Published May 14 2020
Also, board and commission reappointments, heritage and health care worker proclamations
The City Council Monday reviewed staff recommendations for allocating new federal funding for human services to help with Bellevue's COVID-19 response.
New Community Development Block Grant dollars in the amount of $489,623, plus $506,934 unspent funds from prior years, for a total of $996,557, are available to be allocated for human services needs. Staff recommended the funds go toward homeless services ($489,623), emergency financial assistance ($206,934), child care ($150,000) and legal assistance ($150,000) related to preparation, prevention, and/or response to COVID-19.
The U.S. Congress in March approved additional funding in the Community Development Block Grant program totaling $5 billion for program year 2020. Of the total, $2 billion is a direct allocation to state and local governments through the regular program formula (all grantees that received a CDBG allocation in fiscal year 2020 will receive this funding). Bellevue will receive $489,623 in additional 2020 funds.
Staff recommendations for funding are based on data accumulated from the city’s Human Services Needs Update, agency provider feedback, and data accumulated at a county, state and federal level. The data were used to assess greatest need and potential for impact among eligible CDBG activities.
The council is expected to review and approve final funding recommendations at a future meeting. The presentation and further program details are located in the council agenda materials.
Boards and Commission Reappointments
During the virtual special meeting, the council unanimously approved reappointments for members of the Arts Commission, Transportation Commission and Parks & Community Services Board.
- Ashmita Gulati, Position 3, to the Arts Commission, recommended by council liaison John Stokes.
- Kyrylo Tropin, Position 5, and Lei Wu, Position 4, to the Transportation Commission, recommended by council liaison Jennifer Robertson.
- David Hamilton, Position 7, and Pamela Unger, Position 1, to the Park Board, recommended by council liaison Janice Zahn.
All reappointed individuals will serve a term ending on May 31, 2024.
Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month proclamation
The council recognized May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Nationwide, Asian and Pacific Islanders form an American community of 25 major ethnic groups who speak over 15 different languages. Approximately 36 percent of Bellevue’s population is made up of Asians or Pacific Islanders.
Nurses Week and Hospitals Week proclamations
The mayor recognized May 6-12 as National Nurses Week, a time to honor the contribution of nurses in our communities as they continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and provide supportive, lifesaving care to all patients. Nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession, with more than 3.8 million nationally registered nurses.
National Hospitals Week is May 10-16. In 2019, Bellevue residents had over 8,200 in-patient hospital visits. The proclamation recognizes the people, facilities and technologies within hospitals that make trustworthy, reliable healthcare possible in our community — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.