Not only are we getting a second Behavioral Health Navigator, as funded by 2022 Budget, $50K of their salary will be grant-funded. Waste Management is compassionated for the many complaints they’re being subjected to. WSDOT Ferries are also objects of our compassion. Chamberlin notes that pick-up delays have resulted in garbage strewn over all roads in town. No one else finds that of particular concern. I do. Used diapers, sacks of dog waste, other disgusting objects from overloaded bins and overtired workers are driven on, burst, and the scraps lodge everywhere. But we are counseled to sympathize with WM’s good intentions. We are STILL down to one ferry – instead of management pitching in and doing the hard work, they remain in their offices to compose PowerPoint presentations on how nothing is their fault. Mayor makes the good point that even with the many best-practice solutions in place, nothing can be done for the 5% of the homeless population that does not and will not seek treatment. Simpson reassures “folks” that “we” are aware of the crime problem, and it is being addressed. I have no clarification for you on this.

2. MAYOR’S REPORT

6th St paving just about completed. Nothing on Covid, for 2nd time this month.

3. PUBLIC RECOGNITION

I ask if there will be bike lanes on 6th. Goodnow says there’s a long-term plan. This was something Wheat & Gorman lobbied for, and were told would happen. It didn’t. I don’t pursue, as I’m sure each and every Councilor is as sick of Zoom meetings as I am. But this was something much desired by the people of Districts 3 and 4. Wheat and Gorman weren’t expressing some personal agenda here. It’s what their voters want. Tim Baker says his tenants are worried about the homeless encampment there. Mayor says it’ll get cleaned up. Ki’aha asks for compassion to the homeless. Becky Feather, who lives in one of the buildings on 6th, says just moving homeless people off their property isn’t a solution. She left Seattle because of the homeless situation, and what is the City’s long-term plan for dealing with drug abuse and mental health issues. Mayor says there’s a 24/7 low-barrier shelter, mobile opiate addiction unit, triage unit at KMH, PCHS clinic, 2 navigators, Pendleton Place. The thing is, he says, it’s very very difficult to force someone to seek treatment. 90% of City resources spent on 5% of the population.

4. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Claims & Check Register

B. Minutes of Meeting – January 5, 2022

C. Minutes of Study Session – January 12, 2022

D. Interagency Agreement with the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts for 2021 – 2022 Interpreter Grant Funding

E. Purchase of Picnic Shelter from Cascade Recreation, Inc. through the King County Directors Association Purchasing Cooperative for the Kitsap Lake Park Renovation Project

F. Sole Source Purchase of four (4) Lifepak 15 Cardiac Monitors from Stryker Medical

G. Professional Services Agreement with Toole Design Group, LLC for the Wayfinding Signage Planning Project

H. Goods and Services Agreement with CED, Inc. for the Purchase of Street Light Fixtures for the Downtown LED Lighting Improvements

I. Renewal of Aquatic Lands Easement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for the 18-inch Water Transmission Main under Port Washington Narrows

The Consent Agenda is approved unanimously.

5. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Agreement with Kitsap County Department of Human Services for Behavioral Health Navigator Services – 1/10 of 1% Funding

Sgt Garrity says there are now 2 navigators, up from 1 last year. 239 calls in last 1/4 yr. of the  “unwanted” calls involved behavioral health issues. 151 calls in last 1/4 were just “unknown”. The navigators help these individuals connect with services that will help them, instead of putting them back in the cycle of arrest, court, dismissal, return to streets. No public discussion. Chamberlin approves, Coughlin approves, especially with data that prove it is a cost-saving measure, Daugs approves, asks about the appropriation of $50K for salary, other $50K comes from this County grant. Goodnow echoes Daugs comment and is glad that we’re getting the $50K back! Simpson says this is utilizing the 1/10 of 1% funding (which is, btw, in the title of this agenda item). He explains that this is a force multiplier. He commends all the folks in law enforcement, truly a thankless job, they should be adulated. [I am quoting. He said “adulated”.] The motion carries unanimously.

B. Professional Services Agreement with Kitsap Community Resources for the City of Bremerton 2022 Weatherization and Minor Home Repair Program

Sarah Achaoui presents. This was approved in 2022 budget, this is just approval for KCR to execute the program. Everyone applauds it. One question about waiting list length, from Simpson, will be answered in detail in future, but meanwhile: anyone who has an immediate need, like no heat or no hot water, should submit application anyway. KCR does triage, takes care of real emergencies first.

6. COUNCIL REPORTS

7: Shoreline/Madrona roads will be finished & paved as soon as weather permits “after all the work”. 6: Simpson says “we” are aware of the crime problem, and it’s being addressed. 4: Dennehy reiterates that 2 people are needed to join REAC. Interviews to be conducted at next REAC meeting. 3: Coughlin shows slides: top level issues are streets, sidewalks, public transit, other infrastructiure; affordable housing; addressing homelessness; small business development and support, a network / web of common support. He goes on to sing the WSDOT song about how Covid has removed all four of its “pillars”: Ridership, Vessel Condition, Crew (and some other thing). He shows aerial views of 11th & Washington roundabout & work being done at 11th and Perry. He really is exactly what one pictures when imagining a City Councilman. 2: Daugs urges people to show compassion. 1: Chamberlin presents the menu of Waste Mgmt complaints that’s gone on for weeks now. She notes that with such long delays in pickups, there’s garbage all over the streets all over the town. Asks for the most recent rate of Small Business closings. 5: Goodnow says WM delays come from backups in waste flowing out of our region, so it backs up onto our streets. [We pay to have it Go Away. WM needs to set up some kind of staging area / transfer station. They could’ve just parked the full trucks wherever the supply chain blocked up. It’d have gotten it off our streets. It would’ve meant that our streets and alleys and yards and driveways were NOT cluttered with blown plastic waste. Some of it is disposable diapers. Not good.

7. ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING

8. EXEMPT CLOSED SESSION

o As allowed under RCW 42.30.140 (4) (b) to discuss Labor Negotiations; No action anticipated