Bainbridge Islanders,
The State of Washington has passed a number of legislative mandates that will require action by the City Council over the next several months. Many people are aware of new state mandates related to land use planning. I want to point out two lesser-known mandates people may be unaware of.
In 2022, the Governor signed into law House Bill 1799. This law mandates cities and counties adopt a composting ordinance to procure, use, educate, and report on the use of compost. The broad intention of the legislation is to help divert organic material from landfills and reduce the production of green house gases. Requiring public agencies to use compost when possible is intended to help create market demand, with the hope that the private sector will produce more compost and divert organic material from the waste stream. As part of the new mandate, the City is required to provide technical assistance and education regarding the use of food and yard waste compost to residents and businesses. The City will be required to measure and report the total tons of organic material diverted throughout the year to the State Department of Ecology. Very laudable goals, but nothing comes without a cost.
The other mandate that will need to be dealt with is the update of the State Building Code and its Fire Code. Building Codes are updated periodically. The City adopts the Building and associated Fire Code by reference and must follow the Code unless a local finding is made to be more restrictive. The City cannot be less restrictive. The portion of the Code that is being updated, which is referred to as the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, could be significant for Bainbridge Island. The purpose of the code update is to decrease the potential of wildfires in or near urban areas. The City and Fire Department are working with the Chamber of Commerce to schedule an educational meeting for the local development community to make sure the public knows what is coming their way.
The weather looks like it is going to be great this weekend. I hope everyone gets some outdoor time.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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On this week's
City Update
Tree City USA designation, Emergency water response exercise,
Police and Climate Action Plan quarterly reports,
waste water treatment plant improvements, and more!
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Arbor Day and Earth Month |
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Arbor Day and April Earth Month Activities |
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Sustainable Bainbridge and partners present Earth Month Bainbridge Island. It's been a month full of activities, and there's still a few you be a part of.
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Do you know a tree of special significance?
We have a Heritage Tree Register! If you know of a tree that is especially interesting or exceptional on public or private land, consider nominating it for the register. (If on private property, the owner must consent to the nomination.) You can submit your nomination with the form in the button below.
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City Tree Regulations
There are City tree regulations to consider before removing a tree from your property. You can learn about the regulations by clicking on the button below.
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North Ward Meeting - April 29 |
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When?
April 29 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where?
Bainbridge Island Fire Department Station 23 (12985 Phelps Rd NE)
Who?
Open to all, especially for North Ward residents. Mayor Brenda Fantroy-Johnson, Councilmember Joe Deets and At-Large Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos, together with City Manager Blair King, will be in attendance.
What?
The Council Ward Meetings are an opportunity for you to meet with Council members who represent your ward to talk about topics in your neighborhood and the broader community that are of importance to you. Ward Meetings are intended to be less formal than a Council meeting, so it allows for more of a conversation between community members and Council members.
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Eagle Harbor Non-Motorized Improvements Open House - May 8 |
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Eagle Harbor/Wyatt Way Non-Motorized Improvements Preliminary Design
Open House Meeting
When?
Mon., May 8 from 6:oo-7:30 p.m.
Where?
City Hall
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Road Striping this Summer |
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City Council authorized a contract with Stripe Rite Inc. for the city’s annual road striping project. The striping will occur island-wide in mid to late summer when the weather is the driest. The city stripes 80 miles of roadway once a year as a critical safety measure for all users of the roadway. Striping on Madison Avenue between Winslow and State Route 305 may be postponed in lieu of the pending start of the Bundled Madison Avenue project this summer. The Madison project includes street and sewer repairs along with widened sidewalks and raised bike lanes along the corridor. |
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Call to Artists - "Something New" |
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We, with our Public Art Committee and Arts and Humanities Bainbridge, announce the sixth annual “Something New” art program. The Something New program is a dynamic public art experience as well as an ongoing opportunity for sculptors to exhibit their work. The exhibit places sculptures in five outdoor locations in downtown Winslow. The five locations are located inside the boundaries of the newly designated Bainbridge Creative District.
Submittal deadline is May 19, 2023 for a one-year display agreement from roughly Aug. 2023 – July 2024.
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This week's City Council Proclamations |
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At this week's City Council Regular Business Meeting, Council made four proclamations. Click on each one to read the full proclamation. |
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Drug Take Back Day a Success |
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On Saturday, the Bainbridge Island Police Department participated in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Twice each year, the Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors the Drug Take Back Day to provide a safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible means of disposing unwanted medicines. This was the twenty-fourth time the national event was held. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment. Improper disposal of prescription medications can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse or overdose.
Members of the department were available at the police station and collected 72.6 pounds of unused, unneeded or expired prescription and nonprescription medicines. More than 70 agencies in Washington participate in this event last held in October 2022. At that event, over 7,000 pounds of unwanted medicines were collected in Washington State alone. The next event will be held this fall.
Old medicines can always be turned in at the police station collection box on business days between 8:00am and 4:00pm.
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Climate Smart Actions for Earth Month |
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Celebrate Earth Month in April by signing up for the Climate Smart Challenge and completing actions to reduce energy use.
This week, “Install Electric Heat Pump Heater.”
Want to upgrade your heating system AND get cooling for those hot summer days?
A heat pump system works the same way as a refrigerator—it takes the heat out of the surrounding air and pumps it into your home. Since heat pumps move heat, rather than converting it from fuel like traditional combustion heating systems, they use less energy to operate. Heat pump systems:
- Provide both heating and cooling.
- Can save you up to $1,000/year on your energy bills compared to oil or propane furnace or boiler system and up to $1,300/year compared to a standard electric heating system (electric resistance).
Complete the “Install Electric Heat Pump Heater” action in the Climate Smart Challenge to save money, improve your comfort and earn points! Everyone who earns at least 10,000 points in the Challenge by the end of May will be entered to win one of five outdoor or indoor composting bins. Learn more about the Challenge and upcoming community events by visiting the City’s website.
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Saving Energy with PSE's Peak Energy Rewards Program - May 11 |
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When?
Thurs., May 11 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Where?
What?
Join the City of Bainbridge Island and Puget Sound Energy to learn about key actions in the Challenge to reduce home energy use, and a new energy-efficiency program for customers on Bainbridge Island called Peak Energy Rewards. The program uses smart technology to help meet our community’s energy demand in an effort to address electric capacity needs on the island. You can join simply by enrolling your smart thermostat. If you don’t already have one, you can get one installed through the program with a rebate to help cover costs. Participants receive $75 annually and will be eligible for higher rebates on heating equipment, weatherization, and more.
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The City’s Climate Smart booth at last weekend’s Earth Day Expo had over 130 visitors, with lots of fun for both kids and adults! Thank you to Climate Change Advisory Committee members Julie Matthews and Jens Boemer for volunteering and encouraging residents to sign up for the City’s Climate Smart Challenge.
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Opportunities and Announcements |
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Volunteer for a Citizen Advisory Group - Due May 17 |
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Why make it just a week? You can make a difference in the community by volunteering for a Citizen Advisory Group. There are 32 openings to new applicants and existing members who may reapply.
More information and an online application can be found HERE.
Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Wed., May 17. Applicants must be available in late May for interviews. Terms begin July 1, 2023.
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Make Healthy Choices for Your Yard, Family and Environment |
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FREE Webinar - Learn how to grow a healthier lawn for your kids and pets
Learn tips for natural lawn care at one of these webinars. Click on any date to register.
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The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on May 9. Key topics include:
- Review City Sign Ordinance
- Introduce Ordinance Modifying Waste Reduction Regulations
- Discuss Carbon Offset Options for Police/Court Facility
- Introduce Ordinance No. 2023-16 Relating to Water and Sewer Utility Rate Adjustments
- Proclamations
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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