The Bainbridge Island City Council decided not to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree and save the one at the BI Historical Museum due to safety concerns at its Nov. 12 meeting.
Deputy mayor Ashley Mathews said everything has been done to try to save it. “There are bolts and braces holding it up,” she said. “We did every last thing to keep that tree there.”
Councilmember Clarence Moriwaki agreed, saying the city did emergency triage on it with massive wires holding up branches. “We did everything we could but it’s not going to make it. It’s heart-breaking. It’s iconic.” He said it would be horrific for the community if the tree fell on to the museum.
Councilmember Brenda Fantroy-Johnson was concerned about someone getting hurt. “I love heritage trees, but I love people a little bit more,” she said, adding liability also is a concern. She said: “Trees are like people—they get familiar. But they also get tired of standing.”
Two other councilmembers said the tree had a long life. “It’s time has come,” Leslie Schneider said. Mayor Joe Deets added: “It’s the cycle of life. It’s time to go.”
The council then discussed how to say goodbye to the tree, and what should be done with it after it’s cut down.
Councilmember Jon Quitslund said it could be made into beautiful things, like tabletops. He said the council should do what it can to “get the most out of the remains of the wood.” Deets suggested it could be used to provide firewood for low-income people so they “can stay warm in the winter.” Moriwaki said allowing residents to keep a piece of it would be fun, adding, “I have a piece” of the Alaska Viaduct after it was demolished in Seattle.
Legislative goals
Amina Abdalla of Honeywell Government Relations talked about the city’s legislative goals for 2025. They are: Reliable ferry service and ferry line management; Winslow Workforce Housing Project; High School Road Fish Passage; and Protect the Privacy of City Newsletter Subscribers.
City manager Blair King reminded the council Honeywell brought BI $300,000 in state funds last year.
Morwaki called having lobbyists a “very good investment.” Mathews said since local legislators were recently re-elected the lobbyists could be even more successful in their second year. “They’re familiar to us and our issues,” she said. Fantroy-Johnson also likes that BI now has lobbyists. “It’s so much easier than trying to keep track.”
Human service money
The council announced the agencies that received city Human Services funds. “It gives nonprofits a shot in the arm,” Moriwaki said.
Bainbridge Youth Services, $114,000 out of $120,000 requested; Helpline House, $104,500 of $110,000 requested; BI Senior Community Center, $95,000 of $100,000 requested; Housing Resources Bainbridge and Island Volunteer Caregivers, each $85,500 of $90,000 requested; Bainbridge Prepares, $62,100 of $160,000 requested; Peacock Family Services, $38,000 of $40,000 requested; Stephen’s House, all $37,400 it requested; First Years Children’s Center, all $28,000 it requested; and Bainbridge Boys and Girls Club, $10,000 of $75,000 requested. Up from Slavery Initiative asked for $120,000; Kitsap Homes of Compassion $105,000; BI Child Care Centers $60,000; and Peaceful Morning Farms $51,000. All received nothing.
City manager
In King’s report, he briefly discussed the 80 projects the city is working on. He said it’s not comprehensive, but highlights include: fish passage, affordable housing, water tank, Comprehensive Plan update, moved into police-court building, art dedications and the Madison Avenue project.
Public comments
Two speakers talked about compostable products allowed in new BI rules, and another talked about transportation funding.
Nicholas Ganea of Sauce Nouvelle said the city should get involved in a Causal Layered Analysis process. He said it would only take an acre or two of land and bins. He said the process breaks down plastics. “It’d be a good investment with less waste in landfills,” he said, adding it would create local green jobs and benefit the environment. He said he can no longer use small compostable cups, and, “It’s hard to find a consistent option.” He said he now can no longer use compostable utensils, which “goes against sustainability and what my customers want.” Ganea shows environmental awareness as he doesn’t even have paper menus. A chef for 21 years, he said he offers a progressive dining experience using technology for things like self-checkout.
Jerry Childers of Coquette Bake Shop said he came there to support other local businesses regarding changes in compostable items. He said for 10 years he has been using compostable cups but now they are banned by the state. Now he has to use single-wall cups, which mean sleeves are required on hot drinks. Like Ganea, that makes him concerned about trees and also more being put in landfills.
Richard Potter, treasurer for Squeaky Wheels bicycle club, encouraged the city to spend transportation money wisely. He said a survey shows 44% of BI folks say their needs regarding walkability are not being met. The club has three requests: Safe routes to schools are inexpensive projects; move up to 2025 rather than 2028 the Valley Road project; and explore how more funds could be obtained through state grants and sales tax increases. “Climate change and safety demand action now,” he said.
