City of Poulsbo November E-Newsletter |
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Please visit out website for the latest information and resources related to COVID-19. |
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A message from Mayor Erickson |
I hope this message finds you and your families and friends in good health. Fall is in full swing as we just finished Halloween with new ways of celebrating the holiday during the pandemic. Instead of sitting downtown as a witch handing out candy to hundreds of kids like I normally do, this year I participated in a Halloween Hunt, where kids started their scavenger hunt for candy at Fishline by donating a can of food to get their hunt map. Trick-or-treaters were able to find me and my cauldron of candy at the backside of City Hall. This event is one of many great examples of how adversity has caused us to use our imagination to adapt and change, facing the challenges of COVID-19.
I recently made a presentation to the Windermere Real Estate agents about what is occurring in Poulsbo. I split my conversation into three subjects: response to COVID-19, economic challenges, and emerging opportunities.
Our response to COVID has been intense: $175,444.37 in direct small business grants, $40,000 to Martha and Mary for payroll support, $7,000 to Fishline for direct rent relief, $25,000 for protective gear and equipment to small businesses, the creation of street dining for our restaurants, and new tables, chairs and space heaters throughout downtown. New infrastructure changes were needed. We installed speed bumps on Front Street to protect near street diners and made a portion of Fjord one-way to allow walkers the ability to social distance safely. City staff has worked very hard through these past months implementing so many changes.
Economic challenges include reduction in our city budget as sales tax revenue has fallen. The largest casualty for the City was our treasured Parks and Recreation programs. The recreation program could not hold its normally scheduled class structures or pre-school because of various guidance from the State of Washington. Our public buildings are only open for judicial processes. We have no indoor spaces to hold the classes with our public facilities being closed. Many of the classes were held in public school facilities, which are also closed. Heartbreaking and frustrating. But despite these huge challenges, the Parks & Recreation staff have continued to be creative and find activities that are Phase-2 compliant, which you can find at the bottom of this newsletter. Their newest program is in partnership with the Poulsbo Library called Outdoor Explorers, which are interactive story walks through our parks.
Even in these tough times there are emerging opportunities throughout Poulsbo. A new hotel is being built near the campus of Olympic College/Western Washington University. A new childcare facility opened on 7th Avenue. New boardwalks are being installed in Fish Park. A new shared use path is almost complete, up Finn Hill to Vinland Elementary, helping to keep our children safe. We have started serious planning for the Poulsbo Event and Recreation Center. A bookstore will open on November 6 called Book It Nook in the former Dickey’s BBQ location near Home Depot. Our challenging times seem to be creating and fostering new opportunities in our changed world. I wish all these new businesses much success.
I have a quote from Anais Nin on the wall in my office: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Bravo to all our small business owners who have adapted. A high five to all the parents teaching their children at home with the continued support from our hard-working public-school system. A sincere thanks to all our first responders and medical employees. You all are appreciated. We’ve got this Poulsbo!
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To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the City of Poulsbo customer service counters in City Hall have been closed since March 23, 2020 until Phase 3 of the Governor's Safe Start Plan. The Public Works office, Parks & Recreation office, Police Administration office, and Municipal Court office counters are currently closed, as well as restrooms in some City parks. City staff are still working and available by email or phone. To learn more on how to reach us, click here. |
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Housing, Health & Human Services (H3) Update |
H3 is proud to announce a new City of Poulsbo and Poulsbo Fire Department partnership to create a Fire CARES program (community assistance, referral, and education service). Starting in early 2021, a CARES Unit will assist residents of North Kitsap who are in need of mental health and substance use related services. The CARES Unit will be staffed by a paramedic and a social worker, and provide in home, mobile services. Fire CARES will compliment Poulsbo Police Department’s existing Navigator program, and help ensure that people calling 911 for behavioral health issues get specialized assistance.
The Poulsbo Cares program continues to assist home-bound individuals who need help with shopping or errands during the COVID-19 outbreak. Poulsbo residents who would like to learn more about services are encouraged to call the City's HELP line at 360 517 5037. The phone is staffed Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Get the flu shot, not the flu! Have you seen the posters around town? Flu vaccines are more important than ever in light of COVID-19. Many insurance companies cover the full cost of vaccinations, and the Public Health District is hosting free flu vaccine clinics, throughout November, for those without insurance coverage. Click here for information: https://kitsappublichealth.org/information/files/2020_Free_Flu_Clinics.pdf
Thank you! a special shout-out to Poulsbo Rite Aid pharmacy for hosting a drive-up flu vaccine clinic at Poulsbo City Hall on October 16. Pharmacist Jasper administered over 200 vaccines during the event (no breaks, no complaints) and his colleague Sophia was instrumental in getting the event organized making sure it ran well. Thanks, too, to Kitsap Public Health nurses Beth and Gus for providing vaccines for uninsured participants and Poulsbo Cares volunteer Elizabeth for helping with traffic control.
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Our Public Works crews have been hard at work making Front Street a little safer. The City Council asked that we install handrails on the north side of Front Street as you come into town from Hostmark. Our mechanic and his assistant fabricated and installed all the railings.
Four speed humps were installed this week as well. This time of year, we all get busy looking at window displays. The addition of street side seating areas can make it more challenging to keep focused on the road. These should help keep the traffic slow through the middle of town.
Everyone take care and stay safe as you visit and shop the downtown area!
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Poulsbo Fish Park - Phase IV Improvements |
The improvements at Poulsbo’s Fish Park (PFP) along Bond are going well, and the project is scheduled to wrap up in early December. Temporary traffic revisions on Bond Road are allowing for safe construction of retaining walls, sidewalk, and parking lot renovation.
Retaining walls are in place. 500 linear feet of sidewalk is in, and installation of curbs and gutters is underway. Two new boardwalk frameworks are in place, awaiting the decking and handrails to complete the impressive structures. The parking lot is getting ready for asphalt in a few weeks.
Volunteer projects this winter will include two new platforms built by community organizations including the Poulsbo-NK Rotary Club and Poulsbo Lions Club. Kitsap Audubon and steering committee volunteers have also created six new interpretive signs that will be installed in December. Native plants by volunteers will be planted to help restore and enhance the vegetation within existing degraded buffer areas of Dogfish Creek and the Liberty Bay estuary. Once completed, this project will provide public access, environmental improvements and education to ALL parcels in PFP's 40 acres.
The community history of support by volunteers, organizations, schools, businesses, grantors, government and the City is immeasurable to Poulsbo’s Fish Park. The City Council awarded the contract to W.S. Contractors of Buckley in July.
This project is being funded by the City of Poulsbo and two state grants: one through the Recreation and Conservation Office and one through a senate appropriation thanks to the support of Senator Christine Rolfes.
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Building & Engineering Update |
The Engineering and Building Departments continue to review permits and move projects forward. Although City Hall is not yet open to the public, staff can be reached by phone and are available to schedule appointments as well as other online services. So far this year, the building department has issued a total of 205 building permits, 26 fire permits and 22 permits are currently under review.
Year to Date Building Permits Issued and Valuation:
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Development Review
Commercial and residential development throughout the City is continuing at a steady pace. There are currently 11 projects under construction and 6 projects under review.
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Poulsbo Meadows, a 46-lot plat at the intersection near Tallagson Lane and Noll Road, is nearing completion and construction has begun on three model homes. Final Plat is expected to be recorded shortly after going to City Council this November. This development will welcome 46 new single-family homes to Poulsbo over the next year.
Crystal View, a 46-lot subdivision, is also working toward final plat and is constructing model homes.
Indigo – Poulsbo, an Urgent Care Clinic, is renovating the old Hollywood Video building on 10th Ave. . On the other side of SR305 near 7th Avenue, Liberty Bay Bank is planning a new building, expected to begin before the end of the year. Site One Landscape Supply is making tenant improvements in the old Advanced Rentals building on Viking Ave. Site One will occupy the main area and the rest of the building will be available for new tenants.
College Marketplace and Olhava is booming with construction activity:
Taco Bell, on Olhava Way NW neighboring Wendy’s, is beginning construction. Firestone Tire Facility, located next to Office Max and Home Depot, has completed construction and is expected to open toward the end of November.
The Fairfield Inn Hotel building is framed, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-in work is underway.
Norland Trails Apartments is currently constructing their clubhouse and doing site work. The permit for Building 8, which includes 27 apartments, was issued at the end of October. The complex will include 73 more townhouse style units in 7 additional buildings.
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Poulsbo Pump Track MOU Extended with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance |
In February 2015, the City selected the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) to build and manage the Poulsbo Pump Track at the city owned property that was previously known as the Little Valley Ballfield (20523 Little Valley Rd). What is a bike pump track you say? A pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders “pumping” – generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedaling or pushing.
The first 5 years have gone very well for this community facility and the partnership between the two entities. The City and EMBA recently agreed to extend the agreement for another 5 years. Bring your bike and stop by to see what a pump track is all about
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Finn Hill Shared Use Path |
The City is excited to share that the Finn Hill Shared Use Path Project is nearing completion and we are excited to see people using it nearly every day. The path is now complete between Olhava intersection and Vinland Elementary School with the exception of a 300’ boardwalk portion near Urdahl which spans a wetland. The foundation wall and pin piles are in place for the boardwalk and the framing and construction of the decking and handrails should be completed quickly once the contractor receives the materials.
The contractor worked diligently to complete the project before the winter months. However, due to national material shortages and backlogs, the contractor has not received all of the materials necessary to complete construction on the boardwalk. Nationally there has been a shortage on treated lumber, and since the boardwalk design required very specific timber sizes and a specific treating process, the contractor was not able to obtain the lumber from the local hardware store. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a delay beyond the control of the contractor. The City has suspended work on the project until all materials are available and then they contractor will come back to finish the boardwalk.
While the work is suspended, the contractor may be on site wrapping up minor work items and making other corrections. There may be periodic lane closures while these items are addressed.
The City appreciates your patience throughout the construction process. Thank you
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The Salmon are Coming 2020! |
Kitsap Salmon Tours – A Month of Salmon
WE’VE GONE VIRTUAL!
Approx. dates: October 28th – November 30th, 2020
Kitsap Salmon Tours has gone virtual this year! To ensure we continue to follow health and safety guidelines, there will not be an event to view salmon. Instead, we will be kicking off the return of salmon to our Kitsap streams with a month of virtual opportunities.
If you choose to visit one of the Kitsap salmon viewing sites on your own, please recreation responsibly.
Poulsbo’s Fish Park is under construction along the east side of the park throughout the fall of 2020. While the main parking lot and most of the park is open, visitors will not be able to access Poulsbo’s Fish Park from the Bond Road entrance and along Dogfish Creek until early 2021.
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SR305/Johnson Parkway Project Update |
A roundabout at the intersection of Johnson Road and SR305 is being built to improve traffic mobility and to provide safer access to SR305. Also included is the construction of a non-motorized tunnel crossing to provide the only separated pedestrian and bicycle crossing of SR305. A newly constructed road (Johnson Parkway) will connect South Noll Road traffic to the new roundabout. The newly built Johnson Parkway will provide a safe connection between east and west for schools, neighborhoods, and regional non-motorized networks.
The contractor, ACI, installed their construction trailer at the top Johnson Road. Puget Sound Energy began relocating utility poles within the construction zone. Access to SR305 from lower Johnson Way is expected to be closed temporarily starting mid-November 2020, with the closure lasting up to six months. This closure will allow for access of the contractor to the roundabout, increased safety of the crew and will expedite the construction timeline. A large contractor presence on site is expected early November.
Two lanes of traffic will remain open along SR305 during the day with occasional flagging delays. The construction zone will have a temporary speed reduction to 35mph. Please plan ahead and we thank you in advance for your patience as we move into construction.
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The Poulsbo Skate Park Community Coalition is a group of active Poulsbo and Kitsap residents who are working with the City of Poulsbo to create a new skate park in Poulsbo, that promotes active fitness, community, arts, and sustainability in a year-round multi-use facility. In October, volunteers from kids to 60-year-old skateboarding grandpas have torn out the old rotting wood from the skate park at Raab Park and have replaced it with a concrete manual pad and grand ledge. About $2500 in materials was donated, and volunteers worked 180 hours on the project. We appreciate these and all our generous volunteers and sponsors that make Poulsbo such a wonderful community! |
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Poulsbo Events & Recreation Center |
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The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring for the following position: Police Officer (Entry Level). Click here to learn more details about the open positions. |
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