EVs, stormwater key topics at Tuesday’s BI meeting

Supporters of electric vehicles will get a charge out of Bainbridge Island’s newest laws on the topic.

The city’s Climate Change Advisory Committee came up with changes after resident complaints that the previous laws were tougher than state standards.

Their key findings: at businesses, vistors park for short times and employees longer periods; EV owners charge more often at home and sometimes at the workplace; EVs can make trips on BI without charging often because their range is 400 miles.

Their recommendations include: reducing EV capable, EV-ready and EV-installed parking space requirements; and new EV capacity should be proportionate to required additional parking at expansions or redevelopments.

The council will look to approve the changes Feb. 11. The council will study changes to residential EV laws in the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, another presentation at the Jan. 28 council meeting at City Hall and on Zoom will be on the Stormwater System Plan, which also would be adopted Feb. 11.

A slide to be shown says: “The purpose of the Stormwater System Plan is to identify the city’s storm drainage and stormwater program challenges and recommend potential solutions and strategies that align with best management practices and governing regulations. Without a plan city management runs the risk of inefficiently managing future investments, duplicating efforts and violating the Clean Water Act.”

Stormwater regulations can prevent flooding, ensure public safety, minimize property damage and protect streams, aquifers and Puget Sound, the slide says. Preservation projects are the only area not meeting expectations.

Another slide says income typically exceeds expenses, spending in 2023 was $2.9 million and expenses are split 50-50 between projects and programs. As for the future, goals are to prioritize maintenance and preservation of existing system and to build capacity. Adding staff and funding also are priorities.

The council also will consider a request from the Suyematsu Farm Legacy Alliance that the city waive all building and planning fees for improvements to its district. The request letter from Carol Reitz, alliance secretary, says they need to replace a failing roof on the farmhouse. Since the nonprofit alliance is managing the city property without pay, it asks the city permit fee to be waived.

There also will be another monthly update on the Comprehensive and Winslow Subarea plans at the council meeting.

On the consent agenda, which normally isn’t discussed, the council plans to: authorize city manager Blair King to spend up to $350,000 per vehicle or equipment; spend about $65,000 for Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades; accept an over $742,500 grant for treatment plant outfall extension; spend almost $582,000 for solar panels at Woodward Middle School to offset carbon at the Ted Spearman Justice Center; and spend over $830,000 on Country Club Road reconstruction project.

Also on that agenda is lodging tax recommendations: Visit Bainbridge Island would get $190,000 of $200,000 requested; BI chamber $70,000 of $106,500 asked for; BI Downtown Association $70,000 of $95,500; Bainbridge Performing Arts $18,000 of $20,000; BI Historical Museum $17,000 of $24,000; BARN $11,800 of $12,940; Bloedel Reserve $8,000 of $12,254; Arts & Humanities Bainbridge $6,000 of $58,200; BI Parks & Trails Foundation $4,500 of $8,000; Visit Kitsap Peninsula $3,700 of $5,000; Bainbridge Youth Service $1,000 of $5,000; and Kitsap Winery Alliance none of the $14,844 it requested.

Councilmembers also will be appointed to various local and regional committees.

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