City of Bellevue issued the following announcement on April 10.
Plus, pedestrian improvements and proclamations to support community
At this week’s virtual city council meeting, councilmembers were briefed on the various ways city staff and departments have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to slow the spread of the virus, continue essential city services, protect city staff and support the community with critical needs.
The briefing detailed the adjustments being made by city departments to offer services remotely, support adherence to public health guidelines, and share information in key areas of need for businesses, residents and non-profit agencies. The full report is available on video/audio replay through Bellevue Television and the presentation is available in the agenda item details. Many resources are available on or can be accessed from the city's COVID-19 web page.
In related business, the council unanimously approved two ordinances that have gone into effect to support the city’s COVID-19 relief efforts.
- Ordinance 6506 allows certain small businesses in the city to defer their first and second quarter Business & Occupation taxes until October 31, 2020.
- Ordinance 6507 allocates $450 thousand in emergency funds to be distributed equally among the five city-funded human service agencies in Bellevue. The funds came from a city council contingency fund and were not earmarked for other purposes in the current budget cycle.
Also on Monday, the council awarded two separate contracts for construction projects that will make walking in Bellevue safer and easier. Both winning bids came in below the engineer’s estimate, used for budgeting purposes.
The Crossroads Trail Improvements project (low bid: $604,940) will improve a popular walking route by constructing a six-foot wide, paved trail with landscaping and lighting. It provides an efficient link between schools and residences to the north and the Crossroads Community Center to the south. The trail was established in the 1980s but lacked an easement at the southern end and was never fully developed.
Councilmembers also awarded a contract for the Southeast 16th Street Walkway project (low bid: $428,614). It will include a new sidewalk on the south side of Southeast 16th Street, from 160th Avenue Southeast to the Southeast 16th Street cul-de-sac, a new raised crosswalk and radar signs. Among others, it will serve students walking to and from nearby Phantom Lake Elementary and Tillicum Middle School. Funding comes from the 2016 Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy.
Proclamations to support community
Two proclamations were presented during the meeting as a show of solidarity and support of the community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
One proclamation in support of Overlake Medical Center Staff highlights the important work of our local healthcare workers as they fight on the front lines against the virus and encourages the community to join in that support.
A second proclamation urging the community to stand together against bias and hate reaffirms the city’s commitment to embracing diversity and creating a welcoming environment for all free of all forms of bias, especially during this unprecedented time.
Note: The next Bellevue City Council meeting will take place on April 20, 2020. Further details on how to access the meeting will be released in advance of the meeting.
Original source can be found here.
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