Hearing examiner finds code violations, issues fines or continuances in multiple Bremerton property cases

For the record, today is 01/27/2025 at 9AM, Hearing Examiner Yoshi Kamara said as he opened the City of Bremerton hearing examiner session on Jan. 27, which considered a slate of code-enforcement matters involving properties across the city.

The hearing produced a mix of outcomes: the examiner repeatedly found violations and ordered monetary penalties in several cases, granted continuances to allow property owners time to secure inspections or permits, and in one instance suspended fines so long as a recent cleanup is maintained.

Why this matters: the cases reported at the hearing included potential public-safety and public-health hazards—rodent-attracting trash and unsecured structures, electrical and structural defects in rental housing, unpermitted home-based businesses and an unauthorized encampment in a commercial parking lot. The examiner’s orders set short compliance deadlines in many matters and will expose noncompliant owners to daily fines.

Key outcomes and next steps

- 803 Warren Avenue (Case C240547) — Respondent: Roberto Frondoso (property owner). The examiner granted a continuance to the next hearing to allow the owner to complete a sewer cap and coordinate demolition permitting; the city noted asbestos abatement had been completed. City staff said the sewer-cap work must be inspected before the demolition permit can be approved.

- 3815 East Haven Avenue (Case C240592) — Respondents: Sherry and Eddie Hart. The city reported repeated nonresponse and long-delinquent landlord licensing; the hearing examiner found a violation and imposed monetary penalties at the lower level discussed by staff: an initial fine of $100 and $25 per day thereafter if not corrected within the ordered compliance period.

- 1202 Fourth Street (Case C240547, JDR Kitsap LLC) — The city described ongoing trash, overflowing cans and rodent attractants at a three-unit building. The examiner indicated he would find a violation and impose monetary penalties consistent with testimony (the standard enforcement fines discussed by staff).

- 2518 19th Street (Case C240547, Jesse Smith) — The examiner found violations related to unlicensed or inoperable vehicles and related debris, ordered compliance (two-week target) and monetary penalties consistent with the city’s recommendation.

- 2821? First Street (Case C240519, Kitsap Community Resources) — Tenants Justin Daniels and Amber Scott testified they had cleaned significant debris and were continuing work. The examiner found a violation had occurred but said monetary penalties would not be imposed so long as the property remained cleaned and maintained; city staff offered two dump-voucher truckloads to assist.

- 1513 Elizabeth Avenue (Case C240624, Michael L. Butts) — The city described multiple maintenance and electrical-safety issues and said a licensed home inspector report and contractor work were needed. The owner said a licensed inspector had been contracted and an electrician retained. The examiner ordered the owner to provide the third‑party inspection report within two weeks, continued the matter to the next hearing, and warned that permitting and any required code upgrades would follow from that report.

- 1802 Marlow Avenue (Case C240465, Santos Ramos Matias and Andrea Pablo Lorenzo) — The city reported an unpermitted paved parking area, an oversized business sign and an absent Washington State business license and Bremerton endorsement for a home-based landscaping business. The planner cited Bremerton Municipal Code section BMC 20.46.030 for home-occupation rules. The examiner found the violations and indicated monetary penalties would be imposed while expecting the respondents to pursue licensing and permit corrections.

- 935 Pleasant Avenue (Case C240385, Francis Hall) — The city reported recurring extensive blackberry overgrowth and a dilapidated, unsecured garage structure that could tempt occupancy by unsheltered people. The owner said she had cut the canes and was hiring someone to remove roots; the examiner granted a continuance to the Feb. 24 hearing to allow removal and encouraged the owner to secure the building.

- 605 Washington Avenue (Case C240522, Nancy Williams and Eric Painter) — The city presented photographs of overhanging blackberry vines encroaching on sidewalks and two long-unlicensed vehicles with flat tires. The examiner found violations and indicated monetary penalties consistent with the city’s recommendation.

- 1943 Wheaton Way (Case C240561, MGP Beacon Guarantee and Corp Smart LLC) — The property was overgrown with vegetation; the owner informed staff he could likely remedy the conditions in 60 days, though the city asked for 30. The examiner found a violation and said he would impose monetary penalties consistent with the discussion and set a compliance timeline to be reflected in his written decision.

- 2310 Wheaton Way (Case C240542, Bremerton RM LLC) — The lot has been used informally for RVs and an encampment-like use; the city reported removed graffiti but ongoing personal belongings and an RV on a lot not zoned for camping. The examiner found a violation and directed cleanup and standard fines if not remedied within the compliance period.

- 917 Wilbert Avenue (Case C24-620, Amy Delaney) — The city and health department reported a property in foreclosure with significant trash and rodent evidence and no active waste collection at the address. The examiner found a violation and indicated monetary penalties would be imposed; he said staff would attempt to contact any new owner once a foreclosure transfer is recorded.

Quotes from the hearing

Hearing Examiner Yoshi Kamara opened the session with an administrative statement: "For the record, today is 01/27/2025 at 9AM." City staff and several residents or owners spoke at the hearing; resident Justin Daniels told the examiner, "We're doing our best to continue like getting it better than what it's at now," describing recent cleanup efforts at his address.

What happens next

The examiner said he will issue written decisions reflecting the findings and penalties discussed for those matters he closed and will issue continuance orders (for example, for the 803 Warren Avenue and 1513 Elizabeth Avenue matters) that restate compliance deadlines and any required submittals (inspection reports or permit applications). Several matters were continued to the examiner’s next scheduled hearing (Feb. 24, 2025) so staff can review inspection reports, permit applications or cleanup progress. Owners who do not meet the ordered deadlines face daily fines as specified in the examiner’s forthcoming written decisions.

The hearing record includes city staff testimony about specific municipal code provisions (BMC 20.46.030 for home occupations) and the submitted NOVs and correction notices for each case; the examiner’s decisions will reference those documents.