OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting - November 12, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, November 12, 2025
BodyBellevue, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, November 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:05:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Meeting for November 12th, 2025.

0:03

Um City Clerk, who do you do the roll call, please?

0:07

Mayor Robinson.

0:08

Here.

0:08

Deputy Mayor Couldson.

0:10

Councilmember Markabat.

0:11

Yes.

0:11

Councilmember Hamilton.

0:13

Here.

0:13

Councilmember?

0:14

Yes.

0:14

Councilmember New England?

0:16

Councilmember Simadwari.

0:18

Thank you.

0:18

Councilmember New in House, could you please lead us in the flag salute?

0:25

I'd like to read this to the flag of the United States of America.

0:30

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:33

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:42

We have one proclamation tonight that will be read by Councilmember Hamilton for Transgender Gender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance.

1:04

Whereas more than one million adults in the United States identify as transgender or non-binary, an estimated 1.6% of the adult population, according to recent national data.

1:17

And whereas transgender non-binary and gender non-conforming people contribute greatly to Bellevue's culture and community, enriching the city's diversity and helping advance equity, inclusion, and understanding for all.

1:33

And whereas, despite continued progress, transgender and non-binary people still face discrimination, barriers to opportunity, and acts of violence, underscoring the need for awareness, acceptance, and collective action.

1:50

And whereas each year, Tranton's gender awareness week raises visibility and promotes education about the experiences of transgender and non-binary communities, while encouraging allies to take part in building inclusive communities.

2:07

And whereas first recognized in 1999, following the death of Rita Hester, a black transgender woman, transgender day of remembrance, observed on November 20th honors the lives of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals lost to violence and calls for reflection, compassion, and change.

2:31

And whereas the City of Bellevue reaffirms its commitment to fostering a community where every person is treated with dignity and respect.

2:41

Each year, city staff and residents gather to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and to read the names of those lost to violence, standing in solidarity with the transgender community.

2:54

Now, therefore, I, Dave Hamilton, on behalf of Lynn Robinson, mayor of the City of Bellevue, Washington, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim November 13th to 19th, 2025 as Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance in Bellevue, Washington, and encourage all residents to participate in ceremonies and activities that promote understanding, visibility, and respect for transgender and non-binary people in our community.

3:28

Thank you so much.

3:29

Thank you.

3:30

Um I'm just gonna say I see Karina Elakis signed up for public comment and wonder if she would like to speak at this time to the proclamation.

3:43

I don't know who you are, and I know this is kind of unexpected, but if not, that's okay.

3:49

All right, um, let's go on to joining us virtually.

3:54

Oh, virtually.

3:54

Well, if you would uh I'm gonna give her that option.

3:59

Karina, can you hear me?

4:06

We can awesome.

4:08

Uh thank you, Council members.

4:10

Um, I really appreciate um this day of remembrance.

4:14

I have uh very close ties to those who have been lost in the transgender community and seeing such a large city uh represent and remember those uh who we have lost is a very meaningful gesture.

4:35

And I really appreciate you for continuing this tradition and pushing it forward into the future.

4:40

And my emotions um great significant um just gesture and bringing their struggle into the public conversation.

4:54

Thank you.

4:57

Thank you for speaking.

4:58

I appreciate that.

5:00

Okay, so on to oral communications.

5:03

City clerk, do we have anybody signed up?

5:06

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

5:07

Uh, there are 10 pre-registered speakers this evening.

5:11

So before I start going or calling the names, I'll go over a few of the rules that the council has in place.

5:16

So the total time for oral communications is for a period not to exceed 30 minutes, and all topics must relate to City of Bellevue government.

5:25

People speaking to items on tonight's agenda will be called first, and then if time remains, people speaking to items not on tonight's agenda will be called.

5:33

In both of those categories, the presiding officer is authorized to give preference to those who have not spoken to council within the last 60 days, or who will be speaking on items that will come in front of the council within the next 60 days.

5:45

Each speaker is allowed to speak up to three minutes, and only three speakers are allowed to speak to any one side of a particular topic.

5:55

And then finally, in compliance with Washington State campaign laws regarding the use of public facilities during elections, no speaker may support or oppose a ballot measure or support or oppose a candidate for election, which includes one's own campaign.

6:07

Any speaker beginning discussing the uh topics of this nature will be asked to stop.

6:12

And with that, I'll call our first speaker who is Tim Hay.

6:20

Okay, it doesn't appear Mr.

6:22

Hayes here.

6:23

Our next speaker is Jessica Rowe.

6:39

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use and Zoning██████████████████18%
Environmental Protection██████████████████18%
Human Services█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████████13%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Immigrant and Refugee Services████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Racial Equity█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting - November 12, 2025

The City Council convened for its first of two meetings in a week, addressing a proclamation for Transgender Awareness Week, extensive public testimony regarding the Critical Areas Ordinance Update and the Mid-Biennium Budget, and a state-mandated Co-Living housing code amendment. Council members focused on balancing environmental stewardship with housing production needs, specifically regarding degraded wetlands and stream buffers in Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zones, while also allocating emergency contingency funds for immigrant support and food assistance amidst federal funding volatility. The meeting concluded with the approval of the budget update timeline and direction to finalize the co-living legislation.

Consent Calendar

  • The Council moved to approve the Agenda and the Consent Calendar unanimously, with no opposition recorded.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Karina Elakis (via Zoom): Expressed appreciation and emotional support for the proclamation honoring Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, highlighting personal ties to the community.
  • Jessica Rowe (McCullough Hill, representing clients): Expressed support for the Planning Commission's Critical Areas Ordinance update recommendation but opposed the current draft regarding degraded wetlands in TOD zones; urged the Council to allow the reconfiguration of degraded Category 3/4 wetlands to facilitate housing and net ecological gain.
  • Phyllis White and Linda Ulrich (Residents): Expressed strong opposition and concern regarding the ordinance's impact on native habitat, specifically citing risks to flora, fauna, and the degradation of biological defenses in critical areas near Kelsey Creek.
  • Jennifer Robertson ( resident in Somerset): Expressed support for the draft ordinance's improvements to stream buffers in Bell Red but opposed the continued exclusion of certain parking lots in the East Main TOD zone due to a "blind spot" in the wetland code; urged the Council to fix this to align environmental outcomes with housing goals.
  • Barbara Hughes (Resident, Bridle Trails): Expressed concern that the ordinance weakens environmental protection, argued against downgrading streams, and opposed the current approach in favor of referring the matter back to the Planning Commission for further review.
  • Charlie Bauman (Developer, Bell Red): Expressed full support for the draft ordinance, particularly the recognition of degraded stream corridors requiring different solutions than pristine ones, stating the code provides a viable path for redevelopment and stream restoration.
  • Nahal Sarau and Oscar Munn (Students, Chinook Middle School): Expressed support for the city to consider and develop an asphalt pump track in local parks to provide safe recreational space for teenagers.
  • Maria Hudson: Expressed severe opposition and alarm regarding City Police Department response times, alleged assault of her daughter, and obstruction of medical care during an emergency involving her daughter; threatened state ethics complaints if appropriate measures are not taken.
  • Jennifer Fisher (Bellevue Life Spring): Expressed deep gratitude to the Council for allocating additional funds to human services, noting immediate utilization for emergency food assistance during the SNAP delay.
  • Reverend Lisa Clark and Reverend Kelly Spencer: Expressed strong support and urgency for the Council to allocate contingency funds to create a rapid response fund for immigrant neighbors facing federal enforcement actions, framing it as a life-or-death necessity for vulnerable children.
  • Mike Stewart (CEO, Kindering): Expressed appreciation for existing city support for families with disabilities and urged continued investment in services for young residents, noting the critical connection between housing stability and developmental needs.

Discussion Items

  • Critical Areas Ordinance Update (LUCA):

    • Staff and the Planning Commission presented a recommendation to align the code with best available science while providing flexibility for development in TOD zones like East Main and Bell Red. Key flexibilities included streamlined density calculations, reduced setbacks for middle housing, and an "innovative mitigation" pathway allowing buffer reductions for degraded streams in exchange for compensatory mitigation.
    • Councilmember Hamilton: Expressed support for the Planning Commission recommendation but proposed a separate work program to research allowing the reconfiguration/movement of Category 3 wetlands in TOD zones if specific conditions are met.
    • Councilmember Lee: Expressed concern that the Council was prioritizing housing over environmental balance; argued that some current wetlands (like the one in East Main) may be man-made rather than original streams, suggesting the current regulations might not apply with the same weight, though acknowledged the need for proper classification before deciding.
    • Councilmember Newhouse: Expressed support for the balance struck but questioned the ability to allow exceptions for Category 3 wetlands without a citywide policy; asked for further analysis on the differences between Category 3 and 4 wetlands before committing to specific exceptions.
    • Councilmember Bargava: Expressed support for the recommendation but urged caution regarding the potential to fill Category 4 wetlands and suggested studying the ecological impact of Category 3 wetlands in TOD areas to ensure ecological priorities are not diluted.
    • Legal & Timing Concerns: The City Attorney advised that failing to adopt the update by December 31st would result in the loss of eligibility for certain Washington State grants and loans. Staff noted that a separate study on Category 3 wetland fill would take 3-6 months and risk missing the mandatory filing deadline, though the deadline could be met if the current recommendation is passed.
    • Outcome: Council voted to direct staff to finalize the Critical Areas Ordinance update based on the Planning Commission recommendation to be adopted by the December 31st deadline. Councilmember Hamilton's proposal for a concurrent study on Category 3 wetlands was noted, with staff requested to return with a work plan and timeline if the Council wishes to pursue it as a separate item.

  • Mid-Biennium Budget & Council Contingency:

    • The Council discussed the 2025-2026 budget update, required by the King County property tax deadline.
    • Contingency Allocation: Council members discussed allocating funds from the $1 million annual Council Contingency to address emerging needs in food assistance, immigrant legal assistance, and financial/housing stability, driven by federal budget volatility and increased demand.
    • Positions: Councilmembers expressed varying degrees of urgency, with some advocating for the full $1 million to be spent immediately, while others (supported by staff financial advice regarding economic volatility) recommended a more conservative approach to retain reserves for Q1 2026.
    • Outcome: The Council adopted a motion to direct staff to finalize the 2025-2026 budget and 2025-2030 CIP plan for action on November 18. Additionally, the Council directed staff to expand the 2025 Council Contingency by $600,000, designating $200,000 each for food assistance, legal assistance, and financial assistance, to be allocated through existing contracts to address immediate community needs.

  • Co-Living Housing LUCA:

    • Staff presented a state-mandated (House Bill 1998) Land Use Code Amendment to allow co-living housing in areas permitting six units by right.
    • Positions: Councilmembers expressed support for the measure as a necessary state compliance item and a valuable housing type, though some requested further clarification on ownership models, operational standards, and short-term rental prohibitions.
    • Outcome: The Council adopted a finding of necessity and directed staff to schedule a public hearing for December 2nd to meet the December 31st adoption deadline.

Key Outcomes

  • Critical Areas Ordinance Update: Motion to direct staff to finalize the LUCA based on the Planning Commission recommendation for adoption before the December 31, 2025 deadline to secure state funding eligibility.
  • Budget Actions:
    • Direction to finalize the 2025-2026 Budget and 2025-2030 CIP Plan for final action on November 18, 2025.
    • Allocation of $600,000 from the Council Contingency Fund ($200,000 for food assistance, $200,000 for immigrant/legal assistance, $200,000 for financial/housing assistance).
  • Co-Living Housing: Finding of necessity adopted and public hearing scheduled for December 2, 2025.
  • Proclamation: Council unanimously recognized November 13-19, 2025 as Transgender Awareness Week and observed Transgender Day of Remembrance.
  • Next Steps: Meeting adjourned with the next session scheduled for November 18, 2025; Councilmembers Lee and Hamilton to attend remotely. Staff requested to report back on the feasibility and scope of the Category 3 wetland study proposal by the next summer night meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Meeting for November 12th, 2025. Um City Clerk, who do you do the roll call, please? Mayor Robinson. Here. Deputy Mayor Couldson. Councilmember Markabat. Yes. Councilmember Hamilton. Here. Councilmember? Yes. Councilmember New England? Councilmember Simadwari. Thank you. Councilmember New in House, could you please lead us in the flag salute? I'd like to read this to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have one proclamation tonight that will be read by Councilmember Hamilton for Transgender Gender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance. Whereas more than one million adults in the United States identify as transgender or non-binary, an estimated 1.6% of the adult population, according to recent national data. And whereas transgender non-binary and gender non-conforming people contribute greatly to Bellevue's culture and community, enriching the city's diversity and helping advance equity, inclusion, and understanding for all. And whereas, despite continued progress, transgender and non-binary people still face discrimination, barriers to opportunity, and acts of violence, underscoring the need for awareness, acceptance, and collective action. And whereas each year, Tranton's gender awareness week raises visibility and promotes education about the experiences of transgender and non-binary communities, while encouraging allies to take part in building inclusive communities. And whereas first recognized in 1999, following the death of Rita Hester, a black transgender woman, transgender day of remembrance, observed on November 20th honors the lives of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals lost to violence and calls for reflection, compassion, and change. And whereas the City of Bellevue reaffirms its commitment to fostering a community where every person is treated with dignity and respect. Each year, city staff and residents gather to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and to read the names of those lost to violence, standing in solidarity with the transgender community. Now, therefore, I, Dave Hamilton, on behalf of Lynn Robinson, mayor of the City of Bellevue, Washington, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim November 13th to 19th, 2025 as Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance in Bellevue, Washington, and encourage all residents to participate in ceremonies and activities that promote understanding, visibility, and respect for transgender and non-binary people in our community. Thank you so much. Thank you. Um I'm just gonna say I see Karina Elakis signed up for public comment and wonder if she would like to speak at this time to the proclamation. I don't know who you are, and I know this is kind of unexpected, but if not, that's okay. All right, um, let's go on to joining us virtually. Oh, virtually. Well, if you would uh I'm gonna give her that option. Karina, can you hear me? We can awesome. Uh thank you, Council members. Um, I really appreciate um this day of remembrance. I have uh very close ties to those who have been lost in the transgender community and seeing such a large city uh represent and remember those uh who we have lost is a very meaningful gesture. And I really appreciate you for continuing this tradition and pushing it forward into the future. And my emotions um great significant um just gesture and bringing their struggle into the public conversation. Thank you. Thank you for speaking. I appreciate that. Okay, so on to oral communications. City clerk, do we have anybody signed up? Yes, thank you, Mayor. Uh, there are 10 pre-registered speakers this evening. So before I start going or calling the names, I'll go over a few of the rules that the council has in place. So the total time for oral communications is for a period not to exceed 30 minutes, and all topics must relate to City of Bellevue government.

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