Bellevue City Council Meeting - March 24, 2026: Proclamations, Public Hearings, Affordable Housing Strategy, and Solid Waste Contract Procurement
Bellevue City Council Meeting - March 24, 2026
The Bellevue City Council met on March 24, 2026, to address a full agenda including proclamations, public hearings, oral communications, and study sessions on the affordable housing strategy, state legislative agenda, and solid waste contract procurement. The meeting began at approximately 6:00 PM and adjourned around 8:30 PM.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the agenda and consent calendar unanimously. The consent calendar included the reappointment of Erica Emoto and Joy Deepasra to the Arts Commission, Kenneth Juan to the Environmental Services Commission, Delphina Gonzalez and Moana Fitri Rashid to the Human Services Commission, Rowena Klima to the Parks and Community Services Board, and Mariah Kennedy to the Planning Commission, each for a term expiring May 31, 2030.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Wendy Weiker (Republic Services Municipal Services Manager) spoke in support of the city's upcoming solid waste RFP process, emphasizing reliability, affordability, and community outreach. She highlighted Republic's interest in deploying an EV fleet in Bellevue under the next contract.
- Juan Ribe (Data AI Analyst, Americans for Equality) expressed support for the nonprofit's free tech education programs, stating they provide opportunities for people of color and underserved communities.
- Erica Hoard (Senior Program Manager, Americans for Equality) shared her personal story of how the program helped her after a near-death experience, gaining skills and confidence.
- Omer Koreshi (Co-founder and CEO, Americans for Equality) described the organization's work in South Bellevue, offering tech training, resume writing, and interview preparation without marketing.
- Melvin Pratlow (Americans for Equality) advocated for broader community engagement and human services, noting the need to reach overburdened residents who cannot attend meetings.
- Dedrick Harrison (Intern, Americans for Equality) spoke about the importance of education and how Americans for Equality helped him gain skills after growing up without emphasis on schooling.
- Sunit Dwan (Clyde Hill resident) expressed frustration with the city's response to his home flooding on Halloween 2024, alleging lack of apology, inadequate damage offer, and unresponsive staff.
- Dr. Mercer (activist) reported a positive outcome for a homeless individual with mental health issues who was moved to Western State Hospital, but criticized street maintenance and pothole repair delays.
- During the first public hearing (street vacation), no one spoke. One person raised a hand for the second public hearing but was directed to the IOC topic.
- For the second public hearing (Interim Official Control on Old Bellevue), six speakers registered:
- Alex Kamara (Old Bellevue resident and Merchants Association member) supported the IOC, emphasizing preserving the human scale and character of Main Street.
- Bob Perkins (property owner, Perkins Property Group) opposed the ordinance as written, arguing it creates a 'Frankenstein' area and that 80% of the area is already redeveloped differently.
- Carl Manarook (Banner Corporation, fourth-generation family business) requested council not renew the IOC, citing lack of outreach and conflicts with state law.
- Randy Brayson (merchant on Main Street since 1997) supported the spirit of preservation, wanting to keep small-town charm but noted potential property value impacts.
- Julie Caron (downtown Bellevue resident, Downtown Bellevue Residents Association) spoke in favor of retaining character, arguing it pays dividends to developers.
- Dr. Mercer (second appearance) asked for a parking garage for handicapped access in Old Bellevue.
Discussion Items
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation: Councilmember Bargaba read the proclamation designating April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Bellevue, citing 20 incidents reported in 2025. Assistant Chief Constance Slappy accepted on behalf of BPD.
- Street Vacation (NE 55th Street): Staff presented a proposal to vacate a dead-end portion of NE 55th Street adjacent to Bellevue Golf Course, allowing Parks to manage its maintenance area. The public hearing had no comment. Council directed staff to draft legislation citing criteria A and B (better public good and road no longer required for public use), with the ordinance to return on consent.
- Interim Official Control (IOC) for Old Bellevue: The council held a required public hearing on an already-adopted IOC (Ordinance 6903) that mandates facade preservation and compatibility design guidelines on Main Street between 100th and Bellevue Way. The IOC expires August 16, 2026, unless extended. Staff clarified no action was sought tonight. Councilmember Robinson noted past IOCs were extended multiple times (e.g., downtown office-to-residential conversion). Councilmember Newenhouse expressed opposition to extending the IOC, citing lack of community engagement. Councilmember Simadoria asked about definitions and incentives; staff noted voluntary bonus points exist in current code. The mayor outlined parameters for the upcoming Downtown Livability 2.0 process: balance character, development capacity, equity, affordable housing, and small business retention.
- Affordable Housing Strategy Update: Staff presented revisions based on February 3 feedback, including additional engagement, clarifying the role of advocacy items in the legislative agenda, and three specific revisions: (1) removing specific revenue mechanisms from AH 7.4; (2) striking HS 1.3 (rent stabilization for covenanted units) in favor of more flexible consideration; (3) striking HS 1.4 (support state tenant protections) to remove specific legislation references; (4) replacing a rental registration program (HS 4.1) with landlord-tenant education and training; (5) striking HS 3.3 (rental relocation assistance expansion) due to existing program and enforcement challenges. Councilmember Yaroslavsky asked about enforcement for health and safety issues; staff noted existing state landlord-tenant remedies and that education would help tenants. Councilmember Newenhouse questioned how 'reasonable' policies are defined and sought clarity on rent stabilization. Councilmember Simadoria supported moving forward. The council voted to direct staff to prepare the strategy for adoption on the consent calendar at a future meeting.
- 2026 State Legislative Agenda Wrap-Up: Staff (Katie Cusimolzie and Diana Hart) reported on the 60-day session. Key outcomes: 50 of 270 tracked bills passed. The millionaire's income tax passed, with unknown local economic impacts. The city succeeded in passing a pilot program for employer shuttles in BAT lanes (HB 1980). Land use mandates like shelter siting were improved but not eliminated. Councilmember Newenhouse expressed concern about the millionaire's tax impact on Bellevue's competitiveness and asked about HB 2266 (supportive housing siting). Staff clarified that the bill's impact is smaller than initially feared, and cities can still require operating agreements when they contribute land or funds. Councilmember Borgaba asked about proactive interim work; staff plans a state advocacy strategic plan.
- Solid Waste Contract Procurement: Staff recommended four service objectives: (1) incorporate best practices from regional and national examples; (2) comply with state law (organics management, recycling reform) and local plans (Sustainable Bellevue, Diversity Advantage); (3) respond to community needs (reliability, affordability, user experience); (4) explore technology and data (EVs, AI for sorting and customer service). The council was asked to maintain weekly single-family collection and the embedded rate structure for recycling/composting. Councilmember Newenhouse asked about performance metrics; staff will benchmark nationally. Councilmember Simadoria asked about community engagement reach and AI privacy. Councilmember Bargaba urged attention to affordability, zero rate increase goals, and innovation in AI and smart bins. Councilmember Yaroslavsky asked about alternative pricing models (e.g., variable rates) for affordability. Councilmember Robinson emphasized measuring actual recycling rates and exploring waste-to-energy options. The mayor noted the importance of behavior change. The council unanimously directed staff to develop a services package for the RFP.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation (unanimous).
- Approved reappointments to city commissions (unanimous on consent calendar).
- Directed staff to draft a street vacation ordinance for NE 55th Street, citing criteria A and B, to return on consent (unanimous).
- Held required public hearing on IOC 6903; no action taken, but councilmembers expressed positions on future extension.
- Directed staff to prepare the Affordable Housing Strategy for adoption on a future consent calendar (unanimous).
- Received the state legislative wrap-up and discussed interim priorities (no formal vote).
- Directed staff to develop a solid waste services package for the RFP process, incorporating council feedback (unanimous).
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to City Hall. Thank you for being here. We really appreciate you take time and come here, and your voice matters. And we are glad to hear from you. City Clerk, can you please do the roll call? Thank you. Mayor Malikutia. Here. Here. Councilmember Breyer. Here. Councilmember New in House. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Simadoria. Thank you. Councilmember New Enhouse, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Certainly. Please rise if you're able. I pledge allegiance to the flag to the United States of America. Thank you so much. We do have a proclamation, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Councilmember Bargaba will read that. Before that, I would love to invite Assistant Chief Constance Slappy from Bellevue Police to sit on a table and receive that and give us some comment after we finish reading the proclamation. Please go ahead. And whereas, according to the Bellevue Police Department, there were 20 sexual assault incidents reported to the agency in 2025. And whereas sexual assault remains one of the most underreported crimes, survivors often face the fear of disbelief, retaliation, or further trauma, while barriers such as language access, immigration status, gender bias, and systemic inequities can create additional obstacles to seeking support. And whereas the impacts of sexual violence trauma on adults, youth, and children include concerns for safety, physical injury, and long-term mental and emotional health effects, including symptoms of prostraumatic stress disorder, as well as missed work and school. And whereas King County is home to many organizations that provide culturally and linguistically specific services for survivors of sexual assault and these services are critical and effective responding to survivors' unique needs. And whereas preventing and addressing sexual violence requires a united community effort by ensuring accessible survivor-centered resources and challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors, we can foster a safe and more supportive community for all. Now, therefore, I Vishhal Bhargaba, on behalf of Mo Malakutchin, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington, and the entire city council to hereby proclaim April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Bellevue and reaffirm our commitment to a future where all members of our community, children, youth, and adults are safe, respected, and supported. Thank you, Councilmember Barga. Assistant Chief Staff. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Sting Council. On behalf of Chief Shirley and the Bellevue Police Department, we truly appreciate this proclamation this evening. And we will also like to encourage all of our members of our community to please report any sexual assaults and any other crime that may occur to them so we can try to bring them justice. Thank you. Thank you so much. If you don't mind, we take a picture right now. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda? Second. It has been moved by Councilmember Robinson and seconded by Councilmember Newton House. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. The motion passes. Are there any speakers sign up for oral communication, please? Thank you, Mayor.
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