Our economic challenges are also still front and center. Job loss and issues of housing and food insecurity will continue to affect many island residents in the coming months. The work to stabilize our local business and help with economic recovery is something we can all find ways to support. The current “Save Our Stores” campaign, led by the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and the Chamber of Commerce, highlights how Bainbridge Islanders can help our local economy. As you take time to enjoy this weekend’s Labor Day holiday, please consider whether you can make support for our local businesses part of your activities and plans.

Please see the message below from the Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow that was posted on the Health District website.

Labor Day weekend is a time to celebrate the changing of seasons, the return of school, and our united strength as a country. But like so many traditions, our Labor Day festivities need to look different this year. Why?

We have already seen what happens when we do not rein in our holiday celebrations during the time of COVID-19, and it isn’t pretty.

Earlier this year, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, and Fourth of July gatherings contributed to spikes in COVID-19 cases. Kitsap Public Health District case investigators noted a

marked increase in cases linked to social events, family get-togethers, crosscountry trips, and crowded bars. As cases surged through July and into August, we reported more hospitalizations and, sadly, more deaths.

The rate of new COVID-19 cases reported in Kitsap is now declining — a sign that the hard work we are all putting in to slow the spread of the virus is making a difference. We need to keep that momentum rolling into fall. By preventing more people from getting sick and pushing our case numbers lower, we will create the opportunity to open more businesses and classrooms. A new spike in cases could further delay returning our children to in-person learning, or force closures for schools that have already chosen to resume in-person instruction.

We hope you celebrate this Labor Day, but celebrate safely. Keep your backyard BBQ limited to your close family or a couple of friends. Pick a picnic spot that’s close to home and not too crowded. Take a rain check on that big reunion.

Let’s labor together to keep our county on the right track so we can save lives and get back to doing the things we want to be doing. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community healthy!

The City’s contractor is taking advantage of the good weather and making progress on the Wyatt Way Reconstruction project.

The current work is still focused on the west side of the project limits between Grow Avenue and Nicholson Place, where the water main installation is almost complete, and testing will begin next week. Also within this zone of the project, the contractor has almost completed the forms for the concrete retaining wall along the east side of the street, with concrete pours expected today (Friday, Sept. 4) The retaining wall will facilitate the construction of the sidewalk on that side of the street.

Also within the work zone east of the Grow Avenue intersection, the contractor has started clearing for the street and sidewalk work. The installation of new storm drain pipes will start in this area next week.

The current project schedule still has the majority of the work being completed by the end of November (weather permitting).

Additional information about the project and a general timeline for the public engagement process is on the City’s Shoreline Master Program webpage. The project is partially funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

The City Council this week expressed support for the Green Building Task Force recommendations and requested that staff complete its review of the recommendations and prepare a draft ordinance.  

The Green Building Task Force presented and discussed the following recommendations with City Council:

For more information about the recommendations, please see this week's Council discussion here.

Planning staff next week will present to City Council findings on the research they conducted on existing self-service storage facilities on the island.

The research is part of the approved workplan for the self-service storage facilities moratorium, which has been in effect since November 2019. City Council previously requested this research in order to inform potential policy decisions related to self-service storage facilities.

Options for potential changes Council may consider include:

Following Council’s policy direction, staff will draft an ordinance to provide to the Planning Commission for consideration and discussion at a public hearing, potentially planned for October.

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

For information on how to join the Zoom office hours, please visit Deputy Mayor Deets' City Council page.

The Planning Commission next week will begin reviewing a proposal to revise tree and vegetation regulations to make it easier for the public to understand the City’s laws.

The Planning Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Watch the meeting on the Agendas & Minutes page (click on “In Progress” when the meeting starts).

Visit pugetsoundstartshere.org and bainbridgewa.gov/stormwater for more information.

Read the Puget Sound Starts Here Month 2020 proclamation here.

Check back often at BainbridgePrepares.org/DOP for detailed schedules, speaker bios, and additional information. Register online here.

Preparedness starts with you! Take our "Bainbridge Prepared" household assessment and see how you stack up with your fellow islanders.

If you score more than 90 points, you are "Bainbridge Prepared"! If you score less than 90 points, don’t worry, there are numerous resources in the community to help you better prepare. You can take classes on personal preparedness, building a go-bag, how to prepare for power outages, CPR, fire extinguisher safety, how to participate in the Map Your Neighborhood program, and more.

If you complete the assessment and score more than 90 points, email Emergency Management Coordinator Anne LeSage at alesage@bainbridgewa.gov to receive a sticker and certificate of recognition. Our goal is to identify at least 100 households each year that meet this standard of excellence in preparedness.

Learn more about preparedness here.