Published January 6 2016
Also, $1 million grant for Meydenbauer Bay Park and residential parking zone extension
As their first order of business for the new year, City Council members selected John Stokes Monday to serve as mayor for a two-year term. Shortly after, Council member John Chelminiak was chosen by colleagues to be deputy mayor.
Mayor Stokes was reelected to his second term on the council last year. A retired attorney, he is a longtime advocate for a variety of education causes within the community. Since joining the council in 2011, Stokes has advocated for affordable housing and livability in Bellevue, as well as construction of an Eastside performing arts center. He worked collaboratively with Sound Transit on cost savings for the East Link Light Rail and remains involved through the design process. He is currently the council liaison to the Planning Commission. He lives with his wife Bettina in the Woodridge neighborhood and his daughter works for the Department of Early Learning.
Deputy Mayor Chelminiak joined the council in 2004 and has a long record in public service. He primarily champions economic competitiveness, growth management and human services. He is currently the council liaison to the Human Services Commission and a member of both King County's Committee to End Homelessness and the Eastside Human Services Forum. He and his wife Lynn reside in the Vuecrest neighborhood with daughter Megan, who attends Bellevue High School.
The city's seven council members are elected citywide to staggered four-year terms and select a mayor and deputy mayor internally every two years. The mayor presides over council meetings and study sessions, helps set the meeting agenda, represents the city at public events, and acts as the primary spokesperson for the council.
Meydenbauer Bay Park Grant
Later in the evening, the council unanimously voted to accept the terms of a $1 million state grant for the Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 1 project. The funds are part of a grant agreement with the state's Recreation Conservation Office.
For decades, the city has envisioned a new park at Meydenbauer Bay, allowing the waterfront to connect with downtown. Planning of the park began in early 2007. Drawings and various reports are currently under review by city, state and federal permit agencies.
Extending residential parking zone near Interlake High School
The council also agreed to extend the existing boundaries of residential parking zones in the neighborhood streets surrounding Interlake High School. The "Zone 2" area will now include Northeast 25th Street, between 162nd and 164th avenues Northeast. The adopted ordinance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which outlines the city's goal of minimizing parking spillover into residential areas.
The zone was previously expanded in 2012 and 2013, due to the high school's increased student population. Zone 2 restricts parking from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., except weekends and holidays. Residents and their guests are exempt from the restrictions if they are park legally and display a permit, which residents may apply for at Residential Parking.