Saturday May 3rd is Opening Day of boating season, which each year commemorates the opening of the Montlake cut nearly 100 years ago, which enabled commercial and pleasure boats passage from Lake Washington to Puget Sound. Our friends and fellow MBNA members at Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club each year host members of visiting Yacht Clubs, and other related interests. This year, certain elements of both the Husky and Cougar marching bands will be guests on several visiting boats. Residents of the Bay should expect noise, a great deal of boating activity, and as a result, enhanced police and marine patrol presence. This, together with the previously mentioned opening of the City of Bellevue Visitor Moorage, is likely to generate an even higher level of activity in the Bay than usual.

Also, thanks to many of you for your generous donations in helping us Protect the Future of the Bay.  We've got a lot of work ahead of us and need your support.  Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help us secure a vibrant Bay for generations to come.  Donate at http://www.mbnabellevue.com/donate.  If donating by check send to:

MBNA
227 Bellevue Way NE, PMB 278
Bellevue WA 98004 

The City has hired Robin Cole to administer the Phase #1 design contract, and has selected a local design firm for the phase #1 design. This design contract will be approved by the City Council within the week, and design work is expected to start around mid May. The MBNA and Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club (MBYC) will be meeting with the design team to ensure our interests are protected, and the terms of the previously agreed  Implementation Principles are met.

Also, thanks to many of you for your generous donations in helping us Protect the Future of the Bay.  We've got a lot of work ahead of us and need your support.  Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help us secure a vibrant Bay for generations to come.  Donate at http://www.mbnabellevue.com/donate.  If donating by check send to:

MBNA
227 Bellevue Way NE, PMB 278
Bellevue WA 98004

The new City Visitor Moorage near the foot of 100th S.E. is almost complete, and is expected to open before the end of April. The city solicited suggestions from the MBNA and Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club (MBYC) in the planning and preparation of this facility, and has incorporated many of them in the final design. The area around the moorage will be a NO WAKE zone as it has been, and the Mercer Island Marine Patrol will continue to monitor and enforce speeds within the Bay.

Finishing touches are being put on the adjacent restroom facilities (Sanicans), and the construction of the kiosk, which will include signage and information on the facility, and will be staffed by a Bellevue Park Ranger on weekends and other peak boating times such as opening day, 4th of July, Seafair, and the like.

The City Council invites residents and members of the business community to attend a public reception on Friday night, April 4, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on the Concourse at City Hall to meet the Finalists for the position of Bellevue’s next City Manager.

Under the Council/Manager form of government, a professional, committed and non-partisan Manager is selected by the City Council to function as the City’s chief executive officer and administer the day-to-day operations of the City.  The city manager works closely with the Council to carry out their vision for the city and with the community to listen to and integrate many viewpoints to help them achieve sound decisions. Councilmembers also depend on the city manager’s knowledge and integrity as they carry out their duties as trustees of the public good for the City.  The city manager is responsible for the enforcement of all laws and ordinances of the City.  He or she must be able to create a management team that is accountable and responsive to the community and to lead city staff in delivering high quality customer service, programs and projects.

The City Council welcomes public feedback on the qualities that each of the four Finalists will bring to the position of City Manager.   Comment cards will be provided at the reception on which to capture your thoughts.  Feedback can also be provided at CityManagerSearch@bellevuewa.gov.