Bellevue Environmental Services Commission Meeting - September 8, 2025
Bellevue Environmental Services Commission Meeting - September 8, 2025
The Environmental Services Commission met on September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM. The meeting included the introduction of new commissioner Mary Tyson, approval of previous minutes, public comment, and an informational briefing on the storm and surface water system plan update. No formal decisions were made beyond routine approvals.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A member of the public, identified as Mr. Zimmerman, spoke in a highly confrontational manner, accusing the commission and city council of being "Nazi Gestapo" and "pigs" for canceling meetings. He also referenced political topics and expressed support for former President Trump. The chair responded by stating the commission does not condone hateful speech but respects First Amendment rights.
Discussion Items
- Welcome of New Commissioner: Mary Tyson introduced herself, noting her 25+ years as a Bellevue resident, experience at Starbucks and a nonprofit supporting low-income students, and her interest in capital planning and inclusion.
- Staff Reports: Eric LaFrance (Planning Manager) welcomed Commissioner Tyson and announced iPad swap and retirement of Linda De Bolt. New Engineering Assistant Director Dave Baich introduced himself, sharing his background from Port of Seattle and private consulting on utilities.
- Council Update: Councilmember Lee thanked commissioners for their volunteer service and expressed optimism for the coming year.
- Approval of Minutes: The July 10, 2025 meeting minutes were approved by motion.
- Storm and Surface Water System Plan Update: Divya Pasopoletti and Eric LaFrance presented an overview of the plan update process. Key points included:
- The plan is updated every 10 years, last in 2015.
- Purpose: guidance document for stormwater management, identifying system needs, recommendations, financial resources, and maintenance practices.
- Reasons for update: growth, climate change, evolving regulations, new technology, and updated comprehensive plan.
- Process includes data collection, public outreach, planning criteria, regulatory compliance review, system needs/asset management, environmental stewardship, operations & maintenance, capital investment plan, and financial analysis.
- Public outreach: tabling at Crossroads International Festival engaged over 100 people; top priorities from stickers were "plant trees for erosion control" and "reduce flooding."
- Planning criteria: regulatory compliance, reliable infrastructure, environmental stewardship, maintenance, service equity.
- Regulatory agencies: Dept. of Ecology (NPDES Phase II), FEMA, WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, King County, US Fish & Wildlife.
- Asset management includes renewal/replacement program and culvert condition assessment; 50% of stormwater pipes CCTV'd.
- Environmental programs: monitoring, watershed management plan, FEMA Community Rating System (25% flood insurance discount).
- Financial analysis: no outstanding debt, cash-funded CIP, high bond rating.
- Timeline: public engagement completed fall 2025, program evaluation next, draft plan by end 2026/early 2027.
- ESC will have two future presentations: mid-2026 on policy/code changes, late 2026/early 2027 on draft plan with recommendation to council.
- Commissioner Questions and Comments:
- Commissioner asked if best practices from other utilities are considered; Eric noted Washington and Prince George's County are leaders, and staff participates in APWA and Ecology pilot programs.
- Commissioner appreciated early public outreach and requested a summary of public feedback.
- Commissioner inquired about focus on hard-hit neighborhoods; Divya explained outreach targets diverse communities, and Eric noted highly urbanized areas like Crossroads/Bel-Red corridor are priorities.
- Discussion on service equity criteria: used in project prioritization, but often falls after mandates. Commissioner suggested reconsidering its weight.
- Clarification on project prioritization: uses risk model (consequence/likelihood of failure) and eight ranking categories; public input on criteria previously aligned with staff rankings.
- Commissioner asked about addressing tire dust harming salmon; Divya confirmed the plan will consider such contaminants, citing Kelsey Creek basin study.
Key Outcomes
- Motions Approved: Agenda approved as presented. July 10, 2025 meeting minutes approved.
- Next Steps: ESC will receive further briefings in 2026 on policy changes and the draft stormwater plan. The final plan is expected by end of 2026 or early 2027.
- Calendar Reviewed: Upcoming ESC topics include sewer cost of service analysis (October), bill assistance discussion (November), wastewater system plan update (November), and budget planning for 2026.
- Meeting Adjourned: 7:38 PM.
Meeting Transcript
It's 6 30 p.m. and I call the September 4th Environmental Services Commission meeting to order. First, we will do a roll call. Commissioner Letterman. Present. Commissioner DuPirtis. Commissioner DuPuris absent at the moment. Commissioner Heinash. Commissioner Laxon. Present. Commissioner Margolis. And Commissioner Tyson. Presence. Thank you. Good evening. And welcome to the September 4th Environmental Services Commission meeting. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce our newest commissioner, Mary Tyson. And I'll ask Mary to share a little bit about herself, her background, and her interests in the Environmental Services Commission work. Mary. Thank you. I am a longtime Bellevue resident for more than 25 years. And a business and nonprofit exec. So I have spent 15 years at Starbucks managing joint ventures, creating new businesses, and really enjoy the business aspects of planning, capital planning, really making investment decisions that benefit the greater good. And currently I serve at a nonprofit where we support low-income students all across Washington State. And we really look at issues of inclusion and diversity. And I think that's a great lens to bring to the work here. So it's a pleasure to work with you all. Thank you. Thank you, Mary. Next, uh, we're going to approve the agenda. May I have a motion to approve the agenda? Move to approve the agenda. Second. Thank you. Are there any um anyone wants to make any changes to the agenda? No? All right. Then hearing no objections, the agenda is approved as motioned. Okay. So uh just noting that Commissioner DuPertis is now present. Thank you. Um, all right, we're going to move to oral and written communications. Oral and written communications are now open. Remember that there is a three-minute time limit per person and 30 minutes total per meeting. Public comment shall be limited to matters relating to City of Bellevue government and to subject matters encompassed within the power and duties of this commission. Persons participating in commission meetings must not engage in speech or conduct that disrupts, disurbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any meeting. Disruptions may include and are not limited to failure of a speaker to comply with the commission bylaws concerning public comment. And given the fact that we're in an election cycle in the in compliance with Washington state campaign laws regarding the use of public facilities during elections. Joe, are there any written communications tonight? All right.
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