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Council denies appeal of 60-day exclusion for frequent meeting disruptions
Summary
Bellevue council upheld Mayor Robinson's exclusion order and denied an appeal by Alex Zimmerman, who had been excluded for repeated disruptions.
The Bellevue City Council on March 10 denied an appeal by Alex Zimmerman of a 60-day exclusion from council meetings issued by Mayor Lynn Robinson on Feb. 28.
City staff summarized the council rules that authorize the presiding officer to exclude individuals who "repeatedly disrupt, disturb, or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the council meetings." The notice of exclusion cited six separate meetings after an earlier exclusion period from Oct. 14, 2024 through Nov. 13, 2024, warnings from the mayor and at least one ejection or escort from a meeting.
Deputy City Attorney Charmaine Thomas explained the appeal process and the factors the council must consider: the seriousness and number of disruptions, their impact on meetings, threats to public safety and the person's record of conduct. The council considered the mayor's notice and Mr. Zimmerman's timely written appeal and then voted to deny the appeal; council recorded no opposition during the roll call on the motion.
Separately during the same meeting the council amended the published agenda to remove item 7a and add item 7b (the Zimmerman appeal) and later approved the consent calendar. The denial means the mayor's exclusion order remains in place for the period specified in the notice of exclusion.
No additional sanctions were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the denial of the appeal and continuation of the 60-day exclusion.
