REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
FINDING KIND: A documentary about bullying will screen at Bainbridge High School Nov. 9. Page A13
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011 | Vol. 111, No. 44 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
City working to stop sewer rate increase
City seeks $50K for HRB budget
SLIPPERY WHEN WET
RICHARD D. OXLEY Staff Writer
As the City Council considers the 2012 budget this month, some Winslow ratepayers may notice one item of concern — a 19.5 percent increase on sewer rates. The increase to the sewer rates has been recommended for three years, but may be unsettling to ratepayers who are currently engaged in controversial local debate over the water utility. Increasing the sewer rates came as the result of a sixmonth review by the city’s Utility Advisory Committee in 2009. The rate increase was then decided by the council to go into effect in January 2012. “The good news is that since then we have borrowed less and we have operated more efficiently,” said city Councilor Barry Peters. “The forecast for next year is that we can operate the sewer utility with a balanced budget without increasing the rates.” The city’s administration has been analyzing the sewer budget and has concluded that it could remain in balance in the absence of the rate increase. On Tuesday, the UAC began discussing the issue and is working on a recommendation to the council SEE SEWER, A5
RICHARD D. OXLEY Staff Writer
Dennis Anstine/Staff Photo
The segments of sidewalk on the south side of Winslow Way that will contain artwork had a trowel finish that has caused the surface to be slippery in wet weather conditions. The finished work will feature copper and bronze pieces.
Bainbridge Island’s City Council listened to a round of public comments Wednesday centering on funding affordable housing for vulnerable island residents. Upon opening the deliberation for the proposed 2012 budget, council member Bill Knobloch made the point that the Housing Resource Board (HRB) does not have any funds planned for the budget. This was followed by a number of residents coming forward for public comment on the issue. The comments were led by Ken Balizer, HRB’s executive director. “I would like to state what a stellar job HRB has done,” said Maria Cook, resident of a mobile home park that the nonprofit operates. “It is a very difficult and complex job … a lot of sensitivity is required and HRB has managed to come through.” Earlier this week, Balizer sent a mass email explaining that the city did not have any 2012 funding planned for HRB programs. Currently, the portion of the budget for 2012 that affects HRB programs has yet to be
New ‘art’ sidewalk leads to falls By DENNIS ANSTINE Staff Writer
The new “art integration” sidewalk areas on the south side of Winslow Way were more slippery than expected and have caused several people to fall, including a downtown employee who said she has spent about $1,000 on doctor bills since injuring herself on Sept. 30. She said she contacted
the city but has received no response. Another woman fell and sustained injuries while trying to approach the crosswalk in front of the Blackbird Bakery, and eventually was denied a damage claim by the construction project’s general contractor, Tucci & Sons Inc. The city, said Project Manager Chris Wierzbicki, was admittedly slow to respond to the problems
caused by the slippery sidewalk area. The city eventually placed some sand on the four sections of the sidewalk that been given a “trowel finish,” and this week received an “acid treatment” that made the areas less smooth. In response to an email containing several complaints from residents, including Dee DuMont, a Winslow resident who ran
for a council position two years ago, Wierzbicki wrote: “…where the trowel finish made for slippery conditions, the intent has always been to apply a surface treatment that will make them more attractive and less slippery. Unfortunately, it’s been very difficult to have this work scheduled with the contractor, given SEE SIDEWALK, A3
finalized. So far, $30,000 that remains from 2011’s contributions to HRB can be carried over to help fund it in 2012. HRB is requesting a total of $80,000, leaving a $50,000 gap. The council responded to the community by unanimously passing a motion to commit to finding sources to fund the remaining $50,000. Members will discuss the issue during next week’s council meeting in an effort to identify a source of funds. “I’m feeling positive right now,” Balizer said. “But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to show up and be heard.” The Housing Resource Board is a local organization that provides affordable housing for island residents in need through multiple programs. It has become particularly useful during the current economic difficulties. “It’s a huge issue,” Balizer said. “We are getting calls from people all the time that are homeless. We have apartments that we rent, that are very low income. And we are running at 100 percent occupancy.” SEE FUNDING HRB, A5
REMINDERS Don’t forget to vote by Nov. 8 for City Council, port, school and park board positions, and an initiative to create a Port of Bainbridge island. Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 6 Turn your clocks back!