Bellevue City Council Meeting – October 20, 2026

The Bellevue City Council met on October 20, 2026, starting at 1:45 PM, for a regular meeting that included proclamations, public testimony, study sessions on parking reform and the 2027-2028 budget, and final approval of two rezone applications. The meeting extended into the evening.

Proclamations

• Disability Employment Awareness Month was proclaimed, presented by Councilmember Robinson and accepted by Jen Stroli of the Evergreen Transition Program (Bellevue School District).
• Community Conflict Resolution Month was proclaimed, presented by Deputy Mayor Hamilton and accepted by Arthur Jackson of the Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda and consent calendar were approved unanimously without debate.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Hughes, Board President, Bellevue Farmers Market (joined by Loretta Lopez and Phyllis White): Requested $25,000/year in the 2027-2028 city budget. Reported 32,000 shoppers and $1,034,768 in vendor sales over 22 weeks in 2025. Noted the market provides food access, supports local vendors (65% of dollars stay local), and uses over $13,000 in SNAP/EBT annually.
• Patrick Hanks, Bellevue Chamber’s Plush Committee: Expressed support for the parking reform LUCA, particularly eliminating visitor parking requirements (Option 3) or reducing them (Option 2) to lower project costs. Emphasized that each parking stall adds $21,000–$120,000 to costs.
• Todd Myers, Vice President for Research, Washington Policy Center: Criticized EV chargers, heat pump subsidies, and e-bike subsidies as expensive per ton of CO2 reduced. Stated Bellevue EV chargers average 25% usage and the cost per metric ton for fast chargers is $6,000–$7,000, far exceeding the state carbon price of $40. Recommended purchasing certified offsets instead.
• Eli Lieberman, Executive Director, Washington Builds (state green bank): Urged the Council to retain the $5 million partnership with Washington Builds, noting that green banks can leverage public dollars significantly (e.g., New York Green Bank achieved 8:1 leverage). The money will support low-interest loans for heat pumps and commercial building retrofits.
• Court Wilson: Thanked staff for including $5 million for building decarbonization in the budget. Referenced an email with further input.
• Sam Gyum June: Raised concerns about nuisance and safety issues from social service facilities in his neighborhood, asking a council member to visit and enforce a Good Neighbor Agreement.
• Sue Mercer: Requested a code variance for parking on steep streets. Thanked police and fire departments, and asked for traffic light and landscaping improvements.
• Julie Cobb: Opposed state-imposed land use code changes, citing loss of mature trees, increased emissions from demolition, and neighborhood disruption. Called for a limit on demolition density.
• Alex Zimmerman, President, Stand Up America Party: Made inflammatory remarks, calling council members “political prostitutes” and “Nazi pigs.” Received two warnings and was escorted out.
• Eric Beeley, Senior Director of Homeless Youth Services, Friends of Youth: Urged the Council to fully fund services for unhoused youth using new sales tax revenue. Reported that the shelter turns away 30 calls per month from minors, and young adult shelter operated at over 100% capacity. Noted that 51 Bellevue youth are homeless and 70% of rapid rehousing participants achieve permanent housing.

Discussion Items

Parking Reform LUCA

Nick Whipple (Code and Policy Director) presented four topics:

1. Parking near BRT stops: Staff recommended a quarter-mile radius (consistency with state law and middle housing density). Council voted 4–3 for quarter-mile.
2. Visitor parking: The Council approved Option C (eliminate visitor parking minimums) 4–2, with Councilmembers Robinson and Sumadoria supporting Option B (diminishing requirements). Developers may still provide visitor parking at market discretion.
3. Large stall incentive: The Council voted 6–1 to retain the Planning Commission’s incentive (10–15% parking reduction for wider stalls). Councilmember Bargaba dissented.
4. Parking garage clearance: Unanimous decision to remove the separate land use standard and rely on building code. The Council directed staff to finalize the ordinance and return on consent.

Budget 2027-2028 – Thriving People and Communities

Staff (Meredith Patrick, Bianca Siegel, John Risha) presented nearly $120 million in proposed investments, including:

• Over $7 million annually in human services.
• Continued funding for affordable housing, homelessness outreach, and the Bellevue Promise college scholarship program.
• New Neighborhood Enhancement Program and modernization of contract management.

New Sales Tax Revenue (HB 2442): The city anticipates ~$1 million/year for children and family services. Staff identified $4 million in unfunded eligible requests. Council discussion centered on priorities:

• Councilmember Robinson and Deputy Mayor Hamilton both proposed focusing on child care/early learning, family financial assistance/housing stability, and youth behavioral health, with differing percentage splits (Robinson: 40/35/25; Hamilton: 45/35/20).
• Councilmembers Newenhouse, Sumadoria, Breyer, and Bargaba supported these three areas as top priorities.
• Mayor suggested including food/basic needs as a fourth priority with 10%.
• Final direction to staff: return November 3 with allocation options reflecting these priorities.

Budget 2027-2028 – High Quality Built and Natural Environment

Staff presented $500 million in capital and operating proposals, including:

• Implementation of the Sustainable Bellevue Plan (50% GHG reduction by 2030, 95% by 2050). Current data shows 12% overall reduction since 2011, with city programs contributing 0.8% in buildings and 8% in mobility.
• Proposed permit fee increases of 9.25–9.54% for development services.
• $5 million green bank investment, $1 million for Energy Smart East Side, and $200,000 for clean building programs.
• Councilmember Bargaba supported additional funding for Energy Smart East Side and green bank.
• Councilmember Newenhouse proposed $50,000 from council contingency for a consultant to expedite DADU/cottage housing financing partnerships.
• Councilmember Sumadoria asked about permit process improvements.
• Mayor suggested establishing city-controlled GHG targets and exploring fund shifts from municipal to community programs. Staff will provide effectiveness data on sustainability investments at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

1. Parking Reform LUCA: Direction approved for quarter-mile BRT parking reduction, elimination of visitor parking minimums, retention of large stall incentive, and use of building code for garage clearance. Ordinance to be finalized for consent.
2. Budget – New Revenue: Council directed staff to prioritize child care/early learning, financial assistance/housing stability, and youth behavioral health for HB 2442 funding. Food/basic needs may be included. Allocations to be presented November 3.
3. Contingency Fund Proposal: Councilmember Newenhouse proposed $50,000 for DADU financing consultant; other members may submit requests by November 3.
4. Rezones: Unanimous approval of Everglen Village (Ordinance 6944) and Bellwood Townhomes (Ordinance 6945) rezone applications.