Bellevue City Council Regular Meeting - July 22, 2025

The Bellevue City Council met on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered several significant items including a report on the Republic Services work stoppage, approval of the tourism promotion area budget and strategic plan, a study session on the Grand Connection Crossing funding proposal, a code amendment for motorized foot scooters, and an update on the Sustainable Bellevue plan. The meeting included oral communications from 14 registered speakers.

Oral Communications

• Paul Clark (speaking personally, not as a parks board member) urged caution on Grand Connection funding, particularly tax increases and long-term revenue diversions. He stated that Bellevue faces a transportation infrastructure crisis and that funding the Grand Connection should be part of a larger plan that prioritizes basic road functionality and addresses congestion.
• Maria Frost (Vice President of Government Affairs, Kemper Development Company) urged the council to remove the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) as a tier-one funding source for the Grand Connection, arguing that TBD revenues should be directed toward critical transportation needs such as congestion relief, not economic development or placemaking. She cited city data estimating the crossing would add only 80-860 new bicycle and pedestrian trips by 2044.
• Patrick Bannon (President and CEO, Bellevue Downtown Association) and Pearl Lung (Senior Manager of Public Policy, Amazon), as co-chairs of the Friends of the Grand Connection, expressed strong support for the project. They described it as addressing a critical safety and connectivity gap and emphasized that the investment would catalyze growth and economic development. They encouraged keeping all funding options on the table and focusing on private, philanthropic, state, and federal funding.
• Jody Alberts (Bellevue Chamber) expressed strong support for the proposed code amendment allowing micromobility options like scooters, stating they are essential for last-mile connectivity with light rail and reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips. She urged timely action on a permit process for a pilot program.
• Court Wilson (Climate Action Bellevue chapter) commented on the sustainability presentation, noting that the new plan falls short of putting the city on a trajectory to meet its 2050 carbon neutrality target. He highlighted that critical actions like decarbonizing buildings and reducing vehicle miles traveled require more funding and proposed that the city could solve the budget issue in the next biennium.
• Craig Spiesel (Bellevue resident) expressed concern about using TBD funding for the Grand Connection, stating it is a placemaking initiative, not a transportation project. He argued that using TBD funds for this purpose could undermine public trust and put the city at legal risk. He recommended moving private funding to tier one and evaluating other budget areas for funding.
• Nicole Myers raised concerns about the Critical Area Ordinance update, asking the council to clarify whether the city will follow best available science for stream buffers. She also commented on the sustainability plan, missed opportunities for EV readiness in middle housing, and asked for scooter regulations to include front lights and lower speed limits in parks.
• Hayden Harvey (Lime's government affairs) expressed strong support for the micromobility code amendments, noting that Lime's app has been opened nearly 80,000 times in Bellevue since the last pilot ended in 2019. He urged the council to advance a shared e-scooter and e-bike pilot as soon as possible, emphasizing partnerships for pedestrian safety, parking, and accessibility.
• Matt Jack (Bellevue Downtown Association) voiced continued support for updating the city's code for motorized foot scooters and recommended a pilot-based approach with stakeholder notifications and feedback loops. He also encouraged the city to plan proactively for emerging micromobility devices.
• Keith Swenson (Gardens of Town Square resident) expressed appreciation for recent traffic safety initiatives and highlighted that 36 deaths and serious injuries occurred in intersection accidents in 2024. He stressed the importance of reducing speed limits and improving pedestrian safety.
• Paul Rood criticized the city's extended construction noise hours, arguing they were imposed without proper outreach to low-density communities and ignored health impacts. He called on new council members to work with moderate members to restore noise control.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous voice vote: the consent calendar, which included the approval of council minutes from June 17, 2025; Resolution 10528 authorizing the write-off of 22 uncollectable accounts totaling $77,966.32; and Resolution 10529 authorizing a four-year contract with Pacific Office Automation for copiers and related services, not to exceed $814,495.76.

Reports of Boards and Commissions

• 25-515: 2026 Recommended Budget and Strategic Plan for the Bellevue-Redmond Tourism Promotion Area (TPA)
  • The Bellevue-Redmond TPA Advisory Board presented the proposed 2026 budget and strategic plan. Highlights included: 2.2 million overnight visitors in 2024 generating $1.9 billion in economic impact; a goal of 2.5 million visitors and $2.1 billion in economic impact in 2026 for Bellevue; and a 5% increase in overnight visitors for Redmond, targeting 520,000 visitors and $13.9 million in additional economic impact. Council directed staff to return with legislation as part of the 2026 mid-biennial technical adjustment to support expenditures consistent with the recommended budget and strategic plan. Motion passed unanimously.

City Manager Report

• Republic Services Work Stoppage – Wendy Weiker (Republic Services) reported that a solidarity strike by drivers with Boston-based colleagues caused an eight-day service disruption (July 9-18). Republic Services resumed normal collections on July 21. During the stoppage, the city and Republic operated free waste drop-off events, collecting 223 tons of material. Billing credits will be automatically applied to all affected Bellevue customers on their next bill.
• New Fire Chief – City Manager Diane Carlson reintroduced Chief Dave Tate, who has served with the city for 28 years and was named acting chief in April. He will lead the fire department with a focus on high standards, compassion, and skill.

Study Session Items

a) 25-517: Bellevue Grand Connection – Program Updates and Funding Proposal

• Staff presented a high-level funding plan for the Grand Connection Crossing, a $150-200 million project to extend the Grand Connection across I-405, linking downtown with Wilburton and the Eastrail Corridor. Funding options were presented in three tiers: Tier 1 included Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – projected to generate $50-100 million over 25 years – and a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) with potential revenue from a vehicle license fee ($2 million/year) or sales tax increase ($10 million/year). Tier 2 included philanthropic, private, state, and federal grants (including a $2 million congressional earmark from Representative Adam Smith). Tier 3 included B&O tax and banked property tax capacity. The council voted unanimously to direct staff to move forward with the state application for alternative delivery (GCCM) and to prepare to fund the next phase. Several council members emphasized transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the need to balance this project with other transportation priorities. Councilmember Lee stressed that the council has many funding options and should not be limited by the tier structure.

b) 25-518: Recommended Bellevue City Code 11.48.210 Amendments – Motorized Foot Scooters

• Staff presented proposed code amendments to align city regulations with state law, allowing scooters on roadways, bike lanes, paved trails, and in parks (unless signed as prohibited), but prohibiting them on sidewalks (unless no safe alternative) and unpaved trails. The Transportation Commission recommended removing the helmet requirement (though staff will encourage usage) and adopting state-mandated speed limits (15 mph), age requirements (16+), and hours of operation. Council directed staff to finalize the ordinance for action as part of a future consent agenda. Council members expressed strong support, with interest in advancing a shared scooter pilot program by spring 2026. Concerns were raised about infrastructure, safety, enforcement, and equity. Motion passed unanimously.

c) 25-519: Sustainable Bellevue Quarterly Progress Report and 2026-2030 Plan Update

• Staff reported that the city has exceeded its 2030 municipal operations emissions reduction goal (57% reduction). However, the community-wide goal of a 50% reduction by 2030 is not on track; the target could be achievable by 2035. High-impact strategies include decarbonizing existing buildings (through programs like Energy Smart East Side and Clean Buildings Incentive Program) and reducing vehicle miles traveled (via expanded transit, walking, and biking infrastructure). The draft plan is expected for public comment in August, with council review in October and adoption in November. Council members expressed support for the update, requested clearer metrics and cost estimates, and emphasized the need for robust budgets and clear prioritization of actions within the city's control.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent calendar.
• Approved: Motion to direct staff to return with legislation for the TPA budget and strategic plan.
• Approved: Motion to direct staff to finalize the motorized foot scooter code ordinance for consent agenda.
• Approved: Motion to direct staff to proceed with the state alternative delivery application for the Grand Connection and to prepare to fund the next phase.
• Next Steps: Staff will bring the Grand Connection analysis back in the fall; the Sustainable Bellevue draft plan will be released for public comment in August with council consideration in October; the scooter ordinance will return for adoption.
• Note: The next council meeting will be on Monday, August 4, 2025 (due to election day on Tuesday, August 5). No meeting on the fifth Tuesday of July.