Meetings for the week of February 2nd

Nicole Myers

— 15 min read

Apologies about last week's email; the kids stayed home from school for a bit, and I'm just catching up now. I think the biggest thing that happened was the change at the Planning Commission from MU-7 to MU-8 in the HOMA proposal, meaning that eight-story buildings will be allowed in those areas instead of seven stories. I will try to do a write up of the HOMA and Council happenings at some point, but there's a basic outline at the very bottom of this email. 

Monday, February 2nd

Presentation on how staff monitors the city-funded providers

Overview of the 2027-2028 funding cycle and key dates 

Tuesday, February 3rd 

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

Consent Calendar: 

- Amendment accepting $3.5M from King County for Conservation Futures for Coal Creek/Lakemont property, $105k for site stabilization, and $4.4M for Lake Sammamish properties. It is not clear if the $4.4M is part of the $10.8M we previously received. 

- Amending MFTE program. This is a substantial program that will provide millions in tax savings and was just discussed at the Jan 13th meeting and has some complicated provisions with overlapping eligibility, non-profit/government sponsorship, and timeline changes before building permit issuance. 

- Telecom right of way for Forged Fiber (an AT&T subsidiary) that is taking ownership of much of Lumen’s fiber-to-the-home and end-user fiber assets in Bellevue’s public right-of-way. Term of 5 years.

- Authorize Exclusive Negotiations Agreement (ENA) with Su Land Inc. (Su Development) for the redevelopment of the City-owned parcels immediately north of the 130th Link station, between 130th and 132nd. The ENA formalizes a period of exclusive discussions to refine the project scope, negotiate public benefits, establish financial and development terms, and align on the delivery of the mixed-use project and Sound Transit park-and-ride facility. Developer will begin due diligence and conceptual design for the Sound Transit garage as negotiations proceed. There are deliverables at 60, 90, and 120 days after execution. The RFP (attached) estimates that the parcels could accommodate over 455 housing units, and specifies a 302 stall parking facility and a public open space on the SE corner. A previous consent calendar item (August 4th) addressed the design of an Interim P&R to be installed on a slope southwest of the station.  

Innovation Forum Update - Innovation Resolution was adopted, AI policy updated, wifi provided at the Lincoln Center safe parking site, launched the Civic Innovation Challenge (four partnerships were created with startups), hosted the Innovation Exchange event, and partnered with Bellevue College on innovation and their hackathon. Next steps are understanding existing resources and applying for grants, providing 60 devices with hot-spots to low-income households, and reviewing the privacy policy. Certivo is working on a vendor dashboard, Juganu is piloting smart streetlight monitoring for lighting, curb management, and traffic safety, Legislaide is working on ordinance look-up, policy validation, and look-up history, and FindIT AI is a high school project for lost-and-found.  

Affordable Housing Strategy for 2026-2032  - 5700 units at various levels under 80% AMI are needed, as well as 8300 market rate units. The city did significant outreach, and the community feedback and priorities are summarized.  The five goals are: Affordable Housing: Focuses on increasing the supply of income-restricted affordable housing.  Housing Equity: Focuses on eliminating disparate impacts in housing by race, ethnicity, status, sexual orientation, ability and income. 5  Housing for Unique Needs: Focuses on having more housing available and affordable for those with unique needs.  Housing Stability: Focuses on the ability of low- and moderate-income households to remain in their home and neighborhood.  Housing Supply and Diversity: Focuses on having more housing in general and more housing types available to meet the needs of people at all stages of life. Strategies and actions supporting these were evaluated to determine approximate costs and benefits.

      There is a 99 page Strategy document and a 34 page Action Plan. In the Action Plan, the High Priority Actions are to expedite short-term loans to acquire NOAH properties, co-locate housing and other city facilities, create standards for safe parking programs and reduce barriers, use fee-in-lieu in TOD areas, expand incentives in low-density land use districts for housing created by non-profits and public entities, explore levies/increment revenue/fees/bonds including for supportive services, advocate for revenue tools like REET or an expansion of the sales tax credit for affordable housing, exempt more projects from design review, choose a liaison to shepherd projects through permitting and the funding systems, for future upzoning (in MDR-1, MDR-2, and HDR zones) use fee-in-lieu and/or inclusionary zoning, create a tax exemption for vacant parking lots used for affordable housing, and maintain a 5-year plan for strategically deploying city funds (Housing Stability Program, Fee-In-Lieu, and Affordable Housing Funds), possibility of allowing additional density in exchange for on-site affordable homeownership, lower barriers to participation by those most affected, create a hub with ARCH for housing seekers, expand navigation services and partnerships with cbo's focusing on underserved communities, expand funding for extremely low-income housing, decrease minimum lot size across low density districts, enable building at heights that maximize wood-frame construction (based on the discussion at the Planning Commission on Jan 28th, I think this is referring to 8-story Type 3A construction that is allowed to be 85' tall), and prioritize continuous, regular floorplates (buildings will go up straight rather than having a daylighting plane or step-back that kicks in at 60' or 80').   

City Council initiation of the 2026 Omnibus Amendments. Historically, clean-up LUCAs have been limited to spelling corrections, outdated cross-references, scrivener’s errors, and small adjustments to clarify the intent of the code. The approach proposed for this cycle is to expand the scope to also include amendments needed to comply with state law where minimum compliance is proposed, as well as small-scale edits to the code that require limited policy direction but are not anticipated to be controversial. There will be a public hearing and project webpage and outreach, with potential Council action to approve in July. State Law Compliance: SB 5611 – Streamlining/clarifying Land Use Permitting, due July 27, 2025  SB 5571 – Building Cladding, due July 27, 2025  HB 1757 – Residential Redevelopment, due June 30, 2026  HB 1576 – Historic Preservation Reform, due July 26, 2026  SB 5509 – Childcare Reform, due July 27, 2027  SB 5559 – Unit Lot Subdivision, due July 27, 2027  HB 1096 – Lot Splitting, due July 27, 2027  HB 1183 – Building Code and Development Regulation Reform, due June 30, 2029  (Parking changes are notably not included) 

Thursday, February 5th 

Consent agenda: Classified, Certificated, and Coaches HR report, warrants and transfers: $4.6M from general fund, $952k for capital projects, $51k of ASB funds. Student and staff travel, preschool tuition increase, revised board liaisons assignments, Spiritridge donation

Superintendent Update on CTE 

Public Comment (20 minutes) 4:55 - 5:15 pm (register by noon on Wednesday)

Report on Student Engagement & the Learning Experience: student survey, Danielson Framework strategies, Social Emotional Learning with CharacterStrong in middle schools.
Mental Health Department report: screenings are limited by available staff. There are collaborations with community-based providers to support student mental health needs (Care Solace, Youth Eastside Services, Mental Health Specialist, Substance Use Specialist, Highland Health Clinic, School-based partnerships with clinicians from ACRS, Consejo, SeaMar, Sound, and Yes, and PTA funded clinicians that provide counseling). Crisis resources are listed.
For Interlake HS, acceptance of a Video Recording Studio/Green Room and partial remodel of the CTE Metals Shop
Approval of Parent Representatives and Alternates for the Disciplinary Appeal Council
Approval of Revised Board Budget Development Guidelines and Budget Parameters
Possible Executive Session

Land Use Public Meeting at 6pm for Westridge Multifamily Residences

Located at 11661 SE 1st St, this will be an eight story building with 198 units (link) - The project fronts Eastrail and has steep slopes. There is a 304 page pdf if you want more details. Intersection changes are TBD, as shown on page 54. The sidewalk with plantings and greenroof community space look nice. The rendering of the view from Eastrail is on page 74. The bike room is just below the level of the uphill side of the building and will have stairs up to Eastrail or down to the sidewalk/lobby level. Administrative departures start on page 101, Transit analysis (page 115) mentions 271, but in the future will be route 220; Link operating hours will be extended. Page 120 estimates weekday PM peak hour trips as 38 combined inbound and outbound trips. Page 167 describes stormwater detention inside the building. 

Public Hearing on draft Stormwater Management Program Plan Update (draft is 39 pages) - recent and planned increases in allowances for impervious surfaces means this is an important plan to provide input on. 

Wastewater System Plan Update - description of the existing system, policies, projected projects, recently completed projects, upcoming work to update the hydraulic models, 20 year capital strategic plan, and system policies. This is expected to be completed in mid-2027. 

Staff presentation on Utilities Financial Policies that guide rate-setting, reserves (there are seven separate reserves under utilities), and capital investments. The framework is set by the Council-adopted Comprehensive Financial Policies from Nov. 2024. 

Upcoming meetings:     

2/9 Parking Reform Info online session, 6:30-7:45 (link)

2/11 Planning Commission: PSRC centers and Evans Plaza Threshold Review 

2/13 Norcom Board Meeting at Bellevue City Hall (link)

2/25 Planning Commission: Parking Reform LUCA, Process Improvements 

3/5 ESC: Solid Waste Contract Procurement and Utilities Bill Assistance Program 

3/11 Planning Commission: Economic Development Plan Review, Great Neighborhoods Update 

3/25 Planning Commission: Affordable Housing Strategy update, BelRed LUCA update 

4/2 ESC: 2025 Financial Performance, review of CIP, and Solid Waste Contract Procurement

4/8 Planning Commission: Omnibus LUCA, High density residential LUCA 

4/22 BelRed LUCA 

Opportunities:

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 was extended through January 31st, and may still be available if you do it right away. More info at: BellevueWa.gov/SSW-plan

Sound Transit is accepting feedback on the new bus route proposal between now and February 9, 2026. To provide feedback, attend the info session on February 3 from 6 to 7 pm or email servicechanges@soundtransit.org. Routes 550 and 554 are still being discontinued. See my post on newbellevue.com for info about the Route 271 cancellation and other changes. The Online Services Survey is open now through February 20th. (link)

Budget survey looks like it is still open (link) 

The deadline to apply for Bellevue's Community Programming Fund is March 2nd - create events that enliven our outdoor public spaces with grants from $1000-$10,000.  

Recently posted on NewBellevue.com: 

We have a date! - a PSA about bus service changes coming at the end of March (link)

Fun and Educational Events  

See https://newbellevue.com/?page_id=82

Tickets for all BYT spring shows are on sale now (link)

Copper Kettle Coffee Bar is open at its usual daytime hours again: Tue-Fri 10am-2pm, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm

Kidsquest $12.12 admission after noon through Feb 8. Go Hawks!

Cirque du Soleil's Echo in Marymoor Park, through March 22nd

2/1 HIIT class hosted by Vuori at Bellevue Square, 9-11am (link)

2/1 Puget Sound Bonsai Assn’s Winter Silhouette show at BBG, 10am-4pm (link)

2/1 Book signing and artist talk with Phillip Blair at Leica Bellevue, 11am-1pm (link)

2/1 Miss Semi Sweet Cookies pop-up at Cafe Aloe, 11am-1pm

2/1 8th Annual Bellevue Club Masters Mile, $20, warm-up at noon, swim meet starts at 1pm (link)

2/1 Spongebob the Musical youth performances at Theatre33, noon and 5pm (link)

2/1 Opening reception for the Black History Month exhibition "Melodies of the Diaspora" at Bellevue Art Museum, 3-6pm - family friendly event with live performances and light refreshments, exhibition will run February 1-27 Pre-register here

2/2 BSD Preschool Enrollment opens

2/2 Startup and Small Business Coworking at City Hall with Startup425, 10:30am-2pm

2/2 Succulents 101 at Newport Way Library, 1-3pm (link)

2/2 A Cappella Joy Chorus (seeking treble singers) rehearsal near Crossroads, 7pm (link)

2/3 Dienstag Bier German Language Meetup at Applebees in BelRed, 7pm (link)

2/4 Energy Smart Eastside info session for potential volunteers, online, 6-7pm

2/5 Free Tax Help at the Bellevue Library from 10:30-5pm, arrive no later than 4pm - recurs Thursdays through April 9th

2/5 Accelerated Networking Event and speaker on staff motivation at Lakehouse, noon-2pm (link)

2/5 Yoga in the Gallery at Avenue, 6pm (link), recurs Thursdays

2/5 HERMVMT Galentine's Night networking at Suite, 6pm (link)

2/5 The Lives of Trees: Human and tree biology and ecology, with a focus on conifers, at BBG. Free, 7-9pm (link)

2/6 Story Time for Preschoolers at BBG, 10am (link)

2/6 Meet and Greet with Bluey at the Sand Garden in Issaquah, 10-11am

2/6 KidsQuest open clay studio, extra $10.50 fee for glaze and firing, 5pm (link)

2/6 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)

2/6 Improv For All with Jet City Improv is happening again in Bellevue, 7-9pm - free drop-in class for teens ages 12-19  (link) - recurs 2/13, and 2/27

2/7 Keep Bellevue Beautiful - Northtowne cleanup, 9-11am (link)

2/7 Journaling the Garden at BBG, 9-11am, (link) and Youth Nature Journaling Club noon-1pm (link)

2/7 Master Gardeners class Grow Your Flowers and Vegetables from Seed, 9:30-10:30am, online, $9 (link)

2/7 Splicy Collage and Coffee at Yarrow Bay Cafe, 10am-noon

2/7 BelRed Run Club at Downtown Park, 3 and 5 mile routes, run/walk/jog, 10am-noon, social afterward at Cafe Aloe - RSVP on Strava

2/7 FUN-raising Chess Tournament at Grand Knights Chess Academy to benefit BSF, 10am-2pm

2/7 Tax Help from AARP volunteers (no age requirement) at Lake Hills Library, 11am-5pm (link)

2/7 Galentine's event at Ascend, 11:30-1:30pm

2/7 Restorative Art Journaling class at BBG, noon-2pm

2/7 Summer Camp Expo at Bellevue College, noon-3pm (link) – free, featuring camps that serve kids ages 3-17

2/7 Winter Seed Planting Family Workshop at BBG, 1:30-3pm (link) - best for ages 5 and up with accompanying adult.

2/7 Cebiche and Pisco Workshop at La Mar, 3-4pm (link)

2/7 Soft Hours afternoon tea and BelleTreats tasting at Elements, 3-5pm (link)

2/7 Black History Month Artist talk & Exhibition at the BelRed Arts Studio, 4pm, pre-register (link)

2/7 Saxophonist Ben Wendel at Bellevue College Jazz Festival, 8pm

2/8 Bellevue Classical Piano Meetup Group at Northwest Pianos in BelRed, 10am-noon (link) - listeners do not need to RSVP

2/8 M-System for Winter Landscapes with Phillip Blair at Leica, 1-5pm (link)

2/8 Big Game Watch Party at Mirra, starts at 2pm. Free admission but reservations needed for group seating(link)

2/9 Year of the Horse Chinese Tea presentation and tasting at Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle, noon, 1pm, and 2pm

2/9 Parking Reform Info online session, 6:30-7:45 (link)

2/10 Lichen Walk at BBG, 10am-noon (link)

2/10 Sourdough class at Whisk, 10am

2/10-2/13 Conflict Resolution Coaching and Conciliator training will be held at the Bellevue Botanical Garden Feb. 10-12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, with a final virtual training on Friday, Feb. 13 during the same hours. Space is limited, apply by Jan 30 at 5pm

2/10 Quiet Reading Party at Bellevue Library for adults, 5:30-7:30pm - group introductions at 5:30pm and quiet reading from 6-7pm

2/11 All Ages (6+) Board Game Afternoon, Newport Way Library, 3:30-5:30pm

2/11 Valentine cookie decorating with Batter's Bakery at Primo's, 6-7:30pm (link)

2/11 Lake Hills Book Group meets at Bellevue Library to discuss The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan, 6:30-8pm (link)

2/12 Launchpad Expo: Consumer and CPG, 1-8:30pm (link)

2/12 Thirsty Thursday Business Networking, 4:30-6:30pm (link)

2/12 Bellevue Downtown Association Annual Celebration, 5-8:30pm

2/13 Pilates for Gardeners at BBG, 2-3pm (link)

2/13 Middles at the Museum, 4:30-7pm (link) - a KidsQuest day with Galentine's vibes for middle schoolers with pizza, printing a custom tote, and STEAM activities for ages 11+

2/13-3/1 Cyrano de Bergerac commedia dell'arte at Theatre33, 7pm and 5pm performances, (link)

2/13 Petals and Pours Galentine's Edition at Kitchen and Market in Yarrow Bay, 5:30-7:30, tickets required

2/13 Galentine's Night at Sprig Beauty Co. in Snohomish, 6:30-8pm, beauty lessons, treats and bubbles, tickets required

2/13 Art ‘n Soul painting and music event at W Bellevue, 7-9:30pm (link)

2/13 Date Night on the Dance Floor at Arthur Murray Bellevue, 7:15-9pm (link) - salsa and bachata group class, social dancing, and champagne.

2/14 Alexander's Hope Valentine's Day Dash (5K) at Downtown Park, kids dash at 8:45am, run/walk starts at 9am

2/14 Cupid's Clash at Bellevue Pickleball- morning and evening mixed doubles tournament with refreshments

2/14 Galentine's Walk - BelRed Run Club, with Jo Malone and OMO Thai Tea, 10am-noon (link) - wear red, pink, white, and glitter!

2/14 Kids' Day Away for K-5th at Samena with a visit to Monster Mini Golf, pizza and a movie, 2:30-8:30pm (link)

2/14 Velvets and Beats at W Living Room Bar, 8:30pm (link)

2/15 Story Time at BBG for K-2nd Grade, 1pm

2/18 Bellevue Library Book Group, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 11am-1pm

2/18-2/22 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival at the Seattle Convention Center

2/19 Eastside Audubon Bird Walk at BBG, 9-10:30am (link)

2/19 Lights out For Birds - documentary and panel discussion at Redmond Senior & Community Center, 5:30-7:30pm

2/19 Bellevue Book Club: Thursday Thriller at Mercury Coffee, Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito 6:30pm-8:30pm (link)

2/19-2/22 Wintergrass Music Festival at the Hyatt Regency and Westin (link)

2/20 Woven Willow Plant Support at BBG, 10am-2pm, also 2/21, classes full

2/20 Mastering Italian Breads class at Whisk, 10am

2/20-2/22 BYT PlayLab Good Boss performances

2/20 Cocoa, Coffee and Crafts at Crossroads Community Center, 6-8pm

2/21 Keep Bellevue Beautiful - Cougar Mountain/Lakemont cleanup, 9-11am (link)

2/21 Master Gardener class Vegetables A-Z, 9:30-10:30am, online, $9 (link)

2/21 Lunar New Year Celebration at Bellevue Square, 11am-6pm (link)

2/21 Lunar New Year Family Festival at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Seattle's Volunteer Park, 11am-2pm (link)

2/21 How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard - a special evening with Doug Tallamy, refreshments at 6:15 and talk at 7pm, also online (link)

2/21 IBT 25th Anniversary performance and gala at Meydenbauer Center, 7pm (link)

2/22 Book Club at Bellevue Library, 11-1pm (link)

2/22 Ecoprint on Fabric workshop at BBG, 11am-1pm (link)

2/22 Artvana Paint and Sip at Redd Dog, 1pm (link)

2/23 Startup425 Entrepreneur Networking and Panel at REI HQ in Issaquah, 8:30-10:30am

2/23 Visit Bellevue Annual Celebration, 11-1:30pm (link)

2/24 Women’s Leadership Conference, noon-5pm (link)

2/24 Corks and Canvas at Suite, 6-8pm (link)

2/25 Presentation about community solutions to stormwater challenges, 11am (link) - Hear from WSDOT, The Nature Conservancy, and Stewardship Partners; there is an optional site visit to see the Rain Boxes

2/26 Walking tour of the South Treatment Plant, 10am?

2/26 425 Business' 40 Under 40 at the Bellevue Arts Museum, 7-9pm

2/27 Pilates for Gardeners, 2-3pm (link)

2/27 Art-Tastic at KidsQuest, 4-7pm (link) - create with paint, fabric, and ceramics and meet artists

2/27 Paint and Sip at NWAC: Hearts and Roses, 7-9pm (link)

2/28 Rebalance: Recharge HIIT Yoga with Kevin Ng at W Bellevue, 9:30am-noon (link) - Bites and Beats to follow

2/28 DIY Wire Cloches class at BBG, Level 1, 9:30-11am (link) -also 3/6 - these are used in the garden to protect plants from rabbits

2/28 DIY Wire Cloches class, Level 2, noon-2pm (link) - also 3/6

2/28 Guzheng performance at Hastens Bellevue to celebrate the Lunar New Year, 6-7pm (link)

3/1 Bellevue Symphony Winter Concert at Meydenbauer Center, 3pm (link)

3/2 Deadline to apply for Bellevue's Community Programming Fund to create events that enliven our outdoor public spaces

3/2 Basics of Successful Composting at Newport Way Library, 1-3pm (link)

3/7 Outdoors for All Spreefest fundraiser, 8:30-4pm - Tickets are $100, and there are also volunteer opportunities. Includes lift ticket, event shirt, racecourse access, lunch, raffle, demos, beer garden, music and afterparty

3/7 Eastgate Keep Bellevue Beautiful Cleanup, 9-11am (link)

3/7 Bug Bonanza at BBG, 1-2:30pm (link) - best for ages 4-9

3/7 Master Gardener class Go Native - Get to Know Native PNW Bulbs, 9:30-10:30am, online, $9 (link)

3/7 Shooting with Purpose: Travel Photography with Steve Collins at Bellevue Leica, 4:30pm (link)

3/7 Fashion is ART at Bellevue Art Museum, 6-11pm (link)

3/9 Discover Parks free day

3/11 Lake Hills Book Group meets at Lake Hills Library to discuss Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan, 6:30-8pm

3/13 Lichen Walk at BBG, 10am-noon (link)

3/14 The Premier Event dinner and auction at W Bellevue to support Bellevue School Foundation, 5:30-10pm

3/18 Bellevue Library Book Group, Book and Dagger by Elyse Graham, 11am-1pm

3/19 Eastside Audubon Bird Walk at BBG, 9-10:30am

3/19 Leadership Eastside Class of 2026 will present their adaptive campaigns at Bellevue College, 9-11am

3/20 & 3/21 Dahlia Tuber Sale at BBG

3/21 Lake Hills Keep Bellevue Beautiful Cleanup, 9-11am (link)

3/21 Spring Flowers in Ink and Watercolor Class at BBG, 1-3pm

3/21 Bingo Night at Crossroads Community Center, 6-8pm

3/22 NPA March Mania Plant Sale (link)

3/24 Corks and Canvas napkin painting at Suite, 6-8pm (link)

3/26 A Garden of Useful Spaces talk at BBG, 7pm

3/27 Paint and Sip at NWAC: Cherry Blossom Breeze, 7-9pm (link)

3/28 Seed Starting Tips and Techniques from BBG, 10-11:30am

3/30 Bellevue College Golf Scramble and Athletics Fundraiser, noon (link)

Tuesday, January 27th 

Public hearing on BSD levies

2025 Human Services Needs Update

Update on Safe Speeds Bellevue

Affordable Housing rezoning near Mercer Slough

Wednesday, January 28th 

Housing Opportunities in Mixed Use Areas (HOMA)

 Process improvements 

Read more