter to Eastside mayors and councilmembers calling for meaningful action, accountability, and support for q***r and trans communities.

Our letter outlines the deeply disturbing pattern of anti-trans violence we are continuing to see across King County and our region over the past several years. When these incidents are viewed together instead of in isolation, the escalation our communities have been warning about for years becomes impossible to ignore.

One of the loudest things we continue hearing from q***r and trans community members right now is:
“No one who is not directly impacted is talking about this.” Thank you to our local leaders who have reached out, who have held space, and are speaking out.

The full letter we sent to Eastside leadership can be read on our website at:
tinyurl.com/Q-open-letter

We also want to remind our community that you do not have to carry this alone.

- Our comedy show this Sunday is now completely free to attend because we need spaces for laughter, connection, and moments of light right now.

- Our weekly community office hours will take place Wednesday from 4-6pm at Together Center. We are actively working to have mental health professionals there to help hold space with our community during this incredibly painful moment.

Please keep checking on your trans friends, neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones. Trans people are sacred, healers, creators, and are our community and world 🫂

We are so deeply grateful to be in community with you. You are seen and treasured.

05/17/2026

Spring in the Pacific Northwest never disappoints ☀️🌧️

My wife and I were able to sneak away for a local date night this weekend while the kids were at an activity. We enjoyed dinner out on the patio at Black Duck while the weather kept switching between sunshine, rain, warm, cold, and everything in between.

As always, my wife looked beautiful, so I had to show her off here.

One of the many things I love about Issaquah is how easy it is to enjoy nights like this. Great local restaurants, events, trails, and so many ways to enjoy time together close to home.

Wishing everyone a happy spring as we get closer and closer to those beautiful summer days ahead.