News Roundup – Endresen to exit KC post/Safer roads at ferry terminal/City setting liveaboard rates/Ferry fare hikes begin

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Endresen to exit KC post

North Kitsap Commissioner Chris Endresen will resign in late June to take a post as state director for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell.

“This was a very tough decision,” Endresen said. “I love this job and wouldn’t leave it for just anything.”

Endresen, 50, replaces Kurt Beckett, who was Cantwell’s long time top state aide.

She will work in Cantwell’s Seattle office, and will manage Cantwell’s Washington state operations, including offices in Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Everett and Tri-Cities.

Cantwell, a Democrat, is Washington’s junior senator. She defeated Slade Gorton in 2000 and was reelected in 2006.

Endresen was first elected to the county commission in 1996 and is now serving her third term. She last faced voters in 2004, when she handily defeated North Kitsap resident Scott Henden. Endresen plans to step down on June 28.

Within five days, the other commissioners – Jan Angel and Josh Brown – must agree on a candidate to fill the vacancy. If they cannot agree then it will fall to Gov. Christine Gregoire to make an appointment.

The new commissioner candidate must be a resident of North Kitsap County and belong to the Democratic Party.

The party will present three names to the commissioners, who can accept the recommendations or select another candidate.

The appointee will serve out Endresen’s current term, which will expire in 2008.

South Kitsap Commissioner Jan Angel has indicated she will not seek another term. As a result, Brown will become the senior member of the board of commissioners in January 2009. He will then be 28 years old.

Endresen said she considered that when she made the decision to take the new job but added “Josh is doing a fantastic job, better than anyone could have imagined.”

County Auditor Karen Flynn said Kitsap County will miss having Endresen in an executive position.

“It is a tremendous loss to the county,” she said. “She has provided real leadership on so many issues.

But this is a great opportunity to work at a higher level of government. She has a great reputation, and the skills to do this.”

-Charlie Bermant

Safer roads at ferry terminal

Washington State Ferries plans to install new traffic lights at the intersection of Olympic Drive and Harborview Drive this summer.

The new traffic signals, along what is now a busy intersection used by vehicles and pedestrians, will be “synchronized to allow for efficient, timely movement of pedestrians, bicyclists and automobiles,” according to WSF.

Bicycle lanes and new striping for pedestrians are also planned for Olympic Drive, which becomes State Route 305 north of Winslow Way.

WSF is still working out the details of construction for the interim improvements. The project is set to begin in June. No service disruptions are anticipated, ferry officials said.

The safety improvements stem from a recent workgroup composed of WSF, state Department of Transportation, City of Bainbridge Island, Kitsap Transit and law enforcement officials.

The improvements are termed “interim” because WSF is planning long-term ferry terminal improvements between 2009 and 2011.

For more information call WSF spokeswoman Joy Goldenberg at (206) 515-3411.

City setting liveaboard rates

The city Harbor Commission is closer to setting a new bottom line for liveaboards.

A typical 30-foot liveaboard vessel anchored or moored in the inner portion of Eagle Harbor could cost about $145 a month, according to commission estimates.

As negotiated with the state Department of Natural Resources, the rate is set using the area encumbered by a vessel’s anchor or mooring line. The commission is proposing a 26 cent rate per square foot.

Harbormaster Tami Allen said the commission tried to balance the desires of the harbor’s liveaboard community with state requirements and city budgetary pressures.

“Some liveaboards are opposed because they’re still paying zero,” she said. “But we have to pay city expenses so this seems like a good balance.”

Harbor liveaboard Ryan Landworth said the proposed rate seems too high.

“It’s a bit excessive considering there’s no amenities provided, such as parking, restrooms, power, water, laundry – which are provided by all other marinas.”

The commission is preparing amendments to the city’s shoreline rules that would allow for a regulated “open water marina” in Eagle Harbor.

The open water marina is an attempt by the city to meet state mandates and preserve the harbor’s liveaboard community, commissioners said. The number of full-time liveaboards in Eagle Harbor ranges around two dozen.

The city has until November to establish the marina program.

-Tristan Baurick

Council blesses library levy

The City Council voted to endorse a ballot measure that could increase taxpayer support of the Kitsap Regional Library system.

“I support this wholeheartedly,” said Councilman Bill Knobloch before joining his colleagues in a unanimous vote last Wednesday.

In ballots due May 15, the library system is asking voters to approve an 18 cent increase for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

The current county-wide rate is about 30 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value.

The levy lid lift would give KRL an additional $6.1 million in 2008.

Allocated over a five year period, the funds would pay for additional staff, technology, facilities, reading support and improved check-out systems.

The lid lift would also cover KRL’s projected $2.1 million shortfall in 2008.

In its 52-year history, KRL has sought a lid lift one other time, in 1979.

-Tristan Baurick

Ferry fare hikes begin

The ferry system’s peak season surcharge and a scheduled 2.5 percent rate hike began Tuesday.

The surcharge only applies to vehicles and drivers. A typical car and driver traveling from the Bainbridge ferry terminal will see ticket prices increase from $14.10 to $14.45, according to Washington State Ferries.

A typical walk-on passenger ticket rose from $6.50 to $6.70.

The 2.5 percent increase is aimed at helping WSF keep pace with rising fuel prices and other costs.