Deep inside City Hall on an interior wall that only city employees see is a small picture with the caption, “printer not working – let me take a look.” The picture shows several men smashing a printer in frustration. The picture reflects what many of us wish we could do when our technology fails. There have been several times over the past weeks that I too would like to smash our technology.
Last week a virtual meeting was conducted to present plans and gather feedback regarding a proposed couplet to convert Grow and Lovell avenues to one-way streets. This is a topic of high community interest. Staff welcomes public participation and comments. While many people attended the meeting virtually, technology let us down and some members of the public were prevented from attending the meeting and did not have the opportunity to participate. The city is reaching out to those who were impacted due to the failed technology.
Technology let us down again at Tuesday’s Council meeting. We were required to reboot Zoom to allow remote participation. Why the Zoom connection failed is still a mystery. Unfortunately, there were several other examples of technology failing us over the past several of weeks.
We have a small, dedicated Information Technology (IT) staff of five, with one vacancy. We have been working to fill the vacant position and it looks like we have finally found the right candidate. Our capable and dedicated IT staff is under pressure to make sure our technology works, and I appreciate our staff’s commitment. There is nothing more reassuring than having IT come to the rescue.
The role of IT will continue to expand. I look forward to the day when everything works on cue as expected at just the right moment, and I no longer daydream about smashing my computer.
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Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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Celebrate Bike Everywhere Month in May! |
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On May 24, the City Council will proclaim May Bike Everywhere Month! Bike Everywhere Month is a time to support, encourage and celebrate all things bicycling.
Fun fact - short trips under three miles represent roughly half of all trips made in the U.S.! Choosing to bicycle instead of driving for short trips is a great way to significantly lower your climate impact and stay healthy! If big hills are keeping you from making trips by bicycle, an electric bike may be a good option.
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The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-15 authorizing the City Manager to execute a new Green Energy Services Agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to obtain 100% Green Power for municipal electricity use. While PSE’s electricity fuel mix contains a combination of coal, natural gas, hydropower, wind, solar, nuclear and other, their large volume Green Power program fuel mix is completely renewable with a mix of 91% wind and 9% biogas.
By participating in the Green Power program, we are matching 100% of our standard electric use with renewable energy, which ensures all municipal electricity use can be counted as zero emission electricity.
The City has participated in PSE’s Green Power program since 2015. Our current Green Power program agreement with PSE was set up to purchase a fixed monthly amount of green energy based on the previous 12 months usage. At times the City would consume all of its green energy allocation, after which the power source would revert to PSE’s normal base energy mix. Moving forward, the City will purchase 100% green power based on actual usage. Participation in the program costs the City an additional $0.006 cents per kWh, for a total estimated cost of $20,000 per year.
Purchasing 100% Green Power will maintain our designation as an EPA Green Power Partner and increase alignment of City operational practices with our Climate Action Plan which calls for a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.
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Madison Avenue Projects Improvement Bundle |
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At their Regular Business Meeting on May 10, 2022, the City Council authorized a preferred direction for the Madison Avenue Improvement Projects Bundle. The project, which was presented by staff (see a link to the presentation here), will include wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes on the uphill (northbound) side of Madison between Wyatt and High School Road, and accessibility improvements on the west side. Between High School Road and New Brooklyn Road, the project will include sidewalk infill, on-street bike lane widening, traffic calming, pavement restoration and sewer improvements. The overall project cost is estimated between $5.4M and $6.2M, with funding coming from a range of sources, including a $1.4M federal grant, $750K from the sewer fund, and another $4M coming from the American Rescue Plan Act Funding and the City’s General Fund.
This project is included in the City's Sustainable Transportation Plan as a key north/south route connecting downtown Winslow to many of the City's primary destinations. The project will address key safety issues for bicyclists and pedestrians, including a pilot of the raised shoulder design proposed for other areas of the "Connecting Centers" suite of projects, and will also include traffic calming measures.
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Grow/Lovell Traffic Calming Input Continues to be Accepted |
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The Public Works staff have postponed a discussion with City Council on proposed traffic calming projects until July to allow for additional community input and analysis of traffic calming locations.
The neighborhood traffic calming program was created by the City Council in the fall of 2019 with an increase to the Transportation Benefits District funding, otherwise known as the “car-tab” fee. Public Works staff are preparing traffic calming projects for a July review with the City Council in alignment with recommendations from the Sustainable Transportation Plan. The City Council will consider on May 24th extending the Transportation Benefits District “car-tab” fee as a revenue source for these and future projects. A link to the video of meeting held May 4 can be found here. A link to the slides presented by the staff can be found here.
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See Something, Say Something |
Last week thieves targeted catalytic converters on several cars in the downtown area. Seven vehicles were victimized, with five being the Toyota Prius model.
Catalytic converters are generally easy to access; it takes as little as three minutes for a thief to slide under a car and cut it out with a reciprocating saw. The stolen parts are then sold for scrap due to the valuable metals contained inside.
To help reduce opportunities for theft, and whenever possible, park your car in a secure or well-lit area. Consider installing an anti-theft device around the converter. The cost for a protective shield or cage can range from $60 to $400 depending on the vehicle. The average cost of a replacement catalytic converter is $1,500.
If you see unusual or suspicious activity, make note of observations or license plates, and notify 9-1-1. In the recent case, residents reported seeing an older, mid-sized Cadillac with no plates and a smaller brown SUV with the plates covered. If you have questions or can provide additional information about the recent thefts, contact BIPD at 206-842-5211.
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A resident reported he sold his car about two weeks ago to an individual who paid him $6,500. He later learned the money order used was forged and had no value. Based on a description of the suspect who had a distinctive tattoo, officers identified a similar incident in Kitsap County. Charges are pending formal identification by the victim. The vehicle may have been re-sold by the suspect and is reported to be in Pierce County but has yet to be located or recovered.
Quick tips for buying or selling your car or other items:
- Always meet in a public place.
- Meet during daylight hours or in a well-lit area.
- Bring someone along.
- Locations with video surveillance are best.
- Vet the person you are doing business with - ask questions and collect contact information. If your only contact is through an e-mail, it will be difficult to identify that person if something goes wrong.
- For larger purchases, consider conducting the transaction at your bank so funds can be verified, and cash can be deposited.
- Make sure you have all necessary paperwork to complete the transfer of ownership.
- Remember… if the deal is too good to be true, it likely is.
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Mail Merger - Not Fraud
The City became aware of a mailer sent out last week with the City’s logo attached to an investment property group. Upon investigation, we learned a City and vendor mailer orders were inadvertently merged and erroneously sent out to a number of Bainbridge households. This appears to be an honest mistake and does not represent an endorsement by the City of any commercial enterprise. We appreciate the citizens who brought this to our attention.
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Traffic Enforcement on Madison
From Friday (May 6) through Sunday (May 8) officers worked radar along Madison Avenue from Winslow Way to High School Road. They spent a total of 5.25 hours and observed 1,161 vehicles transiting this route. Of those, 96.5% were traveling at 30 mph or less in the 25 mph zone. Two vehicles during this time exceeded the limit by more than 10 mph; both were stopped.
To all you safe drivers, thank you. Our walkers, bikers, students and other vehicles in the vicinity appreciate you abiding by the speed limits.
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The next scheduled Council Study Session will be on May 17. Key topics include:
- Receive briefing on Regional Transportation Plan from Puget Sound Regional Council
Ways to Watch
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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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City of Bainbridge Island to participate in Cascadia Rising |
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The City of Bainbridge Island, along with Bainbridge Prepares and the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, will participate in Cascadia Rising 2022, June 13 to 15. Cascadia Rising is multi-state exercise that occurs every three to four years, with the goal of helping communities prepare for the potential event of a massive earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
The Cascadia Subduction Zone runs along the coast for 800 miles from northern California up into British Columbia. It can produce earthquakes as large as a 9.0 magnitude. In such an event, Bainbridge Island would likely be cut off from the mainland and ferry service would be discontinued. The community would need to rely on its own emergency capabilities for days to weeks.
As part of this year’s exercise, the City will activate its Emergency Operations Center on June 13, our Emergency Flotilla on June 14, and one of our disaster hubs on June 15, in order to practice our response and identify specific areas for improvement.
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PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
Earlier this week, City Council declared May 15 through May 21, National Public Works Week in the City of Bainbridge Island.
This year's theme, "Ready & Resilient," speaks to the essential nature of Public Works services in support of everyday quality of life we enjoy through infrastructure, facilities, emergency management, and other services of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities.
These services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are federally mandated first responders. They are the engineers, managers, and employees responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our residents.
Please take a moment to recognize the contributions Public Works personnel make every day towards our health, safety, and comfort as you encounter them around our community this week. Read the full proclamation.
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Learn more about how to support the Climate Action Plan |
Looking for more information about climate action programs and resources on Bainbridge Island?
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May 11 - 17 Bainbridge Island Police Week
May 15 - 21 National Public Works Week
Monday, May 16, 2 p.m. to 5p.m. Design Review Board Regular Meeting (Remote)
Monday, May 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ethics Board (Remote)
Tuesday, May 17, 6 p.m. City Council Study Session
Wednesday, May 18, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Climate Change Advisory Committee (Remote)
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Wednesday, May 18 COVID-19 Booster Clinic will be held at the Senior Center from 9:30 a.m. -3 p.m. Appointments on timetap: https://covidbi.timetap.com/#/
Tuesday, May 24 Bike Everywhere Day
Monday, May 30 City Hall closed in observance of Memorial Day
June 13-15 Cascadia Rising Emergency Response Exercise
Monday, June 20 City Holiday
Monday, May 30 City offices closed in observance of Memorial Day
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