Parks and Community Services Board Meeting – July 16, 2026

The board convened for a regular meeting, approving the agenda and minutes from May and June 2026. The evening featured a presentation on the Bellevue Naturalist Program, discussion and approval of the 2027–2032 CIP budget recommendation to city council, and annual elections for board chair and vice chair.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The meeting agenda was approved unanimously.
• Minutes Approval: The May 2026 and June 2026 meeting minutes were each approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers signed up for oral comments. Two written communications were received:
  • Alice Liao suggested installing benches along 112th Avenue Northeast between Main Street and the East Main Light Rail Station.
  • Douglas Barrett echoed the bench suggestion and added recommendations for a dog waste station and bike lanes.
  • Staff noted these comments will be shared with the transportation department.

Discussion Items

• City Council Update (Councilmember Breyer):

  • Council is entering legislative recess in August.
  • Bellevue College is exploring campus expansion in Southeast Lake Hills, including potential dorms.
  • A business improvement area is being considered for downtown, possibly expanding to Crossroads and Factoria.

• Director’s Report (Meredith Petit):

  • July 4th event at Downtown Park had an estimated 70,000 attendees, a record increase partly due to light rail and World Cup events.
  • July is Park and Recreation Month; a proclamation was accepted at city council.
  • Upcoming Movies in the Park events: Downtown Park through July/August, Crossroads Park starting in August.

• Board Member Communications:

  • New board member Stefan Hobe introduced himself and shared positive experiences at the junior business fair and a site visit to Bell Red neighborhood park.
  • Eileen, Steve, Elizabeth, and Rowena (via remote) praised the July 4th event, the Robinswood off-site meeting, and the city’s trails and parks.

• Bellevue Naturalist Program Presentation (Ranger Curtis Kukal):

  • The program trains volunteers through 11 weeks of education; since 2010, 241 volunteers have been trained, with about 75 currently active.
  • Volunteers contribute 100+ hours annually, assisting with forest restoration, invasive weed removal, and native planting.
  • Projects highlighted: Weona Park (10 acres restored), Lewis Creek Park (pollinator garden, conifer pruning), and micro-infestation control.
  • Board members expressed strong support, noting the program’s value to the community and the importance of volunteer stewardship.
  • Questions were raised about data tracking (hours, outcomes), volunteer recruitment, and the balance between staff and volunteer capacity.

• 2027–2032 CIP Budget Recommendation:

  • Staff presented a draft memo reflecting board themes from previous meetings: “Parks Within Reach,” access, connectivity, and stewardship.
  • Board members discussed the draft and proposed three changes:
    1. Add more quantitative goals or measurable targets tied to existing plans.
    2. Move the “Expanding Access to Water” section (including the aquatic center) to the second position, after underserved neighborhoods.
    3. No other substantive changes; the memo to be finalized by staff with chair approval.
  • The board voted unanimously to approve the memo with those adjustments and delegate final approval to the chair.

• Board Elections:

  • Chair: Rowena Klima was re-elected for a third term by unanimous vote.
  • Vice Chair: Michelle Valverde was re-elected for a second term by unanimous vote.

Key Outcomes

• CIP Budget Memo: Approved unanimously (6-0) with direction to staff to incorporate the three agreed-upon changes and transmit to city council.
• Board Leadership: Rowena Klima elected chair, Michelle Valverde elected vice chair for the 2026–2027 term.
• Next Meeting: The board will not meet in August; the next regular meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2026.