At the Port Orchard City Council meeting Feb. 11, local community concerns took center stage, ranging from uncertainties surrounding federal transportation funding to outdated regulations on small businesses.

Mayor Rob Putaansuu shared concerns about the funding, highlighting uncertainty caused by dysfunction within the Federal Highway Administration. He explained that leadership changes and shifting federal priorities could delay reimbursements for several city projects, including the Bay Street pedestrian path, Bethel Lincoln roundabout, and Bay Street Road design.

“What was conveyed to me in these meetings is that things are chaotic and there is a lot of uncertainty on how processes will work going forward,” he said. He also mentioned that projects not under contract are currently paused for additional review, and some initiatives related to climate or equity are in jeopardy.

During public comments, Robert McGee addressed the council, advocating for the removal of the city’s cabaret license requirement, calling it a burden on small businesses and an outdated form of censorship. He argued that the license, originally created for live venues, is redundant, as businesses already comply with other regulations. He suggested that the city could use community boards or zoning regulations to address specific concerns.

“Port Orchard deserves an arts and entertainment scene that reflects diversity but not one constrained by outdated regulations,” McGee said. “The cabaret license process adds unnecessary cost for small businesses and consumes valuable time and resources that could otherwise be spent growing their business.”

He also pointed out that processing the licenses requires significant staff time from multiple city departments, including fire, billing, and finance. McGee argued that this use of resources far outweighs the revenue generated by the $200 fee for the license.