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Poulsbo is full of caring, forward-thinking people of all ages, backgrounds, and dreams. Poulsbo for All Is a forum for information about local government and community concerns. See our monthly BLOG for more details and important links! Check out Poulsbo for All on Facebook. Join us in attending city council meetings and council committee meetings - become a participant in civic life!

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      NEWS OF NOTE FROM RECENT COUNCIL MEETINGS:

• 8/3/22: Council is moving to condemn the former Public Works site on Iverson St. before giving it (at no cost) to Poulsbo Farmers Market & Coffee Oasis. Citing Fishline's financial assets Mayor Erickson declined their request for $25,000 to help pay the salary of a counselor, yet recent Coffee Oasis IRS filings indicate roughly $3.5 million in assets (more than Fishline).

• 6/29/22:  Joint Meeting of Poulsbo City Council and Suquamish Tribal Council video link here.

• 6/1/22: Tune into the city council meeting for more discussion on plans to transfer the Public Works property (later slot in the agenda).

• 5/18/22: the agenda for tonight's meeting includes discussion of giving (no charge) 3.5 acres of prime public property (the current Poulsbo Public Works site) to Coffee Oasis and Poulsbo Farmer's Market. See our June blog for PFA's questions and recommendations regarding this public property.

• Mayor Erickson is pushing the Council to approve the conversion of an existing "green" roof (to filter storm water) at City Hall into a PATIO (video clip), primarily for use by City employees. Estimates to replace the functioning roof are $250,000 or more. Aren't there more urgent infrastructure and human service needs? What about solarizing the roof to power City Hall?

• Councilmember Britt Livdahl attended the G.A.R.E. (Government Alliance on Race and Equity - see our EQUITY page) annual membership meeting in Portland in April. See her brief comments about the conference to the City Council here and PfA's remarks here.

• While attending the Halloween "Ghosts in the Graveyard" community event at the Poulsbo Cemetery, Councilman Ed Stern was shocked to discover how much clear-cutting has been done by housing developers. They left no green buffer, but extended their development right up to the edge of the cemetery. No privacy between new homes and gravesites.

• The Housing Action Plan Workshop report to the Council (November 10, 2021) gave an overview of current city demographics, existing housing stock, housing costs, and strategies for the future:

Facts:

- Poulsbo rents are the highest in Kitsap County;
- During 2018 to 2019, rent increased 48% while income increased only 29%;
- 90% of Poulsbo workers do not live in Poulsbo, largely due to

   unaffordability;
- 60% of Poulsbo jobs are low wage (less than $3,300/month);
- 34% of renters and 29% of home owners are “cost burdened”  (spend over

   30% of monthly income on housing;
- 28% of Poulsbo residents are over the age of 60 and another 11% will reach

  60 within the next 10 years;
- Current construction is ahead of city goals and the houses being built are

   NOT affordable for those most in need of housing.