RES 2003-45 SUPPORTING KITSAP TRANSIT'S PASSENGER-ONLY FERRIESRESOLUTTON NO. 2003-45
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,
WASHINGTON, SUPPORTING KITSAP TRANSIT'S PASSENGER -
ONLY FERRIES INVESTMENT PLAN.
WHEREAS, Washington State Ferries terminated passenger -only ferry service between
Bremerton and Seattle on September 20, 2003 and the Washington State Legislature will not provide
funding to continue this service; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature has authorized Kitsap Transit to provide
passenger -only ferry service in Puget Sound in a public-private partnership that enables Kitsap Transit to
purchase boats, team up with ports to improve and use facilities and contract with private operators for
ferry operations; and
WHEREAS, Kitsap Transit has developed a plan that encompasses all aspects of cross -
Sound passenger ferry service connecting Southworth, Bremerton and Kingston with downtown Seattle,
as well as local service connecting Port Orchard and Bremerton; and
WHEREAS, the passenger ferry services would provide 15 to 20 minute departures
during weekday rush hours and hourly service at other times and on weekends; and
WHEREAS, the voters of Kitsap County will decide on November 4, 2003 whether to
enact two tax increases to finance passenger ferries, facilities and services; and
WHEREAS, the proposed sales tax increase is three -tenths of one cent, or $0.30 per
$100.00 of taxable purchase, and the proposed motor vehicle excise tax increase on license renewals is
three -tenths of one percent, or $60.00 on a vehicle valued at $20,000; and
WHEREAS, two-thirds of the capital costs in the initial six-year plan would be funded
from federal or state funds and one-third from the sales tax in Kitsap County; and
WHEREAS, one-half of the annual operating costs would be funded from passenger
fares, a portion from miscellaneous income, and the balance from the sales tax in Kitsap and the motor
vehicle excise tax on license renewals in Kitsap; and
WHEREAS, Kitsap Transit is working collaboratively with Washington State Ferries
and port districts to provide operating and maintenance of the primary facilities; and
WHEREAS, seamless connections with Kitsap Transit buses and the park and ride lot
system are built and ready to go; and
WHEREAS, increasing transportation alternatives and departure points from Kitsap
County to the Seattle metropolitan area will diminish impacts on Highway 305; and
WHEREAS the Washington State Ferries vassenger-only fern service between
monitoring of vessels and if necessary, the provision of some shoreline mitigations: and
Shoreline Management Acts to protect and manage critical areas and shoreline resources: and
WHEREAS, each generation should invest in its own and its children's future by
building on physical and social improvements made by prior generations and by sustaining the natural
resources entrusted to their stewardship: now therefore
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,
WASHINGTON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
THAT: The City of Bainbridge Island supports the Kitsap Transit Passenger -Only
Ferries proposal and urges Kitsap County voters to approve the ballot measure on November 4, 2003
authorizing necessary increases in the sales tax and motor vehicle excise tax on license renewals for this
purpose. With this supportthe City of Bainbridge Island expects that through proper design, operation,
and monitoring the Kitsap Transit Passenger -Only Ferries will not cause adverse impacts to shoreline
resources and will not cause the need for significant or extensive structural modification of the shorelines
of the state.
PASSED by the City Council this 22od day of October, 2003.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 23`d day of October, 2003.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
usan P. Kasper, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: _ September 29, 2003
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: October 22, 2003
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2003.45