City News You Can Use. 

Message from the City Manager

Dear Bainbridge Islanders,

 

As I sat down to write this column for the City Manager's Report, I realized that
I will only be writing four more columns as your City Manager. With that realization, I decided that I needed to be strategic about what I communicate during the next four weeks. My approach will be to outline what I believe to be the most impactful initiatives undertaken by the City to improve the organization during the past six years.

The four initiatives I want to outline are: Use of Best Practices, Strategic Thinking, Performance Measurement, and Transparency.

Best practice is a method or technique that has been generally accepted as superior to any alternative because it produces results that are superior to those achieved by other means or because it has become a standard way of doing things. For example, when we pursued State Accreditation of our Police Department, we implemented many policies that represent best practices. The same is happening now within the Public Works Department as it pursues Accreditation through the American Public Works Association.

The Finance Department has received recognition from the Government Finance Officers' Association for each of the past two Biennial Budgets. In addition, for the 5th straight year the City has received a clean financial audit from the WA State Auditor's Office for 2017. Clarification should be made related to what was reported by the Bainbridge Review. The Auditor provides opinions on financial reporting and performance audits. The opinions are communicated through three forms: Findings, Management Letters, and Exit Items. A Finding is a serious error or illegal action has been identified by the Auditor. A Management Letter is a recommendation for improvements to a process or procedure. An Exit Item is also a recommendation, but usually less of a priority. The Auditor did recommend changes should be made to City procedures related to handling of cash for City Dock and Boat Ramp fees. These changes were in the form of a Management Letter. Most likely, the changes that will be implemented to address this recommendation is installation of an automated payment kiosk near the boat ramp.

Kindly,

Doug Schulze
City Manager
UPDATE: Miller Road/Fletcher Bay Road Shoulder Widening

The shoulder widening project along Miller Road and Fletcher Bay Road has once again been postponed by the contractor, Titan Earthwork, because of a strike by a union (Operating Engineers Local 302) that represents engineers, mechanics, and surveyors in the construction industry. Titan Earthwork will send out an update early next week.
 
 For details about the project, visit: https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=511 

Connecting Bainbridge: SAFE Mobility Levy

Planning is underway for a series of public informational meetings related to Connecting Bainbridge: SAFE Mobility Levy,  the non-motorized transportation ballot measure, that will be on the ballot in November.
 
Mark your calendars! We have scheduled three workshops to inform the community about the "Connecting Bainbridge: SAFE Mobility Levy". The levy is designed to provide safe access for everyone on the Island-from pedestrians and wheelchair users to bicyclists and cars.
 
The workshops will include an open house, brief presentation, and question and answer session. The open house will include stations with information about the use of funds if the ballot proposition is approved by the voters. Information about potential projects, including: shoulder improvements, safe routes to schools and trails, pedestrian improvements in the Winslow core, and other opportunities. There will also be a staff member from the Finance Department to let you know how this levy, if approved, will affect your property taxes.
 
The information provided will be fair and objective facts related to the ballot proposition, which is required by Washington state law.

Workshop Dates:
 
Wednesday, September 12 at City Hall 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 22 at Seabold Hall 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
 
Thursday, October 11 at Island Center Hall 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Join the Discussion: Community Invited to Ward Meetings

The Bainbridge Island City Council invites you to attend the Council Ward Meetings in September.

The Council Ward Meetings are an opportunity for you to meet with your elected officials to talk about topics in your neighborhood and the broader community that are of importance to you.

Ward Meetings are intended to be a less formal setting than a Council meeting, so it allows for more of a conversation between community members and Councilmembers.  
 
 
South Ward Meeting with Councilmembers Sarah Blossom and Matt Tirman and At-Large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, September 8; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Island Center Hall, 8395 Fletcher Bay Rd NE

Central Ward Meeting with Councilmembers Leslie Schneider and Rasham Nassar and At-Large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, September 15; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at City Hall

North Ward Meeting with Mayor Kol Medina, Deputy Mayor Joe Deets and At-Large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, September 29; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Seabold Hall, 14450 Komedal Rd NE

Get Involved: Applicants Needed for Island Center Subarea Plan Steering Committee

The City of Bainbridge Island is currently working on the Island Center Subarea Planning Process 
and is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies for the project's Steering Committee .

The Steering Committee was formed in November 2017 and members are working through the subarea planning process to address issues such as current and future land uses, natural resources, transportation, trails and other non-motorized facilities, utilities, and public facilities and amenities. The result of a subarea planning process is a subarea (or neighborhood) plan which will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

Applications for the Island Center Subarea Planning Process Steering Committee must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7. Committee interviews will take place in late September. Apply here: https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=515 

In addition, there will be an update on the Island Center Subarea Planning Process at the City Council Business Meeting on Tuesday, August 28.

Kitty Hall Returns to City Hall for Adoption Event

 
The City of Bainbridge Island is partnering with the Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) to host a Kitty Hall adoption event on Tuesday, August 28 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

During the one-day Kitty Hall event, cats and kittens will be available for adoption for reduced adoption fees. The public is invited to play and cuddle with the cats and kittens available for adoption. KHS representatives will be available to answer questions about cat ownership and to match adopters with the right kitten to take home.
Upcoming Events
  • Tuesday, August 28: Kitty Hall Adoption Event at City Hall 12 - 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 8: South Ward Meeting at Island Center Hall, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 12: "Connecting Bainbridge: SAFE Mobility Levy" Workshop at City Hall 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, September 15: Central Ward Meeting at City Hall, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 22:  "Connecting Bainbridge: SAFE Mobility Levy" Workshop at Seabold Hall 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  
  • Saturday, September 29: North Ward Meeting at Seabold Hall, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 11:  "Connecting Bainbridge: SAFE Mobility Levy" Workshop at 
    Island Center Hall 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

     

City of Bainbridge Island www.bainbridgewa.gov
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