City of Poulsbo August E-Newsletter | |
City Hall Closure
City of Poulsbo Holiday Hours. Please plan accordingly so that we may best serve you: Closed for Labor Day - on Monday, September 7, 2026
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Mayor's Corner
by Mayor Ed Stern
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Plan to ‘Sip & Speak’!
Much credit to our City Planning & Economic Development Director Heather Wright, who brought to Poulsbo the rather unique idea that instead of formal and ‘stuffy’ noticed Public Meetings at City Hall, to have us, your city officials, meet with you in your neighborhoods and businesses to hear and discuss your concerns and questions about all things related to growth and planning.
Pictured below is the first of these ‘chats’ hosted at Ty’s Wine and Brew on South Viking Avenue at the end of July, where over 30 local residents packed the comfortable quarters for a two-hour free-ranging discussion of anything and everything on the minds of Poulsbo area citizens and business owners.
This novel approach to thoughtfully and deliberately take questions, one at a time, so all could hear and share in the many issues we face together in the direction and growth of our community was a refreshing and trust-building exercise in reaching common understandings of the complex processes we refer to as ‘planning and permitting’. This is all about your concerns, not the city’s agenda. As we figure out together how to absorb the next increment of 5,000 new residents the county and state have allocated to Poulsbo (yes, you heard that right - - allocated as our share of ‘population allocation’) over the next 10 to 20 years, we need your help to stay on the right track.
If you are interested in bringing one of these ‘listening and answering sessions’ to your neighborhood and have a suggested venue to host, please let me and Heather know! Ed
| | Photo credit to Steve Garfein | | |
City Administrator's Vennlig Hilsener
By City Administrator Rob Gelder
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I'm trying not to focus too much on how it's getting darker when I get up in the morning but rather focus on the sun and temperatures we are currently experiencing during our days. That said, the summer is quickly zooming by and schools will be back in session before you know it. Fortunately for us, there is time for our Neighborhood Streets program to be in full swing with our annual surfacing program underway. You may be traveling through neighborhoods that are undergoing a scrub seal or other technique to help preserve and maintain the streets. Please help the crews by minding any signage, detours or flagging that is helping the process unfold.
On another note, I'd like to draw your attention to the addition of Matt Logue as the City's new building official (article down below). Matt is local to Poulsbo and was recently serving in Port Townsend. If you see Matt out and about, please say hi. Welkommen til Poulsbo Matt.
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Finally, the City has selected ParkMobile as our paid parking vendor. One of the main reasons for their selection was the variety of ways that people can complete the process - from an app on your phone, scanning a QR code, texting to pay, or calling a customer service person directly if you need assistance. While we noted that paid parking could begin as early as August 1st, it is taking time to secure and install the signage, etc. Therefore, parking in the Waterfront Lot will remain free until at least August 15th. We will put out information separately as a firmer date is determined.
Thanks for the read.
| | Housing, Health and Human Services Department Update | |
Recovery Resource Center Serves 276 Community Members in First Half of 2026
The City's Recovery Resource Center assisted 276 people during the first six months of 2026. People come to the Center for vocational coaching, peer support, mental health counseling, substance use treatment, help navigating services, or just to stop in and say hello. We are proud to have created a welcoming place in Poulsbo where people from all walks of life feel comfortable seeking support, building relationships, and taking steps toward health and stability. During this six-month period, the Recovery Resource Center helped more than 100 people successfully meet their court agreements and supported nine individuals in moving from homelessness into stable housing.
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Recovery Cafe Activities
Just two doors down from the Recovery Resource Center, the North Kitsap Recovery Café has become a welcoming place for people working on their own recovery and supporting the recovery of others. Open Tuesday through Friday, the Café offers hot lunches, meaningful connections, volunteer opportunities, classes, and a sense of belonging. During the first six months of 2026, 72 members and approximately 150 guests visited the Café. Together, our dedicated staff and incredible volunteers served more than 1,600 meals, creating a space where people can connect, find encouragement, and build healthy relationships. The Recovery Café and Recovery Resource Center complement each other, providing a continuum of support that helps people move from crisis to stability, and from stability toward long-term recovery. Together, they demonstrate Poulsbo's commitment to community, connection, and hope.
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Congratulations Gambit!
Housing, Health and Human Services (H3) has worked with Gambit Recovery for several years to operate a men's recovery residence on City property in Poulsbo. This summer, we partnered to open a second recovery residence in response to the need we see at the Center and Cafe for structured, sober housing. Gambit recently received Washington Alliance for Quality Recovery Residences (WAQRR) certification (or, in the case of their first home, recertification) for both homes by meeting nationally recognized quality standards. Congratulations Gambit, and especially H3 employee Alex who divides his time between our recovery services and overseeing these homes.
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Homeless to Housed Plan
Several months ago, Mayor Stern tasked H3 Director Hendrickson and Police Chief Harding to come up with a local plan to transition more people from homeless to housed in Poulsbo. We'll be presenting initial ideas to Council on August 12 and encourage the interested public to attend.
| | Get your hot dogs here! H3 staff with Councilmember Fitzpatrick and Police Navigator Josh serving Cafe meals to go at the July 28th Summer Nights at the Bay. | | Engineering and Building Department Update | |
11th Avenue & Gateway Sewer Replacement Project
Work is anticipated to begin next month on the 11th Avenue and Gateway Sewer Replacement project. This project will install about 400 LF of sewer on 11th Avenue near Lincoln Road and will replace 100 ft of old sewer on the Gateway School complex. The contractor Flowline anticipates starting construction at the Gateway School and wrapping up prior to the school year. They will then shift to 11th Avenue for the sewer main installation.
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Noll Road Stormwater LID – Construction Grant
Last fall, the City applied for a Department of Ecology construction grant for the Noll Road Stormwater Low Impact Development (LID) project to retrofit an existing swale into a bioretention swale in Megger Circle and add a stormwater quality treatment vault at the intersection of Hostmark Street and Noll Road. The project will provide and improve stormwater runoff treatment in both of these areas, providing cleaner water to our streams and Puget Sound. The City was successful in our grant application receiving $300,000 in grant funds for the $340,000 project. Work will occur next year and be coordinated with the larger Noll Road Corridor project.
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Water Conservation and Irrigation Usage
Staff discussed the proposed irrigation code changes with City Council at the Council workshop on July 8th. Following a robust discussion, the irrigation code has been revised and is anticipated to be brought forward to City Council on August 19th for a public hearing and adoption. The new code go will go into effect later this year and contains additional requirements for customers with dedicated irrigation meters.
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Cross Connection Control Program – VEPO CrossConnex
Last year, the City selected VEPO CrossConnex as the software solution to revamp the City’s Cross Connection Control Program. Backflow prevention devices and cross connection control are a vital component of maintaining a safe drinking water supply. Backflow prevention devices are designed to stop contaminated water from flowing backward into a clean water supply. Per RCW, every owner of a backflow device must have the device tested annually by a certified backflow tester. The test reports are required to be submitted to the City annually. The VEPO platform will allow testers to upload reports directly and improve compliance and consistency. It also provides for automated annual reminders of upcoming due dates for device testing. The City anticipates rolling out VEPO later this fall and letters will be sent to customers who are expected to have backflow devices based on their meter type. Most single-family homes do not require backflow devices. If you receive a letter and do not believe you have a backflow device, please reach out to the City.
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Building Department
Meet Matt Logue, Poulsbo’s New Building Official
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Hello, Poulsbo! My name is Matt Logue, and I am honored to introduce myself as the City’s new Building Official. I am proud to call Poulsbo my home and now have the opportunity to serve the community where I live.
My wife and I moved to Poulsbo in 2020 from Corvallis, Oregon, to be closer to our daughter and granddaughter. We had been visiting the area for many years to spend time with family, and we quickly developed a connection to this wonderful community. Making Poulsbo our home has been a rewarding experience, and I am excited to contribute to the city in this new role.
I began my construction career after high school while growing up in Lake Tahoe. After more than 30 years working as a contractor, along with the challenges that came with a physically demanding career, I decided to continue my education and earned an associate degree in Building Inspection Technology.
My career in building safety has included serving as a Building Inspector for the City of Port Townsend for two years, followed by three years as their Building Official. I bring with me a passion for safe construction practices, community development, and helping residents and businesses navigate the building process.
I look forward to serving the citizens of Poulsbo and working to help keep our community safe, vibrant, and a great place to live for generations to come.
| | The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions! | | | | |
