The Bellevue City Council, following a unanimous vote at their recent meeting, has appointed Mo Malakoutian as the new mayor, with Dave Hamilton stepping into the role of deputy mayor. According to the city of Bellevue website, these leaders will guide the city for the coming two years. The power shift came about as Malakoutian took the baton from Lynne Robinson, who held the mayoral position for six years. Malakoutian, no stranger to the leadership position, previously served as deputy mayor.
Hamilton and Malakoutian, both elected to council in 2023, now helm council meetings, serve as the face of Bellevue at public events, and synchronize agendas, all while voicing the council’s collective stance. Bellevue’s city council consists of seven individuals, whose aim is the forge city policies and the crafting of a strategic and long-term city vision. These councilmembers, elected at large, serve four-year terms, are the ones who choose the mayor and deputy mayor every two years.
In their update to the housing situation, Bellevue reported recent progress on the Eastgate Housing Campus. This operation, started in 2023, has since become the home base for PorchLight men's shelter, Plymouth Crossing supportive housing, and the Polaris at Eastgate affordable apartments. These facilities served over 1,500 community members in 2025 alone. A proactive strategy, including an action plan devised by program operators and the city, has addressed community concerns through operational changes and increased police coordination, resulting in fewer emergency calls and diminished encampments, as per the official website.
Arts and culture in Bellevue also received a nice boost with the council’s approval of $200,000 for 31 arts projects, as recommended by the Bellevue Arts Commission. This financial commitment saw a notable surge from last year, when 26 applications sought funding. Covering a broad spectrum of arts, from workshops to festivals, these endeavors aim to bridge cultural divides while encouraging community and individual artistic engagement.
Last but not least, Kelly Aramaki, superintendent of the Bellevue School District, presented information about two critical school district levies set for the upcoming February election. One levy is intended to sustain educational programs, and the other, for technological advancement and capital projects. The council indicated a future meeting to articulate a formal stance on these levies.
