[{"_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",6259628,"mediaKeyId","3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712","parentId",3139230,"title","Votes at a glance: Bellevue council approves agenda, a commissioner appointment and the consent calendar","audioSeconds",35,"startMs",4255000,"endMs",4290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712&start=4255&end=4290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712/thumbnail_4255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259628/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Bellevue-council-approves-agenda-a-commissioner-appointment-and-the-consent-calendar","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259628-b0d42e126db933dc4bba344926552fa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916745&Signature=U1KxYwy5xHk05hPOGRjnwUBjv~R7vsrmfUELBpdcMD9K8hgT4rK25-6Pw3UdgjuQrN1uf3y89Xr-qrgbpUVKprIMpuzvTY6ZLiU5wwg~CrszVGpz7tgUjNJrV68teI~ca8ceIRnWOisU8dQ~24E0AjkygslNsphZM9exsC4LJJvOGW6uDO0CLC2hpbqz5E0npypnPcVpxau4FJSOEdI2x4Ar6WD~5brFfOM~AIW0e19VdnlVty9QzV-RRoGq3CFli2eAcOedPJQ5ts4zPT0B0Qz4WqOImkPM-DoWVq69esoTqGg4RFoEILxcy6pryePWG~X8AMSJ7VxvrksZ7qWweQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellevue City, WA","date","2025-04-28T20:06:57.91Z","article","During the April 22 Bellevue City Council meeting members recorded three formal actions: approval of the meeting agenda, the appointment of Sandra Martinez Rosario to a partial term on the Arts Commission (term through May 31, 2028) and approval of the consent calendar.

Appointment: Councilmember John Stokes moved to appoint Sandra Martinez Rosario to a partial term on the Arts Commission expiring May 31, 2028; the motion was seconded and the council approved the appointment. The transcript records a voice vote without a roll‑call tally: “All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Great, welcome.”

Agenda and consent calendar: A motion to approve the meeting agenda was made and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. Later the council moved to approve the consent calendar; that motion was also seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript does not record individual member votes or a roll‑call for these actions.

Notes: The meeting packet and official minutes will contain the formal record, including any named mover/second entries or roll‑call tallies if recorded in the official minute log. No ordinances, resolutions or budget adoptions were approved during the session items summarized in this update.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellevue City Council Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 22 meeting the council approved the meeting agenda, appointed Sandra Martinez Rosario to a partial term on the Arts Commission (term expiring 05/31/2028) and approved the consent calendar. Vote tallies were not specified in the transcript.","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},6259632,"Bellevue provides update on Neighborhood Enhancement Program; $7 million, neighborhood‑driven projects in rotation",504,3732000,4236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712&start=3732&end=4236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712/thumbnail_3732000.jpg","/articles/6259632/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-provides-update-on-Neighborhood-Enhancement-Program-7-million-neighborhooddriven-projects-in-rotation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259632-9cb47d3fec0eef339cdf01ec213ff39c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916745&Signature=US6Su5nt~IHFkGfIp-7r~Zp5xM2blOwsrIlycOog7SHUKyQxsQId7Ing9u7JZx7BJ1CeMDIFPX5bGAxOR08~yGcREiUpBqycHdAg416Mtw4Bfk06B4wfJcINjhohTHxwB1oENy5YClyLKIc~ZdgONvqe1trCCz1ksOV0iOrZoGmNLONvwZmfYJBOeuzpbIS3DWgpLxyXNEIj64~imb7KOzDYgUPHNq2lj7KgWpgB3jo4KArE88otJOTc8Z1wb694HfMwRN4umMFKMGkTzm0odlAhOBmT3eM68rVCsUFBrLxXx5I9lEM6H5xX0wNfREwakEqDNZb3A9XWZKxRG9fFKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellevue staff briefed council on April 22 about the Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP), a long‑running city program that lets residents propose and vote on small capital projects in their local neighborhood area. The city described the NEP as operating on a seven‑year, $7 million cycle that rotates through Bellevue’s 14 neighborhood areas.

Mark Kyleman, neighborhood outreach manager, and Theresa Cud Hill, NEP coordinator, told council that NEP projects have ranged from landscaping, wetlands work and trails to small amenity upgrades such as bat houses and pedestrian safety improvements. The program uses area budgets sized to the number of households in each neighborhood area and routes proposals that are out of scope to appropriate city departments for consideration through other funding channels.

Recent and planned projects: Staff highlighted three recent projects — a Northeast 160 Fourth Avenue NE landscaping project that improved safety near two schools and Crossroads Park, a pedestrian‑bridge safety upgrade at Lakemont Community Park (Cougar Mountain/Lakemont), and a Northeast Eighth Street crossing project near I‑405 (downtown/Wilburton gateway) that includes marked crosswalks, rapid flashing beacons and signalization work.

Outreach and participation: NEP staff reported outreach included mailings, pop‑ups and open houses and that the program reached hundreds of voting households in recent neighborhood cycles (example figures: 436 voting households in Westlake‑Sammamish area; 550 in Northeast Bellevue in the prior cycle). The city said NEP continues to score high in resident evaluations and encouraged residents to submit project ideas for Bridal Trails (open house June 11) and Northwest Bellevue (submissions accepted through April 30).

Why it matters: NEP directs locally prioritized capital funds to projects selected by residents, creating small‑scale improvements targeted to neighborhood needs. Staff said the program’s success depends on resident participation and the NEP core team, which includes subject‑matter staff from transportation, utilities and parks who scope and implement approved projects.

Next steps: Staff will continue outreach to Bridal Trails and Northwest Bellevue and return to council with project development updates and schedules as neighborhoods select projects for implementation.

","City staff reported the Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) is in its 2023–2029 cycle with a $7 million budget; recent completed projects and the 2025 call for project ideas in Bridal Trails and Northwest Bellevue were described.",{"_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},6259637,"Council hears update on Great Neighborhoods plans for Crossroads and Newport; public‑space focus, refined outreach reported",945,6821000,7766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712&start=6821&end=7766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712/thumbnail_6821000.jpg","/articles/6259637/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Council-hears-update-on-Great-Neighborhoods-plans-for-Crossroads-and-Newport-publicspace-focus-refined-outreach-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259637-55776ed3cedbe7c536fea0dd6cc170e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916746&Signature=NBEaG25ugYWELvPEiM1WnRfc-4rfstvZnO66OY2~L9qa7nHHqvVUsqoroBwIOtdEw7YHlyNvmhEQyTF-9Ir9I7G3dScHuyOiuj5FpkaVvK~A1y-mRAlzllVETXuySxhRKnT5xnEoPmMF9Jz8Jg~9YX856u7Qa5hGgBvUI2cDbsxrnMU0T3zgZ1lxt-KQ2pLUsXuJX9iL54iDPF3IVUiDwqA8oQDyy5cm6M7KcMPuYRBCMLjUop8o-WAkucsHA-0XmXBVOWREYDkLMXtExDxFvk8fo8u2jGLicRznrD~X3be~icAX0CyKliCKdF-9bFvkby1UVR6OOmLv4RxuoOBXnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellevue planning staff told the City Council on April 22 that work to update neighborhood area plans for Crossroads and Newport has completed discovery and definition phases and is now in the “refine” phase, with staff planning planning‑commission public hearings in early summer and a council adoption process later in 2025.

The Great Neighborhoods program, launched in 2018, creates neighborhood‑level policy and an urban‑design framework tailored to each area. Kate Nesse, comprehensive planning manager, said these neighborhood plans are intended to translate the citywide comprehensive plan into locally focused policies that guide public‑space investment and future capital decisions.

Tun Duling, senior planner, told the council the program’s current scope centers on public spaces — parks, plazas, trails and streetscapes — rather than changes to private property or the future land‑use map unless property owners request such changes. “Neighborhood area planning is very much centered on community gathering spaces and public spaces,” Duling said.

Outreach and findings: Staff described a multi‑pronged engagement strategy that included in‑person workshops, pop‑up events, mailed questionnaires and translated materials targeted to the neighborhood areas’ top languages (Crossroads: Chinese and Spanish; Newport: Korean and Chinese). Staff said they engaged with property managers of multifamily developments and the King County Housing Authority to reach renters in Crossroads.

Common themes emerging across both neighborhoods included a desire for better access to green spaces, improved walking and biking connections, and more indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. Crossroads participants emphasized access to services and transit; Newport participants highlighted natural beauty and shared interest in more community gathering opportunities.

Timing and next steps: Staff said they will solicit feedback on draft policies during the refine phase and then move the draft plans through the planning‑commission public‑hearing process before bringing recommendations to council. The tentative calendar shared with council shows planning‑commission hearings in early summer and council consideration and possible adoption in the fall.

Why it matters: Councilmembers and staff said the neighborhood area plans will be a tool to implement elements of the recently updated comprehensive plan at a more local scale. Councilmember John Hamilton described the process as “critical” for stitching neighborhood‑level choices into a citywide vision.

Council feedback: Several councilmembers praised the breadth of outreach and emphasized the importance of equitable, multilingual engagement. Councilmember Newenhouse and others asked staff to provide counts and participation statistics when the plans return with detailed recommendations; staff confirmed full engagement reports are part of the project record.

","City staff reported six months of outreach for the Crossroads and Newport neighborhood area plans, emphasizing public‑space improvements, equitable outreach to multilingual communities, and a schedule that anticipates planning‑commission hearings in early summer and council adoption later in the year.",{"_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},6259641,"Bellevue council signals preference for Alternative F and formal name at Ashwood Park master-plan update",4126,2688000,6814000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712&start=2688&end=6814","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139230-656929e7ea1a9f68e60782d7e11db712/thumbnail_2688000.jpg","/articles/6259641/Bellevue/King-County/Washington/Bellevue-council-signals-preference-for-Alternative-F-and-formal-name-at-Ashwood-Park-master-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259641-21182f2a9f51986b2a30202f05c6073f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916746&Signature=D1~kFlHtcLEPV-zEvVYRynS2UOMtKMt~SbKhh3uVR5cZ4usR~RNHAcrYCOnluH5D2O5Ytvvcey99zOMAIIzJ7mEBwkN2qlvTTJfZGScVJrHsb~0meicOdfPK4EwMjuX1VSwM~KmuvXBW-HX1j~X6G7etC~qCWLE015pPx34Hr86wxETuydcQV2rakXcAV3xyeqtK2w4QYSXTz4soKj3TbE9GTkYRjPGSP9PwXDBqz2nNiPDUAF7a~XFxSNEG8HcWSO6cfeMHbqH1YvVRRMMQ6UJiZLCcxORab1FVV24GuiyxyKTrVbvWY5cHRjNTIn9qh6ITWmKmv6Ap-eWkmTuDdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellevue councilmembers on April 22 signaled consensus for a preferred concept — “Alternative F” — in the update to the Ashwood Park master plan and supported formally naming the site Ashwood Park.

The Parks and Community Services Board unanimously recommended Alternative F and that the park be formally named Ashwood Park. Eileen Cho, vice chair of the Parks and Community Services Board, told the council the board “unanimously voted to recommend Alternative F as the preferred, park design, and further, the board recommends formalizing the name of Ashwood Park to be the official name of the park.”

City staff described Alternative F as a design that preserves a large contiguous open lawn, adds a formal play area, provides a smaller off‑leash dog area, terraces for seating, restrooms, picnic shelters and a parking area of about 14–21 spaces. “In the middle, you see that we have restrooms and picnic shelters, and then we have that nice big expansive open space,” said Zachariah Collum, capital projects manager for Parks and Community Services.

Why it matters: Downtown Bellevue’s population and daytime workforce have grown sharply since the park’s original 1990 master plan. Staff and the board said preserving a larger open space responds to increased downtown housing density and the community’s repeated requests for urban green space, reservable picnic shelters and off‑leash areas.

Process and next steps: Staff sought council direction rather than a formal vote. Councilmembers gave a collective assent (a head nod) to identifying Alternative F as the preferred concept and to formalizing the name Ashwood Park. Staff told the council development of the site is funded by the 2022 parks levy; environmental review (SEPA) and final design remain to be completed and the city expects construction to occur in 2027 or 2028 pending those steps.

Community outreach and preferences: Parks staff said they held six community meetings, mailed 6,500 invitations, ran pop‑ups and online surveys and drew about 1,000 subscribers to project alerts. According to staff summaries presented to council, roughly 60% of respondents favored Alternative F over the other studied options; about 92% supported Ashwood Park as the formal name. The planning process produced two finalist concepts (F and G) and retained the 1990 plan for comparison; the board and staff said F best balanced open lawn, play, accessible pathways and the off‑leash need identified by downtown residents.

Funding and scope: Staff stated funds for the park’s development are allocated in the 2022 parks levy; the master plan update focuses on a roughly 2.5‑acre rectangle within the larger 3.8‑acre site. The project scope is focused on public‑space improvements rather than changes to private land use or housing, though staff said a future council could revisit alternatives that include structured buildings if priorities change.

Council reaction: Councilmembers praised the outreach and the Parks and Community Services Board’s review. Councilmember John Hamilton, the board liaison, said the process “accurately reflects community preferences” and asked staff about schedule and funding. Several members emphasized speed of delivery and the importance of preserving downtown open space as residential density increases.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with environmental review and return to council with formal adoption actions and construction plans. No binding zoning or land‑use changes were made at the April 22 session; the council’s direction was to proceed refining Alternative F and complete the legal and environmental steps required before construction.

","Councilmembers and the Parks and Community Services Board recommended a largely open 2.5‑acre design (Alternative F) and formalizing the longstanding name “Ashwood Park”; funding is from the city’s 2022 parks levy and construction is expected in 2027–28 pending environmental review and formal adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Bellevue council approves agenda, a commissioner appointment and the consent calendar

Bellevue provides update on Neighborhood Enhancement Program; $7 million, neighborhood‑driven projects in rotation

Council hears update on Great Neighborhoods plans for Crossroads and Newport; public‑space focus, refined outreach reported

Bellevue council signals preference for Alternative F and formal name at Ashwood Park master-plan update