City Council Sets Housing Accountability Hearing

City Council met Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Council Chambers on Madison Avenue North and via Zoom. A joint public hearing with the Department of Commerce was scheduled for July 28, 2026, to address the City's progress toward meeting the Housing Accountability Act.

Council approved its consent agenda, authorizing the Interim City Manager to sign a second amended commercial lease agreement with the Bainbridge Island Farmers' Market Association and to purchase the Giant Pacific Octopus sculpture by Steve Nagode for $5,000 from the Public Art Subfund. The agenda also confirmed Phil Olbrechts of Olbrechts and Associates as the City's Hearing Examiner for a two-year term.

Council endorsed legislative priorities and a policy document for the 2027 105-day Legislative Session in Olympia. Members discussed Ordinance No. 2026-05 regarding implementing regulations for the updated Comprehensive Plan and Winslow Subarea Plan, and received an update on Ordinance No. 2026-04, which adopts the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. Councilmember Brenda Fantroy-Johnson requested adding a presentation on the Community Needs Assessment to a future Council agenda.

The next regular business meeting, on July 28, 2026, will include the joint public hearing with the Department of Commerce and consideration of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's Request for Proposal Process Criteria and Scoring Matrix for approval.

(via CivicClerk)