City Council candidates square off at first Chamber Lunch of the season
The first Chamber Lunch of the season was a packed one, as the candidates for two of Bellevue’s most competitive City Council races took to the stage for a substantive and pragmatic conversation about our city’s future.
With moderators Kate Riley from The Seattle Times and former Councilmember Jennifer Robertson guiding the discussion, we focused on the topics our members care about most: How we grow with intention, keep neighborhoods safe and welcoming, and maintain the region’s most competitive business climate.
Safety & Services: Eastgate Takes Center Stage
Public safety around the Eastgate campus, including permanent supportive housing, dominated the public safety questions posed during the forum. Candidates consistently paired compassion with accountability, and outlined near‑term steps to improve outcomes.
“Permanent supportive housing is a really important deliverable, but it cannot happen at the cost of public safety.” — CM Vishal Bhargava
Councilmember Bhargava described increases in visible drug use and first responder calls, and proposed tactical actions at the site: A dedicated police presence, full‑time on‑site security for non‑emergency issues, and coordinated enforcement paired with services.
“Are we enabling self destruction in these rooms, and a kind of transmissible dysfunction in the Eastgate neighborhood? … It was a reasonable policy to revisit.” — Paul Clark
Bhargava's opponent, Paul Clark, questioned low‑barrier rules and urged a review to ensure neighborhood safety while maintaining shelter access.
“We cannot wait on a county organization to get their things together. Here in Bellevue, we can leverage public and private partnerships and take care of things in house.” — Naren Briar
Briar emphasized local partnerships and faster coordination, citing examples of private partners stepping in to improve safety features. Her opponent, Councilmember Conrad Lee, reinforced the need for city coordination around shelters and first‑responder capacity, while underscoring fiscal prudence in any response.
“My important priorities are transportation, public safety, and infrastructure, and above all: Fiscal responsibility and fiscal prudence.” — CM Conrad Lee
Housing Supply Meets Infrastructure Reality
Another segment of the conversation covered state middle‑housing laws and local implementation.
“HB 1110 allows four units by right on every lot, and six with a fee in lieu, with added density near transit ... [So] the more we mix uses and invest in walkability, the fewer vehicle miles traveled.” — Vishal Bhargava
Across the baord, candidates agreed Bellevue must grow housing near jobs and transit, while sequencing infrastructure such as utilities, streets, schools, and public safety.
Tax Climate & Transportation
On tax policy, candidates drew sharp distinctions with neighboring jurisdictions.
“Absolutely no … on the head tax, the payroll tax … attempting to Seattle‑ize the entire state is a huge problem.” — Paul Clark
Councilmember Lee highlighted long‑standing fiscal discipline and keeping taxes low while meeting core service needs, and his opponent Briar and Clark opposed local payroll taxes and rent‑control style measures, stressing competitiveness for employers and workers.
The transportation discussion then moved from high‑level to local, including a discussion of how to utilize the City's Transportation Benefit District.
“The TBD was recently formed, and we ought to fund it toward projects that support the Comprehensive Plan, including intersections near downtown that are not meeting standards.” — Naren Briar
Councilemember Lee tied mobility back to fiscal responsibility and regional coordination, noting collaboration with transit providers and support for creative, results‑oriented solutions.
“We need to have choices. The key is, how do we do it, fiscally responsible?” — Conrad Lee