Meetings for the week of July 14th

Monday, July 14th 

Sustainable Bellevue Open House, 5:30-8pm at Crossroads Park (link) 

Tuesday, July 15th 

City Council, 6pm (link) 

Energy Smart Eastside Program Update - equitable home electrification with a current emphasis on heat pumps. $1000 community-wide heat pump discounts, $6000 instant rebate available to moderate income households (under 150 percent area median income), and full cost coverage for heat pumps to households under 80 percent area median income. The low-income heat pump program will be opened up to renters in single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and four-unit buildings, with the provision that property owners agree to the work and cap rent increases the following two years. Space heating accounts for two-thirds of natural gas use. Additional weatherization efforts may start in 2026.

Mary Theisen has been recommended for the Environmental Services Commission and Eric Drever has been recommended for the Parks & Community Services Board 

Consent Calendar:    

Claims ($41M) and payroll ($18.5M) for June   

Affirming selection of Sierra Transportation Technologies for video analytics for Road Safety Audits (appeal by GridMatrix) at 79 signalized intersections (Downtown, BelRed, and Crossroads), identifying the presence of cyclists, pedestrians, speed and speed percentiles, road user violations, conflict severity, etc.    

Authorizing a Technology Innovation Policy Framework to support and encourage design partnerships between the city of Bellevue and businesses and start-ups seeking civic design partnerships    

Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Program) and PNEMA (Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Arrangement) with Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, which provides the option for the City of Bellevue to participate in intrastate and state-to-state mutual aid during times of emergency or disaster. Bellevue has participated in these since 2005, and this will be for a 5 year term. 

Public Hearing: Release of a water easement in the Eastgate area. 

Public Hearing: Ordinance extending the life of certain complete building permit applications, complete clearing and grading permit applications, issued building permits, and issued clearing and grading permits. This grants additional time for developers to evaluate market conditions and evaluate the viability of their individual construction projects. This proposed ordinance provides a 180- day extension to applications and issued permits plus an opportunity for an additional 180-day extension for applications that have all approvals.

Study Session: Bellevue Financial Outlook update. The forecast reflects a continuation of the 2024 forecast that served as the basis for the 2025-2026 Adopted Budget and sets the stage for the technical 2025-2026 mid-biennium process that will be before Council for consideration this fall.

Written report: Intergovernmental Affairs Monthly Update  - Report on Travel Ban, Medicaid cuts, State Revenue Forecast (decline since April, but not enough to trigger a special session), Association of Washington Cities priorities (raising property tax, Urban Growth Area expansion, etc), Clean Building Performance Standards rulemaking workshops are being offered, Joint Transportation Committee (TOD policies will be studied by Urban Institute, and recommendations so far are to increase neighborhood infrastructure and direct affordable housing funding and purchasing of public lands, further upzoning near light rail, and refining MFTE to address different submarket), WSDOT project delivery review, Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit for wastewater treatment, and a reduced LCB cannabis buffer zone based on travel path instead of radius. There were also updates from the King County and PSRC committees.      

Written report: Mid-point check in on the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Update Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA). Now that the technical consultant has completed the best available science (BAS) review and gap analysis, this will finalize the LUCA scope.  Community input includes: Incorporating performance-based strategies for urban streams, using development to enhance buffer conditions and critical area protections  Allowing multiple units under reasonable use exceptions to reflect middle housing density changes  Providing flexibility for development on steep slopes  Eliminating the density/intensity factor that limits housing density potential  Ensuring equity considerations are integrated throughout.  Additional community engagement will follow the release of the public draft in late July to present key changes and collect further feedback.  120 page Best Available Science report lists options (much of this is a copy of the report from 2016).  45 page gap analysis has recommendations that includes tree code, critical area buffer setbacks, review of the # of dwelling units/acre, activities allowed in critical areas, hazard tree assessment, expanded riparian protection recommendations that are no longer based on fish use, structure setbacks, and Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARAs)

Wednesday, July 16th 

Parks and Community Services Board, 6pm (link)

SplashForward Aquatic Center feasibility study / Bellevue Airfield Park Master Plan Update - Staff is working to determine best procurement methods 

Ashwood Park Master Plan update - environmental review in process, may take a year

Kelsey Creek Park Bathroom needs replacement, evaluation has begun

Forest Drive and Red Cedar trailheads - Forest Drive trailhead will be expanded while sewer line work near Red Cedar is ongoing (may last 3-4 years)

Mercer Slough - farm stand is open, and design and permitting work are underway for the Winters House

Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase II will include gateway plaza, additional parking and an interim shoreline promenade expansion (design and permitting expected to take 3 years before construction begins). 

Park Operations Facility construction may start in 2027

Robinswood Tennis Center exterior siding work should be completed this summer 

Robinswood Park playground redesign for 2027

Eastgate neighborhood park will be presented at the 7/24 community meeting 

Lake Sammamish neighborhood park - property acquisition is partially done, and work to permit demolition is underway.      

Sustainable Bellevue Plan presentation. Resilience strategies include: 1. Prioritize climate resilience in managing tree canopy and natural systems. 2. Enhance new and existing stormwater infrastructure with low-impact design to improve water quality and support stream health. 3. Reduce communitywide per capita water use to enhance resilience to drought.  Actions may include Pilot a resilience hub, Create a recommended list for tree planting (like this one from Kirkland), Expand and maintain tree canopy, Explore need for city arborist/forester, Continue targeted land acquisition, Preserve forest health on Native Growth Protection Areas, Electrifying yardcare equipment, Stream daylighting in BelRed, Incentivizing green stormwater infrastructure, Drought preparedness public education in partnership with Cascade Water Alliance, Low water and sustainable landscaping practices. 

     Discussion of Renovation and Refurbishment Program -  project costs typically range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 dollars,  ranging from roof and siding replacement, HVAC and accessibility improvements, to kitchen or restroom upgrades as well as renovation of planted areas, irrigation systems, removal of invasives and liability trees.

      Chair and Vice-Chair Elections 

Thursday, July 17th

Bellevue Housing Equity Candidate Forum, 6-7:30pm (link) Candidates for City Council Position 1 (Vishal Bhargava, Paul Clark, Eddie Chang, and Nicholas Ton) will share their positions during this virtual event. 

Upcoming:  

7/23 Deadline to apply for this year's Bellevue Essentials course (link)

7/23 Planning Commission: Critical Areas Ordinance, BelRed LUCA, Neighborhood Area Planning 

7/23 BNOA housing and transportation meeting

7/23 Neighborhood Walk in Eastgate from SBCC (link)

7/24 Association of Washington Cities Legislative Priorities Committee (link)

7/24 Neighborhood Walk in Cougar Mountain/Lakemont (link)

7/31 BSD School Board Meeting (retreat on the 29th)

8/13 BDC meeting 

9/4 ESC Surface and Storm Water System Plan Update, Utility Bill Assistance Program Expansion

9/10 Planning Commission: HOMA and Planning Commision roles & responsibilities

9/11 Transportation Commission: MIP Update, TFP Update, Curb Pricing 

9/18 NEP open house at NWAC for Northwest Bellevue 

10/2 ESC: Sewer cost-of-service analysis 

10/7 Environmental Sustainability draft at Council, for adoption Nov 18th 

10/8 Quarterly BDC meeting 

10/8 Planning Commission, Neighborhood Area Planning – Eastgate & Factoria, Affordable Housing Strategy Update

10/9 Transportation Commission: MIP and TFP updates 

Fun and educational events:

7/15 Art on the Avenue guided tour 5:30-6:30 (link)

7/15 Sustainable Stitching 6-7:30pm, Bellevue Library Makerspace (link)

7/15 Downtown Movies in the Park: Moana 2 Entertainment begins at 7pm and the movie at dusk

7/16 Live at Lunch Concert and food trucks 12-1pm, Symetra Center (link) continues on most W/Th/F at various locations in Downtown Bellevue 

7/17 Bellevue Farmers Market, 3-7:30pm (link)

7/17 Youth for Impact Fair at Downtown Park, 3-8pm (link)

7/19 $5 Yoga in the park (link)

7/19 free Boxing for Belonging workout series in Downtown Park, 1:30-3pm 

7/19 Seattle International Culture and Arts Festival (24 dances at Crossroads) 4-6:30pm (link)

7/22 Pop! Phase Out Plastic 6-7pm, virtual (link) 

7/25 Rethink, Reuse, Refresh: Safer Cleaners 12-1pm, Bellevue Botanical Garden (link) 

7/25-7/27 Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend (link)

7/30 Build a Popsicle Stick Catapult 3-4:30pm, Bellevue Library (link)

7/30 Chalk Art Fest at the Northwest Arts Center, 3-6pm 

8/1-8/3 Seafair Weekend (link)

Opportunities: 

Volunteer slots for the Downtown Movie in a Park series can be found here. There are setup slots from 5-8pm and cleanup slots from 9-midnight on Tuesdays.

Bellevue Essentials applications are being taken now for the class of 2025, through July 23rd. This is a ten week course that's an introduction to Bellevue city government and is a great way to get started if you'd like to be involved or volunteer. https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/community-development/neighborhoods/classes-and-events/bellevue-essentials