City Manager's Report
City Manager Morgan Smith is out of the office this week.
Triangle Property Update
The City has received responses from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Ecology (DOE) regarding the “Triangle Property” following a Feb. 6 letter sent by City Manager Morgan Smith seeking specific actions from these agencies related to regulation of the Triangle Property site.

The Triangle Property, located at the intersection of Fletcher Bay Rd. and Lynwood Center Rd., is the location of an historical and current sand mining operation, and activities at this location are subject to regulation from several agencies, including the DNR, DOE, State Department of Health (to some extent) and the City of Bainbridge Island.

Click here to read the update on the responses from the DNR and DOE.
EPA to begin tree removal near Creosote Place NE in March
Please see an update below from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding activities at the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site.


On March 11, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ contractor, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will begin to remove about 45 trees near Creosote Place NE. These trees need to be removed to accommodate the realignment of this road. Creosote Place NE connects Eagle Harbor Drive and the former wood treating facility at the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site. Road improvements are needed to allow large construction equipment to safely travel back and forth to the site during future cleanup activities. 

Most trees identified for removal are 10 inches or less in diameter. During design, we took extra precaution to preserve as many trees as possible. For example, the road alignment was reconfigured in order to preserve a large 80-inch diameter redwood tree. We expect tree removal will wrap up around March 31. The realignment of Creosote Place NE will start in mid-May and continue into August. EPA will keep the community informed as work moves forward.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Project Manager Jacob Moersen at moersen.jacob@epa.gov or 206-553-0542.

Click here to learn more about the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site.
Project Updates
City seeking suggestions for Capital Improvement Plan projects
The City of Bainbridge Island is working to identify and prioritize infrastructure projects as part of the City’s update to the six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is a long-range and strategic planning document that helps identify capital projects for preservation and improvements to City-owned infrastructure, facilities and fleet. As part of the work this year to develop the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget, the City will thoroughly review the projects and equipment purchases that are included in the 2021-2026 CIP.

To update the CIP, the City considers a range of capital projects to fund as part of its budget process. These may include improvements to roads, new bike lanes, culvert replacements and more. The City also considers project requests submitted by community members to help identify all potential projects.

The CIP is implemented to meet the City’s responsibilities to provide the community with infrastructure that keeps residents safe, supports transportation and provides protection to the island’s natural environment.  

The City’s capital projects typically cost $50,000 or more and have an estimated useful life of one year or greater. The projects are planned throughout the six-year process and a timeline for funding is set in the CIP. Previous CIP projects have included non-motorized improvements along Olympic Drive, renovations at Waterfront Park, a new City dock, and sewer pump station upgrades. 

If you’d like to share a project idea, please visit the City’s website to fill out an online form (or download it and drop off at City Hall). Paper copies of the form are available at City Hall.

The deadline for project submissions is 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 6. Projects submitted by the community will be balanced against other City projects that respond to system plans recommendations, regulatory requirements and preservation needs.

There will be opportunities for future public comment at Planning Commission and City Council meetings. 
City Council Updates
City Council to consider approval of new tree ordinance workplan
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The City’s arborist and other Planning & Community Development staff have developed a workplan to create a new tree ordinance revising tree regulations. The new ordinance should incorporate consistent terms and definitions and improve readability of the City’s code.

During the Feb. 25 business meeting, staff will seek City Council approval to move forward with the workplan to begin drafting the new ordinance. 

In 2018, the City hired a team of consulting arborists to review current tree regulation codes and suggest changes and updates. Following review of the consulting arborists’ report, staff response and Council discussion, the Council directed staff in 2019 to move forward with developing a new tree ordinance.

Staff reviewed the City’s tree regulation codes (Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Chapters 16.18; 18.15 and 16.32), Council discussions, the consulting arborists’ report and Community Forest Management Plan to develop the workplan for the new tree ordinance. The workplan is included in the Council agenda that will be published later today.
Upcoming City Council Agenda
Below are some of the topics scheduled for the Feb. 25 business meeting:

  • Recognition of service for Councilmember Matt Tirman

  • Discussion on Floor Area Ratio (FAR) bonus density options

  • Discussion on new tree ordinance workplan

  • Update on the Sustainable Transportation Plan

  • City Council considers appointment to the Design Review Board

  • City Council to receive information about eligible uses of Lodging Tax for affordable housing 

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

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).
Upcoming Events & Meetings
Friday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.:
Deadline to apply for Ethics Board.
Monday, Feb. 24:
Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting; 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Thursday, Feb. 27:
Planning Commission meeting: study session on sign code. The agenda is posted no later than 24 hours before the meeting.
Friday, March 6: City Council retreat at City Hall.
Thursday, March 12: PCD & Public Works-Engineering counters closed for process improvements.
Tuesday, March 31:
Deadline to apply for Salary Commission .
Stormwater management discussion scheduled for Saturday
The Bainbridge Island Rain Garden Mentors (from the Washington State University - Kitsap County Extension Master Gardeners) will host a stormwater management event at the library tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 22). 

The group will share information and guidance on how to handle drainage on residential properties, especially using low impact development techniques such as rain gardens for water quality and enhanced yard landscape and aesthetics.

City stormwater staff and Kitsap Conservation District staff will be in attendance to offer support and answer questions.

The event is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. in the library meeting room. All are welcome to attend, and no registration is required.
New Health District representative begins next month
Beginning March 4, you'll be greeted by a new face at the Health District counter on Wednesday mornings, Richard Bazzell.

Steve Brown, who served 14 years as the Kitsap Public Health District On-Site Sewage & Drinking Water representative at the City of Bainbridge Island, has accepted the position of Program Manager of the Solid & Hazardous Waste Program at the Health District.

“It’s been my pleasure to serve the residents, City staff, contractors, realtors and other professionals on Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap, but it’s time for new challenges, and I leave you in good hands,” said Brown.

Richard Bazzell (pictured) will serve as the new Health District representative for Bainbridge Island. Richard has worked for the Health District 14 years and has spent the last three years working in the On-Site Sewage & Drinking Water program.

Richard will continue to be available at the City counter 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. each Wednesday.
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