Public Meetings - Bainbridge Island, Washington

The Bainbridge Island City Council held a special executive session on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The sole purpose was to discuss with legal counsel matters related to agency enforcement actions and potential litigation, as authorized under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). The session lasted 30 minutes; the council returned at 5:44 PM and adjourned without any public action. Call to Order / Roll Call - Mayor Mathews called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. - Present: Mayor Mathews, Deputy Mayor Quitslund, Councilmembers Deets, Fantroy-Johnson, Moriwaki, and Schneider. - Councilmember Hytopoulos arrived at 5:25 PM, during the executive session. Executive Session - The council unanimously moved into executive session at 5:00 PM to discuss with legal counsel matters regarding agency enforcement actions and litigation or potential litigation where public knowledge would likely result in adverse legal or financial consequences. - The session was closed to the public and lasted approximately 30 minutes. Adjournment - The council reconvened publicly at 5:44 PM and Mayor Mathews adjourned the meeting. Key Outcomes - No votes or decisions were made in open session. - The executive session concluded without any reported action or directive.

The Bainbridge Island City Council held a study session on September 16, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:58 PM. The meeting included presentations and discussions on three major items: the 30% design for the Kitsap Transit Park and Ride at Day Road and SR 305, the Dave Ullin Open Water Marina policy for liveaboards, and an update on directives from December 3, 2024 regarding the Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive Plan. The council took actions on the first two items and received information on the third. Discussion Items 3.A – Kitsap Transit Park and Ride Lot 30% Design Kitsap Transit Service and Capital Development Director Stephanie Lilly and Engineer Kevin House presented the 30% design for a formalized park and ride lot with approximately 70 parking spaces, including 5 EV chargers and 4 handicapped spaces. The project realigns Phelps Road to reduce traffic conflicts and will be coordinated with a future roundabout at SR 305 and Day Road (currently in design but lacking full funding). The council discussed coordination with businesses and the fire department. A motion was made to authorize the city manager to bring forward a right-of-way vacation and dedication at a future meeting. 3.B – Dave Ullin Open Water Marina Policy Management Analyst Laura Shear presented two policy options for prioritizing low-income liveaboards. Currently, there are 16 mooring buoys, with 13 of 16 current occupants qualifying as low-income (at or below 60% of Area Median Income). The waitlist includes 8 applicants, 4 of whom indicated low-income qualification. Police Chief Clark highlighted safety concerns with vacant buoys, including unauthorized moorage and abandoned vessels. Council debated whether to include a 90-day waiting period (Option B) before offering a vacant buoy to market-rate applicants. Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson moved to set policy guidance at the September 23 business meeting with a 30-day wait period instead of 90 days, priority for those at or below 60% AMI, and spaces offered on an as-available basis to higher-income applicants after the wait period. Councilmember Hytopoulos opposed the motion, preferring no wait period to preserve the affordable housing intent, and raised concerns about making decisions at a study session without public comment. The motion passed 4-3. 3.C – Update on Directives from December 3, 2024 (Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive Plan) Planning Director Patty Charnas reviewed 10 policy questions from December 2024 and reported progress by the Planning Commission, including work on affordable housing incentives, building heights, and subarea boundary adjustments. The commission has focused primarily on the Winslow Town Center and has not yet addressed areas outside Winslow (e.g., neighborhood centers, conservation area). Charnas also updated the council on the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) process for designating a countywide growth center. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the implications of such a designation, including potential loss of local control and staff capacity. No motions were made; the item was for information and discussion. Key Outcomes - Motion 1 (Park and Ride): Authorized the city manager to bring forward a right-of-way vacation and dedication in support of the Kitsap Transit Park and Ride at a future city council meeting. Passed unanimously, 7-0. - Motion 2 (Marina Policy): Directed staff to bring the policy guidance (priority for ≤60% AMI, 30-day wait period, as-available higher-income) to the September 23, 2025 regular business meeting for final action. Passed 4-3 (AYES: Fantroy-Johnson, Quitslund, Schneider, Mathews; NOES: Deets, Hytopoulos, Moriwaki). The item will be on the regular agenda, not the consent agenda. Committee Reports Councilmembers reported on various meetings and events: Councilmember Deets highlighted a potential affordable housing site at 251 Winslow Way West (owner willing to sell to the city). Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson attended the Nordic Cottages ribbon-cutting in Poulsbo and commended the Planning Commission for a seven-and-a-half-hour meeting. Councilmember Moriwaki noted an upcoming Housing Resources Bainbridge event. Councilmember Schneider updated on the Regional Transportation Plan funding gap (21% shortfall, $78 billion) and the need to prioritize maintenance. Councilmember Quitslund participated in a Kitsap County affordable housing funding committee. Mayor Mathews mentioned the Creative Thread Festival. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.