The December 10, 2024, City Council meeting in Port Orchard, Washington, addressed several pressing community concerns, with a significant focus on public safety issues raised by residents.

The meeting began with a public comment regarding a hazardous dead evergreen tree located at the intersection of Old Clifton Road and R Place Road. A resident expressed urgent concerns about the tree, which is leaning dangerously over power lines and a public roadway frequently used by students from Sunnyslope Elementary School. The resident highlighted that the tree, estimated to be over 50 feet tall, poses a severe risk of falling, potentially causing serious injury or death, particularly to school bus passengers.

The resident detailed previous attempts to alert city officials and the local school district about the danger. Despite notifying the City of Port Orchard multiple times and submitting a request through the city’s online service, the response indicated that the tree was not currently in contact with the power lines and that removal was not possible as it is located on private property outside the county right-of-way.

Following this public comment, the council discussed the implications of the situation, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to address safety hazards that affect the community. The council members acknowledged the importance of ensuring the safety of students and residents and agreed to explore potential solutions, including communication with property owners and utility companies.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the council to follow up on the issue and to consider measures that could prevent similar situations in the future. The council's next steps will involve further discussions on public safety protocols and potential collaborations with relevant agencies to address hazardous conditions in the city.