City Manager's Report
Bainbridge Islanders,

The City Council had an important Council Meeting last Tuesday. During the meeting, they approved several operational contracts that expire at the end of the year. One of the contracts that might seem insignificant, but is very important to our ability to function as a city, is the license for our backbone accounting system and integrated Enterprise-Wide Resource Planning (ERP) system, Munis Financial System by Tyler Technologies.

The City began to use Munis in 2004. This marks the beginning of time for our accounting team. In other words, everything before Munis is prehistoric.  Munis provides our backbone general ledger, accounting, budgeting, accounts payable, payroll, utility billing, capital assets inventory, purchasing, work order programs for Operations and Maintenance, and more. About everything depends upon Munis. We are very proud to receive the Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for financial reporting, the highest recognition in governmental accounting. Munis helps us secure this award.

As luck would have it, or perhaps it is planned obsolescence, the version of the software we use will no longer by supported by Tyler. So, we are required to upgrade and pay about $37,000 more. We will also be moving to the cloud. Consequently, the action taken by the City Council to approve a new three-year agreement with Tyler Technologies is important. 2004 may mark the beginning of time, but in order to pay our bills in 2023, we need our financial accounting system to upgrade today.

Best,

Blair King
City Manager
On this week's
City Update
Officers Burnham and Whitney the Bloodhound,
Sustainable Transportation Plan update,
More on 2023 Waste Reduction Regulations,
and more!
City Manager's Report Will Return on January 6

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!

The City Manager's Report and City Update video will take a short holiday and return on Jan. 6.
Public Works Manager Retires After 21 Years
Public Works Manager for the Operations and Maintenance Division, Chuck Krumheuer, retires after 21 years of service.

Chuck joined the City in 2001 as Public Works Supervisor with 20 years of utilities experience. In 2010, Chuck was promoted to Public Works Manager which oversees City fleet, facilities, water, sewer, streets and wastewater treatment. 

Over the last 21 years, Chuck has handled windstorms, snow events, flooding, road closures, broken pipes, and endless power outages at every hour of the day and night.

The City is grateful for his service and the positive impact he has had on this community!
Major Award for Bainbridge Prepares and Partners
At this week's City Council meeting, the City acknowledged receipt of an award as the 2022 Voluntary Organization of the Year for Bainbridge Prepares and partners from the International Association of Emergency Management. This award is presented to one U.S. volunteer organization that made extraordinary emergency management contributions this year.   
 
During COVID, Bainbridge Prepares, in partnership with the City of Bainbridge Island, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and the Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy, helped mobilize:

  • over 500 volunteers to facilitate and participate in the City's COVID response,
  • over 90 vaccination clinics administering,
  • more than 45,000 vaccine doses since December 2020, with
  • booster clinics continued through 2022. 
 
The City, as the local emergency management organization, is responsible for registering, credentialing and deploying emergency volunteers. We work in partnership with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and Bainbridge Prepares. 
Funding Local Non-Profits
The City of Bainbridge Island awards funding to local non-profit organizations through a competitive proposal process on an every-other year basis. A Request for Proposals is issued, proposals submitted, and then submittals are reviewed by a specially-appointed task force of community residents. 

For 2023-2024, the task force reviewed proposals and recommended distribution of $660,000 to 13 different organizations. Council approved the recommended awards without alteration. Services supported by City funding range from child-care support to emergency management to senior services. 

Funding awarded over two year period (2023-2024):

  • Bainbridge Youth Services $106,000
  • Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center $91,000
  • Housing Resources Bainbridge $80,000 + $70,000 (different projects)
  • Bainbridge Island's Boys & Girls Club $62,000
  • Helpline House $60,000
  • Island Volunteer Caregivers $60,000
  • Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation $26,000
  • Bainbridge Prepares $25,000
  • First Year's Children's Center $25,000
  • Peacock Family Services $25,000
  • Kitsap Legal Services $17,000
  • Arms Around Bainbridge $13,000
City Staffers Plant Waterfront Park
The second event in an environmental restoration series at Waterfront Park occurred on Dec. 8, co-sponsored by the City and the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation. City staffers volunteered as part of the City Wellness Program alongside volunteers from Bainbridge Island Rowing. The group planted new Western red cedars, sword ferns and native strawberry along the sidewalk at the park’s east end. The ongoing project targets an area of the park blighted by invasive ivy and holly. A July event cleared vines, uprooted invasive groundcover and took out several truckloads of holly and blackberry. The City is looking at introducing new red cedar cultivars in its restoration projects. These trees will be more resilient to climate change.
(pictures by Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation)
Council Proclaims January 6 "Protect Democracy in America Day"
City Council proclaimed Jan. 6 as “Protect Democracy in America Day" in this week's City Council Regular Business Meeting.

Council declared this day as a day of remembrance in the City of Bainbridge Island and calls upon islanders to protect democracy in America by supporting the strengthening of voting rights and condemning efforts to subvert free and fair elections.  
Evaluating ADA Compliance in City Programs, Buildings
At the City Council Regular Business Meeting this week, the City Council authorized a professional services contract with Accessology for the development of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan. The plan consists of Phase 1 of the ADA Self-Evaluation including ADA compliance review of select programs, activities, and the website. It also includes an evaluation of select City buildings and associated parking lots, pedestrian paths, parks, and public rights-of-way, sidewalks and associated curb ramps. The work will include participation by a community-based task force, which will be formed to support the project in early 2023. Approximately $60,000 of the $109,000 contract was supported by American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Island-Wide Speed Limits
City Council set a public hearing date of January 24, 2023 for Ordinance No. 2022-24 related to setting Island-wide speed limits.

City staff are working to develop a process for implementation and enforcement of the new speed limits, should they be adopted by the City Council.
Moratorium on Development of New Inns in the Neighborhood Center Zoning District
This week, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2022-25 which creates a moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain applications related to the development of new inns in the Neighborhood Center zoning district. An "inn” is a building or group of buildings containing 15 guest rooms on one property (BIMC 18.36.030). Under current code, it is possible for a common operator to own or operate inns on properties next door to each other.

With this moratorium, the City Council will take additional time to review the regulations and policies to ensure that the vision and goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan are being met and allow time for community input on the matter.
Four Drainage Projects Funded
At the City Council meeting this week, Council authorized a construction contract with Pape and Sons for the delivery of the 2022 annual drainage projects. This year, the annual project funding will support four small projects:

  • improvements on Shepard Way just north of the trail access point;
  • replacement of a water bar with a slotted drain on Irene Place;
  • catch basin improvements on Fort Ward Hill road near the intersection with Kitsap Drive; and,
  • the replacement of a cross culvert on Eagle Harbor Drive. 

The annual drainage projects received three bids from independent contractors, and Pape and Sons submitted the lowest bid of approximately $70,000, which was in line with the City’s estimate. The work is expected to start in Q1 of 2023.
Small Increase to Boat Trailer Parking and Moorage
A slight increase in moorage and parking fees are coming in 2023. Starting Jan. 1, the annual boat trailer parking passes will increase from $80 to $88. As always, launching, pump out and day time dinghy tie up remains free of charge.

Fee information can be found at the boater's kiosk by the City Dock near Waterfront Park. The boater's kiosk accepts card payments. Cash transactions can be paid at City Hall Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Receipt must be visible for Harbormaster or Parking Officer.

More information HERE.
Police
Park for Free, but Follow the Rules
Residents and visitors on Bainbridge Island have the benefit of free public parking. If you’ve ever stayed too long in a parking spot, or parked where you shouldn’t have, you may have received a parking warning. 

In 2017, the City began to issue warnings, or "forgiveness tickets," as the primary tool for parking enforcement based on a program out of Missoula, Montana. Since 2021, Parking violations have increased significantly. Downtown businesses have voiced concern for the lack of parking turnover not bringing in new customers, and the City is planning for new electric vehicle charging stations to be installed which will require enforcement for their intended use.

This week, City Council endorsed the use of monetary citations as the primary parking enforcement. Citation amounts are established in the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Chapter 10.08 will be used*.

  • Most parking violations: $50 
  • Disabled parking violations: $450
  • Restricted carpool parking: $50 for first violation, $100 for subsequent violations
  • Parking within fire line: $100 and vehicle may be towed or impounded at owner’s expense
  • Electric vehicle parking stall violations: $124

The citation ticket will have information on how to pay for the ticket. Payments may be made in person at the Court, by mail or online. Instructions for contesting a ticket will also be included.

*Warnings may still be issued but will not be relied upon as the primary enforcement. 
Federal Grant Awarded for Boating Safety
BIPD's responsibilities extend beyond the land of Bainbridge Island and into the surrounding waters. In fact, the area of water that falls within BIPD's jurisdiction is larger than the land mass by about ten square miles. The Island's harbors are popular gathering points, and the only open water marina in the state is located here. Boating and water safety are extremely important here on the island.
 
Funds to support local efforts are made available through State Vessel Registration Fees and from Federal grants. For 2023, the Bainbridge Island Police Department was awarded $8,998.84 under the Federal Financial Assistance Grant. Funds can be used for educational activities, wages, equipment, and maintenance related to marine activities.
 
In addition to patrolling the waters around the island, the Police Department conducts boating safety inspections and participates in annual campaigns sponsored by Washington State Parks.
Climate Smart Bainbridge
You Can Help Reach the 2022 Goal!
The community set a goal in March to reduce 100 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by the end of the year by completing actions in the Climate Smart Challenge. Bainbridge Island is 90% there! You can help reach the goal by completing at least three actions before the end of December. 

It’s easy to take action to reduce your climate impact. Visit www.climatesmartbainbridge.org to select the actions specific to your journey and lifestyle, track your progress, and watch your carbon footprint decline as you make changes at home.

Looking for easy actions to complete this month?

  • Stay festive while using less energy by choosing decorative LED lights.
  • Spread holiday cheer while being eco-conscious by purchasing gifts from local vendors.
  • Create a vegetarian or vegan holiday dinner.

Join the Challenge today and help make Bainbridge Island a Climate Smart place to live!
Key Achievements from Climate Action Plan Progress Report
Read the City's first annual progress report on the implementation of the Climate Action Plan. This report focuses on key City activities completed since approval of the Climate Action Plan in November 2020.
Save Money and Reduce Waste
The $0.25 fee to customers on disposable cups at retail food establishments will be retained by businesses to help offset part of the cost of the disposable cup and incentivize customers to bring their own reusable cups to reduce waste. Charges for disposable cups need to be clearly communicated to customers presale and identified separately on any provided post-sale receipt. More information can be found on our website
New Climate Smart Business Leader!
Please join us in celebrating another Climate Smart Businesses, Nirvana Indian and Nepali Cuisine!

Nirvana Indian and Nepali Cuisine has pledged to use reusable dishes for onsite dining before new waste reduction requirements go into effect in Jan.
 
A total of ten businesseslisted on the City website – have voluntarily pledged to Erase the Waste. Customers can help support local businesses and promote a Climate Smart Bainbridge by looking for the window decal and pledging to reduce their use of single-use plastics as well!
January 12 Webinar: Getting to 100% Renewable Energy on BI
Interested in learning more about how Bainbridge Island can transition to a renewable energy future? Join City staff and representatives from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Spark NW to learn about a special analysis taking place in 2023 as part of the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). 

The City was selected as one of 12 communities in the country to receive technical assistance from ETIPP to help advance the goals laid out in the Climate Action Plan. Over the next year, City staff, community stakeholders, and the ETIPP team will be working to:

1)     identify specific pathways towards 100% renewable energy for the island, which includes an analysis of future electric loads, quantifying what portion of those loads can be met by different on-island renewable energy technologies, and the estimated cost for different options, and
2)     identify critical infrastructure, the vulnerabilities of that infrastructure, and how microgrids or energy storage could address those vulnerabilities and expand existing and planned reliability.

Learn more about what this technical assistance program will – and will not – include in the year ahead and how you can play a role in advancing our renewable energy future.

Register for this Zoom Webinar: Thurs., Jan. 12, 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.  
City Council Updates
The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on Jan. 10 Key topics include:

  • Appoint Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
  • Discuss Eagle Harbor Phase I Preliminary Design.
  • Consider appointments of Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, and Race equity Advisory Committee.
  • Consider Process for Selecting Public Art at new Police/Court Facility
  • Island Center Update from Council's Requests.


Ways to Watch
  • In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers 

  • Zoom

  • City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts)

  • BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE)

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.
Important Dates