Published June 15 2016
Also, water rates reviewed and moment of silence for Orlando shooting victims
Sound Transit told the City Council Monday that there is potential for a transit-oriented development in BelRed next to a planned light rail maintenance yard. The transit agency recently completed a feasibility study and market analysis for a TOD, which would feature housing and offices, between 116th and 120th avenues.
The site is near the future East Link Spring District/120th Avenue station and the Eastside Rail Corridor (formerly BNSF railroad). The feasibility analysis considers residential and commercial uses for the site, while the market analysis compares the site for TOD with competing areas nearby. Both studies suggest support for the potential for TOD.
In July, the council will review and adopt an agreement with Sound Transit to ensure elements of the Memorandum of Understanding the city and Sound Transit signed in 2015 are implemented.
Sound Transit will use a "design-build" procurement process for its operations and maintenance satellite facility that is expected to provide multiple proposals from construction companies for Sound Transit and the city to review. Sound Transit anticipates presenting a schedule, scope and budget for the project to the Sound Transit Board of Directors on July 28, and will re-evaluate again once a proposal for the maintenance yard has been accepted.
The maintenance facility is scheduled for completion in 2020, with construction of the TOD targeted for completion when East Link goes into service in 2023.
Water rates reviewed
The Utilities Department gave a presentation on its water rate structure, which was modified in 2014 to reflect usage demographics and to ensure the long-term financial stability of the water utility.
Similar to many other water agencies, Bellevue's water rates consist of a fixed and a variable charges, where the unit price increases as consumption increases, to reflect the cost of water and to encourage responsible water use.
The typical single-family residence in Bellevue consumes about 8.5 ccfs (1 ccf equals 100 cubic feet) of water per month and their monthly bill is $58.42. About 80 percent of water rates is used to pay for the purchase of drinking water from the Cascade Water Alliance, investments in utility capital infrastructure, state and local taxes and support services.
The remaining 20 percent is used to pay for daily operations. Bellevue's water utility delivers reliable and clean drinking water; is well managed and consistently receives a high customer satisfaction rating; meets industry standards and best practices and is well positioned to meet future challenges. Bellevue's utility rates compare favorably to other utilities.
Moment of silence
At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor John Stokes expressed the council's condolences for the victims of the Sunday shooting in an Orlando nightclub, and the council took a moment of silence.
"Like Orlando, Bellevue is home to people of many colors and creeds," the mayor said. "We're proud of the fact that our diversity is our community's greatest strength. No one in Bellevue or anywhere in our country should be fearful for their personal safety, regardless of their ethnic background, skin color, gender, religion or sexual orientation."