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Bellevue council approves $140,000 grant extension for citywide tree study; staff to seek RFPs
Summary
The City Council authorized an amendment extending a research subaward through Sept. 30, 2026, for up to $140,000 to support a tree plan and related work; council members pressed staff on follow-up and implementation steps, including RFPs, watering logistics and right-of-way responsibilities.
The Bellevue City Council on Oct. 7 voted to approve amendment No. 1 to a cost-reimbursement research subaward agreement that extends the grant period to Sept. 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $140,000.
Councilman Preister pressed city staff for specifics on how the money and resulting tree plan would be used and implemented. “I just don't wanna see a plan and something sit there,” Preister said, adding he wants assurance that the tree board and parks department will have capacity to act on the plan’s recommendations.
City staff told the council they plan to issue requests for proposals in the upcoming budget year for a comprehensive tree study. “As part of this, we are also going to go out for RFPs in this new budget year for a tree study,” Staff member Jim said. Jim described the study as a citywide effort that will locate trees in parks and begin locating trees in rights-of-way, produce recommendations and serve as a framework to strengthen future grant applications.
Preister noted the city originally sought more than $1 million several years ago but received a reduced amount; staff confirmed the approved amendment is for up to $140,000. Preister also raised concerns about follow-through after the study is complete: “I just don't wanna see a plan and something sit there. I wanna make sure we've got people in place that understand trees and vegetation.”
Staff described which trees the city is responsible for in rights-of-way and how maintenance is handled. “If they're in the right of way, we do [take responsibility],” Jim said, explaining that property owners must trim to maintain clearance (14 feet above the paved roadway was cited) while the city removes dead trees in the right-of-way and pays for that removal. The council and staff also discussed watering young trees; staff said parks used a water truck to irrigate recently planted trees and noted water bags as a possible but imperfect option because of wind damage and other problems.
There was no roll-call opposition. Councilman Preister moved to approve the item; Councilwoman Collins seconded. The item passed on a unanimous vote.
The amendment’s stated purpose is to extend the grant period and fund planning work; it does not itself appropriate additional ongoing implementation funding. Staff indicated the study would make the city more competitive for future grant funding and would guide where to prioritize tree-planting and maintenance investments.
