Bainbridge Island City Council Study Session – May 19, 2026

The City Council held a study session on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 9:21 pm. The meeting covered five major agenda items: an update on the Bainbridge Island Senior/Community Center redevelopment (90% design), the 2027-2028 economic outlook and baseline budget forecast, and consideration of three Comprehensive Plan elements (Environmental, Economics, and Capital Facilities). Council approved several motions, forwarded two plan elements for future discussion, and deferred the Capital Facilities Element for additional work.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mayor Moriwaki, seconded by Councilmember Lant to approve the agenda as presented. Carried unanimously (7-0). No conflicts of interest disclosed.

Discussion Items

A. Senior/Community Center Redevelopment – 90% Design Update

Reed Price (Executive Director) and architect Charlie Wenzlau presented the 90% design for the new center, which will include a multipurpose hall, thrift shop, resilience hub, and commercial kitchen. The building targets LEED certification, uses all-electric systems, and incorporates natural lighting. A boundary line adjustment is in process. The capital campaign has raised approximately $6 million of the $22.5 million goal. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027.

• Council discussed permit fees, potential city relief, and the resilience hub’s features (e.g., emergency communications, battery backup readiness). Councilmember Nelson expressed support for permit fee relief and highlighted the design’s allowance for future affordable housing. Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson moved to forward the 90% design and selection of Carley Construction as contractor to the May 26, 2026 consent agenda for approval. Council also concurred with the choice of Carley Construction. Both motions carried unanimously (7-0).

B. 2027-2028 Economic Outlook, Assumptions, and Forecast

Finance Director Dwayne Pitts presented the baseline (status quo) budget forecast for 2027-2028. Key points:

• Inflation is at 4.9% (Seattle area CPI), up from below 2% a year ago. The city adjusted cost inflators to 3% for out-year projections and 4% for 2027-2028 operating costs.
• Sales tax and real estate excise tax (REET) are both up 10% year-to-date, but building permit revenues are down 7% despite recent fee increases.
• The general fund 10-year forecast shows a “slow bleed” but reserves are not projected to fall below policy minimums until 2033-34.
• Water, sewer, and stormwater funds face significant capital projects but remain solvent in the near term.
• Council asked about budget engagement strategies (e.g., “beer and budget” events) and the possibility of a priority-setting retreat. The item was informational; no action taken.

C. Environmental Element of the Comprehensive Plan

Interim Planning Director Darren Buchanan introduced the element. Council considered numerous motions, most of which passed. Key actions:

• Policy EN 5.9: Amended to add the Suquamish Tribe, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park District, Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and other private agencies to a wildlife habitat education program. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Policy EN 6.1: Amended to encourage realtors to disclose floodplain information to clients and consumers. Passed 6-1 (Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos voted against).
• Strikethrough on page EN-14: Removed placeholder text “Propose language to make sure that the paragraph below is on BI”. Passed unanimously.
• Policy EN 10.4: Changed “cooperate” to “support and assist” regarding the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Passed unanimously.
• EN Action #7: Changed “have not been successful” to “have been underutilized” for PDR/TDR programs. Passed unanimously.
• New Policy EN 1.9: “Consider upgrading the wastewater treatment plant to provide for tertiary wastewater treatment and the beneficial reuse of wastewater.” Passed unanimously.
• Policy EN 10.8: Amended to add “using guidance from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, encourage and promote” for wood stove retrofits. Passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Nelson and Mayor Moriwaki voted against).
• Goal EN-14 (invasive species): Added “Kitsap Public Health District” to the collaborative agencies. Passed unanimously.
• New Policy EN 14.4: “Control and reduce invasive species through an integrated vegetation management and ecological restoration plan…” Passed unanimously.
• Policy EN 17.9 (new): “Consider exempting sign code requirements and fees for agricultural uses due to the seasonal nature of farms.” Failed 3-4 (Councilmembers Lant, Nelson, Mathews in favor).
• Policy EN 11.2: Added “residential” to noise reduction policies. Passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Fantroy-Johnson and Nelson against).
• Policy EN 11.4 (new): “Support targeted community outreach…to individuals affected by clean air, noise, or greenhouse regulations.” Failed for lack of a second.
• Policy EN 12.5: Changed “citizens” to “community” in greenhouse gas education policy. Passed unanimously.
• Policy EN 15.6: Added “and private” to farmland for food production. Passed unanimously.
• Final motion to forward the Environmental Element to a future business meeting passed unanimously (7-0).

D. Economics Element of the Comprehensive Plan

Council considered several motions:

• Policy EC-8.2: Motion to strike (develop neighborhood centers at higher densities) failed 2-5 (Councilmembers Nelson and Lant in favor).
• Economic Vision 2044: Amended to add “its rich cultural history” to the destination description. Passed unanimously.
• Policy EC 1.11: Motion to strike “and address past inequities” was withdrawn by Councilmember Lant after discussion.
• Policy EC 1.3: Motion to not delete “Create an Economic Development Strategy” passed unanimously.
• Policy EC 1.4: Added “and future” to partnerships language. Passed unanimously.
• Policy EC 2.4: Changed “or tax increment financing” to “and other financial tools”. Passed unanimously.
• Policy EC 3.4: Added “and private sector” and “partner with nonprofit organizations and community-led initiatives”. Passed unanimously.
• New Policy EC 3.7: “Support the development of community-based reuse, repair, and material recovery initiatives…” Passed unanimously.
• Council also discussed a motion to explore a BI-Serviced/BI-Constrained framework, which was withdrawn for future staff review.
• Final motion to forward the Economics Element to a future meeting passed unanimously (7-0).

E. Capital Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan

Interim Planning Director Buchanan presented the element. Council noted that a recent letter from the Washington State Department of Commerce found the element insufficient in demonstrating capacity to accommodate projected population growth (citing internal consistency issues). Councilmember Hytopoulos questioned the clarity of technical memos regarding wastewater treatment capacity. After discussion, Council directed staff to bring back the element in amended form addressing Housing Accountability Act review questions and Commerce comments. No vote was taken; the item was deferred.

Key Outcomes

• Senior Center: Both motions (90% design approval and contractor selection) forwarded to the May 26, 2026 consent agenda (unanimous).
• Economic Forecast: Informational; no action taken. Budget process to continue with a July study session.
• Environmental Element: Approved numerous policy amendments and forwarded to a future business meeting (unanimous).
• Economics Element: Approved several amendments, rejected the strike of EC-8.2, and forwarded to a future business meeting (unanimous).
• Capital Facilities Element: Deferred for staff to revise in response to Commerce comments and council questions.
• Committee Reports: Council members shared updates on local events (e.g., Olympic College, Chabad center, Marge Williams Center anniversary, Puget Sound Regional Council housing academy, planning commission public hearing). Council also discussed the disbandment of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee; some members expressed concern about the process and requested further council discussion.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:21 pm.