City of Poulsbo - September 2024 Newsletter

City of Poulsbo September E-Newsletter

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City of Poulsbo News You Can Use

All City offices will be closed on:

Monday, September 2 - In observance of Labor Day. Garbage and recycling services will be on a regular schedule.

Friday, September 20 from 11:30 to 1:00 - For an Employee Appreciation BBQ.

Voter registration deadlines

Voter registration deadlines for the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 election.

Online registration deadline: Monday, October 28, 2024
Register by mail deadline: Must be received by Monday, October 28, 2024
In person registration deadline: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

How to check your voter registration

You can confirm your voter registration status on Washington’s election website:

https://voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/login.aspx

Housing, Health and Human Services Department Update

Hello from Housing, Health and Human Services!

Nordic Cottage Construction Begins - In 2019, the City of Poulsbo established an affordable housing advisory group to identify priorities in this area. One of this group’s recommendations was to create long term housing for vulnerable, low-income individuals—leading directly to a plan to build two small Nordic Cottages with four small, one bedroom apartments each to serve older adults and adults with disabilities. After four years of designing, planning, and applying, City Council approved a budget and general contractor in July and construction will begin this fall. H3 is grateful to Housing Kitsap, Coates Design, and Gateway Fellowship Church for their partnership in this project, and the work of the City’s Planning and Economic Development Department and Engineering Department to get us to construction. Housing Kitsap will be managing the applications and wait list once these homes are built, but please write to kimberlyh@cityofpoulsbo.com if you’d like to be on an information distribution list.

September is Recovery Month and we will be honoring City staff during the City Council meeting on September 11 who help those struggling with addiction. The City of Poulsbo supports numerous pathways to recovery—the Recovery Resource Center, a recovery residence in Nelson Park, our police navigator program—and none of these things would be possible without the talented and compassionate staff working in these programs. Mayor Erickson will also be signing the City’s first Recovery Proclamation that affirms our commitment to making support and services available.

Back to School…and Immunizations - Did you know that in the state of Washington vaccines are available at no cost for kids under 18? Health care providers participating in the program may charge an administration fee, but the family can ask to have it waived. Map of participating providers here. Vaccine Provider Locations

Planning and Economic Development Department Update

Farewell and Best Wishes, Rory Clark

August marked the conclusion of a two-summer and school-year internship with Rory Clark, who joined our team in the summer of 2022 as a junior at Kingston High School. During his time with us, Rory's interest in planning deepened, ultimately leading him to study the profession in college. His time here has set the stage for his future, as he prepares to study at Western Washington University's College of the Environment in Bellingham in the fall 2024.

We are immensely grateful for Rory's contributions to the Planning Department. His work, particularly in creating story maps for Olhava, assisting with the upcoming Critical Areas Ordinance update, researching ADUs and tree retention, and contributing to the Comprehensive Plan with his photography, research and writing, has been invaluable. We wish Rory all the best as he embarks on this exciting new chapter in his journey.

City Council Wraps Up Initial Review of 2024 Comprehensive Plan Chapters

In August, the City Council completed its initial review of the proposed chapters for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. This review process began in March, with the Council thoroughly examining all 13 chapters, offering comments and suggesting edits along the way. The next steps include finalizing the functional plans and capital facility plans, as well as preparing for the release of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), expected in January 2025.

City Council to Review Viking Avenue/C-2 Commercial Zone Amendments and Public Notice Sign Requirements

Following a June open house and Planning Commission discussions from June through August, the City Council is set to review draft regulations aimed at amending the Viking Avenue/C-2 Commercial zone to increase building height and expand residential capacity. Additionally, the Council will consider updates to our public notice sign requirements.

In an effort to enhance transparency and keep the public informed about proposed land use changes, the Planning Department is revamping its signage requirements and creating an easy to digest project sheet. Instead of requiring residents to sift through multiple documents, the department is creating one-page Quick Facts that summarize project highlights. These summaries are proposed to be displayed on-site and on our active land use webpage for certain application types. Below is an example of the changes being proposed:

Lastly, the above mentioned pro ject is scheduled before the hearing examiner on Tuesday, September 17.

Engineering and Building Department Update

Raab Park Play-for-All Project- Playground upgrades and improvements are beginning at Raab Park, to build a fully inclusive ADA-accessible playground, which will be located next to the park’s existing small playground. Multiple new pieces of equipment and sensory stations will be added, all of which are designed to accommodate physical disabilities and provide a sensory rich experience. New features will include a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, wheelchair-accessible swing, inclusive teeter totter, and swing seats, among other new stations. The contract was awarded to W.S. Contractors, LLC. Upon completion, this will be the first fully inclusive playground in North Kitsap, a project six years in the making.

Raab Park Water Tank project- The City has recently begun design of this project. As part of the project, a second concrete water reservoir will be added to Raab Park to increase water storage capacity to our growing area. The new 150,000-gallon (twin) water tank will be located near the existing tank where the current restroom facilities are located. New ADA family-friendly restrooms will be relocated and added as part of the project. The existing water tank will undergo earthquake repairs to meet seismic compliance and will continue to be in service. Construction is set to begin summer 2025.

Rotary Morrow Community Park- The new community park, located at the corner of Noll Road and Mesford Street, will provide ADA accessible trails for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as playground equipment and a picnic area that will serve this rapidly growing residential area. Earlier work in Phase 1 involved removing trees, some grading, and creating trails. Phase 2 entails grading, drainage management, installation of native planting, rain gardens, and rock retaining walls. Upon the completion of this contracted phase, the City will install the playground equipment and site amenities to prepare the park for opening in Fall 2024.

Poulsbo Complete Streets Update- The Complete Streets Draft Plan was presented at the July 11^th Stakeholder Committee Meeting at City Hall. Discussions about the Draft Plan were focused on the project list to ensure that the projects accurately address the transportation needs and challenges in the City. The committee also discussed project prioritization, and funding and implementation strategies. Please visit our Complete Streets website to view the Complete Streets Draft Plan at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/engineering/poulsbo-complete-streets.

Building Department Permits: There were 65 building permits issued for the month of July for a total valuation of $2,991,000. Monthly building permit reports are always available on our website here: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/building-department.

Join our Engineering Team! Are you interested in joining a small team of well-rounded players with a collaborative spirit and growth mindset? The City of Poulsbo is seeking to add one talented engineering technician or engineer to our team. For a full job description and application, please visit our website at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/human-resources-employment-opportunities.

Finance Department Update

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.

Business & Occupation (B&O) Tax Update

Two meetings have been scheduled for those interested in the B&O Tax program. The first will be online and the second will be in person.

Online B&O Outreach Meeting

* 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 24 *

hppps://zoom.us/join

Meeting ID: 895 2893 3797

Passcode: 304958

In Person B&O Outreach Meeting

* 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 26 *

City of Poulsbo

Council Chambers

200 NE Moe Street

Quick Facts

· Businesses will be exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax if annual gross revenue is less than $20,000, however a zero return tax form is required.

· Businesses will be requested to submit the tax quarterly unless they do not meet the annual gross revenue amount of $100,000.

· Non-profit organizations are exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax but are required to file a zero return.

FileLocal

Poulsbo has joined FileLocal, a non-profit currently consisting of a dozen cities in Washington. FileLocal is an easy to navigate portal, where businesses can sign-up to create a business account (with their current UBI number) and pay B&O taxes. If a business has an account with FileLocal, add Poulsbo to the list of cities to receive B&O taxes.

Poulsbo will be live on FileLocal in mid-September. Third quarter (July – September) B&O taxes are due October 31, 2024. Annual taxes (July – December) are due January 31, 2025.

Online payments will be charged a convenience fee of $4.00, plus a $1.00 ACH debit service fee -or- 2.49% credit card fee for each form. No fees will be charged for a zero return.

Making a payment

FileLocal: The preferred method for filing and paying Poulsbo B&O tax.

https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/

Drop Box: Drop off completed form and payment either in the drive-up drop box located on 3rd Avenue or the walk-up drop box located at the top of the stairs just outside of the main entrance to City Hall located off Moe Street. These boxes are checked daily for payments.

In Person: Pay in person at Poulsbo City Hall with the 3rd Floor Cashier during City Hall Hours: Monday – Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm), excluding holidays. Please note the front counter is closed each weekday from 12:15pm - 1:15pm for lunch.

Mail: Completed form and payment may be mailed to: City of Poulsbo – Cashier, 200 NE Moe St, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Ensure it is postmarked no later than the due date to avoid penalties.

Resources

· Poulsbo Municipal Code Chapter 3.34 provides the code language for the Poulsbo B&O tax.

· Poulsbo webpage provides information regarding the B&O tax. Please click the following link: Business and Occupation Tax | City of Poulsbo

· Alternatively, send an email to: tax@cityofpoulsbo.com for further information.

· In mid-September, FileLocal will be the portal where businesses can create an account and pay B&O taxes. Please click the following link to access FileLocal: https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/

· Department of Revenue provides Washington state business licenses and endorsements for Poulsbo. Home | Washington Department of Revenue

Job Openings

The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions!

Poulsbo Garden Club

Join Poulsbo Garden Club

For a year of interesting activities including guest speakers, garden tours, craft projects, lots of playing in the dirt and much more, please join us! Dues are only $20 a year. For more information, please email us at PoulsboGardenClub@gmail.com

September 14th Meeting

Mark Webb earned a BS in Zoology with an emphasis in entomology from San Diego State. He worked in various capacities for San Diego and Nevada Counties during which he was involved in surveying, trapping, identifying, and eradicating exotic and invasive insect species. He currently lives in Silverdale. Please join us for an interesting Saturday with Mark as we take a walk around the building learning about insects and their interaction with humans, the environment, and other organisms. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

October 12th Meeting

We will be holding our much-anticipated annual auction on October 12th. Members donate plants, gently used garden items, books, member-made crafts and treats to be auctioned off. The event is for PGC members and their guests. Interested? Come on in and join the PGC!

The Judge's Corner.

Working things out over the years

I recall the walk as if it were last week, over six decades ago. My family’s lives had taken a downturn. We were in a new town with no jobs and no refrigerator. I had two dollars and was walking to the store to get a couple of tomatoes for dinner and a bag of ice to keep the milk cold in our cooler.

After living a middle-class life, we were poor.

I never felt our financial condition was long-term, though. Dad had applied for work at the local paper mill and was checking each day to see if they needed his help. Every day. To do any job they needed him to do. Mom, too, had job applications in stores across the valley and was actively job searching each day. Though right then we were poor, Mom and Dad were doing all they could to make sure that was a temporary condition.

Within five days Dad got a call to work on the mill “Bull Gang,” the entry-level labor crew. He was thirty-seven years old and had previously owned a business. I wondered how he would handle starting over on the Bull Gang. That night he came home dirty and exhausted. Obviously, he had given the mill his best effort for those eight hours. Resting on the back step, he smiled and told us he had been asked to come back the next day. Then the next and next. His Bull Gang days led to over twenty-five years at the mill.

Soon Mom had a job, too, at a music store.

Often, they came home tired, never did they come home pessimistic. Dad and Mom each had a job and we soon had a refrigerator.

A few years later I got hired as summer help at the same mill. My first shift was cleaning the sawmill, a never-ending battle against the dust created by machines turning lots of trees into lots of lumber. Before I left for my 10 p.m.-to-7 a.m. shift Dad and Mom joined me for a sandwich.

“You don’t know what an important day this is, Jeff,” Dad said.

“Why?” I responded. “I’m just shoveling sawdust for eight hours.”

“Maybe. But you can make a career out of this day if you work hard enough. Give them all you’ve got tonight. They’ll notice,” he said, looking me in the eye. “I know.”

So, I went to the sawmill and worked like a man possessed. At the end of the shift the supervisor said, “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” The same thing happened twenty-four hours later. I never looked for another job until I graduated from law school. The sawmill was always there for me, and I for it, when I was not in school.

Now, these decades later, I look back on those days as pivotal in my development. I have never been afraid of work. Having a job is better than not. I’ve experienced both.

Labor Day is upon us, the day each year set aside to honor us as workers. Rather than having old-fashioned pride in our employment, the easy, more common approach is to complain about work. Lost in the day-to-day marathon of our jobs are the benefits we reap from the work, both internally and externally. Work is a vehicle of freedom. It feeds our families, pays our bills, and can, if you let it, instill great pride in people. People like Dad, Mom, and me, for example.

Sometimes when I’m feeling sorry for myself about work, I think of the walk to the store for tomatoes and ice. It makes my job seem different. Better. More positive. Other times when I’m feeling sorry for myself about work, I just open the refrigerator door and have a drink of cold milk. Almost always that makes me thankful to have a job.

Happy Labor Day.

Parks and Recreation Department Update