Bellevue Environmental Services Commission Meeting – April 3, 2026
Bellevue Environmental Services Commission Meeting – April 3, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on April 3, 2026 (based on provided timestamp; the transcript references April 2). The Commission reviewed the 2025 financial performance report and received a detailed presentation on the proposed 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. Public comment was sharply critical of city practices. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- The agenda was unanimously approved.
- The March 5, 2026 meeting minutes were approved as written.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alex Zimmerman (self-identified, no stated affiliation) provided oral comments. He criticized the Commission for not displaying speakers' faces, called the 30-minute/10-person public comment limit a violation of free speech, and characterized Bellevue as a "fascist city." He also criticized the mayor (Iranian Muslim with dual citizenship) and expressed support for Trump and a "new American revolution." His tone was confrontational and included personal insults toward the Commission.
Discussion Items
- 2025 Financial Performance Report (written brief) – Commissioner Heinash asked about reserve fund targets for stormwater. Staff explained that while there are no council-approved targets for capital reserves, administrative practice is to maintain at least two years of CIP in reserves. Stormwater reserves are higher because infrastructure is newer and money is being set aside for future replacement.
- Utilities Proposed 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) – Dave Baish and Biral Shaha presented the six-year CIP totaling $478 million, a $182 million increase over the previous adopted CIP. Key points:
- Water fund (60% of CIP) – $287 million, driven by accelerated water main replacement (5.6–6.4 miles per year), the Maidenbauer South Reservoir project (increased from 3M to 6M gallons), and pump station rehab.
- Wastewater fund – $105 million, ramping up pump station replacements and sewer pipe repairs.
- Stormwater fund – $86 million, with increased investment in pipe rehabilitation, flood control, and water quality projects.
- Inflation assumed at 3% per year; some projects saw 15–20% cost escalation.
- Staff confirmed no new staffing requests; delivery efficiency and project repackaging will be used.
- Commissioners asked about cost escalation, water main replacement cycle (~121 years), AC pipe risks, PRV program coordination, staffing pipeline, cybersecurity (handled by IT), and sewer extension connection fees. Staff noted a pilot project at SE 42nd Street.
Key Outcomes
- The Commission took no formal vote on the CIP; it will provide a policy recommendation to the City Council at a later date (scheduled for September 17, 2026).
- The calendar was reviewed: a CIP field trip is planned for May 21, and future council items include sewer cost-of-service rates (April 28), utility bill assistance (June), and cascade budget rates (July).
Meeting Transcript
It is 6 30 p.m. and I call the April 2nd Environmental Services Commission meeting to order. Next I will do a roll call. Commissioner Juan. Present. Commissioner Heinosh. Present. Commissioner Laxon. Present. Commissioner Tyson. Present. And Commissioners DuPirtus and Margolis are excused. Good evening and welcome to the April 2nd Environmental Services Commission meeting. First item of business. I will entertain the motion to approve the agenda. To approve the agenda. Second. Thank you. Commissioner Heinash and Lackson. Hearing no objections, the amend is approved as motioned. Got a lot of things to read here. Okay. Oral and written communications are now open. Reminder that there is a three-minute time limit per person and 30 minutes total per meeting. Public comment shall be limited to matters relating to City of Bellevue government and to subject matters encompassed within the powers and duties of this commission. Persons participating in commission meetings must not engage in speech or conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any meeting. Disruptions may include and are not limited to failure of a speaker to comply with the commission bylaws concerning public comment. Joe, are there any written communications? There are no written communications. Joey, do we have anyone we did registered for oral communications? I see Mr. Zimmerman is registered. Yes. Would you like to step forward and uh make your comments, please? Thank you. Oh, you steal my 10 seconds. It's okay. You'll waste you. You're doing this in every meeting. Okay. My name is Alex Zimmerman, and I don't come talking to you because you for me look like a dirty damn Nazi fascist buster. I come talking to Sieta to Bellevue. You know what is mean City of Bellevue, 150,000 people. Yeah. So first of what is I explained to you, and I talk about this for many years, hundred times, why you don't show people faces here. I spoke from Tacoma to Veret more than 5,000 times. I spoke every week right now, 10 times. You show faces. I don't understand this. Yeah.
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