Bainbridge Island briefs

Crematoria hearing

A public hearing on regulating crematoria on Bainbridge Island will take place Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall during the Planning Commission meeting.

BI does not have a law regarding crematoria, and a recent idea to bring one to BI was controversial.

To be discussed is a city staff recommendation to prohibit crematoria in all zoning districts. Other options include: just like in the county allow them in certain zones but 200 feet from nearby residential; allow in business/industrial zones; or allow with specific standards, such as protecting air quality, screening and/or a setback of an additional 100 feet from nearby residents.

Food waste

Bainbridge Island is looking for a few more people to participate in its pilot food waste program, city manager Blair King says in his weekly newsletter.

It received a $50,000 grant to keep food waste out of the landfill.

“We are encouraging the community to separate food waste with little kitchen garbage pails and place the food waste into the Bainbridge Disposal green yard waste bin, or better yet, use the food waste in your home composting,” King says. The effort is part of BI’s Climate Action Plan. Food waste in landfills breaks down and becomes methane, a significant contributor to global warming.

There are 78 households participating in the kitchen waste pail pilot program. If you’d like to be a part of it, send an email to anebenzahl@bainbridgewa.gov.

Rental registration

Bainbridge Island’s Short-Term Rental registration law takes effect Sept. 30, and the portal to sign up is open now.

The law helps to provide neighborhood transparency regarding vacation rentals and ensures business license compliance. Operators can obtain their certificate before the deadline. The city worked with the BI chamber and innkeepers in coming up with the law. After Sept. 30 the public will be able to look at the portal. For details, go to www.bainbridgewa.gov/str

BI Reads

Bainbridge Island Reads is offering two activities this month.

Bloedel Reserve is hosting two special meditation events at their Japanese Garden House, inspired by A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. Led by Juliana Perez, a mindfulness meditation coach, these sessions will blend meditation, nature and poetry, offering a unique opportunity to connect with yourself and the earth. Space is limited to 15 people. The first event is Aug. 16 from 3-4 p.m. The second is Sept. 20 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Also, folks can write a letter to a stranger and get one in return by sending it to City Hall by Sept. 1 via email to Cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov

PSE hearing

A public hearing on the Puget Sound Energy municipal code amendment will take place at the Planning Commission meeting Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall’s council chambers, 280 Madison Ave. N. on Bainbridge Island.

Easier grant process

Kitsap Community Foundation, along with the Women’s Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula and the Kitsap Racial Equity and Empowerment Fund, invites nonprofits to submit applications for combined community grants.

In an effort to make things easier for local nonprofits, the three groups are working together to lower the barriers for funding for those serving charitable missions in the community. Tina O’Brien, CEO of Kitsap Community Foundation, says the foundation has simplified the process so everyone can apply.

The link to the grant application is available online at www.kitsapfoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant. Applications open Aug. 19 and are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 16.

Bikes for all

The free annual Bikes for All event will take place 3-7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, 1200 Fairgrounds Road NW in Bremerton.

Local youth and adults with mobility, sensory and other disabilities are invited to attend, along with all others. There will be adaptive bike demonstrations showcasing recumbent (reclining) and tandem bikes and handcycles. These adaptive bikes provide a way for people with varying mobility to get outside and ride.

Assistance will be provided by certified physical and recreational therapists. There will be water and pizza for participants and information on grants and scholarships to purchase adaptive bikes.

Shellfish closure

Shellfish harvesting is closed from Foulweather Bluff to Point Jefferson in North Kitsap due to high levels of marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison in the water, the Kitsap Public Health District announced Aug. 7.

Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from closure areas.

BI police log

8-5: Theft, 200 block Tormey Lane NE

8-6: Identity theft, 900 block Blue Herron Avenue

8-4: Malicious mischief, 9300 block NE High School Road

8-4: Theft, 10000 block NE Pine Way

8-6: Forgery, 8800 block Madison Avenue N

8-6: Malicious mischief, 11100 block NE Old Creosote Hill Road

8-7: Forgery, 8000 block NE Day Road W

8-8: Theft, 200 block Shannon Drive SE

8-9: Domestic violence, 5400 block Lynwood Center Road NE

8-9: Burglary, 10300 block NE Valley Road