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.
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.
Finance Director Dwayne Pitts presented the baseline (status quo) budget forecast for 2027-2028. Key points:
Interim Planning Director Darren Buchanan introduced the element. Council considered numerous motions, most of which passed. Key actions:
Council considered several motions:
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.
Calling to order the city council study session, Bainbridge Islands City Council study session of Tuesday, May 19th. City Clerk, could 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. Mayor Moriwaki. Present. Deputy Mayor Hytopolis. Present. Councilmember Matthews. Present. Councilmember Fantro Johnson. Present. Councilmember Land. Present. Councilmember Schneider. Present. Councilmember Nelson. Present. Thank you. Could I please have a motion to approve the agenda? I move to approve tonight's study session agenda as presented. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Any conflicts of interest to declare. Okay. Seeing none, we'll move on to regular business. Item three A, receive update from Bainbridge Island Senior Center regarding redevelopment project, including review of 90% design. Good evening, Council. Alan Trower, Interim City Manager, here to introduce our first item tonight. The City of Bainbridge Island and the Senior Center organization have worked together for many years to provide a facility and services to the community. The city owns and maintains the current waterfront park senior and community center building, commonly known as the senior center, located in Waterfront Park. This building is managed and used by the senior center organization, providing a wide variety of services open to all in the community. We also use this location as an emergency hub and a warming and cooling center during times of inclement weather. In 2024, the city and the senior center entered into an agreement for the redevelopment of this facility to be led by the senior the senior center organization. In order to make sure that the plans align with council and community priorities, there are three check-ins set in that original agreement at 30 and 60 and 90 percent design. So far, we have had those first two of those, and tonight you'll receive a briefing on the 90 percent design and also be asked to concur with the design team. This is all part of the original memorandum of understanding that was signed between the two organizations. Members of the design team led by our architect or that by the architect will make a presentation and be available for questions. And then the action tonight is to schedule this item for a future uh business meeting for approval. Thank you. Thank you. And uh welcome Charlie Winslow. Thank you. Uh Charlie Winslow, I'm the architect for the senior center working with uh Reprice. Um we're really happy to be here and give you an update on where we are. I'm gonna try and keep this brief.