Published February 2 2016
The City Council on Monday unanimously voted to accept a funding agreement to allocate $75,000 from the Capital Investment Program Budget to Music Works Northwest. As part of the agreement, Music Works Northwest will provide $75,000 in free or reduced-cost lessons to low-income children and adults, as well as free public concerts for 10 years.
Monday's vote is part of the vetting process each cultural arts organization is required to go through in order to meet the council's investment principles. These criteria include having a long-term sustainable financial model, demonstrating a clearly defined public benefit and allowing the city to be involved in the financial oversight of the organization. The adopted funding is intended for construction of practice and performance rooms in the school's new facility.
Music Works Northwest, in downtown Bellevue, is a nonprofit community music school offering music lessons, music therapy and performance experiences for all ages.
American Public Works Association accreditation program
Earlier in the evening the council learned more about reaccreditation of the Utilities and Transportation departments by the American Public Works Association. The organization's accreditation program formally recognizes and verifies public works agencies for compliance with internationally recognized best practices.
Utilities was first accredited in 2004 and Transportation initially was accredited in 2007; reaccreditation has taken place every four years since then. In late 2015, the departments were found 100 percent compliant with 420 business and operational best practices. Three of them were deemed model practices that will be used as examples for other public works agencies seeking accreditation or reaccreditation.
Utilities Deputy Director Andrew Lee and Transportation Director Dave Berg accepted APWA plaques on behalf of the organization and the many staff who worked on the reaccreditation effort.
City gears up for budget process
At the council's study session, staff gave a brief overview of the upcoming 2017-18 budget process. As in years past, Bellevue will follow a "Budget One" model that emphasizes community outcomes, as opposed to departments. After considering citizen, staff and leadership input, the city manager will present councilmembers with a preliminary budget for their review. The first of three public hearings is scheduled for May.