Council member John Chelminiak made his return to Bellevue City Hall Monday for the first time since he was attacked by a bear Sept. 17 at his vacation home near Lake Wenatchee.

Wearing an eye patch and a gray knit cap to cover head wounds still being treated, Chelminiak received applause from staff and others at the council’s study session. Mayor Don Davidson welcomed him back with a distinctive gift – a T-shirt that said, “I Won.”

Chelminiak had joked about getting such a shirt in a television interview shortly after the attack. Each of his fellow council members received a T-shirt that stated “Bellevue Won.”

Chelminiak’s first in-person meeting involved a discussion of the 2011-12 budget’s Economic Growth and Competitiveness and Safe Community Objective. Chelminiak has been involved in meetings through teleconferencing since Oct. 18.

Chelminiak sustained major wounds and injuries to his face and upper bodies in the September attack. He underwent numerous surgeries, and his recovery continues.