The city of Poulsbo is still interested in building the Nordic Cottages affordable housing project, even though the only bid came in over the estimate.

The City Council July 10 debated putting it out for bid again, but decided not to.

Councilmember Doug Newell summed it up, saying he doubts there would be any savings, “maybe a couple-hundred-thousand dollars.”

The bidder, BJC Group, has a good reputation locally, so the council will look at funding options. The city had approved $3.22 million. The cost now is $3.97 million.

“It’s more expensive than we wanted, but it’s still doable,” Mayor Becky Erickson said.

It was mentioned the Department of Commerce recently added $160,000 to its $152,000 grant already approved so the cost will be reduced some.

“The cost is a lot, but there’s a principle involved,” Councilmember Britt Livdahl said.

The goal of the eight-unit project of 550 square feet each is to provide very affordable housing for older adults and those with disabilities so they can have “dignified aging in place,” a city memo says.

Kim Hendrickson, the city’s Housing, Health and Human Services director, said the state requires cities to plan for affordable housing at all income levels. That includes emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing.

The city approved a sales and use tax in 2021 that brings in about $600,000 a year. Also involved are: Housing Kitsap, Housing Resources Bainbridge, Fishline, Gateway, Kitsap Builders Association and Kitsap Homes of Compassion.

There was quite a bit of discussion about who would live in the homes. Hendrickson said the council had talked about giving priority to Poulsbo residents who have been priced out of their homes. But Newell said they can’t do that, it has to be open to all.

Senior Task Force

Also at the meeting, the Senior Task Force gave a presentation. Formed last November, the group consists of citizen advisory members, Parks and Recreation commissioners and city staff. It has assessed community needs for senior programming and looked for funding and partnerships. Its slideshow tells the council that senior programs reached 235 people in 2022 and 511 in 2023, and is at 400 just halfway through this year. It shows how such programs can help seniors with improved physical and mental health.

Parks director Jeff Ozimek said in 2019 there were just two programs a month for seniors, trips paid for by them. After COVID, parks and rec wanted “to get our seniors out and engaged,” so if offered more programs, and they were free as most seniors are on fixed incomes. Especially popular were fitness classes. In 2023 a Rotary grant helped to offer even more programs. There has been even more offered this year. “This just demonstrates the need for our seniors,” Ozimek said.

He was asked why parks doesn’t do more with the existing senior center downtown. He said they are “on the cusp on how to work together and partner on this.” That said, he added seniors in their programs differ in that they want to be at the parks and rec center, and they want fitness classes.

Mary Swoboda, a parks commissioner who also was on the task force, said the seniors would like a gathering place at the parks center. They are looking a fundraising for donations, grants and partnerships to “put the pieces together.”

Traffic cameras

Police chief Ron Harding talked about automated traffic safety cameras. He said the three in town are set to go online Aug. 28. Warnings will be given out the first month, followed by citations.

Councilmember Rick Eckert said he knows people in the Poulsbo Elementary area who are looking forward to the cameras because of “some of the behavior around there.”

The council passed the law last November, but it needed to be updated due to changes in state law regarding stoplight violations. The goal of the law is to improve pedestrian and traffic safety. The state law change says the maximum penalty can be $145, and there are restrictions on what revenue from fines can be used for. The cameras can only be used in school and park zones, and can only take pictures of the vehicle and license plate, not the face of the driver.

Transit Center

Kitsap Transit John Clauson talked about the new Silverdale Transit Center, which has been in the works for 10 years—ever since it was asked to leave the Silverdale Mall area.

Clauson said it broke ground two years ago and opened a couple of weeks ago. Being close to the “hospital is a huge advantage for the transit system,” he said, adding it’s 100% electric. “Like a cell phone you can pull in and load passengers and recharge some of the energy it uses.”

KT received a $17 million federal grant to buy five double-decker buses and develop a north base heavy duty maintenance facility, which will “help us not to drive to Bremerton (for maintenance), which is energy wasted.” The local portion is $4.25 million.

Officials like the two-story buses because they can carry twice the passengers in the same footprint, which is important because of the lack of parking at the ferry terminal on Bainbridge Island. Erickson said of riding on the top deck, “You can see forever.”

Comp plan

Staff talked about the Natural Environment chapter of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Amendments include new sections on: “Water Quality and Basin Planning” to address ongoing planning; “Climate change.” It looks at improving preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Also, to avoid environmental health disparities and reducing gas emissions and miles traveled for vehicles; “Air quality”; and “Urban forestry” about ongoing tree stewardship and protection.

In other news

Ozimek said the pickleball community is lining various courts around town so they can be used for that sport. He said the city is coming up with guidelines for court usage, such as not to use a court for over an hour if people are waiting. Eckert said to be sure to “take care of everybody,” not just one group.

Eckert said after the Pride celebration this summer the city wants to also honor other cultures in the area. He talked with Suquamish tribal chairman Leonard Forsman about honoring them. Forsman said January might be a good time to do that to honor the Treaty of Point Elliott signing in 1855.

Erickson said the city expects to get up to $30,000 from a national opioid settlement lawsuit. She also said during the heat this summer to only water lawns during permitted times to “be careful with resources.” To dispel rumors, she said city police have no quotas on any type of tickets. “People on social media just enjoy hearing themselves,” she guessed on why such things are fabricated.

During public comments, there was a complaint about fireworks, and Eckert said they have been working on that issue for years. The council OK’d night work to install fiber to Liberty Bay Auto Center and Brown Bear Car Wash. And it honored Chief Seattle Days.

A look at the new transit center in Silverdale.