Bremerton hearing examiner orders permits, grants continuances in dozen code-enforcement cases

Hearing Examiner Yoshi Kumar convened the City of Bremerton hearing examiner session on Feb. 24, 2025, to review 12 separate code-enforcement matters. City staff presented inspection findings and requested orders requiring permits, demolition, or cleanup; the examiner granted continuances in multiple matters, found some cases cured, and said written orders would be issued in the next few days.

The hearing matters centered on public-safety and property-maintenance concerns: collapsing or failing building components and retaining walls, unsecured or occupied recreational vehicles, accumulated debris and garbage, interior mold and unsafe electrical or structural work, and shorefront bulkhead repairs tied to the shoreline master program. The city repeatedly asked property owners to apply for building or demolition permits within set timeframes and warned of fines if owners failed to comply.

City staff member Mr. Cohen presented most cases and introduced exhibits including inspection reports, correction letters and stop-work orders. City building inspector Roper Benitez provided technical detail for one case, saying he had “conducted an assessment of the property inspection report … and documented a line item by line item” the life-safety and damaged areas that would require permits. For several matters, the city recommended a 30-day compliance period to apply for permits and $500 initial fines followed by $100 per day after the deadline.

Major outcomes and directions from the hearing included:

- 1513 Elizabeth (C240547), Michael Butts: The examiner ordered the owner to apply for building permits within 30 days after the city’s presentation and to respond to follow-up questions within two weeks; the city noted additional photos and inspection reports in the record. No one appeared on the record for the owner at the hearing.

- 935 Pleasant Avenue (C240385), Francis Hall: City staff reported progress; the examiner found the matter cured after the owner removed debris and secured the garage and granted no further action at this hearing.

- 1004 Eighth Street / 803 Warren Avenue (C240457), Roberto and Rebecca Frondozzo, trustees: The city reported the owner had submitted paperwork for a sewer cap required for demolition; the examiner granted a one-month continuance so demolition and sewer-capping work can proceed.

- 2113 Fourth Street (C240097), Walter and Stacy Gauthier: Staff reported the owner obtained the required permit and was working toward compliance; the examiner deemed the case cured and closed the file contingent on completing the permit work and calling for final inspection.

- 1746 Burwell Street (C240015), Adam Bridal Brenaghan: City staff urged demolition of an unsafe garage/deck structure that inspectors said was at risk of collapsing onto the sidewalk, and recommended the owner provide permit-related documents within 30 days; the examiner recorded that demolition was the recommended course of action.

- 3818 Sundown Drive (C240623), Shane Eisen / Jerry Gonzales / McCollum Investment Group: Following police reports of transients and city observations that the front door was unsecured and interior remodel work and debris were present, the city sought an initial fine of $500 and $100 per day thereafter if the owner failed to secure the building, remove debris and file required permits; the examiner set a two-week compliance timeline for filing the permit.

- 815 Shore Drive (C230556), Janet and Nicholas Gargoyle: The owner asked for time to secure a shoreline-consultant contract and to complete an engineering assessment for a bulkhead. The examiner granted a 30-day continuance to allow the owner to arrange a shoreline-master-plan consultant and engineering work.

- 6613 Lake Drive (C240607), Michael Collins: After a tenant complaint about mold and other interior issues, the owner provided a private inspection report; the city directed Collins to apply for either a demolition or remodel permit within 60 days and to board the building if it will be vacant; the examiner accepted 60 days as a reasonable compliance window.

- 611 Fourth Street (C240610), Sam Skicker (vehicle/junk-vehicle case): The city documented an inoperable vehicle with expired plates used as shelter, graffiti and debris. Staff said graffiti had been painted over and garbage removed; city requested either a private-property impound or proof the vehicle is operable and licensed within two weeks, with fines of $500 and $100 per day thereafter.

- 543 and 545 Sixth Street (C210025), Georgi Bulcock: The owner had applied for permits and was responding to city comment letters; the examiner granted a 30-day continuance to allow the review process to continue.

- 2146 Seventh Street (C2040602), Janary and Damon Creek (retaining wall): Staff identified a leaning retaining wall that posed a danger to the sidewalk and recommended the owner apply for permits; the owner, Damon Crick, reported he had ordered an engineering assessment and asked for 30 days to obtain a demolition permit and remove debris; the examiner agreed to a 30-day timeframe to submit permit applications and follow up.

- 2305 Nineteenth Street / 1746 Houston Avenue (C240496 / C25-2), Brent Roberts and occupants: Staff reported an occupied RV previously blocking sight lines, subsequent debris and household items in the yard, and that tenants had partially cleaned up. An occupant, Pierre Taylor, said he has been making dump runs and removing tires and debris and asked for an extension. The city granted two additional weeks from issuance of the written order for the occupants to finish cleanup; the examiner reminded the parties the RV may remain but must not be used as a habitable space.

Tenant and occupant comments appeared in several matters. Occupant Pierre Taylor said, “I’ve been doing dump runs… we’re gonna get the place together,” and asked for two more weeks to finish cleanup; the examiner and city staff granted a two-week extension tied to issuance of the written order. Property owners who appeared generally agreed to the city’s timeframes and to work with staff to complete engineering assessments, apply for permits and arrange demolition when inspectors recommended it.

The examiner said he will issue written orders reflecting the directions and continuances discussed at the hearing in the next few days. Where the city requested fines, the standard penalty the city cited repeatedly was $500 followed by $100 per day after the compliance deadline; the examiner applied standard compliance windows (two weeks, 30 days, or 60 days) based on the case and the parties’ statements.

The session emphasized that most next steps are administrative — filing permits, scheduling inspections and completing engineering assessments — and that the city will return matters to the hearing calendar if owners do not meet ordered deadlines.