The Bainbridge Island City Council approved a new construction contract for the Eagle Harbor Drive non-motorized improvement project and discussed an update to the city’s sign ordinance as part of its July 8 regular business meeting.

Johansen Construction Company, LLC, a Washington-based company, was awarded the Eagle Harbor Drive contract for a total of $2,558,798.39. The project involves undertaking a major culvert replacement and stream restoration project designed to support salmon recovery, and will also provide 7-10 foot widened shoulders for pedestrian use and connect with other Eagle Harbor Drive / Wyatt Way non-motorized improvements happening sometime this year.

Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos voted against the contract, citing that receiving community feedback has changed her perspective about her support for the project in its current form. She said her concerns aren’t focused on the inconvenience of road closures; instead, she’s more concerned about safety.

“I know I’m not gonna change the council, so it won’t affect anything. But I do think that leadership is required in situations like this, that if we have an alarm, we have to go with that alarm,” she said.

Councilmember Brenda Fantroy-Johnson shared her support for the project.

“If there was some sort of disaster, we have the best emergency management group in Kitsap, so there’s that. And you know, everybody’s going to be inconvenienced, but it won’t be forever, and it will be much safer,” she said.

BI resident Steve Thiele shared his concerns.

“I understand that these projects were pursued by staff and the council with good intentions, but I’m very concerned…about the safety issues of the Cooper Creek design and the total lack of meaningful public involvement and notice for both of the projects as proposed,” he said. “I have sent several emails to councilmembers and to the city manager, expressing specific concerns at length, but the Cooper Creek project in particular is very concerning from public safety access, because it’s going to limit all vehicle access to the south end to just a single road route Fletcher Bay, that’s the busiest. Eagle Harbor Drive is the busiest segment on the on the road segment on the island.”

Thiele said he’s worried the meeting materials didn’t include an assessment about traffic impacts.

“I don’t know how anybody in the public can make a meaningful decision on whether it’s a good project or not with the information available,” he said.

BI Mayor Ashley Mathews said she’s apprehensive about the possible safety implications of the project and is interested in getting additional safety perspectives, including from fire chief Jared Moravec and city emergency manager Anne LeSage.

Councilmember Joe Deets said he would like to revisit safety concerns about the project at a future council study session.

Council also reviewed proposed changes to the city’s recently passed sign ordinance, which went into effect in April.

The language now includes a provision to allow business owners to display signs on city-owned property as long as they follow certain conditions. The new language states;

“Sandwich board signs shall not be located within public rights-of way or on public properties owned by the city of Bainbridge Island, except that sandwich board signs may be located on city-owned properties by tenants who are currently leasing such properties from the city, where the city consents to such location, and all other requirements of this chapter are met,” per city documents.

The ordinance will be forwarded to the July 22 regular business meeting for adoption.

Council also designated the month of July as Disability Pride Month.