REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
GET HOPPING: Bainbridge jumpers head to Nationals. A16
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013 | Vol. 113, No. 25 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
Mayor asks for quick action on water rate cuts
A REAL CROWD PLEASER
BY RICHARD D. OXLEY Bainbridge Island Review
Henri Gendreau / Bainbridge Island Review
The crowd applauds during the opening day ceremonies of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. The opening of the museum attracted a crowd of hundreds.
A new monument of Bainbridge community and culture BY CECILIA GARZA Bainbridge Island Review
From a vantage point of the Winslow Way and Highway 305 sidewalk, the island’s new museum has become familiar to the community over the past year. But last weekend it opened its doors for the first time to visitors, letting inside what makes any art museum come alive: people. A crowd emerged outside the building’s entrance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, June 14. “When I first talked with Cynthia (Sears), and I asked her, tell me about your vision, she said, ‘I picture a library for art. A place where the community has free access to the creative soul of its community,’” said Matthew Coates, the architect, during his welcoming speech at the ceremony. “Powerful words and an elegant challenge for an architect to pick up.” Sears and Coates are two of the building’s founding creators. Sears has been developing the idea of a free-tothe-public art museum on the island for more than a decade. Coates, whose architectural firm focuses on environmentally conscious designs, has been the brain behind
Brian Kelly / Bainbridge Island Review
First Lady Trudi Inslee and BIMA Founder Cynthia Sears cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, June 14. design. The museum replaces a 60-year-old parking lot with a 20,000-square-foot building that is powered on reusable energy, has garnered LEED Gold status, features fine art from local and regional artists, and is open to the public at no cost, seven days a week. The architect also recalled Sears’ wish to have the new museum celebrate emerging artists, and Coates said the project gave him a palette as well. “She envisioned a platform for lesser known artists so that this facility could bolster their career and expose them to greater heights,” Coates said. “I don’t think that she realized at the time that I was one of those artists.”
It leaves a lot to be celebrated for the community who came out in large numbers to celebrate the building and their new library of art. At the opening, Coates alongside Mayor Steve Bonkowski; Suquamish Tribal Council Chairman Leonard Forsman; Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder; State Representative Drew Hansen; and State Senator Christine Rolfes spoke on the challenges the museum has overcome and the message it sends to the state of Washington. “What this building represents to me is certainly an attraction for tourism, certainly an anchor of our community, certainly beautiful architecture, but it’s opportunities for artists,” Rolfes said. “It’s the ability for all of us to learn and to share our talent, and it’s the ability for kids and for people who otherwise don’t have access to art, to get that.” The museum makes a statement in the face of budget cuts being made around the state to fine arts education, which is important for many students who thrive on visual learning, Rolfes pointed out. Bainbridge Island’s willingness to SEE MUSEUM, A11
Winslow water utility customers may soon see a lighter water bill as the city council rushes through a possible rate cut. But not all on the dais are convinced that acting hastily is appropriate or wise. The council discussed the merits of cutting water utility rates at Wednesday’s meeting, one of many proposed changes to the utility suggested by Mayor Steve Bonkowski. While Bonkowski also wants to pursue policy changes and update the city’s water system plan, he is pressing to make the rate cut happen sooner than later. But not so fast, some council members said. Some questioned whether putting the rate cut on the fast track was a good idea. Councilman Bob Scales also asked that all council members be present on any vote for rate changes. He said he wanted all viewpoints to be represented on the controversial issue. “The water utility is not going to turn into a pumpkin if we wait until all council members can be present. It’s also good to give the community adequate notice,” Scales said. “We are talking about making a major rate decision with no staff input, no expert input,” he added. Bonkowski has also proposed a refund of $3 million from the utility’s reserve account to ratepayers, but said that he will wait until an update to the water plan is completed. The combination of a rate cut and slashing the reserves caused some on the council to be wary of Bonkowski’s sweeping proposals. “Drawing on (the reserve), and not refreshing it, while we don’t know what’s coming except that we have postponed infrastructure updates, makes me concerned,” said Councilwoman Anne Blair. Bonkowski doesn’t know how much he will propose to cut water utility rates. He previously proposed a 35 percent cut, but now plans to meet with the city manager to iron out the details before the week is out. “It will be less than 35 percent, but probably more than 25 percent,” Bonkowski said. Despite the lack of details, Bonkowski will likely have the votes he needs to get a rate cut next week. Councilwoman Sarah Blossom — who was absent this week — will be present at the June 26 meeting and has historically supported Bonkowski’s water utility agenda. Councilman David Ward, along with Councilwoman Debbi Lester, have also sided with the mayor on water utility issues. Bonkowski attempted to put the vote on the June 26 agenda at Wednesday’s meeting, but was deterred when Scales cited a SEE RATES, A19