BREMERTON—Bremerton Kitsap Access Television is recruiting new members for its citizen advisory board, 12 to be exact as it hasn’t met in over four years.

The Bremerton City Council amended the city code — officially called Ordinance No. 5279 — to increase the group’s total membership from nine to 12.

Char Burnette, BKAT manager, expects the committee to be reconstituted in September. It would be the group’s first meeting since March 2011.

Burnette said a reduction in staff initiated the committee’s dissipation, although when BKAT hired a new full-time employee in January, she looked to fix that.

Burnette said a reduction in staff initially prompted its dissipation, but with a new full-time employee added in January, she hopes there will be more time for the committee.

“That freed up a lot of time for myself,” Burnette said. “I promised myself we would resurrect this advisory committee.”

Bremerton and the county will each appoint five members, while Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island will each appoint one.

The committee will meet quarterly, instead of monthly. BKAT “user,” which is a person or group who submits programs and/or uses BKAT equipment.

After Burnette spoke the floor was opened for public comment.

Robert Parker, of Port Orchard, said he tried to file a complaint with BKAT regarding the volume during city council meeting and then was referred to the committee, which for all intents and purposes, didn’t exist.

“So, I’m asking you: where was my venue? Where is my venue, other than right here?” Parker asked the council. “But if the committee is disestablished without notice to the council, I’m wondering if I’m even relevant talking to you about it.”

“The director won’t take my complaint, it’s obvious they aren’t following the law, there has been no committee meeting, so why do we even have a law?”

Parker also complained about some of the programs aired on BKAT, which could be found offensive.

Burnette defended BKAT, saying that as a public entity, they can’t censor programming.

“We can not, not, not pre-screen and delete any programming that is brought to us,” Burnette said. “If it is potentially objectionable — sex, drugs, bad words — we air it after midnight and we have had those programs.”

Councilman Dino Davis said although he appreciated the committee’s move toward better transparency, he still had some issues, particularly with the absence of annual reports.

“It does concern me that we’re missing our annual reports and that this advisory committee was allowed to disband without going through this body,” Davis said. “So with all expedience that we can put to it I would like to see this carried forward.”