Bellevue City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Bellevue City Council meeting on May 12, 2026, included several proclamations recognizing heritage months and public service weeks, followed by a detailed study session on the 2027 sewer rate and capacity charge proposal. The council discussed the significant upcoming increases in sewer rates driven by aging infrastructure and regulatory compliance, with King County representatives explaining the challenges and efforts to manage costs and improve affordability. The council expressed concerns about the impact on residents, especially renters, seniors, and low-income households, and supported regional collaboration and federal funding advocacy. Additionally, the council considered and ultimately passed a motion to initiate work on high-density residential and planned unit development land use code amendments to implement the comprehensive plan's housing goals, including potential height increases and tree preservation incentives. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing Ordinance 6917, which proposes criminalizing targeted residential protests involving groups of four or more people near a person's residence to protect privacy and tranquility. The ordinance aims to balance First Amendment rights with residents' rights to privacy, defining targeted protests narrowly and classifying violations as gross misdemeanors. Council members expressed mixed views, with some supporting the ordinance to prevent intimidation and others concerned about free speech implications. The council ultimately moved forward with the ordinance, emphasizing the need for clear implementation and officer training.