Plus, Bellevue All-America City highlight, exploring potential local eviction moratorium and Library Board appointment

On Monday, the City Council received a report on the 2021 State of Our Neighborhoods, including the introduction of a new tool for residents to see and track neighborhood-specific data and explore neighborhood trends over the past decade.

As the presentation noted, neighborhoods are dynamic communities that grow and change over time. Since 2009, Bellevue has seen a 23% increase in the city’s overall population, an increase in diversity in every area in the city, an increase in household income in every neighborhood, and an increase in the education level attained by Bellevue’s adult population. 

These trends and more are now available on the city’s website in a new Neighborhood Data Dashboard that shows various categories of data to over the past decade.  

The city’s Annual Performance Survey showed that 94% of respondents rated their neighborhood as “good” or “excellent.” Key concerns for residents include planning for growth, housing affordability and homelessness, environment, crime and community connections. Neighborhoods are interested in addressing neighborhood traffic congestion, seeing more traffic calming projects, and improved pedestrian and bicycle safety features. 
 
The full presentation is available on Bellevue Television replay and the dashboard tool is on the city’s State of Our Neighborhoods web page.

Bellevue All-America City highlight

After being recognized among just ten cities nationwide as a 2021 All-America City by the National Civic League, the council received a recap on the city’s presentation for the award and the projects Bellevue highlighted in its award application. 

The theme for this year’s All-America City award was “Building Equitable and Resilient Communities.” Bellevue’s application detailed the community’s strategic initiatives to become a more equitable community, and efforts to meet profound community needs during the pandemic.

Specific program highlights for Bellevue included: Jubilee REACH’s Groceries for Families program to meet ongoing practical needs during the pandemic and the collaborative efforts with the Bellevue Rotary Club to fund and build Inspiration Playground in Downtown Park. Bellevue also highlighted its work to promote and build equity, inclusion, access and resilience in the community through the Diversity Advantage Initiative. The city also showcased partnerships with key community agencies to meet community needs such as food assistance and accessibility, innovations in adaptive recreation, and programs like Cultural Conversations and cultural navigators, among many other examples.

More information on the All-America City distinction and Bellevue’s highlighted projects is in the city’s news release announcing the award.

Exploring potential local eviction moratorium

Later, councilmembers discussed the possibility of the city enacting its own local eviction moratorium if the statewide moratorium on residential tenant evictions expires on June 30 without an extension granted by the governor. 

The council unanimously approved a request to have a staff return with a researched assessment on any potential action at the local level. 

Depending next week’s presentation and discussion, councilmembers may ask to proceed with drafting an ordinance. The full discussion is available on Bellevue Television.  

Library Board appointment

In other business, the council unanimously approved an appointment to the city’s Library Board. The council appoints residents to boards, commissions and committees that provide detailed study and recommendations on important policy matters.

Sarah Rock will serve a partial term on the Library Board expiring May 31, 2022. 

More information on the selection is available in the meeting agenda item and general information is available on the city’s Boards and Commissions web page.
 

Source: City News