City of Poulsbo May E-Newsletter | | | | City of Poulsbo Holiday Hours. Please plan accordingly so that we may best serve you: Closed for Memorial Day - on Monday, May 26, 2025 | | |
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Change in Notary Services
The City of Poulsbo will no longer be offering notary services to the public, effective May 1. This decision has been made due to increasing concerns about the personal liability faced by our notaries. Under Washington State law, notaries can be held personally liable for errors, omissions, or negligence in performing notarizations. This includes the potential for lawsuits related to improper notarizations, which can result in significant financial loss. As a result, the City of Poulsbo will limit notary services to only those documents generated by the City itself.
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Volunteer Vacancies. Poulsbo's Parks and Recreation Committee, Poulsbo's Tree Board, and Poulsbo's Civil Service Commission all have vacancies. If you are interested in serving on any of these commissions, please consider applying today.
Please use the volunteer application found at Boards and Commission Volunteer Application. Applications can be emailed to cityclerks@cityofpoulsbo.com or turned into the City Clerk's Office at 200 NE Moe Street. Please call (360) 394-9880 with questions.
| | Housing, Health and Human Services Department Update | | Nordic Cottages receive state funding. The City’s Nordic Cottages were awarded $412,000 in the State’s final capital budget this session. We are deeply grateful to Representatives Simmons and Nance for their support of this project that—by year’s end—will provide deeply affordable housing for 8 seniors from our area. Additional funding for the Cottages provided by the State Department of Commerce, the County’s HOME/CDBG program, and Poulsbo residents through a local sales and use tax. | | The City’s Recovery Center Café Joins the Recovery Café Network. After operating a cafe inspired by the Recovery Cafe for the last few months, we've been invited into the Recovery Cafe Network. We'll be working with the RCN this spring, summer and fall to learn about the model and network with other emerging members. As far as we know, we will be the first city to operate a Recovery Cafe-so grateful for the opportunity to join this community and enhance our recovery efforts. | | AMFM Healthcare Receives Approval to Launch New Residential Group Home. AMFM Healthcare (A Mission for Michael) has received formal approval from both the City of Poulsbo and the Washington State Department of Health to begin construction on a 6-bed Residential Group Home in Poulsbo. This facility will serve individuals struggling with mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Housing, Health, and Human Services has partnered with AMFM on several important initiatives (Fire CARES, our Senior Specialist Program, job readiness and educational opportunities at the Recovery Center) and we welcome this expansion of services. | | Planning and Economic Development Department Update | | |
Expanding Housing Choices in Poulsbo
As part of our Comprehensive Plan update, the City of Poulsbo is working to expand housing choices and offer a greater variety of housing options beyond traditional single-family homes. The Planning Commission held their second review of proposed code amendments on April 22, continuing important conversations about how to support a growing and diverse community.
One of the most notable changes under consideration is increasing residential density. In the Residential Medium (RM) zone, the maximum density would rise from 10 dwelling units per gross acre to 15. In the Residential High (RH) zone, the minimum density would increase from 11 units per net acre to 16, and the maximum from 14 dwelling units per gross acre to 22. These changes support the City Council’s goal to encourage a broader range of housing types—particularly attached homes, which are often more affordable than detached single-family residences.
With increased density, we also recognize the importance of maintaining Poulsbo’s unique community character. To that end, the Planning Department is proposing adjustments to how building height is calculated, aiming for better design integration of new housing developments.
Another key change reviewed by the Commission builds on a code amendment approved by the City Council last spring, which allowed duplexes on corner lots in single-family zones. The proposed update would make it even easier to create duplexes by no longer counting them toward density calculations. This encourages the addition of small-scale, naturally affordable housing without altering neighborhood character.
Finally, the Planning Commission reviewed the creation of a new Manufactured Home Park Overlay. This overlay is intended to preserve manufactured home parks as a vital source of affordable detached and senior housing in Poulsbo. It would apply to our three existing parks—Poulsbo Mobile Home Park, Viking Park, and Seabird—and would require any future redevelopment to continue offering manufactured homes. Additionally, the proposed amendments would reduce the minimum lot size required for new manufactured home parks from five acres to three, making it easier to create new parks in our city.
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on these proposed amendments and make a recommendation to the City Council on Tuesday, May 13. These updates are an important part of our Comprehensive Plan adoption process and our ongoing work to provide housing choice and variety to our growing population.
| | Engineering and Building Department Update | | Nordic Cottages Project - At the Nordic Cottages, drywall is being installed on the interior of the homes and the exteriors are being painted. The metal roofs will be installed in the coming weeks. The Nordic Cottages, located at 609 NE Lincoln Road (aka “The Triangle Property”) are adjacent to Gateway Fellowship Church and will provide eight affordable apartments in a partnership between the City of Poulsbo and Housing Kitsap. | | Noll Road Corridor Improvements Project- Construction is scheduled to begin on the Noll Road project on Monday, May 5. Traffic impacts will include traffic delays near the intersections of Noll Road and Mesford Road, and Maranatha Lane and Lincoln Road. A neighborhood open house took place on April 17 for project managers to discuss the project and potential impacts to the community. For project related questions, please contact Joy Angsioco in the Engineering Department at (360) 394-9739. | | Rotary Morrow Park- The ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication for the new Rotary Morrow Park took place on Saturday April 19. Numerous community members attended to celebrate the opening of this small 1.21-acre park at the corner of Noll Road and Mesford Street and to honor Ardis Morrow, a long-time Rotarian and advocate for domestic violence, and for whom the park is named. The park was a labor of love, built by many Poulsbo Rotarians and State and City government officials. The new park and playground are a wonderful addition to this growing community, and the children couldn’t wait to try it out as soon as the ribbon was cut and the playground opened. | | |
Ardis Morrow, Artist Jeff Oens & statue of Eli Creekmore
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Children Enjoying New Playground
| | Raab Park Play for All- A community ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the highly anticipated Play for All playground at Raab Park is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 am. The new playground includes fully inclusive ADA-accessible play equipment and sensory stations, with a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, wheelchair-accessible swing, inclusive teeter totter, and swing seats, among other new stations. There are donor plaques imbedded in the concrete walkway and the landscaped areas contain numerous trees, plants, and flowering bulbs. Benches and concrete seat walls provide sitting areas. | | 8th Ave Culvert Design- The City plans to replace the existing 8th Avenue Culvert with a fish friendly box culvert for the South Fork Dogfish Creek, providing salmonid habitat. The City has selected Skillings as a design consultant to complete the design. A grant was obtained to fund the design portion of the project. Grants will be pursued to fund construction in the future. | | West Poulsbo Stormwater Retrofit Project in Nelson Park– Construction has started for the West Poulsbo Stormwater Retrofit project in Nelson Park. Construction is anticipated to wrap up in mid-June. The park will remain open, however a portion of the parking lot and park will be closed for construction. This project will install water quality facilities and is funded in part by the Department of Ecology. | | |
Building Safety Month
May is the International Code Council’s Building Safety Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about building safety, not only in the City but also at home. From a community standpoint, building codes are enforced to protect citizens from natural disasters and structural collapses in places where we live, work, and play. On a personal level, citizens can protect their own homes by planning a fire escape route, maintaining an emergency supply kit, having appliances that are energy efficient, using LED lightbulbs, finding and maintaining smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and making sure your home is free of hazards and protected in extreme weather. For more information, please visit: https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/building-safety-month/about-building-safety-month
| | Finance Department Update | | |
Seasonal Averaging for Sewer Billing
The sewer portion of your utility bill is based on your metered water. For residential accounts, the City recognizes there will be outdoor irrigation in the summer and the water used may not flow into the City’s sewer system. Because of this, we take the winter (November to May) monthly average of water usage and apply this “Seasonal Averaging” when calculating the sewer portion of your bill from June to October.
Seasonal Averaging creates a significant savings on the sewer portion of the utility bill for many residents who increase their water usage in the summer! Seasonal Averaging applies to sewer only, so you will still be billed for all actual water usage.
If possible, plan to start sprinkling your beautiful spring flowerpots or newly planted vegetable garden after mid-May; Memorial Day is an easy date to link to the start of your watering! Keep in mind to end outdoor irrigation in mid-October; Leif Erikson Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day are helpful dates to help you remember to end summer water use.
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Reduced Rates
Eligibility information and application forms for the Low-Income Senior and Disabled Reduced Rate Utility Program are available online at: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/utility-billing/. For further assistance, contact the Finance Department at 360-394-9881.
| | Utility Billing Auto-Payment. The City offers auto-pay as an option to pay your utility bill. Have your payment automatically deducted from your bank account on the 20th of every month. Click here for additional details and an application. If you’d like an application mailed to you, please contact the Finance Department at (360) 394-9881. | | |
Spring Cleaning
May is a time for family and friend gatherings, graduation parties, and getting ready for summer. One of the ways you can prepare for those, especially in your own home, is to get rid of your extra garbage. There are a few ways to consider doing this.
One is to request our Annual Residential Cleanup Dumpster, a one-yard dumpster that you can borrow for 72 hours, free of charge provided you live within Poulsbo City Limits.
Another option is to rent one of our larger dumpsters. There are 2, 4, 6, and 8 yd dumpsters available to rent on a week at a time basis.
Lastly, upgrading to a larger size garbage receptacle can be useful- or getting a second can. Our garbage can sizes are 20, 32, and 64 gallon.
For pricing, availability, and additional information please contact Public Works at 360-779-4078 or visit the City of Poulsbo website- City of Poulsbo, Washington Official Website
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Road crews are people we care about, and they all deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift. They work in dangerous conditions to keep us safe, but far too many have been injured or killed on the job. Let's do our part by giving them the respect and attention they deserve, and by being extra cautious when driving through work zones.
Work zone safety tips
We ask all drivers in work zones to:
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Slow down – drive the posted speeds, they're there for your safety.
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Be kind – our workers are out there helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways.
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Pay attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic; put your phone down when behind the wheel.
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Stay calm – expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible; no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone's life.
| | The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions! | | Parks and Recreation Department Update | | |
Viking Fest Road Race
Whether you want to beat last year’s race time or take a stroll with friends and family along Poulsbo’s beautiful Liberty Bay, it’s time to sign up for the Viking Fest Road Race! This will be the 48th year that this family-friendly event has started off the Viking Fest weekend with a bang (or a Viking horn, at least!).
Races include 5-mile and 1-mile, with medals provided to the top three finishers in each age and gender bracket, special prizes to the top three fastest runners, and participant ribbons for all! We will also offer our popular Kids’ Dash downtown for the little ones. Registration is online only at https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Poulsbo/VikingFestRoadRace.
Strollers and dogs are welcome (we just ask you to start at the back), so the entire family can enjoy the sights, sounds, and delicious smells of Little Norway at its finest and start (or continue) this fun family tradition! After the race, enjoy Viking Fest and stop in at our local businesses to reward yourself, then stay for the parade.
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Coming soon to Parks & Recreation:
Sunday, May 4: Join us for World Laughter Day!
Laughter Yoga is an easy, fun exercise for the mind, body, and the spirit. It provides a reduction of stress and tiredness, a renewal of physical energy and greater inner calm. Participants will not need any special gear or attire; they will just need to bring a willingness to laugh! Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, May 4, 4-5pm.
Wednesday, May 28: 2nd Annual Senior Health and Fitness Fair
Join us for free classes, programs, and seminars throughout the day at Poulsbo Parks and Recreation. A full schedule of activities will be released soon - save the date!
End of May: Summer Update Activity Guide will be Available
It’s almost time for Summer Fun! We have summer camps for kids of all ages, and summer programs for everyone. While some programs are available for registration now, we will be adding some new programs to our Summer Update. Be on the lookout for an email the end of May, or visit our website at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/parks-recreation-class-activity-brochure/.
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