OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyBellevue, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:47:44
Transcript — Verbatim
0:44

Good evening, everyone, and welcome.

0:47

Thank you for being here and taking the time to engage with our city work.

0:54

Your voice matters, and we are glad to hear from you.

0:58

Uh, City Claire, would you please do a roll call?

1:02

Here.

1:03

Deputy Mayor Hamilton.

1:04

Councilmember Bargata.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Councilmember Breyer here.

1:07

Councilmember New in House.

1:09

Councilmember Robinson.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Councilmember Sumador.

1:13

Councilmember New and House, uh, would you please lead us in the flag salute?

1:17

Certainly, Mayor.

1:18

Please rise if you're able.

1:20

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:27

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:36

Thank you so much, Councilman Ewan House.

1:39

We have uh two proclamation tonight.

1:42

Uh we always appreciate the passion and advocacy our community members and staff bring when accepting proclamation to help us to be on a schedule.

1:53

Please limit your total to three minutes when you are on the table.

1:59

Uh, we have the first one is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

2:04

Councilmember Bargawa, we read that.

2:07

I am inviting Elaine White from Bellevue Network on Aging to the table after uh he's done with reading.

2:16

We would love to hear your remarks.

2:19

Councilmember Bargawa, please.

2:21

Thank you, Mayor.

2:23

Hi.

2:25

Whereas World Elder Abuse Awareness Day observed annually on June 15th was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 66127 to raise awareness of elder abuse and encourage action to protect older adults around the world, and whereas population's age and life expectancy increases, elder abuse remains a growing and serious issue that threatens the health, safety, dignity, and human rights of older adults.

2:59

And whereas elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation, and often occurs at the hands of trusted individuals, and whereas older adults may face barriers to reporting abuse, including fear, isolation, dependency, language barriers, and physical or cognitive challenges, making community awareness and support critically important, and whereas the city of Bellevue is committed to supporting the safety, dignity, independence, and well-being of older adults through programs, services, and partnerships that help residents age safely and remain connected to their community.

3:44

And whereas preventing elder abuse is a shared responsibility, and Bellevue encourages all residents to learn the signs of abuse, support older adults in their lives, and report concerns when abuse, neglect, or exploitation is suspected.

3:59

Now, therefore, I, Vishhal Bhargaba, on behalf of Mo Malakutian, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington, and the City Council to hereby proclaim June 15th, 2026 as Elder Abuse World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Bellevue, Washington, and urge all residents to join in raising awareness, preventing elder abuse, and helping ensure that all older adults are treated with dignity, respect, and care.

4:27

Thank you, Councillor Bargabo.

4:30

I feel like I don't have to say anything more.

4:33

Thank you.

4:35

Thank you, Mayor Marel Kucian and Deputy Mayor Hamilton, and all the council members.

4:43

Thank you for this proclamation and for raising awareness of elder abuse.

4:47

My name is Elaine White, and I'm a member of Bellevue's Network on Aging.

4:47

Our primary goal is to advocate for the aging population in Bellevue, which accounts for nearly one quarter of the city's people.

5:00

Elder abuse is defined by the National Council on Aging as the intentional harming of a vulnerable person over the age of 60.

5:14

It takes many forms: physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment.

5:24

It's hard to imagine abuse of anyone human towards another.

5:30

And there's something especially insidious about elder abuse.

5:35

According to the dictionary, an elder is a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself, an aged person or an influential member of a tribe or community.

5:48

In writing these comments, I'm struck by the nature of this type of abuse.

5:53

All abuses ought to be abhorrent to civil society, so why does intentional harm happen, especially to an influential member of a community or family?

6:05

There is no answer.

6:07

The fact is that it does.

6:08

What can be done?

6:10

We can be aware of our loved ones, neighbors, and friends situation.

6:16

We can help show care by asking questions when situations don't seem right.

6:22

When we see something, we can say something.

6:25

We can call for a welfare check or ask for help if needed.

6:31

When we we can be willing to help when loved ones ask us to.

6:37

From personal experience, the seeming elder abuse of my dad was hard to detect.

6:44

As his dementia worsened, it became clear that a woman he was involved with was taking advantage of his failing memory.

6:52

When he asked me to take over Hill's bill paying and financial accounts, I did, and the checks to her stopped.

7:02

She stopped her relationship with my father shortly after I took over his financial business.

7:08

He was lucky, he did not run out of resources before his life was over, as my father-in-law had.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████████████28%
Miscellaneous██████████████████18%
Procedural████████████12%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Public Safety███████████11%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Homelessness█1%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Bellevue City Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Bellevue City Council met on June 9, 2026, at 7:45 PM. The meeting included proclamations for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Juneteenth, public comments on a range of topics, reports from the police department and Keep Bellevue Beautiful program, and action on three major items: an omnibus land use code amendment, a sign code update, and a one-year moratorium on detention center uses.

Proclamations

  • World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2026): Proclaimed by Councilmember Bargava, with remarks from Elaine White of Bellevue's Network on Aging, who highlighted that nearly one quarter of Bellevue's population is aging and described personal experiences of elder abuse.
  • Juneteenth (June 19, 2026): Proclaimed by Councilmember Breyer, with remarks from a community representative emphasizing the importance of recognizing black struggle and excellence. The Juneteenth flag will be raised at City Hall from June 18-22, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Royce Yen expressed full support for a moratorium on detention centers (Ordinance 6926), urging the council to vote yes to ensure Bellevue remains a welcoming city for immigrants.
  • Coalition of nine neighborhood associations (speaker from Newport Hills and Bridal Trails) requested exemption from sign registration requirements, arguing that the burden on neighborhood associations is unfair and that code compliance is already understaffed. They opposed the sign code update as drafted.
  • Randy Banneker (Seattle King County Realtors) expressed full support for the sign code update, praising the collaborative process and urging the council to keep leading on efficiency.
  • Hannah Floss (Indivisible East Side) expressed full support for the detention center moratorium, citing concerns about for-profit detention centers and the need for a welcoming city.
  • Joseph Osteller expressed support for the moratorium but urged a permanent ban, referencing the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma as a model of poor conditions.
  • Juja Sou (first-generation immigrant, alumni of Interlake High School, works with Africans on the East Side) urged the city to expand outreach to all immigrant communities, emphasizing language access and representation.
  • Robert Champeau voiced concern about increasing vehicle noise pollution, documented decibel levels above the state limit of 72 dB, and proposed five recommendations including higher fines and noise cameras.
  • David Spanier (Greenwich Crest neighborhood) expressed concern over lack of substantive responses to community questions about the safe parking program at Newport Presbyterian Church, asking the council to direct staff to provide answers before final decisions.
  • Alex Zimmerman (speaking as a private citizen) accused the mayor of using a non-legal name and claimed criminal activity; he repeated past allegations and demanded action.
  • Manwig (owner of Hilton and Red Lion properties in Bellevue) requested that East Main include a fee-in-lieu option for affordable housing, consistent with other transit-oriented districts, to avoid slowing development.

Reports & Presentations

  • Police Mid-Year Crime Update: Chief Shirley and Assistant Chief Papachak reported overall crime down 28% (739 fewer incidents year-to-date), property crimes down 30%, crimes against persons down 24%, and a slight uptick in drug-related crimes. Response time to priority 1 calls improved to 3 minutes 14 seconds. Traffic citations increased 11%, including 63 for modified exhausts. The Community Crisis Assistance Team (CCAT) made 2,700 contacts. A new Drone First Responder program is being explored. The department is preparing for World Cup watch parties.
  • Keep Bellevue Beautiful Program: Coordinator Evan Reed reported 60 active adopt-a-street participants, 115 cleanups covering 52 miles, 311 bags of litter removed. In 2026, 1,185 shopping carts retrieved from 164 reports. Signature streets program conducted 11 events with 137 volunteers, removing 279 bags of litter. The "26 for 26" initiative aims for a cleanup in every neighborhood.
  • Cougar Mountain Annexation: Staff reported the annexation process is winding down because the statutory threshold of 60% property owner support was not achieved; no council action required.

Consent Calendar

  • Routine approvals were passed unanimously, including the appointment of Stefan Hopp to the Parks and Community Services Board for a term expiring May 31, 2030.

Discussion Items

  • Omnibus Land Use Code Amendment (2026 LUCA): Staff presented a package of code changes: ~60% state law conformance, ~30% cleanup, ~10% policy scope. Key policy items included: adjustment of tree credits in SR1 districts (reducing requirements), allowing partial credit for property line trees, expanding fee-in-lieu option for affordable housing in East Main (from on-site only to also fee-in-lieu at $38/sq ft), and single-family exclusion from high-density zones. Councilmember Robinson opposed the fee-in-lieu for East Main, arguing it weakens affordable housing policy and that benefits (upzone) should not be retained without on-site requirements. Councilmember Newenhouse supported the fee-in-lieu for flexibility. The motion passed 6-1 with Robinson opposed.
  • Sign Code Update (Ordinance 6925): Staff presented a rewrite of the sign code to comply with the Reed v. Gilbert Supreme Court decision and streamline regulations. Changes included: temporary sign registration simplified (personal info removed from sign face), yard signs on private property exempt, yard signs in right-of-way for less than 48 hours exempt, only signs in right-of-way over 48 hours require registration. Neighborhood associations not exempt due to content neutrality concerns. Council discussion focused on political signs, neighborhood association burden, enforcement resources, and the 48-hour exemption. The ordinance passed unanimously.
  • Detention Center Moratorium (Ordinance 6926): Staff proposed a one-year emergency moratorium on acceptance/processing of applications for detention centers in Bellevue, with a work plan to study land use controls. Council discussed legal authority, preemption questions, the lack of any pending application, and the scope (excluding existing city detention by BPD). The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Omnibus LUCA: Council directed staff to finalize the LUCA and BCCA ordinances for final action at a future meeting (passed 6-1).
  • Sign Code Update: Ordinance 6925 adopted unanimously, effective February 2027, with a community education campaign planned.
  • Detention Center Moratorium: Ordinance 6926 adopted unanimously, imposing a one-year moratorium effective immediately, with a public hearing required within 60 days (by August 7, 2026).
  • Next Meeting: The regular council meeting on June 16, 2026 is cancelled; next meeting is June 23, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome. Thank you for being here and taking the time to engage with our city work. Your voice matters, and we are glad to hear from you. Uh, City Claire, would you please do a roll call? Here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Councilmember Bargata. Here. Councilmember Breyer here. Councilmember New in House. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Sumador. Councilmember New and House, uh, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Certainly, Mayor. Please rise if you're able. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much, Councilman Ewan House. We have uh two proclamation tonight. Uh we always appreciate the passion and advocacy our community members and staff bring when accepting proclamation to help us to be on a schedule. Please limit your total to three minutes when you are on the table. Uh, we have the first one is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Councilmember Bargawa, we read that. I am inviting Elaine White from Bellevue Network on Aging to the table after uh he's done with reading. We would love to hear your remarks. Councilmember Bargawa, please. Thank you, Mayor. Hi. Whereas World Elder Abuse Awareness Day observed annually on June 15th was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 66127 to raise awareness of elder abuse and encourage action to protect older adults around the world, and whereas population's age and life expectancy increases, elder abuse remains a growing and serious issue that threatens the health, safety, dignity, and human rights of older adults. And whereas elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation, and often occurs at the hands of trusted individuals, and whereas older adults may face barriers to reporting abuse, including fear, isolation, dependency, language barriers, and physical or cognitive challenges, making community awareness and support critically important, and whereas the city of Bellevue is committed to supporting the safety, dignity, independence, and well-being of older adults through programs, services, and partnerships that help residents age safely and remain connected to their community. And whereas preventing elder abuse is a shared responsibility, and Bellevue encourages all residents to learn the signs of abuse, support older adults in their lives, and report concerns when abuse, neglect, or exploitation is suspected. Now, therefore, I, Vishhal Bhargaba, on behalf of Mo Malakutian, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington, and the City Council to hereby proclaim June 15th, 2026 as Elder Abuse World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Bellevue, Washington, and urge all residents to join in raising awareness, preventing elder abuse, and helping ensure that all older adults are treated with dignity, respect, and care. Thank you, Councillor Bargabo. I feel like I don't have to say anything more. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Marel Kucian and Deputy Mayor Hamilton, and all the council members. Thank you for this proclamation and for raising awareness of elder abuse. My name is Elaine White, and I'm a member of Bellevue's Network on Aging. Our primary goal is to advocate for the aging population in Bellevue, which accounts for nearly one quarter of the city's people. Elder abuse is defined by the National Council on Aging as the intentional harming of a vulnerable person over the age of 60. It takes many forms: physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. It's hard to imagine abuse of anyone human towards another. And there's something especially insidious about elder abuse. According to the dictionary, an elder is a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself, an aged person or an influential member of a tribe or community. In writing these comments, I'm struck by the nature of this type of abuse. All abuses ought to be abhorrent to civil society, so why does intentional harm happen, especially to an influential member of a community or family? There is no answer. The fact is that it does. What can be done?

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