Published October 20 2015
Also, update on Bellevue's economic strategy and latest steps in adopting permanent marijuana ordinance
The City Council's Monday night study session featured the first of weekly discussions on the proposed biennial city budget and 2017-2023 Capital Investment Program plan. Office of Economic Development staff presented an update on economic strategies and outreach efforts for cultivating Bellevue's business environment. During the regular session, the council continued meeting until 11, during which a public hearing was held in advance of planned adoption of a permanent marijuana ordinance on Nov. 7.
Preliminary city budget and CIP presented
City Manager Brad Miyake presented his proposed 2017-2018 Operating Budget and 2017-2023 Capital Investment Program (CIP) plan to the City Council during Monday's Study Session. The budget is based on the council's vision for Bellevue to be "the city where you want to be."
The overall 2017-18 biennial budget totals $1.5 billion, which includes $1 billion in total operating budget expenditures, $65 million in special purpose expenditures and $412 million for the 2017-2018 portion of the General and Utilities CIP. Highlights include:
- Assumes tax rates at current levels, without any increase;
- Continues to fund the council's 2016-2017 priorities, including increased funding for economic development, smart cities, the Eastside Rail Corridor and early implementation of the Grand Connection; and completes Phase I of Meydenbauer Park and Downtown Park Circle;
- Meets many of the city's infrastructure priorities, including maintaining existing infrastructure, parks levy projects, transportation and mobility improvements, and neighborhood programs;
- Grows the city's reserves by 1.5 percent to better position the city for anticipated shortfalls in the Operating Budget in the mid-term and to protect the city in the case of an economic downturn; and
- Adjusts Development Services rates to account for inflation, and increases Utility rates by 4 percent to address aging infrastructure and wholesale costs.
More study sessions on the proposed budget are planned for the coming weeks, with tentative adoption of the budget and CIP scheduled for the Dec. 5 Council meeting.
The city's budget page offers more information about the preliminary budget.
Bellevue welcomes the world
During Monday night's study session, the Office of Economic Development provided an update on its strategies to attract companies, retain and expand local businesses, and spur innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit in Bellevue.
Staff reported how Bellevue is performing so far on these metrics for year-to-date in 2016, including 2,147 jobs created, 25 company visits and 164 members of Impact Hub, a co-working space that launched nearly two years ago. The Innovation Triangle, regional collaboration with Redmond and Kirkland, is also creating more business opportunities in the growing technology centers. Most recently, a one-day conference was held on Oct. 10 with 21 participants representing 16 international technology companies, trade association and country development agencies that hailed from the United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, China, Singapore and Finland. As a result, three companies are now actively looking to expand to the Eastside.
The Office of Economic Development also showed a video, "Business in Bellevue," produced by Bellevue Television, about why companies are choosing Bellevue for their business.
Hearing held on permanent regulations for marijuana retailer locations
Approximately 30 people spoke during Monday's public hearing on proposed amendments to the Land Use Code to adopt permanent regulations regarding the siting of marijuana retailers and other marijuana-related provisions. These regulations are currently in effect and were adopted through Interim Ordinance -- Nos. 6286 and 6296, which are set to expire on Nov. 9, 2016.
The interim ordinances limit one marijuana retailer per each of these subareas -- BelRed, Crossroads, downtown, Eastgate, Wilburton and Factoria -- for a total of six marijuana stores citywide; require a 100-foot separation distance to residential districts; prohibit medical marijuana co-ops; prohibit marijuana research uses; and impose civil penalties and abatement.
Although the City Council took no formal action, staff was directed to prepare permanent regulations that would incorporate the current regulations with the following modifications: allow up to two stores in BelRed and allow a store in either the Medical Institution or BelRed Medical Office-1 district located in the BelRed and Wilburton subareas, while maintaining the same cap of six marijuana stores citywide.
Council will consider these permanent marijuana regulations at its Nov. 7 meeting.