Council Roundup: Sign code updates move forward

Published April 16 2026

Plus, World Cup preparation, digital equity, refinancing bonds and Earth Day activities

During Tuesday's meeting, the City Council reviewed proposed amendments to the city's sign code, marking a major milestone in a multiyear effort to modernize and simplify Bellevue's sign regulations. The updated code aims to bring Bellevue's sign code into compliance with content-neutral legal requirements, reflect contemporary sign design and technology and make the code easier for the community to understand and use.

Major themes emerged from community feedback that helped shape the project goals and have been reflected in the new draft. Community members emphasized preserving Bellevue's aesthetics and preventing visual clutter, as well as simplifying the code to make regulations more flexible, clear and consistent. Feedback also highlighted concerns about the proliferation of temporary signs and the need for clear rules that support both community events and timely sign removal.

The updated draft code includes a full reorganization to make the code easier to navigate, updated standards for permanent signs, significant updates to standards for temporary signs, new flexibility for businesses in multi-tenant buildings and additional support for unique signage needs. The updates also introduce digital wayfinding signage along the Grand Connection and in the BelRed Arts District. Councilmembers provided feedback that will be considered in development of an updated version of the code, which will be presented to the council at a future meeting. The full discussion is available from Bellevue Television and additional information is available in the meeting materials.

World Cup preparations

With World Cup games in Seattle set to draw approximately 15,000 overnight visitors to Bellevue June11-July 19, the city is sprucing up downtown and planning celebrations at Bellevue's light rail stations featuring live music, pop-up art, food trucks and artist-designed photo installations.

In a report to the council, the Economic Development team noted that the city's preparations emphasize long-term community benefits and free public programming delivered by partners including the Bellevue Downtown Association and BelRed Arts District. Nearly $100,000 in community grants will support further activities citywide.

Visit Bellevue Washington is helping promote activities in Bellevue with the theme, "All the action, none of the chaos." Sound Transit, a partner in the light rail station events, is expanding bus and rail service on game days to ensure smooth travel for commuters and visitors alike. Lasting infrastructure improvements underway include improved wayfinding and sidewalk repairs downtown.

The city is planning in concert with other cities around the Eastside and the state to ensure the continued safety of all who live in Bellevue or are visiting during the World Cup. Details are available in the council presentation.

Laptop distribution pilot for digital equity

As part of continuing efforts to expand digital equity in Bellevue, the city launched a pilot program, handing out 60 free refurbished laptops to qualified low-income Bellevue residents at Mini City Hall.

According to the State Broadband Office, more than 1,200 Bellevue households
lack either adequate connectivity or a working computer (PC or laptop). The laptop giveaway-in a partnership with PCs for People, with support from Mini City Hall staff-targeted neighborhoods identified by the Broadband Office as having the highest need.

In device distributions on April 1, 3 and 8, the city gave eligible applicants refurbished Windows 11 laptops, accessories, access to technical support and one year of hotspot service. The city is using the pilot to test scalability, operational logistics, user experience and impact. Details are in the agenda materials.

Ordinance adopted for public-private partnership development agreements

Following a presentation and public hearing, the council unanimously approved creation of a new public-private partnership (P3) development agreement pathway. This tool gives the city more flexibility when collaborating with private partners on projects where Bellevue owns or controls property or is a major funder towards the project cost. The goal is to help advance important community priorities like affordable housing, sustainability, and economic development by allowing for greater zoning and development flexibility through the agreements.

The land use code amendment creates a dedicated development agreement option specifically for these public-private partnerships and consolidates related development agreement pathways in the land use code. Details about the code updates are available in the meeting materials, and the full discussion can be viewed in the Bellevue Television meeting replay.

Refinancing bonds

Later in the meeting, the council unanimously voted to authorize an ordinance allowing the refinancing of some of the city's bonds to take advantage of favorable market conditions and save money. Approximately $53.2 million in bonds were identified for refinancing, with estimated total savings of $1.7 million over the life of the bonds. The city's debt policy requires savings from refinancing to be at least 3%.

Refinancing (also called refunding when new bonds are taken out that replace older, more expensive debt) these bonds will achieve lower interest rates while keeping the same basic repayment structure. The proceeds of the refunding will cover the cost of issuing the new bonds and support the purchase of a previously identified and approved piece of property in the city.

Final bond refunding details such as timing, interest rates and exact dollar amounts will be shared in a final bond ordinance for council action in June. More details are in the meeting materials.

Proclamations and upcoming Earth Day activities

The council presented proclamations for Arab American Heritage Month, Sikh Heritage Month, Bellevue College's 60th anniversary and Earth Day. Earth Day activities in Bellevue start this weekend with EarthFest and a community cleanup.