Bainbridge Island City Council Regular Business Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Bainbridge Island City Council held a regular business meeting on March 24, 2026, starting at 6:00 pm and adjourning at 9:09 pm. The meeting included presentations, public comment, consent agenda, city manager report, regular business items, communications, and council announcements. Several key decisions were made, including approval of grant applications for Safe Routes to School projects, authorization of a lawn management agreement with Bainbridge Island Rowing, and designation of a councilmember for the public art selection jury. The short-term rental ordinance discussion was moved to a study session, and the council decided to hear a business license denial appeal as a full council with outside legal counsel.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion by Councilmember Mathews, seconded by Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos, carried 6-0.
• Consent Agenda Approval: Motion by Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Mathews, carried unanimously 6-0. Included: Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll; Approve Meeting Minutes; Ratify purchase of Toyota Forklift ($50,831.51) from Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund.

Public Comments

• Colleen Miko (Bremerton-Kitsap Access Television Manager): Provided an update on BKAT coverage, including 251 meetings recorded in 2025, 47 Bainbridge Island Council meetings, 83 hours of airtime, and a 40% increase in on-demand views.
• Eric Pierre: Expressed concerns about short-term rentals, describing disruptions in his neighborhood (Point Monroe) due to high occupancy rates, noise, and intoxicated groups, with 15-person occupancy within 300 feet. He urged stricter regulation.
• Steve Hoskins (Winslow resident): Spoke in support of the Race Equity Advisory Committee (REAC), defending its budget and role, and countering attacks from the same group opposing increased housing. He thanked Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos for supporting REAC.
• Bob Donaldson: Supported Eric Pierre's comments, noting nine short-term rentals on Point Monroe, and called for restrictions to reduce weekend-party impact.
• Shannon FitzGerald: Spoke in favor of the short-term rental ordinance changes, apologized for neighbor disturbances, and provided data: 136 short-term rentals on the island, 66 owner-occupied, average operator age 66, mainly women. She noted 63% of guests visit family.
• Ron Peltier: Urged the council to wait for the Groundwater Management Plan before approving the Comprehensive Plan, citing Bainbridge Island as the only sole-source aquifer island city in Washington.
• Jon Quitslund: Recalled the late Rick Chandler, a history museum staffer, in connection with orca recovery and the importance of the Comprehensive Plan process.
• Lydia: Spoke in support of REAC, acknowledging the city's welcoming nature but also its history of racial exclusion, and tied affordable housing to equity issues.
• David Dunn: Criticized the city's social media accuracy regarding the Head of the Bay project and fire truck turning demonstrations, questioning the Buckland Hill project's cost and design standards. He urged simpler, cheaper options.
• Malcolm Gander: Discussed water capacity, noting that consumption in Winslow has been stable at ~250 million gallons per year, but existing wells are maxed out. He called for transparency on new well infrastructure in the Capital Facilities Plan.

Discussion Items

• 7A. Comprehensive Plan and Winslow Subarea Plan Update: Interim City Manager Schroer and Planning Director Charnas provided updates. Planning Commission has completed most elements; transportation and capital facilities remain. Council discussed timelines: groundwater management plan expected June 9, comp plan by end of June. Concerns raised about grant eligibility (TAP funding denied due to comp plan delay) and need to avoid overburdening the Planning Commission. Councilmember Lant questioned whether rushing to meet the June deadline was necessary.
• 7B. Housing Accountability Act Status Report: Planning Director Charnas reported that staff has submitted information to the Department of Commerce, including draft elements. Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos raised concerns that the zoning recommendations sent to Commerce differed from what the Planning Commission recommended, particularly regarding base density increases for High School Road and Ferry District. Council discussed transparency and the need for staff briefing in April.
• 7C. Safe Routes to School Grant Applications: Public Works Director Wierzbicki presented two projects: Valley Road sidewalk ($750,000 grant, $100,000 match) and Finch/Sportsman Club Road separated path ($650,000 grant, $80,000 match, with advancing city match from 2029 to 2028 if grant received). Councilmember Lant questioned grant flexibility and design standards; others supported as safety improvements. Motion carried 6-0.
• 7D. Waterfront Park Lawn Management Agreement with Bainbridge Island Rowing: Management Analyst Shear presented an agreement for cooperative use of the lawn, plus improvements for pétanque courts and a fence for events ($10,000 budget amendment). Councilmember Lant opposed, arguing for a master plan first. Motion carried 5-1 (Lant against).
• 7E. Short-Term Rental Ordinance Updates (Ordinance 2026-03): Management Analyst Shear outlined proposed amendments: clarify definition to include kitchenettes and bed-and-breakfasts, reduce 300-foot mailer to first-time registration only, eliminate exterior sign requirement, add notices of violation for enforcement. Council member Lant expressed concerns about consulting neighbors and public health implications. Motion to move to next study session carried 6-0.
• 7F. Approach to Review Business License Denial Appeal: City Attorney Tsoming explained three decisions: full council or subcommittee, date setting, and need for outside legal counsel. Councilmember Mathews recused due to personal relationship. Council voted 5-0 (Mathews abstaining) to have full council hear the appeal, and 5-0 (Mathews abstaining) to engage outside legal counsel.
• 7G. Designate Councilmember for Public Art Selection Jury: Councilmember Schneider was appointed unanimously (6-0) to serve on the 2026-2027 "Something New" public art rotation selection jury.
• 8A. Steering Committee Recommendation on Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles: Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos reported that the steering committee has a red-line draft incorporating Race Equity Advisory Committee input, with sub-bullets tying to existing comp plan policies. The draft will go to all committees for comment and then to the planning commission on April 23.
• 8B. Request to Add Advisory Work Plans Discussion: Councilmember Lant requested a future discussion on city advisory committee work plans to align priorities, given new council members and staff transitions. Council members expressed support for a future retreat but opposed halting current work plans. The request was acknowledged but no formal action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Proclamations: Both April 2026 as Sustainable Bainbridge Month (motion carried 6-0) and Earth Month (motion carried 6-0) were proclaimed.
• Statement Honoring Dolores Huerta: Read by Mayor; no vote needed.
• Consent Agenda Approved: 6-0.
• Safe Routes to School Grant Applications Authorized: 6-0.
• Waterfront Park Lawn Agreement and Improvements Approved: 5-1 (Councilmember Lant opposed).
• Short-Term Rental Ordinance Moved to Study Session: 6-0.
• Business License Denial Appeal: Council to hear as full council with outside counsel (5-0; Mathews abstained on both votes).
• Public Art Jury Appointee: Councilmember Schneider appointed 6-0.
• Comprehensive Plan/Steering Committee Recommendation: Received; to proceed through committee and planning commission.
• Work Plan Discussion: Not scheduled; deferred to future retreat/city manager onboarding.