Published August 8 2019
Also, Sound Transit property exchange, diversity plan update
On Monday, the City Council approved additional funding for Congregations for the Homeless to provide year-round, 24/7 services for men experiencing homelessness.
The council approved increasing the 2019-2020 Human Services Fund budget by $585,620 for CFH operational expenses to provide overnight shelter at a temporary “bridge” location downtown in 2019, to extend services through the summer in 2020, and to extend day center services.
An agreement with Cloudvue was announced last week that allows CFH to use a Cloudvue property – the former First Congregational Church at Northeast Eighth Street and 108th Avenue Northeast – starting in September. The Cloudvue property will only be used for overnight shelter while the winter shelter at Lincoln Center undergoes necessary modifications so it can be used year-round.
Additional information is available in the agenda packet materials.
Sound Transit property exchange
Earlier during the regular session, the council approved a property exchange with Sound Transit. The agreement is a milestone in the city’s and Sound Transit’s efforts to facilitate more than 1.2 million square feet of transit-oriented development in BelRed next to a light rail maintenance facility.
The city will give Sound Transit a parcel south of the maintenance facility in exchange for one west of the it along 120th Avenue Northeast. The exchange also includes a covenant that requires Bellevue’s property be used for a minimum of 80 affordable housing units available to households earning no more than 60 percent of area median income.
Partnering with Sound Transit to consolidate the surplus property south of the maintenance facility will have a significant impact on the city’s ability to achieve a bold vision for transit-oriented development and affordable housing in BelRed. The exchange demonstrates the strength of public-private partnerships and the ability to leverage greater public benefits through cooperation.
Background on the property exchange is available in the agenda materials.
Diversity plan update
During the study session, the council was updated on accomplishments and future work items for the city’s Diversity Advantage plan.
Adopted in 2014, the plan outlines 60 recommended actions grouped into six focus areas: cultural competence, human services, public safety, education, economic development and civic engagement. Many of the actions require the continued development of community partnerships and resident engagement.
The team is fully staffed with the additions of Yuriana Garcia Tellez, diversity outreach and engagement administrator, and Blayne Amson, ADA/Title VI civil rights administrator.
Staff pointed to a number of achievements over the last year, including:
- a cross-cultural and programming study;
- expansion of the Bellevue Diversity Advantage Network;
- an ADA self-evaluation and transition plan; and
- departmental strategic work plans on diversity.
More information on the Diversity Advantage plan is in the agenda packet materials.
NOTE: The council is on summer recess; the next meeting will be held on Sept. 3.