Quality Bainbridge Questionnaire
1) What inspired you to run for a position as City Council member?
I am a write-In Candidate for the Central Ward. Our city is compromised by political ambition and conflict of interest. I'm here to push an open space small/town conservation agenda. During the "Save 550 Madison Avenue" and "Winslow Hotel Resistance." I searched for leadership and never found it, so I'm stepping up for all of us.
2) What are your top priorities that you would work to have the city accomplish during your term in office? For each identified priority that requires the expenditure of money, please state how you would fund it.
My top priorities are reasonable growth management, extending the moratorium and review of all growth and development projects on the island, and intelligent evaluation of the revitalization of pre-existing structures and infrastructure for island's housing needs. We need representatives who ask approval to use the public’s funds before they are used, have zero interest in careers as politicians, and who are not beholden to corporations or donors for anything other than to protect the beauty, character and resources of this island.
3) Describe your relevant previous experiences that prepare you for the Council role. What skills, training, resources and expertise will you bring to the Council?
I am a compliance expert. I’ve worked with clients over 20 years to offer the benefits of negotiation and mutual acceptance when conflict arises. I’ve been negotiating a wonderful peace between neighbors as Vice President of On the Green Homeowners Association for over a decade. Our neighborhood is one of the most respected on the island. The very basis of democracy is individuals with competing self -interests arriving at a communal forum to hammer out a reasonable and civilized solution together. Dialogue actually works. Some issues can seem beyond hope, for sure. But its only through listening and hearing one another that can you identify those who are able to be moved to resolution. It is only through dialogue that you can use evidence- backed arguments to persuade people to consider another viewpoint. The council has pushed forward may issues such as the Suzuki Project which the community is against. We must listen to our constituents and advocate for the will of the people and for the health of our island.
4) Islanders consistently identify water quantity and quality as a top community priorities. Recent city studies (Water Resources and Groundwater Monitoring) show that our water resources are resilient, however some of our streams are significantly polluted. What ideas do you have for improving the health of island (and our surrounding) waters?
Having participated as a volunteer in the collection of water samples for the Kitsap County 2018 Annual Water Quality Report , I am intimately aware of the health of our surface water. This document is worth a read. Our island's streams and ground water are not nearly as healthy as most would believe. Also, capacity on our island is in limited supply and its quality, quickly morphing. I direct the reader to these documents from January 12th, Bainbridge Island Water Workshops and June 18th, Bainbridge Island Water Workshop. Also, The Conceptual Model and Numerical Simulation of the Ground Water - Flow System of Bainbridge Island Washington and The Bainbridge Island Aspect Water Survey. Of note:
"The Kitsap Public Health District is not aware of any public water systems that test for pharmaceuticals, and the city does not test for pharmaceuticals." "Approximately half of the island’s population is served by large or small public water purveyor systems and approximately half own their own well. Generally, island groundwater quality is excellent; however, there are localized areas that tend to have naturally high mineral content, specifically iron and manganese. In nearly all cases the mineral concentrations are well below EPA’s drinking water."
We must advocate for reasonable growth to ameliorate the stress on our aquifers, protect our open space to rehabilitate our soil in order to improve the natural purification process, and try to utilize our electric mass transit systems to contribute less to groundwater contamination.
5) How do you think growth (economic and population) on the island can best be managed? In light of the dictates of the Growth Management Act and the private property rights of landowners, how can the City create a proper balance between building housing and preserving our natural resources? How should we address the issue of code enforcement?
The GMA requests that we provide proper zoning to accommodate expected growth. Through our Comprehensive plan, we have adhered to this suggestion and up zoned for the expected growth and more (120% more) through 2036. The guiding principles are thoughtful and the code enforceable if reconciled properly and are as follows:
#1 Preserve the special character of the Island, which includes downtown Winslow’s small-town atmosphere, historic buildings, extensive forested areas, meadows, farms, marine views, and scenic and winding roads supporting all forms of transportation.
#2 Protect the water resources of the Island.
#3 Foster diversity with a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the island and the human needs of its residents consistent with the stewardship of our finite environmental resources.
#4 Consider the costs and benefits to island residents and property owners in making land use decisions.
#5 The use of land on the island should be based on the principle that the island’s environmental resources are finite and must be maintained at a sustainable level.
#6 Address the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
#7 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the island’s climate resilience.
#8 Support the island’s Guiding Principles and Policies through the city’s organizational and operating budget decisions.... and then tap into the absolute abundance of creative and brilliant ideas that our residents have.
6) What does the term “affordable housing” mean to you? Is the subject important to you, and if so, why? What are your thoughts about the affordability of housing on Bainbridge Island? What policies, if any, would you like to see our City implement to increase the inventory of affordable housing?
Affordability has many different levels with respect to Bainbridge Island AMI ($109,341):
· Very low income, below 50% AMI ($54,670)
· Low 50% - 80% $54,670 - $87,472
· Moderate 80% - 115% $87,472 - $144,603
Housing for critical staff would be prioritized: (Low – moderate AMI) for our teachers, law enforcement, fire people and emts. Very low income would be continued to be sheltered and embellished through the housing options that exist presently on the island through HRB and KH.
Demographically, very low-income people are not moving to the island. The largest migration to our island is for people with incomes of over $200,000. Even with provided housing, the island is an expensive everyday place to live. Our average islander who commutes to the city spends over 45 mins commuting. Many options exist within a 45-mile radius driving time to the island throughout the county where land and housing is less expensive.
Rehabilitating existing structures is the most cost-effective way to provide housing. I want to survey these possibilities before we continue to bludgeon our resources..
7) Kitsap PUD is soliciting indications of interest in expanding broadband access to neighborhoods on the island. What should be the role of the city in assisting with this expansion?
“After passage of a new state law in 1999 permitting Public Utility Districts (PUDs) to provide wholesale telecommunications services to its citizens, KPUD initiated a county-wide fiber optic network building plan, and began formally deploying a robust, redundant, world class, high capacity fiber optic network throughout the county. This network is called KPUD Fiber.” I believe the city should be participating a full roll out of KPUD services if they aren’t already, to prepare our island for emergency communications in case of disaster. Extending the service to neighborhoods seems like a natural extension. The city, if after analysis finds that the service is cost-effective and reliable for its residents, should promote the adoption of the KPUD service through targeted promotional campaigns to each neighborhood.
8) What do you think is the appropriate role for City Council in responding to the climate crisis? What is Council already doing in this area, and what additional ideas do you have for how we should be reducing our Island’s greenhouse gases and adapting to the changes we expect to see in the coming years and decades?
Near Term: Cut down on carbon emissions. Provide incentives for solar infrastructure and off grid living. Engage ecologists such as landscape designer and permaculture educator, Jordan Fink to help us plan for today.
Long Term: Rebuild our soil to prepare for carbon sequestration, preserve open space and forested areas, plant as many chestnut trees and fruit trees as we can. Incentivize people to plant and keep trees, build ADU's on their property. Encourage electric transportation and solar power. Engage ecologists such as landscape designer and permaculture educator, Jordan Fink to help us plan further into the future.