City News You Can Use. 

News from City Hall 
Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
 
The shortest days of the year have arrived, when sunset seems to start the moment that school lets out.   As we head towards only eight(ish) hours of daylight, I try to remember that one benefit of early twilight is that we have more time to enjoy the festive lights displayed downtown and around the island.
 
In that spirit, I hope you'll take the opportunity to visit Downtown Winslow this Saturday, December 8, for the Winter Wonderland event. See details below for information about the many fun activities and treats for all ages.
 
The island is full of wonderful concerts, theater, events and artwork as we celebrate the holiday season together. It is an easy time to find something special to add to your calendar, and I think it is especially wonderful to watch the magic of a performance built by friends and neighbors. We are also a community that is made better through the work of so many volunteers and nonprofit organizations. The holidays are an excellent time to celebrate the contributions made throughout the year by Bainbridge Island volunteers, and to add your own hands or resources to continue and expand those efforts.

Best wishes,

Morgan Smith 
City Manager
Traffic Alert: Brien Dr Closed Saturday for Winter Wonderland

Please be aware that Brien Drive will be closed Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for Winter Wonderland.  There will be reserved spaces on Shannon Drive for disabled parking during the event.

We hope you'll join us for this holiday celebration! Enjoy a tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m., live holiday music, a visit with Santa Claus and reindeer, face painting, balloon clowns, cider and cookies, ice sculptures, a lighted boat parade, S'mores with the Squad, and more! 

Stick around Waterfront Park and watch the Argosy Christmas Ship arrive at 8 p.m. with a performance by the Emerald City Voices. 

The event is a partnership between COBI, BI Metro Park & Recreation and the Senior Center and sponsored by Puget Sound Energy. 
Join the Discussion: Meeting to Discuss New Buoys in Eagle Harbor

The M arine Access Committee  is hosting a public meeting Monday evening to gather input from the community about the placement of new buoys in the   Dave Ullin Open Water Marina (DUOWM)  in Eagle Harbor. 

Earlier this year, the City Council voted to provide funding to expand the number of moorage sites in the DUOWM from nine to 16, as allowed under the terms of the City's lease with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 

The Dec. 10 meeting will begin with an open house from 5:30-6:00 p.m. and a formal presentation will begin at 6:00 followed by a question-and-answer session.

If you can't attend the meeting, please send comments to Operations Project Manager Aaron Claiborne at  [email protected]. Comments are due by Friday, Dec. 14. Learn more  here.
Now Accepting: Toys for Tots Donations at City Hall


We're accepting donations at City Hall for the Toys for Tots campaign. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and place it in the Toys for Tots bin in the lobby. Gifts will be picked up Wednesday, December 13. 
 
Monetary donations are also accepted.  You can donate online or by check. For more information, please visit The Toys for Tots website.
 
Thank you in advance for your generous contribution!
City Council Wrap-Up

During the December 4 City Council Study Session, the Council discussed and/or was briefed on the following topics:
  • Update on Washington State Ferries Long Range Plan.
  • Council will consider an increase in system participation fees for water and sewer utilities for new development and will discuss further at the Dec. 11 meeting.
  • Council will consider an increase in car tab fees from $20 to $30 and will discuss use of the additional revenue at the Dec. 11 meeting. 
  • Formation of Racial Equity Task Force with Councilmembers Tirman, Nassar, and Deets as members and seven other community members. Application process to begin in January.
  • Formation of Council Ad Hoc Committee for the Suzuki Project.
  • Councilmember Leslie Schneider was appointed as a liaison to the Multi-Modal Transportation Advisory Committee (MTAC).
You can watch the discussions and view the agenda here.
COBI Welcomes New Staff to the Team

Please help us welcome some new staff to the COBI team.

Pictured from left to right:

Anne LeSage was hired in November as the Emergency Management Coordinator. LeSage joins the team from the University of California, Irvine, where she was the Emergency Management Director. Anne has 11 years of emergency management experience and is a Certified Emergency Manager.  

Dave Marquis was hired as Public Works Supervisor in August. Marquis joined us from Kitsap County, where he was employed 24 years.

Tino Peleti was hired in April as Maintenance Technician I in Public Works. Peleti is a lifelong Bainbridge Islander and 2014 graduate of Bainbridge High School.

Stella Collier is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Coordinator at COBI (which means that she works to prevent pollution and flooding to protect people and water resources). Collier joined us from the City of Kent, where she was an Environmental Compliance Inspector for seven years.
Shop With a Cop Returns to Kitsap County

Law enforcement officers in Kitsap County helped make the holidays brighter last weekend for more than 100 kids in north Kitsap County, including 13 from Bainbridge Island, at this year's Shop with a Cop.

During the event, each child or group of siblings was paired with a caring "Cop" or service person who helped them with their shopping. Officers raised more than $19,000 for this year's event.

"After Saturday's event, I always sit back and feel so grateful for a supportive community," said Lt. Penny Sapp of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office. "We made a difference yet again and made a lot of children happy for the holidays."

In addition to shopping for gifts, Project Linus, a non-profit organization, donated 140 homemade blankets and quilts for each child. Participants also received knitted hats made by the Sun Chasers. 

Upcoming Events

  • Friday, Dec. 7: First Friday Art Walk, 6 - 8 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 8: Winter Wonderland, Waterfront Park, 4 p.m.

  • Monday, Dec. 10: Marine Access Committee Hosts Meeting on Buoy Placement in Eagle Harbor, City Hall, 5:30 p.m. 

  • Tuesday, Dec. 11: Public Hearing on Extending the Landmark Tree Ordinance, Council Chamber, 6 p.m.

  • Thursday, Dec. 13: Public Safety Committee Meeting, Council Conference Room, 6 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 29: STYRO-Roundup, Kitsap County Fairgrounds Van Zee Building, 9 a.m. - 3p.m. Learn more here. 
City of Bainbridge Island www.bainbridgewa.gov
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