This week marks two years since the first case of the novel coronavirus in the United States was confirmed in Washington State. When the new unknown virus spread, we heard stories of cruise ship passengers becoming infected, lockdowns in Asia, and air travel restrictions in Europe. In March 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a “Stay Home” order. On April 10, 2020, Bainbridge Island Police Ofc. Kurt Enget died of COVID-like symptoms.

The City of Bainbridge Island has continued essential governmental services and continuity of government over the past two years under unprecedented difficult circumstances. The need to balance employee safety with the necessity to provide sanitation, water, police services, and other essential services that allow society to function has been challenging. This challenge has caused a change in how governance is conducted, work is performed, and society interacts.  

The City of Bainbridge Island along with the community rose to the challenge. The City offered community testing and vaccinations. Additional staff was hired. Accommodations were made for business. An Economic Recovery Grant program was instituted for local businesses. Mask mandates were adhered to. People were vaccinated. In many ways, the City of Bainbridge Island has been a model of responsiveness and responsibility. 

Over the past two years, I have been optimistic that COVID is behind us. In 2021, we even had one in-person City Council meeting thinking COVID was subsiding. We were fooled. COVID is not over. Literature says that over five million people worldwide have died of COVID. However, I continue to hope that the end of the COVID pandemic is around the corner. But, until it ends the City of Bainbridge will continue to provide essential governmental services with a high priority on health and safety. We will not be fatigued, and we will continue to rise to the occasion.

Gov. Jay Inslee testified yesterday before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis about how the state has responded to the ongoing pandemic and the lessons learned. Read the full news release.

The Sustainable Transportation Task Force on Jan. 14 reviewed the potential groups of projects and programs identified for a Near-term Implementation Plan, encompassing the next six to ten years of transportation infrastructure.

The plan maps and project lists are available for viewing under the "Task Force" tab on the project webpage. One of the proposed scenarios includes mobility hubs at three of the most popular destinations on Bainbridge Island: Lynwood Center, Coppertop Park and the ferry terminal (see the mobility hubs map below). The mobility hubs might include bike racks and bus shelters with additional amenities such as charging stations and WiFi.

A recording of the Jan. 14 meeting may be found here.

Staff will present the implementation options to the Council at the Feb. 15 study session.

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer joined the City Council study session this week to share information on upcoming opportunities for federal infrastructure funding.

Rep. Kilmer presented the Council with a fact sheet on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which covers a wide range of programs ranging from road and bridge repair ($4.7B) to electric vehicle charging infrastructure ($71M) and wildfire prevention ($39M). Most of the funding will start becoming available to municipalities through Washington State agencies in 2023.

The City Council expressed interest in how federal programs could assist the City with funding for critical projects such as the continuation of the Sound to Olympics Trail along State Route 305, increases in solar panel programs and solar energy generation, as well as climate resiliency.

Watch the discussion here.

The City Council next week will provide direction on the next steps for a future Police Station and

Municipal Court facility.

Last week, we shared the staff memo and presentation for the Jan. 25 meeting on the project page. We’re now reviewing your questions and comments regarding those materials and will provide responses during the business meeting.

The City seeks to build a safe, accessible and adequately sized facility that will serve the community’s needs for the next 50 years.

Staff will start next week’s Council discussion with a presentation. Public comment may be shared at the beginning of the meeting.

You can view these documents on the Police-Court project page at bainbridgewa.gov/policecourt.

Some of the Jan. 25 City Council business meeting topics will include:

The public is invited to contact members of the City Council to express concerns, questions and praise. Some council members are holding virtual office hours and others are available to meet upon request. Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.

The Planning Commission will meet Jan. 27 to continue discussion on Ordinance No. 2022-02 (Bethany Lutheran Church affordable housing pilot program).

Sarah Blossom has been selected as Chair and Ashley Mathews as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.

The City's Race Equity Advisory Committee is hosting a joint meeting with the City of Bremerton's Race Equity Advisory Committee Thursday, Jan. 27. The meeting is an opportunity for members of both committees to learn about each other and talk about barriers and successes.

Travelers should expect some delays for one-way alternating traffic for emergency utility work at 9 p.m. each weeknight from Monday, Jan. 24 to Friday, Feb. 11. The SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge will be reduced to one-way alternating traffic. Both lanes will reopen at 6 a.m. each following day.

In addition, WSDOT crews placed road signs along the highway that give advance notice of SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge work.

Annual bridge cleaning is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day from Monday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 20.

Please plan for significant delays approaching the bridge that are anticipated to be a minimum of 30-minute delays.

Check WSDOT's Travel Center Map for alerts.