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Bainbridge Islanders,
You might know about the City’s pilot program to keep food waste out of the landfill. The City received a $50,000 grant to measure how much waste we could divert from the landfills. We are encouraging the community to separate food waste with little kitchen garbage pails and place the food waste into the Bainbridge Disposal green yard waste bin, or better yet, use the food waste in your home composting. This initiative is part of Bainbridge Island’s Climate Action Plan. Food waste typically represents a high percentage of the waste that goes to landfills. When it reaches the landfill, it breaks down and becomes the greenhouse gas methane, a significant contributor to global warming.
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We have a food waste pail at our house. It sits under the sink. I think we do a good job of tossing food scraps and organic waste into the pail. It’s pretty easy with banana peels, eggshells, and peach skins. Sometimes, smaller items like cherry pits get overlooked, or when the table scraps have too much liquid and are too runny, I wonder if the pail is the right place for them. We’ll drain the plate into the sink. Since we don’t have a garbage disposal we keep a screen over the drain. The pieces of food are collected in the screen, and then we’ll scrape out the screen and put it in the kitchen pail. We usually line the kitchen pail with newspaper. It absorbs the moisture and keeps the odor down. It all gets tossed into the green yard waste. We just discovered compostable food scrap bags for kitchen pails. We are giving these a try in lieu of newspapers to see if the convenience outweighs the cost.
There are 78 households participating in our kitchen waste pail pilot program. Participants are spread across the island with the most participants coming from Winslow and Rolling Bay. Through the pilot program the City hopes to gauge the amount of organic material we could divert from the landfill if we go citywide with kitchen pails. Unless one plans to home compost or do a worm bin, a green yard waste bin is needed from Bainbridge Disposal. We still have a few pails to give away if your household wants to participate in the pilot program. Send an email to anebenzahl@bainbridgewa.gov.
Just like many other things we do to be good stewards of the environment, separating food waste is not new. Back in the day, it was common to separate kitchen waste and table scraps for livestock feed. Back then, people had to use a bucket, now we use a cool little food waste pail with a lid.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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National Night Out is an annual event aimed at building stronger relationships between all community members and local law enforcement, as well as other first responders, creating compassionate, more inclusive places to call home. Check out highlights on our social media channels of Facebook, X, and NextDoor! | |
Removing Invasive Vegetation with Student Corps | |
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The City recently partnered with Bainbridge Island Metro Parks and Recreation District (BIMPRD) to have the Student Conservation Corps (SCoCo) remove invasive vegetation at Morales Farm as part of the City's Farm Trail project. SCoCo, a paid youth employment program, is dedicated to fighting noxious weeds. Together with BIMPRD, the City is working to restore Manzanita Creek where it crosses the Morales Farm property by planting and nurturing native vegetation. Corps members also attended “lunch and learn” sessions with conservation experts from the City and Kitsap Conservation District, gaining valuable education and career advice. This collaboration highlights the power of local talent in improving Bainbridge Island's environment.
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Next week, August 12-16, Washington State Ferries (WSF) Terminal Engineering staff and project contractors will complete some of the last items on Bainbridge’s new overhead loading. Part of finishing the project is switching over to new equipment. To do that, WSF will operate out of the terminal’s slip one, with car deck loading on Tues., Aug. 13. WSF expects the work to begin at 3am and be finished around 4pm.
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EPA Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site Update | |
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The EPA is starting the wellfield replacement project at the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site. Active construction will begin in August. Safety fencing will be put up with a 50-foot buffer around the southeast corner of the site to protect the public. The fencing will remain in place throughout the wellfield replacement project, which the EPA anticipates will last through the end of 2024. During this time, the public will not be able to access the southeast corner area, including the Creosote Park Bench. The EPA will reassess public access to the park and Creosote Place NE during future phases of construction in late 2024 or early 2025.
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Smart Watering and Other Helpful Tips for Your Yard | | |
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The State Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency in April for most of the state. As climate change continues to affect the Pacific Northwest, it's important to practice smart watering and sustainable yard care.
Click on the "Learn More" button for helpful tips on how to maintain your yard.
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Short-Term Vacation Rentals MUST Register by September 30 | | |
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The City of Bainbridge Island’s new, easy-to-use Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration Portal is now open. If you are the owner or operator of a Short Term Vacation Rental on the island, you must register by September 30 to be in compliance with Ordinance 2024-18. | |
Community Opportunities & Public Engagement | |
Draft Environmental Impact Statement NOW AVAILABLE | | |
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The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and the Winslow Subarea Plan Update is now available to comment on.
Your voice is essential in shaping Bainbridge Island’s future, ensuring a desired path forward for both present and future generations.
For more information on the DEIS, to access the document, and/or to learn about upcoming community engagement opportunities, please visit the City’s website. Comment by Oct. 10.
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BI Reads Mindfulness Meditation at Bloedel - Aug. 16 & Sep. 20 | |
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Bloedel Reserve is hosting two special meditation events at their Japanese Garden House, inspired by A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. Led by Juliana Perez, a mindfulness meditation coach, these sessions will blend meditation, nature, and poetry, offering a unique opportunity to connect with yourself and the earth. Space is limited to 15 people.
August 16:
- Time: 3:00-4:00 PM
- Where: Bloedel Reserve, 7571 NE Dolphin Dr, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
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Limited Spaces: Sign up here
September 20:
- Time: 10:30-11:30 AM
- Where: Bloedel Reserve
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Limited Spaces: Sign up here
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BI Reads: Dear Stranger Letter Writing August 1-30 | |
Reflect on your experiences and connect with others by writing a letter to “Dear Stranger.” Following a model by Oregon Humanities, letters will be collected at City Hall and exchanged with other participants—send a letter and receive one in return! Write about anything you like and choose to sign your letter or remain anonymous. Submit your letter by September 1 either by mail to City Hall (280 Madison Ave N, Attn: "Dear Stranger") or via email at Cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov. Be sure to include your name and address so you can receive a letter back. A release form is required to participate, available at City Hall or online at this link | | |
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The City is developing a Community Arts Plan to establish a shared vision for the role of community art on Bainbridge Island. The plan will aim to create policies and programs that will enrich the quality of life on the island.
Please share your thoughts and ideas in a survey!
Art in this Image: "The 16th Avenue Steps" by Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher
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City Council Meeting Updates | |
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Councilmembers from left to right: Leslie Schneider (Central Ward - District 4), Clarence Moriwaki (Central Ward - District 5),
Ashley Mathews (South Ward - District 6), Brenda Fantroy-Johnson (North Ward - District 2), Joe Deets (North Ward - District 7),
Kirsten Hytopoulos (At Large - District 1), Jon Quitslund (South Ward, District 3)
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August 13 Regular Business Meeting key topics:
- Hold Public Hearing on Finch Green Multi-Family Tax Exemption
- Recognize Squeaky Wheel Donation in Support of the Dana’s Trail Improvements
- Authorize Period of Exclusive Negotiation with Affordable Housing Developer
- Receive Update on Groundwater Management Plan
- Authorize the City Manager to advertise for construction bids for the Winslow Water Tank Replacement Off-Site Improvements
**City Council Agendas are available to view the Friday before the meeting by 5 p.m.**
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Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers
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City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts)
- BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE)
The public is invited to contact members of the City Council to express concerns, questions and praise. Some council members are holding virtual office hours and others are available to meet upon request.
Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.
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