Bainbridge Islanders,
Islanders love our parks, recreational opportunities and trails. If that sentiment was not fully evident, the results of a scientifically valid study conducted last summer and received by the City Council at this week’s Council meeting, made it crystal clear.
To help measure citizen satisfaction, Bainbridge Island engaged the National Research Center from Boulder, Colorado to conduct a scientifically valid survey to see what citizens think is good and not so good about Bainbridge. The survey was conducted last July and August. It asks some relatively mundane questions. For example, the quality of street maintenance. It also asks more complex questions such as issues about race or economic security. The survey not only measures the public’s satisfaction with the delivery of public services, but it also measures the “livability” of Bainbridge Island.
What makes this survey unique from other citizen satisfaction surveys is the fact that the same survey is administered in communities across the country. This allows for a comparison of responses to other communities. In our case, we can compare results to 500 other communities that have taken the same survey over the past five years. The survey conducted for Bainbridge Island has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Over 90% of residents positively rated the overall quality of Bainbridge Island’s natural environment. High scores also reflect the public’s satisfaction with parks, open space, trails, air quality, community cleanliness, and water quality. Bainbridge Island’s responses in these categories were 10% to 20% higher than the national average.
I am fond of two little hikes near where I live. One goes from the small parking lot where Rockaway Beach Road turns into Eagle Harbor Drive down to the water then around Pritchard Park and the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. The other runs from Old Creosote Hill Road to the Halls Hill Labyrinth. They are not challenging; they are just nice walks, really, but they provide an opportunity to clear one’s mind. I assume everyone has their favorite trail. We are fortunate to live where we can walk out our front or back door and enjoy our natural environment.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
|
|
|
|
City Update Video
Watch for National Community Survey results, speed limit adjustments, electrification of City fleet, and more !
|
|
|
|
Declaring Support of Safe Gun Storage and Education |
|
|
|
City Council declared support for secure firearm storage laws and directed secure firearm storage education in a proclamation at this week’s City Council meeting.
An estimated 4.6 million American children live in households with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm. Every year, roughly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. Another 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide each year, most often using guns belonging to a family member. Research shows secure firearm storage practices are associated with up to an 85 percent reduction in the risk of self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens.
The Bainbridge Island Police Department provides free gun locks to community members in partnership with Project ChildSafe to promote the secure storage of firearms. Washington state law, RCW 9.41.360, imposes penalties on adults when a child gains access to firearms stored in an unsafe manner.
Read the full proclamation HERE.
|
|
|
|
Give Your Input Online for Eagle Harbor Drive/Wyatt Way Non-Motorized Improvements by February 3 |
|
|
|
On Wed., Jan. 25 the Public Works Department held a well attended, in-person open house at City Hall that discussed the design of the Eagle Harbor Drive/Wyatt Way Non-Motorized Improvements Project and received excellent feedback from those in attendance.
If you weren't able to make it, there's still time to send in your feedback. Take a short, online survey before 5:00 p. m. on Feb. 3- HERE. The survey also helps explains the project.
Staff will report back to the City Council on Feb. 14 with a recommendation for moving forward on a design after receiving this feedback.
|
|
|
|
Film Screening Event with BI Reads for Justice February 12 |
|
|
|
Join BI Reads for Justice for a film screening, "Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black and White” on Sunday February 12 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Learn more about 50 years of race reform at Seattle's Roosevelt High School and what was learned. There will be a panel of Islanders to discuss how race has impacted our local schools and community.
All are welcome to attend (even if you haven't finished or started the book yet), but space for this event is limited, please be sure to sign up for a spot HERE.
Come open and compassionate as we engage in respectful conversations.
|
|
|
|
At this week's City Council meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission presented the last three years of Blakely Awards, due to a gap during COVID-19. Blakely Awards are given in recognition of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to historic preservation on the Island.
The Blakely Award winners are:
Preservation Leader, 2020: Jim McNett, for his role in the creation of the Pickleball Founders Tournament.
Preservation Leader, 2020: Clarence Moriwaki, for work in creating the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and promotion of the Japanese American exclusion story.
Project of Excellence, 2021: The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Departure Deck Interpretive Art, which is intended to provide an emotional context for visitors and evoke the feelings that must have been shared by those Islanders forced from their homes into concentration camps in 1942.
Preservation Leader, 2022: Katy Curtis, for history education and outreach programs and preservation of Island cultural diversity.
|
|
|
|
City Concerned About House Bill 1110 |
|
|
|
On Jan. 17, City Council directed the City Manager to prepare a letter of concern and opposition to proposed House Bill 1110 (HB 1110).
- At least four units per lot on all lots zoned for residential use;
- Six units per lot in all residential zones if at least two of the units are affordable; and
- Six units per lot in all residential zone within one half-mile of a major transit stop, which would include Washington State Ferry Terminals.
This top down approach would preempt local government land use authority which could negatively impact the Island.
|
|
|
|
Interesting Fact:
This January, the City gave out 1,500 free sandbags to those who needed them
due to the King Tides.
|
|
|
|
BI Senior Center Videocast Interview of Climate Team on New Waste Regulations |
|
|
|
The Bainbridge Island Senior Center publishes video podcasts on multiple topics. This week, they interviewed our Climate Action Team to discuss the new waste regulations. Check out the video below.
|
|
|
|
Next "COBI Chats on Waste Regulations" February 21 |
|
|
|
The City is offering monthly “COBI Chats on Waste Regulations” to connect with local businesses impacted by the 2023 waste reduction regulations. Local food and lodging businesses can talk with City staff in an informal setting to address questions or concerns associated with implementation of the new waste reduction regulations. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Ask questions, share success stories and challenges. Additional "chats" coming soon.
When: Tues., Feb. 21, from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Where: Bainbridge Island Downtown Association (147 Madrone Ln. N)
Learn more and view dates for future “COBI Chat” sessions on the website.
|
|
|
|
Call for Artists for Police/Court Facility |
|
|
|
The City of Bainbridge Island is issuing a Call for Artists to provide art for a building which will serve both as the police station and municipal court. The building is currently under renovation and will be opened in the fall of 2023. All artists, including women and those who identify with a marginalized community, are encouraged to apply.
The artwork should support and reflect the justice and public safety functions of the facility and respond to the City’s values related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
|
|
|
|
The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on Feb. 14 Key topics include:
- Proclamation for Black History Month.
- Discuss Housing Action Plan Framework.
- Update on Climate-Related Flooding Impacts on Public Infrastructure.
- Discuss Winslow Subarea Plan Draft Public Engagement Plan and Workplan.
- Preliminary Transportation Scope of Work for the Eagle Harbor/Wyatt Non-Motorized Improvement 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
