[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6270028,"mediaKeyId","3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1","parentId",3039686,"title","Council discusses permitting delays, developer communications and using a communications contractor to improve outreach","audioSeconds",3810,"startMs",1260000,"endMs",5070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1&start=1260&end=5070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270028/Port-Orchard/Kitsap-County/Washington/Council-discusses-permitting-delays-developer-communications-and-using-a-communications-contractor-to-improve-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270028-7bdb010ae20dd0ee33329661be5ce968/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159301&Signature=awO5riN9nb0Xsm7DGeMS4tVOhon99NUsidtB0XecIf43ZKFAuL8iOXTv9KJPv6NJQR~q77t2HE-h7A1c3a79UKygcDuCQPtTEsP6Jh1JfP1dGmK6nFbL6B00zWDPhgI10EyKHcFqmiyugPXWFd~x7jQL3Y64HdC7WF98aGEw9pHXTfmdDyjWtbbQscQmOv03qyiAlZmf-mre7NvrM4ZuppK38vAzIBxyd-Bo2QntWqABhPK9y2Boka6QzwdYws2AaLvdGhLKRh27OryOtw7mDAbKTdurAsvTFPBxHndPg3HKyRjXQsC7QDDy7gJf3qy~vadu9QJq4cGWd~zf0j9mSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Port Orchard, WA","date","2025-04-17T16:23:08.783Z","article","Port Orchard councilmembers used the April work study to press staff on permitting timelines, customer service for small businesses and property owners, and how the city communicates about projects publicly.

Council and staff described recurring complaints from small business owners and developers that the permitting process is hard to navigate and that third-party consultants sometimes do not keep applicants informed. Staff said the city relies on outside consultants for plan review and inspections when workload spikes and that hiring enough in-house staff to cover peak demand would be expensive and risky in an uncertain workload environment. Staff said they are exploring process-improvement options used by the county and shoring up checklists, email templates and one-page guides to help applicants.

Several councilmembers recommended creating an ombudsman or developer liaison role to guide applicants through the process. Staff said some jurisdictions have such positions and that Port Orchard could consider one, but emphasized resourcing and surge staffing are constraints.

Councilmembers also asked about digital permitting software and whether a consultant should diagnose needs before the city buys a platform. Staff supported starting with a diagnostic and comparing what the county has done.

Separately, the council discussed strengthening the city\u000027s external communications. Councilmembers proposed bringing the city\u000027s communications contractor, Josh Johnson, into a council work study session so he could hear meetings directly and better identify newsworthy items. Staff said Johnson produces content but does not post directly to the city\u000027s social channels and that communications workflow with department heads can be improved.

Ending: Council directed staff to research process-improvement models used by neighboring jurisdictions, produce clearer checklists and applicant-facing materials, and arrange a work study with the city communications contractor to develop a coordinated outreach plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 15, 2025, City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers and staff spent substantial time on process improvements: customer service for permit applicants, use of consultants versus in-house staff, online permitting tools, a possible developer ombudsman, and expanding communications work by staff contractor Josh Johnson to better tell city project stories.","taxTitle","Port Orchard, Kitsap County, Washington","taxId",54315,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270033,"Givens Park bid comes in at $475,000; council to consider contract amid funding gap",113,91000,204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1&start=91&end=204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6270033/Port-Orchard/Kitsap-County/Washington/Givens-Park-bid-comes-in-at-475000-council-to-consider-contract-amid-funding-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270033-8faa7b24a7ba2fc3e193cf1c2e8cbb9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159301&Signature=TmiPadyBmec~L~qyeO92N45VCpd0ndqWE3MG-qgXjPf4DYr5XK6TCQkfMxALVSNTE3Oi7TvEEnUy3PUR~CTRVP1mdSkZMsU0GRVd2E7ZphCQpwpoTBjd82BDLLY5-RCcG9fHVjCzV280V-8Txs8e5VeOeMmMQ6-EV-4VMuOG3R3uOhKxQdGeB1q3GlawJ8-K4SpAfAOhvz-qR1wuGd6iBqy~MJr9tCTbNzMkzsC1TcF5M~td4mwe6u3QVqkNBRp9K1w7f0LSf5VTr3tiaDaX7N6ES1JVE~5miDVZSNotRN9hMQO1YYrg0FawIC9OVpa3WEFB603q9FuDOVsZHEH5hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Port Orchard City Council during an April work study that bids opened for the Givens Park project and the low bid came back at $475,000.

Staff said the city had previously received a cooperative purchasing quote that exceeded $800,000, and the city had a $250,000 grant plus a $50,000 Rotary Club donation on hand; earlier planning assumed the city would cover roughly $150,000 out of local funds. At bid opening staff said the low bid of $475,000 reduces the gap but still leaves the project short; staff told the council they will present the contract for council consideration at the next regular meeting.

During the same update, staff said other recent capital work (including city hall construction) has come in under budget and that staff can use some contingency dollars to address the shortfall for Givens Park. Staff also said they planned to add a summer paving ad-alternate to the project and that those funds would likely consume the remaining city-hall-related contingency.

Ending: Staff will bring the Givens Park contract to council for approval next week and advised members of the remaining financial tradeoffs the city would need to make if it proceeds with the low bid.","Staff reported the city opened bids for Givens Park work; the low bid was $475,000, substantially below a prior cooperative quote and above the city\u000027s existing grant and donation totals, and staff said council will see the contract next week and may use remaining city hall contingency funds to cover the shortfall.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270038,"Staff: West Bay pathway redesign and house removals require permits, estimated $200,000",96,246000,342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1&start=246&end=342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1/thumbnail_246000.jpg","/articles/6270038/Port-Orchard/Kitsap-County/Washington/Staff-West-Bay-pathway-redesign-and-house-removals-require-permits-estimated-200000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270038-448bc99f9927d1324edfa500a2d1d782/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159301&Signature=WLyFeGtQL6Ok3ztrw6YIr4bUKxvlOtV7J6kMb3HRXU8wV2kR6eI3Ckgz9Atm9lnl2KcqLYZpb~r~qJ0wb~pmZGQnNylB92pgtWFAMR8Dm2g82LyNymtSI-8UEtfhmXeYHHfEofN6cUSwdPffXp5sJZFMr7ck2za228YmuZTQG1PKodwa2fHXEUzeL94VLqNtnzeIOc8Y07js7FPLE2L2fBzxCJwd11gOc4oevjDnqBPg0Kfsr5JxMYMzigpXGLx~5j9kn7FQ8egAsWD~qHSom3l~-3xct1ry41o7UtYaXHupbLnWpXzgBR7kzWHuAOeG3rVdDSq0Nj6dHj1X5r9e8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Port Orchard City Council during its April work study that environmental regulations have forced a redesign of a West Bay pathway and that permits tied to removing several houses will add costs before demolition may proceed.

Staff said the pathway segment along West Bay can no longer be constructed as previously planned (concrete poured atop riprap). Instead, the project must be rebuilt as an elevated boardwalk, which requires redesign and additional permitting for the first phase. Staff reported the permitting and design package for the houses and the boardwalk carries a proposal price of about $200,000 and said the city cannot remove the houses without those permits in place.

The staff presenter said consultants are confident permits can be issued by summer and that the city intends to proceed with the planned house removals once the permitting work is completed. Council members asked whether the estimate covered all design phases; staff said the $200,000 was the proposal for permitting and redesign work and that the contract could come to the council for consideration as soon as the following month.

Staff also said the redesign and permitting will draw on money already budgeted for the pathway activity and related planning contingencies.

Ending: Staff said they will bring a contract for the permitting and design work to the council when arrangements are finalized and that construction sequencing depends on permit approvals.","City staff told the council environmental and permitting changes require a redesign of the West Bay pathway and permit work tied to removing houses; staff cited a $200,000 proposal for permitting and design work before demolition can proceed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270043,"City staff: converted church may face nearly $250,000 in water/sewer connection fees",316,479000,795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1&start=479&end=795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039686-ee0ad43313f82c7f101225f7de98c3d1/thumbnail_479000.jpg","/articles/6270043/Port-Orchard/Kitsap-County/Washington/City-staff-converted-church-may-face-nearly-250000-in-watersewer-connection-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270043-1ef7052c9679a56e1de3d345cc5d6f48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159301&Signature=M5BMIw17MVgVFvaG8gllfGSktt3bBYSffCfHPZR9VjexowHkrgFstk8Ma8Y1jpyYdasfVZg6ieakUbIlHlyk8q9eGstOOdLg7nttZi8cllBkr46~~FVknPyn-8aTYTZuXWy3qanpALTO0qff6GzYwA-E4r9N8lte1BufEmQdq8DOzcZrbx6yoy1C5KdsgeeZ3rzbHujsqHcGNsliFmKmTRl9RzyzmumWxH8YorsNUKoNxGV8HWBs2X6rNDhm5g5KArMGNpb4aXEKh98GN32e7t25OvjP6K-dQTC2yfQNEfTzoFOnncFCB~FTZuFvF3R6-o34b8FYaR01TEIX0LUNPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Port Orchard City Council during its April work study that a developer converting a former church into congregate housing faces unexpectedly large water and sewer connection charges that could approach a quarter-million dollars.

Staff said the project\u000027s application included a consultant\u000027s water-usage estimate that the consultant initially recorded as 14,000 gallons per day, then as 1,400 gallons per day. Using the city\u000027s connection-charge rules, staff said that level of use equates to about eight Equivalent Residential Units, or ERUs, and that the property already qualifies for credit for one ERU; staff calculated a net of seven ERUs. \"That\u000027s nearly a quarter million dollars for their connection charges,\" a city staff member said during the meeting.

City staff said the developer, identified in the transcript only by the first name Andrew, had not expected that figure and had not previously factored it into move-in timing. Staff described back-and-forth review with the finance department after determining the consultant had applied the wrong code provisions in the first submission. Staff also said the city has reached out to Bremerton, which operates a similar congregate facility, to obtain actual usage data and possibly identify a lower benchmark.

Staff emphasized it cannot legally waive or \"give away\" connection charges without a justification that would meet code requirements. \"We're working hard to find a path to get to this lower number, but we've got to be able to justify it,\" the staff member said.

Councilmembers and other speakers asked whether the city had earlier opportunity to flag the fee during plan review; staff replied that the connection charge was confirmed when the meter order was placed and that the document submitted by the applicant is what the city used for its calculation.

The council discussion also noted this building type is a relatively new conversion in Port Orchard, and staff recommended pulling comparative meter data from other jurisdictions and refining the city\u000027s checklist and preapplication steps to ensure applicants and their consultants understand the likely fees earlier in the process.

Ending: Councilmembers said they want staff to continue seeking comparable usage data and to report back with options for mitigation or clarification of the fee-calculation method.","City staff told the council a planned conversion of a former church into congregate housing faces a high sewer/water connection charge after a consultant\u000027s usage estimate. Staff said the owner was surprised and that the city is reviewing similar projects to seek comparable data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses permitting delays, developer communications and using a communications contractor to improve outreach

Givens Park bid comes in at $475,000; council to consider contract amid funding gap

Staff: West Bay pathway redesign and house removals require permits, estimated $200,000

City staff: converted church may face nearly $250,000 in water/sewer connection fees