Poulsbo council hears repeated complaints about downtown parking, hears update on enforcement plan

Port and marina leaders urged the Poulsbo City Council on June 18 to preserve a small cluster of employee and resident parking at the head of D‑Dock and to strengthen enforcement of downtown parking rules.

Public commenters from the Port of Poulsbo and several downtown marine businesses said limited parking and inconsistent enforcement are preventing customers from reaching marine‑related shops and creating operational problems for the port’s fuel and service trucks. Jay Lawrence, chair of the Port of Poulsbo commission, told the council the port’s 2024 visitor counts totaled roughly 4,790 vessel arrivals, at an average party size of 2.8 people, and said those visits generate substantial downtown spending. He presented the numbers as port estimates and credited Washington Economic Development studies for the per‑vessel expenditure figures.

Marina residents and tenants said a planned city takeover of seven parking spaces at the head of D‑Dock would have an outsized effect on the marina. Lauren Heitzman, a resident who said she has lived aboard in the marina for more than 10 years, and Nicole Wannotka, guest moorage administrator, described how fueling trucks, trash pickup and deliveries require clear access to the fueling area and that blocking those access points can delay essential service. Business owners from Longship Marine and other waterfront firms asked the city to enforce existing three‑hour and time‑limit restrictions, ticket repeat offenders and enforce Anchorage rules that they say encourage turnover and reduce derelict vessels.

Mayor Rebecca Erickson clarified that the seven parking spaces under discussion are on City of Poulsbo property and that other adjacent areas are port property; she urged cooperation between the city and port. Councilmembers and staff said they want better enforcement. Councilmember comments at the dais repeatedly endorsed more active enforcement and noted the city previously discussed enforcement options.

Planning staff and the city administration said they are moving forward. Planning Manager Heather (last name in packet) told the council the city issued an RFP for third‑party parking enforcement and has narrowed the field to a top candidate; staff are completing background checks and expect to bring a contract and a budget amendment to council at the second meeting in July. Heather said staff are aiming to launch enforcement in August and will coordinate any fine increases so that enforcement can begin with the updated penalties if timing permits.

Heather also reported concurrent staff efforts on multiple downtown parking proposals, including talks with Bank of America and up to four potential agreements staff hope to bring forward in July. She said the city has been improving signage and will coordinate enforcement hours with paid‑parking hours if council approves the changes. Mayor and staff emphasized that the city will notify the public before any enforcement launch and that some enforcement tasks (for example, derelict vessel response) are ongoing through marine and police units.

The council did not vote on any ordinance about the port spaces during the meeting. Council and staff instead agreed to continue discussions with port leadership and to return to council with the enforcement contract, budget adjustments and any ordinance or fee changes needed to support enforcement.

The meeting record includes multiple public comments about the parking dispute and several requests that the city and port meet to resolve specific operational details. Mayor Erickson said she would meet with port representatives to discuss possible solutions and outreach.

Looking ahead, staff told council they will present the enforcement contract, proposed fine structure and four parking agreements at the July meetings and will work with port staff on operational safeguards (for fueling, trash pickup and ADA access) before any changes to access at the D‑Dock head are implemented.