Our Redmond City Council members work hard and long to represent us with little recognition from the general public. They value and almost crave citizen input to get the pulse of the community, often reading Redmond Reporter’s Letters, our Facebook sites, blogs and other social media discussions.

Unfortunately, input from commission volunteers, city meetings, open houses, workshops and the like barely scrapes the surface for the community participation they need to make good decisions. Ironically and unfortunately, lack of participation from us makes them less accountable.

A few council members (and now the mayor) have recognized the problem and are going out of their way to engage with us. The mayor is holding “Neighborhood Conversations” outside of City Hall and in our neighborhoods. Council members Hank Myers and John Stilin host “coffee times.” I’ve followed the council for more than 10 years and find Myers the city’s No. 1 advocate for citizen participation. He values and respects any input from us, even if we drone on about one particular issue.

Stilin is the most powerful, ambitious and intense member of council that I know. He can be witty during ombudsman reports; his interpretation of our comments can usually be trusted. He meets at Midori Bakery because he likes the pastries and service. I’ve been to two of his coffees. He has a wealth of information about the city, is eager to share it with you and is a good listener when your opportunity arises — even if you’re humming away about an idea over and over.

Stilin holds coffee time between 3-4 p.m. every Tuesday for his constituents. In days past, he frequently posted his coffee hours on the Education Hill Facebook site. Now, he advertises on the city tourism site Experience Redmond Blog. He will happily schedule an appointment if you have a work conflict.

Myers hosts his coffee time from 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month, conveniently located at Down Pour Coffee Bar in west Redmond. I’ve been to one of his coffees and he is friendly and approachable and a real treat to visit.

We need to participate more with council so they and staff can make better decisions. Stilin, Myers and the mayor are giving us great opportunities. Let’s use them.

Bob Yoder

Redmond