Mathews voted in as mayor of Bainbridge

Ashley Mathews was elected mayor of Bainbridge Island at the City Council meeting Jan. 14.

In advocating for the position, the previous deputy mayor said she is a “really good listener” and that “every voice matters.” She talked about shared values of people who live on BI, but when there is disagreement it is an “opportunity for growth, not division.” She said she wants to “foster that spirit of unity.” She sees the power of working together even when “we see the world differently.”

Clarence Moriwaki was the only other nominee. He talked of his time as deputy mayor, his knowledge of following rules when running meetings with integrity, and his vast experience and involvement in community issues and organizations.

The council voted in Mathews 5-2 to serve the one-year term.

Jon Quitslund was again voted in as deputy mayor, a six-month position. “I never aspired to be mayor,” he said, adding he wants to be a “close team member” with the mayor.

Public comments

Five people talked about the need for a Groundwater Management Plan before decisions can be made regarding the city’s Comprehensive Plan, and five others talked about their desire not to have the city take over Sewer District 7 at Fort Ward.

Malcolm Gander said BI has to have a water plan to predict population growth. Ron Peltier said it’s taken years for BI to update its water plan.

Melanie Keenan said the Comp Plan’s draft environmental impact statement doesn’t even mention BI relies on a sole source acquifer for its drinking water. It also doesn’t mention that in 2013 the Environmental Protection Agency said such cities don’t have to have the density of population that other cities do. Without that information included proper population growth can’t be calculated.

Lisa Neal said the housing allocation chart in the DEIS was made before the EPA exemption was made. The DEIS also does not address affordable housing. It would “create a whole bunch of market rate housing,” she said.

Bruce Weiland’s said since the groundwater plan is not finished there is no way the Comp Plan will be done by June 30. “It’s like a runaway train headed for a river bridge that’s out,” he said. “You won’t have time to even begin to understand the depth of this issue.” He said it’s better to lose a few million dollars in state money than “to destroy (the character of) Winslow.” He suggested pushing the deadline to the end of the year.

Speakers regarding the sewer district said the overwhelming number of customers don’t want the city to take it over. Sewer district Commissioner Sarah Lee said all but one of 70 comments made to them favor merging with the Kitsap Public Utility District instead. Trust is an issue. They feel the city is trying to force consolidation when the Comp Plan allows for cooperation instead.

Chris Garcia said the service is working well so consolidation is not needed. Customers are upset the city is not respecting what they want. They feel if the city is involved costs will be higher without added benefits.

On another topic, Renni Bispham and Olivia Hall of the city’s Race Equity Advisory Committee talked about the need for the city and “sanctuary” state to protect immigrants, considering deportation and other comments made by incoming President Trump.

Other issues

On the consent agenda, the council forwarded to the Planning Commission its recommendations for the Comp Plan. They include:

-Explore all options for growth taking into account public comment, infrastructure and impacts.

-Encourage private developers for affordable housing.

-Look at mandatory inclusionary housing zoning in Winslow, High School Road, Ferry District and Core District.

-Explore all options on building heights taking into account public comments, realizing taller buildings will result in more-affordable housing, but that needs to be balanced for each zone, and some deserve extra scrutiny.

-The Winslow subarea boundary should shift north and west to align with sewer service.

-Conservation areas can be considered for affordable housing, as long as their character is retained.

-Accessory dwelling units can be considered for conservation areas, neighborhood centers and Winslow.

-The council did not vote on expanding capacity of the Day Road Business and Industrial Center to encourage economic development. It also delayed a vote on if Winslow should be a countywide growth center.

Quitslund said the council should work with the Planning Commission on this, while Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos said the commission doesn’t need any “more direction from us.” But she said when the commission is done with it, “We (council) need more time” with it.

Also on the consent agenda was to buy the “notch” property at 180 Olympic Drive SE for $1.08 million for an affordable housing project after using eminent domain in the area near the former police station.