Published September 28 2017
Following a public hearing Monday regarding an interim prohibition on safe injection sites in Bellevue, the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for a permanent ban.
Five people spoke at the hearing in opposition to safe injection sites, echoing concerns residents had shared with the council. On Aug. 7, the council adopted an emergency ordinance that took effect 10 days later making safe injection sites, also referred to as community health engagement centers (CHELs), illegal in the city.
King County has proposed safe injection sites as a way to address the opioid addiction crisis. However, the council has expressed an interest in pursuing a ban since April.
The emergency ordinance allowed the city to act quickly to enact the ban. Per state law, a public hearing was required within 60 days of the interim regulation’s adoption and before a permanent regulation could be put in place.
The permanent ordinance is expected to come before the council for adoption on Oct. 16. Additional information can be found in the council agenda.
Shelter regulations
The council also held a public hearing regarding an emergency ordinance that outlines the permitting process required to establish a homeless shelter in Bellevue.
The council adopted the interim ordinance, which requires a conditional use permit for shelters, on Aug. 7. The council adopted the ordinance to provide greater transparency and consistency in the Land Use Code relating to the permitting of homeless shelters, while permanent regulations are drafted.
In response to concerns voiced by the council and residents, the ordinance separated the “homeless shelter” use from the “hotel/motel” use where it had been embedded.
Seven people spoke during the hearing, offering comments on a variety of related issues, including the location for a shelter and the process and regulations of siting one in Bellevue.
Following the hearing, councilmembers had a broad discussion about shelter siting that ranged beyond the interim ordinance. No action was taken Monday.
Addressing communications priorities
During the extended study session, the council received an update about the interdepartmental communication team’s efforts to address the council’s communications priorities, including developing proactive communication strategies with the community and using technology to improve customer service.
Communications-related actions have involved enhancing the methods that the city connects with the community; providing clear, easy-to-understand information about city issues to our diverse population; and using technology to enrich the way the city engages with its residents, businesses and visitors. The management brief offers details.
This year, the city has received national recognition for its achievements in communications from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association, National Association of Telecommunications Officer and Advisors and the 2017 Telly Awards.
Commendation for fire chief
Mayor John Stokes presented a commendation from the council to Fire Chief Mark Risen, who retires this week after more than 38 years in the fire service, the last 35 with Bellevue.
Risen was leading the Fire Department last year, when Bellevue voters supported the passage of a levy that will fund the construction of a new fire station and improve existing ones.
“Through his ingenuity, teamwork and professionalism, Chief Risen has spearheaded the transition of our fire department from a suburban to an urban service provider,” Stokes noted in the proclamation.