Bainbridge Island must believe in second chances.
The City Council recently discussed with police chief Joe Clark starting to fine people for parking violations rather than just give warnings, which has been the previous practice.
Warning: BI is going to start charging $50 fines. But on your first violation your ticket will say this one is a freebie, but if it happens again there will be a fine.
BI will see if its council is fine with that at its Dec. 13 meeting at 6 p.m. on Zoom and at City Hall.
A lot is on the agenda as the council plans to cancel its next three meetings.
Some of the interesting topics actually are on the consent agenda, which often doesn’t get much attention, if any.
A Jan. 24 date is set to be made for a public meeting regarding islandwide speed limit changes. The council also will look to expand city manager Blair King’s purchasing power to allow up to $990,000 to be spent on new city vehicles.
It also will be deciding on agreements with the Kitsap County jail, juvenile detention and county prosecuting attorney for their work with BI. Also on the consent agenda are human services funding for $660,000, software update for almost $385,000 over the next three years and a 25 cent charge for use of a disposable cup in BI starting Jan. 1.
They also will decide on $350,000 in lodging tax money, out of $512,000 that was requested. The most funds will go to Visit Bainbridge Island, over $100,000; with the BI Lodging Association getting almost $61,000; the BI chamber almost $59,000; the BI Downtown Association almost $32,000; Arts and Humanities Bainbridge almost $25,000; and a number of others receiving less.
In new business, the council will discuss a moratorium on new inns in Neighborhood Center Zoning Districts because of what some are saying are loopholes in current law.
The council also will discuss an $80,000 request from Helpline House to aid those in need with rent and mortgage assistance; a 6% cost of living adjustment for city employees; and approval of a Wintergreen Townhomes project.
The council also will see a presentation on progress in almost two years on the city’s Climate Action Plan.
The presentation explains the three main goals are to: reduce greenhouse gas emissoins; ensure BI is climate savvy and can withhold impacts of climate change; and inspire community action.
Some of the achievements include: hired climate action staff; passed regulations to reduce waste from single-use plastics; adopted Sustainable Transportation Plan; added new bike lanes; purchased electric vehicles; launched its Climate Smart Challenge with more than 180 households participating; received two grants; evaluated six disaster hubs for solar panels and battery storage; hosted workships; and more.
Other highlights include looking at projects with a climate, along with equity, lens. The city also bought zero emission landscaping tools and is 100% powered by green energy. It also has been involved in education, providing climate lesson plans to schools.
The city has also updated zoning codes to allow more EV charging on BI. And a community car sharing program is expected to start early next year. There will be two EVs and charging stations at City Hall with the hope of obtaining four more over the next two years.
