BI council to see presentation on Superfund site

A presentation on the Eagle Harbor Superfund construction schedule, public input opportunities, plans for public access when it’s done, and public concerns and mediation efforts will take place at the Bainbridge Island City Council meeting March 26.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall and on Zoom.

Jacob Moersen of the Environmental Protection Agency will give the presentation on the Wyckoff cleanup public access plan. The cleanup will take eight to 10 years, but then it will be turned over to the city for public trails, passive recreation and parking. The site is a former creosote plant located at the southeast corner of Eagle Harbor adjacent to Pritchard Park.

Public input will be taken concerning electricity/lighting; paved parking area; foundation/footings; artwork; pavilions; and playgrounds. Already planned are one or more overlook areas; grass cover; metal guardrails; gravel parking area; small building for groundwater treatment; and bioswale/stormwater retention ponds and native plants.

EPA is anticipating public concerns during construction including: noise; odors; particulates; truck and barge traffic; working days/hours; and Pritchard Park and Creosote Place NE access. Mediation plans include: noise monitoring; air monitoring and sampling; modified working hours; public meetings; regular updates; and an EPA webpage.

The phased construction schedule includes:

•2024 – Wellfield realignment and thermal pilot demolition

•2025-26 – Wall replacement

•2027-31 – Beach Dredge Cap, upland ISS remedy

•2032 – Shakedown, handoff to Ecology

STO trail

The city has a preferred route for the Sound To Olympic Trail through Sakai Park along the toe of Highway 305 embankment/east of the pond. A poll with 113 people responding shows 64% favor that route compared to 36% for the trail to go through the middle of the park west of the pond. The preferred Alternative 1 would cost $7.8 million, compared with $16.2 million for Alternative 2.

The entire 40-mile STO Trail will connect Winslow to the Olympic Discovery Trail in Jefferson County and is part of the Great American Rail Trail, a 3,700-mile cross-country route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The STO Trail will generally follow Highway 305 from the ferry terminal 6.6 miles to the Agate Pass Bridge. BI has built about 1.1 miles to Sakai Park.

The BI part of the trail was looked at either near the highway or using existing trails, roads and north-south corridors. The chosen paths require the least amount of right-of-way acquisition, least maintenance, least critical areas, lowest cost, direct route, most accessibility, desirable locations and minimize tree impacts. Hidden Cove and Meigs Park segments go off the highway course for various reasons.

The city is providing $140,000; BI Parks & Trails Foundation $50,000; and BI Metro Park & Recreation District $25,000. BI also has a $1.7 million federal grant for design.

Other topics

It will consider public art for Highway 305 roundabouts at Adas Will and/or West Port Madison and/or Day Road. It is looking at the cost of the three public art pieces at the Johnson Parkway roundabout near Poulsbo, which cost $275,000. BI has already spent $150,000 for public art at the new Ted Spearman Justice Center, so there is $136,000 left in the Public Art Subfund. Three options are being considered for the process: an ad hoc committee, the Public Art Committee or a community panel. The state Department of Transportation suggests “stamped concrete” on retaining walls as the art option.

It will schedule a public question and answer forum regarding the 625 Winslow Way East affordable housing project. The dates being considered are: April 10, 11 or 15 at 5 p.m. at a location to be determined. It will receive another update on the Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive Plan projects. And it will consider amending parts of city code related to city advisory groups.

Consent agenda

Consent agenda items include: road repair construction bids; Country Club Road reconstruction; and Country Club Bulkhead repair project. Council also expects to allow city manager Blair King to reject bids for City Hall renovation and security system upgrades because they are too high. It will look for $2.5 million in federal funding for Springbrook Creek fish passage work.

Proclamations will include: April is Heritage Tree Month; “Nidoto Nai Yoni – Let It Not Happen Again Day”; and March 31 is Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Day of Service and Learning.