[{"_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",6097923,"mediaKeyId","2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44","parentId",2826239,"title","Bellevue council backs letter supporting King County Metro’s RapidRide K locally preferred alternative","audioSeconds",1930,"startMs",4080000,"endMs",6010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44&start=4080&end=6010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44/thumbnail_4080000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097923/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-council-backs-letter-supporting-King-County-Metros-RapidRide-K-locally-preferred-alternative","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097923-4ca77773f7ed6914f0935b19b36f338f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181354&Signature=CsCuXPX8E4TETUMaVBI8wsz6b45FHP8Dv9N9ZlKzEZkQgMmhpMy3CcP0An7n2yba6LZqezO0d8B-70R1Abr92Y5dn64vx5eFuq2b~TMfuczlYTruM8ylulINia3gwxxzKf8HIRDbhCu2DSQcxyAVb~p9wGGQqwYaAXcRmIKngTeT4vFl2KivhDOlot2uc1-bDhsd6aC-EXiYgHKHL29DMoqO6FpSrV-Ne-Rv5Jc0qlxXPbgnr9FLxQhG13DDaCb2zAJUMgma7NQ6TEp2P2Q3Sr5fjFKFgBW5jKrAblNQdIQZqXgtOAGkKGZyUu8Cp2kklbgMj3nfXEA3qJDsq8QQrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellevue City, WA","date","2025-03-31T20:16:21.323Z","article","Bellevue City Council voted March 25 to direct city staff to prepare a letter of support for King County Metro’s RapidRide K locally preferred alternative, a 16-mile rapid transit route connecting Totem Lake (Kirkland) and Eastgate (Bellevue) with stops in downtown Kirkland and downtown Bellevue.

The council’s request follows months of outreach and technical review. Director Andrew Singalakis of the city Transportation Department said the LPA now includes 35 passenger facilities and 11 “access to transit” areas—sidewalk, crossing and bike improvements—to help riders reach stations.

Why it matters: Metro and city staff said the K line is expected to improve person throughput in regional centers, shorten transit travel time and support the cities’ growth plans. Ryan Whitney, King County Metro line lead for the project, said the LPA delivers an estimated 44.7 minutes of PM-peak travel-time savings (a 24% reduction) under the revised analysis and keeps the project inside Metro’s target for RapidRide investments.

Council and Metro officials described changes made after earlier public and council feedback. Whitney said Metro removed the westbound and eastbound bus-only lanes on Northeast 10th Street after analyzing traffic diversions and intersection impacts; the removal “fully mitigates” the earlier increase in eastbound general-purpose travel time that had been predicted for Northeast Eighth and Twelfth streets. Metro staff also pledged to continue signal upgrades, queue jumps and other speed-and-reliability elements at targeted intersections.

Metro said the project would run buses every 10–15 minutes during peak hours and up to 30 minutes in the lowest-demand off-peak periods. Amanda Pleasant Brown, Metro government relations, and Yubia Ellison Morales, senior community engagement planner, described a four-week Phase 3 outreach period (Jan. 16–Feb. 13) that gathered about 1,800 direct responses through online surveys, in-person tabling and briefings. Morales said survey respondents broadly matched local demographics on race, age, disability status and household income and that community members increasingly reported feeling informed about the project.

After the presentation and discussion the council voted to direct staff to prepare a letter for the mayor’s signature supporting Metro’s RapidRide K LPA so Metro can transmit the LPA to King County Council and pursue preliminary design and a Small Starts grant application with the Federal Transit Administration.

Council members who spoke in the discussion praised Metro’s outreach and the city–Metro coordination. Councilmember Dave Hamilton said removing the NE 10th Street bus-only lanes was a “substantial improvement” that mitigated vehicle diversion; Councilmember John Stokes called the project “a great example” of regional partnership; Councilmember Lee emphasized ensuring strong local connections to the route. Director Singalakis noted the City of Kirkland had already approved the LPA and that Metro hopes to have King County Council adopt a project-vision ordinance in June and submit a Small Starts application in August.

Next steps: If county council adopts the alignment ordinance, Metro planned to start or continue NEPA work and preliminary design this fall and seek federal Small Starts funding in the federal grant pipeline to fund construction expected in later biennia.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellevue City Council Meeting - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bellevue City Council voted March 25 to direct city staff to prepare a letter of support for King County Metro’s RapidRide K locally preferred alternative, a 16-mile rapid transit route connecting Totem Lake and Eastgate.","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},6097918,"Bellevue council opposes statewide payroll and B&O surcharges and votes to oppose property-tax lift in draft letters to legislators",4772,6088000,10860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44&start=6088&end=10860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44/thumbnail_6088000.jpg","/articles/6097918/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-council-opposes-statewide-payroll-and-BO-surcharges-and-votes-to-oppose-property-tax-lift-in-draft-letters-to-legislators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097918-1333aca042680616534c28492f8be37d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181354&Signature=msclLD91t-Mdwvmwu39OZ~mB6xcniGCmtHh-ytWvbgdGG4WKvNUJN-mwLQv-86Gwk0m4foGMvwiodMvRz-Lf0vbR4ZlJqATMPCSaD63PPIYvy4NSHj9mxUU2GyTpzjEsj8ZGfTmK4Kg4alI5~gqBXCecg5gCOLqXaknZUaM7ORzn5pY6yjJdflysXiDoE7b9fNk~Lvtw8AvJKe0yc7OZfs9kKC8aRJCOCPXd5GOdnx6DK4RzAvNffMCb-6jgUAMMP3xySaDjhoZgV2Lp-cRaT5ekFUh5gfZITzl3Ti4ZhUDC0EKU~tFTiVCSPmnd41QSsVAhdsO3~AdXwiFIbvR1~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellevue City Council held a late-added study session March 25 to review competing House and Senate proposals for state revenue changes, and then voted to direct staff to prepare letters opposing two statewide tax proposals and to oppose a broad property-tax lid lift as drafted.

City staff presented high-level summaries of proposals released that week. The House package referenced in the briefing would add a 1% surcharge to the business-and-occupation (B&O) tax on very large companies (revenues above $250 million) and a financial-intangibles (\"wealth\") tax on investment assets; it would also propose a property-tax lift capped at 3% in some formulations. The Senate draft included a payroll excise (a so-called head tax) set at 5% on wages above the Social Security wage base ($176,100 in 2024), a financial-intangibles tax variant, and a property-tax lift tied to population plus inflation without an explicit 3% cap. Staff estimated the House and Senate packages could raise roughly $15–17 billion over four years and stressed these were initial proposals in a long budget process.

Why it matters: City staff advised that some statewide options—specifically the Senate payroll excise (Senate Bill 5796) and the House B&O surcharge (House Bill 2045)—could disproportionately affect Bellevue because the city hosts a high concentration of large employers. Staff said a statewide payroll excise would apply to Bellevue as an employer and could cost the city modestly as an employer (preliminary estimate: roughly $153,000 annually) while also risking businesses relocating or reducing local hiring. Staff emphasized the proposals were early and subject to revision.

Council members voiced consistent concerns about the payroll excise and the large-employer B&O surcharge, warning that either measure could discourage companies from expanding or remaining in Washington and could ripple into job losses, reductions in local philanthropy and weaker long‑term tax bases. Councilmember Dave Hamilton called the payroll excise “devastating” for Bellevue; Councilmember Conrad Lee flagged potential consequences for residents and small businesses if large employers left the state.

After discussion the council approved two separate directives: one directing staff to prepare a city letter opposing the statewide payroll excise and the large-employer B&O surcharge, and a second directive opposing the Senate/House property-tax lid changes as they were presented in the briefs. City staff said they will draft a letter for the mayor’s signature to be shared with Bellevue’s state legislators and indicated staff will also pursue a joint letter with neighboring cities.

What staff recommended and the council asked for: Staff recommended (1) sending a city-level letter to Bellevue’s legislators emphasizing concerns about taxes that target large employers and may have destabilizing economic effects, and (2) continuing negotiations on property-tax relief with attention to senior and disabled exemptions and to appropriate caps. Councilmembers asked staff to use stronger language where council consensus existed (staff revised draft language from \"may\" to \"will\" discourage large employers).

Next steps: City staff will draft the mayoral letter opposing a statewide payroll excise and B&O surcharge and will prepare additional communications on the property-tax proposal consistent with council direction. Staff also signaled intent to coordinate with other jurisdictions on a joint letter.

","Bellevue City Council reviewed state revenue proposals at a March 25 study session and directed staff to prepare city letters opposing a proposed statewide payroll excise and a large-employer B&O surcharge; council also directed staff to oppose the property-tax lift in the current draft proposals.",{"_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},6097909,"Bellevue, school district mark 20 years of wraparound services that serve thousands of students and families",188,3412000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44&start=3412&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44/thumbnail_3412000.jpg","/articles/6097909/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-school-district-mark-20-years-of-wraparound-services-that-serve-thousands-of-students-and-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097909-7a9c1298dab8ed643d6cef682258e13b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181354&Signature=LHYAzO8LW9gD7Aw0qFapSk3WpgZ28r4sXeacSsFuQ6GJRM2Sr0KOdA2732hGDoUx0UIcDSD5UheP9mkZCsf0zBgdXCwt5IehcP-qYUmF4M3I6jquSlbNQpHjQhtI4mBO0RGE8agzE1~Qytv3b6d~aRMPhzslsej2-qaRtuaXyQyRlYCr189Fr7kBJxuHWoSPLctescj1Zgli2PppyY~KuFr-0b7l5kmBP~MZ9Rg-E02wl8rr4AJ8qZgPb-YzBG69xkum477YPEsUOKq2lSC7NMyc15S5MwLpuXlFXHh~rC6JwyH49JyAexzxQCed55Zxz5uNbRVfppDeiA0qfCr-PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and school-district staff on March 25 highlighted 20 years of Bellevue’s wraparound services program, which places program coordinators at neighborhood schools to connect students and families to social services, tutoring and enrichment programs.

City Manager Diane Carlson introduced the delegation from Parks and Community Services and the Bellevue School District. Tony Esparza, assistant director in the Human Services Division, said the program began in 2005 and focuses on partnering with neighborhood schools to address barriers to student success. Liliana Godinez, community-services program director, described an annual cycle of needs assessment, collaborative implementation and service delivery that targets academic supports, health services and family stabilization.

Dr. Ricardo Macias, director of community outreach for the Bellevue School District, said the district partners with the city to broaden family supports and cited examples: Spanish-language family classes delivered through a partnership with Instituto Cervantes and on-site tutoring and after-school programming at Stevenson and Lake Hills elementaries. Staff said the program has directly served more than 20,000 students and their families at the two highlighted schools over the program’s history.

Why it matters: Staff said wraparound coordinators increase school attendance, help students access mental-health and dental services, recruit volunteers, and support families experiencing housing instability or other crises. The program aims to make schools a hub where families can access multiple services in one place.

Staff closed by thanking council and presenting commemorative items; no council action was required.

","City staff and the Bellevue School District celebrated the 20th anniversary of the wraparound services program. Staff said the program has served more than 20,000 students at neighborhood schools, connecting families to mental health care, tutoring, after-school programming and housing support.",{"_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},6097913,"Residents urge Bellevue to narrow middle-housing update; speakers say draft goes beyond state law",392,2488000,2880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44&start=2488&end=2880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826239-0ee4720b275f3a1d8ab3807d8c3e1b44/thumbnail_2488000.jpg","/articles/6097913/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Residents-urge-Bellevue-to-narrow-middle-housing-update-speakers-say-draft-goes-beyond-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097913-4bd68e81cb01f1a89343dd81c49255b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181354&Signature=k4mje0gtcHT2uphNtkoRVAaMByo2KcX~mwO4sfv7hUQaL1yJOB4SSctPH6aRwKTcNRCjAa8kL1rgUT80trs1FlU2LX8lfCOimcG4-hKIQqFLwxTq5HbGi2IpWemcm0By7NjfKoeVr3abpJLspa2F0lie6HjCzsEwmR~YE9X0IggrRViinKr20IszZS~InyNtVdrsHw6FE8xy2v4MDxXBts5vP6zcGMFIiG-X1V2-riw1LyGEm2GlKurHax09kMaNEYCW-JO5mucGvnY7OgNwkkRotkUEh-msb0ZDjpahXKptSxum58ZwkyLXwusaz6MZfUwmJ0fdROkA0Gxov6Rcbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents who spoke during the March 25 oral communications period urged Bellevue to narrow its proposed land use code amendments (LUCA) implementing the state’s middle-housing and ADU laws.

Speakers said the city’s draft would allow more density and larger accessory dwelling units than the state Legislature intended. Nicole Myers, who said she reviewed multiple neighboring cities’ ADU standards, warned Bellevue’s draft “goes beyond the state’s expectation” by allowing taller and larger ADUs and allowing four- and six-plexes in areas where she said the intent was lower-scale middle housing. Ed Rittenhouse and Ann Rittenhouse called the proposal “excessive” and urged the city to seek a phased pilot approach similar to Tacoma’s infill pilot described by the Municipal Research and Services Center.

Other speakers raised concerns about infrastructure and walkability. Nicole Price, a Newport Hills resident, said neighbors fear losing the walkable character of their commercial core and that additional housing without sidewalks and other connectivity improvements would reduce neighborhood walkability. The speakers repeatedly urged stronger design guidance, setbacks and limits to ensure new housing blends with existing neighborhoods; several asked the council to adhere closely to the state’s “substantially similar” standard.

Why it matters: Bellevue staff have been drafting land-use code changes to comply with Washington House Bill 1110 (middle housing) and related ADU legislation. Commenters said several elements in the draft LUCA—such as ADU height, unit counts per lot and broader walkability metrics—appear more permissive than neighboring city approaches and could accelerate change beyond what the state set out.

Council and staff response: The city clerk noted the meeting had reached a three-speaker limit for those opposing middle-housing changes and closed additional speakers in that category, per the council’s rules for oral communications. Staff did not adopt any ordinance or vote on LUCA during this meeting; the item remained on future agendas for formal review.

Speakers and affiliations (as available): Christopher Randalls (director, Complete Streets Bellevue) delivered comments earlier in the meeting in favor of transit improvements; Nicole Myers (resident), Ed Rittenhouse (resident), Ann Rittenhouse (resident), Nicole Price (Newport Hills resident) and Lee Sergeant (resident) addressed housing and LUCA concerns.

Next steps: LUCA remains subject to future council study sessions and formal ordinance action. Residents urged the council to consider phased pilots, stronger design standards and closer alignment with the state’s “substantially similar” language when preparing final code updates.

","During oral communications at the March 25 council meeting several residents urged the council to scale back the city’s draft land use code amendments for middle housing (LUCA), arguing the draft exceeds state House Bill 1110 requirements, would harm neighborhood character, and lacks sufficient infrastructure planning and phased testing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellevue council backs letter supporting King County Metro’s RapidRide K locally preferred alternative

Bellevue council opposes statewide payroll and B&O surcharges and votes to oppose property-tax lift in draft letters to legislators

Bellevue, school district mark 20 years of wraparound services that serve thousands of students and families

Residents urge Bellevue to narrow middle-housing update; speakers say draft goes beyond state law