The Human Services Commission advises the City Council concerning human services planning and funding. To do so, the commission must:
- Review requests for funding of human services
- Recommend priorities for the allocation of city resources to meet identified needs
- Pursue regional cooperation in the planning, funding and delivery of human services
- Conduct studies and make recommendations concerning emerging human services issues and concerns
- Comment on city actions that may affect the availability of human services in Bellevue
The commission is charged with representing the diversity of the community and provides the public with opportunities to be involved in commission activities.
The commission is composed of seven Bellevue residents. Commissioners – appointed by the mayor following the consent of a majority of the City Council – serve four-year terms. The council liaison may recommend appointment of a nonvoting ex-officio member.
Meetings
The Human Services Commission meets the first and third Monday* of each month; 6-8 p.m. in the council conference room (1E-113) at City Hall.
*except when a holiday is observed. The commission then meets the following Monday.
The sign-up for oral communications and public hearings will open at noon the day of the meeting and close at 6 p.m.
- Human Services Commission Oral Communications Speaker Registration
- Human Services Commission Public Hearing Speaker Registration
Upcoming Meeting
Upcoming Events - Calendar
No events found.
Public Meeting Records
Previous meeting minutes, agendas, packets and other meeting records are on Legistar or Human Services Commission Public Meeting Archive page.
Members
Councilmember Janice Zahn is City Council liaison to the commission.
- Chair, Jaskaran Singh Sarao (first term expires 5/31/2025): Jaskaran Singh Sarao is a dedicated community leader with 20 years of experience in technology and extensive civic involvement. As Chair of the Bellevue Human Services Commission, he leads the Commission in forming recommendations for funds allocation to enhance the quality of life for Bellevue residents. His civic engagement includes past roles as President of the Norwood Village HOA and ongoing positions as a Scout Leader and Swim Team Official. He has also volunteered with Porchlight Men’s Shelter and coached for "Let Me Run," a youth empowerment program. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in December 2023. He is married with two teenage sons attending Bellevue public schools. His commitment to public service and community improvement is evident through his various leadership roles and volunteer activities in the Bellevue area.
- Member, Delfina Gonzalez* (first term expires 5/31/2026)
- Member, Jeanine Imfura* (first term expires 5/31/2027): Jeanine Imfura is originally from Rwanda, a sovereign state in East Africa. She left Rwanda in 2005 and resided in Ethiopia as a refugee for six years prior to immigrating to the United States in 2011. She has volunteered for multiple Rwandan resource groups and currently sits on the national US Rwandan Community Abroad Commission (USRCA) as Gender Commissioner. Her career and studies in the healthcare field brought her to the City of Bellevue in 2022 and her children currently attend public school in Bellevue. Her experience working in local hospitals made her aware of the great need for language access and cultural navigators in the community. She joined the Bellevue Human Services Commission in the spring of 2024 to help give a voice to and have a positive impact on the organizations helping the underserved communities of the city.
- Member, Angela Phan* (first term expires 5/31/2025): Angela Phan is a longtime resident of Bellevue, living, working, and raising her child in the Bellevue School District. Her work centers on understanding and addressing the diverse needs of Bellevue residents, particularly those who are furthest from justice, by advocating for responsive services that promote mental health, economic stability, and well-being. Through her role on the Human Services Commission, she strives to support the organizations that serve our diverse population, while working to reshape how we collaborate to build a more equitable and just community. Angela’s goal is to help ensure that everyone in Bellevue can live and succeed here, regardless of income or cultural background.
- Member, Fitri Rashid* (first term expires 5/31/2026): Mwanafitri Rashid, who goes by “Fitri”, has lived in Bellevue since 2015 and has two children who are enrolled in the Bellevue School District. She loves calling Bellevue home and enjoys the cultural diversity that can be found throughout the city. Commissioner Rashid is originally from the island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Africa, and enjoys volunteering with the Zanzibar Community of Washington(ZACUSA) in her free time. She joined the commission to become more informed about human services needs in the city and to improve her English language and public speaking skills. She is particularly passionate about the availability of cultural and language specific human services to all residents of Bellevue.
- Member, Angela White* (first term expires 5/31/2027): Angela White joined the Human Services Commission to make a meaningful impact on her community and enhance the quality of life for all residents. As a long-time resident and someone who also works in Bellevue, she holds a deep commitment to supporting the well-being and inclusivity of Bellevue’s proudly diverse population. She believes in ensuring that vital resources and services are accessible to our neighbors, especially to those who are most vulnerable. Her passion for community service and desire to foster positive change drives her dedication to helping the commission identify, address, and advocate for critical human service needs within the city. Angela is excited to collaborate with other community members to create lasting solutions and build a stronger, more compassionate Bellevue.
- Ex-Officio, Police Major Mark Tarantino
- Position 4 is vacant (Term expires 5/31/2027)
*Commissioner is fulfilling remaining term of a former commissioner.
Authority
There are no authority items available at this time.
Policies and Forms
There are no policies or forms available at this time.
Ordinance, City Code and Bylaws
There are no ordinances, city codes, or bylaws available at this time.