OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyBellevue, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:47:46

Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

Good evening and welcome everyone for being here, taking the time to engage in work of our city.

0:22

Your voice matters, and we are so glad you are here.

0:26

Uh, with that, City Claire, can we please do a roll call?

0:31

Thank you, Mayor Malikutin.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Deputy Mayor Hamilton.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Councilmember Bargava.

0:36

Here.

0:36

Councilmember Breyer.

0:43

Councilmember Breyer.

0:47

Okay.

0:48

We see your mouth moving and we see your face.

0:50

But we don't hear you.

0:52

We're gonna fix that on our end.

0:54

Thank you.

0:54

Okay, now we can hear you.

0:56

Council Member Newman House.

0:58

Here.

0:59

Thank you.

0:59

Councilmember Robinson.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Councilmember Sumodworia.

1:02

Here.

1:03

Thank you.

1:04

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

1:08

Thank you.

1:11

I pledge the legions.

1:28

Thank you so much.

1:30

We have two proclamation.

1:32

The first one is Women's History Month, that Councilmember Robinson will read.

1:40

Before that, I would love to invite our city manager, one of our fear fearless and amazing leader that we have to sit and receive that proclamation and tell us few words after Councilmember Robinson reads the proclamation.

1:55

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for the honor of reading this.

1:58

We have three strong women on the council.

2:00

I'm proud to be amongst them.

2:03

Whereas Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the vital contributions women have made to society and to recognize their achievements in shaping history, culture, and progress across many fields, and whereas Women's History Month originated as Women's History Week, 1981, when Congress passed a resolution establishing its observance beginning March 7th, 1982, and was later expanded to the entire month of March in 1987.

2:31

And whereas women of every race, ethnicity, and background have played a pivotal role in the development, strength, and resilience of our nation, state, and local communities, often in ways history has not fully recognized.

2:44

And whereas women, including women of color and immigrant women, have long been at the forefront of movements for justice and equity, leading efforts in civil rights, labor rights, suffrage, environmental advocacy, and many other causes.

2:59

And whereas, despite decades of progress, women and girls, particularly women of color and immigrant women, continue to face systemic inequality inequities, including disparities in wages, caregiving responsibilities, barriers to health care access and challenges in the workforce.

3:17

And whereas the City of Bellevue remains committed to equity, access and opportunity for all, as reflected in its diversity advantage plan and vision for an inclusive and thriving community.

3:28

Now, therefore, Island Robinson, for Mayor Malikutian, Mayor of Washington.

3:36

I hope so.

3:38

Mayor of I haven't said this in so long.

3:41

Mayor of the City of Bellevue, Washington, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as women's history month in Bellevue and encourage all Bellevue residents to honor this month through programs, ceremonies, and activities that recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women past, present, and future.

4:02

Thank you, Councilmember Robinson.

4:04

Our city manager, we are here to hear your comments.

4:07

Thank you very much.

4:08

Councilmember Robinson and Mayor Putian and the Council.

4:13

Thank you for this proclamation.

4:14

I am uh truly very honored to accept this on the behalf of the women of Bellevue.

4:20

Um it is uh true that women of every background have strengthened our community, often without recognition.

4:27

Uh they've done that through leadership, service, creativity, and resilience.

4:32

And their contributions have shaped our civic history, our business environment, our neighborhoods, uh, and they've also advanced uh equity and opportunity within this city.

4:44

This proclamation also reminds us that women and girls still face real challenges and barriers from wage gaps to caregiving burdens and unequal access to opportunity, and then our work here in the city is not finished.

5:00

Bellevue's vision and commitment to diversity and equity calls us to keep pushing for a community where every woman can thrive.

5:09

On behalf of women who make Bellevue strong, including many women who work here within the city who are colleagues, I want to thank you for this recognition and thank you for your continued commitment to inclusion and opportunity for all.

5:25

Thank you so much.

5:26

And we will take picture with you and everyone else after the second proclamation.

5:31

And I should acknowledge there are many, many mayors who are women in the state of Washington, and I am very proud we had our former mayor for six years, former Mayor Lynn Robinson.

5:42

So and we have two council members uh here, three total that's uh our woman.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use and Zoning██████████████████████████26%
Transportation Safety██████████████████18%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Community Engagement███3%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026

This regular meeting of the Bellevue City Council included proclamations, public comments, a public hearing on an easement release, adoption of two major land-use ordinances (HOMA), and study sessions on Sound Transit’s Enterprise Initiative and a new development agreement pathway for public-private partnerships. The council took action on all agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kirsta English (Trees for Bellevue) – Expressed concern about tree canopy loss (7,000 mature trees lost between 2021-2023) and urged the council to protect existing trees, expand street trees, and enforce new tree codes to reach the 40% canopy goal.
  • Court Olson (People for Climate Action) – Argued that the 2024 emissions drop was due to warmer weather and EV shifts, not city programs. Urged $9 million/year in the next biennium to meet 2050 targets.
  • Deborah Deutsch (Newport Community Coalition) – Expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to redevelop the Newport Hills Shopping Center under the new comprehensive plan and HOMA, supporting more housing and walkable gathering places.
  • Michelle Hillhorst (former Planning Commission chair) – Raised serious concerns about using a legislative rezone (Ordinance 6907) for neighborhood business districts, arguing it sets a precedent that bypasses proper comprehensive plan amendment processes and community engagement. Specifically noted Newport Hills should not be rezoned.
  • Don Marsh (300 Trees) – Noted that six neighborhoods in southwest Bellevue lost 1-2% tree canopy in two years, while three gained 1%. Recommended continued tree code enforcement, giveaways, and a robust street tree program.
  • Diana Leal (Bellevue Chamber) – Urged council to adopt a flexible MFTE (Multifamily Tax Exemption) “supercharger” alongside MHA (Mandatory Housing Affordability) to ensure housing projects remain financially feasible. Emphasized that MHA without MFTE could make projects infeasible.
  • Martin Seelig – Spoke in favor of passing HOMA and supporting creative incentives for multifamily housing.
  • Daniel Nygard (Newport Hills Coalition) – Thanked staff and council for their engagement and input process.
  • John Tis Cornia – Complained about low-frequency noise from Sound Transit trains on the East Channel Bridge, violating Bellevue’s quiet hours (10pm-7am). Requested a study, slower trains, acoustic panels, and neighborhood outreach.
  • Heidi Dean (virtual) – Accused council of making “pie crust promises” on land use commitments, citing prior votes on comprehensive plan and planning commission recommendations that limited heights to 2-4 stories, and four council members’ campaign pledges not to upzone Newport Hills past 4 stories. Argued that passing HOMA breaks those promises.
  • Steve Kassner (Lake Hills Neighborhood Association) – Celebrated upcoming neighborhood events and stressed the importance of communication between city and neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

Proclamations

  • Women’s History Month proclaimed March 2026; City Manager accepted on behalf of women of Bellevue.
  • American Red Cross Month proclaimed March 2026; Monica Wellner (board member) highlighted the Red Cross’s work, including 10,000 transfusions annually at Seattle Children’s.

Public Hearing – Easement Release

  • Staff presented a request to release a portion of a sidewalk/utility easement at 633 110th Ave NE and 640 108th Ave to allow development of a two-tower office building. In exchange, a new public access easement for the Grand Connection (pedestrian/bicycle) will be established. No public testimony. Council approved Resolution 10594.

HOMA Ordinances (Housing Opportunities in Mixed-Use Areas)

  • Staff summarized the two-year process leading to the planning commission’s recommendation. Key changes since the study session: added FAR exemption for downtown office floor plate increase, retained stepbacks on Main Street, added opt-in language for projects in permitting, and updated the rezone map (three parcels added near Crossroads).
  • Councilmember Robinson asked about community engagement; staff noted living room meetings, church presentations, and a newsletter reaching 16,000 people.
  • Mayor asked about balancing competing interests in Newport Hills; staff responded that the proposal maintains 50% pedestrian-oriented uses, incentivizes grocery stores and daycares, and is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
  • Councilmember Sumodworia asked about traffic mitigation; staff explained that project-level traffic analysis is done during permitting, and improvements are borne by developers.
  • Councilmember Bargava confirmed the ordinances align with the planning commission recommendation, except for council-directed changes. He noted the EIS studied the increased capacity, and HOMA is within those bounds.
  • Councilmember Newenhouse expressed concern about traffic congestion and asked if the city can proactively study impacts; staff said the EIS identified intersections at risk, and transportation staff are working on mitigation.
  • Councilmember Breyer (remote) asked about consistency with the comprehensive plan; staff confirmed the rezones make the code consistent with the future land use map. He noted the baseline height is 4 stories (45 feet), with a bonus to 5 stories (60 feet) for affordable housing. He highlighted strategies to retain local businesses, including FAR bonuses for affordable commercial space and phasing provisions.

Study Session: Sound Transit Enterprise Initiative & Guiding Principles

  • Ariel Taylor (Sound Transit) announced the cross-Lake Washington light rail opening on March 28, 2026, with a ribbon cutting at Judkins Park Station and station activations across the system.
  • Alex Krieg (Sound Transit) presented the Enterprise Initiative: a $34.5 billion funding gap to deliver the full ST3 program. The board will review plausible affordable scenarios. The only Bellevue capital project potentially affected is the South Kirkland to Issaqua Link (4-line). Stride BRT and the 2-line are not affected.
  • Lacey Jane Wolfe (City of Bellevue) presented six draft guiding principles for the city’s letter to the Sound Transit Board: (1) support subarea equity, (2) remain open to mode choice (light rail vs. BRT) for the 4-line, (3) minimize project delays, (4) support simultaneous implementation of Richards Road and Eastgate stations, (5) support on-street parking, and (6) support regional express bus service.
  • Council discussion: All members strongly emphasized subarea equity as the top priority. Councilmember Robinson noted that BRT could be a good option but hoped for light rail. Councilmember Breyer (remote) expressed love for trains but supported flexibility. Councilmember Bargava noted Bellevue’s investments in transit-oriented development and urged inclusion of regional bus service emphasis. Council directed staff to prepare the letter based on the guiding principles.

Study Session: Development Agreement Pathway for Public-Private Partnerships (P3DA)

  • Staff presented a proposed land use code amendment to create a new development agreement pathway for projects where the city owns the land or is a major funder (≥$5 million or 10% of project costs). The tool will be used for complex projects like the Bell-Red site and the Grand Connection.
  • Councilmember Bargava questioned the definition of public benefit; staff explained that the negotiation process matches the value of zoning flexibility with public benefits (affordable housing, sustainability, economic development). He suggested using this as a framework for private projects in the future.
  • Councilmember Sumodworia asked about short- and long-term benefits; staff cited advancing Bell-Red sites and creating a tool for creative mixed-use development.
  • Councilmember Robinson noted that the tool increases certainty for developers, potentially lowering costs, and can be used for projects like the Metro site.
  • Mayor emphasized the need for transparency in communicating public benefits and customized standards to the public.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Resolution 10594 (unanimous) authorizing the partial release of a sidewalk/utility easement at 633 110th Ave NE and 640 108th Ave.
  • Adopted Ordinance 6906 (unanimous) – land use code amendment to expand housing opportunities in mixed-use areas (HOMA).
  • Adopted Ordinance 6907 (unanimous) – rezone of mixed-use parcels consistent with the comprehensive plan.
  • Directed staff to prepare and send a letter to Sound Transit Board members based on the Bellevue Guiding Principles for the Enterprise Initiative (unanimous).
  • Directed staff to enter a finding of necessity for the public-private partnership development agreement LUCA and schedule a public hearing (unanimous).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome everyone for being here, taking the time to engage in work of our city. Your voice matters, and we are so glad you are here. Uh, with that, City Claire, can we please do a roll call? Thank you, Mayor Malikutin. Here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Here. Councilmember Bargava. Here. Councilmember Breyer. Councilmember Breyer. Okay. We see your mouth moving and we see your face. But we don't hear you. We're gonna fix that on our end. Thank you. Okay, now we can hear you. Council Member Newman House. Here. Thank you. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Sumodworia. Here. Thank you. Councilmember Sumodavere, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Thank you. I pledge the legions. Thank you so much. We have two proclamation. The first one is Women's History Month, that Councilmember Robinson will read. Before that, I would love to invite our city manager, one of our fear fearless and amazing leader that we have to sit and receive that proclamation and tell us few words after Councilmember Robinson reads the proclamation. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for the honor of reading this. We have three strong women on the council. I'm proud to be amongst them. Whereas Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the vital contributions women have made to society and to recognize their achievements in shaping history, culture, and progress across many fields, and whereas Women's History Month originated as Women's History Week, 1981, when Congress passed a resolution establishing its observance beginning March 7th, 1982, and was later expanded to the entire month of March in 1987. And whereas women of every race, ethnicity, and background have played a pivotal role in the development, strength, and resilience of our nation, state, and local communities, often in ways history has not fully recognized. And whereas women, including women of color and immigrant women, have long been at the forefront of movements for justice and equity, leading efforts in civil rights, labor rights, suffrage, environmental advocacy, and many other causes. And whereas, despite decades of progress, women and girls, particularly women of color and immigrant women, continue to face systemic inequality inequities, including disparities in wages, caregiving responsibilities, barriers to health care access and challenges in the workforce. And whereas the City of Bellevue remains committed to equity, access and opportunity for all, as reflected in its diversity advantage plan and vision for an inclusive and thriving community. Now, therefore, Island Robinson, for Mayor Malikutian, Mayor of Washington. I hope so. Mayor of I haven't said this in so long. Mayor of the City of Bellevue, Washington, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as women's history month in Bellevue and encourage all Bellevue residents to honor this month through programs, ceremonies, and activities that recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women past, present, and future. Thank you, Councilmember Robinson. Our city manager, we are here to hear your comments. Thank you very much. Councilmember Robinson and Mayor Putian and the Council. Thank you for this proclamation. I am uh truly very honored to accept this on the behalf of the women of Bellevue.

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