Bainbridge Island City Council Regular Business Meeting - January 13, 2026
Bainbridge Island City Council Regular Business Meeting - January 13, 2026
The Bainbridge Island City Council held a regular business meeting on January 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting included the administration of oaths of office for new and returning council members, the appointment of a new mayor and deputy mayor, a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, public comments, consent agenda approval, a city manager’s report on a sewer spill, and two communications items regarding future discussions on land capacity analysis and Winslow Subarea Plan consistency. The council also entered executive session for 30 minutes (with extensions) to discuss legal matters. All votes were unanimous (7-0) where recorded.
Consent Calendar
- Approved Accounts Payable and Payroll.
- Approved Meeting Minutes.
- Approved nomination of a high school senior as the City's 2026 nominee for the Association of Washington Cities' Center for Quality Communities Scholarship.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Angela Sandry (47-year resident) spoke against the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and the 625 Winslow affordable housing project, calling it a "six-story monstrosity" that would create congestion and violate the comprehensive plan. She urged the council to vote no.
- Dennis Gawlik praised the Planning Commission's professional approach to land capacity analysis and supported allowing local variations in methodology. He commended the commission's use of multiple methodologies appropriate for Bainbridge Island’s unique situation.
- Richard Velasquez (Chair, Bainbridge Island Ferry Advisory Committee) announced a Washington State Ferries application process for schedule updates (deadline February 2, 2026); noted the committee’s volunteer role; and gently encouraged civility in online discourse.
- Pascal Schuback (emergency manager and Bainbridge Repairs supporter) thanked City Manager Blair King for advancing emergency management, highlighted the establishment of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and reported volunteer efforts to build a hub shed for the Fort Ward community. He expressed appreciation for council support.
- Jim Halbrook criticized the city’s Climate Action Plan, alleging corruption and stating 2025 emission reduction goals were not met. He accused the city of self-dealing and questioned the integrity of the climate advisory committee, ethics board, planning commission, city manager, and city council.
Discussion Items
- Oath of Office: Judge Alpaugh administered oaths to new council members Lara Lant (District 7) and Mike Nelson (District 3, South Ward), and returning council member Clarence Moriwaki (District 5, Central Ward). Each gave brief remarks.
- Appoint Mayor: Councilmember Schneider nominated Clarence Moriwaki; the appointment was approved unanimously (7-0). Outgoing Mayor Ashley Mathews delivered a farewell speech emphasizing gratitude and love for the community.
- Appoint Deputy Mayor: Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson initially nominated Councilmember Schneider, who declined. Councilmember Schneider then nominated Councilmember Hytopoulos; the appointment was approved unanimously (7-0).
- Proclamation – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson read the proclamation recognizing January 19, 2026, as MLK Day. Akuya Vargas accepted on behalf of the community. The proclamation honored Dr. King’s legacy and encouraged service.
- City Manager’s Report: Blair King reported a January 8 sewer spill on Fort Ward Road (~1,000 gallons, contained and cleaned up same day, pipe repaired) and a Department of Ecology performance audit of the NPDES program with recommendations. The audit report will be presented to council on February 10, 2026.
- Communication 12A – Land Capacity Analysis Methodologies: Councilmember Nelson moved to add this discussion to the January 27 business meeting. After amendment (by Hytopoulos, seconded by Nelson), the council approved (7-0) scheduling it for the February 3, 2026 study session instead.
- Communication 12B – Winslow Subarea Plan Consistency with Resolution No. 2025-18: Councilmember Nelson moved to add this discussion to the February 3 study session. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Mayor and Deputy Mayor Appointed: Clarence Moriwaki appointed Mayor and Councilmember Hytopoulos appointed Deputy Mayor, both by unanimous votes (7-0).
- Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimously (7-0).
- Future Discussion Items Scheduled: Both land capacity analysis methodologies and Winslow Subarea Plan consistency were moved to the February 3, 2026 City Council study session, each approved 7-0.
- Executive Session: Council adjourned at 7:17 PM for a 30-minute executive session (extended twice by 10 minutes each) under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss enforcement actions and potential litigation. Council returned at 8:12 PM.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Good evening and happy new year. Welcome to the City Council regular business meeting for January 13th, 2026. We are here this evening with our city attorney, Andrew Solming, City Manager Blair King, City Clerk Christine Brown, Ben on IT, and all seven council members. City Clerk, would you please call the roll? Yes, thank you. Christine Brown, City Clerk. Please state for the record if you're present after I call your name. Councilmember Matthews. Present, Councilmember Nelson. Present. Councilmember Land. Present. Councilmember Fantro Johnson. Present. Councilmember Hytopolis. Present. Councilmember Morowaki. Present. Councilmember Schneider. Present. Thank you. And seeing that we're all here, now it's time for presentations. And so we're now going to have the oaths of office for our new council members and returning councilmember. Right. Well, I think we'll start with Laura Land. Okay. And uh Judge uh Thomas Alfa will be performing the oath of oath of office, and we are going to begin with Laura Lant. Hey, would you raise your right hand, please? Repeat after me. I Laura Landt do solemnly swear. Hi, Laura Landt, do solemnly swear. Citizen of the United States and of the state of Washington. I am a citizen of the United States and the state of Washington. That I am legally qualified to assume the office of City of Bainbridge Island, Council District 7. I am legally qualified to assume the office of the City of Bainbridge Island, Council District 7. That I've support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Washington. And I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Washington. All other laws applicable to the city of Bainbridge Island. And all other laws applicable to the city of Bainbridge Island. Faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of this office to the best of my ability. And I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of this office to the best of my ability. Congratulations. And now we'd love to give you the opportunity for some comments if you'd like to share anything with us. Thank you, Council members. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, City City Administrator. I'm so grateful to be here today. And I'm very excited to take all of the comments I've heard in the last six months and work together with the people I've spoken with and the people here on this dais to work towards the betterment of this city. And thank you very much.
openpublica.com