This week we are featuring a piece about the vandalized play structure at Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District’s Fay Bainbridge Park. As a city manager, I am always disturbed when public property is needlessly vandalized. I have seen young trees broken or cut down, public restroom fixtures broken, windows smashed, playground equipment destroyed, and park turf torn up. It never seems to have a point, and it requires public resources to repair and replace fixtures or equipment that have already been paid for.

I am sure that an academic has researched the causes of vandalism. I assume that some of the causes are anger, boredom, attention seeking, peer pressure, envy or thrill seeking. Normally, vandalism does not seem to have financial gain as the motive. Maybe vandalism is simply due to human nature.

If we identify who committed the vandalism, we will seek financial restitution. We strive to hold the vandal financially accountable. 

 

Most public agencies try to make facilities vandal proof. This is one of the reasons why public facilities cost so much. Public trash receptacles need to withstand malicious hammering, signs need to be graffiti proof or treated to allow paint to be removed easily, and facilities in public restrooms need to withstand all sorts of stress.

I trust the Park District will restore our park buccaneer quickly and he will again be watching over the playground as soon as possible.     

Winslow Way from Ericksen Avenue to Madison Avenue will be closed to vehicles 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 11) for an event.

The closure is to assist Bainbridge Youth Services with the “Hope Glows” event celebrating mental health awareness. The event will be held 5:30 to 7:30.

Organizers will place luminarias– with battery-powered candles – along Winslow Way to shine a light on mental health.

Washington State Department of Transportation crews will begin annual bridge cleaning Monday, Feb. 14. The work is expected from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 20.

The bridge will be reduced to one-way alternating traffic. Law enforcement will direct traffic at the SR 305 and Suquamish Way intersection.

The delays are expected to be at least 30 minutes, so please add extra time if you’re commuting or consider postponing discretionary trips.

Learn more about WSDOT's bridge cleaning process on The WSDOT Blog.

The City continues to monitor proposed legislation that would mandate increased housing within a half-mile of major transit stops and mandate the acceptance of fourplexes in all lots zoned for single-family residential uses.

On Feb. 7, HB 1782 passed through the House Committee on Appropriations. The bill will now be heard on the full floor of the WA State House of Representatives by Feb. 15.

The companion bill, SB 5670, did not move out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

It's anticipated that the City’s contractor will begin improvements along Eagle Harbor Drive late next week. The contractor will make drainage and paving improvements, add mulch and gravel, and stripe lanes. Some of the work will depend on the weather.

Last spring, the City widened roughly one mile of Eagle Harbor Drive, from McDonald Avenue to the shoreline segment, to create bike lanes on both sides of the road. The contractor was not able to finish the work because of the wet weather conditions. In recent months, staff and the community observed several safety issues that are now being addressed.

At the Feb. 15 study session, staff will present the final draft of the Sustainable Transportation Plan to the Council.

There are two parts to the plan: a vision document that summarizes the plan process and presents high-level view of proposed programs and projects and a series of working documents that break down the detailed costs and prioritization for projects and programs.

Following the study session, the Council will consider formally adopting the plan, which will assist the Council and staff with centering transportation-related decision making for the next 10 years. The Council may also decide to select a “preferred” implementation scenario.

Additional information will be included in the agenda packet.

The City Council directed draft Ordinance No. 2022-01 (Housing Design Demonstration Project Program) to return to the Planning Commission for discussion and potential revisions to address several issues raised during the Feb. 8 City Council meeting. Topics the Commission will consider include:

The date has not been set for the Planning Commission's future discussion.

Watch the Feb. 8 discussion.

The City Council on Feb. 8 directed the City Manager to form an interdepartmental committee to begin the Winslow Subarea Plan project.

The subarea plan includes goals and policies for land use, transportation, open space, housing, utilities, and coordination with the Washington State Ferries system.

Staff will:

This project was identified as a high-priority project in 2022.

The Council changed the name of the project to Winslow Subarea Plan to avoid the use of offensive language with the previous title of the project.

Mayor Joe Deets is hosting online office hours this Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. on Zoom. Access the Zoom link here (passcode 672845).

Please visit Mayor Deets' Council page for additional online office hour dates.

You can also engage with Mayor Deets on his Council Facebook page.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15. Below are some of the topics.

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.

Washington State Ferries is starting work this summer on a new steel overhead walkway to replace the current wooden one (that is nearly 50 years old) and wants to hear from you before the work begins.

Visit WSF's online open house now through March 3 to learn about the project and share your input.