The City of Port Orchard will have a change in representation on the Kitsap Transit board.
The council voted 3-1 to appoint Councilman Rob Putaansuu to the city’s seat that was held by Mayor Tim Matthes. The action occurred during the council’s work study session on Dec. 16.
For the past four years, Putaansuu has severed as an at-large member on the board. The seat is a two-year term and rotates among Kitsap County’s smaller cities — Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.
When the at-large seat term was up this month, Kitsap Transit Board Chair Rob Gelder replaced Putaansuu with a council member from Bainbridge Island.
“Bainbridge Island wanted to take their turn,” Putaansuu said. “When I was reappointed two years ago, no one stepped up for the seat.”
The 10-member board is comprised of nine elected officials and a non-voting member who represents the agency’s labor unions, as required by state law.
He said the city has benefited from having two seats on the board. Matthes represented the city and Putaansuu was the at-large member.
Putaansuu said he’s been on the board for four years and is passionate about the “passenger-only” ferry measure and the business plan that KT has put together.
“I’d like to see that to conclusion,” Putaansuu said.
According to the KT board bylaws, the mayor or a member of the council can be chosen by the council to represent the city.
“I’d like to continue to serve in that role and be the city’s representative on the board,” Putaansuu said.
Chang noted that the mayors of Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island and Bremerton have been traditionally on board.
“Because of that tradition, I’m leaning towards the tradition,” he told the other four council members.
Chang said he believes Putaansuu would be a “good advocate of the city,” but has different feelings about the “passenger-only” ferry proposal Putaansuu favors.
“I believe we put it before the voters to see if they want it,” Putaansuu said.
He noted that the KT board will meet again Jan. 5 and because the council meeting is the final one of the year, action needed to be taken.
Councilman Jerry Childs said that Putaansuu’s knowledge about transit issue benefits the city.
Councilwoman Bek Ashby said she reviewed the Kitsap Transit board bylaws several weeks ago. She said the bylaws state that the 10-member board must consist of three county commissioners, Bremerton mayor, a Bremerton city council member, a mayor or a council members chosen by the council represent each of the three county cities, an at-large member and union representative.
Mayor asked for recusal of two council members
Before discussion began on the city’s board presentation, Councilman John Clauson, Kitsap Transit executive director, recused himself from the discussion. Since it was the final item on the agenda, he left the meeting.
Councilman Jeff Cartwright, Kitsap Transit human resource director, said he has no conflict of interest because he reports to Clauson and Clauson reports to the board.
“If there are no objections, I plan on staying,” Cartwright said.
“I actually do object,” Matthes said. “I would like for you to recuse yourself and Mr. Putaansuu should recuse himself.”
Matthes said he, along with Cartwright and Putaansuu attended the Kitsap Transit board’s meeting on Dec. 16. The two council members told the mayor they would not recuse themselves from the meeting.
Putaasuu said he asked that the issue be placed on the agenda.
Councilman Fred Chang suggested Putaansuu remain for the meeting, but Cartwright recuse himself from the discussion.
“I do have concern for you being on the discussion, being an employee of Kitsap Transit and picking a member of the board,” Chang told Cartwright. “OK, Fred, I’ll honor that,” Cartwright said before he left the meeting.
Matthes, who is a Kitsap Transit board member, recused himself.
“But I still think Mr. Putaansuu should recuse himself,” Matthes said before he left the discussion.
Matthes asked Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Lucarelli to take charge of the meeting.
The Kitsap Transit board meets the third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers at the Norm Dicks Government Center at 345 6th St., Bremerton. The board holds a study session at 9 a.m. followed by a board meeting at 10:15 a.m.
