In a discussion about the Groundwater Management Plan, deputy mayor Jon Quitslund pointed out its irony.
He said many on Bainbridge Island don’t want population growth. But the city claims to be a “welcoming and inclusive city. Maybe we want to be welcoming specifically for our own purposes.”
Quitslund spoke near the end of a presentation and discussion Feb. 11 at the City Council meeting.
Public Works director Chris Wierzbicki answered questions councilmembers had asked earlier.
As to how population numbers were established, he said the low-growth number of 46,380 in the next 100 years was based on the slow 2012-23 growth rate. The high growth of 70,010 was based on 1991-2007 growth. And the medium number of 56,780 is a median of the two.
Regarding priority watersheds, he said Fletcher Bay and Murden Cove were closed by the Department of Ecology decades ago. He added another portion of Fletcher Bay, along with North Eagle Harbor, are watersheds that will continue to need to be evaluated for mitigation.
As for trends, he said even though there was an increase of 1% in population, water usage went up 2%.
Another previous question was on how water reuse projects would influence the total amount of water available. Wierzbicki said that’s still being studied, but most of that water would be available in the Sakai Park area and nearer to the wastewater treatment plant.
Regarding drawdowns of aquifers, he said all are sustainable for 20 years but beyond that, especially when looking into a crystal ball over 100 years, it’s less accurate. The deep-water aquifer at Fletcher Bay used for Winslow is the most sustainable as there are three wells in close proximity. Other aquifers that are not as deep could see saltwater intrusion in 60 years if the population doubles.
Wierzbicki mentioned that a population of 70,000 would require at least four more 2-million-gallon water tanks. BI is in the process of building one now.
“It’s incredibly expensive—this one tank,” Councilmember Joe Deets said. “I don’t see how we could afford this.”
He added that BI needs to make a better effort conserving water, which is something residents can control. “We have to start reversing this trend of water” being wasted.
Councilmember Leslie Schneider agreed. “This kind of behavior has been influenced in the past.”
Councilmember Brenda Fantroy-Johnson also agreed. “The earlier we conserve water the better. It’s not dire, but it will be.”
Mayor Ashley Mathews recalled taking a tour last year and finding out that the south end of BI uses the most water, with many people irrigating lawns.
During public comments, Ron Peltier said the city has a conflict of interest on this topic because of its desire for development to bring in money.
Malcolm Gander said the council needs to have all the information it can because, “They control the purse strings.”
Another speaker said the increased water usage confirms what city staff has been disputing. She also said alternative deep wells will have to be planned.
Waterfront fees
The City Council also passed a law to add fees for renting the lawn area near the BI Rowing club on the waterfront starting at $370 a day and for short-term moorage at the city dock for up to four hours starting at $10
In public comments, Jill Bamburg, president of BIR, said a fee would cause an equitable burden for those who use the area in conjunction with the boathouse. That goes against the city goal of treating everyone equally. To compare, she said BIR is not “elitist” but is all-inclusive, with about half of its members younger and the other half older. She said the lawn is used for all kinds of community events, by the senior center, and by many nonprofits. In establishing the fee, the city may have used comparables, but to other cities not to those on BI.
City manager Blair King said while the land is next to BIR it is not part of their lease. Entities could still use the space, but the fee would be charged to reserve the space for exclusive use on a certain day and time. “It is not intended to harm” the BIR.
Councilmember Clarence Moriwaki didn’t have a problem with the fee or cost. “It’s right on the water so you’re paying for that location as well.”
Schneider said there should be a charge for private use for a public space. She also said the city should have some control in cases when alcohol is being served there.
“We need to be smart about liability,” Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos agreed.
Mathews said she went to the site and talked to water marine residents. She said they are allowed to tie up to docks for an hour a day, so they wondered if their fee could be lowered. Hytopoulos said that should be addressed because it’s a low-income housing issue.
King said when cold-weather shelters are open those boats are allowed to tie up to the city dock.
Bamburg had said the fee could hurt BIR financially, so King said perhaps a business relationship could be established with them.
In other news
The council decided to wait on a decision about putting cameras at the ferry terminal in an effort to keep people from cutting in line. King said he has a report he wants to share with the council.
Moriwaki said that’s the complaint he hears most on BI, next to roundabouts. He said this is a topic where, “We can step in and do something about” it. He said it’s a waste of public resources for BI police to try to enforce the issue.
Police chief Joe Clark said officers have to first witness the infraction. “It’s a very difficult process for us—labor intensive.”
While traffic cameras have been used for years, “This technology has not been used before for this purpose,” King said. He added it’s of high interest in the community because it can determine if they “make it to the toll booth or not.”
Meanwhile, the council reaffirmed its stance on being a welcoming committee and not caving into the Trump Administration directives regarding deportation of illegal immigrants.
“This council, we are not backing down,” Deets said.
Moriwaki said such executive orders are early warning signs of fascism. “Without action, they are just words,” he said of reaffirming the city’s earlier stance.
During public comments, many said they support the city’s continued stance on equity and inclusion, and they support immigrants and occasions such as Black History Month.
Also, the council decided to reduce traffic impact fees for commercial redevelopment of less than 5,000 square feet in an effort to help small businesses survive.
Public comment
Jonathan Davis said he has been working with Helpline House regarding electric vehicle charging and was glad to see the city come up with a solution to reduce the requirements, and therefore the cost, to small businesses and organizations. On another note, he said traffic calming devices recently added on Grove are a burden and an eyesore, along with being unsafe, and he hopes they can be removed.
Lisa Neal said too much work is being done on the Comprehensive Plan by city staff and consultants, and that the council and public need to be more involved.
