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★★★★★
Christie Schultz, Bremerton
Bremerton City Council
Video archives of Bremerton City Council can be found at: https://www.bremertonwa.gov/1234/Media
Meeting on September 3, 2025
- Mayor Wheeler report: Bicycle and Pedestrian enhancement project. This is proposed to be a corridor running N-S from the Naval Ave Navy gate to 15th (or further) with side streets included.
https://www.bremertonwa.gov/1167/Naval-Ave-Bicycle-Pedestrian-Enhancement https://www.bremertonwa.gov/6thStreetProject
- Public comments: One person did the Pledge of Allegiance, since the council does not do this. Kathie Lustig held forth about Enetai—she had commentary about the lack of recognition in history of the region, and the Bremer Estate.
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Food bank made a comment: We currently serve 19 households and expect to reach between 75 and 100 households by early 2026.
- CC again is pushing the concept that "we have to grow" as per PSRC. I checked the PSRC and they simply have a "plan" which is not a mandate, for growth in each community. … tax exemption for "affordable housing" is not fair to all of us, especially for lower income homeowners.
- Sale for the old site of Bremerton Hospital is pending, and will be affordable housing (Harrison Heights).
Study Session on September 10, 2025
- Proposal: Car license tags will be increasing to pay for transit (see work packet). Lots of repair work to streets is presented as "one budget" or one price tag.
- "Jail Alternatives" mentioned. I would be interested in finding out if this is for homeless mothers or for drug users. [See October 15 meeting for change to zoning to allow recovery homes in residential areas; are the two connected?]
- Build-it-yourself possibilities for new homes—deliver a kit and let people assemble their own. Traffic impacts with FIFA discussed. (900,000 people coming to Puget Sound?)
Meeting on September 17, 2025
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Public input: Three spoke regarding homelessness concerns. (Repeat speakers from past meetings.) One of these wanted accountability for the $10,000 which was approved by the CC for public restrooms for the homeless and has disappeared. One speaker rejected LGBTQ based on religious beliefs. This brought on many LGBTQ support people to speak. One speaker spoke eloquently and quoted from Descartes regarding unity, tolerance, and free speech. A conservative had to do the Pledge of Allegiance since the CC does not do this. One council member held forth about the Bible not being in the real world and stated he was gay, but he condemned violence. "You can't pray the gay away" was uttered by a councilwoman.
Work Session on September 24, 2025
- Victoria Hilt was reappointed as head of Bremerton Housing Authority. (She is a very competent person from observations.)
- Hybrid Shelter proposal: Monica Bernard (CEO of Kitsap Mental Health) and Jill Stanton (Housing Authority) presentation on hybrid shelter. Parties involved include: KMH, St. Vincent d'Paul, Salvation Army, and KCR. The hybrid shelter will be just down the street (cross the street from Albertson's old store and Legion Field) from Viewridge Elementary. This presently has a helicopter landing pad for a Life Flight. They tossed around figures like around 6.8 million for various aspects including land purchase, building costs, etc. (Perhaps only 3 million in funds are available—grants are anticipated.) Good discussion. This is a lot of money outlay to care for those who should be in the work force but are not for various reasons. Operating costs are estimated at 3 million per year.
- Lease for Puget Sound Navy Museum downtown with the Fed. "who pays for upkeep/electric bills?"
- Public recognition "of last week" (Charlie Kirk’s assassination) was discussed in terms of 1st Amendment. Public Recognition is not required by law. Moratorium considered. Council members were emotional about it.
Meeting on October 1, 2025
- Many citizens arrived with signs (appeared to be homemade) mostly complaining about a lack of free speech. The City Council had agenda items which they passed immediately and allowed for public comment so long as it was on topic and pertained to the items before the Board.
- Discussion of charging the Navy Museum for the costs to maintain it. One member read a poem about "Love is Love" which had a lot less to do with the functions of City Council than public input did. Sweet little children were brought in to back this message up.
- The hybrid shelter was discussed. Some members were not in favor of it, citing concerns over the budget. One member complained about the site chosen because "she thought it was a great place for development, it ‘has a wonderful view.’" That seems to be the mindset of the council.
Work Session on October 8, 2025
- A one tenth of one percent sales tax increase is being considered
- Perry Avenue Water District annexation: North Perry Water district has bought the Perry Avenue Mall where the Red Apple used to be. There is an oddball lot which is not in the county and that is the target of the annexation—the old offices of North Perry Water on Perry. No impact right now—just a clean-up of city boundaries. N.P. Water is considering several options for their land acquisition. Some on the council got excited about running sewer lines across Perry Avenue to bring that region into annexation. They really love talking about installing sewers and annexation of people who don't want to be annexed or developed.
- Next on agenda was "step" housing and zoning (at 1:13:35 in video). HB 1175 was discussed. Discussed a resolution to change zoning in Bremerton to "Neighborhood Scale Commercial" and allow for minor businesses such as corner brew pubs and mini-grocery stores to exist where there are now "grocery deserts" in residential zones. This is because many people do not own cars and use bicycles or they are elderly and can't drive. "Quiet hours" discussed.
- @1:30:00 in the video, RCW 35.21.683 became part of the discussion (mandate from state to find housing for the unhoused). Methinks the movement toward "mixed use zoning" will allow for emergency shelters to be placed in residential zones. The conversation got a bit convoluted, and I don't think they know where they are going with this affordable housing (emergency, long term, and otherwise) but there is going to be blow back if open addiction recovery homes are put next to families in residential areas. They don't have solid "SOPs" around tent cities and such.
- There was a software report from Ms. Mockler, "Cartograph." Discussion of free Orca passes for Olympic College students. Anna Mockler talking about "trial by social media" the boo birds attacked her. "Hang together or we will surely hand separately." We need to focus on what good things we have done, rather than focusing on errors.
- A study session will be held on November 12 and may include a discussion about turning off cameras. They are looking through possibilities and re-opening public speaking.
Meeting on October 15, 2025
- Discussion of allowing more "mixed" businesses and possibly recovery centers to exist within residential zones of Bremerton. Not addressed: Will residents be able to check the backgrounds of people who are placed into these recovery centers which might suddenly appear next door to them?
- Mayor’s report on salmon tours, November 1: S'quamish acknowledged as being helpful in the Gorst Creek restoration.
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https://extension.wsu.edu/kitsap/water-stewardship/kitsap-salmon-tours
- 6th street bicycle project is open for "survey" online until Oct 26th. Bremerton now has fire boats added to their Fire Department, asking for more $$$ for EMS. Goodwill is offering MANY "life skills" classes for free in Bremerton. Check with them for info.
- Jane Rebelowski told everyone the Bremerton food line was open for those impacted by the government shut down. "We are here for you." She does town halls there at 5pm in the evening—generally every week. The food bank can put you in touch with the women's shelter in town and Scarlett Road, which is an organization which addresses concerns for survivors. Meeting ended with no input from the public, since none of it concerned agenda items. A flyer was available regarding the legality and reasoning behind the ending of public forums.
Bremerton School Board
Meeting on September 4, 2025
- Printed out change orders on construction for Arman Jahr (available on request). It looks like the contractor has managed to add on another 9% in costs on each balance sheet: one for Arman Jahr and one for Viewridge. The council did not seem happy about it, but I didn't notice them picking apart the balance sheet either, which was provided. If I'm reading the accounts correctly, there has been 4.7 million dollars added onto the initial bid of 10/9/24.
- Several things on the spreadsheets were upsetting. One was there is a "Diversity Manager" listed, who is getting paid $110.98/hr by this contractor. As this is on the public payroll, Bremerton now stands in violation of Federal Executive Order #14173, this could impact federal funds for the project.
- Landscaping will be a significant cost. A forward-thinking school district would be cutting costs here by installing minimal landscaping and putting the kids to work doing the rest as a "teachable moment" such as designing and installing rain gardens.
Meeting on October 2, 2025
- Two people were missing (one was Karen Bolton). Discussion on keeping overdose preventive at the schools and want allowing kids to carry the antidotes for overdose on them, as well as allowing epinephrin to be carried for anaphylaxis events (allergies). One parent interrupted and wanted more information. He was told it wasn't a hard and fast rule yet, they were just discussing it. The parent was understandably concerned that such a thing was even necessary in the schools, but this is not unknown even in more affluent high schools.
- Policy 3143 was of special concern and went past unnoticed. Confidentiality is a delicate thing in public schools. If a student DOES walk out the door after talking to a school counselor and then does harm, there can be issues around accountability. Hopefully Policy 3143 will be looked over carefully by the district psychologists and lawyers.
- Public input was allowed. Six angry parents got up and spoke—several quite eloquently with facts and figures—regarding from social media posts by Karen Bolton, one of the school board members who was absent. Director Bolton was seen in a screen capture to be slurring Charlie Kirk (recently assassinated). Karen Bolton's screen-shot exchange was with a person named Kristie Kelley. I did a search on BOTH, turned up very little about Bolton on Facebook but Kelley is very much a conservative member of Facebook, I presume a member of the Bremerton community. I cannot imagine why Bolton would say such unguarded, vile things about a murder victim, on Facebook, with someone who has an obvious conservative leaning. If this screen shot in viral circulation is valid, then Bolton is pretty stupid to make herself vulnerable. For stupidity alone I would wish her off the board. Hate doesn't get the job done.
- The last person to speak in public forum at the October 2 School board meeting was angry and the board shut down and adjourned without recognizing the speaker, and the recording shut off at that point.
Meeting on October 16, 2025
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Good crowd. Accolades for the staff at both MVMS and West Hills Elementary. Believe me, this was VERY well deserved. Their jobs are not easy and haven't been for a long time. Hopefully those schools are turning around. Esprit d'corps DOES work. For once, the fluffy presentations seemed to have a solid and worthy tone.
- Public comment was supposed to be next. Speakers were supposed to have filled out a form for their topic. The board refused to recognize the first speaker despite his filled-out form. Things escalated until the board recessed and said they would re-adjourn in another meeting room. The public and press were not invited to attend. There were lots of cameras on this. One photographer approached some of us in the parking lot and we spoke a bit.
- A small group of folks convened and discussed the situation in the parking lot. One said that he saw nothing wrong with using Robert's Rules of Order and did not understand the procedural method being used by the board… a major lack of transparency on the part of the board.
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Full Bremerton Report may be read at https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/thegrassrootsofkitsap/2025-kcrp-newsletters-bremerton-reports-t23-s10.html
★★★★★
Rosemary Schuessler, Central Kitsap
SPOTLIGHT #1: The Year of the Rural
(I would like to issue a huge SHOUT OUT for a friend who created this spotlight piece for us.)
The Kitsap County Department of Community Development (DCD) is reviewing the Agriculture Code and proposing a new Growth Management Act (GMA) chapter: Rural and Resource Lands. This chapter would formally designate areas that preserve rural character and support agriculture and forestry, separate from urban zones. Kitsap remains the ONLY county in Washington without Agricultural Resource Land zoning; currently, agricultural uses fall under Rural Residential. The initiative aims to close this gap by assessing rural lands, identifying those warranting protection, and issuing a planning report. Proposed code updates include standards for agriculture, equestrian centers, and childcare. Equestrian regulations are detailed in Chapter 17.455.030 of the Agriculture Code.
Kitsap’s equestrian community has raised serious concerns about proposed regulatory changes developed without input from those most affected. Although an Agriculture Advisory Council was recommended over two years ago, it has yet to be formed—leaving a gap in representation. Any new regulations require full ordinance adoption, yet DCD aims to finalize the draft by December. The community urges immediate formation of the council to help craft inclusive, practical codes in collaboration with DCD, KCAA, the Kitsap Conservation District, and others—ensuring rural voices shape rural policy.
Most proposed updates fall under Equestrian Facilities, Section 17.455.075. For full details, visit: kitsap.gov/dcd/Pages/Year_of_the_Rural.aspx
Some of the contested changes include:
- “Public events (at a boarding facility) such as shows, clinics or competitions….. require separate review and permitting.”
- Conditional Use Permits (CUP) will be required for boarding-only facilities, and for equine training, riding lessons, shows, clinics and other services. (CUPs are costly).
- Excessive set backs for buildings and manure/disposal areas.
- Site Plans will be required along with vehicular standards subject to approval of the Fire Marshall and must include adequate parking/loading areas.
- Limit on number of horses at facility based on acreage.
- Limits on hours of operation.
- Requirement for a Farm Plan approval obtained by Kitsap Conservation District.
- …and other “restrictions necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare.”
At the September 23rd Planning Commission hearing, over 150 residents attended, with roughly 50 offering testimony on the newly released draft code. Despite its recent release, DCD states it must be finalized by December. In response, citizens have called for the draft to be withdrawn and replaced through a process led by a newly seated Agricultural Advisory Council. The hearing video is available via BKAT: kitsap.gov/dcd/Pages/PlanningCommission.aspx.
Points Of Contact:
DCD Heather Cleveland and Scott Deiner
Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) (Rolfes, Walters, Root)
Planning Commission (PC) 9 Members
Please contact this group of individuals to share your concerns. Volumes of emails and attendance at County meetings is the way for your voices to be heard.
Update Oct 13, 2025:
“Board of County Commissioners postpones equestrian facility code to 2026” which will allow “additional time for engagement, discussion, research, and refinement of the proposed Equestrian Facility Code.”
SPOTLIGHT #2: Over Development in Central Kitsap Area
June 25: A small Central Valley neighborhood group meeting was held with Greg Nance, 23rd LD Rep. The purpose of the meeting was to share concerns regarding overdevelopment in the Central Kitsap (CK) area, the lack of support infrastructure, including Waaga Way (SR303) traffic concerns, police allocation, etc. Hundreds of new apartments approved by the DCD will worsen current conditions.
Rep. Nance’s response (late August) was: “Appreciated the chance to connect directly with you and Central Valley + Royal Valley neighbors to see and hear the latest. As we discussed, WSDOT and the county are oversubscribed with more commitments than financial resources (they are broke) so unable and uninterested in taking on more when it comes to development mitigation and infrastructure guarantees. That’s where we need a legislative fix. If state law requires WSDOT to proactively manage levels of traffic stress and infrastructure needs then we are in a better position to keep neighbors safe in Kitsap and across the state. I’ll be working with colleagues on the House Transportation Committee to see what we can get done this winter during short legislative session.
“Would be delighted to host you and CV+RV neighbors in the capitol in January which would be a good chance to connect with more legislators to build momentum for us to get this done.
Your persistent advocacy is helping us move the ball forward.”
July 28: The Central Valley neighborhood group submitted a petition with over 1,100 signatures to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), urging a pause on new development in our district until infrastructure needs—especially those tied to population growth—are properly addressed. Two months have passed with no response.
This week, the BoCC released information regarding traffic and planned changes to SR303 and Central Valley Road: “Thank you for your continued advocacy to investigate and mitigate for the impacts of the Royal Valley housing development. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) have been looking closely at the concerns raised by the Central Valley neighborhood, including lower aquifer levels and increased traffic. As part of that effort, the Kitsap BOCC is hosting the Washington State Department of Transportation for a briefing on Wednesday, October 15th 9:00 – 9:45 am (time and date subject to change, please click here to view the latest updates to the BOCC schedule). WSDOT staff are presenting an update on their upcoming fish barrier passage removal projects at Central Valley, and the discussion will include design plans for the SR 303/Waaga Way/Central Valley Rd. interchange. We understand this will be the first public look at their plans and it may address some of your questions and concerns. Please note that this is a BOCC Work Study session and as such, the public are welcome to tune in but will not have the opportunity to ask questions or make comments. We anticipate that WSDOT will cover their public engagement schedule as part of this presentation, so we will learn when that opportunity for public comment will take place.
Note: 'the public will not have the opportunity to ask questions...."
SPOTLIGHT #3: Kitsap Sheriff’s Office Budget Cut Proposal
Kitsap County is requiring the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office cut their budget $1.7M.
Kitsap County DCD continues to approve more and more housing and which encourages an influx of people. Does this make sense?
Central Kitsap Community Council:
About:
Central Kitsap School Board Meetings
About:
Home Schooling
Group Links:
★★★★★
Linda Popp, North Kitsap
This was another busy month. Door knockings for Michelle Caldier, and lots of our School Board candidates! Hopefully, you got out and helped our conservative candidates spread the word out there in your neighborhoods.
On October 1st, a group of us from the Election Integrity Committee got to go on a field trip with our Kitsap County Auditor, Paul Andrews! We went to K&H Printing in Everett where our Kitsap County Ballots are printed. We were told that K&H Printing is the largest ballot printing business in America, and in their off time they do all kinds of other types of printing as well. They also do free printing for all the Boys & Girls Clubs. We were very impressed by the entire process! It was like watching one of those “How things are made” shows! They do it all! The ballot, the insert, the addressed envelopes, etc. The rolls of paper that they print the ballots and inserts on, weigh approximately 1,100 pounds each (on end they’re almost 5’ tall). They stack them 10 high, and had around 2,000 of those rolls on the floor! We saw the machine that puts our “I VOTED” sticker on the insert. It was so amazing! In addition to just the enormity of the building, and process, is the security of the entire process. So many checks and balances, and cameras everywhere! Anyone can stop by there and ask for a tour. They seemed genuinely pleased to be showing us the amazing work they do! You can see some video on their website of their setup at: Seattle Printing Company - K&H Printers (https://khprint.com)
Poulsbo City Council Meeting Information
You can view the past and future agenda packets (and videos from past meetings) here:
Agenda & Minutes | City of Poulsbo (https://cityofpoulsbo.com/agenda-minutes/)
Three large plum trees to be removed at waterfront park in Poulsbo this month or next. Smaller pollinator trees will be put in, in their place. This will open up the view, and keep unwanted behaviors being hidden from view. One tree actually fell in the park during one of the windstorms last month, so there’s been quite a clearing in the park now.
The city selected Railstar Engineering to conduct an engineering condition assessment and report of the Austin-Kvelstad Pavilion at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park. This project is funded from the lodging, tax advisory committee grant. They will assess the piles, roof, joists, decking, and other structural elements to understand the condition of the structure, it’s suitability to support expected loads (wind, snow, seismic) settlement, and multiple other factors.
Council voted to provide the most cost-effective solid waste services to rate payers of Poulsbo and is asked for Council concurrence to being the process of outsourcing sold waste services for the City of Poulsbo residents. WHEREAS, since 2017, the City has experienced significant increase in tipping fees, operations costs, insurance costs, recycling costs, and the expenditures to administer solid waste services now exceed revenues collected from rate payers; …
Upcoming Events: The Official Events Calendar of Poulsbo | VISIT Poulsbo (https://visitpoulsbo.com/poulsbo-events-calendar/)
- Oct 31, 2025: Ghoulsbo: Trick or Treat in Downtown Poulsbo, 4-6pm
- Nov 1-2, 2025: NK Holiday Fest @ NKHS, 9-4pm
- Nov 2, 2025: Norwegian Pancake Breakfast @ the Sons of Norway, 9-11am
- Nov 6, 2025: Ladies Night in Lil’ Norway @ Historic Downtown Poulsbo, 3-8pm
- Nov 7, 2025: Veterans Dinner Night @ Sons of Norway, 7pm
- Nov 8, 2025: Poulsbo Artwalk – Second Saturday @ Historic Downtown Poulsbo, 5-8pm
- Nov 11, 2025: 3rd Annual Poulsbo Veteran’s Day Parade @ Historic Downtown Poulsbo, 11-1pm
- Nov 28, 2025: Poulsbo Tree Lighting @ Muriel Iverson Waterfront Park, 5:30pm
Nordic Cottages | Silverdale, WA (https://www.housingkitsap.org/nordic-cottages)
Nordic Cottages is Poulsbo’s first city-led affordable housing community, offering eight one-bedroom homes for older adults and adults with disabilities, and is located at 609 NE Lincoln Road, Poulsbo. They were developed through a partnership between the City of Poulsbo and Housing Kitsap, Nordic Cottages was funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce, Kitsap County HOME/CDBG program, and Poulsbo’s local affordable housing tax. Preference is given to applicants who live or work in Poulsbo.
Eligibility threshold
- 110 applications were submitted for the Nordic Cottages. They’re sorting through them. They expect to be around 80 after the eligibility process. There’s a difference between eligibility and priority thresholds.
- 55 or older or an adult with disability.
- Income level must be at 50% or less of area income ($45,000).
- Some criminal charges were allowed.
- Someone in the house needed to be a citizen.
Priority to be given to:
- Those who have 30% ($29,000 gross) income of area income.
- That live or work in Poulsbo/Keyport/Suquamish zip code.
- People who are paying more than 50% of their monthly income for rent.
North Kitsap School District doings:
School Board - North Kitsap School District 400 (https://www.nkschools.org/about-us/school-board)
At the September 25, 2025 at the North Kitsap School District meeting the Budget Status Report was reviewed, and focused on enrollment figures, revenue and expenditure comparisons, and program budgets for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.
Enrollment Status and Trends 7.1 NKSD Budget Status Report August 2025.pptx (https://nkschools.diligent.community/document/16c6d7f9-6e46-47c9-a3d5-bec630355599/)
North Kitsap's enrollment for the 2024-25 school year was slightly below budgeted estimates.
- Actual enrollment was 19 student FTE below budgeted estimates, equating to approximately 0.4% under the expected enrollment.
- The preliminary estimated enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is yet to be detailed.
General Fund Revenue Overview
The General Fund's revenue is close to budgeted expectations, with a slight shortfall.
- Actual revenue year-to-date is $106,055,506, which is 98.47% of the budgeted revenue of $107,998,021.
- The difference in revenue is a shortfall of $1,942,515.
General Fund Expenditure Analysis
Expenditures in the General Fund are slightly above budgeted amounts.
- Actual expenditures year-to-date total $107,609,028, which is 100.03% of the budgeted expenditures of $107,565,540.
- The difference in expenditures shows an excess of $43,488.
General Fund Balance Summary
The General Fund balance reflects a stable financial position despite slight variances in revenue and expenditures.
- The ending fund balance for the 2023-24 school year increased by approximately $800,000.
- The 2024-25 financial results are expected to be close to break even, maintaining a stable ending fund balance.
Program Budget Status Overview
Various programs within the district show differing levels of budget utilization and balances.
- Basic Education program has a budget of $50,434,808.79 with a year-to-date expenditure of $49,687,288.50, resulting in a balance of -$3,097,908.82 (106.14% utilized).
- The Extra-Curricular program shows an over-expenditure of -$401,520.48 (123.4% utilized).
- Other programs like Title 1 and CTE-State also show variances in budget utilization, with Title 1 at 109.07% and CTE-State at 108.83%.
Other Funds and Financial Overview
The district's other funds are managing well with stable balances.
- The Debt Service Fund is collecting back tax collections but has reduced bond payments.
- The Capital Project Fund is receiving tax collections from the Capital Levy, indicating ongoing financial support for capital projects.
As one of your Board members I want to tell you that we can’t do this on our own. You need to ask yourself, is it important to get conservatives elected in Kitsap County? If you believe that, then I’m asking you to please reconnect and start helping us to make a difference in Kitsap! We can’t do this on our own. Your help and input are invaluable. Thank you!
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