COVID-19
This page is designed to provide updates on the City of Bainbridge Island's COVID-19 response efforts. A page dedicated to vaccine distribution efforts on Bainbridge Island can be found at bainbridgewa.gov/COVIDvaccine and information on the City's drive-thru test site can be found at bainbridgewa.gov/COVIDtest.
City Council approves business recovery grant program The City Council on Feb. 23 approved a grant program that will provide $210,000 to support Bainbridge Island businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City is partnering with the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (“KEDA”) to administer the grant program. Businesses may receive between $5,000 and $10,000 based upon their COVID-19 financial impacts and the number of total applications received by the City.
Program details
- The application period will open March 12 and closes March 28. Applications will be available at kitsapcaressmallbiz.com.
- Awards are expected to be disbursed in April.
- Use of proceeds: If awarded, grant proceeds can generally be used for business expenses permitted under IRS regulations.
- All applications will be reviewed for eligibility criteria and verified for application requirements.
- Grant amounts will be based on financial impact due to COVID-19, number of eligible applicants, available funding, and other criteria.
- Applicants will be required to provide a detailed explanation describing how COVID-19 impacted them negatively and how grant funds will be used. Applicants are not required to submit receipts.
- Priority will be given to industries most negatively affected by the pandemic, such as hospitality, tourism, fitness, and small retail.
How do I know if my small business qualifies?
- You must have an active business license with the City of Bainbridge.
- You must have a physical, commercial location in the City of Bainbridge on or before March 1, 2020 and have been in business since at least March 1, 2019 or earlier.
- You must be a for-profit business, nonprofit, or financial cooperative with no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees and annual revenues $5 million or less.
- You must be able to demonstrate significant negative financial impact due to COVID-19, backed up by documentation. (Note: Most commonly this will be shown by comparing annual revenues from 2019 to 2020, though other justifications will be considered.)
- You must be in compliance with Governor Inslee's Healthy Washington guidelines and previous related guidelines.
The business recovery grant program will be supported through the City’s general fund balance reserves in lieu of federal grant monies. Watch the Feb. 23 discussion here.
Staff provides test site, vaccine distribution update to Council
On Jan. 26, Emergency Management Coordinator Anne LeSage provided an update to the City Council on the City’s COVID-19 test site and vaccine distribution efforts. Watch the presentation in the video below. The presentation begins at 41:40.
City Hall reopening date pending due to Kitsap County status
The timing of any changes to reopening City facilities will be dependent on the county’s status in the Healthy Washington phased reopening plan.
When the doors reopen to the public at City Hall, you should expect the following changes:
- Plexiglass barriers at front counters
- Directional signage for movement of staff and visitors
- Six feet floor markings and stanchions to guide visitors
- New, lower occupancy limits for conference rooms
City Police personnel and Public Works Operations and Maintenance crews will continue to perform their regular duties, within the limitations established by the current restrictions. The Municipal Court will remain closed to in-person appearances until further orders of the Washington State Supreme Court. See the "City Operations" tab below for more information on City services.
City dock reopens to recreational guest moorage
The City reopened its dock May 29 to recreational guest moorage, including overnight stays, as part of Kitsap County’s transition into Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan for COVID-19 recovery.
What guests need to know:
- The moorage is assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- At this time, rafting (to accommodate additional boats) will not be allowed.
- The showers remain closed to guests.
- The sewage pumpout station remains available.
All City dock visitors are urged to follow public health guidance, which includes wearing a face covering and maintaining six feet of distance from others in public whenever possible.
The launch ramp and boat trailer parking at Waterfront Park reopened May 5.
Help us spread the word about the state health order requiring masks to be worn in public spaces. Download posters below. If you’d like to pick up posters at City Hall, please call 206-842-7633.
- Don’t breach our state health order. Wear a mask. (11x17 PDF)
- Do your part. Wear a mask. (8.5x11 PDF)
- General Information
- Emergency Operations Center
- Donation Requests
- Emergency Proclamation
- Community Resources
- City Operations
- Health Information
- Stay Informed
The City’s key Emergency Operations Center (EOC) personnel remains on call 24/7 in case the situation changes, and will continue meetings with our community partners.
The City's EOC manages and prioritizes resource requests across the community, and coordinates additional communication and outreach. During this time of uncertainty, the City is focused on three main goals:
- Support public health guidance
- The City is working to support the public health emphasis on slowing the speed of transmission of COVID-19.
- Support the community
- As the lead emergency response agency, the City will continue to be a resource for community partners and manage the work to address requests for resources and planning.
- Continuance of City services
- The City aims to provide essential municipal services that are fundamental to the community, such as Police services and support for utilities and other public infrastructure.
Thank you to all the community members who donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to support essential workers on Bainbridge Island during the pandemic.
The EOC fulfilled more than 70 requests from Helpline House, BI Community Pharmacy, doctor's offices, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses throughout the island that remain open to provide essential services.
On Monday, March 9, 2020, the City issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the Kitsap Public Health District’s March 8 confirmation of the county’s first positive COVID-19 case on Bainbridge Island. The proclamation allows the City to use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to an outbreak, to adjust City policies and operations if needed, and to access state or federal funds and other resources related to emergency response. Read the proclamation here.
- Follow the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association & Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce websites to learn about any business updates (changes in hours, closures, etc.).
- Bainbridge Prepares
- Learn how to request help or sign up to donate and volunteer. Details here.
- Helpline House
- For details on food assistance and modified operations, please click here.
- Senior Community Center
- Island Volunteer Caregivers
City Manager’s Report
- Read weekly updates in the City Manager's Report here.
City Operations
At this time, the City of Bainbridge Island’s reopening is pending due to the status of the Kitsap County Phase 3 application.
The public can still access many City services by phone and online. City staff remains available to respond through email and phone. City Police personnel and Public Works Operations and Maintenance crews will continue to perform their regular duties, within the limitations established by the current restrictions.
- Please see the Municipal Court webpage for the latest information on hours and services. Passport processing is suspended. Telephone and email clerk service is available weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Police Station lobby is closed to the public. If you need to report a crime or speak to an officer for any reason, please call 911. For other questions or assistance, you may call the station office at 206-842-5211. Office staff is available to answer your calls between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you get voice mail during this time, please leave a message and staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
Planning & Community Development
- Planning and Community Development (PCD) now requires appointments for the submittal of building and land use permits to make the process more efficient for staff and applicants. The department will offer seven phone appointments daily for a total of 35 per week. Please visit the PCD webpage to schedule an appointment.
- Building inspections can be scheduled by emailing inspections@bainbridgewa.gov or by calling 206-780-3789. Read the April 27 COVID-19 building construction and inspection program update here.
Public Works – Operations & Maintenance
- Staff is available to respond by phone at 206-842-1212 or email at pwom@bainbridgewa.gov. As part of our usual process, please call 911 for emergencies and after hours. Report non-emergencies through SeeClickFix.
Public Works – Engineering & Water Resources
- Staff is available by phone at 206-842-2016 or send an email to pwadmin@bainbridgewa.gov.
- Inspections can be scheduled by emailing pwinspections@bainbridgewa.gov or by calling 206-780-3788.
- Development Engineering
- Counter hours are suspended until further notice. Please send all questions (with “DE Question” in the subject line) to pwinspections@bainbridgewa.gov. A Development Engineering staff member will respond within 5 business days.
- Project support
- For all inspections, see above. Inspections will not be scheduled sooner than 2 business days after receipt of a request if received prior to noon, or 3 business days if received after noon. Appointment times may be longer depending on availability.
- For projects currently under review, contact the assigned Development Engineering staff. For submittals or resubmittals, please contact PCD.
Finance & Administrative Services
- We are not accepting in-person payments at this time. If you need to make a payment while City Hall is closed, we have several options available:
- Court fines and certain planning/building permits (For questions regarding available payment options for your permit, contact Planning & Community Development at 206-780-3750)
- Tenants of Dave Ullin Open Water Marina payment options for moorage fees:
- Call the front desk at 206-842-7633 to pay with credit or debit card.
- Use the drop box outside City Hall.
- Utility billing
- Payments can be made online at cityofbi.afts.com or by phone at 206-521-5127.
- If you have any billing questions, please email finance@bainbridgewa.gov or call 206-780-8603.
Status of City parks
Effective May 5, the City removed restrictions on vehicle access to City-owned park properties. Previously, the City closed both Pritchard Park and John T. Nelson Park at Strawberry Cannery Cove to vehicle access. As of May 5, vehicle access is allowed. Park users are reminded to follow all social distancing guidelines, and to only park vehicles in designated parking areas. For updates on other Bainbridge parks, please see the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District website.
Kitsap Public Health Update
Click here for the latest COVID-19 test results and health information from Kitsap Public Health.
Health Information
- Kitsap Public Health District
- Public Health - Seattle & King County
- Washington State Department of Health
- Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19)
Cloth face coverings now required to prevent spread of COVID-19As of June 26, 2020, every person in Washington State must wear a facial covering that covers their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting. Order 20-03 was issued in response to reports of cases increasing throughout the state.
Wearing cloth face coverings will not prevent the spread of COVID-19 without use of other protective measures. It is critical to stay home whenever possible, wash hands often, and disinfect frequently used objects. Learn more about the guidelines and how to create your own mask here.
Stay Informed
- Nixle: Sign up for free emergency alerts from the City of Bainbridge Island. Text 98110 to 888777 to opt-in or visit the Nixle website.
- News Flash: Sign up for free email alerts when significant information is posted to the City’s website.
- City Manager’s Report: Sign up for a weekly email newsletter with information about COVID-19 updates and City topics (remember to look for a confirmation email, which might go to your junk folder).
- Kitsap County alerts: Sign up to get COVID-19 updates from Kitsap County by email or text.
- King County alerts: Sign up to get COVID-19 alerts from Public Health – Seattle & King County
Previous City of Bainbridge Island Updates:
- August 14: City to resume enforcement of bag ordinance
- June 12: City Council approves resolution to encourage face coverings
- March 23: Governor Inslee orders residents to stay at home as COVID-19 spreads
- March 18: City seeking personal protective equipment donations for health care workers
- March 16: Municipal Court limits operations amid COVID-19 concerns
- March 13: City implements temporary closure of some facilities amid COVID-19 concerns
- March 10: Kitsap Public Health confirms second COVID-19 case on Bainbridge Island
- March 9: City issues proclamation of local emergency on COVID-19
- March 8: Kitsap Public Health confirms county’s first positive COVID-19 case on Bainbridge Island
- March 6 & 5: Update: City response to coronavirus outbreak
- March 2: City staff monitoring coronavirus outbreak