City Manager's Report

Bainbridge Islanders,

The Bainbridge Island community is fortunate to be home to a diverse and vibrant group of non-profit organizations. Many of these organizations partner with the City of Bainbridge Island to provide services that align with the City’s values and principles but are not currently provided by City staff. Did you know that the City budget for 2021-2022 includes more than $1.5 million in support to local organizations that provide direct service to the community? This level of support as compared to the overall budget is higher than in many other jurisdictions, but matches well with our community.

The majority of this funding is awarded through three funding cycles: funding for human service organizations ($335,000 in 2021), funding for organizations that offer cultural and economic programming ($150,000 in 2021), and funding awarded through the lodging tax award cycle ($225,000 in 2021). All of these award allocation processes are run by councilmembers and community members who volunteer to serve on short term task forces to review proposals and make funding recommendations. We need your help as volunteers to make these important decisions for next year.

We are still accepting applications for a wide variety of advisory groups and task forces. The City works best with contributions from a variety of its residents, so I hope that you will consider applying. You can review the options on the City’s website and apply anytime through 4 p.m. April 21.

At the Study Session on April 13, Council approved an ordinance making changes to certain sections of the land use code. Council also discussed and added funding to the Sustainable Transportation Initiative to provide for more public engagement and some additional time to finish the project, due in part to COVID-related delays. Finally, staff received initial input on the scope of work for a new position focused on natural resources in the Planning and Community Development Department.

The April 20 Study Session agenda includes a discussion of the Kitsap County Planning Policies, as well as a review of an upcoming non-motorized project planned for the Eagle Harbor Drive/Head of the Bay stretch of roadway. We’ll conclude that meeting with an update on the City’s workplan and a set of recommendations related to affordable housing actions. I hope you can join us.

Best wishes,

Ellen Schroer

Interim City Manager

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 vaccines again available at Commodore school gym

The City of Bainbridge Island, in partnership with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and Bainbridge Prepares, is coordinating with Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy on COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

As of April 12, this partnership has supported the administration of over 15,000 doses to eligible individuals from Kitsap and surrounding counties. We expect to administer our 20,000th dose this weekend!

The Pfizer first-dose vaccine appointments will be available at two high-throughput clinics on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 at the Commodore Options School Gym. More information and instructions on how to sign up are provided on the City's website.

Patients who are 16 and 17 years old should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian is not available to come in person, they MUST have their screening form signed by their parent or guardian ahead of time and have a phone number where they can be reached if needed

Text 98110 to 888777
Sign up at Nixle.com

Project Updates

Sound to Olympics Trail – Sakai Pond Connector

At their regular meeting on April 13^th, the City Council approved a construction contract for the Sound to Olympic (STO) Trail – Sakai Pond Connector. The trail is an approximately 300’ long, 10’-wide paved multi-use trail that begins at the NW corner of High School Road and SR 305, and connects with trails on the Sakai Park property.

The alignment was reviewed with the Council in 2018, when it was moved from the east side of 305 along the adjacent commercial property boundary, to the west side as an extension of the STO trail. As discussed with the Council during development of the 2021-22 budget, a majority of the project funds (approximately $122,000, plus additional funding that supported the design) came from development fees associated with the commercial development at the northeast corner of High School Road and SR305.

Trail construction will begin later this spring, and will be preceded by vegetation management and clearing using weed-eating goats, an effort sponsored by the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation.

Mini roundabout at Wyatt Way-Madison Avenue intersection open

The mini roundabout at Wyatt and Madison Avenue is open to traffic in all directions.

One of the most distinct differences between the Wyatt Way-Madison Avenue roundabout and other roundabouts, including the one at High School Road, is the size. The mini roundabout at the Wyatt-Madison intersection functions the same, but it’s smaller due to limited space and to preserve large trees in the area. A mini roundabout is appropriate for addressing small- to medium-size traffic volumes.

How to use the mini roundabout

Pedestrians: People crossing the street should look to their left and right before entering the crosswalk. You will no longer need to look across for turning vehicles.
Bicyclists: People on bikes can ride in the roundabout with cars if they feel safe or they can ride up a bicycle ramp to the widened sidewalk as they approach the intersection and use the crosswalk.
Cars: Drivers approaching the roundabout should be aware of pedestrians waiting to cross the street and then look left for oncoming vehicles before entering the roundabout.
Buses and fire trucks: Drivers of larger buses and fire trucks may need to drive over a portion of the center island of the roundabout, which is specifically designed for such use.

Eagle Harbor Drive Phase 1 Non-Motorized Improvements Project

At their regular meeting on April 20^th, the staff will present the Council with options for the Eagle Harbor Drive Phase I Non-Motorized Improvement project, which will pick up at the northern end of the Phase II project (adjacent to the shoreline), and continue north to the Head-of-the-Bay where Eagle Harbor Drive connects with Wyatt Way. The City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies the project as paved shoulder bike lanes on both sides of the road, and includes approximately $1.4M for the project – including $735K in federal grant fund – for construction in 2024. The staff is bringing the project for consideration now due to the long lead time required for the right-of-way acquisition process, which will be necessary to build any facility type that is eventually chosen at this location.

The project options presented by staff for further consideration include separated bike lanes on both sides of the road along the entire stretch of the corridor, or portions of the corridor. All of the project options would include replacing the aging stormwater culvert north of the Green Light Garage with an environmentally friendly fish-passage culvert. The culvert is subject to a pending state grant application for approximately $600K.

City Council Updates

Updates approved to City land use code

The City Council on April 13 approved Ordinance No. 2021-03, updating and revising portions of the City’s land use code, including process improvements and changes related to where new hotels can be located.

Ordinance No. 2021-03 relates to what is being referred to as Triage Phase 1 code changes. In summary, the approved ordinance makes changes that:

Clarify that the Planning Director and Hearing Examiner should give substantial weight to the Planning Commission recommendations on land use permits, including recommendations of denial.

Prohibit new hotels in the Central Core, Gateway and Ferry Terminal Districts of the Mixed-Use Town Center.

Continue to allow hotels in the High School Road 1 and 2 zoning districts. The ordinance would allow the Planning Commission and the Council to review the City’s regulations, including use standards, to determine if and how new hotels within these zoning districts could be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Review the ordinance and background material and watch the April 13 discussion online (Click on 9A to move to that part of the meeting).

Upcoming City Council agenda

The April 20 City Council meeting will include the following items:

Proclamation declaring April 18- 24 as "National Volunteer Week on Bainbridge Island"
Discussion of project scope and approach for the Eagle Harbor Phase I Non-Motorized Project
Discussion of Kitsap County Planning Policies
Review of the City's 2021 Workplan
Discussion of recommendations related to affordable housing planning

If you would like to receive the City Council agenda by email when it's published, sign up on the Council Agendas webpage.

Ways to Watch

Zoom

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)

City Advisory Group Updates

Race Equity Advisory Committee to host vigil, rally to honor Asian-American communities

The Race Equity Advisory Committee is planning two events to "Stand Together in Solidarity" with the Asian community and all other people of color.

Saturday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. - Candlelight vigil at Waterfront Park

Sunday, April 18, 2:00 p.m. - March from Highway 305 and Winslow Way to City Hall.

Other Updates

Share your feedback on Washington State Ferries

See the message below from Washington State Ferries.

Customers are encouraged to participate in the current Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey to share your thoughts on all things WSF. The survey is hosted by the Washington State Transportation Commission and helps us hear feedback and suggestions directly from you.

You can participate by either signing up to join the survey panel to ensure you’re included in this and all future surveys, or you can just participate in the current survey that is available online without signing up to receive future surveys. It will be available through April 19. We look forward to hearing from you!

The safety of our customers and crew is WSF’s top priority. Please remember that all traveling customers are required to wear face coverings inside the terminal, at the tollbooth and aboard the ferry. Please also consider limiting your travel to only the most essential trips while service continues to be constrained by the pandemic. For additional travel information regarding COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Travel Updates webpage.