This week marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, the theme for which this year is “Restore our Earth.” The City of Bainbridge Island recognized addressing climate change as its top policy priority in the 2021-2022 budget process, and will soon begin recruitment for a dedicated climate change officer to guide the implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). This will be a key step toward helping the City move forward with the action items identified in the CAP. It’s unusual for similarly sized cities to have this type of position, but it will allow for progress in matching City actions to making progress toward CAP goals.
The April 20 Study Session agenda included 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. The City is starting to consider the possible implications of sea level rise in planning for future capital projects, which was part of that discussion, in addition to the new context provided by the Sustainable Transportation Plan. The meeting concluded with a robust discussion of the desired next steps for the City to take related to affordable housing on the island.
At next week’s business meeting on April 27, the agenda includes a public hearing related to extending the small wireless facilities design standards interim control and consideration of an ordinance which will update the Municipal Code related to tree and vegetation management. Please join and make your opinions about these and other matters known.
Best wishes,
Ellen Schroer
Interim City Manager
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Police station now open by appointment |
The Bainbridge Island Police Department has opened its lobby for select services by appointment only. People seeking fingerprinting services, new concealed weapon permits or to dispose of old prescription medications can schedule appointments by calling 206-842-5211 or by sending an email to police@bainbridgewa.gov. Appointments will be limited to one person or household at a time. Masks are required during the appointment.
The Community Police Academy and ride-along program remain on hold due to space limitations and social distancing requirements. Those programs will return once we are able to do so safely.
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Council considers options for Eagle Harbor Drive Phase I non-motorized improvement project |
City staff this week presented the Council with four design options for non-motorized improvements along Eagle Harbor Drive from the shoreline segment of the road to the Head of the Bay. This section of the Eagle Harbor Drive corridor will require right of way acquisition for non-motorized improvements, and is also particularly constrained due to critical environmental areas and the potential for future flooding due to sea-level rise – all factors that the staff is considering in the design options.
The City was awarded $735,000 in federal funding for the project. The funding becomes available in 2024, so that’s when construction is currently planned.
The options discussed include:
Option 1
- This in-house design is included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for construction in 2024 and would include 7-foot-wide paved shoulders on both sides of the road. The project would require a right of way acquisition. The project cost estimate is currently about $1.4 million.
Option 2
- This design, which would require consultant services, includes 5-foot-wide physically separated bike lanes on both sides of the road. This design would require significant upland right of way acquisition. The project cost estimate is currently about $2.0 million.
Option 3
- This design would include 7-foot-wide shoulders on the south side of the road and a potential over-water boardwalk across the tidelands. The boardwalk, which would add at least $1 million to the project, would create a fully separated option for non-motorized travelers and eliminate the need for any non-motorized improvements through the narrowest segment of the corridor around the curve to Wyatt Way. This option would require a code change to the Shoreline Master Program. The design would require right of way and property acquisition. The project cost estimate is currently about $2.6 million.
Option 4
- This design would include 5-foot-wide separated shoulders on the south side of the road and a potential over-water boardwalk across the tidelands (as in Option 3). This would include a right of way and property acquisition and require a potential code change to the Shoreline Master Program. The project cost estimate is currently about $2.9 million.
All options will include the replacement of a fish passage culvert on the north end of the project.
Staff will be reviewing and refining the project options over the next several months, including seeking input from the Sustainable Transportation Task Force, and will bring back more information to the Council in June. The staff are seeking early direction on the project design to preserve time in the schedule for acquiring permanent and temporary right of way, which will be required for any of the options chosen.
Watch the April 20 discussion here. |
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Sustainable Transportation Task Force to meet next week |
The Task Force will be joined by members of the Technical Advisory Team. Topics to be discussed include potential new programs and policies, and where infrastructure types are best applied.
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City to consider developing a Housing Action Plan |
On April 20, Council heard recommendations related to City actions to encourage affordable housing on the island.
Specifically, Council directed the City Manager to begin work to obtain services related to a Housing Action Plan, a Housing Needs Assessment and a Housing Inventory.
A Housing Action Plan will provide a strategic framework and identify implementing actions designed to achieve affordable housing objectives. The planning process includes a review of housing needs, existing housing inventory, and unique community and market factors. These actions, when the City completes them, will include a robust public engagement component.
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Upcoming City Council agenda |
The April 27 City Council meeting will include the following items:
- Presentation by Environmental Technical Advisory Committee on groundwater fact sheet
- Public hearing to consider extension on interim control of the small wireless facilities design standards
- Ordinance to amend the tree and vegetation chapters of the Municipal Code
- Proclamation condemning hate, racism and intolerance against Asians and Pacific Islanders
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
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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)
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Volunteers recognized at City Council meeting |
The City Council on Tuesday evening declared this week as National Volunteer Week on Bainbridge Island. City Staff and the Council would like to acknowledge all of our volunteers who give so graciously of their time to the various City boards, committees, commissions, and task forces as well as to our emergency management volunteers, dock hosts and harbor stewards.
In particular, we would like to recognize our emergency management volunteers who, as of April 19, have donated more than 14,000 volunteer hours to support the City's COVID-19 test site and vaccination clinics.
The City plans to host an in-person event to recognize the volunteers when public health guidelines allow.
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Share your feedback on route options for PSE “missing link” project |
Please see the message below from Puget Sound Energy.
As part of PSE’s solution to improve electric reliability on Bainbridge Island, they are planning to build a new “missing link” transmission line between Murden Cove and Winslow substations. The new power line will create a transmission line “loop”, which means all substations will be connected to two transmission lines. If one substation experiences a power outage, the other line can still feed the substation to provide power to customers.
A virtual community workshop will be held on Monday, May 3, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. to discuss the project and gather community feedback on the route options connecting Murden Cove and Winslow substations.
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Race Equity Advisory Committee hosts vigil, rally |
On April 17, the Race Equity Advisory Committee (REAC) was joined by more than 100 members of the community in solidarity with our Asian community and all other people of color for a candlelight vigil at Waterfront Park near the Senior Community Center. Councilmember Joe Deets read a Proclamation, signed by the REAC, denouncing hate crimes against Asian Americans. Clarence Moriwaki, President of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, shared a history of the Japanese internment on Bainbridge Island and spoke about unity of all people.
A rally was held April 18 also in support of our Asian community and all other people of color. The Indipino Community of Bainbridge Island and Vicinity started the rally with a special welcome song and drumming. Gina Corpuz gave a brief history of Indipinos on the island.
Photo by Doug Rauh
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Contact Information
280 Madison Avenue North
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: 206-842-7633
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