Bainbridge Islanders,

Among the mailers and fliers you received this week from candidates seeking your vote in the August 6 Washington State primary elections, was a colorful postcard from the City of Bainbridge Island. The postcard announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan Update and the Winslow Subarea Plan Update.

This particular postcard, in our humble opinion, is much more attractive than the usual “official” communication from government agencies. The postcard has a pleasing color palette of blue, green and orange with an interesting outline of Bainbridge Island and friendly images of everyday life. If you overlooked the postcard, go back and take a look. The postcard is an announcement and a call to action. It has a difficult job. The postcard is intended to invite community members to review a two-inch thick content rich document -- something that most people would like to avoid. On the surface, this document may not seem friendly or approachable, which is why we want to make our invitation to review it as warm and friendly as possible. 

This week’s video provides more information about the DEIS and the Comprehensive Plan Update process. If you don’t have much time, review the Chapter 1 summary of the DEIS. You will notice a discussion on the number of housing units and the trade-offs between the concentration of growth in Winslow going a little bit more vertical or a little bit wider from its core, and if necessary, in the other neighborhood centers. 

We want the community to be aware of the DEIS and the important decisions on the horizon that will result from the ensuing discussions around the DEIS. Learn more about it online HERE or stop by City Hall.

Best,

Blair King

City Manager

What is this Draft Environmental Impact Statement anyway?

Upcoming Events

Bainbridge Island is proud to join 18,000 other communities in celebrating National Night Out every first Tuesday in August - Aug. 6 from 4-7 p.m. at Waterfront Park this year.

There will be food, available for purchase, from Dirty Dog (hot dogs with vegetarian and wheat friendly options), snow cones from Kona Ice, and cotton candy delights from Bluetree Bainbridge.

We are excited to have field games this year where you can play fun games with our Bainbridge Police Department (BIPD) Officers, community members, friends and/or family. Sign up at the Check-In & Prizes booth when you get there!

Schedule of Field Games:

4:30pm: Toss-a-Duck (a rubber duck :-)

5:30pm: Frisbee Diskflect

6:30pm: Three-Legged Race

We will also have a scavenger hunt activity where kids (and adults alike) can ask our BIPD and other first responders interesting and humorous questions for a chance to win prizes. You can pick up your scavenger hunt card at the Check-In & Prizes booth on Brien Dr.

Don't miss our other activities like Touch-a-Truck, free face painting, the giant inflatable slide, community booths, Coast Guard booth, Washington State Patrol robot demos, and KidiMu activities. See you there!

Community & Project Updates

Short-Term Vacation Rentals MUST Register by September 30

The City of Bainbridge Island’s new, easy-to-use Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration Portal is now open. If you are the owner or operator of a Short Term Vacation Rental on the island, you must register by September 30 to be in compliance with Ordinance 2024-18.

New Sculptures Around Winslow

Five new sculptures are up around downtown Winslow for the Something New program. The program is administered by the Public Art Committee (PAC) in partnership with Arts & Humanities Bainbridge with funding and installation support provided by the City. A jury made up of local artists and community members appointed by PAC were responsible for selecting the sculptures in this year’s Something New collection.



Image: "Rise and Fall" by Jennifer Kapneck

What Kind of Art Do You Want to Experience on Bainbridge?

The City is developing a Community Arts Plan to establish a shared vision for the role of community art on Bainbridge Island. The plan will aim to create policies and programs that will enrich the quality of life on the island.

Please share your thoughts and ideas in a survey!

Art in this Image: "Puppy", 1992, by Jeff Koons, via The Guggenheim Bilbao

BI Reads: Dear Stranger Letter Writing August 1-30

Letter writing is a theme in our 2024 BI Reads, "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki. Reflect on your experiences and beliefs and forge new connections through a unique project: writing a letter to “Dear Stranger.”

Inspired by a model from Oregon Humanities, this initiative invites you to send a letter to City Hall, where it will be collected, exchanged, and sent out to another participant. You’ll receive a letter in return, creating a personal exchange of thoughts and ideas. You can write about anything you like and choose whether to sign your letter or remain anonymous.

To participate, you can either bring or mail your letter to City Hall (280 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110), addressed to “Dear Stranger,” or email it to Cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov. Please include your name and address (on the envelope or in the body of your email) so we can send you a reply!

Letters will be accepted until Sep. 1. After this deadline, BI Reads will distribute the responses. To join in, you must also complete a release form, available either in person at City Hall or online HERE. Please note, letters will only be exchanged if a release form is signed.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement NOW AVAILABLE

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and the Winslow Subarea Plan Update is now available to comment on.

Your voice is essential in shaping Bainbridge Island’s future, ensuring a desired path forward for both present and future generations.

For more information on the DEIS, to access the document, and/or to learn about upcoming community engagement opportunities, please visit the City’s website. Comment by Oct. 10.

Seeking Human Services Funding Task Force Applicants

We are looking for applicants to participate on the Human Services Funding Task Force. Members of the Human Services Funding Advisory Task Force review funding proposals and develop a recommendation for City Council to consider.

Councilmembers from left to right: Leslie Schneider (Central Ward - District 4), Clarence Moriwaki (Central Ward - District 5),

Ashley Mathews (South Ward - District 6), Brenda Fantroy-Johnson (North Ward - District 2), Joe Deets (North Ward - District 7),

Kirsten Hytopoulos (At Large - District 1), Jon Quitslund (South Ward, District 3)

August 13 Regular Business Meeting key topics:

• Hold Public Hearing on Finch Green Multi-Family Tax Exemption
• Recognize Squeaky Wheel Donation in Support of the Dana’s Trail Improvements
• Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into an Inter-Local Agreement with the Bainbridge Island School District for the Completed “Dana’s Trail” Improvements
• Authorize Period of Exclusive Negotiation with Affordable Housing Developer
• Receive Update on Groundwater Management Plan
• Authorize the City Manager to advertise for construction bids for the Winslow Water Tank Replacement Off-Site Improvements 

**City Council Agendas are available to view the Friday before the meeting by 5 p.m.**