Bellevue City Council Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Bellevue City Council held a regular meeting on June 23, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM. The meeting included oral communications, a public hearing on the 2027-2028 budget, and study sessions on the revenue forecast, utility rates, and the electric grid capacity study. The council heard from 11 oral communication speakers and 34 pre-registered public hearing speakers, with speaking time reduced from three to two minutes to accommodate all participants. The council also reviewed a budget survey with 1,278 responses, showing 80% of residents feel they get their money's worth from city services.

Consent Calendar

• Item 8D (Kelly KOD site Affordable Housing with Bridge Housing): Speaker Mary Jane Joganzinski expressed support for the consent agenda item, commending city staff for thorough review.
• The consent calendar was approved unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Hamilton, seconded by Councilmember Buriar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications (pre-budget hearing):

  • Matt Larson (Peterson Energy): Expressed gratitude for the grid capacity study, highlighting strengthened partnership with PSE.
  • Peggy Jackson (Greenwich Crest resident): Supported safe parking programs but opposed the Newport Presbyterian Church site, citing erosion of community trust, environmental sensitivity near wetlands, and lack of documented analysis. Asked for a clear documented analysis before approval.
  • Nikita Melnachenko (Vasa neighborhood resident): Raised safety concerns on 34th Street for children crossing to bus stops, requesting crosswalks, sidewalks, traffic calming, and speed cameras. Thanked councilmember and staff for walking the route.
  • Andrea Klein (Silva Glen Cooperative Housing board): Expressed strong support for Ordinance 6927 (decarbonization), thanking city staff and partners for recognizing the importance of limiting fossil fuels.
  • Matthew Ruran: Highlighted suicide risk among city employees (police, fire, road crews) and recommended the council sponsor a team for the Out of Darkness Walk in September for Suicide Prevention Month.
  • Nariko Fujita (Greenwich Crest resident): Strongly opposed the safe parking program at Newport Presbyterian Church, citing trespassing, off-leash pets, trash, loud arguments, liability concerns, and lack of a management plan. Asked for clear safety protocols and traffic mitigation.
  • Richard Rosal (Greenwich Crest resident): Opposed relocation of safe parking pilot to Newport Presbyterian Church, stating residents felt decisions were pre-made. Raised concerns about emergency vehicle access on Sundays, proximity to wetlands and homes, and lack of shared fire/transport evaluations. Asked for pause until a compatible site is found.
  • Joe Kunzler: Requested the council enforce rules against a speaker who hurled lies about the mayor, emphasizing respect and American values.
  • Pam Johnston: Discussed the comprehensive plan amendment process, questioning why Evans Plaza was being considered before HOMA and other priorities. Urged council to consider context and floor area ratio impacts.
  • Alex Zimmerman: Accused the mayor and council of criminal behavior, alleging suppression of speech and use of a non-legal name. Called the city a "fascist county" and criticized spending on immigrants and Sound Transit.

• Public Hearing on 2027-2028 Budget (34 speakers, 2 minutes each):

  • Mariah Frost (Kemper Development Company): Asked for funding of transportation master plan, smart intersection upgrades, and data-driven safety investments. Opposed road diets and urged a voter-approved TBD if needed.
  • Sarah Langton (Friends of the Grand Connection): Thanked council for commitment to the Grand Connection Crossing, a bike/ped bridge over I-405, and announced a new nonprofit to advocate and raise funds.
  • Laura Pilkington (homeowner on SE 29th Ct): Requested CIP funds for pedestrian pathways on West Lake Sammamish Parkway, highlighting a dangerous 150-foot section with a narrow path.
  • Alice Meng (People for Climate Action Bellevue Leadership): Urged a significant boost in spending on decarbonization programs, requesting $4 million in 2027 and $7 million in 2028 to ramp up to $9 million annually to meet 2050 emissions goals.
  • Diana Leo (Bellevue Chamber of Commerce / Bellevue Mobility Coalition): Urged prioritizing transportation master plan ($500,000), data-driven safety investments, multimodal projects with specific lists, failing intersection studies, and intelligent transportation systems.
  • Cameron Barajas (People for Climate Action): Noted 14 organizations and 143 individuals support the 1% for climate action budget request, and pointed to green bandanas in the audience as a show of support.
  • Gary Young (Tokiniki HOA president): Requested small budget allocations for vegetation clearing on West Lake Sammamish Parkway and to kick off the next stage of the corridor project.
  • David Porter (Bellevue resident, 30 years): Asked for continued collaboration on climate action, noting the city can lead in technology and environment.
  • Mark Naurelius (East Shore Unitarian Church, Citizens Climate Lobby): Urged investment to catch up on 2050 carbon reduction goals, speaking for his grandson Marvin.
  • Marilyn Myers (350 East Side): Urged $9 million per year for decarbonization, stating the city is not moving fast enough.
  • Tracy Cookley (Eastgate resident): Expressed concern that the city has fallen short on climate goals and urged immediate action.
  • Sana David (Interlake High School senior, Sustainability Ambassadors): Asked for $9 million annual funding for Sustainable Bellevue Plan, noting her generation will face future impacts.
  • Nail Singh (Amazon employee, Lake Mount resident): Supported ramping climate funding to $9 million/year, calling it less than 1% of the budget.
  • Neil Bakshi (incoming Interlake freshman): Asked for expanded heat pump and EV programs to meet 2050 goals.
  • Michael Lee (physician, 30-year resident): Compared climate change to a heart attack, urging investment now to avoid greater costs.
  • Luke Lee (Newport High School junior): Urged focus on transportation solutions like safer sidewalks, bike lanes, and better bus service to reduce emissions.
  • Court Olson (senior resident): Reflected on legacy and urged council to make the right budget decision for future generations.
  • Alexi Kahn (Crossroads resident): Criticized Vision Zero progress, noting pedestrian/cyclist fatalities are 49% of serious injuries despite being 5% of collisions. Called for change in transportation priorities.
  • Jennifer Keller (Lake Hills resident): Supported scaling up Energy Smart Eastside and other programs to meet emissions goals, urging $9 million/year.
  • Valentina Veneva (Crossroads resident, non-driver): Highlighted lack of safe access to light rail, missing crosswalks, and delayed speed limit implementation. Asked for prioritization of transit and safety projects.
  • Catherine Liu (Lake Heights resident): Urged council to prioritize Vision Zero and street safety, reallocate vehicle infrastructure revenues to projects for people not in cars.
  • Christopher Randalls (Complete Streets Bellevue): Presented the Safe Bellevue Coalition proposal for new TBD revenues to fund projects for walking, biking, rolling, and transit, improving safety for all.
  • Ava Lowe (Newport High School senior): Noted emissions only down 11% since 2011 vs. 35% goal, urged sustained investment in climate programs.
  • Barbara Tangshu (League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County): Urged refocus on decarbonization to meet 2050 commitment, noting current efforts are insufficient.
  • Tori Holverson (Interlake High School junior, Bellevue Youth Council): Asked to scale up Energy Smart Eastside for heat pumps, which are 300-400% more efficient.
  • Ben Mickle (downtown resident): Supported Safe Bellevue vision for street safety projects, opposed road widening projects that increase collisions and emissions.
  • Juan Ramos (downtown resident): Praised walkability and urged safe, affordable streets for all.
  • Matt Jack (Bellevue Downtown Association): Encouraged investments in strategic infrastructure (Grand Connection), downtown activation, economic development, and efficient permitting.
  • Heidi Dean (resident, community page admin): Cited survey top priorities: prosecuting misdemeanors, reducing travel concerns, improving intersections, managing development, code enforcement, traffic law enforcement. Opposed social engineering out of cars.
  • Vivian Lim (Citizens Climate Lobby): Asked for $5M in 2027, $7M in 2028, $9M thereafter for climate action, noting a goal without a budget is just a wish.
  • Vanessa (rising sophomore, Uport High School): Urged climate action funding, citing personal experiences with shorter ski seasons and extreme heat.
  • Pam Johnston (second appearance): Asked for better coordination and communication on city projects, citing stale website and lack of timeline.
  • Alex Zimmerman (second appearance): Called Bellevue a fascist city, criticized transportation policies and increased fatalities, urged stopping "Nazi" and "fascist" governance.

Discussion Items

• Budget Revenue Forecast and Utility Rates (Study Session):

  • City Manager Carlson introduced the budget process, noting the city is in a strong position but faces challenges from global and state economic forces. CFO John Risha presented the revenue forecast, showing slow growth with recovery expected in 2029. Persistent inflation and weakened consumer confidence are key factors. The forecast assumes no new revenues, but a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) option is being prepared as a separate package. The 1% property tax increase ($950,000, ~$13.50 on average home) is included.
  • Development Services Director Jake Hesselgesser reported high permit activity with $500M in major project permits ready to issue. Fees are regionally competitive. Annual cost of service study underway with proposed 2027 adjustments of 2-9%.
  • Utilities Director Lucy Liu presented rate drivers: wholesale costs from Cascade Water Alliance and King County, and local capital investments. Water rates projected to increase 7.7% in 2027, sewer 6.5%, stormwater 6%. Typical single-family monthly bill increase of $22 in 2027, $24 in 2028. Expanded bill assistance program to 80% AMI included.
  • Councilmembers discussed affordability, the need to balance infrastructure investments with cost-of-living impacts, and the importance of data-driven transportation spending. Councilmember Robinson emphasized public safety, transportation safety, and housing stability. Councilmember Breyer asked about smoothing rate impacts for households just above assistance thresholds. Councilmember Sumador asked about indirect billing for multifamily tenants and small business permitting. Councilmember Baragova asked about state-level B&O tax changes and TBD components. Councilmember Newenhouse asked about external factors (state taxes) and the 2029 recovery timeline. Deputy Mayor Hamilton asked about benchmarking permit activity and utility investments.

• Electric Grid Capacity Study (Study Session):

  • Emil King (Community Development) introduced the study, conducted with AECOM and in partnership with Redmond and PSE. The study assessed substation capacity to 2050. Key findings: sufficient capacity for next 10 years assuming planned upgrades (Center, Midlakes, North Bellevue, Rose Hill substations). Beyond 2035, three substations (Downtown, Bell-Red, Wilburton) may exceed capacity due to growth and electrification. Recommendations include semi-annual coordination workshops, streamlined permitting for grid projects, demand-side management, and community communication.
  • Councilmember Newenhouse, who requested the study, expressed concern about the timeline for substation upgrades and asked for more detail on load trajectories and permitting bottlenecks. He urged funding for next steps in the current budget cycle. Councilmember Baragova emphasized the need for a long-term strategy and unblocking PSE permits. Councilmember Breyer praised the collaborative roadmap. Deputy Mayor Hamilton asked about typical substation upgrade impacts and costs for implementation. Councilmember Sumador asked about aligning city 20-year plans with PSE's 10-year horizon.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Motion to approve the agenda passed unanimously.
  • Motion to approve the consent calendar passed unanimously.
  • Motion to suspend speaking time rules and set 2-minute limit for public hearing passed unanimously.
  • Motion to open the public hearing passed unanimously.
  • Motion to close the public hearing passed unanimously.
  • Motion to extend the meeting by 10 minutes passed unanimously.
• Directives and Next Steps:
  • Staff will incorporate public hearing feedback into the preliminary budget, to be presented in September.
  • The Transportation Benefit District (TBD) option will be prepared as a separate package for council consideration.
  • Staff will provide written responses to council questions via the memory bank.
  • For the grid study, staff will continue coordination with PSE, bring back implementation recommendations, and consider funding for next steps in the 2027-2028 budget. Councilmember Newenhouse requested a budget allocation for moving forward with recommendations.
  • The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2026 (July 7 meeting canceled).