Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
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It is a busy time at the City, as we work to finish major projects and check our readiness to respond ahead of the coming winter weather. A special thanks for the patience of those of you who have been inconvenienced by the paving on Miller Road this week. Please know that the most significant impacts from that project are over, as nearly all of the paving for the new shoulders was finished on Thursday.
Thanks also to the many volunteers who are working on various projects through the City's citizen advisory committees. The calendar for these groups is especially busy just now, and many islanders are making extra time to add their good thinking to efforts across a range of topics. Recent and upcoming work within our advisory committees will touch issues such as funding for human services, plans for new buoys at the Dave Ullin Open Water Marina, suggestions for a Groundwater Management Plan, funding for tourism projects, feedback on a Greenhouse Gas Inventory, input on City utility rates, and planning for the Island Center neighborhood.
We are a community that is made better thanks to the high level of engagement and volunteerism from residents. Islanders help the City in its work by sharing their time and by adding a range of perspectives and skills. Thank you very much for your support and contributions.
I hope you all have a happy and meaningful Thanksgiving holiday.
Best wishes,
Morgan Smith
City Manager
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Traffic Notice: Plan Ahead for Agate Pass Bridge Night Closures Happening Next Month
Drivers are encouraged to plan for a three-week series of late night SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge closures in December. These will allow Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) bridge maintenance crews to remove and replace seven elevated steel bridge beams.
WSDOT will complete this work at night to help minimize traffic effects. However, the nature of the project will require WSDOT's crews to close the bridge for up to nearly three hours at a time while they work. Heavy equipment will use both lanes on the bridge while crews remove and reinstall heavy steel.
As this is the only bridge to Bainbridge Island, WSDOT will have brief openings during the night when drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians can cross. See the scheduled closures
here.
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Don't Forget: New Tree Regulations Meeting on Monday
All residents and property owners should have received a postcard in the mail about an upcoming meeting to discuss new tree regulations that take effect Dec. 3.
The City Council approved the new tree retention and tree removal permit regulations at a business meeting last month.
The meeting to discuss the new regulations is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19 at City Hall.
PCD staff will also be doing outreach on the ferry commute on the afternoon of Tues, Nov. 27 to speak with residents about the tree regulations. Learn more here.
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Project Update: Intersection Improvements at Sportsman Club-New Brooklyn Roads
Staff will provide an update on the Sportsman Club-New Brooklyn intersection improvements at the Nov. 20 City Council meeting.
During the meeting, Council will consider approval of a roundabout design provided by Skillings Connolly, which is the consultant for the project. The design was developed after a public meeting last month to get feedback from the community.
The improvements are needed to address current and future congestion. The intersection is located near Woodward Middle School, Sakai Intermediate School and the Coppertop Park Business Complex.
If the roundabout design is approved, there will be a public outreach effort to help people understand how drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists will get through the area.
For more information, please see the project page here.
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Shoulder-widening Project Nearing Completion
If you've traveled along Miller Road and Fletcher Bay Road recently, then you're likely aware the shoulder-widening project is close to completion.
Crews finished paving this week and the project should be completed by the end of this month.
The improvements were done to make the roads safer for all users as part of the City's Core 40 program. The $1.38 million project was paid for through two federal grants in the amount of $1.14 million with the balance paid from the City's general fund.
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Public Workshop Scheduled to Discuss Update on Suzuki Property Development Project
A representative from Olympic Property Group (OPG) will provide an update to City Council next Tuesday, Nov. 20 on progress of the City's Suzuki property development project.
The City owns a
roughly 14-acre property at the southeast corner of Sportsman Club Road and New Brooklyn Road, commonly referred to as the Suzuki Property. The property is currently undeveloped and wooded, except for walking trails and a pond along the south boundary.
The City hired OPG as lead consultant to take the project through formal site planning and preliminary project approval. During the Nov. 20 Council meeting, OPG will give a brief overview on the results of recent consultant studies.
OPG will host a
public workshop to share studies and a revised draft site plan at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28 at the Council Chamber. Learn more on OPG's project page
here
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Volunteers Needed for Winter Wonderland
Volunteers are still needed to help with Winter Wonderland. Organizers are looking for people to help set up lights on Monday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and during the day of the event on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Volunteers are needed to help with parking, face painting, craft stations, managing the line to visit Santa Claus, and clean up after the event.
If you're interested, please contact Ashley Miller at BI Metro Park & Recreation at
[email protected] or 206-842-2306 x129.
We hope you'll join us for all the fun!
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Last Call: Seeking Applicants for Citizen Advisory Groups
We're looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on three citizen committees:
- Ethics Board (one position through June 2021)
- Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (one position through June 2019)
- Marine Access Committee (one position through June 2020)
Applications are due by 4 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 23. Applicants must be available Nov. 27 - Nov. 30 for interviews. Terms begin Dec. 31.
For more information and to apply, visit the City's website.
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Living Our Values: COBI Staff Participates in Annual Food Drive
You might have noticed large, red bins inside City Hall or the police station the last couple of weeks. Those were drop-off bins for COBI staff to donate items for the annual food drive.
COBI staff collected 250 pounds of food and other dry-good items to support the Helpline House -- and to make sure a Thanksgiving meal is available to all in our community.
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City Hall is closed Thursday, Nov. 22 & Friday, Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
There will not be a newsletter next week.
We hope you and your loved ones have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Upcoming Events
- Sunday, Nov. 18: Transgender Day of Remembrance, BIMA, 4 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 19: Meeting on Tree Regulations, City Hall, 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 27: Ferry Outreach on New Tree Regulations, Departing BI at 2:55 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 28: Meeting on Suzuki Property Development Project Update, City Hall, 6 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 10: Marine Access Committee Hosts Meeting on Buoy Placement in Eagle Harbor, City Hall, 5:30 p.m.
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