All posts by brynn grimley

Pay increases planned for judges, county prosecutor

Brynn writes:

Kitsap County finances appear to be stabilizing. County commissioners are in the process of negotiating new contracts with all employees covered by a collective bargaining unit, and although the meetings are conducted behind closed doors, commissioners have said publicly they’re offering a 2 percent cost of living adjustment for this year and next.

Pay raises are also coming to Kitsap’s District and Superior Court judges, the respective courts’ commissioners and Prosecuting Attorney Russel Hauge. The raises are on the county commissioners’ consent agenda for approval at the board’s regular meeting Monday night. The increases — there’s two — take effect Sept. 1, 2013 and Sept. 1, 2014.

Part of the resolution also restores the formula for how the prosecutor’s salary is calculated. Pay for the elected position is tied to the pay scale set by the state for Superior Court judges. All of the county’s non-judicial elected positions were once tied to this pay scale but in 2008 commissioners froze the pay of the assessor, auditor, clerk, coroner, prosecutor, sheriff and treasurer.

Recognizing the tough financial situation facing the county, the elected officials requested the freeze. At the same time county commissioners (and other elected officials) opted to pay for their health care premium expenses to find additional savings. County commissioners can’t change their salaries while in office, so this how they were able to reduce their overall pay. This practice continued through 2011.

The resolution set for approval Monday will return the pay of the prosecutor to a rate that is equal to the pay of a Superior Court judge. The county pays half the prosecutor’s salary and the other half is reimbursed by the state. It’s the same for Superior Court judges — the county pays half of the salaries and the state reimburses the other half. The only salaries covered in full by the county are for the District Court judges and commissioner and the Superior Court Commissioner. The court commissioner positions are set at 90 percent of the Superior Court Judge’s salary.

Here’s the breakdown of what the judges and Hauge are paid annually and the proposed increases:

Current pay:

Superior Court judges: $148,844.80 (Kitsap County portion: $74,422.40)
Superior Court Commissioner: $133.947.90
District Court judges: $141,710.40
District Court Commissioner: $127,545.60
Prosecutor: $147,759.20 (State reimbursement: $74,422.40)

Proposed increases for 2013, 2014: (The first number is for 2013, the second for 2014)

Superior Court judges: : $151,809 (Kitsap County portion: $75,904.50); $156,363 (Kitsap county portion: $78,181.50)
Superior Court Commissioner: $136,628.10; $140,726.70
District Court judges: $144,544; $148,881
District Court Commissioner: $130,090; $133,993
Prosecutor: $151,809; $156,363

For comparison sake, the county commissioners — whose salaries are the same — make $112,049.60 a year as of Jan. 1, 2013. Under state law commissioners can’t change their salaries while in office, but they can change the salary for the next term. The salary for Brown’s position, along with the other county elected officials, are up for review either later this year or next year. The salaries must be set before the election.

It’s likely these positions will see a 2 percent cost of living increase similar to what is being negotiated with employees covered by a collective bargaining unit.

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Seriously? Public employees don’t have to pay into Social Security?

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

That was my reaction last week when I learned that our state doesn’t require public employees to pay into Social Security if they participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System.

I wrote about this in Monday’s paper as it relates to the employees of Housing Kitsap, who voted in April to remove themselves from paying Social Security.

It’s a bit convoluted, but in 1955 Washington voluntarily entered into an agreement with the federal government to offer Social Security to public employees who weren’t covered by a state-authorized retirement plan. By 1991 it was mandatory that all public agencies offer either Social Security or a state-authorized retirement plan for employees.

This mandatory requirement meant that if agencies like housing authorities had a state-authorized retirement plan in place for employees and those employees were also paying into Social Security, the state needed documentation that said the agency had voluntarily agreed to pay into Social Security.

The state’s Employment Security Department managed these agreements from 1951 to 2009. When the state’s Department of Retirement Services took them over it realized some public agencies were paying into Social Security erroneously.

Housing Kitsap was one of those agencies. I filed a records request with the state retirement services department to see the files related to the housing agency and why it didn’t vote in 1989 to continue to pay into Social Security. (1989 is when the agency authorized its state-approved retirement plan for employees, called PERS).

Emails and files show the housing board was told in 1993 it needed to allow staff to vote on whether to continue to pay into Social Security, but the board never took action.

A file from April 16, 1993 shows the employment security department sent letters to the housing authority board and began the process of holding a vote, but a hand-written note on the file explains why the vote was never held:

“11-18-93 Rob says board won’t approve.”

Rob, I think is in reference to Rob Joseph, the account supervisor named on the document. The document never says why the board halted the process, but for employees to vote the board had to approve it first. As a result the authority and its employees have paid into Social Security for 24 years when they potentially should not have.

“All of these years that the housing authority was participating in PERS they were at the same time erroneously taking Social Security out of the PERS people’s pay and they should not have been,” said Melanie Piccin, state Social Security coordinator with the Department of Retirement Systems.

Employees finally took the vote in April and voted 34 to 18 to withdraw from Social Security. Now they’re asking the housing board to reconsider its plan to pay down the agency’s debt with the money it would have paid into Social Security on their behalf. Instead they’d like to see the money go into a deferred compensation program.

So what other public employees have the option not to pay into Social Security? According to Piccin, all of the state’s agencies have the voluntary coverage in place, which means these employees pay Social Security. The only state agency that doesn’t pay is the Washington State Patrol, she said.

All school districts and the state’s higher education institutions, like public universities and colleges, pay into Social Security. But the retirement services department is learning many of the state’s smaller political subdivisions like cities and housing authorities are paying into the federal system without an agreement on hand.

Beyond Kitsap’s housing authority Piccin has also contacted the city of Sea-Tac and Port of Seattle (including its firefighters and police) to notify them of the discrepancy.

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Open office hours with Commissioner Josh Brown

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Commissioner Josh Brown will be at the Silverdale Library tomorrow from 3 to 5 p.m. to meet with constituents and talk with them about whatever they want to talk about.

This is something he’s been doing for more than a year, but it sounds like not too many people know about it, so the library is trying to raise awareness in hopes that more people will show up to talk with the commissioner. Here’s the details from the library’s event calendar:

Central Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown will be at the Silverdale Library every fourth Tuesday of the month for “Open Office Hours,” to meet with citizens to listen to their ideas and concerns. “Open Office Hours” are open to all residents and will run from 3:00-5:00pm in the Hess Room of the Silverdale Library located at 3450 NW Carlton St in Old Town Silverdale. No appointment is necessary. Visitors will be welcomed on a first-come basis and will have up to 10 minutes each to talk to Commissioner Brown about any topic related to county government.

Since he just returned from the Paris Airshow, if you go ask Josh how the City of Light was in the spring.

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Following SB 5454, requiring HIV-testing in infants

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

In January I wrote about Mary Jones, the Central Kitsap woman who has cared for some of the state’s most medically fragile babies while they were placed in state custody. (Read that story here).

Jones started fostering 31 years ago, but in December she terminated her foster care license with the state because she’d finally had enough with the state’s Department of Social and Health Services.

It takes a lot to get Jones that upset — this is a woman who has the patience of a saint — but after an infant in her care was not tested for HIV, even though the child’s mother gave permission, Jones had had enough. She was told by DSHS officials that a court order was needed to test the child, but it took close to six months for that order to be issued. Testing the infant as soon as possible would have been in the baby’s best interest, because if the infant tested positive it would have been given necessary antiviral medication to potentially keep the disease away.

It wasn’t until Jones terminated her license and the baby was moved to a different foster family that Jones received a call from the baby’s caseworker saying the court order had been issued. But even then if the infant tested positive for HIV, the state wouldn’t tell Jones the results because she longer was caring for the child — even though she’d cared for the baby for three months, potentially exposing herself to the disease.

This isn’t the first time Jones has run up against DSHS about its lack of policy on whether to test infants at birth for HIV. She has tried since 2004 to get legislation passed that would test infants for HIV if the status of the mother is unknown, and if the mother is at high risk for the disease (i.e. an intravenous drug user). Many pregnant women whose children enter state custody after birth receive prenatal care, so the percentage of women whose HIV status is unknown at the time of delivery is low. But it’s the babies born to women who are intravenous drug users, or who don’t receive any medical attention during pregnancy, and who don’t know if they’re HIV positive, that the bill aims to reach.

Working with Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, Jones hopes to see legislation passed this year that would update state law to require the test in infants whose status is unknown.

The bill, SB 5454, made it out of the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee and after a detour through the Senate Ways and Means committee (an inaccurate fiscal note was attached to the bill, which is how it ended up there) the bill is now waiting on the rules committee to be brought to the floor for a vote.

This is the first time this legislation has made it out of committee. Rolfes is optimistic the bill will pass once on the floor, but she’s also pragmatic and knows it faces an uphill battle.

“The challenge is right now we have hundreds of bills waiting to get to the floor for a vote,” Rolfes said Wednesday. “We have another week or so to get the bills out and the Senate moves very slowly. Whether I can get it to the floor is the big ‘if.'”

Jones has been holding her breath, waiting to see if the bill finally passes. Seeing this legislation approved might help heal Jones’ wounds — the 63-year-old planned to retire this spring when her license ran out; terminating her license early was an act of desperation. While she knows she did the right thing, there’s still a part of her that is upset she didn’t get to retire the way she wanted.

Even though she’s no longer caring for the medically fragile babies, she’s still fighting for them in Olympia.

“When I go down there to testify I am always just focused on who I am there for, which is always my babies,” she said earlier this month.

If the bill doesn’t make it to the floor this session, Rolfes isn’t discouraged, in fact she’s optimistic that it will be even easier to get it passed during the next session.

“A lot times when the bills get this far you can get them out the next year,” she said. “Where we are right now is strategically a good spot. We’ll know in another couple of weeks if it’s still alive. It’s certainly my priority.”

Here’s some excerpts from SB 5454, which updates RCW 13.34.315:

When an infant under one year of age is placed in out-of-home care under this chapter, the department or other supervising agency shall request that the infant’s treating physician test the infant for human immunodeficiency virus, if the human immunodeficiency virus status of the mother of the infant:

(i) Is known to be positive; or

(ii) Is unknown and the department has specific information indicating that the mother is at increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection, including, but not limited to, a history of drug abuse.

The bill goes on to indicate the supervising agency must then follow a treating physician’s recommendation for follow-up testing and care for infants that test positive. It also says the child’s parent must be asked for consent. If they object for any reason, including conflicts with religious beliefs, a court order is required to perform the test.

Click here to see the TVW footage of the Feb. 12 Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee hearing on SB 5454.

Click here for a history of SB 5454, which includes links to a pdf of the original bill.

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Kitsap Sheriff Steve Boyer not running for Congress

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer sent out a release today saying he won’t run for the Congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair.

Last month Boyer said he hadn’t ruled out the possibility of running for the 6th Congressional seat.

“It’s always in the back of my mind that you’re looking for the next way to serve,” Boyer said March 7.

Since then he’s decided not to join the race. Instead Boyer has endorsed state Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who announced his intentions to run earlier this year.

Here’s the official release from Boyer:

Like so many throughout Kitsap County, I was surprised by Congressman Norm Dicks’ announcement that he would not be seeking reelection. Once the initial impact of the announcement passed, I took some time to consider whether the honor to participate as a United States Congressman and to help set a positive course for the future of America might be the best decision for my family, Kitsap County, and the citizens of the 6th Congressional District.

There were many factors to weigh while considering a decision of this magnitude and I would like to give my thanks for the confidence and encouragement extended by so many diverse groups and individuals for such a candidacy. The final analysis demanded determining where one can provide the most value for our citizens. This would be a capstone to my 40 years of public service in which success is measured by accomplishment and the respective trust which must exist with our citizens. I also have a high level of personal and professional satisfaction in ensuring public safety as the Kitsap County Sheriff.

Therefore, after due consideration, I am endorsing Derek Kilmer in the Sixth District Congressional race. He has the right skill set built upon a foundation of strong character. I trust that Derek will always defend American values and do what is important for our Nation.

Yours in safety,

Stephen A. Boyer

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A commissioner apologizes

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Last night at the Kitsap County Commissioners regular meeting board chairman Robert Gelder apologized for how things went down at the board’s April 9 meeting.

I wasn’t at the meeting, but a review of the tape shows that a number of supporters of the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club attended the meeting to speak out during the board’s allotted public comment period. People were upset with the county for not inviting the KRRC to a meeting at the end of March that dealt with a proposed update to a shooting range ordinance. The ordinance would impact the county’s existing ranges by requiring them to apply for an operational permit and dictating their hours of operation, among other regulations.

Apparently as people continued to line up to speak, Gelder announced no more public comment would be taken on the rifle range. He then adjourned the meeting. The scene was tense and it appears one woman was in the process of testifying when the meeting ended.

On Monday Gelder apologized for how he handled the situation.

“I want to extend to Mrs. Cooper, who was making comments at the time, an apology for potentially cutting you off and handling that poorly,” Gelder said.

The board wants to provide a forum for the public to talk to commissioners and that didn’t happen April 9, Gelder said. While the public comment period is not a time for commissioners to interact with the audience, it is still a time when the public can be heard.

Gelder wants the communication to remain respectful — from both directions, he said.

“I am sorry that I did not show you that respect at that time,” Gelder said to Mrs. Cooper. (I don’t know whether she was in the audience of roughly 80 people at Monday’s meeting).

Contrary to some opinions, commissioners are committed to seeing KRRC reopen and come into compliance under the county’s land-use code, the board said Monday. Gelder tried to convey that message following Monday’s public comment, where people blamed the commissioners for the lawsuit against the club saying it appeared the county had a vendetta against the facility and wouldn’t be happy until it was closed for good.

“Overall it’s really about moving forward and that’s what I would like to emphasize,” Gelder said. “I look forward to us being able to move forward in a constructive manner so KRRC can open and be available to the public.”

Commissioner Josh Brown also commented about his reaction at the April 9 meeting, saying he was upset with a comment suggesting the commissioners only sold the club its land in 2009 so it could shut it down. He called the allegation ludicrous.

“I know a lot of you are frustrated. I appreciate that, I am frustrated too,” Brown said. “I really believe in my heart that we need to have shooting ranges that are safe and open for people to use in our community.”

Brown said the shooting range ordinance update the county is working on will allow the county’s existing gun ranges to continue operation in the future, while taking into account the concerns of the surrounding neighborhoods that have built up around the ranges.

“I really believe we’re going to have a good document that the community can be proud of that’s going to balance these competing interests,” he said.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

And here we are, almost at the end of April already. Here’s the meetings for the week:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, April 23: Meeting canceled.

2 p.m.: This meeting is closed to the public for labor negotiations until the 4:30 p.m. adjournment.

5:30 p.m.: The board’s regular meeting will begin with some appointments, then Department of Community Development Director Larry Keeton will address the board regarding the county’s current update of its shooting range ordinance — Keeton is expected to explain why the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club was not invited to the latest round of meetings on the update; general business items include approving a resolution to close Chico Way during the Silverdale roundabout construction and awarding a $1.26 million contract to Stan Palmer Construction for the construction of the roundabout and setting the salaries for the north and south Kitsap commissioner positions, estimated to save the county $66,000 over four years; public hearing items include a resolution to amend the 2012 budget, a resolution updating DCD’s fee schedule and an ordinance amending another ordinance to modify the implementation date of the county’s Title 16.

Wednesday, April 25, 8:30 a.m.: The meeting starts with a talk about RBX replacement funding with Information Services Director Bud Harris, followed by an executive session on potential litigation, the meeting reopens with an earthquake drill from 9:45 to 10:05 a.m. followed by a 30 minute food chain program update then an hour-long budget update. The meeting ends with an executive session on real estate and a noon adjournment.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, April 25, 5 p.m.: Click here for the pdf of the agenda for the council’s study session.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, April 24, 7 p.m.: Click here to see a copy of the council’s agenda.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

No meeting.

Bremerton Housing Authority (4040 Wheaton Way)

Monday, April 23, 5:30 p.m.: The housing commissioners will meet for a regular meeting at the authority’s office.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

And the meetings this week include….

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, April 16, 10 a.m.: Once again the meeting starts with an hour-long legislative Update with Tom McBride. The board will then hold an hour-long “commissioners’ staff meeting” and adjourn at noon.

2 p.m.: This meeting kicks off with an hour-long presentation on the Silverdale regional growth center, which will be made before the Puget Sound Regional Council — this is a chance for commissioners to see it first; next is a review of DCD fee policies for an hour; followed by 10 minutes of talking about park grant requests. Adjournment at 4:10 p.m.

Wednesday, April 18, 8:30 a.m.: The meeting starts a review of the April 23 meeting agenda followed by a 90 minute discussion on Title 21.02, 21.04 and 21.08 with county planners. At 11:30 a.m. commissioners will recess into executive session for 30 minutes for real estate talks and then adjourn.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.: There’s only one general business item and no public hearing items. The general business item is: Award Contract for cross-town pipeline upper reach repair project to Stan Palmer Construction.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, April 17, 7 p.m.: Work study session items include: Update: Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs ; Update: Mayor’s report from department directors and achieving council’s goals; Discussion: Hotel/Motel lodging tax “carry-over”; Discussion: format and public comments of council meetings; Discussion: change order/purchase order/contracts authority clarification; Update: Shoreline Master Plan process.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m.: Business items include a quarterly update from John Powers of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance; additional hours for court security officer; and a public hearing on the city’s comprehensive plan amendments.

Central Kitsap Community Council

Wednesday, April 18, 7-9 p.m.: The CKCC is holding its meeting this month at the Harrison Medical Center Silverdale campus to talk about the hospital’s planned expansion and potential impacts to Ridgetop Boulevard.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

What a beautiful weekend, too bad it had to end and we’re back at the office. Here’s the week’s agendas:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, April 9, 10 a.m.: Like most Monday mornings this one starts with an hour-long legislative Update with Tom McBride. The board will then hold an hour-long information sharing and adjourn at noon.

2 p.m.: The meeting starts with a parks update with parks priorities from parks director Jim Dunwiddie; next is a presentation of the Kitsap 1 budget for an hour; followed by an hour-long property tax discussion. Adjournment at 4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.: The board will review a resolution from the auditor’s office to amend the voting precinct boundaries; there is nothing scheduled for the public hearing.

Wednesday, April 11, 8:30 a.m.: The meeting starts with an update on the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance with John Powers for 25 minutes, followed by a closed session regarding labor relations. The board will meet with Eric Baker for 30 minutes to discuss a grant opportunity for the Kitsap Forest Plan and Bay project and then will recess into executive session to discuss real estate.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, April 11, 5 p.m.: The council has a study session planned. Find the full agenda here.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, April 10, 7 p.m.: Two presentations include one on the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and the introduction of the royal court for the Fathoms O’ Fun festival.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m.: The council will hold a public hearing on its Shoreline Master Program update. The council could vote following the hearing on the document or it could postpone the approval for another meeting.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Happy April, lets hope spring really does make an appearance this month…

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, April 2, 10 a.m.: Like most Monday mornings this one starts with an hour-long legislative Update with Tom McBride. The board will then hold an hour-long executive session to review the performance of a public employee.

2 p.m.: Meeting canceled.

Wednesday, April 3, 8:30 a.m.: Meeting starts with a review of the board’s agenda for its April 9 meeting; From 9:15 to 10 a.m. the board will share information; a review of the DCD annual report/department structure will follow from 10 to 11 a.m. and then the board will recess into executive session to discuss potential litigation for 30 minutes and real estate for another 30 minutes. Noon adjournment.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, April 3, 5:30 p.m.: After meeting upstairs at 5 p.m. for a briefing the council will head downstairs for a regular session. The one business item is an amendment to the concession agreement with Bremerton Ice Arena, Inc. related to the sale of beer and wine. The council will also hold a closed meeting to discuss labor negotiations.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

No meeting this week.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, April 3, 7 p.m.: Business items include an application for a special event for the Poulsbo Farmer’s Market; discussing 2012 carryover related to the budget; and continuing the council’s workshop on its Shoreline Master Plan update.

Housing Kitsap (345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Tuesday, April 3, 1 p.m.: Housing commissioners will meet on the fifth floor of the Norm Dicks Government center from 1 to 3 p.m.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Here’s the meetings for the week:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, March 26, 10 a.m.: Like most Monday mornings this one starts with an hour-long legislative Update with Tom McBride followed by information sharing between the board until noon.

2 p.m.: Meeting kicks off with a budget update until 2:30 p.m.; the board then recesses into an executive session on potential litigation until 3 p.m. and then reopens the meeting to review a Public Works grant approval request for five minutes; next the board will move into the commissioner chambers for the county’s 6-year budget plan meeting for 10 minutes and then it will discuss this until its 4:30 p.m. adjournment.

5:30 p.m.: NOTE THE NEW MEETING TIME: The first two public hearing items include a hearing to review a petition to vacate a piece of property in Central Kitsap and a long list of applications for current use open space, farm and agriculture conservation land and timber land. Other public hearing items include an ordinance repealing Kitsap County Code (KCC) Chapter 9.32 relating to Methadone Treatment; an ordinance approving revised commissioner district boundaries; and then a continuation of a previous public hearing to consider a resolution approving the 2012 update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

Tuesday, March 27, 6 p.m.: As part of the on-going public process to review the proposed updates to the Shoreline Master Program, County planners are hosting an open house in the commissioner chambers in Port Orchard.

Wednesday, March 28, 8:30 a.m.: This meeting starts with a trails update by trails planner Dennis Oost and Bill Zupancic, it will include an update on the community trail planning schedule and a draft of the trail plan; a Kingston Village Green update will follow for 30 minutes followed by a grant approval on Public Works trust fund loans until 10 a.m.; the meeting concludes with an executive session on real estate from 10 to 10:30 p.m.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, March 28, 5 p.m.: The council will meet for a study session. For the complete agenda, click here.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, March 27, 7 p.m.: The council will hold its regular meeting, to see a full agenda of discussion items, click here.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

No meeting this week.

Port of Bremerton (meets at Bremerton National Airport, 8850 SW State Hwy 3)

Tuesday, March 27, 5:30 p.m.: The commissioners will meet for a study session to discuss the port’s 6-year capital plan review. At 6 p.m. the board will open its regular meeting. Action items include: an amendment to the port’s agreement with the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance; an agreement with Merchant Patrol Security Services Inc.; Task Order #12 with PND Engineers for underwater inspection and engineering assessment; Port policy on community support or endorsements; Resolution 2012-20 endorsing the South Kitsap Fire & Rescue temporary levy lid lift proposition.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

And just like that we’re halfway through March. Tuesday marks the first day of spring, here’s to hoping we see more sun and less snow in the coming weeks. Without further ado, here’s the week’s meeting:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, March 19, 10 a.m.: Monday’s a light day. The afternoon briefing has been canceled and the morning meeting is only an hour-long legislative Update with Tom McBride until 11 a.m.

Wednesday, March 21, 8:30 a.m.: The meeting kicks off with a review of the agenda for the board’s March 26 meeting until 9:15 a.m.; next is information sharing for 45 minutes; then a 30 minute 2012 PSRC funding strategy meeting; followed by another 30 minute discussion on 2012 proposed budget and personnel changes and then an executive session on real estate until 11:30 a.m. with adjournment to follow.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, March 21, 5 p.m.: The meeting starts upstairs for 30 minutes before heading to council chambers for the regular meeting. There are no public hearings and the only general business item is approval of joint ferry service and funding agreement for summer Sundays and holidays.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, March 20, 7 p.m.: Work study discussion items include a presentation on realigning the water/sewer utility billing; a discussion with Citizens United regarding corporations; a discussion on the lodging tax funding/ordinance amendment; a discussion on McCormick “STEP regular maintenance”; discussion on the appointment of the City Clerk; and discussion the change order, purchase order and contracts authority process.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Monday, March 19, 5:30 p.m.: The city is holding a public meeting to hear from business owners and people about its plans for Anderson Parkway, which is planned to repave with pervious pavement and install rain gardens to reduce the amount of runoff going into Liberty Bay.

Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m.: Business agenda items include finalization of turnback agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation; 2012 Puget Sound Regional Council federal funding cycle project selection; and a workshop on Anderson Parkway.

Port of Poulsbo (meets in the floating meeting room at the port’s marina)

Monday, March 19, 9 a.m.: The port commissioners will hold a special meeting to discuss the city’s planned update to the Shoreline Master Program and how that might affect the port’s plans for its comprehensive plan update.

Bremerton Housing Authority(meets at 4040 Wheaton Way)

Monday, March 19, 5:30 p.m.: The housing board will hold a special meeting to discuss regular business. The authority’s March 26 meeting has been canceled.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Here’s the week’s meetings:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, March 12, 10 a.m.: Legislative Update with Tom McBride for an hour followed by board information sharing until noon.

2 p.m.: The meeting starts with an executive session regarding potential litigation with DCD director Larry Keeton until 2:30 p.m.; Parks director Jim Dunwiddie will give a parks update until 3 p.m.; next is adding the electronic sign code and preliminary docket to the county’s comprehensive plan amendment with supplemental information from 3 to 4 p.m. Adjournment follows.
4. Electronic Sign Code & Preliminary Docket to Comp 3:00 – 4:00 PM

7 p.m.: The board’s regular Monday night business meeting includes the following public hearing items: Amending an ordinance reducing the existing 35 mph speed limit to 30 mph on Ogle Road NE in North Kitsap, fiscal Impact: $300 – Road Fund; taking public testimony on an Intent to Lease county property located at 7266 Tibardis Road for the purpose of utilizing the transmitter room and antenna tower only; a resolution approving the 2012 update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

Wednesday, March 14, 8:30 a.m.: Canceled.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, March 14, 5 p.m.: Study session agenda can be found here.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, March 13, 7 p.m.: Business items include: Meeting with initiating parties regarding notice of intent to petition for Retsil annexation; Approval of a contract authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with PND Engineers, Inc. for the final design and construction administration for the DeKalb Pier/float improvements; Approval a contract authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Department of Ecology regarding acceptance of municipal stormwater capacity grant program; Confirmation of Appointment of Ms. Brandy Rinearson to City Clerk/Assistant to the Mayor.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m.: Public hearing is about the disposal of existing structures and real estate; the next item on the business agenda is continuing the city’s discussion of its Shoreline Master Plan update.

Central Kitsap Community Council (Seabeck Conference Center)

Tuesday, March 13, 7 p.m.: The CKCC is holding its monthly meeting in Seabeck in an attempt to better reach the communities it serves. The meeting is at the Seabeck Conference Center. The schedule for the night is as follows: Stations will be set up for various presenters and at 7:30 p.m. the first break-out session starts — each participant will provide a presentation and/or discuss issues of importance between 7:30 and 7:50 p.m.; The second break out session will start at 8 p.m. and to run until 8:20 p.m. A final gathering will be held at 8:30 p.m. for general feedback from the public, followed by an opportunity between 8:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the public to talk with participants.

Port of Poulsbo (meets in the floating meeting room of the marina)

Monday, March 12, 2 p.m.: The port will hold a special meeting to discuss the city’s planned update to the Shoreline Master Program and how that might affect the port’s plans for its comprehensive plan update.

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Poulsbo City Council live on your computer

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Saying “the public should always have the ability to see their government in action,” Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson sent an email last week about a new enhancement the city is offering on its website.

If you ever miss a Poulsbo City Council meeting, or if you’re like me and live outside the BKAT area that broadcasts the meetings, you’re now in luck — the city will begin hosting the meetings on its website for people to watch. The council’s Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 meetings are already up on the site.

Eventually the city hopes to stream its meetings as they’re happening. Erickson said this is not to take away from the BKAT broadcast, but is instead seen as an enhancement.

To see the videos go to the city’s homepage, www.cityofpoulsbo.com and look for the “Community Resources” tab at the bottom right of the homepage. The videos are available there. The direct link is: www.cityofpoulsbo.com/council/council_meetings_video.htm.

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Attorney general opinion in Poulsbo Port case

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Don’t know why I didn’t do this before. For those of you following the Port of Poulsbo and some of the recent contention coming from the commission, here is the opinion issued at the end of last month by the Attorney General’s Office on whether sitting Commissioner Arnold Bockus could appoint himself to a vacancy on the board.

It includes a lot of legal speak, but if you’re looking for clarity here’s the original story I wrote when the opinion was issued. Assistant attorney general Tim Ford sums up in his first quote what the AG’s Office ruled in the informal opinion. Take note of the footnotes, this is where the AG’s Office differs in opinion from port Commissioner Tony DeCarlo and port attorney Gregory Norbut. Norbut and DeCarlo interpret the footnotes one way, while the AG’s Office interprets them another way.

Click here for the pdf of the opinion: PoulsboOpinion

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Here’s the week’s meetings:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, March 5, 10 a.m.: Legislative Update with Tom McBride for an hour followed by board information sharing until noon.

2 p.m.: Canceled.

Wednesday, March 7, 8:30 a.m.: Agenda review for the March 12 regular meeting until 9:15 a.m., information sharing until 10 a.m., public works grant approve request for 10 minutes, executive session on real estate until 10:40 a.m., reimbursement for legal services until 11:10 a.m., update of County Veterans Assistance Fund policy and procedures manual until 11:40 a.m. followed by adjournment.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, March 7, 5 p.m.: Briefing upstairs before the start of the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Two public hearing items include: Release of stormwater easement for Bremerton Housing Authority and an ordinance to vacate Broadway Avenue from 13th to 16th streets.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

No meeting this week.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m.: Business agenda items include letter of support for Kitsap Transit; memorandum of agreements for Raab Park Youth Demonstration Garden and Raab Park P-Patch Garden; proposed Marine Science Center solar project; authorize disposal of surplus goods; ordinance regarding city funds; addendum to agreement with Kitsap Humane Society.

Housing Kitsap (345 Sixth Street, Norm Dicks Government Center)

Tuesday, March 6, 1-3:30 p.m.: The meeting starts with an executive session on potential litigation and real estate, then reopens with directors reports. Old business items include reviewing an ordinance that defines the process for elected officials to appoint a representative to the housing board and the selection of the resident commissioner; New business includes Washington’s unclaimed property policy created to establish the process for remitting abandoned checks.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Time to say good bye to February… Here’s the week’s meetings:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m.: Legislative update with Tom McBride until 11 a.m. then board information sharing until the noon adjournment.

2 p.m.: Budget update until 2:30 p.m. including January month end, 2011 13th month end and DCD 2011 13th month end; followed by a Commissioners staff meeting until 3:30 p.m. and finally a demo re: In-direct cost plan in chambers with Amber D’Amato until 4:30 p.m. adjournment.

7 p.m.: The two public hearing items include an ordinance that would change the commissioner’s regular business meeting from its 7 p.m. Monday time to 10 a.m. — there will be no public comment because testimony was heard two weeks ago; testimony will be taken on the second public hearing item which is a resolution setting a newcomer’s assessments for sewer service for the Central Kitsap, Kingston, Suquamish and Manchester sewer systems.

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 8:30 a.m.: The meeting starts with an executive session regarding potential litigation until 9 a.m.; the meeting opens with a discussion on audit findings and subsequent responses until 9:45 a.m.; then an animal control discussion until 10:15 a.m.; next up is open space application review until 10:45 a.m.; then the board goes back into executive session to discuss a personnel matter with Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge until 11:30 a.m. and another executive session regarding real estate until a noon adjournment.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 5 p.m.: This is a special meeting. There will be no public comment but here’s the discussion items: municipal budgeting 10; general council business and then adjournment.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.: This week’s public hearing item is: The pros and cons of the proposed South Kitsap Fire & Rescue district levy ballot measure proposition No. 1.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

No meeting this week.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Here’s the week’s meetings: Don’t forget today (Monday) is a holiday so all government offices are closed.

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, Feb. 20: No meetings; county offices closed.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m.: The meeting starts with reviewing the agenda for the board’s Feb. 27 meeting, followed by 45 minutes of information sharing. Then Poulsbo City Councilwoman Linda Berry-Marraist will meet with the board from 10 to 10:30 a.m. to give it an update on the ecosystem coordination board. Adjournment follows.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 5 p.m.: The council’s study session includes this one discussion item for an upcoming public hearing: Proposed public hearing and ordinance to vacate Broadway Avenue from 13 to 16th Streets.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: Joint discussion with Port of Bremerton commissioners (1 hour); Presentation: Kitsap County urban growth area remand (15 minutes); Discussion: Shoreline Master Plan (15 minutes); Discussion: McCormick “STEP regular maintenance” (15 minutes); Discussion: Lodging tax process (15 minutes); Update: realigning the water/sewer utility billing (15 minutes).

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.: The council is holding a special meeting with the Port of Poulsbo commissioners to discuss the city’s Shoreline Master Plan update. The council is also scheduled to vote on a lease agreement with Coffee Oasis to bring a drop-in teen center to town.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

Here’s the week’s meetings:

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.: This meeting will include a legislative update from Tom McBride followed by board information sharing from 11 a.m. to noon. Adjournment will follow.

2 p.m.: Parks update from Jim Dunwiddie until 2:30 p.m.; grant request for safe route to schools until 2:40 p.m.; Water as a Resource meeting agenda prep until 3:10 p.m.; Title 16 & 17 post-hearing review will happen until 4:30 p.m. Adjournment follows.

7 p.m.: This special meeting is being held to have a public hearing for commissioners to consider public testimony on the “range and selection of land use alternatives to be analyzed in a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.” The hearing is part of a recent Growth Management Hearings Board decision regarding the size and composition of the county’s Urban Growth Areas.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 9 a.m.: The board will receive the agenda for its Feb. 13 meeting until 9:45 a.m. Next they’ll share information until 10 a.m.; there will be a human rights council discussion from 10 to 10:30 a.m.; then talk about a sewer utility newcomer connection inspection fee increase will happen until 11 a.m.; the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau will give a presentation until 11:30 a.m. The board will end the meeting at noon after an executive session regarding real estate.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m.: Work study items include discussion over an extension of an inter-local agreement with Kitsap County Administrative Services for court security services; and a proposal to amend the inter-local agreement for Emergency Management Services to eliminate the city of Bremerton Council President and one at-large council member from the composition of the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management Policy Board; discussion and instruction of use of tokens for council e-mail.

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

No meetings this week.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Agenda items include: an interlocal agreement with Kitsap County for stormwater education; a resolution indicating the city plans to enter into a lease agreement with Coffee Oasis for a teen shelter; and a workshop on the Shoreline Master Plan, continued from the council’s discussion last month.

Housing Kitsap (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1-3:30 p.m.: The meeting starts with the swearing in of Port Orchard Mayor Tim Matthes and then recesses into an executive session to discuss potential litigation. Additional items for discussion include covering old business: life expectancy of 550 Madison on Bainbridge Island / Housing Kitsap plans for property; progress update of jurisdictional review of ordinance defining process for elected officials appointing representatives to the Housing Kitsap board; update on selection process of resident commissioner; appointing community leaders to serve on Housing Kitsap board subcommittees; New business includes: AWHA publication; appreciation from Kitsap County Democratic Women; Housing Kitsap information covers.

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Heads up: On the agenda

brynn grimley

Brynn writes:

February already, wow, where has the time gone?!

Kitsap County Commissioners (meet at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard)

Monday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m.: This meeting will include a legislative update from Tom McBride followed by a commissioners staff meeting from 11 a.m. to noon. Adjournment will follow.

2 p.m.: The afternoon meeting includes the following discussion topics: emergency appropriations for Clerk’s Office 2011 budget for five minutes; and executive session re: existing litigation until 2:30 p.m.; a resource conservation manager update for 30 minutes; a Shoreline Master Program update and public outreach plan from 3 to 4:30 p.m.; and a review of the Puget Sound action agenda. Adjournment to follow.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m.: This meeting starts with a budget discussion about the correctional officer interest arbitration budget decision for an hour then ends with an executive session on real estate until 10 a.m.

City of Bremerton (meets at 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton)

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 5 p.m.: This meeting starts upstairs with a briefing before heading downstairs for the general meeting. Agenda items include: approval of September 11 Memorial design concept for Evergreen Rotary Park; Awarding a construction contract to South Bay Excavating, Inc. for Park Avenue Plaza 4th Street east surface improvements as part of the Park Avenue Plaza Phase II Project; Public Hearing items include an ordinance approving a six month extension on the existing moratorium relating to Medical Marijuana collective gardens; an ordinance to amend the zoning code relating to opiate substitution treatment facilities; an ordinance to adopt the proposal to modify the City Council district boundaries for the city of Bremerton from 9 to 7 (1 of 2 Public Hearings; No action anticipated…).

City of Port Orchard (meets at 219 Prospect Street)

No meetings this week.

City of Poulsbo (City Hall, 200 Moe Street)

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.: Agenda items include: Countywide planning policies; an oridinance on vehicle impounding; an ordinance on dangerous dogs; and an agreement with the investigative response team.

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