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Belleview highlights digital-equity pilot as city ramps up World Cup programming
Summary
City staff briefed the council on a digital-equity device pilot that distributed 60 refurbished laptop kits with 12 months of hotspot service to income-eligible residents; staff also outlined World Cup readiness plans including transit surge coordination, business support, and $300,000 in community programming grants.
Belleview staff told the City Council on April 21, 2026 that the city’s innovation forum has completed a device-access pilot and is continuing preparations for World Cup–related activations across the city.
Julie David, business operations manager for the innovation program, said the pilot distributed 60 complete device kits to income-eligible households earlier in the month; kits included refurbished laptops, essential accessories and 12 months of prepaid hotspot connectivity, with technical support provided by partner PCs for People and follow-up surveys at three and six months to measure impact.
"This pilot distribution was held earlier this month with distribution of 60 complete device kits to income eligible residents," Julie David said. Staff characterized demand as immediate and strong and described plans for a second round in late 2026.
In a related study session, economic development and emergency-management staff outlined the city’s plans for the FIFA World Cup period. Jesse Canedo projected about 15,000 additional visitors across the region during the tournament timeframe and noted Visit Belleview expects roughly $23 million in local spending impact. Staff described mobility preparations (late Link service, supplemental Sound Transit coaches, express buses) and regional public-safety coordination, including tabletop exercises with neighboring jurisdictions and planned joint information-center arrangements.
Staff also announced an expected ~$300,000 in community-programming grants to support pop-ups, markets, concerts and neighborhood events timed to the tournament; the city will provide anti-human-trafficking training free to businesses and distribute a tourism sub-brand, hotel kiosks in several languages and marketing resources for local businesses.
Council members asked about hotel occupancy trends, federal coordination on safety and price-gouging concerns; staff said hotel bookings had picked up and that FBI and regional partners were sharing declassified team-fan information with law enforcement for safety planning. The Office of Emergency Management said it will open the city’s emergency operations center for match nights and continue rehearsing surge plans.
Staff asked council for direction on outreach and implementation; no council action was required at the meeting.
