In a recent City Update, potholes were reviewed. It was explained why potholes and pavement cracking are appearing all over Bainbridge Island during this wet and cold winter. Potholes are a ubiquitous scourge. Potholes are even referenced in popular music. I have a favorite pothole lyric from the song “Tear in My Heart”:

You fell asleep in my car I drove the whole time

But that’s okay I’ll just avoid the holes so you sleep fine

I’m driving here I sit

Cursing my government

For not using my taxes to fill holes with more cement

In 2019, the City assessed the condition of the pavement of all City streets (see Pavement Management Analysis Report). The City of Bainbridge Island owns 140-line miles of streets and roads. The estimated value of Bainbridge Island’s investment in streets and roads is $115 million expressed in 2019 dollars. This does not include the value of the land. 

Using a standard measurement that allows for the comparison of pavement conditions in a universal manner, Bainbridge scored an average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 70 on a 0 to 100 scale. In other words, the majority of Bainbridge streets are considered good. The study concluded 13% of our streets are excellent, 46% are very good, 16% are good, 17% are marginal and 8% are poor or failing. That’s the good news. 

Now the bad news. On average, the City of Bainbridge Island spends about $450,000 per year to maintain streets and preserve the pavement. This is not to build new streets - just to preserve what is already here. This study concluded that this level of expenditure is insufficient to prevent the PCI from continuing to decline. In other words, at this level of funding, in about five years the number of streets rated in poor/failing condition will grow from 8% to 12%, and eventually the cost to repair and bring these streets back from failing will increase as well. In the world of Public Works, it is pay now or pay more later.

There will be more information about street and pothole maintenance in future weekly updates. Meanwhile, I’m going to see if there are any other songs that feature potholes in their lyrics.  

We have started the search for a Planning and Community Development director.

The first review date is March 7, and it’s anticipated that a new director will be announced in April.

The director is responsible for the community’s growth management planning process, the development and update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, zoning and land use ordinances, environmental protection regulations, development code policies and code enforcement. The director collaborates with other City departments, City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Board and various committees on strategy and policy to regulate growth and development.

The City hired GMP Consulting, a consulting firm that specializes in executive recruitment services, to lead the search.

The search process will include extensive outreach and advertising, preliminary screening and interviews. The importance of diversity will be emphasized throughout the recruitment process.

The position became vacant in November 2021. City Manager Blair King hired Mark Hofman as the Interim Planning & Community Development Director. Hofman will not be a candidate for the permanent position.

We plan to host a series of workshops to discuss key actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our community for the impacts of climate change. We’re seeking your input on topics of interest for these workshops. Visit the Engage Bainbridge page to share your feedback by Feb. 15.

The workshops are part of the City's larger effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2025 and 90% by 2045, as outlined in the 2020 Climate Action Plan.

We sent a letter this week to members of the Washington State House Committee on Local Government and the Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee stating our concern and strong opposition to House Bill 1782 and its companion bill, Substitute Senate Bill 5670.

The bills would mandate increased housing within one-half mile of major transit stops, and mandate the acceptance of fourplexes in all lots zoned for single-family residential uses.

The four-page letter reads, in part: "The proposed legislation seeks to increase the housing supply statewide, but in the process wrongly preempts local government land use authority and includes blunt mandates that could have severe negative impacts with multiple unintended consequences on this island community."

The City Council, which requested to send the letter, supports affordable housing but feels it can be achieved without the state preempting local control.

The zoning map above (click to enlarge) was approved with the 2017 Comprehensive Plan update. Under state law, the entire island is considered an Urban Growth Area.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 7, the City's drive-thru test site at Rolling Bay will be open 9 a.m. to noon (instead of 1 p.m.) due to decreased demand. Book a test on TestDirectly.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2022-01 that revises the City's Housing Design Demonstration Project program.

The HDDP program (BIMC 2.16.020.S) applies in the Winslow area and promotes the development of projects that increase affordable housing and meet green building certification standards through incentives, such as flexible development standards and a density incentive. To qualify under the HDDP program, development projects must provide at least 50% of residential units as affordable housing.

The ordinance proposes the following changes to the HDDP program (recommended by the Planning Commission in November 2021):

After holding the public hearing, the City Council could make a decision on Ordinance No. 2022-01 or continue discussion on the ordinance at a later date.

The City Council on Feb. 8 will begin discussing a “roadmap” for updating the Winslow Master Plan (WMP). The WMP is a subarea plan for the Winslow area that includes information, goals and policies for land use, transportation, open space, housing, utilities, and coordination with the Washington State Ferries system.

The WMP project was identified as a high-priority work plan item in 2022. The WMP, last updated in 2006, is also identified as a priority action in the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan.

This project will require coordination between all City departments, including Planning and Community Development and Public Works. City projects such as the Climate Action Plan, Sustainable Transportation Plan and Housing Action Plan will help inform the WMP work.

The City engaged the University of Washington Livable Cities Program in fall 2021 to research certain topics related to future updates to the Winslow Master Plan. Several students who worked on this project will present their findings to the City Council on Feb. 8 and the Planning Commission on Feb. 10.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8. Below are some of the topics.

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.

The Senior Information Technology (IT) Specialist is a member of a high-performing team that provides vital technical support to approximately 130 staff.

This is the ideal position for a self-motivated person who takes pride in delivering excellent customer service. Senior IT Specialists troubleshoot technical issues, set up new equipment and support the City’s many audio/visual and video conferencing needs.

Join the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association to help steward Pritchard Park in advance of a March 30 observance of the forced wartime exclusion of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island.

The work party is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring work gloves, your favorite tools and proof of vaccination. Please register in advance.

The Parks Foundation received roughly $18,000 from the City's Civic Improvement Fund to enhance and promote the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and Pritchard Park for the 80th observance of the forced exclusion of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island. To honor the milestone, the Parks Foundation and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association are partnering on stewardship and restoration projects and a documentary film at the memorial site and Pritchard Park. 

We are pleased to announce our upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Academy in March and April.

The CERT program teaches basic emergency skills and educates to effectively and efficiently respond to events or a disaster as a part of a team.

The training is free and open to all Bainbridge Island residents over 18 years old. The course will include seven training sessions on Zoom and an one in-person session to focus on the skills learned throughout the program.

To complete the course and become a CERT member, students are required to attend each Zoom class and participate in the in-person training day.