Bainbridge Islanders,
During the City Manager’s announcement at this week’s Council Meeting, I had the opportunity to announce the establishment of our new Community Exchange Zone. Exchange zones are locations where community members can meet to complete private transactions in a public setting. It is an alternative to completing your consumer-to-consumer transaction on your front porch or a street corner. These locations are well lit and have cameras recording the area. The Exchange Zones were originally established in response to crimes committed by people pretending to buy or sell items. Some people use these sites for child custody exchanges.
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I know of several examples where a safe Community Exchange Zone could have prevented a crime from occurring. One example I am familiar with, and I gave it this week at the Council Meeting, occurred in May 2020. An 18-year old high school student was selling some personal jewelry to earn a little extra money. He arranged the sale online and met the buyers on a commercial street. The buyers had no interest in purchasing the jewelry. At some point in the transaction the buyers grabbed the jewelry and shot the teen. The teen survived and three suspects were caught. This is just one example of why I endorse a Community Exchange Zone.
Bainbridge Island’s exchange zone has been established at the current police building at 625 Winslow Way East. The exchange site consists of two reserved parking spots with cameras focused on the site. Signs and cameras were installed this week. While it is in the police parking lot, police will not monitor or participate in any transaction. An exchange site will be established at the new police location when it’s operational.
We encourage the community to use the exchange site. If you do, continue to watch out for yourself, take someone with you and carry a cell phone. Do your business during daylight hours. Only carry the cash or the items you need to complete the transaction. If something does not feel right, do not follow- through with the transaction. If you are the victim of a crime, always call 911 and report the incident to police.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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This week ONLY on
City Update
Third Quarter Safety Report, Solar Emergency Hubs,
EV Charging Infrastructure, Kitsap Humane Pet of the Week
and more!
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Halloween Trick or Treat Downtown Winslow October 31 |
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Trick or Treat: This Monday is Halloween! The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association (BIDA) with the City and other sponsors will be hosting Halloween Trick or Treat on Winslow Way from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend! Merchants and other organizations including the Bainbridge Island Police Department and the City Hall will be passing out candy on Winslow Way. Cook Family Funeral Home will be offering complimentary hot apple cider, and Eagle Harbor Church will have hot dogs for a UNICEF donation.
Pet-O-Ween: Enter a photo of your pet in costume in and around Winslow on Instagram or Facebook between now and Oct. 31 using the hashtags #BIpetoween #BainbridgeDowtown. A winner will be randomly selected by Nov. 5 and will receive a $50 gift certificate to BI Barkery and $50 in gift certificates to the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market (gifts sponsored by BIDA).
Bainbridge Climate Smart: Recycle your Halloween candy wrappers at the green “Trick or Trash” box just outside of Ace Hardware.
Traffic Reminder: Winslow Way between Ericksen and Madison will be closed to through traffic from 3:00-7:00pm on the Oct. 31.
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Ordinance 2022-22 Adopted by Council |
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On the Oct. 25 City Council Regular Business Meeting, the Council adopted Ordinance 2022-22 to accommodate increased density for development of affordable housing on properties owned or controlled by religious organizations in accordance with Washington State Law.
The Ordinance specifies a pilot project phase limited to Bethany Lutheran Church that will sunset on December 31, 2027. Beginning January 1, 2028, the new regulations would apply to any affordable housing development on property owned or controlled by a religious organization.
The ordinance requires that all housing units created are maintained as affordable to low-income households, which is defined as 80% of median county income. Any project constructed pursuant to this newly adopted code must comply with Fair Housing standards that prohibits discrimination in housing because of religion, sexual orientation, and family status, among other limitations. The ordinance also limits the size of units constructed and prohibits the creation of accessory dwelling units.
No application has currently been submitted.
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Public Works Receives Big Award |
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The Bainbridge Island Public Works Department has recently received full accreditation from the American Public Works Association. This accreditation formally verifies and recognizes that the Public Works Department has achieved the highest standards of excellence on over 400 policies with the recommended management practices of the American Public Works Department.
The City of Bainbridge Island is only one in four cities in the state of Washington to have received this accreditation.
Additional information HERE.
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New Resources to Help Businesses Comply with 2023 Waste Reduction Regulations |
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The 2023 waste reduction regulations will go into effect soon which include new requirements to reduce single-use plastic waste from onsite dining, to-go food orders and packaging for personal care products. This will help reduce waste in our environment, protect public health and reduce our dependence on plastics.
Business Ambassadors will be visiting local food retail and lodging establishments in the next month to answer questions, share educational materials, and provide additional information about how businesses can comply with the new regulations, where to find compliant products and more.
Learn about the new regulations and find resources for both businesses and customers HERE. Below are the 2023 Food Retail Establishment guidelines.
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Project and Event Updates |
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BI Reads for Justice First Event Announced! |
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First BI Reads for Justice is a six-month, all-community reads program running from now until March 2023. A community reads program is a shared community experience reading one book together. Throughout the six-month reading program, there will be events around about the book and its themes.
Make sure you don't miss an event by signing up to get alerts on the website HERE - click on "Notify Me" at the bottom of the page.
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Third Week of October YWCA Week Without Violence |
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The City Council on Tuesday declared the third week in October as "YWCA Week Without Violence."
Women and girls often face interlocking and compounding social barriers such as racism, sexism, and gender-based violence, which impact their ability to access full lives. The community of Bainbridge Island will work to end the epidemic of gender-based violence and support families. This proclamation brings attention to this issue and the need to end violence against women.
The full proclamation can be read HERE.
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The Municipal Court held a special “Passport Saturday” event on Oct. 15. The demand was high! People attended from near and far including from Tacoma, Bothell, and Snoqualmie. 119 passports were processed.
The Court offers passport processing on a walk-in basis on Mondays and by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays. More information and appointment scheduling is available on the website: www.bainbridgewa.gov/passports
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Recently, you may have seen metal tags on trees along Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Murden Cove – Winslow 115 kV transmission line project, which is set to improve electric reliability on Bainbridge Island. In September, PSE consultants inventoried existing conditions along the transmission line corridor, including inventorying trees, wetlands and streams. Trees are tagged with a PSE identification number so they can inventory the trees, document the size and species. According to PSE, the tagging does not indicate which trees will be trimmed or removed. The goal of this effort is to minimize impact on trees, critical areas and waterways as PSE designs a new transmission line. You can learn more about this field work HERE.
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As the City Council considers if additional regulations are needed for e-bike usage on the island, we would like to hear your thoughts. Whether you are an e-bike user or not, we all share the roads and trails, so all are welcome to take the survey.
The survey runs until the end of the month. Take the survey HERE.
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Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 29 at the Farmer's Market |
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Oct. 29 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The Bainbridge Island Police Department will be holding the event at the Farmer’s Market in Town Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Improper disposal of prescription medications can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse or overdose. Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible way of disposing unwanted medicines.
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LAST Bivalent Booster Clinic of 2022: October 29 |
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FULL: Adult Moderna bivalent booster clinic for elidgible individuals 12 and up for the afternoon of Oct. 29.
OPEN: Pediatric Pfizer bivalent booster clinic for 5- to 11-year-olds on Oct. 29
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The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on Nov. 8. Key topics include:
- Presentation of National Community Survey Results.
- Possible adoption of Ordinance No. 2022-14 Amending BIMC Sections 18.15.02 and 18.36.030 related to Electric Vehicle Charging Requirements for New Construction and Expansion Projects.
- Farm Trail Project Scope Options.
- Review Affordable Housing Options.
- Public Hearing on the 2023-2024 Budget and possible adoption.
Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers
-
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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