City Council Regular Business Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Bainbridge Island City Council held a regular business meeting on October 13, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a land acknowledgement by fifth-grader Audrey Brown, a proclamation declaring October 2026 as Community Planning Month, a public hearing on the 2027 property tax levy, department budget presentations, discussions on a water intertie agreement with KPUD, the Comprehensive Plan Land Capacity Analysis, adoption of an updated least toxic products list, and approval of the Finch Green final subdivision. Several votes were taken, and multiple council priorities were addressed.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (accounts payable, minutes, setting a public hearing for October 27, 2026 on the biennial budget) by a vote of 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Isley (Madrona Way resident) spoke about process overprocessing in permitting, historical leadership on housing and parking, and presented a concept for 90 affordable housing units on city-owned land near Saturday Market.
• Benjamin Harrison (Rolling Bay resident), representing the Environmental Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC), recommended passing the least toxic products resolution with a substitution of endothal for diquat. He also urged publishing a complete list of herbicide treatments and requested future code changes. As an individual, he cautiously supported the KPUD intertie but stressed adaptive groundwater management and basin-specific water budgeting.
• Andy Rovlestad (Bainbridge Island resident) shared a personal cancer diagnosis and opposed expanding herbicide use, citing environmental and health concerns. He noted an 8% increase in cancer in Washington State over the last three years and a rise in chronic health conditions in children from 25% to 31%.
• No public comments were received during the public hearing on the property tax levy.

Public Hearing – Property Tax Levy Ordinance 2026-13

• Finance Director Dwayne Pitts presented the annual property tax levy process, explaining the 1% limit plus new construction and refunds. The city’s share of property taxes is about 8 cents per dollar. The proposed levy for collection in 2027 is $8,893,749. Council members expressed support, noting the small per-household impact and the need to keep pace with inflation (approx. 4%). The ordinance passed unanimously (6-0).

Discussion Items

Department Budget Presentations (8A)

• City Manager John Morrow presented an overview of the $135.1 million biennial budget, highlighting a 7% increase from the previous biennium, three new public works positions, and a $2 million one-time draw from general fund reserves for road maintenance. Council priorities include affordable housing ($1.6 million for Finch Green), water conservation, climate action, and sustainable transportation.
• Municipal Court: Judge Thomas Hallpaw and Court Administrator Jennifer Smith presented. The court processes about 1,165 passport applications annually and needs a new case management system (Journal Technologies eCourt) as the current system is being retired in 2027. The budget is largely status quo except for this one-time cost.
• Police: Chief Joe Clark presented a $1 million increase (mostly personnel). The department is fully staffed with 25 commissioned officers. Key accomplishments include reaccreditation, increased speed data collection, and 355 community health navigator referrals in 2025. One-time cost to replace Marine 11 boat ($100,000).
• Executive: The city manager reviewed accomplishments (hiring 29 employees, affordable housing work, climate programs, emergency operations center opening). No new positions proposed.
• Planning & Community Development: Interim Director Emily Tyrrell reported a budget of $3.7 million for 2027, decreasing to $3.5 million in 2028. The department will fill existing vacancies (not creating new positions). Over 2,000 permits reviewed and 4,500 building inspections completed. The permitting backlog has been cleared.
• Finance: Director Pitts presented a $3.8 million operating budget (plus $19.2 million in interfund transfers). Received distinguished budget award for sixth consecutive year, clean audit, and AAA credit rating reaffirmed.
• Council questions addressed utility taxes, vacation house checks, permit fee studies, human services funding, housing trust fund, and climate/equity lens documentation. The city manager noted that staff would need direction to reprioritize for any new funding requests.

Interlocal Agreement with KPUD for Water Intertie (8B)

• Public Works Director Henry Hash presented the ILA to provide up to 40 gallons per minute initially, increasing to 85 gpm over seven years to KPUD for South Bainbridge water supply. The agreement includes an emergency provision with no explicit cap other than the water rights. Council debated concerns about extreme water users in the South End ("superusers") and the absence of conservation commitments from KPUD. Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos and Councilmember Schneider favored delaying to seek stronger language; Councilmember Matthews initially moved to place on consent for October 27. After debate, the motion to defer passed 5-1 (Councilmember Land opposed), with the understanding that KPUD’s board would discuss conservation policies before the next meeting.

Comprehensive Plan Land Capacity Analysis & SEIS (8C)

• Emily Tyrrell updated that a Supplemental EIS is not required. The preferred alternatives are the September Land Capacity Analysis (LCA) with mandatory inclusionary zoning (MIZ) or without. The September MIZ option produces the most affordable housing (least deficit for 0-80% AMI), the most jobs, and the highest multifamily surplus. Council chose the September LCA with MIZ as the preferred option to meet state compliance by December 8, 2026, avoiding the builder's remedy. Motion by Councilmember Front-Lloyd Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Schneider, passed 6-0.

Resolution 2026-05 – Least Toxic Products List for Noxious Weeds (8D)

• Public Works Director Hash explained the need to update the list to use county contractors for noxious weed control. ETAC recommended substituting endothal for diquat. Councilmember Land moved to adopt with that amendment. Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos opposed, citing inconsistencies with the city's pesticide ordinance (Chapter 16.30) regarding carcinogenicity, soil half-life, and toxicity to humans and wildlife. The resolution passed 5-1 (Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos opposed).

Closed Record Proceeding – Finch Green Final Subdivision (8E)

• City Attorney Andrew Swing conducted disclosure. Councilmember Schneider disclosed prior discussions with HRB about the trail; no recusal was requested. Associate Planner Albert Lovett presented the 23-lot final plat (22 permanent affordable homes, one lot for existing religious facility) and confirmed that all three criteria for final subdivision approval were met: conditions from preliminary approval, bonds for infrastructure, and compliance with state and local code. Council adopted Resolution 2026-07 by a vote of 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Ordinance 2026-13 (Property Tax Levy of $8,893,749 for 2027) – vote 6-0.
• Deferred decision on the KPUD Interlocal Agreement to October 27, 2026 consent agenda – vote 5-1.
• Selected the September 2026 Land Capacity Analysis with Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning as the preferred option for Comprehensive Plan update – vote 6-0.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-05 (Updated Least Toxic Products List) with ETAC amendment – vote 5-1.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-07 (Finch Green Final Subdivision and Major Conditional Use Permit) – vote 6-0.