Bainbridge Islanders,
At their next meeting, the City Council will be presented with the preliminary biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. This will kick-off the process required by the Revised Code of Washington to consider and adopt the budget. Pursuant to Washington law, a budget message is prepared by the City Manager to transmit the preliminary budget to the City Council. Included in the transmittal message are three of my favorite budget related quotes. I like these quotes because they are true, and they add a light-hearted spirit to the budget process.
- “The budget is a numerical expression of policy.” - Anonymous.
- “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted, counts.” - Albert Einstein.
- “The basic law of budgets: you can only spend it once.” - Anonymous.
Many hours of preparation went into preparing the budget. I want to thank our Finance Director DeWayne Pitts, along with our Budget Manager Kim Dunscombe, and our Financial Analyst Carrie Freitas, for the time and effort they put into preparing the budget document and putting it into a format that allows the City Council to review and deliberate. The preliminary budget is sound, and it provides a basis for the City Council to make policy decisions, provide services to the community and maintain the sustainability of the municipal corporation and its assets.
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Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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Watch City Update, in the video below, with what's happening in City news this week from City Manager, Blair King. |
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Did you hear that loud noise on Saturday? |
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On Saturday evening, beginning around 9:20 p.m., a fireworks display was launched from a barge in Port Madison waters. Based on the permit application to the US Coast Guard, the barge was situated outside the boundaries of Bainbridge Island.
The commercial operator, retained by a private entity for the event, holds a General Display Fireworks License and Pyrotechnic Operator License issued by the Fire Protection Bureau of the Washington State Patrol. A permit was issued by the Seattle Fire Department for the loading of fireworks which occurred in that city. Coast Guard approval for a Marine Event was also secured. The City of Bainbridge Island was not informed of the event and did not have the opportunity to comment or suggest that notification be provided to Bainbridge Island residents. Neither the Bainbridge Island Police Department (BIPD) or Fire Department issued a permit for the event.
The event triggered multiple calls to Kitsap 911. The BIPD is exploring coordination with a variety of agencies for events like this in the future.
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Public Hearing for Proposed Amendments to Municipal Code for Electric Vehicle Charging, September 29 |
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The City of Bainbridge Island Planning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing on Sep. 29 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. at City Hall regarding Ordinance No. 2022-14. The Ordinance amends Sections 18.15.020 and 18.36.030 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code related to adding electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements.
The proposed amendments would establish minimum requirements related to electric vehicle parking in certain types of new development and expansion projects. The amendments also provide incentives for the voluntary installation of DC fast charging stations and/or additional Level 2 charging stations.
The ordinance enhances electric vehicle parking requirements outlined in WAC 51-50-0429 that are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2023. The ordinance would set an earlier effective date of Jan. 1, 2023 for applicable occupancy types on Bainbridge Island. The ordinance integrates the revisions recommended by the Planning Commission at their July 28 and Aug. 25, 2022 meetings.
Click HERE for more information.
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Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration October 9 & 10 |
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Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Bainbridge Island at Bainbridge BARN with learning, conversation, and fun! This event spans two days and registration is required as space is limited.
More information HERE. Bainbridge BARN is located at 8890 Three Tree Ln NE.
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Popular Passport Saturday is Back! October 15 |
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The Bainbridge Island Municipal Court is offering the popular, no appointment needed, passport Saturday event on Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Municipal Court is located at 10255 NE Valley Road, in the Rolling Bay Neighborhood Service Center.
You can submit your passport applications at the event. It's a great opportunity to bring in kids without having to miss school or for working families that cannot attend walk-in or appointment times.
Regular passport services are offered three days a week at the Municipal Court:
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Monday - walk-ins (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Wednesday - by appointment
- Thursday - by appointment.
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Day of Preparedness THIS Saturday, September 24 |
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Is your family and neighborhood ready in the event of an emergency?
You can be prepared in the event of a natural disaster or critical event. Learn more at the free, annual Day of Preparedness:
Saturday, Sep. 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at City Hall.
Don't miss:
- First 200 people will receive a free LifeStraw.
- Raffle Prizes.
- Ice Cream at Climate Impact Table.
Register for a class:
More information can be found on our Facebook page and HERE.
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Receive Alerts for Bivalent Booster Clinics and Other Emergency Notifications |
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Appointment slots for the Oct. 1 Bivalent Booster Clinic have filled. We will be offering more clinics in the near future. If you would like to receive a notification when these happen, sign up for Nixle alerts on your phone or email. Appointments for these clinics fill very quickly, and Nixle is the fastest way to hear about them.
Nixle is the City’s official emergency notification and alert system. In addition to providing communications during emergencies, Nixle is also used to inform the public of road closures, missing persons or urgent issues related to storm response.
Individuals are considered eligible for the bivalent booster if you received the initial vaccine series or the initial vaccine series and subsequent booster vaccinations. It also needs to be at least two months since your last dose. Individuals 18 and older are eligible for the Moderna bivalent booster and individuals 12 and older are eligible for the Pfizer bivalent booster.
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Puget Sound Starts Here Month |
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September is Puget Sound Starts Here |
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Puget Sound Starts Here Month raises awareness on how each of us can protect and improve local and regional water quality.
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By the Numbers: Household Chemicals Collection Event |
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The Household Chemicals Collection Event last weekend was a success! Thank you to all who participated helping keep our waterways healthy.
By the numbers:
- 101 containers of waste filled, most in 55-gallon drums and cubic yard plastic totes.
- Over 27,500 pounds in volume of waste.
- 15,000 pounds of paint.
- 7,200 pounds of pesticides.
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Protect Puget Sound with Plants |
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We can help keep our earth and waters healthy with thriving native vegetation and proper care. Here's how:
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Remove and control invasive and noxious plants and trees. The Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is the primary local resource for information, education, training, and work parties on island. The CWMA is a community and interagency initiative that the City joined in 2021. More info HERE.
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Grow native non-invasive trees and plants. You can purchase native plants at the Bainbridge Island Land Trust Native Plant Sale Saturday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Bainbridge First Baptist Church (8810 Madison Ave NE). More info HERE.
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Stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Challenge old habits and consider using natural yard care. Check out these helpful videos on Lawn Alternatives and Natural Friendly Gardening for Beginners HERE.
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Urban Tree Care Workshop Now Online |
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Missed last week’s Urban Tree Care webinar? You can watch “Right Plant, Right Place: Choosing Appropriate Trees for the Urban Environment" HERE.
Learn about tree-related considerations in the City's Climate Action Plan with an in-depth discussion about how to choose the right species for the right space, how to plant correctly, and how to care for trees to maximize their success rate.
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Bainbridge Island Police Department |
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Life Saving Award for BIPD Officers |
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On Sep. 15, Officers Jon Bingham and Brenton Miller received the Recreational Boating Safety Life Saving Award from the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission Boating Program. This award is presented to an officer who has demonstrated the highest professional responsibility, courage and bravery when taking actions to rescue a person or persons involved in a recreation boating activity to prevent injury or death.
On Feb. 22, emergency responders from South Kitsap were dispatched to a report of two men in the water after their kayak capsized on Puget Sound. Officer Bingham heard the dispatch, and the two officers responded aboard BIPD Marine 8. The officers located the kayakers and pulled them from the 46-degree water. That day, a small craft advisory was in place and the air temperature hovered around freezing - a very dangerous situation. Fortunately, both kayakers were wearing life jackets and carried a phone, which allowed them to call for help. Both men were brought to shore and treated by medics.
The officers were recognized for their actions at the Annual Marine Law Enforcement Conference held in Richland, WA.
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SR 305/Murden Creek Fish Barrier Removal Update |
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Crews are in the process of building a temporary two-lane bypass road at the Highway 305/Murden Creek project location. Once the temporary bypass road is opened to travelers, the existing highway will become the work zone. The temporary change will keep people moving while crews dig up the existing highway.
As travelers will use a temporary bypass road, workers will be able to replace the outdated culvert with a new 120-foot bridge. Travelers will be taken off the temporary two-lane bypass road when the new bridge is built over Murden Creek.
The added room will allow the creek to act more naturally and open fish habitat. Undersized culverts and other barriers prevent native fish species from reaching healthy habitats.
During construction, crews will rebuild the streambed by using a mix of gravel, varying-sized rocks and logs. This will help fish as they move through their lifecycle. Improving access allows more fish to access important spawning and rearing habitat. Learn more HERE.
The project is set to be completed by fall 2023. Learn more about the project HERE.
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Seeking to Fund Local Human Service Programs |
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The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking proposals to provide funding for local nonprofit organizations to help support human service programs in the community during the 2023-2024 funding cycle. A total of $660,000 will be available for distribution through the two-year funding cycle for the selected projects.
Applicant and project requirements are included in the Request for Proposals available on the City's website. Applications due Sep. 29 by 4 p.m.
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City to Fund Visitor Projects and Activities for 2023 |
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The City is seeking proposals for visitor serving projects and activities for 2023. The awarded proposals will be funded by the City’s Lodging Tax revenues.
Proposals will be provided to the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for review and comment. The advisory committee will provide its recommendations to the City Council for the final funding decision.
Applications due Sep. 29 by 4 p.m. Email applications and questions to cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov
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Take the Housing Action Plan Survey |
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The Housing Action Plan is intended to help develop an understanding of our housing needs, how much and for whom, and the means and methods to address these identified housing needs. The City is asking for your input in a survey about housing. Sep. 30 is the last day to take the survey.
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The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on Sep. 27. Key topics include:
- Presentation of 2023-2024 Proposed Budget and 2023-2028 CIP
Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers
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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.
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Sep. 24 Day of Preparedness
Sep. 27 Council Regular Business Meeting
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Sep. 29 Public hearing on EV Charging Code Amendments
Sep. 30 Last day to take the Housing Action Plan Survey
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