The city manager of an upscale community near San Diego has been chosen to lead Bainbridge Island in the same capacity.
The City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday night to enter contract talks with Blair King of Coronado.
The council said it’s not a final decision as there will be further discussion with the council and public.
The three members who voted instead for Keith Campbell of Stayton, Ore., said they felt King was too pro-growth. Campbell has since dropped out of the running.
But former mayor Leslie Schneider said King has experience in multiple cities and in each he performed unique duties. She was impressed that King provided BI with a quarter-by-quarter one-year plan with specific and measurable goals. He has experience with complicated utility issues, which will be important during franchise negotiations with PSE, she added.
He has high trust and integrity from his city staff of 10 years. “He will help us with our very bold agenda,” she said.
King also has a history of communicating well with the public, offering weekly video messages and a feedback form. She also spoke highly of his experience working with diversity, shorelines, tribes and jobs.
He has also had a “complex relationship with tourism, which would serve us well in that regard,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos pointed out that King won a national award for Coronado for its bicycle master plan. He also has a climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And his city in California has been good stewards of integrating affordable housing, she said.
Hytopoulos criticized an unnamed colleague for putting out a hit piece on King filled with misleading statements about King being pro growth. She cited an example that said King allowed a large hotel to be built in Half Moon Bay to increase pay of city leaders. The truth is, that happened six years before King came to town. And, besides that, added funds went to underpaid police staff, not managers.
Christy Carr repeated many of the same qualities. She also mentioned King’s transportation plan, renewable energy and Tree City USA. She sees him helping the council and community reach its visions and goals. We can leave “the past behind and pivot to a new working relationship,” she said.
Joe Deets added that King is open with the community and works well with staff. A Coronado council member told him, “We would be lucky to have Blair King.”
Voting for Campbell were Michael Pollock, Mayor Rasham Nassar and Brenda Fantroy-Johnson.
Pollock said he preferred Campbell because of his commitment to open space, preservation, parks, schools and collaborating with other groups. He said Campbell has tackled similar issues that BI has, including: walking and biking, stormwater, growth, affordable housing, salmon habitat, drinking water and economic development. He said Campbell has fought hard to control growth and keep Stayton’s “small town atmosphere.”
He said Campbell is adored in Stayton as he interacts with citizens and boosts the morale of city employees. He called Campbell “cutting edge,” “an innovative thinker” and “creative at solving complex problems.”
Nassar said when she “looks at Stayton she sees a lot of Bainbridge.” She said Stayton used to be where BI wants to go. She likes that Campbell’s “not afraid to stand up to developers.”
She appreciates his ability to bring a community together. “We have struggled with divisiveness,” she admitted of the BI council. She said the council “can’t compromise so little progress has been made. Campbell is a solution to that. He can bridge the divide that BI has been desperate for. It’s what it needs.”
Fantroy-Johnson said only that she supports Campbell because she thinks he’s “what’s best for the community.”
Prior to that discussion, during public comments, three speakers gave reasons why the council should pick Campbell.
Lisa Neal said Bainbridge Island has had city managers who wanted the council to “listen to the experts” rather than residents, who were called “armchair quarterbacks” to be ignored. She said Campbell is collaborative and a team player. “Act now to preserve the island and quality of life,” as Campbell is dedicated to the environment, Neal added.
Cynthia Bellas said King would have trouble dealing with environmentalism, and Campbell would be a better fit. Ron Peltier said King would promote growth and increase revenues, but Campbell would “protect our island from overdevelopment.”
Meet King
A virtual community Open House to meet with new Bainbridge Island City Manager Blair King will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.
Community members may submit questions in advance by sending an email to citymanagersearch@bainbridgewa.gov by 5 p.m. Feb. 8.
To participate on Zoom, go to https://bainbridgewa.zoom.us/j/98722595482
Join by telephone: Dial +1 (253) 215-8782 and enter 98722595482
A recording of the open house will be available following the event at bainbridgewa.gov/1250.
