Published May 13 2015
Also, Comp Plan update, National Police Week
The Bellevue and Kirkland city councils held a joint meeting on Monday to collaborate on topics of mutual interest and concern. While it's unclear whether the two councils have ever met together, it is known that such a meeting has not taken place in the past 20 years.
Council members were briefed by staff members from both cities, then discussed a wide range of agenda items. As a result of the joint meeting on Monday, several ideas for cooperative efforts between the two cities were agreed upon.
A top priority at the meeting was regional transportation. The two cities have collaborated in the past to implement improvements on the two highways they share: Interstate 405 and SR 520. Over the past several state legislative sessions, they have worked with lawmakers on a statewide transportation package. The councils also directed their staffs to work together on King County Metro bus service, the future expansion of light rail and bus rapid transit on the Eastside.
Another area of mutual interest is the development of the former BNSF railroad corridor, which runs through both cities. Earlier this year, Kirkland officially opened an interim pedestrian-bicycle trail called the Cross Kirkland Corridor on its portion of the railroad right of way, which it purchased from King County in 2012. Meanwhile, the Bellevue Council set aside $1 million in its 2015-2016 capital budget for improvements on the Bellevue portion of the corridor.
Other topics covered during the joint meeting included the need for men's and women's winter shelters on the Eastside, a regional solid waste transfer plan review by King County and a future community/aquatic center, a facility that Kirkland is pursuing independently.
Collaborating with other jurisdictions is part of the council's 20-year vision targeting regional leadership and influence. Bellevue Councilmembers met last year with their counterparts in Redmond to discuss mutual interests to pursue on behalf of their residents and businesses, including economic development initiatives.
More information on the topics discussed is available with the council agenda material.
Review of Comp Plan update hits mid-point
The council reviewed a draft of the city's Comprehensive Plan update. It was the fourth such review session in recent weeks, and four more presentations are slated.
The Comprehensive Plan is the citywide policy document that captures the community's vision and guides Bellevue's approach to growth and development over a 20-year planning timeframe. The state-mandated plan was last updated in 2004.
On Monday, the council reviewed the transportation and housing elements of the Comp Plan. The upcoming review on June 1 is set to include capital facilities, utilities, environment, human services, urban design and the arts. Study sessions on June 8, 15 and 22 are scheduled for follow up on items identified by the council and any unfinished topics.
Final action on the Comp Plan Update is now targeted for July 6. Information on Monday's review is available.
National Police Week
The council designated May 15 as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week as National Police Week, "in honor of those fallen law enforcement officers and those who became disabled in the performance of their duty." full proclamation