Bellevue City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026: World Cup, Sewer Rates, and Curb Pricing
Bellevue City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026
The Bellevue City Council met on April 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM (with the meeting extending into the evening, adjourning around 8:00 PM). The meeting included three proclamations, one public comment, a presentation on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a discussion on sewer rate equity, and a presentation on a proposed paid on-street parking program. Councilmember Breyer was excused, and Councilmember Robinson joined late.
Proclamations
- International Firefighters' Day (May 4, 2026): Councilmember Newinhouse read the proclamation, recognizing the bravery of firefighters and the Bellevue Fire Department’s international accreditation. Fire Chief and personnel thanked the council for support, noting the new Fire Station 10 and improved response times.
- Therapeutic Court Month (May 2026): Councilmember Bhargava read the proclamation, highlighting the role of therapeutic courts in public safety and recovery. Judge Lisa O'Toole and Probation Manager Craig Fritz spoke about the new Bellevue Community Court and the Community Resource Center, which has provided services including IDs and over 115 hours of community service by 15 individuals.
- Public Service Recognition Week (May 3–9, 2026): Deputy Mayor Hamilton read the proclamation honoring public employees. Deputy City Manager Nathan McComan thanked the council, emphasizing the city’s core value of customer service.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar unanimously, which included routine approvals.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Maria Hudson spoke during oral communications, expressing strong opposition to the city’s handling of a child sex trafficking investigation. She argued that the police department’s internal investigation constitutes a conflict of interest and violates the Klu Klux Klan Act, calling for a third-party investigation. She stated that the department “buried evidence, buried witnesses” and described the situation as “eugenics-based exploitative convict leasing genocide program.”
Discussion Items
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Presentation: Dylan Ordonias, Senior Vice President of External Affairs for the Seattle Local Organizing Committee, provided an update on the tournament schedule (June 15–July 6, 2026, six matches in Seattle), security coordination, transit options, and fan zones. He noted that the United States men’s national team will play on Juneteenth, and that Bellevue’s hotels are tracking higher rates. Councilmembers discussed security, immigration enforcement, and community engagement. Deputy Mayor Hamilton asked about federal immigration enforcement; Ordonias stated the committee does not control federal policy but has coordinated with law enforcement.
- Sewer Rate Equity Analysis: Utilities Department staff (Lucy Liu, Scott Edwards, Matt Hobson) and Environmental Services Commission Chair Ken Wan presented the results of a financial equity analysis. The analysis found that multifamily customers are paying 123% of their fair share (23% more than the cost to serve them), while single-family and non-residential customers are at 91% (low end of the reasonable range). The imbalance is due to an outdated rate structure that overcharges multifamily units. The commission recommended a 5-year phase-in to achieve equity by 2031, with annual rate adjustments of 9-11% driven largely by King County wholesale cost increases. Councilmembers expressed concern about affordability, especially for fixed-income seniors and low-income households. Staff noted that utility bill assistance programs are available (70% discount for qualifying seniors/disabled, emergency assistance, etc.) and that they will return in June with expansion options. The council directed staff to incorporate the commission’s recommendations into the upcoming budget.
- Curb Pricing Program: Transportation Department staff (Andrew Singolakis, Chris Long) presented proposed code amendments to establish a paid on-street parking program. The program would use dynamic pricing (range $1–$8 per hour, adjusted by the transportation director up to twice a year based on occupancy data) to achieve 1–2 open spaces per block face. The initial zone covers downtown, Old Bellevue, and Spring District. Revenue after operating costs would be reinvested into curb management initiatives (e.g., wayfinding, bellhop late-night service, street activation, transit improvements). Councilmembers discussed the impact on businesses, employee parking, enforcement, and the proposal to offer the first 30 minutes free (rejected due to revenue loss). The council directed staff to finalize the code amendments and prepare an ordinance.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to excuse Councilmember Breyer passed unanimously.
- Motion to approve the agenda passed unanimously.
- Motion to approve the consent calendar passed unanimously.
- Motion to direct staff to incorporate the Environmental Services Commission’s sewer rate recommendations into the proposed utility rates for the upcoming biennial budget passed unanimously.
- Motion to direct staff to finalize Bellevue City Code amendments and prepare an ordinance for a paid on-street parking program passed unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
I think we can start the meeting. Thank you everyone for being here. We appreciate to hear from you and we glad you're here. Uh City Clerk, can you just do the roll call, please? Well, thank you, Mayor. Uh, this evening, Councilmember Robinson will be joining us late. And Councilmember Breyer will not be in attendance. So, with that, Mayor Malicutian here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Here. Councilmember Bargava? Here. Councilmember New in House. Here. Councilmember Simadoria. Councilmember Bargawa, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Yeah, sure. Please rise if you can. Pledge allegiance to the flag to the United States of America and to the Republic for which we one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We do have three proclamation. The first one is International Firefighters' Day. Councilmember Newan House will read that. I will invite uh Captain Nate Cogdil Engineer Aaron Clare, Firefighter Mason Kaiz of Engine 110. Whoever wants to come to the uh table, please come. Chief Mark Anderson, staff assistant Mark Van Winkel, firefighter Pramedic Mun Park and Neek Henry from Battalion 101. Please join us here, and after the Councilman Newtonhouse read the proclamation, we hear from you and your comments. Please go ahead. Thank you, Mayor. Um honor to read this, especially after having a private uh personal tour of the new Fire Station 10 on uh on Saturday this weekend, which was so well attended by the public. Um whereas International Fire Fighters Day is observed annually on May 4th to honor and remember the courageous firefighters who have lost their lives in service to their communities to express gratitude to those who have served and to recognize those who continue to protect and safeguard our residents today. And whereas this global observance was established following the tragic loss of five five firefighters in a wildfire in Victoria, Australia on December the 2nd, 1998, as a way to honor their sacrifice and recognize the dedication of firefighters worldwide who risk their lives daily in the line of duty. And whereas firefighters face significant personal and physical challenges, demonstrating exceptional bravery and selflessness as they respond to fires, to medical emergencies and disasters, often at great personal risk to protect lives, property, and the well-being of their communities. And whereas the Bellevue Fire Department continues to uphold the highest standards of excellence, maintaining its international accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International since 1998, reflecting the department's ongoing commitment to professionalism, to preparedness and public safety. And whereas Bellevue's firefighters serve with dedication, responding at a moment's notice to emergencies, ensuring the safety of individuals and families, and supporting the resilience and economic stability of our community. Now, therefore, I, Councilmember New Enhouse, on behalf of Mo Malicutian, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington, on behalf of the City Council to hereby proclaim May 4th, 2026 as International Firefighters Day in Bellevue, and encourage residents to show appreciation for their courage, for their dedication, and for their sacrifice of our Bellevue Fire Department personnel and firefighters everywhere, while also honoring the memory of those who have given their lives, sir, given their lives in the line of duty. Thank you, Councilmember New England House. Please. Council just want to thank you for recognizing the honor that we get to play in being a part of this community and serving the needs here. And uh especially want to thank you for your support. It's fun for us to be able to operate out of a brand new fire station. And uh thank you for that. And it helps us serve the community better with all the growth that we have. Thank you for supporting us and allowing us to do a faster response and provide the resources for us to do that. So thank you for recognizing the role that we have the honor of providing to this community. And uh just it's truly an honor for us to be able to do this every day when we come to work. So thank you. Thank you. Yeah, thank you very much for giving us the ability to respond quickly to this area downtown where we have so many more calls. We work hard to try to be prepared to do a good job for you, and we appreciate your support and allowing us to do that.
openpublica.com