The Bellevue City Council met on April 14, 2026, to consider a range of items including four proclamations, public comments, a digital equity pilot, a public-private partnership development agreement (P3DA) land use code amendment, World Cup readiness preparations, a major sign code rewrite, and a bond refinancing. Several votes were taken, including adoption of two ordinances.
Welcome everyone. Thank you for being here and for taking the time to engage in our work. We are glad to hear from you, uh City Clerk. Are you ready for the roll call? Thank you, Mayor Melcutian. Here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Here. Councilmember Bargaba. Here. Council Member Bryan. Here. Council Member New Enhouse. Here. Council Member Robinson. Here. Councilmember Sumadoria. Here. Thank you. Deputy Mayor, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Yes. Please stand if you're able. Indivisible with liberty and justice world. We do have four proclamation tonight. The first one is Earth Day. Councilmember Robinson would read that and Barb Braun from Kurt Alert and Don Marsh on behalf alert and Don Marsh on behalf of 300 Trees would receive that. Could you please come and join us on the table? Yeah, please. There are four seats, so then the rest are going. And whereas Bellevue's identity as a city in a park reflects its longstanding commitment to preserving and enhancing natural spaces, ensuring clean air and water, and promoting biodiversity. And whereas the City of Bellevue continues to advance sustainability through the sustainable Bellevue Plan with goals focused on addressing climate change, improving energy efficiency, supporting suitable mobility, reducing waste and conserving natural resources. And whereas Bellevue is taking proactive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, expand green infrastructure, and grow the urban tree canopy and build climate resilience and protect future generations, and whereas community engagement is essential to achieving Bellevue's environmental goals with residents, businesses, and organizations participating in tree planting, habitat restoration, litter cleanup, and climate action initiatives. And whereas we, the City of Bellevue, encourage all who live and work here to take part in Earth Day activities, volunteer efforts, and environmental education opportunities throughout the community. And whereas the city proudly celebrates Earth Day at its annual Earth Fest event, taking place April 18th at the Belleby Botanical Gardens, and is open to the community to join us in celebration. Now, therefore, I Lynn Robinson, on behalf of the Bellevue City Council, do hereby proclaim April 22nd, 2026 as Earth Day. Please. And with recipients in 37 King County cities. In addition to our giveaway, we are now helping to run municipal giveaways in Bellevue, Redmond, Issoqua, and for the first time this fall, Samish. In partnership with Samamish High School and the Eastside Audubon Society, we've planted a thriving mini forest on the grounds of the high school. This mini forest joins similar projects in Issaqua in Seattle, helping to educate kids and building new habitat for our wildlife. Thanks, Benny. I'm Don Marsh, co-founder and vice president of 300 Trees. And it's my great pleasure and honor to serve with Benny and our other fantastic 300 trees volunteers. In addition to all the work Benny mentioned serving King County, we are also very engaged in the tree protection policies that have been developed and continue to serve Bellevue. Your focus on tree planting and tree protection benefits benefits not just our city, but it provides a great example and leadership for our region. We are grateful for that, because trees are integral to our quality of life and the health of our ecosystem. The physical benefits are well known. Cleaner air, reduced noise, mitigation for deadly heat islands, and storm water retention. But did you know that trees have documented mental benefits as well? Trees can reduce crime, improve property values, calm traffic speeds, and simply improve our state of mind.