Meetings for the week of December 1st

Nicole Myers

— 14 min read

Monday, December 1st 

Tuesday, December 2nd

There will be 30 minutes for public comment; speaker sign-up starts at noon (link)

Bellevue Convention Center Authority Board reappointments of Ron Hofilena and Ann Kawasaki

Winter weather preparedness report - wind, flooding, snow. Over 150 staff from Transportation, Utilities, Parks and Community Services, and Finance and Asset Management (Facilities and Fleet) participated in October's full day training event where each person rotates through various classroom session and hands-on stations to learn how to drive a plow route, install tire chains, address vegetation issues during a snow event, maintain a plow assembly and properly load sand and anti-icing liquid. Plows have turn by turn navigation as well as a binder of routes and monitoring by the dispatch center. A prioritization map is attached.    The public can obtain a real-time view of road conditions during a winter weather event using https://trafficmap.bellevuewa.gov/.  A winter event response map shows when roads were last plowed: https://bellevueWA.gov/winterresponse-map. The public can also signup for email or text notifications at: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/city-managersoffice/communications/emergencies-and-extreme-weather. King County ALERT can also be utilized.

Consent Calendar: 

Ashwood Park master plan adoption and naming 

Acceptance of up to $1M from King County through the Flood Reduction Grant Program for the Valley Creek at NE 20th Street Flood Control project. This project will reduce persistent urban flooding and restore the creek channel, while removing a known fish barrier. 

Ordinance 6888 approving the 2026 Transportation Impact Fee Rate Schedule to reflect updated Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) trip generation factors and a base fee rate of $8,185 (the maximum allowable is $20k), which is an increase of 3%, with a 3% increase annually thereafter. $72M in improvements that will be funded through these are included in the attachment (twelve different projects). 

Amending Section 4.14.020(F) in regards to gambling and the definition of a raffle. Raising the limit to $100 will align with state law. 

Public Hearing and action on release of a utility easement in NW Bellevue that is no longer needed.You can sign up for the Public Hearing (separate from Oral Communications) starting at noon on the day of the meeting. 

Public Hearing and action to adopt Ordinance 6891 relating to Co-Living Housing. You can sign up for the Public Hearing (separate from Oral Communications) starting at noon on the day of the meeting. It would also be helpful to email the council or individual council members now if you have concerns about what is being proposed, so that they have time to read your letter over the weekend. If you haven't already signed the petition or shared it with your friends, please do! 

      The new rules will allow co-living in mixed use areas (no limit on number of units) and in formerly SFH areas that are within a 1/4 mile walk of certain growth centers (Downtown, East Main, Wilburton, BelRed, Crossroads, Eastgate, and Factoria) - up to 24 units. A new draft has been provided for this meeting, but you'll have to look at the project website to see the map. A portion of Bridle Trails is included in the boundary since it is adjacent to RapidRide B stops. The RapidRide K potentially affected areas are not shown on the map (though I do hear pessimism that it will really get funded). The map shows as-the-crow-flies boundaries, but the actual eligibility is based on walking distance, so it will be a smaller area than shown. Since parking is not required within 1/2 (*not* 1/4) mile of frequent bus service, there would only be a parking requirement in rare cases.     

I still strongly recommend that we add a fee-in-lieu of $10k for each lot's additional middle housing units in these areas beyond the first 4 (not counting the AADUs). It shouldn't change the production of middle housing much and we'd be able to make co-living rules about on-site management, indoor bicycle parking, shared EVs, inclusion of accessible units, trash collection areas, and street parking eligibility, and we'd be able to require on-site parking. The draft removes old rooming house provisions about meeting safety codes, having to be in a detached structure, that they be legal bedrooms (though the state law does seem to assume that they'll be legal bedrooms), that the exterior be maintained, and that there be provisions for refuse collection. The info session presentation in October did say that they'll be expected to meet fire code. It will be interesting to see if there are existing townhomes and apartments where people might be able to add co-living (and if you've seen the Affordable Housing Strategy draft linked in the survey that's up now, it appears the city might try to "address" CC&Rs that block density). 

     Unfortunately, I've done more reading, and I don't think Culdesac actually has the answer for these areas. Culdesac was touted as a success, but in retrospect, some of the quotes I saw were a bit self-congratulatory. Unlike the low density Bellevue locations, it's on a light rail line with light industrial neighbors and there wasn't much street parking in the area to start with. At least Culdesac takes the approach of offering an abundance of options, such as ebikes, free scooters, Lyft, and on-site food options, and I still hope we learned as much as possible from the visit to Arizona. I believe we can make good rules - it's not rocket science - but it would make sense to involve the community in making sure we have a resident-centered model that other cities will want to copy and come to tour. 

Study session on speed safety camera locations and regulations. Bellevue has a few cameras now, but 37 more locations have been identified and launch is expected in Spring-Summer 2026.  Extensive outreach has been done, and there is a survey about locations that is live now - to date, about half of responses are opposed to this expansion. Male respondents and people under 35 are less likely to think speed cameras are effective. In the recommendation for 2026, there are six proposed locations. One type of scoring favored places close to schools/transit/hospitals in higher income areas where road noise might be reduced, pedestrians feel more unsafe, and traffic diversion to nearby streets less likely. Another type of scoring assigned points based on the speeding risk network, high speed crash network, and enforcement.

      For instance, in the portion of Bellevue south of Newport Way, there’s one speed trap that stands out on the enforcement map, and that is where a camera will go. It isn’t clear whether speeding is particularly bad there, rather than maybe a spot with a nice shoulder where an in-person traffic stop can be done safely, but BPD was looped in on the location selection, and perhaps this means they’ll be able to reallocate their enforcement resources.

Study session on Curb Pricing Study recommendations: 10am-8pm in Old Bellevue, Downtown, Wilburton, Spring District, and BelRed (see map for actual boundaries; Old Bellevue includes all of Wildwood Dog Park and BelRed is smaller than you'd expect).

     It is expected to break even on the $1.6M cost within a year, and $2.3M in annual net revenue thereafter (page 35) can pay for curb enhancements for pedestrians, wayfinding, and ADA on-street parking spots. It should also pay for enhanced enforcement, including occasional enforcement in adjacent RPZs.

     When the data was collected to determine the need for curb pricing, around 25% of cars in 2 hour zones were observed to be staying over 3 hours (page 5 of 158). This means that the target % occupancy might be reachable with enforcement, but that is expensive and cannot break even when tickets are only $54. Tickets might need to triple to break even (page 28), and it’s unclear whether these are set by King County and/or will be the same after curb pricing is implemented.

      Page 27 says time limits would be enforced at parks in the downtown area (but there’s no mention of walk-offs). Page 36 does not include these in areas where there would be an hourly parking cost. I am not sure if current park and library parking utilization rates and park users vs. walk offs were evaluated in the study, but I am still working my way through the document. It is long but very nicely formatted.  

Wednesday, December 3rd

Grand Connection Crossing Art Plan Update - overall theme, public art opportunities, and cultural programming recommendations. Community Engagement Summary is attached.

BelRed Arts District Community Alliance Update - this nonprofit which formed in 2023 advocates for affordable artist housing and affordable commercial spaces, and works to build a vibrant arts district with partnerships, placemaking, programming, and events. The BelRed Arts Studio which just opened has space for five artist studios and a gathering space for events and classes. There is also a plan for an Artist Hub south of the 130th station and a larger Arts and Community Center north of the station (where Bridge Housing and Su Development are creating housing). They also look forward to creative district certification and the establishment of a business improvement area. 

Time for discussion of arts in Bellevue, and staff will give an update on the cultural facility grants program. 

Crossroads Park has a new art piece titled River by Anna Mlasowsky that has been installed on three light poles. Refinements are being made to the lighting and sound of Yonder Sky at the 130th Link station. 

Thursday, December 4th

Agenda not yet available 

Swearing in of Tracy Mayclin and Jane Aras, then the election of the board president, VP, legislative representative, and representative to Disciplinary Appeals Council (DAC). Appointment of special committee for DAC and appointment of Board Audit and Finance Advisory Council (AFAC) Member

Approval of financial warrants and transfers, student travel, and Odle MS ASB constitution 

Public Comment (20 minutes) 5:30 - 5:50 pm (register by noon on Wednesday)

Department report on Special Education 

Approval of School Improvement Plans for each school (attached). These are a 15-20 page update on the most recent school statistics, demographics, indicators of success, brightspots, persistent challenges and insights.  If you are wondering what school to choose for your family, these are a good place to start.  

Study Session on Staff Wellbeing 

Financial statements, budget status projection as of September (previous beginning fund balance shortfall had been expected to be $5M, and this was revised to $694k. Projections for the end of the year are that we'll have a $1.3M positive balance rather than having a remaining shortfall of $3M). Based on the Cash Flow Statement Projection, it looks like we'll be able to pay back the $13M interfund loan in July 2026.

This four building development will put 1397 residential units and an office tower where the Grand Connection meets the Eastrail corridor. 

Roles and responsibilities, year in review, and 2026 look ahead. 


Upcoming meetings:     

12/9 BDA event: Making Downtown Magnetic for Visitors, 8-10am (link)

12/10 Coffee with a Cop in Eastgate (link)

12/10 Bellevue College Board of Trustees meeting, 2pm (link)

12/10 Planning Commission: HOMA public hearing

12/18 BSD School Board meeting 

1/14 Planning Commission: BelRed LUCA update and Comp Plan Amendment preview 

Opportunities:

BSD School Board Director vacancy for Director District 4 (West Lake Sammamish and parts of Eastgate, Lake Hills, and Crossroads) (link) Nominate someone or apply by January 7th. 

BSD is looking for two parent/guardian representatives that represent the diversity of our schools to participate on the Disciplinary Appeals Council (DAC) (link)

Affordable Housing Strategy survey is open through Dec 4th, at 11:50pm (link) The draft includes various housing production strategies such as rental registration and/or inspection, streamlined lot-splitting, expanding middle housing by addressing CC&Rs and offering preapproved plans and lender partnerships, track affordability and on-site performance, surplus land and land banking and affordable housing near TOD stations, acquire naturally affordable housing (NOAH), support for non-profits, streamlined permitting and fee waivers, support for the workforce in affordable housing and human services, monitoring performance, eliminating disparate impacts, alternative ownership models, inclusive policy-making, universal/accessible design, units for families, tenant protections, rental assistance, repair programs, and conflict resolution, navigation, voucher access, and streamlined applications, strengthened support for those with limited incomes and at risk.  You can comment about these in the free response section that's the last question in the survey.  

HOMA will next be heard by the Planning Commission on December 10th. Provide your comments in a letter to planningcommission@bellevuewa.gov by 11am on December 2nd if you would like it to be included in the packet that goes out with the meeting agenda. 

Bellevue Utilities is updating three essential plans that guide how the city manages its storm and surface water, drinking water, and wastewater systems. Residents are invited to share feedback through a short online survey and to apply for a focus group (link) Survey has been extended through January 1st.  

Speed Safety Camera Program: See the interactive map and share your feedback here through Nov 30th (link)

PSRC Regional Transportation Plan survey (link)What is the most important transportation problem facing the Puget Sound region today?
What is your biggest safety concern? What is your primary mode? Do you have access to a car and bike? What should our priorities be? 

PSRC Regional Economic Strategy survey (link)For Workforce Development, Resources for entrepreneurs, Broadband infrastructure, Affordable childcare, School budget deficits, and Systemic Inequities, what organizations or programs are making progress, what data can be used to track progress, and what additional efforts do you recommend?  Similar background information and questions are also posed for Business Climate, Global Competition, and Quality of Life. 

Fun and Educational Events 

Holiday photos: Jingle Bellevue (free!), Nordstrom Bellevue Square, Snowflake Lane Factory, Marketplace at Factoria, The Holiday Collective at Avenue

Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink has group skating lessons from 5:30-7:30pm most days (free with admission) (link)

Soccer Scavenger Hunt in Old Bellevue, through Dec 21st (link)

11/28 Sweatsgiving at Samena – check out the club when the price of admission is a non-perishable canned food item (which will go to Hopelink) 9:15am and 10:15am classes (link)

11/28 Winterfest Family Holiday Party at Forum Social House, 3-6pm (link)

11/28 Open Mic Night at Third Culture Coffee, 6-9pm (link)

11/28 Teen Art Studios by Gage Academy at HCC. Free drop-in class on Fridays with dinner and materials provided, and new mediums are taught each month. 6-9pm(link)

11/28-11/29 KidsQuest Gingerbread workshops, multiple times, the 21+ event is on Friday at 5pm – Sold out (link)

11/28 Start of Snowflake Lane performances nightly at 7pm (link)

11/28 Wintergarden tree-lighting with Santa and live music at Bellevue Place (after the Snowflake Lane parade) (link)

11/29 Kokanee Clay Studio Holiday Sale, 10am-6pm (link)

11/29 Siren: Katherine Van Bebber at Volunteer Park Conservatory, in Seattle noon-2pm(link)

11/30 Wreath-making at Browne Family Vineyards on Main, 3-5pm (link)

12/1 Cottage Lake Elementary Glee Club at Bellevue Square Center Court, 10:30am (link)

12/2 Santa Paws at the Marketplace at Factoria (link) – Santa will be available most days starting on 11/28, but there are only 3 dates for pets.

12/2 Eastlake Carolers and International Ballet Theatre at Bellevue Square, 10:30 and 11:30 (link)

12/2 Makerspace tour: Tools for Festive Fixing at the Bellevue Library, 6-7:30pm – registration full (link)

12/3 Bear Creek Choir and Eastlake HS Chamber Orchestra at Bellevue Square, 10:30 and 11:30 (link)

12/4 Mutts and Meows adoption event at Petsmart, 9am-7pm

12/4 Autumn Watercolors class at the Bellevue Library, 10:30am-noon, recurs on 12/11

12/4 Evergreen Middle School Orchestra and Choir at Bellevue Square, 10:30 and 11:30 (link)

12/4 How to have zero waste holidays – virtual Greener Living class, 6-7pm (link)

12/4 Yoga in the Gallery at Avenue, $40, 6pm (link) recurs Thursdays

12/4-12/6 Radium Girls play at Bellevue High School

12/4 Founders Live Bellevue at Tapster, with pitches from SQUIDminders, Oikyo AI, The Starter Set, Re Sole206, and ChrysalisX, 6pm (link)

12/5 Story and a Stroll (with a park ranger) at Mercer Slough Nature Park, now ages 2-5, 9:30-10:30am. Pre-register on Civicrec

12/5 Essentials First Holiday Fair – free hot meal and resource fair, 1-4pm (link)

12/5-12/7 Opening weekend of Bellevue Youth Theatre’s Elf: The Musical Jr.

12/5-12/7 Family Holiday sing along with Ms. Chrisi at Westin Bellevue, 4-5pm (link)

12/5 Holiday Home Tour to support the Assistance League (link)

12/5 FLEUR Studio holiday soiree in Kirkland, free, 6-9pm (link)

12/5-12/23 The Nutcracker at Meydenbauer Center Theatre (link)

12/5-12/20 The Truth by Florian Zeller at Theatre33, 7pm (link)

12/6 Event with author Lori Kothe at the  Seward Park Audubon Center in Seattle – a fun morning of bird stories, trivia, and creating bird-themed suncatchers and outdoor birdseed ornaments, free, 10am-noon (link)

12/6 Yoga in the Gallery at Avenue, 10:30am-noon, by donation (link)

12/6 Intro to Sublimation Printing & Heat Presses, Bellevue Library Makerspace, 11:30am-12:30pm (link)

12/6 Studio33 grand opening, 11:30-12:30pm (link) – learn about classes and performances, tour the classrooms, studios, and community room, and stay for the craft fair!

12/6-12/7 Theatre33 Craft Fair, free, 11:30-4pm and noon-4pm (link)

12/6 Jingle Bellevue: Cookie Decorating at Vanity Pham Salon on 102nd, 12-4pm, recurs 12/13 and 12/20, free (link)

12/6 Jingle Bellevue: Write a letter to Santa at House of Hebe, 12-4pm, recurs 12/13 and 12/20, free (link)

12/6 Jingle Bellevue: Photos with Santa at 520 Bar and Grill, 12-4pm, recurs 12/13 and 12/20, free (link)

12/6 Festival of the Nativity creches on display for 8 days, starting at 1pm (link)

12/6 Art Opening for Steve Hammond’s Scratch the Surface of Reality at Barlow Gallery, 1pm, with artist talk at 3pm

12/6 Create a wreath at Town & Country Market on Lakemont Blvd, 1-3pm (link)

12/6 Cebiche and Pisco workshop at La Mar, 3pm (link)

12/6 Holiday Barn Lighting at Kelsey Creek Farm, 5-6:30pm (link)

12/6-12/21 The Silver Key at Theatre33, performances at 11am, 2pm, and 5pm on various days (link)

12/7 Sammamish High School Winter Bazaar, free entry, noon-4pm (link)

12/7 Creator Accelerator Workshops in Factoria hosted by Google Pixel & T-Mobile, noon, free, the second module will be on 12/14 (link)

12/7 Winter Craft Workshop with natural materials at BBG, Grades K and up with adult, 1-2:30pm (link)

12/7 Noël sans Frontières 2025 in Kirkland – All French Choral Christmas Concert, 4pm, sliding scale up to $29 (link)

12/10 Wu Fei performs on zither at Bellevue College Carlson Theatre, 7:30pm (link)

12/11 Spring District Holiday Celebration and indoor Holiday Market with live reindeer and carolers, 3-7pm (link)

12/11 Intro to Autodesk Fusion at Bellevue Library Makerspace, 4:30-5:30pm (link)

12/13 Keep Bellevue Beautiful Crossroads cleanup starting at Stevenson Elementary, 9-10:30am (link)

12/13 Santa Brunch fundraiser at Moss Bay Hall for Kirkland Mainstreet, $35, 10am-1pm (link)

12/13 Winter Wonderland Kids Day Away – an ice rink field trip and pizza and a movie at Samena, 2:30-8:30pm (link)

12/13 Bellevue Chamber Chorus, 7:30pm (link)

12/15 BSD’s open transfer, choice school and language program application period opens

12/16 Glassybaby wreath-making at Suite, 6-8pm (link)

12/17 Bellevue Library Book Group: Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend, 11am-1pm (link)

12/17 Queer Climb Night at Edgeworks Bel-Red, 7-9pm (link), recurs monthly

12/19-12/21 Merry K-ristmas Market in Factoria shopping art beauty food and DIY fun with Asian-owned brands. Friday and Saturday 12 pm to 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm (link)

12/20 Christmas Bird Count – Eastside Audubon has 15 groups, and one begins at Phantom Lake in Bellevue and traverses the Greenbelt trail to Larsen Lake and Blueberry Farm. The team also drives to two other stops. 18+ (link) The Seattle event is Dec 14.

12/20 Become a Techno-Naturalist – advice on using Merlin, eBird, and iNaturalist at Seward Park Audubon in Seattle, 11am-3pm (link)

1/7 School Funding Town Hall with 10 school districts at Newport HS, 7-9pm

See updates to the Event Listing at https://newbellevue.com/?page_id=82

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