OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bainbridge Island City Council Regular Business Meeting - February 10, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 10, 2026
BodyBainbridge Island, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:16:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:27

Call to order today's business meeting on for February 10th, 2026.

0:32

City Clerk, would you please call a role?

0:34

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

0:35

Christine Brown, City Clerk.

0:37

Please state for the record if you are present after I call your name.

0:40

Mayor Morwaki.

0:41

Present.

0:43

Deputy Mayor Hytopolis.

0:46

Present.

0:48

Councilmember Matthews.

0:51

Councilmember Fabrizio Johnson.

0:53

President.

0:54

Councilmember Nelson.

0:56

Present.

0:57

Councilmember Land.

0:58

Present.

0:59

Councilmember Schneider.

1:00

President.

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

Roll calling in the case on all council members are in attendance.

1:06

Now would we please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:12

I pledge allegiance to the United States.

1:17

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:20

One nation under God, individual with liberty and justice role.

1:27

Thank you.

1:29

This time we do the land acknowledgement.

1:31

And as I mentioned at the last meeting, that was my first and last time reading it.

1:35

From here on out, other council members will be reading the land acknowledgement.

1:39

And I've reached out to the school district, and I believe by next meeting that they will select a student from one of our schools and read the land acknowledgement and invited them to bring one student from each of the schools to read that before our body.

1:51

So and tonight, to continue this tradition, I've asked Councilmember Land if she would read the land acknowledgement.

1:57

Thank you, Mayor.

1:59

I'm honored to do so.

2:02

This is a land acknowledgement statement.

2:04

This is the place of the clear saltwater.

2:08

Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people.

2:12

Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove has been hallowed by some or happy event in days long vanished.

2:20

That's from Chief Seattle, 1854.

2:22

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is within the ancestral territory of the Suquabs people.

2:31

That's the people of Clear Saltwater, the Sequamish people.

2:35

Expert fishermen, canoe builders, and basket weavers.

2:39

The Sequamish live in harmony with the lands and waterways along Washington's central Salish Sea as they have for thousands of years.

2:47

And here the Sequamish live and protect the lands and waters of their ancestors for future generations as promised by the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855.

2:58

Thank you, Councilmember Land.

3:06

Some noted.

3:07

Councilmember.

3:09

Second.

3:10

And seconded by Councilmember Nelson.

3:12

All in favor, say aye.

3:14

Aye.

3:14

Aye.

3:15

Opposed?

3:17

The council vote six so and the chair votes aye, seven zero.

3:22

Now, are there any conflict of interest to announce from any of our council members?

3:28

Okay.

3:29

Next time on our agenda item 3A, we will have the authorized the mayor to sign a proclamation declaring February as National Parent Leadership Month.

3:38

And that will be read by Councilmember Ashley Matthews.

3:41

Thank you, Mayor.

3:43

A proclamation by the City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, declaring February 2026 as parent national parent leadership month.

3:53

Whereas parent leadership strengthens communities by promoting resilience, nurturing positive child development, and reducing the likelihood of adverse childhood experiences through connection, consistency, and community support.

4:05

And whereas parent-community partnership is essential to building protective factors, promoting well-being, and creating resilient communities where all children can thrive.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████████████28%
Procedural████████████12%
Comprehensive Planning████████████12%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Community Engagement███████7%
Zoning Regulations███████7%
Racial Equity█████5%
Parking Regulations████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bainbridge Island City Council Regular Business Meeting

Date: February 10, 2026 | Time: 6:00 PM – 10:20 PM | Location: Council Chambers & Remote via Zoom

The Bainbridge Island City Council met for a regular business meeting that included proclamations, public comments on housing and staff wages, the selection of an executive recruitment firm for the city manager, approval of the Baker Woods 7 subdivision, and extensive deliberation on 27 motions related to the Winslow Subarea Plan and Comprehensive Plan updates. The meeting was marked by robust debate and a series of votes on affordable housing, density, and development standards.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Accounts Payable and Payroll, Meeting Minutes, and the Farm Management Professional Services Agreement ($60,000 for 12 months) unanimously (7-0).
  • Resolution No. 2026-02 (Procurement Policy updates) was pulled for discussion but ultimately approved unanimously after clarification that budgeted items are properly placed on consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • City Staff (IAM Union): Auburn Lovett, Damarys Guzman, Jennifer Sutton, and Victoria Lewelling requested fair wages above COLA, noting 74% of staff commute and face retention risks.
  • 625 Winslow Way Project: Nena Peltin spoke against the project citing soil stability, lack of parking, traffic, and air quality. Marcia Cutting (disability advocate), Mira Rosencotz, Caitlin Lombardi, Alice Hunting, Laura Van Dyke, Jane Stone, Debby Haase, Lydia Henning, and Mark Ashley spoke in favor, emphasizing the need for accessible, affordable housing near transit and services.
  • Housing & Equity: Rachel Reese and Stephen Hoskins thanked council for Black History Month proclamation; Akuyea Karen Vargas urged preservation of Black history; Rachael Reese and others supported affordable housing. Jing Fong (Race Equity Advisory Committee) recommended an equity lens for city manager recruitment. Dennis Gawlik urged support for roundabouts at Head of the Bay for safety.
  • Winslow Subarea Plan Comments: Olivia Hall opposed council motions that direct specific development standards, arguing they overreach and hinder affordable housing. Phaedra Elliott (Housing Resources Bainbridge) urged council to avoid overly restrictive policies that make development infeasible, supporting only motions by Councilmembers Mathews and Schneider.
  • Other: Ron Peltier raised concerns about island capacity; Fear of racist motivations was refuted by Lisa Neal.

Discussion Items

Proclamations (6:10 PM)

  • National Parent Leadership Month: Proclamation read by Councilmember Mathews; accepted by Victoria Hilt (Kitsap Strong).
  • Black History Month 2026: Proclamation read by Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson; accepted by Jewel Shepherd-Sampson and students from the Kitsap Black Student Union.

Recruitment of Executive Search Firm (7:00 PM – 8:10 PM)

  • Interviewed Raftelis representatives (Heather Gantz and Sarah Slegers); Bob Murray & Associates withdrew. Council selected Raftelis unanimously (7-0) and authorized the acting city manager to sign the contract.
  • Sub-Committee Creation: Councilmembers Hytopoulos, Mathews, and Fantroy-Johnson appointed to coordinate with the search firm (unanimous).

Baker Woods 7 Final Long Subdivision (Closed Record Proceeding, 8:30 PM)

  • After legal guidance from City Attorney Tsoming, Councilmember Mathews abstained citing prior participation. The resolution was adopted 6-0 (Mathews abstained).

Winslow Subarea Plan – Council Motions (8:40 PM onward)

Council considered 27 motions; key outcomes and votes are detailed under "Key Outcomes."

Ward Meetings Request (9:40 PM)

  • Councilmember Mathews requested future discussion; motion to place on a future agenda passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

Executive Recruitment:

  • Selected Raftelis (7-0).
  • Appointed sub-committee: Hytopoulos, Mathews, Fantroy-Johnson (7-0).

Baker Woods 7:

  • Resolution No. 2026-01 adopted (6-0, Mathews abstained).

Winslow Subarea Plan Motions (all votes recorded):

  1. Middle-housing code (Schneider): Motion to add to Housing Element passed 4-3 after an amendment to strike “additional density” and “such as units serving households below 150% AMI” failed 3-4. Original motion then carried 4-3 (with Lant, Nelson, Hytopoulos opposed).
  2. Restrict zoning to affordable housing deficits (Lant): Failed 3-4 (Lant, Nelson, Hytopoulos in favor).
  3. Include only consistent with Resolution 2025-18 (Nelson): Failed 3-4 (Lant, Nelson, Hytopoulos in favor).
  4. Encourage planning commission to continue with all options (Mathews): Passed 4-3 (Lant, Nelson, Hytopoulos opposed).
  5. Bonus program for 100% affordable (avg. 60% AMI) (Hytopoulos): Failed 3-4 (Nelson, Lant, Hytopoulos in favor).
  6. Study Haggar-Scribner overlay/rezoning (Schneider, amended from “implement” to “study”): Passed 6-1 (Nelson opposed).
  7. Remove reduction of residential parking standards (Lant): Failed 3-4 (Lant, Nelson, Hytopoulos in favor; an amendment to allow 3/4 space failed 2-5).
  8. No increase in base FAR; tiered FAR for income bands (Nelson): Failed 3-4 (Nelson, Lant, Hytopoulos in favor).
  9. Ferncliff: replace R-8 upzone with bonus density (25% affordable at ≤80% AMI) (Hytopoulos): Passed unanimously 7-0.
  10. Legal advice on rental workforce housing (Colorado INDEED model) (Schneider): Passed unanimously 7-0.
  11. Explore Bainbridge Housing Authority (Lant): Withdrawn by motion maker.
  12. Max building height 45 feet/4 stories (Nelson): Failed for lack of a second.
  13. Remove BIMC restriction on ADUs in Mixed-Use Town Center (Mathews): Passed unanimously 7-0.
  14. Carry forward discussion of Comp Plan elements (Nelson): Passed unanimously 7-0.

Council Announcements (9:45 PM):

  • Health board appointed Dr. Duber; child flu death in Kitsap County noted.
  • BECU ribbon cutting; first pre-approved ADU application received.
  • Acting City Manager reaffirmed commitment to open community and police policy on immigration status.

Adjournment: 10:20 PM

Meeting Transcript

Call to order today's business meeting on for February 10th, 2026. City Clerk, would you please call a role? Yes, thank you, Mayor. Christine Brown, City Clerk. Please state for the record if you are present after I call your name. Mayor Morwaki. Present. Deputy Mayor Hytopolis. Present. Councilmember Matthews. Councilmember Fabrizio Johnson. President. Councilmember Nelson. Present. Councilmember Land. Present. Councilmember Schneider. President. Thank you. Roll calling in the case on all council members are in attendance. Now would we please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the United States. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, individual with liberty and justice role. Thank you. This time we do the land acknowledgement. And as I mentioned at the last meeting, that was my first and last time reading it. From here on out, other council members will be reading the land acknowledgement. And I've reached out to the school district, and I believe by next meeting that they will select a student from one of our schools and read the land acknowledgement and invited them to bring one student from each of the schools to read that before our body. So and tonight, to continue this tradition, I've asked Councilmember Land if she would read the land acknowledgement. Thank you, Mayor. I'm honored to do so. This is a land acknowledgement statement. This is the place of the clear saltwater. Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove has been hallowed by some or happy event in days long vanished. That's from Chief Seattle, 1854. We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is within the ancestral territory of the Suquabs people. That's the people of Clear Saltwater, the Sequamish people. Expert fishermen, canoe builders, and basket weavers. The Sequamish live in harmony with the lands and waterways along Washington's central Salish Sea as they have for thousands of years. And here the Sequamish live and protect the lands and waters of their ancestors for future generations as promised by the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855. Thank you, Councilmember Land. Some noted. Councilmember. Second. And seconded by Councilmember Nelson. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye.

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