OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting - February 25, 2026: Housing, HOMA, and Human Rights Proclamation

City Council — Wednesday, February 25, 2026
BodyBellevue, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:23:31

Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

Hello and welcome everyone.

0:17

Thank you for being here.

0:19

Full room.

0:20

I'm so excited you're all here.

0:23

You're engaging in the work that our city is doing.

0:27

Your voice matters, and we are glad to hear from each of you.

0:32

Vidat City Claire, are you ready for the roll call?

0:36

Thank you, Mayor Melanchol.

0:39

Here.

0:39

Deputy Mayor Hamilton.

0:41

Here.

0:41

Councilmember Bargavet.

0:42

Here.

0:43

Councilmember Breyer.

0:44

Here.

0:44

Councilmember Newman House.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Councilmember Robinson.

0:47

Here.

0:47

And Councilmember Simadoria.

0:49

Here.

0:49

Thank you.

0:50

Councilmember Robinson, would you please lead us in the flag salute?

0:54

Yes, please.

0:56

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:13

We do have a proclamation on human rights in Iran and everywhere.

1:20

Councilmember Sumadeverio is going to read that.

1:23

I invite Negin Konlu and Oresh Nasibi, uh Bellevue community members to come and sit here to receive this proclamation.

1:34

Councilmember Sumodaveria, please.

1:36

Thank you.

1:40

Whereas the city of Bellevue affirmed that human rights are universal and transcend borders.

1:46

And whereas the people of Iran are courageously taking to the streets to advocate for economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and democratic freedom.

1:56

And whereas reports indicate that protests have been met with violence, repression, civilian death, and restrictions on access to information and communication.

2:08

Whereas Iranian immigrants and refugees are an important part of Bellevue's diverse community and are deeply affected by the events impacting their families, friends, and loved ones.

2:21

And whereas the city of Bellevue condemns the use of force against peaceful protesters and supports access to free expression, open information, and uncensored communication as fundamental human rights.

2:34

And whereas thousands of community members have gathered in downtown Bellevue to peacefully demonstrate in solidarity with the people of Iran and on to come affirm their support for human rights.

2:47

And whereas Bellevue stands in support of human rights and dignity for the people of Iran.

2:53

Now therefore, I Claire Summa de Raria, on behalf of Mo Malinkutian, Mayor and Bellevue Washington and the City Council do hereby proclaim Bellevue support for human rights in Iran and everywhere, and condemn the use of violence to suppress the ability to peacefully demonstrate for human rights.

3:12

Thank you, Councilmember Sumodaveria.

3:14

Please.

3:14

Hello, Mayor Malinkutia, I'm DB Mayor Hamilton and member of the council.

3:18

My name is Negin Khanlu, and this is R.S.

3:20

N SCB.

3:21

We are proud American and resident of Bellevue, deeply grateful for the liberties and opportunity afforded to us by this great country and state.

3:39

Do our path different we share a homeland where much of our family still remains.

3:44

We appear before you today to speak for those silent by Iranian regime that has turned its own streets into the killing field, mortalizing citizens for demanding their most basic human rights.

3:59

Since the Islamic regime took power 47 years ago, millions of Iranian families have fled in search of basic freedoms.

4:06

Neggin and I are part of an Iranian diaspora that hails from a long and rich culture that shares many values and pursuits with the West.

4:14

We are not political actors.

4:16

We are everyday citizens that work hard and contribute to our communities.

4:20

Neggin is a senior manager at Google with a PhD, who also teaches at Northwestern University just up the road.

4:48

The only difference is that they are unlucky to have remained locked in a half-century-long battle for their basic human rights.

4:54

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

5:00

The people of Iran have tried to make their voices heard through peaceful protests time and time again.

5:04

Only to be crushed by their own government through brutality and violence.

5:15

But except for an unbelievable scale and degree of the killing in the spam of the just few days.

5:28

More than 364,000 people have been severely injured.

5:32

More than the twice the entire population of Bellevue.

5:40

But they include accounts of the regime's authority, storming hospitals to abdocked and killed critically injured protesters, detained and imprisoned physician and nurses who simply doing their job, demanding ransom from families for the return of their loved ones' bodies.

6:05

That are in this room.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Land Use and Zoning████████████████████████27%
Procedural██████7%
Public Engagement████4%
Immigrant and Refugee Services███3%
Personnel Matters██2%
Economic Development██2%
Mental Health Awareness█1%
Public Transportation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting – February 25, 2026

The Bellevue City Council met on February 25, 2026, beginning at 7:45 PM. The agenda included a proclamation on human rights in Iran, a consent calendar, a public hearing on a utility easement release, and two study sessions on affordable housing funding and the Housing Opportunities Mixed-Use Areas (HOMA) land use code amendment. Key outcomes included approval of $37.6 million in city housing funding, a motion to retain stepbacks on Old Main Street (passed 5–2), and a directive to finalize the HOMA ordinance and explore an MFTE supercharger.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Negin Khanlu and Oresh Nasibi (Bellevue community members, Iranian-American): Expressed gratitude for the city’s proclamation supporting human rights in Iran, highlighting the regime’s violence and the need for solidarity. No opposition recorded.
  • Carl Vanderhoek (property owner group, Old Bellevue): Requested removal of Old Bellevue from HOMA, citing that stepback elimination threatens character; asked for further study.
  • Alan Dodderman (TWG Development, Eastside Affordable Housing Coalition): Supported Planning Commission HOMA recommendations, noting the mandatory affordable housing requirement is well‑calibrated; opposed extending the MFTE supercharger beyond Wilburton.
  • Mark Vilwalk (D.R. Horton, Master Builders Association): Supported HOMA but requested a clarification on pedestrian‑oriented development criteria for one‑way streets.
  • Troy Dawes (Imagine Housing): Requested support for Forest Edge Apartments, a 100‑unit affordable project under the C1 faith‑based land use code.
  • Hal Ferris (St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church): Thanked council for C1 funding, highlighted 30‑year effort to enable faith‑based affordable housing.
  • Sue Baugh (Newport Community Coalition): Expressed strong support for HOMA, emphasizing the need to redevelop the Newport Hills Shopping Center for mixed‑use housing and retail.
  • Layla Kademi (attorney, representing Woodlands at Bellevue): Urged inclusion of language allowing affordable units to be consolidated in apartment buildings when townhomes are integrated, and supported an MFTE supercharger.
  • Al D. Diedeman (resident): Described dangerous sidewalk gaps and speeding on two roads near Westlake Sammamish Parkway, requesting urgent pedestrian safety improvements.
  • Colleen Dunset (former natural resources employee): Questioned layoffs in the natural resources department, asking why positions were eliminated and noting lack of communication from the director.
  • Ted Middle Stad (retired city employee, 43.5 years): Thanked council for support of parks and community services; encouraged risk‑taking and continued DEI efforts.

Discussion Items

  • Human Rights Proclamation: Unanimous approval of a proclamation supporting human rights in Iran and condemning violence against peaceful protesters.
  • Public Hearing – Utility Easement Release: Routine release of an unused easement at 200 112th Avenue NE for a 325‑unit apartment development; no public comment; adopted unanimously.
  • Arch Housing Trust Fund and City Housing Funding (Study Session):
    • Presented by Arch Executive Director Lindsay Masters, Investments Manager Patrick Tippy, and Housing Director Bianca Siegel.
    • Arch recommended seven projects creating or preserving 505 homes on the Eastside (271 in Bellevue), leveraging $13 in other funds for every $1 of local funds.
    • City Housing Stability Program and Affordable Housing Fund recommended $37.6 million (including $22.5 million capital + $637,852 annual OMS from HSP; $11.3 million from AHF) for four projects: Bellwether TOD (pre‑development), Orchard Gardens (25 homeownership units), Altair at East Main (146 rental units), and Forest Edge (100 rental units).
    • Councilmembers praised the historic investment and asked about risk, marketing, and acceleration strategies. Staff noted that fully funding projects and pre‑development awards help speed delivery.
    • Motion to approve the funding directions passed unanimously.
  • HOMA Land Use Code Amendment (Study Session):
    • Presented by Planning Commission Chair Negin Hanlu, Code Policy Director Nick Whipple, Senior Planner Matthew Minard, and Housing staff Robin Zhao.
    • HOMA proposes increased FAR, height, reduced setbacks, impervious surface limits, and a mandatory affordable housing requirement (similar to Wilburton). The Planning Commission recommended mandatory inclusionary zoning; staff recommended against a permanent MFTE supercharger for HOMA areas but noted a temporary/catalyst option could be explored.
    • Downtown changes include adding affordable housing to the amenity incentive program, reducing plaza requirements, streamlining compact parking, and adjusting stepbacks for affordable housing.
    • Councilmember Robinson moved to retain existing stepback requirements on Old Main Street (between 100th and Bellevue Way), arguing they preserve character and pedestrian experience. Deputy Mayor Hamilton and Councilmember Newenhause opposed, citing insufficient engagement and potential impact on housing density.
    • Motion passed 5–2.
  • MFTE Supercharger Discussion: Several councilmembers (Bargabo, Sumadoveria, Breyer) supported directing staff to return within 90 days with options for a catalyst or temporary supercharger to spur development under current market conditions. The mayor sought consensus and gained agreement.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing – Utility Easement: Ordinance 169604 adopted unanimously.
  • Arch Housing Trust Fund: Approved Bellevue’s contribution of $1,300,200 and directed staff to prepare legislation. Passed unanimously.
  • City Housing Funding: Approved up to $37,659,000 in total awards ($22,544,778 capital + $637,852 annual OMS from HSP; $11,303,621 from AHF). Motion passed unanimously; to return on consent.
  • HOMA – Stepback Retention: Motion to retain existing stepbacks on Old Main Street (100th to Bellevue Way) passed 5–2 (Deputy Mayor Hamilton and Councilmember Newenhause opposed).
  • HOMA – Finalization: Directed staff to finalize the land use code amendment and rezone ordinance, including an opt‑in/opt‑out provision for pipeline projects. Passed unanimously.
  • MFTE Supercharger: Council directed staff to return within 90 days with analysis and options for a catalyst/temporary MFTE supercharger to support housing development.
  • Next Meeting: The March 3 regular meeting is cancelled; next meeting March 10, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Hello and welcome everyone. Thank you for being here. Full room. I'm so excited you're all here. You're engaging in the work that our city is doing. Your voice matters, and we are glad to hear from each of you. Vidat City Claire, are you ready for the roll call? Thank you, Mayor Melanchol. Here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Here. Councilmember Bargavet. Here. Councilmember Breyer. Here. Councilmember Newman House. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. And Councilmember Simadoria. Here. Thank you. Councilmember Robinson, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Yes, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. We do have a proclamation on human rights in Iran and everywhere. Councilmember Sumadeverio is going to read that. I invite Negin Konlu and Oresh Nasibi, uh Bellevue community members to come and sit here to receive this proclamation. Councilmember Sumodaveria, please. Thank you. Whereas the city of Bellevue affirmed that human rights are universal and transcend borders. And whereas the people of Iran are courageously taking to the streets to advocate for economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and democratic freedom. And whereas reports indicate that protests have been met with violence, repression, civilian death, and restrictions on access to information and communication. Whereas Iranian immigrants and refugees are an important part of Bellevue's diverse community and are deeply affected by the events impacting their families, friends, and loved ones. And whereas the city of Bellevue condemns the use of force against peaceful protesters and supports access to free expression, open information, and uncensored communication as fundamental human rights. And whereas thousands of community members have gathered in downtown Bellevue to peacefully demonstrate in solidarity with the people of Iran and on to come affirm their support for human rights. And whereas Bellevue stands in support of human rights and dignity for the people of Iran. Now therefore, I Claire Summa de Raria, on behalf of Mo Malinkutian, Mayor and Bellevue Washington and the City Council do hereby proclaim Bellevue support for human rights in Iran and everywhere, and condemn the use of violence to suppress the ability to peacefully demonstrate for human rights. Thank you, Councilmember Sumodaveria. Please. Hello, Mayor Malinkutia, I'm DB Mayor Hamilton and member of the council. My name is Negin Khanlu, and this is R.S. N SCB. We are proud American and resident of Bellevue, deeply grateful for the liberties and opportunity afforded to us by this great country and state. Do our path different we share a homeland where much of our family still remains. We appear before you today to speak for those silent by Iranian regime that has turned its own streets into the killing field, mortalizing citizens for demanding their most basic human rights. Since the Islamic regime took power 47 years ago, millions of Iranian families have fled in search of basic freedoms. Neggin and I are part of an Iranian diaspora that hails from a long and rich culture that shares many values and pursuits with the West. We are not political actors. We are everyday citizens that work hard and contribute to our communities.

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