The Bellevue City Council elected Mo Malakoutian as mayor and Dave Hamilton as deputy mayor during a meeting on January 6, 2026. Malakoutian, in his first term, replaces Lynne Robinson, who held the mayoral position for six years. Both Malakoutian and Hamilton were first elected to the council in 2023. The mayor oversees council meetings, sets agendas, and represents the city at public events.
The council also received an update on the Eastgate Housing Campus, which opened in 2023 and includes a men’s shelter and supportive housing. The campus has provided assistance to over 1,500 individuals. In response to community concerns, the city implemented an action plan to improve safety and outreach, resulting in reduced emergency service calls and fewer encampments.
Additionally, the council approved $200,000 for 31 arts projects in Bellevue, including $1,000 bonus grants for 13 artists in the BelRed Arts District. Arts organizations submitted 67 applications totaling $464,000 in funding requests. Finally, Bellevue School District officials presented information about two levies on the February 10 ballot, prompting the council to consider a resolution reflecting their position on the measures.