Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
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In the course of our City work this week, I had the opportunity to meet with members of both the
Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC), and the
Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC). These are only two of the 12 citizen advisory committees that help the City Council and staff by thinking proactively about specific areas of our work, and assisting with outreach, planning, and community engagement. I'm always impressed by the diverse skills and experience that community members bring to these efforts, and there are key ways in which these committees help us to move ahead with tasks that we wouldn't otherwise be able to complete. If you'd like to apply for one of our committees, please visit the
City's website. We are particularly in need of residents who would like to apply for our
Cultural Funding Advisory Committee and also for candidates for ETAC. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 29.
Another topic of some interest this week has been the City's Ethics Program. The City's commitment to good governance and transparency is central to every aspect of our work, and the Ethics Program is an important element of meeting that commitment. The members of the
Ethics Board are volunteers who offer their time to take up complex issues and support the City. For that, I am very appreciative. In the past few months, the City Council and Ethics Board members have been discussing areas in which the current program is unclear or might be improved. With that in mind, the City has planned a joint workshop for the City Council and Ethics Board to be held on Tuesday, April 30. This will be a special, "single topic" meeting, and so I expect it will be a good opportunity for a productive and focused discussion.
Next week, the City Council business meeting will cover a variety of items, including initiatives related to affordable housing, an annual report from Friends of the Farms on their management of the City-owned public farmland, and an agreement to complete remaining design work for the new Police and Municipal Court. The agenda will be published later today.
Best wishes
for a sunny Easter-and-Earth-Day weekend,
Morgan Smith
City Manager
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BIPD continues search for missing 81-year-old woman
The Bainbridge Island Police Department, with the assistance of Kitsap Search and Rescue, is searching for a woman with dementia who hasn't been seen in a couple of days.
Mary Beth Blanchard, 81, was last seen Wednesday, April 17 around 6:45 p.m. leaving the Winslow Arms apartments, located at 220 Parfitt Way. She was wearing a green skirt and orange shirt (photo at right). Blanchard is described as 5'2, 105 pounds with long white hair and blue eyes.
Please call 911 if you see Mary Beth.
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Sidewalk closure along Olympic Drive expected to begin Monday
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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.
There will be times during construction when both sidewalks along Olympic Drive will be closed and pedestrians should follow the detour routes.
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.
When the project is complete, there will be new pavement markings and signs that will be unfamiliar to many people. For example, ever heard of a bike box (and do you know what to do when you approach one if you're driving or biking)? Please click here to learn more about some of these changes. Staff will participate in future outreach to educate the community about these new facilities.
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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Public hearing scheduled for water and sewer utility rate increase proposal
During the April 16 business meeting, City Council directed staff to bring forward an ordinance implementing changes in rates for City water and sewer utility customers over the next several years.
The City's water and sewer utility rates have not changed since 2013. A consultant, Financial Consulting Solutions Group (FCS), led a study of the City's water and sewer utilities and developed a recommendation for rate adjustments to ensure the financial health of the utilities. The City's Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) has provided significant review and input to the FCS report and recommendations.
A Public Hearing on the ordinance implementing these rates changes is planned for the May 14 Council meeting. A postcard will be mailed to all customers letting them know of the proposed rate increases and upcoming hearing.
Watch the April 16 discussion
here.
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Hiring Now: U.S. Census Bureau
Earn extra income while helping your community-- the U.S. Census Bureau is looking for applicants in Kitsap County to assist with the 2020 Census count.
The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring for a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff.
To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and be a U.S. citizen.
The jobs have flexible hours, part-time to full-time, with pay rates ranging from $17.50 to $19.50 per hour.
Click
here
for to learn how to apply and to read more information about the openings.
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Join your Council representatives for the April Ward Meetings
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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A friendly reminder from the Water Resources Team -- p
lease don't drip and drive, fix that leak!
Did you know that car leaks are the biggest source of pollution to our surface waters and Puget Sound? When leaks aren't repaired, oil and other toxic fluids drip from the car then get picked up and carried away with rainwater that flows directly into our waterways. These pollutants are a threat to animals and people, and some leaks may damage your car engine, too.
Get a FREE diagnosis to figure out what's leaking under your car. Click
here to find a car shop participating in the Don't Drip & Drive campaign - remember to ask if they offer leak repair discounts.
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Kitsap County hosts FREE septic workshop
Own a septic system? Learn how to protect your investment and keep it healthy at a free workshop
that will include information about:
- How septic systems work
- The best ways to care for them
- How to detect if a system is failing and what to do next
- Low interest loan programs for septic repairs
Workshops:
- April 30: 6-8 p.m. at the Village Greens Community Center, Kingston
- May 8: 6-8 p.m. at the Kitsap County Administration Building - Commissioners Chambers, Port Orchard.
Well-maintained septic systems will save homeowners money and keep bacteria and nutrients out of local creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound.
Space is limited- register now to secure your seat. For more details, please call 360.337.7157 (ext 3244).
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WSF hosts meeting on Long Range Plan
Washington State Ferries will hold a public meeting next month to speak with passengers about follow-up on the Long Range Plan (specifically the agency's sustainability plan), the biennial tariff process happening this year, and issues of local interest, with at least 45 minutes at the end of each meeting for questions and answers.
WSF staff met with the Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) to ask for their input on route-specific agenda items for the meetings. The Colman Dock construction (Bremerton & Bainbridge) is on the list.
The Bainbridge-Seattle Route route meeting will be held Thursday, May 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.
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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 tomorrow 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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Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Tuesday, April 23: City Council Business Meeting; 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 24: Utility Advisory Committee; 5 p.m.
- Thursday, April 25: Planning Commission Meeting; Council Chamber; 7 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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