REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
Bainbridge man turns 100 years old Tuesday.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012 | Vol. 112, No. 3 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
BRAVING BAINBRIDGE SLOPES
Page A5
City owes five months rent City has been withholding courthouse rent.
Willie Wenzlau/For the Review
Islanders young and old took advantage of Wednesday’s snow, running sleds down the island’s many hills and slopes, such as this group on Koura Road. See page A9 for more winter storm photos.
Island gets winter break By RICHARD D. OXLEY Staff Writer
The night was bare and cold when islanders went to sleep Tuesday evening, but by Wednesday morning they awoke to at least four inches of snow blanketing the island and its roads. While Wednesday was enjoyable for many island residents who got out for a walk or a slippery sled ride in the snowy scenery, the winter wonderland quickly turned into an icy mess causing roads to need continuous attention. The city’s Public Works Department spent Tuesday preparing for the coming snowstorm. Work crews were placed on 12-hour shifts and remained operating as such until the weather would subside. Four plows were
dispatched to clear island roads and apply salt or sand where needed. The plows tackled streets with a threetiered system, concentrating efforts first on roads that usually carry higher traffic such as Winslow Way or Miller Road, then moving onto residential roadways. “Everybody has to make that choice when they are going to drive on the road, and when they do they should use extra caution and make sure their vehicle is fully prepared,” said Public Works Director Lance Newkirk. “Don’t drive if you don’t have to. If you are coming across the sanding and plow operations, make sure you give a wide birth and let them do their job,” he added. The City Council’s sched-
uled meeting Wednesday night had to be cancelled. Since the study session’s agenda was considerably smaller than usual, the agenda items will be absorbed into next week’s meeting, according to City Clerk Roz Lassoff. Rick Petersen, store director of Town & Country Market, said he was thankful that staff was able to make it into work safely. The market was able to operate normal hours through the storm. “Definitely people stocked up early (before the storm) and seemed to be preparing for the weather,” Petersen said. “It’s been quiet the last couple days, mostly walkins. There haven’t been a lot of cars moving around. We really noticed there wasn’t a lot of ferry traffic on Wednesday, when people
come home after work.” The Bainbridge Island Fire Department was taken by surprise, not by the weather but by the low number of calls they received related to it. “We haven’t had a large number of weather-related incidents, maybe half a dozen,” said Fire Chief Hank Teran. “Which include accidents due to falls, cars in ditches, sled accidents and downed wires.” Prior to the storm the fire department put chains on their vehicles, and had extra staff and volunteers come on duty, including an extra paramedic. “(I) commend everybody for watching the weather and listening to the information that was put out, SEE WINTER STORM, A19
ment. Though it has been debated as to whether the improvements have actually been completed or not. At the city’s Aug. 24 meeting, Bauer told council that she had not received By RICHARD D. OXLEY a performance bond or Staff Writer any report on the progress After not paying rent on of improvements to the the home of Bainbridge building. According to the Island’s Municipal Court for lease that the city drafted, five months, the city decid- it required the landlord to ed to pay its January rent make a number of improveas a measure of good faith, ments to the building such according to City Manager as replacing chairs, installBrenda Bauer. ing additional lighting and Previously the city only installing bulletproof glass. paid its first month’s rent The improvements were in July and currently owes to be completed within 90 $11,375 in past rent. There days, starting June 16. is also 10 percent in late In August, the city decidfees and an $18 interest ed to withhold rent until fee for unpaid balances, work was completed and a according to Jim Kennedy performance bond was proa local real estate broker duced. The bond is a finanwho was involved in keep- cial guarantee that ensures ing the court payment for on the island “Because the work work to be when the city p e r for m e d , thus far does not considered the city’s meet indoor air qual- and moving it lease includes to Poulsbo. ity (and) basic ventila- a clause statKennedy has ing that the tion standards, the been helping is landlord cannot get a landlord the Rolling required to Bay building’s completed occupancy obtain a perlandlord, Tord formance permit.” Vestman, deal bond of with the city. Brenda Bauer, $30,000. Bainbridge City Manager Though “It is unforfrom the city’s tunate that perspective, only the unpaid the landlord is asserting rent will be offered. that they are never required “Upon resolving the to provide a performance remaining construction bond, even though the issues and (the landlord) lease agreement requires receiving a final occupancy it,” Bauer said. “The refusal permit, the city will pro- before and throughout the vide (the landlord) with a improvements to provide check for all rent withheld the required performance in 2011 — without penalty bond is troubling, particuor interest minus any City larly since the tenant (the expenses…,” Bauer said in a city) is not satisfied that Jan. 3 letter to Vestman and the improvements are comKennedy. plete.” The rent has been withKennedy also addressed held as part of a dispute the council at the Aug. 24 between the city and meeting and reported that Vestman. From the city’s all work was on schedule perception, the landlord and expected to be done has not completed improve- within the 90-day time ments to the building as required by the lease agreeSEE COURT, A4