Published September 28 2016
Also, Tateuchi Center funding and Environmental Stewardship Initiative update
On Monday during an extended study session, the City Council was briefed on the Bellevue's ongoing efforts to become a "Smart City." Six different departments within city government have worked together and collaborated with organizations like Puget Sound Energy, NORCOM and the University of Washington Evans School over the past 18 months to develop a long-term framework for how to become smarter. Staff highlighted key achievements, including the new Urban Smart program with PSE, convening a regional Smart City workshop with Redmond, Microsoft and Verizon, and winning two federal grants from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Energy.
Smart Cities use advances in information and communications technology to enhance livability, sustainably and resilience. The ultimate goal of Smart City Bellevue is to achieve predictive, interoperable and adaptive services and operations. Examples include being ready for a future of connected vehicles with the adaptive traffic system, improving customer service with advanced metering, increasing reliability with grid system optimization, and interoperable communication networks for emergency responses.
Councilmembers praised the staff's efforts and noted how important the initiative is in better serving residents. Establishing Bellevue as Smart City is part of the council's vision statement and 2016-17 priorities.
Council feedback and results of the upcoming 2017-18 budget discussions will allow staff to finalize the strategy and present back to council later this year.
Tateuchi Center funding agreement
Later, councilmembers were briefed on the status on a proposed funding agreement between the city and Performing Arts Center Eastside, related to the construction and operation of the Tateuchi Center. The draft agreement would finalize Bellevue's $20 million pledge to help build the arts venue. Consistent with the council's previously adopted conditions, the draft includes a proposed property interest secured by a deed of trust, an obligation for 50 years of public arts programming, access for city public events and a "last dollar in" clause for the city following completion of construction.
During public comment, center officials requested a year extension for fundraising -- through September 2017. The extra year would push the construction completion date to 2020. The council is expected to review, and potentially approve the final agreement in October.
Environmental Stewardship Initiative update
The council ended the night with an update on the city's Environmental Stewardship Initiative. The initiative, which includes a number of programs, policies and performance metrics, was launched by the city in 2006. To date, 87 percent of the actions laid out in the ESI strategic plan have either been implemented or initiated.
Staff showcased several recent successes. Notable examples include:
- The launch of the Urban Smart program in partnership with PSE. 11 buildings have signed up, and at least 38 buildings are actively considering joining.
- Despite a population increase of 15 percent from 2006-2015, the community's greenhouse gas emissions have trended down by 15 percent.
- The recent selection of Bellevue and partners by the U.S. Department of Energy for a $450,000 grant (split between project partners) to further analyze greenhouse gas emissions.