The public was expected to bat .500 at the Bainbridge Island City Council meeting Jan. 23.

As the Major League Baseball season approaches, that’s historic if you’re a Seattle Mariner. But if you’re a resident of BI not so much.

The council looked to adopt a law after this paper’s press time that would allow public comment in person on any topic of city interest. It recently limited for a short time comments to only on items on the agenda.

However, it also was expected to ban public comment by Zoom, although by law anyone who disrupts a meeting can be disconnected (RCW9A.84.030(1)(b). Zoom has been a popular way to communicate with the council the past few years for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the COVID pandemic. Despite many valid reasons for not being able to go to a meeting, comments were expected to be banned because of two comments made about the Middle East recently. A city memo says there were others during COVID, but they were minimal.

Also at the meeting, a short-term rental law was to be introduced to the council. Key aspects of the ordinance include: They must be registered with the city; An annual short-term certificate, in addition to a business license, must be obtained from the city; They must comply with city regulations, including payment of taxes and compliance with the Disposable Food Service Ware and Waste Reduction Regulations as they apply to lodging; A complaint process is included; and the effective date of the law is Sept. 30.

The council also planned to approve $400,000 in awards for funding from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee out of $755,000 requested. The awards, rounded off, were: Visit Bainbridge Island, $166,500; BI chamber, $66,000; BI Downtown Association, $63,000; Winery Alliance of BI, $16,000; WEAVE Presents and BI Museum of Art, $15,000 each; Arts and Humanities Bainbridge $13,000; Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, $11,000; BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association, $10,000; Bloedel Reserve, $8,000; and BI Film Festival, $7,000.

The council also planned to advertise for City Hall renovation and security system upgrade projects. For $260,000 the map room would be enclosed to turn it into a meeting room. It would also add bike storage and a secure exit door. For the $171,000 more a security system would be added and connected to the police-court facility.

The council also was to receive recommendations on city advisory groups. While no reductions were recommended, an ad hoc panel said none should be added because of a lack of city staff resources. Other suggestions: Reduce memberships from five to seven people; Establish year-round recruitment so there is always people at the ready; Typically the three-year terms end in June.; and reappointment is not guaranteed.

The council also was expected to:

•Accept bids for Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity upgrade equipment for $3.14 million. The project would optimize settling capacity; replace ultraviolet disinfection system; modify clarifiers; and improve sludge dewatering.

•Amend the budget $500,000 for the Wyatt Way portion of the Eagle Harbor Non-Motorized project. The city received a $500,000 state grant that increased that budget to $5.017 million. Improvements include some council direction made during a meeting in December. They would include a mix of shoulders, separated paths and intersection fixes.

•Name Thomas Alpaugh as city court judge at a salary of $98,000 a year; Limit floor-area ratio options until completion of the Winslow Subarea Plan; Cancel the Feb. 6 council meeting; and Consider request to discuss placing artwork at some roundabouts on BI.