Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
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Please remember to turn in your ballots for the Nov. 5 election, as there are a number of important community races and significant statewide measures to consider.
One of these measures is Initiative 976, which concerns motor vehicle taxes and fees. Please read below to learn more about the facts on the potential local affects to Bainbridge Island from this initiative.
If you have been in Winslow this week, you may have noticed that the City has begun some sidewalk repairs along Madison Avenue. These are important safety improvements that we are taking up for the first time.
The work this fall is the start of a series of projects that will significantly improve the infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists in several places within the Winslow core. Please see below for more details about the current sidewalk repairs, as well as projects that will begin in 2020 for the Wyatt Way intersection and the High School Road area.
There was no City Council meeting this past week. At the study session next week, Council will discuss a workplan to develop an expanded Green Building program. The Council will also receive a presentation with recommendations from the City's Race Equity Task Force. Please note this meeting will begin early, at 5:00 p.m., due to the fact that Nov. 5 is election day.
Best wishes,
Morgan Smith
City Manager
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Get the facts on Initiative 976
If you haven't yet turned in your ballot, you may still be considering the issues raised by statewide Initiative 976.
We want to make sure people in our community are aware of the facts on I-976 and how it would affect Bainbridge Island.
I-976, described as the "$30 car-tab initiative," is a ballot measure that would cause the City of Bainbridge Island to lose about $600,000 per year if passed by statewide voters during the November election. If I-976 is approved, it would result in the repeal of all local Transportation Benefit District (TBD) fees.
For Bainbridge Island, the fees provide $400,000 for annual pavement repairs (asphalt repairs, chip sealing) and $200,000 per year in funding for traffic calming measures and expanding public transit services. Click
here to learn more how I-976 would affect Bainbridge Island.
Ballots must be received at the ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in order to be counted. If you send your ballot by mail, make sure it's postmarked no later than Nov. 5.
No postage is required. Click here to read the Kitsap County local voters pamphlet and more.
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City seeks input on Winslow Hotel project revisions
The City is seeking new public comments for the Winslow Hotel project following proposed revisions by the applicant. The public comment period begins today (Friday, Nov. 1) and ends Friday, Nov. 15.
On Oct. 9, 2019, the Winslow Hotel project applicant submitted a revision to their site plan and design review and conditional use permit applications to add 11 employee housing units, increase a vegetative buffer along the east side of the project and add an additional 11 parking spaces. Since these changes to the project were not described in the original comment period and were therefore not considered by the Planning Commission, the project is being re-noticed for public comment.
While the public is being asked to comment on the proposed revisions, please be aware that all previous comments are still valid and will continue to be part of the official file.
New comments related to the proposed revisions may be submitted by email to
[email protected]
or by mail to Planning and Community Development, 280 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
The project revisions and related public comment will be reviewed by Planning and Community Development Department staff. The next step will then be for the revised project to return to the Planning Commission for additional consideration and a recommendation on the proposed changes. The project will then receive a recommendation from the Planning Department Director, and a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) determination before going before the Hearing Examiner for a final decision.
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Sidewalk improvements begin in Winslow
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If you've been near City Hall or Waterfront Park this week, then you might have noticed construction crews out and about using large equipment along the sidewalks. A contractor for the City began a safety improvement project, which will also include sidewalk upgrades in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
This is the first time the City has undertaken sidewalk repair work using a contractor to help identify, document, and prioritize problem areas. Once the city crews agreed on the areas that required repairs, the contractor used a combination concrete grinder and industrial vacuum to spot-treat the areas of concern.
This sidewalk repair work is part of a series of upcoming pedestrian safety and enhancement projects that the City will be undertaking in Winslow over the next several years with funding from the City's general fund.
Beginning in summer 2020, sidewalks will be widened and added at the Madison Avenue and Wyatt Way intersection in coordination with the planned roundabout . This project will include new stretches of sidewalk reaching west along Wyatt Way, on the north and south sides, to Lovell Avenue.
Several safety improvements also will be implemented next summer along High School Road from SR 305 to Lovell Avenue, including radar speed signs and improved conditions at multiple crosswalks and driveway crossings.
In 2022, the City will have federal grant funding available to widen the most heavily used portion of sidewalk in Winslow along Madison Avenue between Wyatt Way and High School Road. That project will significantly widen the east-side sidewalk, and upgrade and enhance driveway crossings on the west side.
Click here to learn more about upcoming City projects.
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Race Equity Task Force to present recommendations to City Council
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During the Nov. 5 study session, the Race Equity Task Force (RETF) will present recommendations on how the City can help Bainbridge Island be an open and welcoming community for all.
The City Council established the
Race Equity Task Force
(RETF) earlier this year following concerns from community members about race inequality on Bainbridge. The RETF includes two Councilmembers as liaisons: Joe Deets and Rasham Nassar. The task force includes seven community members, who were appointed in February 2019.
As a task force, the work of this group was focused on specific tasks listed below:
- Develop a series of events through the end of the year designed to promote awareness and raise the community's level of engagement around race and to encourage a dialogue between Bainbridge Islanders and its elected officials on this topic.
- Task Force will invite the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) and the People's Institute Northwest to first come and meet with the task force and then have a study session discussion.
- Task Force to provide a series of recommendations to City Council on ways in which the City can help the community become a more inclusive and responsive community when it comes to addressing racial inequities.
To complete this work, RETF members have met regularly throughout the year. In addition, RETF members walked in the Grand Old Fourth Parade and hosted a booth several times at the Farmers Market to raise community awareness of the task force and its goals.
For more information on the work of the RETF, please see here.
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Briefing on proposed workplan for Green Building initiatives
On Nov. 5, City staff will provide a briefing to Council on a proposed workplan to expand the City's Green Building program options. This workplan will propose three key elements: (1) identification of a model Code that Bainbridge might adopt and/or build from, (2) a mandatory set of requirements for some types of projects, and (3) a voluntary program that provides cost-effective incentives.
If Council approves the proposed approach, staff will work to engage the City's Design Review Board, Climate Change Advisory Committee, key stakeholders and the community to develop recommendations for each element.
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Mark your calendar: Moratorium workshops
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Staff will host two open houses to share information on the development moratorium workplan items and common questions about planning and building. The workshops will be held
Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. and
Thursday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall
- First Hour: Staff will provide an overview of the development moratorium workplan and presentation on the new subdivision regulations and design guidelines.
- Second Hour: Staff will explain how to navigate the Planning & Community Development Department. They'll briefly explain the permit process, how to research the status of a permit and your own property, how to stay informed on PCD projects, and more.
- Final Hour: There will be booths with staff available for the public to ask questions, including information on tree regulations, permits, committees, moratorium topics, and more.
If you have questions about the moratorium or upcoming workshops, please contact PCD staff at [email protected].
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Looking Ahead: City Council agenda
Below are some of the topics to be discussed during the Nov. 5 City Council study session. Please note that this meeting will begin at 5 p.m. due to the election.
- Green Building Code
- Race Equity Task Force workplan update
- Moratorium update
If you would like to receive the City Council agenda by email when it's published, click
here
to sign up on the City's Council Agendas webpage.
The meetings are live-streamed on the
City website
. Visit the Agendas & Minutes
section, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts. You can also watch the meetings on BKAT (Ch. 12 on Comcast & Ch. 3 on WAVE).
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City staff participate in the Oct. 31 Trick or Treat event outside City Hall.
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From a bubble gum machine and bananas to unicorns and witches - we loved seeing all your costumes!
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Permit Specialist Dave Erbes earned first place
for his meat chili during the City staff's annual chili cook-off Oct. 31. Ask him about the recipe the next time you're at the PCD counter!
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Interim Police Chief Jeff Horn congratulates Ofc. Eric Huska on academy graduation day.
Ofc.Huska successfully completed the Lateral Law Enforcement Academy at the Criminal Justice Training Center. Welcome, Ofc. Huska!
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City staff and members of the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council ended Community Planning Month with a cupcake celebration Thursday, Oct. 24. Community Planning Month acknowledges the work of many who contribute to making our community special by planning for infrastructure that benefits all.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Saturday, Nov. 2: South Ward Meeting at Island Center Hall; 10 a.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 9: North Ward Meeting at Seabold Hall; 10 a.m.
Click
here
for the full calendar list.
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