Bainbridge Island City Council Regular Business Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Bainbridge Island City Council met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, consideration of a Verizon franchise, a groundwater management plan update, and multiple elements of the Comprehensive Plan update. The meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved accounts payable and payroll, meeting minutes, a 2026 Ford F250 purchase order ($21,692.08 General Fund, $68,899.87 Streets Fund), accepted the 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, approved the Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) 2025 Report and 2026 Workplan, and authorized renewal of the Interlocal Agreement with Kitsap County Sheriff's Office for mutual aid and traffic safety. All items passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrea Wilson (Mobility Advisory Committee member) spoke in favor of the Island-Wide Mobility Plan (IWMP), emphasizing the need for dedicated funding, referencing the plan's $97 million cost, and urged a minimum dollar or percentage commitment.
• John Carson (Bainbridge Island Downtown Association Executive Director) and Lindsay Browning (Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Director) spoke in strong support of Kitsap Transit's proposed free circulator shuttle for 13 Saturdays, highlighting its benefits for visitors, residents, and businesses, and noting it would replace the discontinued Jack Flash golf carts.
• Ted Jones expressed frustration over poor cell phone coverage across the island, citing dead zones on SR 305, in homes, schools, and parks. He urged the council to use the Verizon franchise agreement as leverage to improve coverage, especially at city facilities and emergency hubs.
• Ron Peltier commented on the Comprehensive Plan Introduction, requesting inclusion of the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855, the Dawes Act, and recognition of the Indipino community's contributions. He also criticized the IWMP as grandiose and disconnected from limited city revenues, advocating instead for simple shoulder widening on roads.
• Malcolm Gander addressed the Groundwater Management Plan draft, expressing concern over a sentence in the executive summary stating that the water supply is secure for 20 years. He argued this was naive and stressed the need for prioritization, implementation, and monitoring of management strategies.

Discussion Items

7A – Verizon Wireless 10-Year Franchise (Ordinance 2026-06)

Interim City Manager Schroer and attorney Daniel Kennedy presented the franchise, noting it is non-exclusive and required for a planned wireless facility in the Rolling Bay neighborhood. Council members raised questions about franchise fees (none allowed by law), public input opportunities, potential use of facilities for surveillance, data privacy, and leveraging better coverage. Kennedy answered that the franchise only covers telecommunications services, not surveillance. Staff noted a typo referencing Comcast instead of Verizon. The item was forwarded to a future meeting with a motion that passed 7-0.

7B – Groundwater Management Plan Final Draft and Public Engagement Schedule

Staff and consultants from Keta Waters (Joel and Adam Massmann) presented the plan, including equilibrium water balances, sustainable yield estimates (420–980 million gallons/year), and current consumptive use (325–590 million gallons/year). They noted uncertainty about sustainability, but emphasized that conservation to 39 gallons/person/day (as achieved by one HOA) would likely ensure sustainability. Council members asked about translation to ERUs/population, level of concern about permitted water rights, and ways to reduce uncertainty (more monitoring). The plan was forwarded to a future meeting for adoption (motion amended to a future date, passed 7-0). Public open house scheduled for May 27, 2026.

7C – Comprehensive Plan Update Adoption Process and Approach

Interim City Manager Schroer outlined a schedule to review all elements by end of June 2026, including two special business meetings in June. Council discussed the need for a study session rather than a business meeting for the most complex elements (housing, land use, Winslow sub-area plan). The consensus was to change the June 2 meeting to a study session to allow in-depth work without public comment delay. No formal motion needed.

7D – Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan

Interim Planning Director Buchanan presented the Introduction. Councilmembers suggested additions: mention of the Point Elliott Treaty (1855) and Indipino community contributions to strawberry farming. Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos moved to strike the sentence beginning “Although these discussions have been heated at times…” on page IN-9, which was approved 7-0. Other corrections were noted (grammar, agency references). The Introduction was forwarded to a future meeting (6-0, Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson absent).

7E – Cultural Element of the Comprehensive Plan

Council noted minor formatting errors (dashes instead of spaces) and duplicative sentences in the Cultural Vision 2044. Policy questions included CUL 2.8 (cultural amenities in designated centers) and CUL 3.8 (non-traditional agricultural practices). The element was forwarded to a future meeting (7-0).

7F – Human Services Element of the Comprehensive Plan

Council discussed HS Action #2: Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos moved to undo a change that removed the Community Needs Assessment, restoring language to periodically update it and use results to inform funding. Motion passed 7-0. Councilmember Mathews suggested adding language on health benefits of tree canopy and open space, and broadening access to health care for all islanders. Hyphen inconsistencies noted. The element was forwarded to a future meeting (7-0).

7G – Island-Wide Mobility Plan (IWMP)

Sustainable Transportation Coordinator Hannah Boettcher presented the IWMP, which merges the 2017 Island-Wide Transportation Plan and 2022 Sustainable Transportation Plan. Cost estimate: $97.75 million over 20 years. Over 200 public comments received. The plan introduces bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) as a performance measure. Council debate was extensive. Councilmember Nelson moved to refer the IWMP to the Mobility Advisory Committee for review of potential amendments after Comprehensive Plan adoption. Motion passed 5-2 (Hytopoulos and Lant dissenting). Councilmember Mathews then moved to approve the IWMP as presented to be adopted as the plan of reference in the Transportation Element. Motion passed 4-3 (Hytopoulos, Nelson, Lant dissenting; Mayor Moriwaki cast the deciding vote).

7H – Potential City Initiatives in Downtown Summer 2026

Staff proposed three initiatives: a free Kitsap Transit circulator shuttle on 13 Saturdays, temporary restroom facilities (one near City Hall, one at Waterfront Park), and benches/flowers at Winslow Way and SR 305 intersection. Council expressed support. Motion to affirm city support passed 7-0.

7I – Council Subcommittee on SR 305/High School Road Roundabout

Councilmember Schneider explained the need for creative options. Motion to appoint Councilmembers Schneider, Lant, and Fantroy-Johnson to a subcommittee to collaborate with WSDOT passed 7-0.

7J – Letter of Support for North Kitsap District Court

Mayor Moriwaki requested a letter to support moving court services to Poulsbo for better accessibility. Motion to authorize a letter passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Verizon Franchise forwarded to future meeting (7-0).
• Groundwater Management Plan forwarded to future meeting (7-0); public open house May 27, 2026.
• Comprehensive Plan Introduction forwarded (6-0) after striking a sentence.
• Cultural Element forwarded (7-0).
• Human Services Element forwarded (7-0) after restoring Community Needs Assessment language.
• Island-Wide Mobility Plan referred to Mobility Advisory Committee (5-2) and then approved as plan of reference (4-3).
• Downtown Summer Initiatives affirmed (7-0).
• SR 305/High School Road Roundabout Subcommittee formed with Schneider, Lant, Fantroy-Johnson (7-0).
• Letter of Support for North Kitsap District Court authorized (7-0).