Instead of a major remodel, the city decided on just doing some housekeeping—for now.
Bainbridge Island staff was directed by the City Council to come up with major changes in downtown Winslow to make parking more fair and equitable. But after causing a stir those decisions will be made later as the city waits for the dust to settle. Until then, the city law on parking will be cleaned up.
“We’ll work incrementally on these pieces as we go along,” city manager Blair King said at the council meeting July 9.
King said while trying to come up with solutions many organizations were asking for exemptions. “Everybody had a good story to tell” on why they should get parking privileges, he said.
The most vocal was the sailing community. A couple members spoke during the public comment period of the meeting, mostly upset about possible parking time limits.
Haley Lhamon is coach of the Bainbridge High School sailing team, among many hats she wears for that community. The idea of setting parking limits of three hours would “definitely discourage participation” as some sailing classes last as long as six hours.
As for the BHS team, she said many team members already carpool so they take up fewer parking spaces. She also talked of the benefits of longer practices for the team so it can sail outside the harbor.
BHS team member Nick Heinzelman said most of the 25-30 team members carpool to the site. He said ideally parents would take them and drop them off, but that’s just not possible as many work during the day. He also mentioned that the city’s downtown parking program allows employees to park much longer than three hours.
Emily Barrows said parking limits also could hurt many activities that take place in Winslow. She mentioned two big sailing regattas each year. She also mentioned events like the recent Rotary Auction and 4th of July celebration.
In introducing the topic, police chief Joe Clark said the parking law had not been changed since 2010. He said the law change now is limited to fee-based monthly parking, state code changes for disability parking and other minor changes in language. Other ideas brought up are not part of the changes.
He said the city tried to negotiate with groups that use the area for parking for events but couldn’t reach an agreement. He said two to three hours “would accommodate most, but not all.”
Climate act
The council is leaning toward approving a resolution against Initiative 2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Robin Koskey of the Puget Sound Regional Council gave a presentation on the importance of the act. Supporters of the initiative say the cost of the act would cripple businesses.
The state plans to cut pollution by 95% by 2050 using the act. Over the next two years, the budget is almost $1.39 billion in capital, $1.32 billion in transportation and $683 million in operating expenses. The budget for transportation is $563 million for ferries, $429 million for public transit, $105 million for electrical vehicle charging, and $130 million for commercial vehicles, schools buses and more.
Koskey said the act will need more funding sources because people are carpooling, driving less and working from home, so there is less money coming in from the gas tax.
“Impacts are going to be devastating for our community,” Mayor Joe Deets said. “For the sake of the community and the sake of the environment, I fully support a resolution.”
City attorney Jim Haney said before a resolution can be passed the city needs to hear from both sides of the issue and have a public hearing.
STO trail
The council also agreed to apply for a $12 million grant for the Sound to Olympic trail. The city’s portion would be $3.1 million.
Hannah Boettcher of Sustainable Transportation said to cut costs the city plans to do 100% design and construction for .6 of a mile at Sakai Park, but only go for 100% design for the .7 mile middle school segment.
“That gives us time” to look at other ways to reduce costs, she said.
She said total cost estimates had increased from $22 million to $27 million due to a boardwalk, retaining wall and mitigation costs. By not doing construction at the middle school the cost drops to $15.5 million.
The council already approved a sales tax increase of .1%, which will bring in $800,000 a year for such projects.
Two councilmembers were concerned about that.
“We’re giving them less for their taxes,” Ashley Mathews said.
Leslie Schneider added, “I’m disappointed the money won’t go as far as we thought it would.”
But she is excited that the trail will help the community reach businesses in the Coppertop area. She’s also happy about the number of children who will be able to use the route to get to and from school.
Bike corral
“Corrals are not just for livestock,” King said in opening remarks about BI building a bike corral on Winslow Way, which was approved by the council.
The corral would house up to 10 bikes on the north side of Winslow Way near the mall, adjacent to striping and a tree. Only one vehicle parking space would be lost. Estimated cost is $8,000.
The city’s Sustainable Transportation Plan calls for such mobility hubs to encourage cycling by providing convenient and secure bike parking near popular destinations.
“It will reduce sidewalk clutter,” Boettcher said.
Tax exemption
The council did set a public hearing for Aug. 13 on a tax exemption at the Finch Green development.
A multi-family tax exemption there is just outside the previously designated area. The goal of the exemption is to encourage affordable housing. The law allows exemptions for 12 or 20 years. Bethany Lutheran Church is donating a portion of its land for the project, in partnership with Housing Resources Bainbridge.
