The Bainbridge Island City Council moved forward to establish an ordinance to create a Mobility Advisory Committee at its Sept. 9 meeting.
The motion directs the city manager to bring back an ordinance to amend city code to establish a committee by making modifications to the Multi-Modal Transportation Committee, per city documents.
In May, council discussed creating a MAC to support the Island-Wide Mobility Plan or provide evaluation of policy decisions as needed. The committee aims to help increase walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit, while aligning with the city’s safety, equity, environmental and preparedness goals, per documents.
BI Councilmember Leslie Schneider shared her support for the creation of the committee.
“It’s been six years since we sunsetted that committee before, and I’m really hopeful that this comes back,” she said.
Squeaky Wheels, a BI bicycle advocacy group, sent a letter to the council Sept. 3, which highlighted a 2022 community survey, in which 83% of respondents cited mobility as an important issue.
“I believe that islanders would benefit from having volunteer experts that can help us become leaders in transportation options, and maybe Bainbridge will be offering leadership to the next advocacy ride in Kitsap,” she said.
The committee would look for community members with expertise, including: advocacy experience or knowledge about Safe Routes to Schools, experience with community health, including social connectivity through mode shift, trail and transportation for the limited-mobility community, and all-ages-and-all-abilities.
The committee would also be supported by the executive department, including the sustainable transportation coordinator and the executive assistant, documents read.
Council also approved the appointment of community members to serve three-year terms for the following committees:
Race, Equity, Advisory Committee:
Position 6, Nora Kim, ending June 2027
Position 5, Marc Aubin (reappointed), ending June 2028
Ethics Board:
Position 4, Turner Vail, ending June 2027
