Bellevue City Council Regular Meeting: September 16, 2025
Bellevue City Council Regular Meeting – September 16, 2025
The Bellevue City Council held its regular meeting on September 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and three proclamations: declaring September 19, 2025 as Teen Mental Health Awareness Day (accepted by Monique Martinez of 4 Tomorrow), recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15, accepted by Tina Morales of Youth Eastside Services), and proclaiming National Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 15–21, accepted by Helen Roton of KidVantage). The consent calendar was approved, and the council heard public comments, a public safety update, an update on the Eastgate Housing Campus, and study sessions on the Downtown Subarea Plan and the Crossroads and Newport Neighborhood Area Plans. The council voted to advance all three comprehensive plan amendments.
Consent Calendar
- ORD 6858 – Amends city code to allow disposal of surplus personal property acquired for public utility purposes without a resolution or hearing if estimated value ≤$50,000.
- ORD 6859 – Authorizes accepting $400,000 in PSE Decarbonization Program grant funding for Energy Smart Eastside heat pump incentives for income-qualified households; amends the 2025‑2026 budget accordingly.
- ORD 6860 – Approves the 2025‑2029 Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan; authorizes an interlocal agreement with WSDOT for up to $515,000 in state funds; amends the budget.
- RES 10537 – Authorizes a professional services agreement with Site Workshop ($501,515 plus taxes) for architectural design and engineering services to develop a master plan for a new neighborhood park in the BelRed neighborhood.
- RES 10538 – Amends the Energy Smart Eastside Boost Heat Pump Reimbursement Contract with Hopelink, increasing the contract from $4,810,090 to $8,278,810 and extending the end date to December 31, 2026.
Reports of the City Manager
Fall 2025 Public Safety Update
Police Chief Wendell Shirley and Assistant Chief Andrew Popachak presented year‑to‑date crime statistics (through September 8, 2025). Overall reported crime decreased 28% compared to the same period in 2024. Property crime dropped 34% (1,495 fewer incidents), including a 69% decline in motor vehicle theft (275 fewer), 40% decline in motor vehicle prowl (260 fewer), and 76% decline in mail theft (218 fewer). Shoplifting fell 19% (199 fewer). Persons crimes rose 2% (14 additional incidents), but remain a small category. Traffic enforcement increased: speeding tickets up 117% (1,918 issued) and DUI arrests at 208. Traffic collisions decreased 21%. Calls for service dropped by about 4,200 (from ~52,000 to ~47,000). Emergency response time averaged 3 minutes 52 seconds. The Community Crisis Assistance Team (CCAT) has made nearly 1,500 contacts, 59% repeat, and averted a potential suicide with a firearm. The Bellevue Light Rail Unit (BLUE) has had no major incidents. The department collected 87 firearms in its first firearms exchange and distributed about 1,400 steering wheel locks. Over 3,000 women and girls have attended the jujitsu‑based self‑defense class.
Eastgate Campus Update: PorchLight and Plymouth Crossing
Bianca (city staff) provided an update on the Eastgate Housing Campus, which includes the PorchLight men’s shelter (served over 800 men last year) and Plymouth Crossing permanent supportive housing (over 90 formerly homeless individuals now housed). Community concerns have been raised about loitering, encampments, and safety. In response, PorchLight is reforming its bed reservation system to reduce daytime loitering, increasing code‑of‑conduct violations from 3‑day to 30‑day suspensions, and conducting daily trash pickup via an “adopt‑a‑street” program. Plymouth Crossing is adding enhanced on‑site medical services. City staff are conducting weekly monitoring visits and evaluating a dedicated police substation for Eastgate. A new FAQ page will be launched, and the city requested a monthly update from staff.
Public Comments & Testimony
11 speakers registered; 9 spoke. Topics focused on Eastgate campus impacts and the Newport Neighborhood Area Plan (NAP).
- Julia Tai (Harmony townhome resident, PorchLight advisory group member) – Expressed support for PorchLight’s mission but said problems (sleeping on sidewalks, loitering, encampments) have not been adequately addressed by the city or PorchLight.
- Susanna Chung (neighbor and advisory group member) – Supported PorchLight’s vision but cited escalating incidents including a murder in July 2025, an overdose death in August 2023, and an unsolved death near Bellevue College. Proposed creating a dedicated police sector for Eastgate, 24/7 security, and enforcing anti‑camping ordinances. Requested clear responses from the city.
- Mahogany Tyler (Polaris resident) – Described daily drug use at bus stops, an incident where police ran through the parking lot with dogs, and general fear for her family’s safety. Asked the council to address worsening conditions.
- Melissa Danberg (Newport Hills resident) – Asked the council to return the Newport NAP to the Planning Commission for discussion of policies for the commercial district, noting that Commissioner Ferris had suggested but not achieved that discussion. Represented neighbors who could not attend.
- Sue Baugh (Lake Heights resident) – Spoke in favor of the Newport NAP, praising staff outreach and consistency. Said the plan correctly focuses on the public realm and that commercial zoning is being handled through other processes (HOMA). Urged adoption.
- Faye Howe (Newport Hills resident) – Argued the NAP falsely claims 80% homeownership; stated over 60% of homes are investor‑owned. Cited unlicensed rentals and construction damage. Asked the council to return the draft to staff to correct data and add policies to track investor ownership and unpermitted activities.
- Heidi Dean (Newport Hills resident) – Continued Melissa Danberg’s comments, stating the NAP lays the groundwork for upzoning under HOMA and ignores the commercial district’s importance. Requested policies similar to those in the Crossroads NAP to protect businesses. Urged more work.
- Martin Sealing (co‑trustee for Burns family) – Asked the council to remove the Cedar Terrace Pump Station S‑16 rehabilitation project from a future consent agenda, proposing a win‑win solution: the family grants a sewer easement in exchange for allowing the same number of apartments as if the sewer had not been constructed. Also proposed a Faith and Belief Advisory Council for the city.
- Alex Zimmerman – Criticized Puget Sound Energy for not offering discounts to low‑income seniors and renters, calling the utility “bandits” and “mafia.” Complained about rising rents in Bellevue and what he described as exploitation. (The meeting clerk noted the three‑speaker limit on Eastgate opposition had been reached, but additional speakers on other topics were allowed.)
Discussion Items
2025 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Downtown Center Redesignation
Staff (Tara Johnson, Kate Ness, and Planning Commission Chair Kanisha Conlu) presented the update to the Downtown Subarea Plan to support Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) redesignation of downtown Bellevue as a Metropolitan Regional Growth Center. The update is narrowly scoped per council direction, updating data, maps, and a limited set of policies (nine substantive changes) on displacement, historically underserved communities, and the environment. The Planning Commission held two study sessions and a public hearing, recommending adoption. Council members expressed support, citing downtown’s role as the third most dense regional growth center in the region, eligibility for federal transportation funding, and alignment with growth management goals. Discussion included the benefits (funding, regional role) and risks (losing designation if targets not met). Council directed staff to return with an ordinance to adopt the changes.
2025 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Crossroads and Newport Neighborhood Area Plans
Staff (Tara, Kate, Toon Dooling) and Chair Conlu presented the two plan updates. The Crossroads NAP replaces a 1980s plan; the Newport NAP replaces a 1994 plan. Both followed an extensive engagement process (in‑person and online events, surveys, targeted outreach to underrepresented groups). The plans cover neighborhood identity, mixed‑use centers, community gathering spaces, mobility, and environment. Crossroads policies focus on small business retention, transit access, and gathering places. Newport policies emphasize maintaining the commercial heart (Newport Hills Shopping Center), walkability, and connections to nature. The Planning Commission recommended both plans after line‑by‑line review. Council discussion touched on engagement methods, data accuracy (homeownership rates in Newport), disagreements among Newport sub‑areas, and the need for dedicated funding for bike/pedestrian improvements. Councilmember Hamilton proposed amending policies CX‑25 and CX‑26 to prioritize pedestrian/bicycle connections to a wide range of destinations (not just transit). The amendment was accepted. Council directed staff to prepare ordinances for both plans, including the amendment.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (5‑0, with all present councilmembers voting aye).
- Downtown Subarea Plan – Motion passed unanimously to direct staff to return with an ordinance to adopt the plan amendments.
- Crossroads and Newport Neighborhood Area Plans – Motion passed unanimously to direct staff to prepare ordinances for adoption, including the amendment to policies CX‑25 and CX‑26 to broaden pedestrian/bicycle facility priorities.
- Eastgate Campus Update – The council requested a monthly update (format to be determined) on progress and community impacts.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the regular Bellevue City Council meeting for September 16th, 2025. Before we begin the meeting today, I just want to say a few words about political violence. You know, we are all here today to be a part of our local political process. And one of the things I appreciate so much about Bellevue is our ability to see our neighbors as people through our differences and to see our diversity of thought as a strength. Political violence has no place in our society, and it only damages our ability to hold important dialogues as we make a better future together. I'd like us all to take a moment of silence to recognize the far-reaching impacts of political violence on all of our communities and honor those affected by it. Thank you very much. Okay, so let's start with um a roll call. Go ahead. I'm here. Deputy Mayor Malakutian. Councilmember Bargavath. Here. Councilmember Hamilton. Here. Councilmember Lee. Yes. Councilmember Newman House. Here. Councilmember Sumodoria. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic or Witches. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we have three proclamations tonight. The first one is going to be read by Councilmember Hamilton and accepted by Monique Martinez, if she'd like to come up and sit here. This is for Teen Mental Health Awareness Week. Go ahead, Councilmember Hamilton. Thank you. Whereas early identification, intervention, and treatment of mental illness and behavioral health disorders can improve and even save lives. And whereas, according to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health conditions start by age 14, yet most cases remain undetected and untreated. And whereas Teen Mental Health Awareness Day is designed to increase understanding of mental health issues facing teenagers and to eliminate stigmas surrounding preventative mental health care. And whereas teenagers can experience high levels of stress and anxiety about school, family, friendships, health and finances, and whereas it is important to learn the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions in order to seek and receive help when needed. And whereas teens today pave the way for a better tomorrow, making it essential that they learn early about the importance of mental health and have access to supportive resources. And whereas it is important to acknowledge the intersectionality between mental health, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability as teens in marginalized communities often experience larger disparities in access to mental health services and higher rates of mental illness due to impacts from systemic harm. Now, therefore, I, Dave Hamilton, on behalf of Lynn Robinson, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington, and on behalf of its city council, do hereby proclaim September 19th, 2025 as Teen Mental Health Awareness Day in Bellevue, Washington, and encourage all residents to play a role in supporting the mental health and well-being of teens in our community. Welcome. Thank you. It's great to be here. On behalf of for tomorrow, I want to thank you for your commitment to the well-being of our city's teens. This proclamation reminds us that mental health is at the heart of a thriving community. At 4 Tomorrow, we walk alongside young people through creative and therapeutic programs while also supporting adults and equipping parents with education with education, coaching, and tools to navigate both their mental health and their children's. From tough conversations to moments of crisis, we strive to be a steady source of guidance and care. Investing in our young people and their families is one of the most important ways to build a stronger, healthier Bellevue. Thank you for your leadership, partnership, and standing with us in this work. Thank you so much. And Lonique is the executive director of Ford Tomorrow. So thank you. Go ahead and sit down, but stick around and we'll do a picture after.
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