City Council Roundup for November 10, 2026

After the final public hearing on November 10, the Bainbridge Island City Council voted 6–0 to adopt Ordinance 2026-14, approving the $154.9 million budget for 2027–28 and the 2027–32 capital improvement plan. Council also voted unanimously to give Eagle Harbor liveaboards more time to respond to the proposed moorage rates. A proposal to hire a groundwater scientist divided them evenly.

The budget. The budget adds $100,000 for affordable housing under the Housing Trust Fund rules, $75,000 for community services, $125,000 for a community needs assessment, and $100,000 toward completing the Senior and Community Center. Two further $100,000 housing amendments failed 2–4.

Four people spoke at the final budget hearing. Former Councilmember Ron Peltier urged the City to hire a licensed hydrologist and asked councilmembers to visit the Manzanita stormwater project site, review its deed restrictions, and consider how diverting runoff could affect the creek. A second speaker supported the hire and suggested offering meters to private well owners so the City could study water use while keeping individual households’ data anonymous. Bevin Taylor thanked Council for funding the Housing Trust Fund. Speaking online, Phedra Elliott, executive director of Housing Resources Bainbridge, said the allocation would give community-based housing developers access to City funding. She also welcomed the increase in human-services grants.

Water and roads. The budget directs $15,000 to examine high residential water use. The Olympic Drive Park project came out of the capital plan. A 3–3 tie defeated the motion to add a hydrologist or hydrogeologist. Residents questioned the groundwater plan’s emphasis on human consumption and asked the City to examine the Manzanita stormwater project’s effects on the creek and donated open space. Council retained the $200,000 Manitou Beach Drive traffic-calming project and voted 6–0 to add climate considerations to its description.

Eagle Harbor. Liveaboards described a roughly 30% increase in moorage costs coming in January. Council directed staff to extend the November 20 response date. Current agreements run through December 31. The amount residents will pay remains unresolved.

Growth and zoning. Council set November 24 and December 8 hearings on the Comprehensive Plan and Winslow Subarea Plan, implementing zoning, and a separate package of state-related code changes. Staff will update the sewer-capacity memo and attach it to the plan. Council also agreed to a future discussion of standalone data centers.

The consent vote. Council approved bills and payroll, October 27 minutes, $400,000 in lodging-tax awards, a state boating-safety agreement, a 2027 county jail agreement, an application for up to $4.8 million for a Winslow drinking-water well, and the 2027 home-compostable food-service ware list. Tourism awards included $169,000 for Visit Bainbridge Island and $5,000 toward an online public trail map.

Hiring. In a separate 6–0 vote, Council authorized up to $63,444 for Raftelis to help recruit a city attorney, public works director, and planning and community development director. City Manager John Mauro said he brought the three searches together so Council could review the full cost. He also announced a change in interim Public Works leadership.

City manager’s report. Mauro reported 71 residential Solarize installations and a possible November 16 start for bicycle-lane work near the ferry terminal. He described visits to City facilities and meetings with utilities, advisory groups, and business leaders. City Hall closures include Veterans Day, November 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for staff training, and November 26–27. City facilities will close to the public the week of December 28 for internal operations.

Recognitions. A student read the Suquamish land acknowledgment. Council recognized Veterans Day, Small Business Saturday on November 28, Transgender Awareness Week on November 13–19, and Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. American Legion Post 172 invited residents to its November 11 ceremony at 1:30 p.m. A remembrance gathering is planned for November 20 at 6 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Council reports. Members reported on a regional housing-data workshop, a redlining program, the Leafline Coalition regional trails summit, lodging-tax awards, and downtown Halloween. Mayor Clarence Moriwaki spoke about cancer awareness and his family’s experience. The November 10 Council packet includes the ordinances, contracts, and spending tables.

More detailed stories coming soon!