Bellevue Arts Commission Meeting - April 2, 2026

The Bellevue Arts Commission met on April 2, 2026, at 9:45 AM. The meeting included approvals, public comments, a presentation from KBCS, a deaccession vote for the 'Night Blooming' sculpture, a bylaws update, and project updates. The meeting adjourned at 5:48 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The agenda and the minutes from the March 2006 Arts Commission meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote (all ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Zimmerman: Expressed strong opposition to city rules restricting public comment, calling commissioners derogatory names (e.g., "dirty Nazi fascist buster"). He argued that the rules were specifically targeted at him and criticized the city's treatment of him as a candidate. He also raised concerns about a mayor with Iranian citizenship during a time of war, referring to a unique situation in Bellevue. His tone was confrontational and accusatory.
• Bailey Fuentes: An artist on the Eastside Artist Roster, provided an update on her 2025 project grant for a mural in the Bell Red Arts District. She explained the project was moved to 2026 and requested city approval, a right of entry agreement, and liability insurance. She presented concept designs and described her vision for an architecturally intriguing mural featuring black and white with a spectrum color spray.

Discussion Items

• KBCS Presentation: Ben Brando, Interim General Manager of KBCS (91.3 FM), presented remotely due to a sick child. KBCS is a community radio station affiliated with Bellevue College, founded in 1973, broadcasting at 1800 watts from Cougar Mountain. The station offers diverse music and news programming, with 60,000–70,000 unique weekly listeners. Brando discussed challenges including funding cuts (loss of $120,000 annually from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting), technological shifts to streaming and podcasting, and a need for a capital campaign for a new ADA-compliant facility. He highlighted volunteer opportunities and a community calendar. Commissioners Erica, Charles McIntyre, Joy Deep, and Mahavna asked about educational opportunities, hyper-local focus, funding, and modern streaming methods (e.g., Alexa). Brando confirmed KBCS is available on major platforms and expressed interest in partnering with the commission.
• Night Blooming Deaccession: Scott McDonald, Public Arts Specialist, presented the sad news that the artwork 'Night Blooming' (by Taiji Miyazaka and David Drake, donated in 2018) must be deaccessioned due to safety deterioration. The wood sculpture (spruce) had a limited lifespan (10–15 years) and was showing extensive rot and structural concerns. The city will remove it from public view regardless of the vote. The commission discussed a potential farewell ceremony, material choices, and possible repurposing of the foundation. Commissioner Erica noted the piece's popularity and suggested exploring charred wood (shou sugi ban) for future iterations. The commission voted unanimously to deaccession the artwork.
• Update to Arts Commission Bylaws: Staff presented proposed changes consistent across all city boards: limiting consecutive service to two terms (and requiring a break before reapplying), extending the exclusionary period for decorum violations from 60 to 180 calendar days, and adopting gender-neutral language. Commissioners were asked for direction; the item will be brought back for a formal vote at the next meeting in June.

Key Outcomes

• Deaccession of 'Night Blooming': Motion made, seconded, and passed unanimously (voice vote). The artwork will be removed from public view and from the city's art collection roster. Staff will procure a contractor and explore future use of the foundation.
• KBCS Presentation: Received positively; commissioners expressed interest in supporting the station and exploring collaborations, especially for youth and community calendar integration.
• Bylaws Direction: Commissioners provided direction for the proposed changes; formal adoption will occur at the June meeting.
• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2026, with a note that it may be remote. Elections for chair and vice chair will occur at that meeting.
• Capital Facility Allocation Committee: Chair Aldridge, Charles, and Sandra volunteered to serve on the allocations committee for cultural facility grants (applications open April 13–June 15, with review in June and July).
• Project Updates:
  • Cultural Facility Grants program launches April 13, using Submittable.
  • Bell Red Arts District land use code update will be presented to Planning Commission on April 22.
  • Grand Connection Art Plan initial draft expected at June meeting.
  • Study for outdoor purpose-built event facility feasibility to begin, with public outreach.
  • Study for a major performing arts center (market analysis, operations validation) to launch in the coming months.
  • Bellgate artwork removed today (April 2) for redevelopment; will be stored and reinstalled on site after new towers are built (estimated 2028–2030).
  • Bel-Remuro mural artists submitted first draft designs; commission update expected in June.
  • Creative crosswalks: vendor selected, designs being refined; installation targeted for late summer (July/August).
  • Emerging artists applications for public art projects in Lake Hills and Lewis Creek Park open mid-April to May 17.