Published May 31 2024
Plus, summer recreation programs, Community Crisis Assistance Team progress and best of 425
On Tuesday, the City Council was presented with the results of interviews and surveys conducted by an external consultant to develop a candidate profile to assist in identifying the city’s next permanent city manager. In a council-manager form of government, the council selects a city manager to oversee the daily operations of the city.
The candidate profile highlighted the need for a bold, transparent and empathetic leader with strong business and political acumen, including an ability to have regional influence and build strong relationships. Based on the profile results and their expertise, the consultant said acting City Manager Diane Carlson likely meets the criteria in the profile. The consultant recommended the council either interview Carlson directly and consider an appointment or pursue an external recruitment process, for which the council had voted in March.
Councilmembers unanimously approved adopting the candidate profile. During their discussion on the next steps, some councilmembers continued to support a national search, while others advocated for interviewing Carlson first, given the new information presented to the council.
Ultimately, the council voted 5-2 (with councilmembers Conrad Lee and Jared Nieuwenhuis dissenting) to suspend its rules during the meeting to allow for further discussion and potential action on the selection process. After discussion, the council voted 5-2 (with deputy mayor Mo Malakoutian and councilmember Conrad Lee dissenting) to interview Diane Carlson as the next step, before deciding whether to pursue a national search using an outside consultant.
The council appointed Carlson as acting city manager following Brad Miyake’s retirement last year. The full presentation from the meeting is available in the meeting minutes.
Summer recreation programming kicks off
Bellevue Parks & Community Services is preparing for summer with day camps, life-guarded beaches and special events like the signature Fourth of July fireworks in Downtown Park.
The summer season starts in early June with a citywide Lake to Lake Bike Ride and runs through Labor Day weekend at the city’s beach parks. With hundreds of thousands of visitors to the park system in 2023, the city anticipates another active summer. You can view the summer recreation program presentation on video replay through Bellevue Television.
Community Crisis Assistance Team shares progress
The Fire and Police departments’ Community Crisis Assistance Team (CCAT) presented an update of the program and highlighted the program’s ability to assist community members during times of crisis—particularly behavioral health emergencies—while also diverting them from criminal charges, arrests, use of force and emergency room visits to area hospitals.
CCAT has diverted more than 100 individuals from the criminal justice system thanks to the team specifically trained to address behavioral health emergencies across the community. This includes 27 diversions from criminal charges, 25 diversions from arrest, eight diversions from incarcerations, 24 diversions from use of force and 25 diversions from unnecessary emergency room visits during the first eight months of the program.
The full report is available in the meeting materials and more information on next steps for CCAT will be shared with the community soon.
Council celebrates Best of 425 award
Mayor Robinson invited the council to celebrate Bellevue earning the “Best City” award in 425 Magazine’s “Best of 425”, a list of the best the Eastside has to offer. The award was presented to the council by Scott Paine, their senior account manager. This is the second year in a row Bellevue was named best city of the 425, as voted by 425 magazine readers.
Bellevue youth honored for starring role in Seattle opera
Councilmember Janice Zahn honored Rex Walker, a 12-year-old Bellevue resident who is playing the role of young Malcolm in the Seattle Opera’s “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X.” Rex thanked his local music and dance teachers for helping him earn the role. He also shared that he hopes the council will continue to support local arts education programs.
Proclamations for Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Men’s Health Month
The council also issued proclamations acknowledging Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Men’s Health Month.
The June 4 council meeting has been canceled. The next regular meeting will occur on June 11.