Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
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I hope you all received our newest communication tool, COBI Connects, in the mail last week. This monthly, all-island newsletter is intended to provide you with easy access to information from the city about current topics, projects, and City Council discussions. If you'd also like to receive COBI Connects via email, you can sign up
here. This new outreach is a work in progress, and we appreciate any suggestions you would like to share.
At the City Council meeting this week, the Council received and approved the annual workplan for the City's
Multi-Modal Transportation Advisory Committee (MTAC). This group's role is to
advise the Council and city staff on transportation issues affecting our community. This is one of several committees that is seeking applications for new members. Please see the city website for more information on committee vacancies and how to apply (deadline for applications is Monday, April 29).
Next week, the Council will continue its discussion of proposed changes to our subdivision regulations, and will hear from city staff about our process to review and assess the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), now that it has been in place for a year. The Council will also receive a briefing from the Bainbridge Island Land Trust about their project to assess the Springbrook Creek Watershed (near Fletcher Bay, within the Island Center neighborhood center). The Council agenda will be published later today with more information on these topics.
Finally, I wanted to mention that we've been getting reports from residents about recent sightings of coyotes and concerns about safety. Below is information from the West Sound Wildlife Shelter and Kitsap Humane Society to better understand coyote behaviors during the spring.
I hope you are enjoying our many springtime island events. The weekly Farmers Market is now open every Saturday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Also, this Saturday, please join us at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate the opening of the Winslow Grove Trail (connecting Weaver Avenue and Finch Road). We will gather for the celebration at the trail's midpoint. Hope to see you there, rain or shine!
Best wishes,
Morgan Smith
City Manager
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Don't forget: Olympic Drive safety improvement project scheduled to begin next week
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Contractor crews will begin working along Olympic Drive on Monday, April 15, but no traffic or pedestrian impacts are anticipated during this time.
The sidewalk on the west side of Olympic Drive (near Waypoint Park) is expected to close Monday, April 22. During the closure, pedestrians can cross the street (when it's safe) and use the sidewalk on the east side of Olympic Drive. At other times, however, both sidewalks along Olympic Drive will be closed and pedestrians should follow the detour routes.
Throughout the project, please continue to follow updates on project detours and closures.
The contractor's work schedule is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and our goal is to minimize the impact on ferry passengers during the peak commute hours.
You can expect to hear normal construction noises, such as engines and other equipment. At this time, nighttime work is not scheduled, but this may change in the future.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this important safety improvement project. Please help us spread the word-- share the updates with friends, family and fellow commuters.
Please click
here
to visit the Olympic Drive project webpage. Sign up for project notifications here (select Olympic Drive NM Improvements).
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City Council considers speed limit reduction on Fletcher Bay Road
The City Council is considering lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour along Fletcher Bay Road from New Brooklyn Road to High School Road after a group of residents submitted a petition to lower the speed limit
The residents, who live near the area,
attended the April 9 City Council meeting and shared personal experiences and concerns about the traffic in this section of Fletcher Bay Road and requested a reduction from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour.
The Council directed city staff to write a resolution lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour and this will be considered for approval by the Council at upcoming meetings on May 14 and May 28. Watch the April 9 discussion
here.
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We need you! Volunteer to serve on a citizen advisory group
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Do you or someone you know have an interest in climate change? Funding for cultural activities in the community? Environmental science? We need you! There's still time to apply for a position on one of the city's volunteer citizen groups. These committees assist and advise the City Council on a range of topics. We need to fill vacancies on all our committees and specifically the following committees:
- Climate Change Advisory Committee
- The committee members should have expertise in climate science, atmospheric science, engineering, energy management, water conservation, planning, policy, environmental law, economics, solid waste management, forestry, systems analysis, and communications. In 2019, the committee will review the baseline islandwide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory completed by a consultant.
- Cultural Funding Advisory Committee
- The city provides significant financial resources to local nonprofit organizations to support cultural programs in the community. This committee will develop funding recommendations for 2020-2021 for consideration by City Council.
- Environmental Technical Advisory Committee
- Committee members should have expertise in one or more of the following areas: wildlife management, fisheries management, geology, wetlands management, hydrology, forestry, and aquatic or terrestrial ecology.
- Design Review Board
- This committee serves as an advisory body to the Planning and Community Development director, Hearing Examiner and Planning Commission, as applicable, regarding site plan and design reviews and conditional use permits.
- Currently, the DRB has five positions open, and is seeking to fill those seats with people from the fields of:
- Urban design
- Public art/local artist
- Developer
- Architect (2 positions)
For more information about the committees and to apply online, please visit the
Citizen Advisory Groups webpage
. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, April 29. Applicants must be available mid-May to early June for interviews. Terms begin on July 1.
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Join the Discussion: South Ward Meeting
If you're free tomorrow morning, then consider starting your day at the South Ward Meeting.
No agenda - just a casual conversation with your South Ward representatives, which includes Councilmembers
Sarah Blossom and Matt Tirman and At-large Councilmember Ron Peltier. The meeting is 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
North Ward meeting with Mayor Kol Medina, Councilmember Joe Deets and At-large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 27; Seabold Hall; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Central Ward meeting with Deputy Mayor Leslie Schneider, Councilmember Rasham Nassar and At-large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 27; City Hall; 1 to 3 p.m.
Don't know your ward? Check the map here.
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BI Land Trust hosts discussion about coyotes
We've been getting reports from residents about recent sightings of coyotes and concerns about safety. Below is information from the West Sound Wildlife Shelter to better understand coyote behaviors during the spring and a timely discussion about the native species.
During the months of April and May, coyotes begin to birth their pups. The pups will begin to emerge from their den sites and begin exploring in the next couple months. During this time, the food requirements for the mother dramatically increases as she needs to supply enough food for her growing pups. Coyotes often have more than one den site, and may move pups in between dens to minimize the risk of being detected by predators. Never approach a coyote den if you find one. Mothers with pups may be especially protective or aggressive around their denning sites and their pups. Coyotes hunt most actively around dusk or during the evening, but occasionally hungry coyotes will hunt during daylight hours. Coyotes are omnivorous (they eat plants and animals) scavengers and opportunistic hunters and often prey on small rodents and mammals, but will occasionally kill or attack domestic pets that they see as a threat. Coyotes will often frequent the same areas or use the same trails consistently. For the most part, coyotes are very wary of humans but in urban areas where there has been a loss of habitat, they may frequent local neighborhoods, especially if there are food sources available such as dog food or bird seed.
Follow these tips from the West Sound Wildlife Shelter and Eric Stevens of the Kitsap Humane Society to help minimize conflicts with coyotes:
- Avoid walking pets in areas where coyotes are known to frequent or have denning sites.
- Be sure when walking pets that they are appropriately leashed at all times. While coyotes are not actively hunting your domestic pets, they are very territorial during this time of year and may attack if they feel threatened.
- Keeping free roaming pets inside or in enclosed spaces during dawn and dusk hours will help minimize wildlife interactions and conflicts.
- Feeding wild animals (including birds) or offering your pets food outdoors attracts opportunistic animals such as coyotes and raccoons and increases the likeliness of a conflict.
- Wear bear bells to alert coyotes of your presence, or bring along an air horn.
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For those who are still nervous, carry some bear spray (but it's not likely you'll need to use it).
Anyone who is interested in more information on coyotes can register for the Bainbridge Island Land Trust's upcoming event Won't You Be My Neighbor on April 18 6:30-8:30 p.m. which will discuss coyote ecology and behavior.
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City Council continues discussion on subdivisions
The City Council will continue its consideration of the subdivision update (as part of the temporary development moratorium) at the April 16 and May 7
study sessions.
The subdivision update proposes new design guidelines and revised standards for single-family residential subdivision development. At the study session on
April 2
, Council members expressed varying opinions related to the Planning Commission's recommended draft.
It is anticipated the City Council will hold a public hearing this spring. The date has not yet been set.
Sign up on the
City's website to receive project updates through Notify Me (select "Moratorium" on the list). Watch the April 2 discussion
here.
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Celebrate Earth Day with COBI's Green Team at the Farmers Market
The city's Green Team will be hosting a booth at the Farmers Market on Saturday, April 20 to promote Earth Day and Arbor Day by answering questions about trees and their many benefits to life on the Island.
You may also learn how to properly 'scoop the poop' with a fun interactive game that reminds us pet waste goes in the trash. Your furry family member doesn't want to be part of the problem causing pollution in our waters.
We hope to see you there!
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BIPD to host prescription drug take back event
Do you have any unused or expired prescription drugs? Please consider disposing your pills at BIPD's Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 27.
The event will happen 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the BIPD police station, located at 625 Winslow Way East.
Guidelines:
- Please do not bring sharps to this event, which is specifically for collecting unwanted medications only.
- Controlled and non-controlled prescription substances (including over-the-counter substances) will be accepted.
- You may deposit loose pills directly into the disposal box or submit the entire container. If you dispose of the entire container, we encourage you to remove personal information from the prescription label by either removing it or obscuring it with a permanent marker.
- Intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes, or medical waste WILL NOT be accepted.
- All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process. Law enforcement personnel may not handle the medications at any time.
The BIPD is hosting this event in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
In addition, usual methods for disposing of unused medicines- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash- pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back event, click here.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Saturday, April 13: Winslow Grove Trail Opening Celebration; near Finch Rd and Sportsman Club Rd intersection (meet near the midpoint of the trail); 9:30 a.m.
- Monday, April 15: Design Review Board; Council Conference Room; 2 p.m.
- Monday, April 15: Ethics Board; Council Conference Room; 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 16: City Council Study Session; 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 17: Utility Advisory Committee Special Meeting; Council Conference Room; 5 p.m.
- Thursday, April 18: Race Equity Task Force; Council Chambers; 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 27: Fire Extinguisher Safety Event; Winslow Wharf Marina; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
See the full calendar list
here.
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