Bainbridge Islanders,
On Wednesday, the first BI Reads for Justice event occurred in support of our new community one read program. We are sponsoring this program with our Race Equity Advisory Committee and in partnership with the Bainbridge Public Library and Eagle Harbor Book Co. and in collaboration with the school district.
A community read, or one read, is the shared experience of reading one book together by the entire community. It is intended to build community, support literacy and reading, and, in the case of this one read, support justice.
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I am a big fan of community reads. I have participated in community reads for several years. I like them because it exposes me to books I would not normally read. Our community read book, "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi may be that type of book for you. Reading "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" is a bit of déjà vu for me. Several years ago I read "Stamped from the Beginning" as part of a community read. Our version of "Stamped" is the junior version of "Stamped from the Beginning." It can be more approachable and is a shorter read for many.
The event at Eagle Harbor Book Co. on Wednesday was a discussion with community members on why we should talk about race on Bainbridge Island, and it was well attended. Local educators Chasity Malatesta and Brandi Bispham co-hosted the event. They asked probing questions about the importance and value of talking about race.
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I hope as many members of the community as possible participate in our community read and read "Stamped." It is a thought-provoking book. One is not required to agree with the authors. Reading the book can help stimulate the conversation. "Stamped" is available at the Bainbridge Library and Eagle Harbor Book Co.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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Watch this week's
City Update
for highlighted project updates and City news.
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The City would like to thank all those who have served in the military.
Thank you for your courage and sacrifice. We are grateful for you not only on Veterans Day, but every day.
At this week's City Council meeting the Council declared a proclamation honoring Veterans Day and encouraged all residents to join in this special observance.
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This Veterans Day, the City encourages the community to thank the veterans in our midst who have contributed to our country and community. If you can, take a moment of pause, thank a veteran personally, or attend a Veterans Day event.
City Hall will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of
Veterans Day.
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Prepping for Winter Weather |
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The City is preparing for winter weather. Learn more about what goes into the preparation process and inclement weather action plan in the video below. |
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During snow and ice events, the City follows a Snow and Ice Control Plan which prioritizes main arterial roads, secondary collector roads, and critical utility services first for the safety and service of the entire island. (click on the map to enlarge)
Information on City preparations and what you can do to prepare your home and neighborhood can be found on the City's website. The City Manager also shares more on City preparations in this week's City Update.
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City Council Tries Out E-Bikes Around the Island |
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Squeaky Wheels hosted an e-bike tour last Saturday for members of the City Council and the Parks and Trail Foundation to experience e-bikes and current biking opportunities on the island. Bike Barn Rental outfitted the tour with e-bikes.
Everyone on the tour had a great time and learned a lot about e-bikes and current conditions for biking that can help inform future e-bike regulations and Sustainable Transportation Plan projects.
(photos courtesy of Squeaky Wheels)
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Additional Proclamations at City Council This Week |
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Shop Small Saturday
At this week's City Council meeting, the Council declared November 26, 2022 as "Shop Small Saturday" celebrating local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community. The Council urges residents to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26) and throughout the year.
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Transgender Awareness Week and Remembrance Day
The City Council also declared November 13-19, 2022 as "Transgender Awareness Week" and November 20, 2022 as "Transgender Day of Remembrance" in the City of Bainbridge Island. Council encourages all residents to celebrate the progress within our culture toward justice, equality, and full civic recognition for transgender, gender nonconforming persons and to join them in the fights that remain to be won.
On Sun., Nov. 20 the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, together with Bainbridge Pride, Rainbow Crew Northwest, the Bainbridge Island-North Kitsap Interfaith Council, Queer Elders Family Group, Transfriending, and the greater Kitsap Trans Community, will hold a public panel discussion at 4 p.m. on holding simultaneous feelings of gratitude and sorrow for lives lost but not forgotten.
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WSDOT Traffic Stops on SR 305 November 14 |
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From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 14, travelers approaching North Madison Avenue Northeast/Sportsman Club Road Northeast can expect unscheduled traffic stops for up to ten minutes on SR 305.
The work is related to a fish barrier removal project at Murden Creek. The work could be rescheduled due to weather.
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Another Climate Smart Business to be Celebrated! |
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Please join the City in celebrating another Climate Smart Businesses, Bainbridge Vineyards! Bainbridge Vineyards has pledged to use reusable dishes for onsite dining and to not offer plastic or compostable plastic straws or utensils to customers before the new 2023 waste reduction requirements go into effect.
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A list of businesses that have voluntarily pledged to reduce their use of single-use plastics before new waste reduction requirements go into effect can be found HERE.
Customers can help support local businesses and promote a Climate Smart Bainbridge by looking for the window decal below and pledging to reduce their use of single-use plastics as well.
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Project and Other Updates |
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EV Charging Infrastructure Ordinance Adopted |
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At this week’s Council meeting, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2022-14 on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The ordinance establishes minimum requirements for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in parking spaces for certain types of new commercial and residential development and expansion projects. The zoning code amendments include requirements for parking spaces with EV chargers installed and parking spaces with sufficient electrical infrastructure to allow for the future installation of EV chargers. The code updates enhance EV parking requirements outlined in WAC 51-50-0429 that are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2023, and sets an earlier effective date of January 1, 2023.
These updates respond to actions in the Climate Action Plan to transition 80% of registered vehicles on Bainbridge Island to either electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2045, and to enhance associated charging infrastructure on the island, with a focus on new commercial and multifamily developments and major renovations.
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Country Club Road Reconstruction Project Update |
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At this week's City Council meeting, the Council approved the $132K design contract with Otak, Inc. for the design documentation associated with the Country Club Road Reconstruction project. The project includes design of roadway reconstruction and drainage along County Club Road between the intersection of Country Club Road and Toe Jam Hill Road NE, to the seawall.
The roadway in this location is in very poor condition due to age of the pavement, inadequate existing drainage, underground springs, and inadequate subgrade materials. Construction of the improvements is planned for summer 2023.
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Seeking Volunteers for Boards and Committees |
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The City is seeking volunteers who have a specialty or expertise for the following boards, commissions and committees:
Boards, commissions, and committees play an important role for Bainbridge Island. We need your valuable input! The City of Bainbridge Island is a welcoming and inclusive community and values applicants of all race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, or physical abilities.
More information and online applications can be found on our website. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 and applicants must be available in December for interviews. The member term begins in Jan. 2023.
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The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on Dec. 13. Key topics include:
- Discussion of a Sustainable Transportation Commission
- Setting a Public Hearing for an Island Wide Speed Limit Ordinance
- Report on Interim Model Commercial Green Building Ordinance
- Proposed Construction Contract Award for the Rockaway Beach Road/Eagle Harbor Phase II/Halls Hill Road Vegetation Project
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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