City Manager's Report
Bainbridge Islanders,
They are coming. The race is on. Their arrival is inevitable. Fully electric police vehicles are coming. In fact, the literature suggests that they are already here. Perhaps the first article on the arrival of new electric police vehicles was a December 2020 article in the New Republic about the use of Teslas as the first all-electric police vehicles. The article references the Town of Bargersville, Indiana. Bargersville, with a population of less than 8,000, has a small police department and purchased a Tesla Model 3 to reduce its fuel and maintenance costs.  

Other auto manufactures are jumping in. General Motors has just rolled out the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV SSV as a police services vehicle. Ford is testing a Mustang Mach-E as a fully electric police vehicle with the Michigan State Police.

Typically, police cruisers are not like typical passenger cars. They have heavier suspension, more power, and increased electrical amperage to serve the radios and computers in police cars. Some of the new electric police cars are not as equipped as the traditional police cruisers, but they are coming and will be here very soon.  

The City of New York Police Department has added a Tesla Model 3 that they are using in their highway patrol division. The City of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Police Department has announced that it purchased a Tesla Model Y for its fleet. What really caught my eye is the City of Los Angeles has purchased a Tesla. The LAPD has a reputation of “doing it the Big Blue Way.” If LA and New York are testing out all-electric vehicles, then the rest of us know that they are coming. We should be ready to incorporate fully electric police cars into our fleet as well.

The City of Bainbridge Island will not be acquiring an electric police vehicle soon. We lack secure charging facilities. But, as we look at a new Police and Court building, we will have the opportunity to develop the supporting infrastructure we will need to service fully electric vehicles. This will give us the chance to save on fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electric police vehicles will be here soon.  
Best wishes,

Blair King
City Manager
Planning and Community Development Director announces resignation
Planning and Community Development Director Heather Wright this week submitted her letter of resignation to City Manager Blair King. Wright, who joined the City in 2007, has accepted the position of Director of Planning and Economic Development with the City of Poulsbo.

Wright, appointed as director in September 2019, was initially hired by the City as an Associate Planner. She also served as Senior Planner and Planning Manager. During her tenure, Wright served as staff lead for shoreline projects before transitioning to Winslow core area projects, including the Waterfront Park Redevelopment, Grow Community and Bainbridge Landing. She also served as liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission where she acquired historic preservation grants and wrote the first historic incentive code. She also served as staff lead for the City’s Public Participation Program. 

As Planning Manager and Director, Wright empowered staff to implement a plan to reconfigure the City’s permitting system, and transition to electronic plan review and online appointments for permit submittals. She also launched Engage Bainbridge, the City’s first online engagement site designed to share, discuss and collaborate on current City topics. She completed the moratorium work plan, and served on the Regional Coordinating Council.

Planning staff praised Wright for her leadership, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate Wright’s 14 years of service to Bainbridge Island. Her last day with the City is November 1. 

The City will begin the process to identify an interim director, and an open and full recruitment process to hire a new director. 
COVID-19 update
The COVID-19 Response Team, consisting of the City, Bainbridge Prepares, Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy and Bainbridge Island Fire Department, vaccinated 389 people at last week's Pfizer clinic. The team plans to host additional vaccine clinics; the full schedule will be available next week. Please check the vaccine page for any updates.

The team anticipates approval for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen boosters by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and Western States working group by the end of the month.

The group continues to monitor approvals for 5- to 11-year-olds, and will adjust vaccine clinics as needed to meet the needs of the community.
Sakai Connector Trail nears completion
The Sakai Connector Trail is nearly done! The contractor delivered the last load of rock for the trail base and will finish spreading and compacting the rock by early next week. After the base has been completed, the contractor will begin installing nearly 200 native trees and 180 native shrubs along the trail. Paving is scheduled for the week of October 18 (weather permitting).

When completed, this segment of the Sound to Olympics (STO) Trail will provide a convenient connection from the High School Road District at State Route 305, through the existing trails in Sakai Park, up to Madison Avenue near Ordway School, Commodore Options School, and the Bainbridge Aquatics Center.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration will be announced soon.
City Council Updates
City awarded loans for sewer, water infrastructure projects
The City Council next week will consider accepting two loan awards from the Washington State Public Works Board for construction of the Winslow Water Tank Replacement Project ($4,500,000) and the West Eagle Harbor Sewer Complex Project ($2,500,000). The loans have an interest rate of 0.94% with repayment over 20 years.

The West Eagle Harbor Sewer Complex Project includes four projects: Sunday Cove Pump Station, Wood Avenue Pump Station, Sunday Cove Gravity Sewer Main, and Lower Lovell Pump Station. The sewer projects are currently in the design phase with construction likely to be phased from 2022 to 2026.

The Winslow Water Tank Replacement project is to construct a new 2-million-gallon reservoir to replace one water tank and upgrade/seismically retrofit the other. The tanks are located on an easement near Bainbridge High School. The water tank project is still in the planning phase with construction likely by 2023.

These projects are currently included in the 2021-26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Total cost for the Winslow Water Tank Replacement is $11.6 million and total cost of the West Eagle Harbor Sewer Complex projects are $6.068 million.
Groundwater Management Plan moving forward
The City Council on Oct. 12 is expected to approve the final goals and objectives for the Groundwater Management Plan that will be designed to ensure clean and sufficient groundwater for future generations. The Groundwater Management Plan will identify land and water use management strategies to achieve these goals and objectives, and provide a framework for implementation and effective monitoring.

Staff spent the last several months compiling and organizing studies and data related to managing the City's groundwater resources. Additionally, City staff met with the Climate Change Advisory Committee, Utility Advisory Committee, and Environmental Technical Advisory Committee to receive input on the potential goals and objectives for the Groundwater Management Plan.

On Sept. 21, Council provided the following direction regarding setting priority goals and objectives:
  • Connect the Groundwater Management Plan to the Comprehensive Plan 
  • Mitigate climate change impacts as practicable
  • Develop communitywide understanding

After Council approval, City staff will finalize the format and scope of the Groundwater Management Plan; establish advisory committees; and plan for community engagement in early 2022.

The Groundwater Management Plan was identified as one of the Council’s highest priority projects for 2021-2022.
Council to consider budget modifications
The City Council next week will consider mid-biennium modifications to the 2022 budget and set a public hearing for Oct. 26 to receive feedback from the community on the proposed changes.

The 2022 budget modifications are designed to:
  • Provide consistent, reliable and predictable public services
  • Maintain infrastructure (built) environment
  • Improve and maintain the natural environment
  • Provide technical adjustments

The modifications include a total of $1,705,175 in additional new tax-supported expenditures, which includes 4.00 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions; $1,244,245 is recurring and $460,930 is one-time costs. There is also a total of $98,860 in additional new utility-supported expenditures. There will also be an additional $480,000 in additional new sales tax revenue in the affordable housing fund.

The 2021 budget is projecting growth in year-end General Fund balance of approximately $1.08 million.

Additional details will be included in the Council agenda packet when it’s published later today.
Upcoming City Council agenda
Below are some of the topics for the Oct. 12 City Council meeting.

  • Proclamation declaring October 2021 as National Community Planning Month
  • Consider Ordinance No. 2021-03 creating a Multifamily Tax Exemption Program
  • Adopt goals and objectives for the Groundwater Management Plan
  • Consider extension of Housing Design Demonstration Projects (HDDP) Program
  • Consider an ordinance related to 2022 budget modifications
  • Set public hearing to extend interim control on design standards for small wireless facilities

Ways to Watch
  • Zoom

  • 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)


Contact the Council
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.
Planning Commission Updates
Public participation meeting scheduled for Oct. 14
A public participation meeting will be held during the Oct. 14 Planning Commission meeting to share information on a proposal to subdivide one .18-acre lot into five lots at 167 Wyatt Way.

A public participation meeting provides an opportunity for the community to learn about a proposed project. The public participation meetings are held at Planning Commission meetings, which begin at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

Information about proposed land use projects is available on the Proposed Land Use Action page.

Sign up to get email notifications on proposed land use actions, which includes legal notices for permit applications and related activities at bainbridgewa.gov/List.aspx.

The Oct. 14 Planning Commission will also include Information on outstanding questions related to the Wintergreen project; discussion on the landmark tree ordinance; and discussion on hotels as a permitted use.
Police Updates
Ziemba retires after 14 years of service
Sgt. Trevor Ziemba, a respected, highly decorated and charismatic member of the Bainbridge Island Police Department, has retired after serving the Bainbridge community for 14 years.

Ziemba started his law enforcement career in Michigan, then worked for the Los Angeles Police Department for 10 years. He joined the BIPD as a patrol officer in November 2007. Ziemba, who was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2015, supervised the crisis intervention training program, developed active shooter and de-escalation training, and provided leadership and motivational instruction for the Criminal Justice Training Center and other regional law enforcement agencies. Over the years, he also served as a field training officer, detective and marine officer.

While at BIPD, Ziemba received four life-saving awards, four meritorious conduct awards, and 2017 Officer of the Year.

In 2019, he received the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washington Criminal Justice Public Service Award for his tireless dedication in advocating for better mental health care and crisis intervention and de-escalation services in Kitsap County.

Ziemba is a 2019 graduate of the prestigious 10-week FBI National Academy Associates course in Quantico for international law enforcement managers.

Ziemba and his family relocated to Florida. We wish him all the best in retirement!
Police to host takeback event for unused prescription drugs
Do you have any unused or expired prescription drugs? Please consider getting rid of these items at the Bainbridge Island Police Department's Prescription Drug Takeback event on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police station, located at 625 Winslow Way East.

Loose pills may be deposited directly into the disposal box or you may discard the entire container. If you dispose of the entire container, we encourage you to remove the label first or cover your personal information with a permanent marker.

Please do not bring sharps, intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes or medical waste! These items will not be accepted by the BIPD on Oct. 23 or at any other time.

The police department is hosting the Takeback Day event in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

If you can't make a drop off during the Oct. 23 event, please do not toss your medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet - this poses potential safety and health hazards. Instead, hold on to your medication until the next event, or drop it off at the police station 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Look for the blue, medication drop off box in the lobby.
Other Updates
Feeling like fall on Bainbridge
It’s harvest time in the Bainbridge farming district, and island-grown pumpkins are flying out of the field.

Visitors to Bainbridge Island Farm – Suyematsu Pumpkin Patch on Day Road East will find a cornucopia of local produce including tomatoes, beets, carrots and garlic, brilliant fresh-cut dahlias, a dozen varieties of squash in all shapes and colors, and value-added products like locally baked goods.

And pumpkins. Lots and lots of pumpkins. Kids can tug wagons around the sprawling pumpkin patch to find the perfect jack-o-lantern, while parents cruise the farm stand aisles in this autumn island tradition.

“It’s a very festive time of year, and all the people are coming out to enjoy the fall colors,” says Karen Selvar, a Bainbridge Island farmer since 1991. “It’s a great community event, and we’re all having a good time.”

Local farms including Butler Green and Laughing Crow are among the growers offering fresh wares. The farm stand is open daily through October, while pumpkins and produce last.

The City of Bainbridge Island owns 60 acres of farmland in seven parcels across the Island; 21 acres are actively farmed. These properties are managed by Friends of the Farms, according to a Master Lease Agreement signed in 2011.
Important Dates
Wednesday, Oct. 13: Utility Advisory Committee meeting; 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Thursday, Oct. 14: Planning Commission meeting; 6 p.m. on Zoom
Monday, Oct. 18: Design Review Board meeting; 2 p.m. on Zoom
Wednesday, Oct. 20: Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting; 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
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Contact Information

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