The City of Poulsbo has partnered with Nixle to implement a notification system to alert residents in real-time about urgent and emergency situations. There are several simple ways to register: 1) Text POULSBO to 888777 from your mobile phone 2) Go to www.cityofpoulsbo.com and sign up via the Nixle Widget. The service is secure, reliable, and easy to use.

Keeping it cool, Poulsbo. Housing, Health and Human Services worked with the County Department of Emergency Management, Northpoint Church, and Poulsbo Community Church to provide cooling stations during the recent heatwave. Thank you to our partners and the many volunteers who made these stations possible.

Update on Housing Partners. H3 is proud to support Kitsap Homes of Compassion and Coffee Oasis in their efforts to provide deeply affordable housing here in Poulsbo. KHOC has housed and assisted 10 vulnerable adults this year along with 4 young children. The Nelson House program, run by Coffee Oasis, has housed 7 young women this year who, in exchange for rent, help with the upkeep of nearby Nelson Park. The City’s contributions to these programs is small—around $1500, in 2021, to KHOC and waived utility fees to Coffee Oasis—and the public benefit significant.

New Partnership to Assist Seniors. The City/Poulsbo Fire Department partnership program called Fire CARES has assisted around 120 people, this year, struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Interestingly, around half of people we’ve assisted are 65 years of age or older—showing the significant need, in our area, for more senior-focused behavioral health services. We are applying for a County “Treatment Tax” grant to continue Poulsbo Fire CARES next year, and—if funded—we will be partnering Kitsap County Aging and Long Term Care to create a new, home based case management service for seniors. Watch this space for details about our plans and application.

Ready for Grading Permit Submittal:

A portion of SR305 is expected to be paved the first week of July. Road grading and stormwater infrastructure installation continue on Johnson Parkway. A joint utility trench is going in along SR305. Stream #2 has been excavated and set. Pre-cast was completed at the end of June. Bjorgen Creek fish barrier enhancement is expected to start July 16, 2021 to ensure the safe passage of spawning salmon. Construction of the decorative wall at the north end of the non-motorized tunnel is near completion. 

 

Traffic flow is expected to shift from the bypass road back to SR305 mid July 2021. As a safety reminder, please continue to drive the posted speed limit within the construction zone. 

Sergeant Valerie Nau is promoting to the rank of Lieutenant. She joined the Poulsbo Police Department in 2009. Prior to joining our department, she worked for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Police Department for 4 years. In addition to patrol, Lieutenant Nau has held the position of Marine Patrol Officer, Detective, Crisis Intervention Officer, Hostage Negotiator and Bike Patrol Officer. Lieutenant Nau is an active board member for the Citizens Advisory Council for the 1/10th of 1% Mental Health Sales Tax assisting in determining recipients for mental health treatment funding within Kitsap County. Lieutenant Nau is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, enjoys fitness training and spending time with her two dogs, Boxer and Pistol.

Officer Justin Gillen is promoting to the rank of Sergeant. He joined the Poulsbo Police Department in 2005. Prior to joining our department, he worked for British Aerospace Engineering, Washington State Patrol, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Police Department and was a reserve police officer with Poulsbo for 12 years. In addition to patrol, Sergeant Gillen has held the position of K9 Officer, EVOC Instructor, Police Reserve Coordinator, Poulsbo Police Officers Association Secretary and Crisis Intervention Officer Liaison to the PPD Behavioral Health Navigator. Sergeant Gillen has been a resident of Kitsap County since 1985.

Detective Lee Wheeler is promoting to the rank of Sergeant. He joined the Poulsbo Police Department in 2013. Prior to joining our department, he served in the US Navy for five years working in the medical field, was a reserve police officer with Bremerton and continued his service in the civilian sector as a surgical technician until 2003 when he was hired on with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to patrol, Sergeant Wheeler has held the position of Negotiator, Crisis Intervention Officer, Firearms Instructor, Armorer, Designated Marksman, member of Aggressive Driving and Apprehension Team, Narcotics, Vice and General Investigations Detective. Sergeant Wheeler has been a resident of Kitsap County since 1990.

Officer Shawn Ziemann is promoting to the rank of Sergeant. He joined the Poulsbo Police Department in 1994. Prior to joining our department, he worked for MWR Bangor and was a reserve police officer with Kitsap County for 3 years. In addition to patrol, Sergeant Ziemann has held the position of Marine Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, Drone Pilot, Citizen Volunteer Coordinator, Crisis Intervention Officer, Field Training Officer, and former Poulsbo Police Officers Association President. Sergeant Ziemann has a degree in the Administration of Justice from Olympic College and has been a resident of Kitsap County since 1978.