Meetings for the week of November 10th
News
https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/transportation/projects/transportation-capital-projects/urban-core-bike-network-connections Design is currently 60-90% complete in seven corridors, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.
Tuesday, November 11th
City Council, 6pm (link)
There will be 30 minutes for public comment; speaker sign-up starts at noon (link)
Consent Calendar:
Acceptance of FEMA/DHS grant for $383k, with a 10% local match, for the fire department to train 120 Peer Support team members in Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Shoreline, & Eastside over two years.
Acceptance of franchise in Beaux Arts, so our Utilities Department can use their right-of-way for a water transmission main (which does not serve Beaux Arts customers, but does provide backup emergency water supply to the Town). This also establishes clear expectations about permits, road closures, survey marker restoration, sharing GIS and ground-penetrating radar data, coordination on excavation, liability insurance, etc. in advance of the planned maintenance work to replace in 2026 (the current pipe is over 50 years old).
Residential Parking Zone 11 was established to address spillover parking occurring near Kelsey Creek Park and the International School, and the zone where staff is authorized to implement it (if needed and desired by the community) is being expanded to include sections of 129th, 128th, and 130th.
Resolution to adopt the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was presented on Oct 7.
Public Hearing on the Budget and CIP mid-biennium update
This budget update includes Adopting the 2026 funding recommendations for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, Adopting the 2026 Pay Plans, Setting School impact fees, Setting Development Services 2026 Rates, Setting Sewer Utility 2026 Rates, Formalizing Wireless Communication Fee Schedule, Preserve the full banked levy amount available to the City, Adopt 2026 property tax levies, and Adopt “umbrella” budget ordinance which includes appropriation approval by fund, 2026 pay plans, and summarizations of grants and donations accepted that are less than $350,000. The proposed changes add $39.8M to the budget, for a total of over $1.9B. The increase for the General Fund is actually more than that, but there's almost a $13M reduction in the Human Services Fund and other reductions that decrease the total).
Council is looking at other ways to meet Human Services needs and might expand agreements with existing providers. (Note: There was a recent announcement of $235,000 for nutrition services which will come from operating contingency funds and donations - over 3000 Bellevue households are eligible for SNAP. There was a mention of $17M that Bellevue has already spent on human services, but I'm not sure why it doesn't show up in the budget docs for this meeting.)
Council discussion of the Critical Areas Ordinance update, which is required to be updated by the end of this year. In the memo, the current proposal includes a larger number of units for the reasonable use exception, upzoning near critical areas by removing the Density/Intensity calculation for development yield, and stream buffer standards that were strongly protested by WDFW because they ignore the Best Available Science and put salmon at risk. There are also buffer reductions around "degraded" streams that will be very useful for increasing development in the BelRed area, and exemptions for construction work near some steep slopes. There are also some new protections for critical aquifer recharge areas and wildlife corridors.
Co-living is also required to be implemented by the end of this year, in accordance with HB 1998. There is a typo in the agenda memo that says it's within 1/2 mile walk of Major Transit, but it is correctly 1/4 mile walk in the map and community handout. In the info session that was held about a week ago, it was stated that there would need to be a change of use permit if an ordinary home is being converted, and fire code requirements will also apply, so the building would need to have sprinklers or fire-resistant walls between units, and therefore perhaps most of the buildings used for co-living will be purpose-built. It also seems likely that short-term rentals will not be technically allowed. Co-living will be a subdivision of rooming house, which is distinct from boarding houses (that do allow short-term rentals) in city code. The plan is also to only allow 24 units where 6 units are allowed (without the fee in lieu). This policy did not appear on the Planning Commission calendar, as would typically occur with a new policy, so it should be scrutinized now.
You might have a 9999 sqft lot that's allowed to build almost 15,000 sqft by the FAR (but the lot coverage percentage may mean less is feasible), that could have 24 units that are on average 450 sqft each and 4200 sqft of common areas, in a three or four story building (only three stories on a flat lot). These would be called sleeping units even if they have multiple bedrooms, and these would not be allowed to have kitchens, but they otherwise might feel like apartments. I think the Council could still choose to clarify standards for on-site building management presence, etc., but that's unlikely unless they hear a good argument from city residents. Co-living was one of the two aspects for the Middle Housing decision that I created a petition about, so if you have more questions, I'm happy to talk about them more.
Report on Emergency Procurement for the October 2025 NE 24th Sinkhole: Because the sewer line’s depth (20 feet below grade) exceeded City crew safety limits, the Utilities Department retained a qualified excavation and sewer repair contractor. The emergency repair project included the excavation and replacement of the failed sewer lateral, installation of appropriate trench safety systems due to the depth of excavation, backfill and roadway restoration, and stabilization of any compromised sidewalk and roadway surfaces. Interwest Construction Inc. was paid $384,598, inclusive of all taxes.
The legislative update mentions that the state faces a growing budget shortfall, debates over new tax proposals, and ongoing work on major issues including housing, permitting reform, economic development tools, and environmental regulations ahead of the session’s January start.
Thursday, November 13th
BSD school board meeting, 4:30pm (link)
Consent calendar has financial, HR, and travel approvals
Public Comment (20 minutes) 4:55 - 5:15 pm (register by noon on Wednesday)
School Improvement Plans: Elementary key improvement strategies center on high-quality literacy and math instruction, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and culturally responsive practices. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), data-driven interventions, and strong family engagement are also emphasized. Secondary schools are employing MTSS, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and targeted academic interventions, supported by professional learning communities and equity-focused staff development. There are also sections about measuring success, sustainability, and equity imperatives. Individual SIPs for Chinook MS and Newport Heights ES show how these might be tailored to a specific school and include the student statistics and testing scores.
Safety and Security Report: Life safety training, student and community preparedness, threat assessment program, physical security enhancements, emergency supplies, safety teams and reunification planning work was done this year. Challenges and next steps are described.
Stride will use part of the Ashwood Elementary property for bus charging.
Resolution for $75M in levy money to be collected on behalf of the school district, an increase of around $0.04 per $1,000, but less than the $84M approved by voters. There will be approval of the 2026 Levy Committees.
There is also a finance discussion to follow - negative cash flow so far this year, but cash balances are positive.
Upcoming meetings:
11/15 Keep Bellevue Beautiful Eastgate cleanup, 9am (link)
11/17 Code and Policy Town Hall, 5:30-7:30pm (link) Hear what’s next for current projects and upcoming changes that could shape development, housing and more.
11/19 Bellevue Essentials Graduation event at City Hall, 7-9pm (link)
11/20 Diversity Advantage Plan open house - Dinner and activities for children will be provided. Please pre-register. 6-8pm
11/18 City Council meeting may include TFP
12/4 BSD school board meeting
12/4 KG Wilburton MDP public hearing on Teams, 6pm (link)
12/4 ESC: roles and responsibilities
12/9 City Council meeting to include Curb Pricing
12/10 Planning Commission: HOMA public hearing
1/14 Planning Commission: BelRed LUCA update and Comp Plan Amendment preview
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 by Nov. 12 through a short online survey and to apply for a focus group (link)
You can host a Disaster Resilience Network workshop for your neighborhood by using the facilitator guide at bellevuewa.gov/hazard-preparation - in eight different languages. Help your community get to 2 Weeks Ready.
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.
Bellevue has a community pulse survey specific to inclusion, culture and engagement (link)
Library patron engagement survey is open through November 14th (link)
Speed Safety Camera Program: See the interactive map and share your feedback here through Nov 30th (link)
Fun and Educational Events:
11/10-11/16 Bellevue Noodle Week – a Visit Bellevue celebration of noodles where you track your participation with the Vibemap app (link)
11/10 Super Fun School Out Day at Boys & Girls Club, K-12, 8am-6pm
11/12 Bellevue Chamber Economic Forecast Summit, 7-9am (link)
11/12 Bellevue Library Youth Council Interest Meeting, 2pm (link)
11/13 Drop-in Ancestry Help at the Bellevue Library, 10:30-12:30pm
11/13 Autumn Watercolors class at the Bellevue Library, 10:30am-noon, recurs on 11/20, 12/4 and 12/11
11/13 Save food and money, Holiday Edition – Greener Living class, 6-7pm on Zoom (link)
11/14 Native American Heritage Month celebration: Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Community, at City Hall, 6-8pm
11/14 Cookie Decorating Class at Suite, 6-8pm (link)
11/14 The Sophia Way Coming Home fundraiser, 6:30pm (link)
11/14-11/16 Bellevue Youth Theatre’s Wendy and Peter: Into Neverland is sold out
11/14-11/16 Uncle Vanya in Russian with subtitles, ages 14 (link) there are other performances through 11/23, some at 5pm and some at 7pm
11/14 Light and Dark: Music and Poetry at St. Thomas in Medina, tickets $30, 7:30-9pm (link)
11/15 Keep Bellevue Beautiful Eastgate cleanup, 9am (link)
11/15 Weekly Children’s Storytime at Barnes & Noble, 11am (link)
11/15 Festival of Trees Gala to support Jubilee REACH, 5pm (link)
11/15 Worthy: TEDxSammamish Women
11/15 Aerial Acrobatics performances at Suite, 8pm, 8:40pm, and 9:15pm (link) – recurs 11/22, and 11/29
11/16 Storytime for K-2 at BBG, 1-1:30pm (link)
11/16 TedX Factoria Humanity on the Brink, 3-5:30pm (link)
11/16 Artist Talk & Walk with Kevin Cosley and Guest of Honor Patti Warashina at the Meydenbauer Convention Center
11/17 Code and Policy Town Hall, 5:30-7:30pm (link) Hear what’s next for current projects and upcoming changes that could shape development, housing and more.
11/19 Bellevue Library Book Group: Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal, 11am-1pm (link)
11/19 Bellevue Essentials Graduation event at City Hall, 7-9pm (link)
11/20 Audubon Bird Walk at BBG, $5 per person, 9-10:30am (link)
11/20 Diversity Advantage Plan open house – Dinner and activities for children will be provided. Please pre-register. 6-8pm
11/21 Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink opens – group skating lessons will be taught from 5:30-7:30pm most days (free with admission) (link)
11/21-11/23 Opening weekend of Bellevue Youth Theatre’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
11/21-11/23 Julefest in Ballard at National Nordic Museum, 5-9 and 10-5pm, reserve tickets in advance (link)
11/22 Bellevue Farmers Market Holiday Market, 10am-3pm (link)
11/22 Home Movie Day 2025 – get advice on digitization from MIPoPS at the Bellevue Library, 12-5pm
11/26 Wednesday night “O Christmas Tea” British Comedy on stage at the Meydenbauer Center, 7:30-9pm, tickets start at $49 (link)
11/28 Open Mic Night at Third Culture Coffee, 6-9pm (link)
11/28-11/29 KidsQuest Gingerbread workshops, multiple times, the 21+ event is on Friday at 5pm (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)
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 Makerspace tour: Tools for Festive Fixing at the Bellevue Library, 6-7:30pm (link)
12/4 How to have zero waste holidays – virtual Greener Living class, 6-7pm (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
12/5-12/7 Opening weekend of Bellevue Youth Theatre’s Elf: The Musical Jr.
12/5 Holiday Home Tour to support the Assistance League (link)
12/5-12/23 The Nutcracker at Meydenbauer Center Theatre (link)
12/6 Holiday Barn Lighting at Kelsey Creek Farm, 5-6:30pm (link)
12/7 Winter Craft Workshop with natural materials at BBG, Grades K and up with adult, 1-2:30pm (link)