Published December 8 2023
Plus, landmark tree code extended, arts grants allocated and commendation for exiting councilmember
At Monday’s meeting, the City Council gave preliminary approval to a name for a new park in Bridle Trails. Considering the results of community outreach, the Parks & Community Services Board recommended "Bridle Trails Valley Creek Park" and the council unanimously agreed with that choice.
Construction of the park is expected to wrap up later this month. The grand opening for the park will take place when weather allows in the spring.
Name suggestions were solicited from the community between 2015 and 2023 through mailings, surveys, letters, newsletters and in-person outreach at various events. Seven park names made it into a final survey for residents to nominate and rank their top choices. Valley Creek runs through a wetland just behind the new park property.
The park offers a variety of amenities including a picnic shelter, play area, restrooms, loop trail and a 12-stall parking lot. The council will formally approve the new name at a later meeting.
More details, including a site map, are available in the meeting materials.
Landmark tree code extended
In other business, the council unanimously approved an extension to a temporary ordinance requiring a permit to remove landmark trees. Staff presented data gathered since the council established permitting requirements in June 2022.
Scheduled to expire at the end of the month, the ordinance will now expire at the end of 2024 or when permanent code provisions are adopted, whichever comes first.
Continuing the work on trees, the council also received a related presentation on the first phase of work to update Bellevue’s codes to support citywide tree canopy goals, which are anticipated to include permanent provisions for landmark trees, among other amendments.
An informational mid-point check-in was presented to the council at the June 26 meeting when Development Services staff was performing a comprehensive review of code provisions related to trees. On Dec. 13, the Planning Commission will hold the first of several study sessions to review staff recommendations.
Updates and information on opportunities to engage are at Tree Canopy Code Amendments.
Arts grants get allocated
The council unanimously approved funding allocations for 2024 Arts Project grants recommended by the Arts Commission.
Project grants provide funding for arts, cultural and heritage projects serving Bellevue residents and visitors, with a focus on innovative projects that fill cultural gaps and inspire new forms of creative participation in the arts. Thirty-six applications came in, requesting a total of $119,000, more than double what was requested for this year and nearly twice the $65,000 in the program budget.
The Arts Commission recommended allocations for 22 of the projects.
More than a million residents and visitors will be served in 2024 by artists and arts and culture organizations receiving arts grants in Bellevue, with more than half a million free and reduced admissions made possible. The arts support nearly 600 jobs in Bellevue and generated more than $54 million in economic activity in 2022. More detail is available in the meeting materials.
Exiting councilmember commended
As the year draws to a close, Councilmember Jeremy Barksdale, who did not run for re-election, received a commendation from his colleagues in one of the final council meetings of his term.
Councilmember Barksdale was elected to the council in 2019, after serving five years on the city’s Planning Commission. He served on several boards and committees during his term and focused on equity, small business support, affordable housing and transportation options during his term.
"I want to thank you for your work not only as a councilmember but your time and effort in the community,” said Mayor Lynne Robinson. “I speak for everyone when I say you will be missed."
Councilmember Jennifer Robertson also chose not to run for re-election this year and will be celebrated at the Dec. 11 council meeting.
Convention center board reappointments
The council also concurred with recommendations from the city manager to reappoint three members to the Bellevue Convention Center Authority Board.
The members reappointed – Rick Carlson, Uzma Siddiqi and Laurie Tish – will all serve a term through Jan. 1, 2027. Bellevue city code states the board shall be composed of seven members appointed by the city manager with the concurrence of the council. The full list of members is available in the meeting materials.