Council Roundup: Repeated thefts could mean at least a month in jail

Published September 27 2025

Plus, Housing Accord Program helps reduce evictions and city receives Public Benefit Rating System application

The City Council on Tuesday voted to prepare a city ordinance that would set minimum sentencing requirements for repeat offenders of certain theft crimes in Bellevue, including shoplifting.

The ordinance would set a 30-day minimum jail sentence for offenders of third-degree theft crimes if the offender has two or more prior theft convictions in Washington state within the last two years. The ordinance would provide for certain exceptions to the minimum jail sentence, such as participation in diversion programs, community court, and mental health and substance abuse treatment, and when there is substantial risk of mental or physical harm, serving the sentence by electronic home monitoring.

Councilmembers voted 6-1 to prepare the ordinance for action at a future meeting, with Councilmember Dave Hamilton voting no. The council also requested a check-in on the ordinance after one year.

The full discussion is available through a replay of the meeting on Bellevue Television.

Housing Accord Program helps reduce evictions

The council also received an update on the Conflict Resolution Center's Housing Accord Program, which focuses on building positive relationships between tenants and landlords to reduce evictions and prevent homelessness.

Since 2023, the program has managed 454 landlord-tenant cases and provided support to more than 100 property managers. The program has nurtured relationships with property managers, negotiated repayment plans and helped solidify agreements on maintenance and other issues.

Additional information about the council presentation on the program is in the meeting materials.

Public Benefit Rating System application

In advance of an upcoming Oct. 14 public hearing, the council reviewed a Bridle Trails resident's application to have a portion of his property reclassified as open space.

The property owner is applying for a reclassification through the King County Public Benefit Rating System program, which allows private property owners to conserve natural resources and protect wildlife habitat, open spaces, wetlands, forests and productive farmlands in exchange for receiving a property tax reduction. Both the city and county must independently and identically approve the application.

After reviewing the application, the city identified approximately 1.10 acres of the 1.33-acre property as potentially eligible for the public benefit rating system program. Further analysis and recommendations will be provided at the upcoming city public hearing. More information is available in the meeting agenda materials.

Proclamations for Domestic Violence Action Month, Filipino American History Month and Disability Employment Awareness Month

The council issued a proclamation in honor of Domestic Violence Action Month to raise awareness of the societal impacts of domestic violence and resources available to survivors. They also issued proclamations celebrating Filipino American History Month and raising awareness for Disability Employment Awareness Month, which celebrates the contributions and talents of people with disabilities in our workplaces and recognizes the employment barriers they face.

Note: Council meetings are not held on the fifth week of the month. The next Bellevue City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7.