City Manager's Report
Dear Bainbridge Islanders,
The news from the State Department of Health this week confirms that our community will remain at Phase 2 of reopening for some time to come. Given which, we are all continuing to work together to learn how our community institutions, local businesses, and individual households can successfully operate within current restrictions. While the constant effort to problem-solve can seem overwhelming at times, it is also the case that Bainbridge Islanders continue to shine with their creative approaches to new challenges, and their commitment to helping one another.

Currently, our Kitsap County public health indicators are not improving, and there is evidence of increasing levels of transmission and illness across our region. While Puget Sound, and Washington State more generally, may be in a better position than other parts of the United States, we are still moving in the wrong direction in terms of public health trends. We must each continue to do as much as we can to reduce the spread of coronavirus, and to support the changes that are needed before businesses and other activities can resume more fully.

At the business meeting next week, the City Council will consider specific recommendations on how the City can support local businesses in their economic recovery efforts. The Council will also receive a briefing on recent countywide discussions related to anticipated future population growth in the region, and will review the plan for process and public outreach related to negotiations to renew the City’s franchise agreement with Comcast for cable TV services.

For more information on some of these topics and other items, please see below.


Best wishes,

Morgan Smith
City Manager
COVID-19 Updates
State returns Kitsap County's Phase 3 application
On July 20, the Washington State Department of Health returned all pending Safe Start applications statewide, including Kitsap County’s Phase 3 application, that were put on hold or pending review before Gov. Jay Inslee implemented a statewide pause on reopening plans until July 28, in response to increased COVID-19 activity.

By the time these applications are eligible for review, at least four weeks will have passed. Much has changed during this time period and information in the applications will be outdated.

Read the full release from the Department of Health here.
Help slow the spread of COVID-19
Kitsap Public Health District officials are urging Kitsap residents to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19, in response to the sustained surge in new cases reported over the last month.

More than 180 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed so far in July, surpassing the combined total for March, April, and May.

Read the full update here .
Council to discuss COVID-19 economic recovery plan
In early June, the City Council formed an Ad Hoc Committee to develop recommendations for ways the City can provide support to local businesses and their recovery efforts. The Ad Hoc Committee includes Mayor Leslie Schneider, Deputy Mayor Joe Deets, and Councilmember Kol Medina.

At the July 28 business meeting, the Council will receive a series of specific recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee and will discuss next steps. The recommendations include a range of proposed measures, including a marketing campaign, distribution of free masks, a business needs survey, e-commerce support, and small business grants.

The City Council has previously discussed the potential to use a portion of the City's $736,000 allocation from CARES Act funding to support these activities. More information will be included in the agenda packet when it's published later today.
Project Updates
Staff begins project to repair sewer system in west Eagle Harbor
The Public Works Development Engineering staff is beginning a project to repair the sewer system that serves the lower Lovell Avenue pump station due to its deteriorated condition.
Crews will replace the existing sewer main pipes, currently located in the beach area in west Eagle Harbor, then reroute the pipes to a new sewer lift station on Wood Avenue. This will include individual residential side sewers.

During the July 28 City Council business meeting, staff will present a briefing to the Council on this project, along with a request for approval of a contract for design services.

The project aims to abandon two segments of aging sewer mains currently located on the beach in Eagle Harbor. In order to abandon the sewer mains, the existing sewer pump stations in the vicinity will need to be upgraded, and a new pump station, sewer mains and individual household grinder pumps will need to be constructed. The overall project will be designed in 2021, with the intent to begin several phases of construction that will take place between 2022 and 2026. The cost of the project, currently estimated at $5.3 million, is included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and is not anticipated to impact the City’s Winslow sewer rates.

On July 8, the City held an informational webinar for the residents who will be affected by the upcoming project. More information on the project, including access to the recorded webinar, can be found on the City’s project page.
Road work to begin next week
The City’s annual asphalt repair project will begin next week, starting on the lower portion of Lovell Avenue in the Winslow area.

The remainder of the work across the island is expected to be ongoing through the second week of August ( see the schedule and map for details - all dates are approximate).

People should expect some traffic delays and detours in the areas where the work is happening.

Each year, the City invests an average of $500,000 in asphalt repair work. Regular maintenance keeps roads from reaching the point where they need costly reconstruction. In coming years, the City will need to consider the source of funding for these reoccurring investments, as the previous source– vehicle license fees levied by the City’s Transportation Benefit District (TBD) – is likely to be eliminated as a result of a voter-approved initiative impacting the state TBD regulations.

Learn more about the annual roads program here.
City Council Updates
City begins negotiations to renew Comcast cable TV franchise
In June 2016, the City granted Comcast a franchise for its cable television system located within the City. The 2016 franchise agreement is set to expire in June 2021.

The City has begun negotiations with Comcast to renew the franchise for a new term. On July 28, staff will present to Council an overview of the public process that will be followed to renew the Comcast Cable TV Franchise Agreement for a new term.

For more information on the franchise agreement and the renewal process, please visit the City’s Comcast Cable TV Franchise Agreement webpage, which contains key dates, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Council to discuss update on Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050 and countywide planning policies
The Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) VISION 2050 plan requires Kitsap, Snohomish, Pierce, and King Counties to update their respective Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) by Dec. 31, 2021. A key component of the CPPs update is designating centers for growth across the county. A Countywide Center is recognized as an integral feature for accommodating residential and employment growth.

A similar exercise was done in 2015 when Kitsap County amended its CPPs to reflect VISION 2040. During this exercise, Winslow was identified as a Town Center.

During the July 28 business meeting, the City Council will engage in a conversation regarding the potential of including Winslow as a Center. The designation as a Center may make Winslow eligible for Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funding.

In 2020, PSRC administered and approved $270 million in transportation funding annually from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.
Upcoming City Council agenda
Below are some of the topics scheduled for the July 28 business meeting.

  • Monthly update on 2020 revenue and expenses forecast
  • Recommendations for the COVID-19 economic recovery plan
  • Update on Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050 and Countywide Planning Policies
  • Updating the Code of Conduct and Ethics Program
  • Comcast Cable TV Franchise Renewal

If you would like to receive the City Council agenda by email when it's published, sign up on the Council Agendas webpage.

Ways to Watch
  • Zoom
  • City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts).
  • You can also watch the meetings on BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE).
City Advisory Group Updates
Deadline approaching to apply for City Advisory Groups
The City is accepting applications for volunteers to serve on a number of City and regional groups, with topics ranging from climate change and historic preservation to utilities.

Most groups meet monthly to address items on their work plans and provide advice to the City Council or to County boards.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Friday, July 31.

Applicants must be available in August for interviews. Terms begin Sept. 1.

Please visit the City Advisory Groups webpage to learn more and apply.
Other Updates
Sculpture removed near City Hall entrance
Public Works staff this week removed an art piece that adorned the entrance to City Hall for nearly 20 years. The sculpture was removed after showing damage due to weathering over the years.

The City acquired the concrete sculpture from Bainbridge artist Gayle Bard who created the art piece when City Hall was under construction.

Bard, City staff, and the Public Art Committee (PAC) evaluated the artwork and researched options for repair. Given the age of the piece, and the expected life cycle for the materials, PAC and Bard recommended that the artwork be removed and destroyed. There are several companion pieces around City Hall that appear to be sound and will remain in place.

Staff and the PAC recommended to the City Council that the site occupied by the damaged sculpture be used to host rotating artwork as part of an expansion of the the number of sites for the  Something New public art program. A new concrete pedestal will be constructed at City Hall in August, and a new sculpture, selected by the PAC through a competition, will be installed in October.

Other Something New sculpture sites are on Winslow Way near T&C, in the plaza at the southern terminus of Madison Ave, and in Waterfront Park.
Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation enhances Sound to Olympics Trail greenway
The first leg of the Sound to Olympics Trail, from Winslow Way to High School Road, is enjoying an extensive restoration this summer through the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation’s Friends of the STO Trail Fund.

Read an update on the project here.
Important Dates
Monday, Aug. 3:
Design Review Board meeting at 2 p.m.; Zoom
Tuesday, Aug. 4:
Green Building Task Force meeting at 3 p.m.; Zoom
Thursday, Aug. 6:
Island Center subarea planning process meeting at 6:30 p.m.; Zoom
Thursday, Aug. 13:
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Contact Information

280 Madison Avenue North
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: 206-842-7633