Bainbridge council briefs: emergency sewer plant pumps, Fletcher Bay culvert, new compostable list

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Here are other actions and announcements from the Bainbridge Island City Council’s Oct. 27 meeting.

Emergency pump replacement at sewer plant

The council approved emergency purchase of two effluent pumps and related drive equipment for the Winslow Wastewater Treatment Plant, estimated at about $150,000 from the sewer fund. The approval waives competitive bidding. The pumps discharge treated water from the plant into Puget Sound. One of the plant’s three pumps failed and a second is deteriorating, leaving one reliable pump, according to a city memo.

One pump can handle low summer flows, but at least two are needed in the rainy season, the memo said. The memo warned that if the remaining pump failed, or wet-weather flows exceeded its capacity, effluent could overflow into the Wing Point neighborhood. The replacement had been planned for late this year. Separately, the council approved $86,337 for three harmonic line filters at the plant.

Fletcher Bay Road culvert

The city will seek a consultant to design and permit replacement of a failing culvert on Fletcher Bay Road north of High School Road. The new crossing will allow fish passage, and the project will also rebuild aging road in the area. The capital plan sets aside $1.24 million from the storm and surface water fund for design and construction. The engineer’s estimate for design work alone is $428,000.

New compostable food ware list

The council voted 7-0 to send the city’s 2027 list of required home-compostable food service ware to a future meeting for adoption. The list grows to 21 items. It adds cold-beverage cups and lids, fry cups, small plates and bowls 3.5 inches or smaller, and souffle cups and lids. Takeout and catering trays and breakfast platters come off the list because their price rose above the city’s limit of 15% more than conventional compostable products, management analyst Adam Nebenzahl said. The city plans to mail updated guidance to food businesses in December and January.

Other council business

• Approved the Mobility Advisory Committee’s 2026-2027 work plan 7-0, with Councilmember Leslie Schneider’s amendment encouraging members to attend or watch meetings of similar transportation groups, without representing the city, and to use transportation data in their recommendations.
• Canceled the Nov. 3 study session because of the election.
• Mayor Clarence Moriwaki proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month. Accepting the proclamation was Joy Rapada Belmont, who her daughter said graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1957 as its first Native American and Filipina graduate.

City manager’s report

• City Manager John Mauro said the city has received its permit to finish the protected bike lane project at Winslow Way and State Route 305. The work will be done mostly at night and depends on the weather. Mauro said the city hopes to complete it in November.
• The city will soon begin recruiting a permanent planning and community development director, a permanent public works director and an in-house city attorney, Mauro said. Those positions are now filled on an interim basis or by contract.
• Police have seen a slight uptick in car thefts on the island. Mauro urged residents to lock their cars and not leave keys inside.
• Frog Rock and the neighboring Ladybug at Madison Avenue and Phelps Road have been added to the Washington Heritage Register. Moriwaki suggested the city consider using contingency money to help pay for a plaque, since the landmark sits in city right of way.
• A community conversation about redlining is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 7. Details are on the city’s channels.

Council announcements

• Councilmember Mike Nelson said the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee heard from 10 groups and will recommend how to award $400,000 in lodging tax money. The recommendations go to the council Nov. 10.
• Councilmember Ashley Mathews said Finch Green broke ground Oct. 25 on property given by Bethany Lutheran Church. She said every unit is being built for “visitability” so any visitor can enter without barriers.
• Schneider helped cut the ribbon on Helpline House’s new EV chargers. She said Puget Sound Energy also made a surprise $10,000 donation to Helpline House.

Veterans group reaches out

During public comment, Rick Eckert, vice commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2463, said the post serves all of North Kitsap, including Bainbridge Island. The post meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo. Members plan an information booth at Town & Country Market on Bainbridge on Saturday, Nov. 7. Eckert also invited residents to Poulsbo’s fourth annual Veterans Day parade at 11:11 a.m. Nov. 11.