[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6343483,"mediaKeyId","2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575","parentId",2252238,"title","Public commenters urge smart disposal pilot, stormwater retention and delay of Wilburton TOD RFP; one speaker criticizes police","audioSeconds",840,"startMs",1016000,"endMs",1856000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575&start=1016&end=1856","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575/thumbnail_1016000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343483/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Public-commenters-urge-smart-disposal-pilot-stormwater-retention-and-delay-of-Wilburton-TOD-RFP-one-speaker-criticizes-police","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343483-dd91a4cd191a43c8b736eeaee13eef9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167795&Signature=hW6qIHW4NtOBY82UqPfqKVYsDu3l5XDVqePi6Nb8D2cIxNH9hZ3DeT4pWSXgsm~N~-IYW2exDEtUX288UpVEsu1IA-fEfaNTTcF7NoOT8U5DzKSB1NJYudTcwuACBrNxOmtY2Lc9JrqIoAqzZhSL1pimumDd0zVD-79qwd1YOef6wlcvqXeo6rf7FX2-Gwc6KwOl99mAJi-hBAmYOE8kZ3VoXItp7ixZ9Y7ZMEKG50Kw9btd3szdB64eq5lnmj-ycpPC1mp8s0A7YQ8qWyfvMf~XbgWWqMmn5En7UfWBhl2nVSx00Po5blWA2Sou~srlh-yeAzN~JCz8NB6C7N1K-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellevue City, WA","date","2025-02-05T08:07:34Z","article","Several members of the public addressed the council during the Feb. 4 oral‑communications period on a range of topics, including waste‑billing reform, development timing, stormwater concerns and policing.

Smart Disposal pilot: Paul Quinn, a Sammamish resident, urged Bellevue to change how solid-waste customers are charged and proposed a pilot called \"Smart Disposal\" that would weigh residential containers at pickup and send residents a postcard report with per‑pickup disposal and diversion data. Quinn argued the current system charges customers by container size rather than by weight or diversion and said metering disposal could increase fairness and encourage recycling and composting. The council asked Quinn to email supporting materials; Quinn said he had emailed handouts earlier in the day.

Wilburton TOD RFP: Todd Woosley, co‑owner of Briarwood Center in the Wilburton/Bel‑Red area, asked the council to delay an RFP for the Wilburton transit‑oriented development (TOD) site. Woosley said the single‑site RFP would be \"suboptimal\" and urged the city to postpone the solicitation until proposed land use code amendments are adopted so potential proposers know the applicable rules. He offered to work with the city and neighboring property owners on a collaborative approach to maximize housing yield and affordable units.

Stormwater and retention pond request: Vicky Baggett, a Bellfield Residential Park resident, asked when the city would build a retention pond near Surry Downs to capture toxic spills that she said have flowed through a storm water channel into the Mercer Slough; she said a confirmed motor‑oil spill occurred in fall 2024 and that city environmental staff had documented the contamination. City staff said the utilities department would follow up and that staffer Rebecca Horner would contact Baggett.

Police criticism and decorum: Alex Zimmerman (identified in the transcript as a caller addressing police matters) used his public comment to sharply criticize the Bellevue Police Department and to allege long‑running misconduct. The presiding officer warned Zimmerman for disruptive language and behavior; after repeated interruptions the chair issued formal warnings and the speaker’s time concluded. Comments that make allegations of criminal conduct remain the speaker’s statements on the record; the council did not take action on those allegations during the meeting.

Other procedural notes: The council did not respond substantively to commenters during the oral‑communications period beyond acknowledging receipt, offering staff follow‑up where indicated, and asking for additional materials when needed.

Ending: Several public items raised requests for staff follow‑up — city utilities will contact the resident about stormwater; Mr. Quinn was asked to re‑send his handouts to council and Republic Services; and the Briarwood owner requested staff consider delaying the Wilburton RFP pending LUCA adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellevue City Council Meeting - February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters at the Feb. 4 Bellevue City Council meeting urged the city to pilot a weighed‑waste billing system, pursue a stormwater retention pond, and delay a Wilburton TOD RFP; one speaker made allegations about police conduct and was warned for disruptive remarks.","taxTitle","Bellevue, King County, Washington","taxId",2544,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343488,"Bellevue launches Inclusive Innovation Forum in March to advance digital equity and startup partnerships",958,5976000,6934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575&start=5976&end=6934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575/thumbnail_5976000.jpg","/articles/6343488/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-launches-Inclusive-Innovation-Forum-in-March-to-advance-digital-equity-and-startup-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343488-53a63eeff37a163e2f9871437e6d19d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167795&Signature=M1QJDPHuR3VVpSkBsd4~IGCqC5gi5aBPXRQhhT4JFghG~aJ3A8EWqE9SyYnkwhPIeLx6kr4NSV0sbtYByni3GavsOuscLsWkoTkXlvmM0ATo-~Gzkd-oG2Isoigv7Rq9Oj7bxjqjDz7KeWD5miWMfv38KmOf4C5Q7Oj~s6pAkcNqySXsgbcibKykDKz1eWh0AABI3fp~eGxTAyS-SqjSEcIlugrWHh9MSDpIv1179uMDEJCzpm6uRVdfgOua2Tw1mGTyOeE0D4tAvb9kvX7WL6tZiGUoHdro24h926ZzPPnx~TRpHn~DGTWgLcUmOzU8BE~foELBripiBnGIyBk~BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellevue staff on Feb. 4 said the city will host an Inclusive Innovation Forum on March 5 to convene technology companies, nonprofits, residents and city staff to pursue digital‑equity projects, pilot civic technologies and strengthen the local startup ecosystem.

Sabra Schneider, information‑technology staff, told the council the initiative seeks \"to bring together not only government but private business, non profits and our community to support and spark increased innovation\" and to position Bellevue as a neutral convener. PJ Rodriguez, who led community engagement for the project, described a multi‑step engagement process including informal stakeholder interviews, an innovation preview event in November 2024, and an online survey that shaped priorities.

Engagement outcomes staff reported include three priority focus areas: support for digital equity (free tech help, classes, connectivity and devices), policy work to make it easier to pilot public‑sector innovations, and building a thriving innovation ecosystem by offering neutral meeting space, partnership pathways and accelerator support. Council CIP funds were identified for 2025–26 to seed the work.

Staff said the forum will seek to produce work plans for subteams that will pursue digital‑equity pilots, tech policy/playbooks and startup/corporate partnership pilots. The city also highlighted Startup 425, a local accelerator; staff said the program is accepting applications for its second cohort and noted positive feedback from the first cohort.

Several public commenters had spoken earlier in the meeting in support of the forum. Resident and technologist Sandy Sharma described long experience in government innovation and said Bellevue offers a neutral convening platform; local technologist Gayathri Venkataraman said startups can speed permitting and help building‑sector sustainability work.

What’s next: The Inclusive Innovation Forum is set for March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.; staff asked council and community partners to participate in subteams and said they would return with outcomes and metrics later in the year.

Ending: Staff and council members signaled support for piloting innovation while asking staff to return with measures for impact. The forum web page and registration details were provided by staff.","City staff announced an Inclusive Innovation Forum to begin March 5, aimed at connecting government, businesses, non‑profits and residents to boost digital equity, pilot civic tech and support startups; council-funded seed CIP funding will support work in 2025–26.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343493,"Bellevue Police report 6% drop in 2024 crime; chiefs outline staffing gains and recruitment efforts",1213,3245000,4458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575&start=3245&end=4458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575/thumbnail_3245000.jpg","/articles/6343493/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-Police-report-6-drop-in-2024-crime-chiefs-outline-staffing-gains-and-recruitment-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343493-474031f1234d861aaee8d42d39a28b32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167795&Signature=Qnmj6yPaLjh8TJ6TwNCGhQ70aC5xlwHCNZeMwJmI7iycz2tgIj6UKBxHdLCZbzk22HA9ll5F-McDUqPiqbasEjT4X4nrPck7ge33Hx5MIFTTzklUX6EPZcW1ked3N5FAVLqg~-TN98ui6KqNUejca7btOEWFh6yopKCytdrXNYjHpzw3AK2wDlzQNfIS4FFRdckEfBaMENasTo5IPGQcFSgfR6B1LfHhbV-PXZPgzVtrbHkx7ACDpsvGNzlSj4P-IRJdv2F~z3PvwaXXRyvEX1ER-U-XEe2qk6KBVAr68ViYnNwvKFeAZEk~x8QAdpPdMxq-wjeaH7CyjNJYC4rW9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley told the City Council on Feb. 4 that the department’s 2024 crime statistics show a 6% reduction in overall reported crime and described ongoing recruiting and retention efforts to rebuild staffing after regional and national workforce pressures.

\"Our 2024 crime statistics show us that we had a 6% reduction in our overall crime,\" Chief Shirley said in the study session. He reported a 2% reduction in crimes against persons, a 7% reduction in crimes against property, and a 4% increase in crimes against society driven largely by drug-related reports tied to changes in law and enforcement practice after the 2021 Blake decision and a 2023 legislative fix.

Chief Shirley outlined staffing numbers and recruiting steps: the department is authorized for 206 commissioned officers and \"currently have 190 filled,\" with 46 new commissioned hires reported during 2024 (a net gain of 17 officers over the reporting period). He said the department had roughly 16 vacancies at the time of the presentation and noted the council-approved incentives that have helped recruitment, including take-home vehicles and hiring bonuses. Shirley told council \"we've had about 5 laterals take advantage of\" the $30,000 lateral hiring bonus so far.

On response and community measures, the department reported an average emergency response time of 3 minutes, 35 seconds, and said it gave nearly 3,800 survey responses via a text-based follow-up system with an average rating of 4.45 out of 5. The department said shoplifting was the most-reported crime category in 2024 (about a 9% increase, roughly 125 additional reports) and described a holiday \"Stop the Lift\" initiative that produced 161 arrests. The department also emphasized work on domestic violence, citing the value of a domestic-violence advocate embedded with the department.

Council members asked for additional data and follow-up in several areas. Mayor Lee Robinson asked whether Bellevue tracks hate crimes; Chief Shirley said the department does track hate- and bias-motivated incidents and reports crime data through NIBRS. Councilmembers pressed for breakdowns of lateral hires versus new recruits and for more detail on academy throughput; staff said they would provide additional numbers.

Chief Shirley also described internal steps to improve retention, including officer wellness support, supervisory training, internal communications, recognition programs and promotional opportunities. He said department leadership is reviewing organizational structure and span of control and looking at a reorganization that would rebalance supervisory responsibilities.

Ending: The presentation concluded with council questions and requests for follow-up on hate-crime figures, lateral hires and other staffing details. The department said it would return with additional data and continue working with the council on priorities.","Chief Wendell Shirley told the City Council the department saw a 6% drop in overall reported crime in 2024 and described hiring and retention steps that reduced vacancies since April 2024. The department also reported improved response times, a community survey program and targeted initiatives for shoplifting and domestic violence.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343498,"Bellevue Council directs staff to finalize land use code amendments to meet state design-review law",1522,1757000,3279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575&start=1757&end=3279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252238-ba2ee50bb2f157bb3c526161698b0575/thumbnail_1757000.jpg","/articles/6343498/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-Council-directs-staff-to-finalize-land-use-code-amendments-to-meet-state-design-review-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343498-5d49bd0724adf0b37b96ef3cef87656d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167795&Signature=eokZoe1g1XamTQzlChC3Va9PDGUMyIl08RCM~tQYzUUZL3eCC~szdBs7ZYYLE07cw-JWLFWkmJ39bIQbPIxhpKEG2sBGH1cu~395V~HlsU9d-DoJtuYopl0UjTYKF1vc2fcUC2qspZ~F4-c-uHfiHL6TLjTZ-UbIShxrJKjbvFvuXJ8PMkBv8ka6YWbDUnTI1-m~YdglBK8q-bMOEsekh4T64mTh2IFT5zVou6B6hGytwajpMGJrhfKz3mX55E~3j8dtbe3O7ZqaZCY20l9OuQqAf-E8xO1rHJlsMb8sR~GAin-Frt97wqosOgDdmXmAEKqHNZOl6RsFbINUP5bzXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellevue City Council on Feb. 4 voted to direct staff to finalize a Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) that tightens design-review rules to conform with state law and to prepare the ordinance for adoption on a future consent calendar.

City staff told the council the package responds to House Bill 1293 and amendments to the Growth Management Act and seeks to replace subjective language such as \"visually interesting\" with clear, objective standards. Assistant Director Nick Whipple said staff were asking the council \"to direct staff to prepare the LUCA ordinance for adoption at a future date on the consent calendar.\" Senior planner Kirsten Matt summarized the drafting principle: \"The main objective was to only include standards that were objective.\"

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the LUCA after public hearings and review. Louisa Collot, vice chair of the Planning Commission, told the council the commission found the package met LUCA decision criteria and was \"consistent with the comprehensive plan.\" Collot said commissioners adjusted language after a January public hearing and recommended a minor post-hearing change to vest concurrent master development permits to the same code at the time of a complete application.

Why it matters: The state law passed in 2023 (House Bill 1293) requires cities to provide clear and objective design standards, consolidate permit review, and limit public meetings associated with design-review processes. City staff said Bellevue already practiced several of those elements and that the LUCA package aims to preserve city design outcomes while making review more predictable for applicants.

Key provisions staff identified include:
- Rewriting design standards to remove subjective phrasing and provide succinct ‘‘intent’’ statements that explain the purpose behind objective rules.
- A vesting mechanism so design-review permits and concurrently filed master development permits vest to the code in effect at complete application, reducing the risk of mid-review code changes.
- A clean-up of the sign code (to be folded into the city code by a separate ordinance).

Council members asked about design quality under a more objective code and about opportunities to use technology, including AI, in future review processes. Deputy Mayor Iimo Malakutian praised staff and the Planning Commission, saying, \"This is a great job by staff,\" and asked whether objective standards risked producing formulaic designs. Staff replied the amendment preserves departure pathways that allow creative alternatives when applicants demonstrate equivalent outcomes.

Action and vote: Councilmember Newenhouse moved to \"direct staff to finalize the LUCA ordinance for final action as part of the consent agenda at the future meeting.\" The motion was seconded and passed on an aye vote; the presiding officer declared the motion carried.

What’s next: Staff will prepare the LUCA ordinance for formal adoption on a future consent calendar, consistent with the direction the council gave. Planning staff said the LUCA project began in July and included Planning Commission study sessions, a Jan. 22 public hearing, and stakeholder outreach; staff recommended returning the final ordinance on the consent calendar once drafting is complete.

Council, staff and the Planning Commission emphasized that the LUCA is intended to make permitting more predictable without changing the policy direction for downtown and other centers.

Ending: The council action sends the LUCA package to ordinance drafting and signals intent to place the measure on a future consent calendar; staff will return with the final ordinance and any needed materials for council review and adoption.","The Bellevue City Council on Feb. 4 directed staff to prepare an ordinance to adopt land use code changes that replace subjective design language with clear, objective standards under House Bill 1293 and to bring the ordinance back on a future consent calendar for final action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge smart disposal pilot, stormwater retention and delay of Wilburton TOD RFP; one speaker criticizes police

Bellevue launches Inclusive Innovation Forum in March to advance digital equity and startup partnerships

Bellevue Police report 6% drop in 2024 crime; chiefs outline staffing gains and recruitment efforts

Bellevue Council directs staff to finalize land use code amendments to meet state design-review law