Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
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Thanks to the many islanders who enjoyed our 10th celebration of
National Night Out this past Tuesday evening. This annual community celebration is organized by the Bainbridge Island Police Department, and Police staff work hard to put on a family-focused event that helps to directly connect the community with our officers. It was a great chance to learn about the department's work, browse informational booths from other agencies and public safety organizations, snack on hot dogs and enjoy a summer evening in Waterfront Park. If you missed this year's event, please see below for some photos and additional information.
At the study session this week, the Council discussed a key aspect of the Suzuki affordable housing project that is planned for City-owned property at the intersection of New Brooklyn Road and Sportsman Club Road. To move forward with project development, the City must select a site plan and identify the number of housing units that will be built on the 14-acre site. This week, the Council received the results of a feasibility study on various scenarios ranging from 30 housing units to 100 housing units. The Council also received a presentation from a working group of residents in the two nearest neighborhoods, Commodore and North Town Woods. The Council then discussed options for the project and agreed to schedule a next discussion at the August 27 business meeting and to narrow Council consideration to two options: 91 units or 100 units. Please see below for additional information on this project.
Other topics from the study session this week included the goals for the City's Sustainable Transportation planning, the process the Climate Change Advisory Committee will use to complete a Climate Action Plan, revisions to the City's Ethics Program, and an update on the development moratorium workplan.
At the business meeting next week, the Council will cover a number of subjects, including the project to install new buoys in the City's
Dave Ullin Open Water Marina, new rules related to small wireless facilities, Public Works projects for drainage and sidewalk repairs around the island, standard quarterly adjustments to the City's budget, and a Council resolution expressing opposition to Initiative 976, which would eliminate the City's car-tab fee revenue. You can find more detailed information about these items below.
Next week, there will be no City Manager's Report due to staff vacations. Our next weekly message will be sent on Friday, August 23.
Best wishes,
Morgan Smith
City Manager
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City Council to select number of Suzuki housing units
The City owns a 14-acre property
at the
intersection
of New Brooklyn Road
and Sportsman Club
Road and intends to develop a 100 percent affordable housing project.
At the study session on August 6, the City Council reviewed a feasibility study presented by Housing Resources Bainbridge (HRB) and discussed various options for the scale of the project, considering a range of housing units from 30 to 100. You can find the feasibility study and presentation from the August 6 study session as part of the Council meeting packet materials.
At the conclusion of their discussion, the Council agreed to schedule time at the August 27 business meeting to consider formal approval of either Option 4 (91 housing units) or the "Alternative" option (100 housing units). The August 27 discussion will include the opportunity for public comment.
Once the project's site plan is determined, the City will resume work on site development tasks. Remaining Council decisions will be to select a stormwater treatment approach, to select an ownership approach for the project, to select a development partner, to decide whether to donate more than 50 percent of the property's value to the project, and to complete the process to formally surplus the property and transfer ownership. Additional information about the project can be found on the Olympic Property Group website.
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Winslow Hotel project review process on hold
The Winslow Hotel review process is on hold as the applicant pursues revisions to the proposal following the Planning Commission's recommended denial of the proposal.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial of the Major Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Major Site Plan and Design Review (SPR) for the Winslow Hotel project during the July 25 meeting due, in part, to conflicts with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Winslow Master Plan goals and policies.
The Hearing Examiner (hearing date TBD) will make a final decision on the project following a recommendation from
Interim Planning & Community Development Director Heather Wright.
Prior to the hearing, the City may need to re-notice the project before a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determination and recommendation can be made, depending on the scope of revisions submitted by the applicant. Following those revisions, the project may also return to the Planning Commission for further review.
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Dave Ullin Open Water Marina buoy installation
The City Council will consider approval of a contract award for the buoy removal and installation project in the Dave Ullin Open Water Marina (DUOWM) at the
August 13 business meeting.
Earlier this year, the Council worked with stakeholders to identify an approach to allow increased capacity within the marina, while ensuring that other users and activities in Eagle Harbor were not affected. The project will install buoys to support moorage for up to 16 vessels, and will relocate a number of private buoys to improve access through the adjacent "fairway" area of the harbor.
Once the contract is approved, work is expected to begin in September. During the project construction, the liveaboard residents of the DUOWM will temporarily moor at the City Dock.
Final approval will be scheduled for the August 27 Council meeting.
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City supports new school bus stop paddle cameras to improve student safety
In an effort to protect students and inform motorists, the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) and the City's Police Department are coordinating on a program to install cameras on the stop paddles of school buses this fall. The interlocal agreement to support this program will be discussed at the City Council meeting on August 13.
BISD plans to install cameras on several school buses with routes that frequently experience reports of motorists illegally passing buses while students are loading and unloading. The new exterior cameras will capture video of vehicles passing the bus when its stop paddle is fully extended. The Bainbridge Island Police Department (BIPD) will use the camera footage to investigate possible infractions and issue citations when warranted. The interlocal agreement between the City and BISD will enable both entities to access and review system images and data, and to exchange information and findings.
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City seeks proposals for projects to support tourism
The City is seeking proposals for tourism projects and activities for 2020 funded by the City's Civic Improvement Fund.
Proposals must be for tourism marketing projects, marketing and operations of special events or festivals, the operation of eligible tourism-related facilities, or capital expenses for an eligible tourism-related facility. Civic Improvement Funds (also known as Lodging Tax Funds) may be used to create new tourism promotion programs or to support or enhance existing programs.
There are approximately $275,000 in Civic Improvement Funds available for eligible projects in 2020.
Applicants may seek an award of $2,000 to $137,500 (50 percent of total available funds) and will be required to enter into a professional services agreement with the City to provide the services or products outlined in their proposals if successful.
Proposals will be provided to the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for review and comment and the LTAC will provide its recommendation to the City Council for a final funding decision.
Applicants should email proposals to
cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov
by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 16. Click
here
for application instructions and a list of previously funded projects.
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Agate Pass Bridge painting enters new phase of work
Please see the update below from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding the Agate Pass Bridge painting project.
You likely have seen the work done by crews to prepare the bridge for painting. This has included setting up the work platform around the bridge and installing protection tarps around the Bainbridge Island side of the bridge for a containment system.
Noisy phase of work
Contractor crews in the work zone will begin blasting away old paint off the bridge, and this activity will be noisy. Due to safety and traffic considerations, this work will be done at night over the next two weeks.
We understand noise, especially at night, can be irritating and inconvenient, and we thank you for your patience and understanding.
Work schedule
- 5 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the following day workers will remove old paint from the bridge.
- Between 7 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the following day there is a potential for one-way alternating traffic on the SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge.
Why night work?
We do work at night when possible. Unlike annual SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge cleaning that requires the use of specialized equipment during daylight hours, this type of work can be done at night.
Other equipment noise
The contractor will typically use at least three devices to:
- Remove airborne debris in the containment system.
- Remove heavier, non-airborne debris in the containment system.
- Occasionally clean all debris-removal equipment.
The Agate Pass Bridge has not been painted since 1991, so this project is critical to maintaining and preserving this important piece of our infrastructure. We will work as quickly as possible to get the job done. Again, we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through a noisy phase of this important maintenance project.
Click here for construction and travel updates from WSDOT.
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National Night Out returns to Waterfront Park
From Interim Police Chief Jeff Horn:
The Bainbridge Island Police Department (BIPD) thanks all who attended our 10th annual
National Night Out this past Tuesday. The annual community-building event was a perfect night to enjoy the Waterfront Park, and to promote and encourage positive relationships between police and the community.
Those in attendance
enjoyed a large inflatable bounce slide and obstacle course, community informational booths, hot dogs and ice cream, "Touch-a-Truck" displays, and the chance to meet K9 Officer Whitney.
Next year will be the 40th year of the national program and the BIPD's 11th year participating. We look forward to seeing you there!
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New staff on the COBI team
Please help us welcome new staff to the COBI team!
Pictured clockwise from top left:
Shane Cooper joined the Public Works Operations & Maintenance team in July as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III. Shane has a diverse background in wastewater treatment and currently holds a Group IV Certificate of Competency. Shane is married with a 19-month-old child. Shane is a Washington native.
Ben McMullen, a Maintenance Technician I, was hired in May. Ben worked as a temporary employee with Public Works Operations and Maintenance for the past five seasons and filled in during personnel shortages on several occasions. He was part of the workforce that provided 24/7 coverage during the February snow event.
Ralph Scott, a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II, joined the Public Works Operations and Maintenance team in May. Ralph has 30 years of experience working in various treatment plants. During his time in the field, he has developed a broad background in plant operations and maintenance. Ralph is an Ohio native and joined us from Medford, OR. He currently lives in Poulsbo with his wife of 25 years. Ralph is a U.S. Air Force veteran and was a helicopter mechanic. He enjoys playing guitar.
Eileen McSherry joined the Executive Team in April as the City's new half-time Human Resources Analyst. Eileen comes to us with a wealth of experience, most recently as Human Resources Director for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue. She has an extensive HR background and will be focusing her immediate efforts on civil service (police) hiring. Eileen is an avid swimmer and enjoys hiking and kayaking. She recently returned from Belize on a kayaking trip.
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Looking ahead: City Council agenda
Below are some of the topics expected to be discussed during the August 13 City Council business meeting:
- Final Subdivision for Wallace Way Cottages project
- Stop Paddle Test Program Agreement with BISD
- Dave Ullin Open Water Marina buoy installation project
- Council resolution opposing I-976 Concerning Motor Vehicle Taxes and Fees
- Agreement with Helpline House for funding to support emergency rental assistance
You can receive the Council agenda every week when it's published -- sign up for Notify Me on the City's website-- select "City Council Meeting Notifications" from the list. You can get the updates by text or email.
The meetings are live-streamed on the City website. Visit the Agendas & Minutes section, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts. You can also watch the meetings on BKAT (Ch. 12 on Comcast & Ch. 3 on WAVE).
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Tuesday, August 27: Kitty Hall, Council Chambers, 12-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 27: Public Hearing on Subdivision Regulations, City Council Business Meeting
Click
here
for the full calendar list.
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