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

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.