Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Affairs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on emergency preparedness and inclusion; council highlights Nordic Cottages opening, ADU outreach and veterans banners
Summary
Public commenters urged more community emergency preparedness training and defended weekly pro‑democracy, pro‑inclusion rallies; councilmembers reported on the Nordic Cottages ribbon cutting, ADU outreach events, veterans banners and upcoming skate‑park ribbon cutting.
At the Sept. 17 Poulsbo City Council meeting, public comment speakers asked the council about emergency preparedness and urged it to protect peaceful demonstrations and community inclusion.
Sharon Bud asked about the city’s plans to organize community first‑aid and CPR training and about how emergency preparedness efforts will be coordinated. Bud said she had received information from staff but wanted details on timing and organization.
Pam Keeley, representing Poulsbo For All, told the council her group has held weekly pro‑democracy rallies at Waterfront Park for seven months and “at every event, we emphasize peaceful protests and reject violence.” She added, “We reject racism, xenophobia and hate toward any group including natives, immigrants and members of the LBGTQ community,” and urged the council to uphold freedoms and resist outside pressure.
Councilmembers used their reports to highlight recent and upcoming local events. Councilmember Eckert described the ribbon cutting for Nordic Cottages as a culmination of years of work by staff, partners and prior councils. Councilmember Newell said the completed Nordic Cottages project contains eight units and that the per‑unit cost was “about $500,000 each,” calling the development “a good start” and urging continued work on affordable housing strategies.
Parks staff reminded the council that Wilderness Park was temporarily closed after a tree fell onto a crossing; public works will assess damage and post updates. Parks staff also noted a ribbon cutting and skate jam for the rebuilt skate park is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, with partners including Tara Simmons, Rotary and the skate‑park advisory group.
Councilmember Eckert announced new veterans banners to be flown from holiday to holiday and said the city will display them leading up to the Veterans Day parade. City administrator Rob Gelder and others noted the ADU outreach open house drew strong community interest in accessory dwelling units, lending and legal aspects of building ADUs.
Why it matters: Public comments signaled resident concerns about readiness and civil‑liberties protection; council reports showed progress on senior and affordable housing pilot projects and on parks facilities that affect everyday life and events in Poulsbo.
Next steps: Staff will follow up on emergency‑preparedness training details for the council and community; parks staff will post updates on Wilderness Park and coordinate the skate‑park ribbon cutting.
