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Bainbridge Islanders,
A few weeks ago, I received a copy of an e-mail from the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) Olympic Region with a surprising sentence. I read the sentence several times. “I would like to inform you that WSDOT now has a fully funded roundabout safety improvement project at the intersection of SR 305 and High School Road NE.” This last week the head of WSDOT Olympic Region confirmed the statement’s accuracy.
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Yes, WSDOT plans to construct a roundabout at High School Road and SR 305. The pre-design for the project will begin in early 2025. Design will continue through 2026. The project will be bid in 2027 with commencement of construction following. This project is classified as a safety project and is fully funded via the Olympic Region’s safety program budget. This roundabout will be complex. In addition to traffic volume, this location will need to accommodate the infrastructure for the electrification of Washington State Ferries. The Sound to Olympic Trail moves from the east side of SR 305 to the west side of 305 at the intersection. Also, from time to time, the queue for the ferry backs up into the High School Road intersection. There is a lot to consider in the design of the roundabout.
There is more news. WSDOT confirmed it anticipates a fish passage project will be constructed in the vicinity of the High School Road roundabout project. The Ravine Creek to Eagle Harbor project on SR 305 at milepost 0.62 is just south of the High School Road intersection. This project is technically not funded. However, assuming the state legislator provides funding for fish passage projects in the 2025 legislative session, this project will be funded and may begin construction before the roundabout. There is a part of this project that directly involves the city. Upstream of the WSDOT project, the waterway flows under High School Road through a city culvert. Looking at the fish passage project comprehensively, WSDOT would like the city to budget and construct a project to address the city’s piped stormwater under High School Road.
The community may be aware that a roundabout at Day Road and SR 305 has been discussed for some time. So, what’s the status on that you may ask? This project is funded from a different appropriation than the Olympic Region’s High School Road roundabout. The Day Road roundabout is in the planning stage now. An earlier issue with stormwater storage needed to be resolved to allow this project to proceed. Stormwater retention has now been resolved via a Kitsap Transit Park and Ride lot planned for the intersection of Phelps Road, Day Road and SR 305. This project needs about two million more to be fully funded.
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Perhaps the community will not be as surprised as I was to learn about the new roundabout and fish passage project at High School Road. Remember, look left and yield to traffic already in the roundabout. Be especially careful October 31, headless horsemen have a hard time looking left.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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Bainbridge Island’s eighth Annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration on Monday, Oct. 14 focused on the history of education activism on Bainbridge Island and honoring those who came before us. There were presentations about the origins and work of Bainbridge Island School District's Ethnic Minority Coalition (known today as the Multicultural Advisory Commission), a delicious potluck and lively performance by Grupo Bayano, a Caribbean music and dance group. There was also a screening of Honor Thy Mother, which highlights Bainbridge Island's unique Indipino community. The City's Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution was read by students representing Bainbridge Island High School’s Ethnic Multicultural Student Association. The resolution passed in 2016 serves as a reminder that on Bainbridge Island, the second Monday of October focuses on elevating Indigenous experiences and voices, in contrast to Columbus Day, which has traditionally suppressed or erased Indigenous history. This commitment is embedded in the language of our City, reflecting our values and aspirations. | |
Farm Trail Dedication - October 25 | |
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Enjoy an autumn walk and celebrate Bainbridge Island’s newest
Farm Trail off of Day Road,
from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will mark the trail dedication at 4 p.m., hosted by the City of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation, and Bainbridge Metro Parks.
The new trail runs from Day Road East to Lovgreen Road, along the west edge of the community farm district, pumpkin patch, and historic agricultural lands. Refreshments and kids' activities are planned.
The new Farm Trail, a feature of the Sustainable Transportation Plan, was funded and permitted by the City. This project is a collaborative effort between the City, Bainbridge Metro Park & Recreation District, and the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation. The Park District built the trail under an agreement with the City, and the Parks & Trails Foundation funded additional trail construction and plant restoration. Grace Church and the Island School contributed trail easements that connect to the new Farm Trail. The Farm District trail system now connects to other trailheads east and south of the community farmlands at Charles Place and Vista Place.
The Farm Trail offers a scenic walk that connects our communities to the beauty of the natural landscape while linking us to part of our island’s rural history and local farm community.
**Limited event parking is available at the Grace Church upper lot off Day Road East and at the Charles Place trailhead.**
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South Ward Meeting - October 26 | |
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Live in the South Ward on Bainbridge Island? Come to the South Ward Meeting on Sat., Oct. 26 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Island Center Hall (8395 Fletcher Bay Rd NE) and meet your council members!
South Ward Councilmembers Ashley Mathews and Jon Quitslund and At-Large Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos, together with City Manager Blair King, will attend the South Ward Meeting.
The Council Ward Meetings are an opportunity for you to meet with council members who represent your ward to talk about topics in your neighborhood and the broader community that are of importance to you. Ward Meetings are intended to be less formal than a Council meeting, so it allows for more of a conversation between community members and Council members.
*North Ward meeting coming in November.
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Hometown Halloween - October 31 | |
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On Oct. 31 from 4- 6 p.m., all ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks can make their way to Winslow Way in search of tasty treats, spooky tunes and more!
Activities will include:
- Complimentary hot apple cider
- Chili and hot dogs at Eagle Harbor Church for a UNICEF donation
- Look for your favorite teacher scooping at Island Cool (previously Mora)
- DJ near Winslow Mall
- Hometown Halloween Photo booth on Madrone Lane
- And of course, trick-or-treating at our downtown businesses and community tables!
Winslow Way between Ericksen and Madison will be closed to through traffic from 3- 7 p.m.
Hometown Halloween is brought to you by the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and co-sponsored by the City of Bainbridge Island with support from Cook Family Funeral Home, Safeway, Town & Country, Bainbridge Island Rotary, American Legion, Dana’s, Blue Coast, and Island Cool & the Bainbridge Island School District Teachers.
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Bundled Madison Ave Project Update | | |
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Yesterday, we launched twice-weekly Madison Ave construction updates via Traffic Notifications and the Madison Ave Bundled Project "Notify Me" every Monday and Thursday afternoons. The updates will also appear on the project website and in the City Manager's Report (once a week on Fridays). Click on the buttons to subscribe and be in the know!
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Current Update (all updates are weather dependent) | | |
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• 10/18-10/23: Forming and pouring of concrete curbs on both sides of Madison Ave between High School Road and New Brooklyn.
• On/around Oct. 21-22: Asphalt removal and roadway reconstruction at the Madison/New Brooklyn.
Look-ahead schedule post 10/23
• On/around Oct. 23-29: Preparation of "top course" gravel on the roadway. This work will result in reductions in dust and loose dirt on the roadway.
• On/around Nov. 4-8: Nighttime paving between High School Road and New Brooklyn.
• The contractor is making provisions for retaining unobstructed access to the ballot box driveway access area on Nov 4 and 5.
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Comprehensive and Winslow Subarea Plan Updates | |
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All public comments from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement have been posted to the project webpage (scroll down a bit). The full comment package totals 1,519 pages, which includes 1,310 pages of comments.
City Council will receive the report on public comments at the Nov. 12 Regular Business Meeting.
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Last week, City Council authorized the City Manager to apply for three Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) low interest loans to support design and/or construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Upgrade (Construction, $3.5M), Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Extension (Design, $0.7M) and Secondary Clarifier #1 Rehabilitation (Design/Construction, $2.7M) projects (Sewer Fund).
The loan terms are anticipated to be 20-years at between 1% and 2.7%, which is considerably lower than the current bond market rate of 3.75%. The DOE has indicated that the loan cycle is expected to be competitive this year, but encouraged the City to apply for any and all projects that meet the loan criteria. We submitted our application for the DOE loan this week and anticipate hearing about the outcome sometime next spring.
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Emergency Nixle Text Alerts are Changing | | |
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Currently, we send Nixle text alerts about emergencies as well as major events or scheduled road work. In late October, Nixle emergency text alerts will be reserved exclusively for emergent life, property, and road safety alerts. Many in the public rely on Nixle for updates on major scheduled road work and events. These will now be delivered in a community email alert through Nixle and also through our Traffic Notifications (Traffic Notifications cover all known traffic issues on the island where as Nixle emails will cover major traffic concerns – think SR 305).
Quick way to add your e-mail to Nixle:
- Send a text message with the word "email" to 888-777 to first verify if an email is registered to your phone number.
- After receiving a response, reply with an email address to receive email publications.
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City Council Meeting Updates | |
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Councilmembers from left to right: Leslie Schneider (Central Ward - District 4), Clarence Moriwaki (Central Ward - District 5),
Ashley Mathews (South Ward - District 6), Brenda Fantroy-Johnson (North Ward - District 2), Joe Deets (North Ward - District 7),
Kirsten Hytopoulos (At Large - District 1), Jon Quitslund (South Ward, District 3)
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October 22 Regular Business Meeting key topics:
- Proclamation for Veterans Day
- Adopt Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP)
- Consider Budget Ordinance - Review Budget including Capital Improvement Plan
- Review Regulations on Temporary Signs
- Consider Design for Winslow Way Bike Corral
- Confirm Appointments to Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
**City Council Agendas are available to view the Friday before the meeting by 5 p.m.**
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Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers
- Zoom
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City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts)
- BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE)
The public is invited to contact members of the City Council to express concerns, questions and praise. Some council members are holding virtual office hours and others are available to meet upon request.
Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.
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