City Manager's Report
City Manager Morgan Smith is out of the office this week.
Biennial Budget
City Council budget discussion to continue Oct. 6
The City Council will continue discussion next week on the proposed 2021-22 Budget. The budget topics to be discussed include:
  • Responses to budget queries received to date
  • Key budget assumptions
  • Police
  • Planning and Community Development
  • Public Works (including major maintenance)

City Manager Morgan Smith presented the proposed 2021-2022 Budget at the Sept. 22 City Council meeting. The Biennial Budget is the financial plan for the upcoming two years and expresses the City’s identified priorities and planned service delivery to the community.

The proposed 2021-2022 Budget can be viewed online at https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/1258/Budget.

Discussions on the proposed Budget will be held during all City Council meetings in October and November. See the timeline for discussion topics and opportunities for public comment on the Budget webpage.
COVID-19 Updates
State Health experts: Flu vaccine should be considered “essential” this year
The update below is from the WA Department of Health.

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, autumn brings with it another unwanted visitor – the flu. The presence of both viruses could put more people in the hospital and strain Washington’s health care system. While we don’t yet have a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, we do have one to prevent flu.

For help finding a health care provider or vaccine location, and to learn more about flu, visit KnockOutFlu.org. Read the full news release here.
Project Updates
Update on Wyatt Way reconstruction project
The City’s contractor lost some time this past week on the Wyatt Way reconstruction project due to wet weather conditions, but continues to make progress on the west side of the project area.

The concrete walls passed the required testing and were backfilled to begin grading for sidewalks and roadway construction. Base materials for curbs, sidewalks and the roadway (on this side of the project limits) started this week.

Also within this zone of the project, the water main installation is mostly completed, and water sampling tests from the new facilities are pending inspection approval. The new water mains are expected to be put into service next week.
Sustainable Transportation Plan update
The City hosted a joint Sustainable Transportation Task Force and Technical Advisory Team virtual meeting Sept. 25 to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing priorities and initiatives of our partner agencies (WSF, Kitsap Transit, WSDOT, BISD, PSE, BI Metro Park & Recreation District) that may be related to sustainable transportation planning. Click on the video below to watch the Sept. 25 meeting.

During October, the project team will:
  • continue reviewing and processing public input
  • finalize plan goals and desired outcomes
  • complete existing conditions and gap analysis
  • identify preliminary projects to fill gaps
  • refine evaluation framework approach and propose scoring criteria

The next City Council update on the project is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The Sustainable Transportation Task Force will meet again Friday, Oct. 23.
Police Update
Chief Clark participates in virtual Town Hall
What are the most common calls for service? What’s the process for hiring officers? Are body-worn cameras on all the time? How often does BIPD respond to people struggling with mental illness? Chief of Police Joe Clark answered all these questions (and more) during the Sept. 30 virtual Town Hall.

Thank you to all who participated in the event with Chief Clark and Mayor Leslie Schneider. There were many thoughtful and important questions, and your input is greatly appreciated.

If you missed the event, you can view it here.

If you'd like to connect with Chief Clark about items that were discussed during the presentation or any other topic, please email him at jclark@bainbridgewa.gov.
City Council Updates
Climate Change Advisory Committee to present draft Climate Action Plan next week
The Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) will present the draft Climate Action Plan to the City Council on Oct. 6.

In 2019, the Council directed the CCAC to develop a Climate Action Plan that is consistent with the island’s Comprehensive Plan. Since that time, the CCAC has worked to develop a Climate Action Plan with identified actions, goals and strategies to move the City towards achieving three overall goals:

  1. Mitigation: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045 compared to 2014 levels with interim milestones of 25% reduction by 2025 and 60% by 2035 compared to 2014 levels.
  2. Adaption: Bainbridge Island is climate savvy, and can withstand the impacts of climate change.
  3. Community Engagement: City inspires community action and partners with local and regional organizations to take meaningful climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.

Opportunity for the community to comment and participate in the review and approval process of the Climate Action Plan will be scheduled later in the fall.

The draft Climate Action Plan will be available in the Oct. 6 agenda when it is published later today.
Council to review land use amendment request
The City Council next week will review a land use amendment request that would eliminate a 500’ setback that applies to waste transfer facilities, and increases the allowed lot coverage for two properties, commonly referred to as the Triangle Property.

The Planning Commission reviewed the request in the fall and winter of 2019 with a final recommendation on Jan. 23, 2020. The Planning Commission recommended that the request be denied, stating in its motion that “A composting facility at this site is not a suitable use for this property. We were not provided with sufficient information to support the lot coverage increase or the reduction of the setbacks."

The City Council makes the final determination on legislative code amendment requests. The Council decision options for the current request include: approving an ordinance amending the City’s municipal code, rejecting the proposal, or remanding the proposal to the appropriate body for further consideration.

If the Council considers approval of a code amendment, then staff will return to the Council with a draft ordinance for a future public hearing.
Upcoming City Council agenda
Below are some of the topics scheduled for the Tuesday, Oct. 6 City Council meeting.

  • Budget discussion (Police, Planning and Community Development, Public Works)
  • Presentation of Climate Action Plan
  • Sustainable Transportation Plan update
  • Development moratorium update
  • Update from joint City Council and Planning Commission land use subcommittee
  • Council to consider creation of a standing Race Equity Task Force advisory committee
  • Legislative review of land use regulations related to eliminating a 500’ setback that applies to waste transfer facilities and increasing lot coverage for two properties
  • Discussion on Council process for disciplinary response

If you would like to receive the City Council agenda by email when it's published, sign up on the Council Agendas webpage.

Ways to Watch
  • Zoom
  • City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts).
  • You can also watch the meetings on BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE).
City Advisory Group Updates
Public participation meeting scheduled next week on proposed Fort Ward Stables Renovation
The Planning Commission will hold a public participation meeting on Oct. 8 to provide an opportunity for the community to learn about the proposed Fort Ward Stables Renovation (phase I) project, and share any concerns with the developer. The applicant proposes to rehabilitate existing building for use as café, office, and classrooms. The project is located at 1584 Fort Ward Hill Rd. NE (parce l#: 112402-3-004-2003).

The public participation meeting is part of the pre-application process. Following the public participation meeting, the applicant can submit an application for the project to the City.

Learn more about the proposed project here.

The Planning Commission next week will also continue its review of draft revisions to the City's tree regulations.
Other Updates
Marion Street exit at Seattle terminal to close next week for Colman Dock construction
Please see the update below from Washington State Ferries.

Customers traveling through Colman Dock should plan for possible offloading delays during peak travel times starting Monday, Oct. 5. Construction crews will close the Marion Street exit at the Seattle terminal to vehicle and bicycle traffic.

Everyone biking and driving off a ferry arriving from Bainbridge or Bremerton will need to exit at Yesler Way through late summer 2021. This closure will not affect walk-on passengers.

Thank you for your patience as we continue working to rebuild Colman Dock.

To read about how WSF is adapting its service in response to COVID-19, please read our COVID Response Service Plan. For general COVID-19 travel information, please see our website.

You can view all travel alerts at the WSF Travel Bulletins page.
Second-half 2020 property taxes due Nov. 2
Please see the bulletin below from Kitsap County that was sent on Sept. 29.

Kitsap County property owners who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender, have until Monday, November 2 to pay the second half of their 2020 bill. After that date, interest charges and penalties are added to the tax bill.

Surrounding county treasurers are also maintaining this deadline in their respective jurisdictions.

While the first half payment deadline was extended due to the then-emerging COVID-19 pandemic, an extension of the second half deadline could create substantial financial risk for many cities, counties, school districts, fire districts, port districts, and other special purpose districts. These jurisdictions rely heavily on the timely receipt of the year's second installment of property tax revenue to make December debt service payments.

To make the process easier, Kitsap County provides several ways for property owners to pay their taxes quickly and conveniently. Payments can be made:
  • Online using Kitsap County's convenient, secure online eCommerce system. Third party service fees apply. Taxpayers may pay with a credit card (2.4%), Visa debit card ($3.95), or an electronic check ($0.50).
  • By mail, if postmarked no later than November 2, 2020. Taxpayers should include their statement(s) with their check or money order. Cash should not be sent through the mail. If taxpayers are unable to find their statement(s), simply write the account number on the check or money order.
  • Due to the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, customer service counters at Kitsap County facilities remain closed to in-person payments. However, taxpayers can use the specially-marked, secure dropbox located outside the Kitsap County Administration Building, 619 Division Street in Port Orchard to make payments by check or money order. Cash should not be left in the dropbox.

Continue reading the update from Kitsap County here.
General Election 2020 ballot drop locations
We received an email this week from a resident looking for information on the ballot drop location on Bainbridge Island. The ballot box is located in the Bainbridge Island School District office parking lot (between the district office and the aquatic center), located at 8489 Madison Ave NE.

Beginning 18 days before each election, ballot drop boxes remain open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

There are 23 ballot drop boxes located throughout Kitsap County. Ballot drops provide a safe, secure way for voters to deposit their ballots. No postage is required. The ballot drop boxes also meet accessibility requirements for voters with disabilities. Learn more on the Kitsap County Auditor's website.
Important Dates
Monday, Oct. 5: Design Review Board meeting; 2 p.m.; Zoom
Thursday, Oct. 8: Planning Commission meeting; public participation meeting on Fort Ward Stables Renovation proposal
Friday, Oct. 9: Deadline to apply for Planning Commission vacancy
Saturday, Oct. 17: City Council parliamentary training; 10 a.m.; Zoom
Tuesday, Oct. 20: Deadline to apply for City Manager position
Friday, Oct. 23: Sustainable Transportation Task Force meeting
Stay Connected
Contact Information

280 Madison Avenue North
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: 206-842-7633