Published September 22 2023
Plus, police officer receives medal, update on downtown partnership, proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month
On Monday, Bellevue Utilities presented the Emergency Water Supply Master Plan and the council unanimously voted to adopt it at a future meeting. The plan is designed to help ensure residents and businesses have access to clean and safe drinking water in the event of a natural disaster.
The city relies on water for critical functions and services, including personal health and hygiene, firefighting, hospitals, sanitation and essential businesses. Currently, the city’s drinking water infrastructure is vulnerable to breakage during severe earthquakes that could result in significant disruptions in service to residents and businesses as repairs are made across the system.
Bellevue Utilities performed a seismic vulnerability assessment and an evaluation of the likely impacts of a quake on the city’s drinking water system. Results from this evaluation predict a two-to-three-month recovery period for the city’s drinking water system.
To improve the resiliency of the water distribution system, the emergency plan was developed with five key components:
- Seismic vulnerability assessment results
- Protocols during water supply emergencies
- Emergency water supply needs
- Recommended proactive improvements to water supply and distribution infrastructure
- Financial analysis of emergency mitigation projects
The full discussion is available via replay on Bellevue Television.
Carnegie Medal for police officer
Officer Kealii Akahane was honored with the Carnegie Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund for his outstanding act of selflessness and heroism in saving a 17-year-old from drowning in Phantom Lake. The national award recognizes those who risk their lives to save others. Officer Akahane was joined by friends, including some from his native Hawaii, to accept the medal.
Update on city’s partnership with Bellevue Downtown Association
In other business, the council received an update from the city’s Cultural and Economic Development team and the Bellevue Downtown Association on their four-year-long partnership to support public space management and activation downtown in support of the Grand Connection vision.
Prior programs included the installation of lanterns, tables, chairs and umbrellas along the Grand Connection, pilot wayfinding signage and expanded marketing of local businesses through the “Heart of Bellevue” program. This active public space management has supported small businesses, spurred investment and provided new cultural opportunities for residents, workers and visitors. It also aligns with the Grand Connection vision for interconnected pedestrian experiences from Meydenbauer Bay Park to Eastrail.
With continued growth downtown, the BDA partnership for 2023 and beyond will aim to:
- Create safe and attractive spaces
- Celebrate community
- Champion multimodal mobility
- Engage with data-driven advocacy
- Support retail/storefront economy
- Enhance BDA capabilities
Details about the BDA update can be found in the meeting materials.
Proclamations on Hispanic heritage, Alzheimer’s and service dogs
The council proclaimed Sept.15-Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month celebrating the cultural, educational and economic contributions of the Hispanic community in Bellevue. Members of the youth organization Latino H.E.A.T. were in attendance.
Sept. 21 was declared World Alzheimer’s Day, a day in which community members can recognize and support the dignity of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and gain a better understanding of the condition.
September was also recognized as National Service Dog Month as a way to highlight the unique skills of task-trained service animals that help adults, children and veterans lead more independent lives.