City Manager's Report
Bainbridge Islanders,

Well, I made a mistake. I read a report incorrectly and I passed on incorrect information in the Weekly Update. I concluded that less than fifty percent of Bainbridge Island households recycled. That information was wrong.

The City’s consultant, Tetra Tech, who is evaluating the city’s solid waste program, reported on data provided by Bainbridge Disposal concerning the average number of single-family customers who use Bainbridge Disposal service and the number of single-family residents who self-haul their waste to the Bainbridge Island Disposal Transfer Station. The report includes a table that provides a summary of the average number of single-family customers and amount of waste streams collected for 2020 to 2022. The table provides the number of single-family customers and then provides numbers for garbage, recycling, and organic waste rates. I failed to read the footnote that explained that although the number of customers were expressed in whole numbers, the waste rates were expressed in tons. I interpreted the table incorrectly. I was so fascinated with what I incorrectly thought was a low recycling rate, I passed the information on via the Weekly Update. Several people said I was probably wrong. As it turned out, I was wrong.  The recycling rate is higher than what I reported. However, it appears that there is still room for improvement to increase the tonnage of recycling and reduce the amount of garbage.

I will continue to pass on insightful informative information about City Hall and do my best to make sure it is correct.


Best,

Blair King
City Manager
City Update
video is on Spring Break this week.
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April is Earth Month - Join In!
Sustainable Bainbridge and partners present Earth Month Bainbridge Island, raising awareness and encouraging involvement in Arbor Day and Earth Day events that inspire everyone to protect our trees, our environment, and our planet all month and throughout the year.

There are so many activities to be involved with that include, but are not limited to,:
Coming this Summer: the Bundled Madison Avenue Project
We are wrapping up the design and right-of-way acquisition for the Bundled Madison Avenue project. The design stretches from Wyatt Way to New Brooklyn, and includes

  • bike safety improvements,
  • sidewalk widening,
  • new sidewalks,
  • pavement restoration, and
  • sewer line improvements. 

The project will be put out to bid in early summer 2023, with a construction start anticipated in late summer. The project budget is approximately $6M, with $1.4M coming from a federal transportation grant. City staff will be reaching out to business and property owners along Madison in early summer to discuss construction impacts on traffic flow and property frontages. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2024.
Calling All Graphic Designers
We are seeking qualified professionals to submit Statements of Qualifications for graphic design services. We are looking for enthusiastic expertise to support the City’s cohesive communications and citizen engagement efforts. We are seeking consultants with an eye for design, creative solutions to concepts, layouts, and uniformity to create various digital and physical collateral pieces.
Town Square Farmers' Market Now Open
at City Hall is now open:

Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
April-November
Note on the restroom at City Hall:
We are faced with a dilemma of how to provide public restrooms and prevent undesirable activity from occurring at night and after hours. We are looking at more security measures for the restroom and in the vicinity. We are asking for patience as we work through this issue. Thank you.
Give Input for the Sound to Olympic Trail by April 14
Give your input for the Sound to Olympic (STO) trail project on the trail extension from the Sakai Pond Connector to Madison Avenue, and the route planning along State Route 305 to Agate Pass Bridge. 

The input will be used to help refine the trail segment planning to be completed this summer. 

Submit your feedback online until April 14. Click on the button below.
Climate Smart Bainbridge
Climate Smart Actions for Earth Month 
Celebrate Earth Month in April by signing up for the Climate Smart Challenge and completing actions to reduce energy use. This week, “Adjust Thermostat.”   
 
Did you know? Nearly half of your home energy expenses go towards heating and cooling your home. Adjusting your thermostat just a few degrees can save you 5­10% a year on heating or cooling while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution.
 
Take Action! Turn your thermostat down a few degrees in the winter or up in the summer to save energy and money. Here are few simple tips:
  • Adjust the temperature before bedtime: consider adjusting bedtime settings to 55-60° F in the winter and 80-85° F in the summer.
  • Adjust the temperature before you leave: if everyone in your home is away during the day, you could save up to 10% of your heating costs by lowering the thermostat 10-15 degrees for 8 hours a day.
  • Consider installing a Smart Thermostat: it can adjust the temperature in your house before you wake up or get home. Check out the “Install Smart Thermostat” action – or attend a May 11 webinar with City staff and PSE – to learn more.
 
Earn points and you could win! Everyone who completes actions and earns at least 10,000 points in the Challenge by the end of May will be entered to win one of five outdoor or indoor composting bins! Learn more about the Challenge and upcoming community events by visiting the City’s website.
City Council Updates
The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on April 11. Key topics include:

  • Opioid Settlement and Allocation Agreement
  • Re-consider Motion for Valley Rd. Non-motorized Improvements
  • Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council Land Use Planning Policy Committee Recommendation and Executive Board Vote
  • Proclamations

Ways to Watch
  • In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers 

  • 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)

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.
Important Dates


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